[ On Christmas Eve, a large box finds its way to Lauralae's door. The contents are wrapped with black paper and silver ribbon — an unwitting complement to her own choices, though perhaps one they ought to have expected. Inside, several other boxes have been wrapped in red paper, and the contents are as follows:
— A sheer white blouse with a black ribbon at the collar and pearl buttons, with her name carefully embroidered in silver thread upon the seam right underneath where the ribbon would typically fall. — A smaller set of clothes, practically matching, for the doll she so treasures. — A perfume bottle containing a bolder, warmer floral fragrance. Around its neck, another velvet ribbon, this one embroidered with the words dove's nest. — And, finally, a fine, pale grey feather, with a black satin ribbon tied around the bare shaft.
There's a letter as well, written in Astarion's neat hand (somewhat shorter than his first draft, but more to his satisfaction where levels of emotional vulnerability are concerned): ]
Little dove,
As a rule, I put very little stock in things like luck and divine providence. But how else to explain the circumstances of our meeting?
You know, I hope, how dear you are to me. That you are deserving of being held dear. Let no one make you think otherwise.
The feather, as you may have guessed, is a token from Shadowheart. She picked it herself.
🎁 delivery (dated 12/24).