I never enjoyed the simple pleasures of an advent calendar before Atlantis. While we had gift-giving holidays in Lordran, they took a backseat by necessity to fighting monsters and tending to victims of the undead curse, both activities that cut into shopping time, and then the merchants are usually the first to go anyhow which also complicates things. But advent calendars! I think home would love them. There's something so fun about opening up little doors to see what treat awaits us every morning, and so far, nothing is poisoned or needs to be slain, which is a jolly surprise. Also, I think socks have an undeserved reputation for being boring; cold feet aren't very festive if you've ever had them.
But truly the
greatest surprise this winter has been the arrival of my unexpected but not unwelcome son, Declan Hawke. His honor, intelligence and charm are surely from his mother's side of the family, and if you haven't yet met him, you must.
[ Filtered to Bethany ] I think we did well. Don't you? He's perfect. I'm still a little shell-shocked by it all but... it's hard to be anything but
happy about him, isn't it?