merry and bright — open .

[EDMUND.]

[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 2.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]Flintlock Lodge felt quieter throughout this year’s Yuletide. Often, the streets were busy with children playing in the snow, their parents looking upon the games with joyous smiles on their faces. Without the children, it almost felt as if it wasn’t the festive season, despite the beautiful decorations strung up throughout the village. Whilst Eddie wouldn’t be able to spend Christmas Day with his children this year, he’d still make sure they knew that they were on his mind.

With a full canvas bag over his shoulder, Eddie had spent most of the morning heading in and out of the little boutique stores in the village as he searched for gifts to send to his children so they had something from him to open. As well as that, he picked up several smaller items for the other children of Flintlock and Northstar. Food packages and crafting supplies, puzzles and little toy dolls. After all, it was the least Eddie could do to thank Northstar for their benevolence whilst also treating the children of Flintlock. Tommy was due to pack up a wagon this afternoon so that he could travel to Northstar and spend a few days with Tara and Finnian; he would be able to take the gifts along with him.

Standing in a store, Eddie picked up a charm bracelet, slowly turning it to look at all the charms. ❝ Who’s the lucky lady, Eddie? ❞ A Flintlocker who managed the store asked as she sat behind the counter, Eddie quickly lifting his head to look over towards the woman. ❝ Uh… No — it’s just to thank Maxine. For looking after the children. ❞ He lied smoothly, lifting the bracelet to show the woman before putting it into the canvas bag. ❝ That’s a smart choice. Getting everyone on your side. ❞ The woman cackled, naive to Ed's clear affections towards Maxine, as Eddie’s lips tugged into a straight-lipped smile. ❝ Of course… Thank you. ❞ Eddie then turned to step out of the store, peering down the snowed over street as he watched the bustle of Flintlockers going by their day.   

It seemed that Eddie was missing more than just his children.

[SAINT BERNARD]

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a

THE TIRED SOLDIER

[b][i]bernard smith. bernard noticed edmund heading in and out of stores and he rose a brow from where he was currently smoking a cigarette, bundled up in several different types of clothing. he was sure he looked like a sight for sore eyes but he was [i]warm, and that's what mattered. the cigarette wasn't doing much for his hands, as his gloves made it impossible to hold it in his fingers, but he was fine. it wouldn't be the first time he nearly had frostbite.

"what's all this for?" bernard asked when he caught up to edmund, after he was slowly sauntering down the street after the leader. he had shuffled aside for the lady when she left and in turn stood somewhat in the doorway. "aren't you a bit too old for toys?" he asked, brows raised in amusement as he shook his cigarette to snuff out the butt.

"speech."

[EDMUND.]

[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 2.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]❝ Aren't you a bit too old for toys? ❞ Bernard’s amused question had caught Eddie off guard, lips twitching upwards for a second as a quiet breath passed his lips with mirth. Then, he feebly lifted the bag as he pointed out, ❝ Just playing the role of Father Christmas this year. Don’t want the children to miss out just because they’re in Northstar. ❞

He slowly lowered the bag again, that barely-there ghost of a smile faltering before he added more solemnly, ❝ My two youngest — this would’ve been my first Christmas with them. ❞ And as for young Charlotte and Thomas, they were also thoroughly missed, but he'd rather not see them for one festive event than never see them again.

[freddie]

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— if freddie had known he was going to be walking down the road and towards some sentimental moment, he probably would’ve turned the other way. found mollie and headed to the bar instead. yet there he was nonetheless, watching eddie lower a bag down onto the ground, reminiscing about christmas with the kids. good god. he missed the days when eddie was the life of the party, instead of this drag.

”anything in there for me, santa?” he asked as he stepped closer, gently jabbing ed’s shoulder with a closed fist. “they’re most likely having the time of their lives their, you know. a beach… tons of stray cats…” he shrugged, as if he didn’t possibly need to elaborate. “i’d be down there for christmas too, if i could.” of course he couldn’t though. with the bar bustling as people prepared for christmas, among other things… freddie trying to tell himself it wasn’t to spend the holiday with mollie.

[spoiler=tags ― updated 08/31.][size=8pt]◜BASICS ┊ THE CURSES OF DIAMONDS AND RINGS ◞
‣  ❝ frederick flynn stirling ❞ | freddie, fred, freds | male [he/him] .
‣ 24 years old . | june 20th; gemini.
‣  currently the warlord of flintlock lodge

◜PERSONALITY: ESTP ┊ ONLY AT FIRST DID IT HAVE ITS APPEAL ◞
‣  boisterous . adaptable . athletic . articulate . brilliant . captivating . charismatic . charming . clever . confident . precise . youthful . loyal . amusing. aggressive . deceptive . proud . smooth . stubborn . traditional . argumentative . conceited . difficult . greedy . power-hungry . impatient .
↳ lover of beer and attention
↳ considers himself royalty

◜ APPEARANCE ┊ NOW YOU CAN'T TELL THE FALSE FROM THE REAL ◞
‣ five foot ten & one hundred and seventy five pounds ; reference .
↳ blonde hair kept short and neat
↳ muscular, toned build
↳ blue eyes , often alight with mischief , a deceitful smile

◜ FAMILY ┊ EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH TURNS TO GOLD ◞
‣  kelby stirling x lydia clarks | whereabouts unknown
‣ has a brother named william and two sisters named harriet and lucy
‣ large family; multiple cousins and other relatives

◜ RELATIONSHIPS ┊ STATUES AND EMPIRES ARE ALL AT YOUR HANDS ◞
‣  bisexual ; monogamous | never had a serious relationship before
‣ current lover to mollie hawthorne
↳ no strings attached . sees her as a best friend . is terrified he has developed genuine feelings for her.

◜ INTERACTIONS ┊ WHO CAN YOU TRUST ? ◞
‣  [ 9/10 ] physically  |  [ 9/10 ] psychologically .
↳ difficulty w/ guns [ very difficult ] | difficulty w/ melees [ difficult ] | difficulty w/ hand-to-hand [ difficult ]
‣ [member=1512]elysian.[/member] | dm for any major plots .
‣  friendly or nonviolent actions may be powerplayed .[/size][/spoiler]

[SAINT BERNARD]

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a

[i]THE TIRED SOLDIER

[b][i]bernard smith. bernard hummed, placing the end of his cigarette behind his ear before he breathed into his hands and rubbed them together. he glanced outside, briefly, then put his hands in his pockets. "the first christmas is always the hardest." he mused, then turned his face into his collar as freddie stepped in.

he hadn't met the man much, barely spoke to anyone around flintlock. he liked to remain low-profile. he wished, selfishly, that he could have done that in his final station in australia, where he met his wife. but he knew she would loath him to think that, so he quickly pushed that thought out of his head with a chuckle at freddie's statement.

"i'd love to be anywhere warm any day." he commented.

"speech."