#firstclassrookie

in theory, claire knows exactly what to do: investigate, confront her kidnappers, then find a way out! it should be routine, but exploring's only left her more stumped; compared to what she'd expected, life here is so normal! shops, restaurants, and weirdest of all: no threats.

funny. that guy up ahead even looks a lot like...

"leon!?" she rushes toward him with a bemused laugh, motioning vaguely to their surroundings, "figures we'd both get mixed up in whatever the hell this is." was he taken, too? sent on a government mission, maybe? either way, with all they've been through together, she seriously couldn't ask for better backup than her kick-ass best friend (awful quips included). it's a huge relief.

there's just one teensy little thing...

Instead, he places it in front of her door, quickly knocking before disappearing around a corner. There’s a small basket, containing a few brilliant red roses, some assorted cakes and chocolates from a local bakery, and a small wrapped box. The note reads:

“I owe you my life about a million times over – well. As if I wouldn’t have given it to you freely at this point. As far as I’m concerned, it’s already yours. It’s good to see you happy, Ada. Your smile is something I’ve really come to treasure, after all. I hope you can save some happy memories with this. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

- Leon

The box contains a small digital camera! A post-it note on the front reads ‘P.S.—if you end up using this for espionage, I picked one with a good long-range lens. Trying to think ahead.’

visitors were few and far between for the woman, but it is not something she cares to worry about. it was a rarity to find her in one place, after all, let alone her assigned residence. she preferred to keep herself busy, but without the organization assigning her a new mission.....well, she had some free time on hand to do with as she pleased. the knock on Ada's door is what draws her from the book within her grasp, gaze landing on the door.

it's a habit, one hard to break. there is nothing that signifies a threat yet she reaches for one of the numerous handguns kept around the home, checking the safety before approaching the door with caution. a quick peek through the curtains of the window next to the door showed nothing more than those continuing about their day. still, as a precaution, she tucks the gun within the back of her belt before opening the door. as suspected, there's nobody there, but a glance down says enough for Ada to put together just who decided to knock and then vanish.

only one person would do this on valentine's day, of all things.

he must have gotten his gift, if one could call it that, but that's how she has always left him something-- never in person, always long gone by the time it is found. kneeling down, she takes note of the numerous confectionaries, chalking it up to him not knowing her favorite and just picking whatever he figured she would like. the flowers were a nice touch, something she would place in a vase later on. but what draws her attention is the box and the card attached.

something of a half-chuckle leaves her lips, eyes closing for a moment as she allows herself to smile. oh Leon.... you're too honest for your own good. a trait of his that she found endearing, but also one that showed just what sort of person he was, always willing to go the extra mile to do the right thing, even if it put him at odds with those on the same side as him. when she had said goodbye to him back in Raccoon City, it had been more than just the words of someone who should have died. he need not get himself mixed up with someone like her for reasons they both knew. and yet, every time she found herself caught up in the same mess as him, she found herself unable to truly let him go. to leave him to die, even if it meant another target was painted on her back because of it. secrecy was a part of her life, holding her cards close to her chest, and something she could not set aside so easily. even if it meant lying to him, keeping him in the dark was the one way to keep him relatively out of danger.

but there was no denying the fondness she held for him, one that surpassed something surface level. she knew what it was, has for a long time, but time and circumstances were never on their side. it was better that way but things in this city had been...different. enough to make her question what she never did before.

      she didn’t expect her to be this....chatty though.

  conversation was hardly the young mage’s strong suit, but she could fake it well enough. “So you’re saying this person named Leon is some sort of...secret agent?”

Discord without context @firstclassrookie "Well, I know who not to call when I'm in my next hostage situation."

'Hey, kid. Figured since it was the season and all that, you might like this. Promise to show me what you make, OK? Take care of yourself.' - Leon.'

Inside is a box full of art supplies-- paints, markers, pencils, sketchbooks, and canvases!

"Oh, wow!" Luz inspected everything in the box, grin wide. She hadn't expected something like this from Leon, but she was incredibly pleased!

'Ismael-- saw a few things at the store and thought of you. I thought maybe you could use 'em for your violin case. I hope you have a good holiday, text me if you need anything. - Leon'

Inside is a box of charms-- music notes and flowers, as well as a book of sheet music for songs from popular movies and tv shows!

Ismael had just returned after running some errands. She hadn't the time to get any shopping done, SO everything was last minute. At least she got things done and she was proud of the productivity that was today.

"Huh?"

Though upon approaching her home and stepping up the small stairs that would lead into her home, she spots the small wrapped box by her door step. She wasn't expecting a package.

Bringing it inside, she places it on the coffee table in the living room and sets everything else down in the rooms that these purchases were going to go. They were scattered from living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms, and shortly after Ismael returns back to the living room to open this box. It's the note she sees first and she smiles fondly. "What a dork." She'll have to thank him later. She takes her time going through the gifts and with the flowers, she places it in an unused vase and sets it with the rest of the flowers that sat at the living room's windowsill. THESE are so lovely.