Username: D-Send
Name: Kaiyoko
Gender: female
Prompt Answer:
Kaiyoko makes two different types of plans to choose from and follow usually during the holiday season. One plan is with friends and family and the other are plans for herself usually. Though it may seem sad, selfish, or strange, Kaiyoko does this so that she does not have to be frustrated when plans fall through and she has nothing to do because everything would pretty much be last minute as it gives her a sense of knowing that there's always a "plan b". The plans made with family and friends are usually planned ahead of time on their whims and schemes on top of their Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod (The Christmas Book Flood) where everyone gets books and everyone spends the rest of the night reading and eating chocolate. There'd be a feast of foods starring turkey, chicken, mashed potatoes, skewers, cranberries, cream corn, meatloaf, steamed veggies, and so much more wondrous foods that the tantalizing smell would make anyone hungry for a second or even third helping if they were daring. For the times she spends the holidays alone she usually stays at home, sometimes walking around looking at things that could be bought and watching the festivities and spirit emanating from the townsfolk. If a candy store was open she would purchase sweets and little cheap toys to give to a nearby orphanage, her spirits flutter ablaze from the joyous smiles and gratitude from the children and caretakers. She'll spend whatever time reading a nice book and preparing meals and beverages for herself and some other guests if perchance one were to get caught in a snow storm and sought shelter. Usually her dinner courses would consist of chicken, fish, falafel, pork bratwurst and a generous assortment of vegetables and salads. In accompaniment to the foods are always as her tradition of the choices of eggnog, cider, hot cocoa, warm milk, or even a fruity tea made from berries. She'd then put on a movie or clean up her little pottery studio area. On occasion sitting on a comfy chair relaxing and contently turning the pages of a book yet to be finished that one would wonder if she read a page multiple times before moving on. Always with her a mug of tasty homemade eggnog and to add to the mood, scented candles to warmly light her surroundings with a wafting faint smell of sweet spices.
(Word count: 400)
2 writing and/or art extras:
"That One Night..."
It was a week before the holiday celebrations began when Kaiyoko received a phone call, it was her friends and family, both parties had decided to cancel the big plans but would drop off their Jolabokaflod gifts and chocolate to her later on in the day. She thanked them for notifying her as early as they could then sighed. She had hoped to be able to spend another wonderful holiday with them but she couldn't dwell upon that for there were preparations to be done. Through out the week she spent time shopping for many things as she prepared, she wondered if there would be anyone who would celebrate with her on Jolabokaflod and hesitantly decided to purchase some books and chocolate. On Jolabokaflod a snow storm was brewing and Kaiyoko had ensured that everything was secure and her home was still warm. It wasn't until she had started cooking when she heard banging on her door, she peered out and caught sight of a dark shape in the blur of snow did she realize a stranger was at her door and quickly she allowed them in to the safe shelter of her home. Hurriedly she began to dry them off then wrapped them in spare blankets and sat them by the fire place with a mug of hot cider. Over dinner had she learned that the stranger was named Oswald and that he was caught in the storm. From then they spent the night reading together and eating chocolate.
Word count: (250 words)
"And Again There Were Two"
It had been a year since that fateful night when Oswald had showed up and they became friends had he faded mostly from her memories as another stranger she had helped in a snow storm. This year she wondered what the universe would bring. Her family and friends decided to celebrate Jolabokaflod with a generous feast to make up for missing the year before. Kaiyoko showed up at the family home early with many wrapped gifts of precious books and chocolate of many kinds. The morning went by with a whirl when the expected snow storm hit, everyone rushed inside, even strangers who happened to be on a walk though luckily like her, her family prepared extra food and gifts. One of the strangers she noticed to be nervous so she approached them and was shocked for they were Oswald, the lad that she had helped the year before. Oswald grinned at the sight of her and the two spent the rest of the day catching up, delighted with having prepared something for the other for Jolabokaflod in case they ever ran into each other and exchanged contacts. Since then Kaiyoko and him often spend the holidays together on Jolabokaflod.
Word count: (200 words)
