The Velvet Key

On New Year's, provided nothing occurs, we're going to be having a little party at the hotel. Nothing to fancy, just some drink and food while we watch the ball drop. I expect most of you to be there. And yes, Kanda, that includes you.

[Certain persons will find these gifts on their doorstep on Christmas Eve.]

Klaus > A monocle and porn. Porn set in a science lab.
Issei > A chain for his glasses and homemade baked goods.
Neah > No detention. A book about respecting your elders, and homemade baked goods.
Saori > A sweater and homemade coffee cake.
Kaiji > Receives a coffee set and a note congratulating him on his relationship with Saori. It sounds vaguely threatening.
Lancer (Dia) > An Irish travel brochure.
Devola > Baked goods and a reminder to come by the school for the piano.
Tatsuma > A gift card to a local restaurant.
Garvi > A gift card to Felix's.
Kanda > Baked goods, a restaurant gift card, and rather girly ribbon for his hair.

Everyone else she knows > Candy

Well, I was going to ask about Thanksgiving some weeks ago but this and that kept coming up, and now it seems everything's going to hell in a hand basket. So I suppose I might as well start asking anyway. With the track record being what it is around here, I doubt things will get much better anyway.

Assuming enough of us are in one piece next Thursday, I've decided we're going to be having Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel. If I don't have reason to kick you out, you're invited. I'm a fair cook and I'm used to making dinner for large groups but if anyone wants to lend a hand, you're more than welcome to .

I have a feeling this debacle we're facing now and the fact we're going through the holidays without our families will leave us all in a sour mood, so after the main dinner I'm going to be drinking and anyone of the proper age is welcome to join me. Bring your own alcohol though, I'm not spending that much money on you lot.

[Ingrid's sitting in a small coffee shop, hands around a steaming mug. She's looking rather perkier than usual.]

It looks as though I've missed quite a few event this last week or so. I apologize, but it seems you younger folk weren't so bad at taking care of it. Even though two of you were kidnapped. [A pause as she sips her drink.] Are you two alright, by the way? I'd hate to hear two of my potential students are still shaken by the events.

Yes, students. It seems the local high school has given me a teaching position. I'm to take over a few science classes. I do hope to see many of you there. [Her tone implies that's more of an expectation than a hope.]

I'm also a little concerned that they allowed me the job considering my lack of credentials in this world. Have any of the rest of you encountered something like this yet?