The smile that bloomed across Calla's face with Alice's reassurances was real and her her shoulders fell in her relief. "Good. Good. I'm glad." Then the seventh year twisted then, dropping Alice's hand to reach for the small package that had sat beside her on the bench forgotten. Hopefully, she hadn't ruined the afternoon too much. "Come, sit. You still have your gift to open - if you still want it." Hesitantly, she held the small package back towards Alice, an offering.

  

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look at the pretties mj made me!!!

The gift, right. Alice turned and moved to sit down on the makeshift bench they had originally been veering towards. "You truly didn't have to do this," she said, her embarrassment growing at not having a gift to exchange with her. Any gifts Alice gave wouldn't measure up in value, especially not now that her family was beginning to heavily consider moving. It'd taken months to save for the tie she'd gifted Edison. Already, Alice was having to hide whatever spare few coins she could for Calla's Christmas gift.

She waited for Calla to sit before carefully unwrapping the gift. The quill was exquisite, a nicer one than she'd ever owned before. "It's beautiful, Calla. Thank you so much." Alice said, smiling at her friend.

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Amazing set by Bee!

"I know I didn't have to. I did it because I wanted to. And don't say something silly next. I didn't get you that expecting anything in return. That wouldn't be a gift then," Calla huffed, scooching over on the plank so she could better see Alice's reaction when she opened it. She was glad, though, that Alice was accepting it. Especially since it wasn't the other girl's birthday or a holiday.

"It is a magpie feather. I saw it a few months ago, I'm just glad no one got it before I could. And that you like it. I had it spelled with a diction spell and it is connected to this ink well. It won't run out of ink as long as there is ink in the well. I have the well in the office, it just made the package look bumpy. But that way you can use it at work and not get it messy or have to stop."

  

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look at the pretties mj made me!!!

Gifts were meant to be exchange, Alice thought to point out. However, she was able to recognize that their experiences were different and Calla had grown up with a family wealthy enough to hand out whimsical gifts at will. Her parents would've been insulted to be handed a gift without any notice or plans. Mrs. Potts likely thought it to be adorable.

She twirled her feather in her hand. A self-inking quill was something she often dreamed of having but wouldn't have ever been able to justify on her own. "This is - wow, Calla. Thank you." She didn't take nearly as many notes as Calla might've believed her to. It would, however, be great for writing letters. "It's perfect. I can't wait to use it."

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Amazing set by Bee!

"I'm glad you like it," Calla sighed, closing her eyes and lightly resting her head into Alice's shoulder, the other girl's warm a comfort in the early fall chill, prepared to move as soon as Alice said something. Hugs and holding hands didn't necessarily mean she'd be comfortable with this. "If it makes you feel any better you can tell yourself it was given out of self-interest. I like your letters and now you'll feel obligated to keep writing me until I graduate. That is at least six more months of letters. Plus, I know sometimes my letters might as well be essays. You know you can always tell me to shut up, right?"

  

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look at the pretties mj made me!!!

Although she was initially surprised by the contact, Alice didn't move or complain about Calla's head on her shoulder. She smiled to herself and focused on twirling the feather quill between her fingers. It was such a thoughtful gift, and the money saved on purchasing new quills could then be allocated elsewhere. "Never." She said with a laugh. "I look forward to your letters, they're always insightful. It makes me feel as though we're still close even through the distance. I'm only sorry my responses can be delayed sometimes."

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Amazing set by Bee!

When Alice didn't protest, she let the weight of her head fall in full, enjoying the other girl's warmth. "Don't apologize. I know you can be busy. I appreciate any letters I do get. You aren't required to send them. Only a few more months," she drew out, letting her eyes close, "and then I'll be home all the time and we won't have to write letters. We can just see each other whenever." It was certainly going to be different, figuring out how they worked when 'worked' wasn't letters and seeing each other one every other month.

  

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look at the pretties mj made me!!!

Seeing one another throughout the summer would be undeniably easier, yes, but Alice wouldn't have gone as far as to say they could see one another whenever. There was still the farm and work and her siblings to look after, there were still an endless amount of responsibilities to distract from their friendship.

That was, however, neither here nor there at present, for all Alice could think of to add was, "that sounds lovely, Calla. I can't wait."

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Amazing set by Bee!