Maison Aetherthorne Ascensions – Public Harmony Codex
Section: Courtship Traditions – Approved for Ascended Ladies and Bonded Companions
Gifts of Devotion are the tender, creative proofs of a gallant’s adoration during courtship—one of the most cherished rituals that allows a bonded companion to express his heart without words or coin. As gallants possess no personal currency (a harmonious safeguard ensuring pure intent), every gift must be earned through effort, ingenuity, or chivalric valor. These offerings are never grand or materialistic; they are delicate, symbolic, and deeply personal, reflecting the gallant’s devotion and his lady’s unique bloom.
Gifts are presented with exquisite propriety: the gallant (usually in mammal form) approaches with a graceful bow, places the token gently at her feet or upon her gloved palm, then retreats a step to await her response. Acceptance is signaled by a soft curtsy and whispered thanks; gentle refusal by a kind touch and guidance toward “a more fitting token.”
Mammal form limits scale and strength, yet enhances endearing creativity—turning small size into poetic advantage. All gifts must be achievable without discord or unauthorized access.
Common and Approved Gifts of Devotion:
Hand-Carved Miniature Trinkets Using whistle-summoned tiny tools (a palm-sized brass chisel or engraver earned from training), the gallant carves delicate items during supervised pavilion hours: a polished gear pendant engraved with her initials, a tiny steam-lily brooch, or a winged-gear charm for her glove. Presented nestled in a petal cup.
Gathered Rare Blooms or Petals From flower-gathering promenades: single perfect specimens (e.g., a glowing aether violet or brass-thorn daisy) arranged into a nosegay tied with ribbon scavenged from training yards. Often accompanied by a soft chime from his harmony whistle as “wrapping.”
Harmony Medals and Valor Tokens Small brass medals won from chivalric bouts or training drills—polished to a shine and offered as proof of protective effort. Higher medals (earned through lady-dedicated victories) may be exchanged at Maison counters for simple jewels (e.g., a single aether crystal) to set in a custom mount.
Found Natural Treasures During garden scouts: iridescent feathers from conservatory birds, perfectly symmetrical pebbles from fountain beds, or tiny clockwork springs “rescued” from public atelier scraps—arranged into mosaic hearts or patterns upon a velvet leaf.
Musical Compositions Using the Harmonious Call Whistle’s melodic range, the gallant composes short tunes (a fox’s trill, cat’s modulated purr, rabbit’s soft chime) dedicated to her. Performed privately under moonlight, sometimes “recorded” on a single punch-ribbon strip via academy assistance.
Protective Charms After valor displays: a small gear-shield fragment from training, blessed with a harmony oath and tied with ribbon—symbolizing “I shield your bloom.”
Scented Ribbon Collars Ribbon scraps infused with garden scents (rose-steam or elixir mist) and woven into a temporary collar for himself—presented as “I carry your fragrance always,” then offered for her to tie.
Scale and Value: Gifts must remain small and sentimental—nothing large, expensive, or requiring currency. Ostentatious offerings risk disharmony notes.
Supervision: All creation occurs in approved areas (pavilions, gardens, training yards) to maintain propriety.
Frequency: One meaningful gift per week or significant occasion—too many dilute sincerity; too few suggest waning devotion.
Lady’s Response: She may display accepted gifts on her glove, gown, or manor shelf—public affirmation of his effort. Refused gifts are returned with kindness, guiding the gallant toward deeper understanding.
Gifts of Devotion are never about material worth—they are the quiet poetry of a small heart striving to match a lady’s radiant bloom. In mammal form especially, the very act of creation despite limitations proves the purest devotion.
Offer with Tender Heart. Receive in Eternal Harmony.
(Embossed with the Miniature Gift Winged Gear Emblem)