"Let's get this shipped to London, we don't want it to be late do we?" Lukas instructed a group of workers, observing them as they packed a large tree that was to be sent to England, part of a long-standing tradition between the pair. Once he was satisfied that all was in hand, the country turned on his heel and left, craving a cup of hot chocolate. Waltzing away from the warehouse, the country wandered into the the Christmas market scene in search of what he desired.
Various stalls lined both sides of a busy high street, all selling a variety of items, from food and drink to trinkets and personalised gifts. As Lukas strolled, he shoved his gloves on and then dove his hands deep into his coat pockets, attempting to warm them up from the cold. Norway scanned each stall he passed, hoping to find one that sold hot chocolate, that was when his eyes happened upon one stall in particular that was dedicated to selling hot chocolate in all manner of flavours; from your classic hot chocolate to a s'mores inspired hot chocolate. Instantaneously, Lukas's mouth started to salivate just examining the menu board.
"Who's next? What can I get you sir?" The elderly worker called out from behind the counter, running his frail fingers through his beard.
"Hello. May I please get one of your Bailey's hot chocolate's with extra marshmellows?" Norway asked politely, reaching for his wallet while he did so. However, as the man shuffled to and fro to make Norway's drink, he asked the country a question that caught Lukas off guard.
"Do you happen to be Lukas Bondevik?"
Lukas blinked hard, surprised by this question. How did this old man know his name? Who exactly was he?
"Yes...How do you know who I am?" Norway inquired, an eyebrow raised inquisitively.
"Oh I don't, a young fellow was just here and asked me to pass this along to Lukas Bondevik and described you to me." The man, along with Norway's drink, handed the country a gift bag with a large illustrated image of Santa Claus plastered on the front.
Norway exchanged money for his gift and drink, thanking the man for his business and for passing along the message. Lukas shifted to sit at an iron bench close to the city park, curiously peering into the gift bag. Of course, this was no doubt a result of the Nordic secret Santa gift exchange. Inside was a series of small packages wrapped in festive wrapping paper and decorated with matching ribbons and bows. Whilst taking pauses to sip at his drink, Lukas unwrapped the gifts one by one, revealing: a bottle of red wine, some homemade Christmas cookies, a gift voucher for a trip to a sauna and a plush teddy of a reindeer. Yes, this certainly had to be a gift from none other than Finland.