There's also a note, written in careful, almost cartoonishly neat script: ]
Dear Gale,
In the spirit of the season — somewhat similar to what I am familiar with as Wintersend, though I expect the term will mean little to all else here — I thought I might share one volume relevant to my particular school of magic (and my [arguably former] line of work), as well as one I found on some more distant part of this world's history that I found quite compelling. Perhaps books make for a rather dry gift, but I thought, based on our correspondence thus far, that you wouldn't find such a thing objectionable.
May the new year bring us the answers we seek. Your friend, — Emmrich Volkarin
🎁 delivery (dated 12/24).