[The thing is, Palamedes has replaced his glasses already. It's kind of a necessary object to stick on his face, and so it was the first thing on the checklist the day after-- well, after.
So, technically, he doesn't need Kaworu to bring these pieces at all, but he understands the- ease? The significance? The need to make an actionable goal out of emotions one doesn't know what to do with, and so he's already planned to be unbearable in his myriad thanks for the return of these mangled specs.
It's a good plan. He lingers by the door like he's not lingering there at all, actually, and so it's absolutely too soon after Kaworu knocks that the door swings open and Palamedes is there, new-but-antique glasses and all. Hello.]
There you are, [he says, gesturing at Kaworu like he can sweep him into the building just like this, come here, come here,] I left the snacks with Viktor, let's go see him.
[the snacks are very cute still, pawprint mochi on a plate at the same table viktor is scribbling into a notebook over. a little distracted, because honestly he's been fairly concerned about kaworu's wellbeing. there's tea too, in a pot nearby, a green tea made with the petals from ammy's tree and corruption lowering. also a festival hit to be shared.
so yes, he glances up when they arrive, slapping his notebook closed. he's not sure if the hoodie is concerning or Teen.] Hello Kaworu, I take it those are the glasses?
[Well, wearing the hoodie of your partner that you may or may not be broken up with still is pretty Teen. But it also hides the eyes.
Kaworu shuffles in and nods, placing the little box on the table with a show of care. The box itself has been carefully wrapped in a string to keep the contents inside safe.
The boy nods.]
I found them on the beach. I think she wanted you to have them back.
[Palamedes goes to the box once it's been set down, waving for Kaworu to go and help himself to snacks. Perhaps they can fix this thoroughly broken pair and he'll have even more spare pairs of glasses, that would be fun...
Ah, but give him a long moment to unwrap? This whole thing? This is a whole production, kiddo.]
Who? [a beat. oh--] Not her— Mariana?
[Why would she care about his glasses, no offense to Mariana...]
[viktor takes the time to pour a cup of tea, pushing it towards kaworu in a silent request to have some. frankly he's concerned kaworu is hiding injuries, but for now he'll just regard the package.
more than one pair of glasses, imagine the luxury.] Well, given your general experiences with the sea that would be a surprising one.
[His fingers twitch, as though he's contemplating stealing the box back and making a run for it. Was he wrong to have picked those glasses off the beach? Should he have left them to be taken back by the sea to have them buried with the rest of what happened that day?
Of all the things lost that day, somehow those tiny broken glasses been returned and presented to him. It felt like it meant something at the time.]
[Please, he's keeping them, don't sulk. He pointedly unwinds the string, to really emphasize it. These glasses are staying right here.]
It's just— unexpected. You remember the last time we all had a venture at sea. [A glance at Viktor, recalling now that Kaworu is sensitive about Mariana and maybe they should try to be nice. Be Nice, this look says, if a little skeptically.]
I'd believe getting into her good books by virtue of not trying to destroy her domain; maybe it's that. Drink some tea.
[viktor tilts his head in a 'got it i will not talk shit on mariana.' in truth he doesn't have any issue with mariana so it's not hard.
he's more concerned with kaworu though, and offers,] We could get them fixed now, or at least put the lenses in new frames. The lenses are really the annoying thing to get made around here, so that's a relief.
[practical, but hey, an attempt to point out kaworu did good with this. it's really more the thought but viktor works better in practicality so here they are.]
[There's a small change in Kaworu's demeanor at Viktor's words. A little brightness returns to his face, he sits up a little straighter.]
It can be fixed?
[Clearly, he did not anticipate this. He had hoped that it would be more of a token of trying to take responsibility for his actions and apologize. He had not been brave enough to hope fixing them was possible.]
[He knows all about asking other people to fix his specs! It's practically a hobby.
Here, he lifts the busted glasses-half out of the box and lays it carefully on the table, then shuffles away for a moment to get the other half, which has been sitting on a shelf since they fled here after leaving the beach on The Very Bad Day.]
It's the lenses that are the important part, like Viktor says— these new ones work, but it's weird, you know?
[you know, he says to two people who don't wear glasses and do not know, never mind!!!]
Well— anyway, this is really helpful. Thank you, Kaworu.
And frankly I've been trying to encourage him to get a backup pair for a while now. He treats his glasses like they are meant to bend in any direction he so pleases.
[dry, a touch fond. then he glances to kaworu, nodding in agreement to pal's thanks.]
[Ah, there it is, the barest ghost of smile. It's nice to feel like, after everything, he is capable of doing something right. Even if it's just a small thing.]
You should have seen him, squinting around before his new pair. [viktor informs kaworu, a touch dry.] But he is right, have something. You know there's talk of doing the festival again next year as well.
[maybe everything won't be terrible, they'll all still be here and kaworu can go then. lot of maybes.]
[Quick and demanding and much more like his normal curious self. He had heard a bit about the festival but being in a heavily corrupted probably would have been an unwelcome sight.
Nor did he have much desire to leave the house at that point.]
It's called Tanabata, or the 'star' festival. From what I understand it originates from a place called Japan on Earth, which is a familiar enough world to most around here.
[not him! what the hell is earth. yall earth people, at least the necromancers were also in the dark. mostly.] And yes, I don't see why not? Palamedes spent a great deal of time cutting out paper for the wishes. You write one down and hang it.
[and they were burned later but... viktor will ask megumi if he can just do that for whatever kaworu might want to write. hopefully it wouldn't be rude or cursed or something.] There was food, origami I believe it's called? Fireworks. Better this time. [because he's a show off.]
"Tanabata"... "The evening of the seventh". Yes, I've heard of this. It was commonly celebrated in Japan, on that night, two stars would align and they believed it was some sort of meeting of the gods. Even now that all humans know stars are not gods, they still celebrate these things. Curious.
[He has to say it outloud as if by giving form to the words, he can understand better. Kaworu knows the festival is about reuniting and he wants to be one those humans writing wishes on strips of paper out of some deep desire to hope.]
People like good stories. Hold on, the papers are around here somewhere.
[Give him a moment to go find where he put down... a bunch of extra strips of paper, which might take a minute. In the interim he finds a pen, and puts it down on the table for Kaworu. As he goes to look at another shelf,]
I was surprised there were so many names for it. That's a little much, don't you think?
[He brings back another pen.]
Then again, a several-day holiday is unheard of in the Sixth. The time commitment, you know? Ah- here.
[The papers. He's also got a third pen, don't perceive this.]
And people like an excuse to celebrate, especially here. [viktor adds on, watching pal find the papers, a touch amused.]
Also not quite on trend, not like a six day holiday. Not a bad point though, I can't think of any holidays in Piltover or the undercity that lasted that long. Usually just a day for celebration or mourning and then everyone gets on with their lives.
[perceiving it though. sometimes he wonders how many pens are on pal's person at any given time.]
I've never experienced one. Though back home, I know it was nearly Christmas.
[He watches Pal rustle through the papers. He understands what's going on but he can't some to understand how it makes him feel. It makes him feel like he's cared for, but also seen>/i> in a way that makes him slightly uncomfortable.
Still, he thinks of Midoriya and extended hands.]
I... understand that you are showing me kindness after everything that has happened. It's... I'm glad for it.
[This as he arranges the papers by color, sorting them into little piles. Primarily featuring red, yellow-gold, white, and blue, but there are a bunch of other colors there because he did cut these out of a construction paper package for children.]
The ribbons are gone, but we'll find some string. Viktor has string somewhere, [yes?? Viktor please help find the string,] and then we can take it outside.
[And okay, it seems we're just talking about this directly, he can respect that.]
Good; that's the point. We'd have done this even without an incident behind us, anyway.
[a shrug about christmas, viktor hasn't the slightest clue either. he assumes an earth thing.
he can go get string though, lifting himself by pressing a hand on pal's shoulder. before he heads to find something he pauses, glances back. frankly he prefers if they're just upfront about it all.]
He is right, if you had missed the festival simply for mistaking the time we would still offer this. Though in this case yes, you deserve some kindness after everything.
[and he points at kaworu] Try the mochi. [off he goes to get string though from nearby, he'll be back soon.]
It's a celebration, it was common in the west but even celebrated in places like Japan. There are bright lights and in pictures, everyone seems to be smiling. Humans have celebrations to create reasons to be happy.
[He takes a piece of paper. He's never wished for anything. There's never been anything to wish for. He'd always been made of grasping desire and burning resentment.
How does he create reasons to be happy?]
...I caused misery for others. How can I be deserving of kindness after what I've done?
[He takes the mochi but doesn't eat it, like he's worried it might lodge itself in his throat due to being unworthy of eating such a nice thing.]
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So, technically, he doesn't need Kaworu to bring these pieces at all, but he understands the- ease? The significance? The need to make an actionable goal out of emotions one doesn't know what to do with, and so he's already planned to be unbearable in his myriad thanks for the return of these mangled specs.
It's a good plan. He lingers by the door like he's not lingering there at all, actually, and so it's absolutely too soon after Kaworu knocks that the door swings open and Palamedes is there, new-but-antique glasses and all. Hello.]
There you are, [he says, gesturing at Kaworu like he can sweep him into the building just like this, come here, come here,] I left the snacks with Viktor, let's go see him.
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so yes, he glances up when they arrive, slapping his notebook closed. he's not sure if the hoodie is concerning or Teen.] Hello Kaworu, I take it those are the glasses?
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Kaworu shuffles in and nods, placing the little box on the table with a show of care. The box itself has been carefully wrapped in a string to keep the contents inside safe.
The boy nods.]
I found them on the beach. I think she wanted you to have them back.
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Ah, but give him a long moment to unwrap? This whole thing? This is a whole production, kiddo.]
Who? [a beat. oh--] Not her— Mariana?
[Why would she care about his glasses, no offense to Mariana...]
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more than one pair of glasses, imagine the luxury.] Well, given your general experiences with the sea that would be a surprising one.
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[His fingers twitch, as though he's contemplating stealing the box back and making a run for it. Was he wrong to have picked those glasses off the beach? Should he have left them to be taken back by the sea to have them buried with the rest of what happened that day?
Of all the things lost that day, somehow those tiny broken glasses been returned and presented to him. It felt like it meant something at the time.]
I can get rid of them if you don't want them.
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[Please, he's keeping them, don't sulk. He pointedly unwinds the string, to really emphasize it. These glasses are staying right here.]
It's just— unexpected. You remember the last time we all had a venture at sea. [A glance at Viktor, recalling now that Kaworu is sensitive about Mariana and maybe they should try to be nice. Be Nice, this look says, if a little skeptically.]
I'd believe getting into her good books by virtue of not trying to destroy her domain; maybe it's that. Drink some tea.
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he's more concerned with kaworu though, and offers,] We could get them fixed now, or at least put the lenses in new frames. The lenses are really the annoying thing to get made around here, so that's a relief.
[practical, but hey, an attempt to point out kaworu did good with this. it's really more the thought but viktor works better in practicality so here they are.]
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It can be fixed?
[Clearly, he did not anticipate this. He had hoped that it would be more of a token of trying to take responsibility for his actions and apologize. He had not been brave enough to hope fixing them was possible.]
Really?
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[He knows all about asking other people to fix his specs! It's practically a hobby.
Here, he lifts the busted glasses-half out of the box and lays it carefully on the table, then shuffles away for a moment to get the other half, which has been sitting on a shelf since they fled here after leaving the beach on The Very Bad Day.]
It's the lenses that are the important part, like Viktor says— these new ones work, but it's weird, you know?
[you know, he says to two people who don't wear glasses and do not know, never mind!!!]
Well— anyway, this is really helpful. Thank you, Kaworu.
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[dry, a touch fond. then he glances to kaworu, nodding in agreement to pal's thanks.]
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You do need to be able to see, after all.
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[Maybe, like, in thirds, but never mind that now. He gestures, again, at the tea-n-snacks.]
Relax and eat something. You can loiter here as long as you like.
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[maybe everything won't be terrible, they'll all still be here and kaworu can go then. lot of maybes.]
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[Quick and demanding and much more like his normal curious self. He had heard a bit about the festival but being in a heavily corrupted probably would have been an unwelcome sight.
Nor did he have much desire to leave the house at that point.]
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Well— we made wishes, which you're probably still allowed to do. The tree is still there, after all.
[He thinks? Is that allowed? Shouldn't it be allowed. He doesn't understand these complicated Earth holidays.]
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[not him! what the hell is earth. yall earth people, at least the necromancers were also in the dark. mostly.] And yes, I don't see why not? Palamedes spent a great deal of time cutting out paper for the wishes. You write one down and hang it.
[and they were burned later but... viktor will ask megumi if he can just do that for whatever kaworu might want to write. hopefully it wouldn't be rude or cursed or something.] There was food, origami I believe it's called? Fireworks. Better this time. [because he's a show off.]
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[He has to say it outloud as if by giving form to the words, he can understand better. Kaworu knows the festival is about reuniting and he wants to be one those humans writing wishes on strips of paper out of some deep desire to hope.]
I would like to write a wish. If I can.
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[Give him a moment to go find where he put down... a bunch of extra strips of paper, which might take a minute. In the interim he finds a pen, and puts it down on the table for Kaworu. As he goes to look at another shelf,]
I was surprised there were so many names for it. That's a little much, don't you think?
[He brings back another pen.]
Then again, a several-day holiday is unheard of in the Sixth. The time commitment, you know? Ah- here.
[The papers. He's also got a third pen, don't perceive this.]
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Also not quite on trend, not like a six day holiday. Not a bad point though, I can't think of any holidays in Piltover or the undercity that lasted that long. Usually just a day for celebration or mourning and then everyone gets on with their lives.
[perceiving it though. sometimes he wonders how many pens are on pal's person at any given time.]
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[He watches Pal rustle through the papers. He understands what's going on but he can't some to understand how it makes him feel. It makes him feel like he's cared for, but also seen>/i> in a way that makes him slightly uncomfortable.
Still, he thinks of Midoriya and extended hands.]
I... understand that you are showing me kindness after everything that has happened. It's... I'm glad for it.
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[This as he arranges the papers by color, sorting them into little piles. Primarily featuring red, yellow-gold, white, and blue, but there are a bunch of other colors there because he did cut these out of a construction paper package for children.]
The ribbons are gone, but we'll find some string. Viktor has string somewhere, [yes?? Viktor please help find the string,] and then we can take it outside.
[And okay, it seems we're just talking about this directly, he can respect that.]
Good; that's the point. We'd have done this even without an incident behind us, anyway.
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he can go get string though, lifting himself by pressing a hand on pal's shoulder. before he heads to find something he pauses, glances back. frankly he prefers if they're just upfront about it all.]
He is right, if you had missed the festival simply for mistaking the time we would still offer this. Though in this case yes, you deserve some kindness after everything.
[and he points at kaworu] Try the mochi. [off he goes to get string though from nearby, he'll be back soon.]
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[He takes a piece of paper. He's never wished for anything. There's never been anything to wish for. He'd always been made of grasping desire and burning resentment.
How does he create reasons to be happy?]
...I caused misery for others. How can I be deserving of kindness after what I've done?
[He takes the mochi but doesn't eat it, like he's worried it might lodge itself in his throat due to being unworthy of eating such a nice thing.]
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[Bleak. He glances at the mochi and then pointedly does not, like maybe Kaworu will eat it if nobody is pointing it out to him.]
And, anyway, it's subjective. I don't think you're a lost cause, and here we are.