Good morning Heizou. I have heard word that you have awoken and I wanted to check in on you, if you do not mind. Are you feeling well? If there is anything you need that is within my capacity to obtain, I shall do my best to see it to you.
I am glad to hear that. Normally, in reality, long comas come with the consequence of muscle atrophy. If that has not occurred to you, then I am truly glad.
Regardless, my offer still stands. You are a beloved companion of my precious assistant. I have yet to thank you for staying by his side while I was not here. He has only mentioned you to me a few times, but he speaks fondly every time. You have my gratitude.
He may have a prickly exterior, but those he treasures, he treasures very dearly. He has been subdued as of late, no doubt due to his worry for your condition. It is clear he worries for you.
In that case, if you are feeling well enough, might I ask you for a favour?
He is my closest companion, after all. I would be ashamed if I did not understand him after all this time.
[ She still doesn't understand him—not fully, anyway, because he is not one to speak his emotions. She had to learn to read him to understand what he needed.
It takes a moment before she responds. ]
I am uncertain if he has told you, but his birthday is soon to come. It is right after the turn of the year: January 3. I was hoping to celebrate it in a manner that would please him best, which I could not do without your involvement.
He is not one who revels in the attention of many, so I believe a small celebration with the individuals he is closest with would be most suitable for this occasion. However, other than that... I must admit, I am at a loss as to what else would be required. If I could solicit your advice and participation, I would be very grateful.
Oh my goodness, already?! I never would've known if you hadn't said so. He's never cared to share it before~
Admittedly our nameless friend wouldn't want to celebrate in any of the more traditional ways... Normally there'd be cake, but he hates sweets, and I'm sure he'd be confused to receive too many gifts, so you're right to keep it small. Best to keep it simple, I think! A gathering around a meal, perhaps? Someplace he can't easily escape from, though. If we catch him by surprise no doubt his first instinct will be to flee.
I do not necessarily want to trap him in an encounter he does not want. Yes, ideally, I would like this to be a surprise, but I want it to be a pleasant one for him. I would like him to stay of his own volition.
[ But Heizou's not wrong. He can be skittish on the best of days. Even if it's people he cares for, having them all together at once might startle him and cause him to flee. ]
Perhaps if it were a journey during which he encounters each of us one by one as we walk towards our destination, he would not feel overwhelmed.
[ That means the celebration could not take place in the treehouse he calls home. ]
Has he expressed a preference for any establishments in this world?
That's an excellent idea, actually! Letting the group slowly grow would at least stop him from getting too suspicious too quickly. I'd also hate for him to feel like he's being trapped by us.
Hmm, there is a cafe I've taken him to on occasion, though I couldn't say if he'd consider it a favorite of his. He doesn't object to it, at least.
Perhaps we can plan a few events around Reverein that he would enjoy, hosted by each one of us, and end it with a celebratory meal. If he does not enjoy any of the establishments, then... either we intrude on someone's abode, or we return to our home to celebrate.
In truth, I am not sure who else may be appropriate to invite to this occasion. He mostly speaks of you and Venti. Would you be aware of any other friends he might have made?
[He so badly wants to ask what Wanderer says about them... But time and place, Heizou!]
You are truly proving yourself worthy of being called the God of Wisdom, my dear Nahida~! It may take some coordination on all of our parts, but I'm sure we'll manage.
Off the top of my head I can't think of anyone else in particular that he'd enjoy spending time with on that level. Though there is certainly one person he'd actively hate to see at his birthday gathering.
[ Oh, right. She knows how strongly he dislikes Ei. She had not even considered inviting Ei on account of that, so it'd slipped her mind. ]
I am well aware of his dislike for her, so I wasn't going to invite her.
[ Still... she wonders what Ei thinks of her creation. Whether or not she was interested in being involved with his life. This was something she had to ask later, along with information about his build, so she could handle any future repairs he might need. ]
I see. It's a shame, but he has already grown more than I expected. That you and Venti can be counted among his close companions is more progress than I had hoped for.
I find that persistence works well in order to overcome his reluctance. There is much that he desires, but he is still hesitant to express it.
[ Of course, it's a fine line between encouraging him and encroaching his boundaries. It's one that Nahida is very careful not to step over. ]
Now, what events shall we have? It will be a simple matter to invite him out on a stroll. I am certain that he will want to accompany me when I venture outdoors.
[ Because she scared him, unfortunately. But even if she hadn't, she knows he will accompany her if she requests it. ]
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book2thehead
Text; Forward dated to two days after Heizou wakes
Date: 17 Dec 2023 05:36 (UTC)Can't resist---
Date: 17 Dec 2023 23:53 (UTC)It's very kind of you to check in on me! I'm fine though, really. I know I was asleep for quite a while, but it hardly feels like it at all~
>:3
Date: 17 Dec 2023 23:59 (UTC)Regardless, my offer still stands. You are a beloved companion of my precious assistant. I have yet to thank you for staying by his side while I was not here. He has only mentioned you to me a few times, but he speaks fondly every time. You have my gratitude.
no subject
Date: 18 Dec 2023 00:06 (UTC)Oh? And here I thought he felt like I was a mere thorn in his side!
[There's a moment's hesitation, and then-]
There's no need to thank me. I'm happy to be there for him when I can. Though clearly this last month has been something of an exception!
no subject
Date: 18 Dec 2023 00:33 (UTC)In that case, if you are feeling well enough, might I ask you for a favour?
no subject
Date: 18 Dec 2023 01:10 (UTC)Of course! What do you need?
no subject
Date: 18 Dec 2023 01:29 (UTC)[ She still doesn't understand him—not fully, anyway, because he is not one to speak his emotions. She had to learn to read him to understand what he needed.
It takes a moment before she responds. ]
I am uncertain if he has told you, but his birthday is soon to come. It is right after the turn of the year: January 3. I was hoping to celebrate it in a manner that would please him best, which I could not do without your involvement.
He is not one who revels in the attention of many, so I believe a small celebration with the individuals he is closest with would be most suitable for this occasion. However, other than that... I must admit, I am at a loss as to what else would be required. If I could solicit your advice and participation, I would be very grateful.
no subject
Date: 18 Dec 2023 01:45 (UTC)Admittedly our nameless friend wouldn't want to celebrate in any of the more traditional ways... Normally there'd be cake, but he hates sweets, and I'm sure he'd be confused to receive too many gifts, so you're right to keep it small. Best to keep it simple, I think! A gathering around a meal, perhaps? Someplace he can't easily escape from, though. If we catch him by surprise no doubt his first instinct will be to flee.
no subject
Date: 18 Dec 2023 02:20 (UTC)[ But Heizou's not wrong. He can be skittish on the best of days. Even if it's people he cares for, having them all together at once might startle him and cause him to flee. ]
Perhaps if it were a journey during which he encounters each of us one by one as we walk towards our destination, he would not feel overwhelmed.
[ That means the celebration could not take place in the treehouse he calls home. ]
Has he expressed a preference for any establishments in this world?
no subject
Date: 18 Dec 2023 09:31 (UTC)Hmm, there is a cafe I've taken him to on occasion, though I couldn't say if he'd consider it a favorite of his. He doesn't object to it, at least.
no subject
Date: 19 Dec 2023 03:13 (UTC)In truth, I am not sure who else may be appropriate to invite to this occasion. He mostly speaks of you and Venti. Would you be aware of any other friends he might have made?
no subject
Date: 19 Dec 2023 14:11 (UTC)You are truly proving yourself worthy of being called the God of Wisdom, my dear Nahida~! It may take some coordination on all of our parts, but I'm sure we'll manage.
Off the top of my head I can't think of anyone else in particular that he'd enjoy spending time with on that level. Though there is certainly one person he'd actively hate to see at his birthday gathering.
no subject
Date: 23 Dec 2023 07:52 (UTC)Who would this individual be?
no subject
Date: 23 Dec 2023 09:36 (UTC)He seems... indifferent to most everyone else he's met here.
no subject
Date: 23 Dec 2023 20:04 (UTC)I am well aware of his dislike for her, so I wasn't going to invite her.
[ Still... she wonders what Ei thinks of her creation. Whether or not she was interested in being involved with his life. This was something she had to ask later, along with information about his build, so she could handle any future repairs he might need. ]
I see. It's a shame, but he has already grown more than I expected. That you and Venti can be counted among his close companions is more progress than I had hoped for.
no subject
Date: 23 Dec 2023 22:02 (UTC)We're just persistent like that, I suppose! [Also known as annoying...] But he's very dear to me as well. I'm glad he also has you in his corner~
no subject
Date: 24 Dec 2023 06:08 (UTC)[ Of course, it's a fine line between encouraging him and encroaching his boundaries. It's one that Nahida is very careful not to step over. ]
Now, what events shall we have? It will be a simple matter to invite him out on a stroll. I am certain that he will want to accompany me when I venture outdoors.
[ Because she scared him, unfortunately. But even if she hadn't, she knows he will accompany her if she requests it. ]