[Do people who walk around in armor need to worry about the cold??? It's unclear. Xanthous hasn't met the new resident face to face yet, but he's a little hard to miss.
One day in December Alphonse will find a packaged labelled "???" in his mailbox. Inside of it is a simple, if very long, knit scarf.]
The writing is very weird, but he can parse what it says, and the gift is generous. He doesn't need a scarf any more, it seems like his body has returned to what it was before Norfinbury, but he doesn't want to be rude.
Instead of sending a note back, he goes around the village one morning until he finds the house with the name 'Xanthous' on the mailbox, and then knocks on the door.]
Xanthous pauses in the middle of the room - his home isn't any larger than anyone elses, but it's all just one big room with the kitchen separated by just the counter, with only one door that leads to the bathroom - which means Alphonse gets a clear view of just how many tribbles have made themselves at home.
There's a lot. It's kind of a problem.]
Yeah, yeah, I'm Thanthouth. Did it get to you okay...?
[Xanthous isn't a strange sight, he's seen trolls before, but the tribbles are unexpected... and adorable. He desperately wants to bend down and scoop a few up, but he needs to focus on what he's come here for.]
Yeah, I actually came to say thank you.
[His voice is warm, genuinely grateful.]
It's such a generous thing to do, especially for someone you don't know.
[Eliza leaves a drawing in Alphonse's mailbox on the night of Christmas Eve. It's a drawing of his armor, but stylized to look like something out of a mecha anime. He has one arm out in a Superman pose and is flying through the air. Eliza has signed it and added a "Merry Christmas!"]
It's a holiday where I'm from! I guess some other places don't have it, though. On Christmas Eve, Santa is supposed to fly around the world and give presents to people who write him letters. And people give gifts to each other too! There's also some traditions about decorating and special food, but the gifts are the most important part!
[To be fair, she means giving gifts, and the feeling of friendship/love from doing so.]
I thought you might like to have copies. Thank you for helping with the museum project.
Regards, -K
[ Included with the letter are copies of the portraits he took of Al. The photos have quite a few frames of animation — about a half minute of movement, sort of like mini-movies that loop indefinitely. ]
[That's so cool! He doesn't have any moving pictures yet, and he sticks these in pride of place on his wall, before heading over to K's house and leaving him a package in return.
Inside is a long blue scarf and some matching woollen gloves.]
Dear K,
Thanks so much for the pictures, I've stuck them up on my wall where I'll always be able to see them. I'm not sure if you feel the cold much, but I'd like you to have these in thanks anyway.
[ At first K assumes the package must've been intended for someone else, until he reads the letter. The gifts he's been given in his short life can be counted on one hand, with fingers left over; receiving something in return like this is very surprising. And significant. Several minutes are spent just feeling the material of the scarf and gloves as he considers his reply. ]
Al,
I'm glad you like them that much. I noticed you had a lot of photos around your home. If you ever want some pictures of yourself with your friends here, I can do that too.
Thank you for the gifts. I do feel the cold, so they'll be useful and I appreciate the gesture. I'm not used to being given things like this... It's a nice feeling.
[The return letter makes his heart ache a little bit, the scarf and gloves had just been a small token of appreciation and to know they mean so much is a little sad. K's whole story, what Al knows of it anyway, makes him sad and just all the more determined to befriend him.
So another note comes back that evening.]
K,
Thanks for the offer, I'd love some more pictures of my friends from here. You can never have too many pictures of your friends! Or too many friends, for that matter. And because you can never have too many friends, why don't you come back over some time and I'll make you some dinner, we can get to know each other better?
[ It seems the boy in armour will never cease to surprise K. The overture of friendship is welcome, though. ]
Al,
I'm not one to turn down a home-cooked meal. That's a very kind offer, thank you and I'll get back to you on it. Admittedly, I'm largely unfamiliar with this custom. Will there be anything that you'd like me to bring?
[Al isn't sure whether 'get back to you on it' means that he doesn't want to accept and is just trying to be polite, or if it means he really will come by at some point. He hopes the latter.]
Dear K,
You don't need to bring anything but yourself, it'll be a pleasure to have you.
[ He'd feel bad if he knew Al thought his reply was a polite brush off. It was an acceptance, made perhaps a bit awkward because of his inexperience with such social engagements. ]
Al,
All right, I think I can manage that. Just feels weird not to do anything in return when you've given me gifts and offered a meal.
[ A lantern isn't a bad idea, it's sort of appropriately festive, but K wants it to be something more... like a proper gift. Something that Al might like. Their meeting at Zephyr's birthday has him assuming any food will be awkwardly accepted but not eaten (and he does wonder whether Al will actually partake of this proposed dinner with him), so that idea is out.
It takes him a few days to get the gift sorted, but once he has, he sends Al a short note to make sure it's a good day to come by. Assuming there isn't a response asking to reschedule, he'll eventually turn up at Al's door, dressed for the cold weather and of course wearing the blue scarf — not just for Al's benefit, but because he's actually been making use of the scarf and gloves set. He shifts the smallish wrapped box he's holding to one hand, knocking with the other. ]
[Al isn’t expecting K to bring him anything, it’s enough just to get company and make new friends in this place. It helps keep him from missing his friends from Norfinbury and back home too much. He’s a social person, he survives by surrounding himself with people to care about.
He’s done as he said and prepared a meal, just a simple soup, bread, and some fruit cakes. And he’s been meticulously planning his excuses for why he won’t be eating too. So he’s ready for when K knocks, and opens the door with a cheery wave and a happy tone of voice to make up for not actually being able to smile in greeting.]
You came! Come on in, please make yourself comfortable.
[ Pausing outside, K conscientiously stamps the snow off his boots before he comes in. ]
Did you think I wouldn't? [ From anyone else it might sound like teasing, but he's genuinely curious, offering a smile as he asks. He unwinds his scarf and pulls it off along with his coat, and will hang both up if there's an appropriate place to do so. ]
And it's not a lantern, but. [ Tilting his head in lieu of a shrug, he holds out the wrapped box to Al. Hopefully he didn't have his heart set on receiving said lantern, because the gift is quite a bit different. ]
Oh, wow! Thank you, but you didn't have to bring anything, really.
[He's definitely excited as he takes the wrapped box carefully, not wanting to damage it in case there's something potentially fragile inside. He hasn't had a gift in a long time, this is pretty cool!
He steps aside so that K can head into the living room and take a seat.]
[ He'll take a seat as Al opens the gift. Inside the box is a black sash of somewhat coarse, sturdy material meant to withstand the daily wear and tear of being worn, with embroidered white cat paw prints on one end — inspired by Al's mailbox theme, which K took to mean he likes cats.
It's several inches wide and of a length that it can wrap around the waist of Al's armour a few times and still hang a bit lower than the loincloth, but not so long it'll get tangled around his legs or in the joints of his armour when he walks. But it will totally flutter dramatically in the wind. It could double as a scarf, too, if preferred. ]
It's meant to be a favour. The kind worn by knights. [ As he explains, he makes a gesture as though securing something around his own waist. ] Most stories only mention a lady's favour given to her chosen knight, but they were given for friendship, too. [ Which seemed doubly appropriate, he thought, with Al's offer of friendship to him and the fact he apparently wears his armour full-time. ]
[Al doesn't actually know much about the legends of knights, and so the explanation is both welcome and incredibly interesting. It's such a thoughtful gift, and he immediately stands back up so that he can wind it carefully around his waist and tie it so that the ends hang neatly.]
It's wonderful, thank you. I'll wear it in the spirit it was given, as a favour of friendship, and the cat paws are so cute!
[With any other friend he'd go in for a hug now, but this is very new and Al doesn't know how K would react to that, so instead he reaches out and tries to put a hand on his shoulder instead.]
Do you think this makes me Sir Alphonse the Knight?
[ It had admittedly been a bit strange at first trying to get an emotional read on someone whose face is always covered (little does K know), but it's becoming much easier to infer from tone of voice and body language. He can tell that Al likes the gift, and it has him smiling, glad that it's been well-received. A hug would've been surprising but not unwelcome, and he clearly doesn't mind the hand on his shoulder. ]
I believe it does. [ He agrees, as though he has the authority to decide that. ] Sir Alphonse the— well, you need a good adjective. Like courageous. Valiant. Wise. [ A little teasing: ] Guardian of cats.
Did knights exist in your homeworld? With knightly codes of chivalry and all of that?
[ He'd sort of just assumed so, because of the full suit of armour. ]
[He's pretty unusual even in his home world, there weren't a lot of people who wore full suits of armour. Even less that were full suits of armour, though there were more than they used to be thanks to the immortal experiments of the Fifth Laboratory.]
But maybe I can start a trend when I get back, learn to ride a horse and go around doing heroic deeds with a sword and a lance.
[Or not.]
Do they exist where you come from? It sounds like you already know more about them than me, I had no idea about favours or a code of chivalry.
They did, a long time ago. Everything factual that I know about them comes from historical texts and books. My homeworld has fables about them, too, but those are still based in some truth, I think.
[ The thought of Al gallivanting around on a horse acting like a storybook knight makes him smile. ] You could be chivalrous even without the horse and sword. I mean... you already are. [ A touch more seriously: ] You've been very kind to me.
[A large plush cat is left on Alphonse's doorstep on a towel so it doesn't get wet from the snow. There is no sign on who it could be from considering the footprints in the snow have been messed up.]
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One day in December Alphonse will find a packaged labelled "???" in his mailbox. Inside of it is a simple, if very long, knit scarf.]
II don't know iif you need thii2?
-Xanthou2
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The writing is very weird, but he can parse what it says, and the gift is generous. He doesn't need a scarf any more, it seems like his body has returned to what it was before Norfinbury, but he doesn't want to be rude.
Instead of sending a note back, he goes around the village one morning until he finds the house with the name 'Xanthous' on the mailbox, and then knocks on the door.]
Hello? Is anyone home?
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Xanthous isn't very good at predicting people.
Still, he's there when Alphonse comes around, though the door opens seemingly of its own volition.]
You can come in.
[He doesn't recognize the voice, no, but he's a little busy trying to wrangle down some tribbles at the moment.]
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He pokes his head into the door before following that up with the rest of his body, shutting the door behind him quietly.]
Um, I came about the package you sent me, are you Xanthous?
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[Huh. It's stranger seeing the guy in person.
Xanthous pauses in the middle of the room - his home isn't any larger than anyone elses, but it's all just one big room with the kitchen separated by just the counter, with only one door that leads to the bathroom - which means Alphonse gets a clear view of just how many tribbles have made themselves at home.
There's a lot. It's kind of a problem.]
Yeah, yeah, I'm Thanthouth. Did it get to you okay...?
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Yeah, I actually came to say thank you.
[His voice is warm, genuinely grateful.]
It's such a generous thing to do, especially for someone you don't know.
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Thanks for the drawing, but what's Christmas?
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It's a holiday where I'm from! I guess some other places don't have it, though. On Christmas Eve, Santa is supposed to fly around the world and give presents to people who write him letters. And people give gifts to each other too! There's also some traditions about decorating and special food, but the gifts are the most important part![To be fair, she means giving gifts, and the feeling of friendship/love from doing so.]
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Thanks for explaining.
It was kind of you to give me something when we don't know each other that well, so thanks for that too.
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It's no problem! I wanted to give something to everyone, after all!no subject
I hope we meet again soon.
Al.
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I thought you might like to have copies. Thank you for helping with the museum project.
Regards,
-K
[ Included with the letter are copies of the portraits he took of Al. The photos have quite a few frames of animation — about a half minute of movement, sort of like mini-movies that loop indefinitely. ]
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Inside is a long blue scarf and some matching woollen gloves.]
Dear K,
Thanks so much for the pictures, I've stuck them up on my wall where I'll always be able to see them. I'm not sure if you feel the cold much, but I'd like you to have these in thanks anyway.
Please drop by any time.
Al.
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Al,
I'm glad you like them that much. I noticed you had a lot of photos around your home. If you ever want some pictures of yourself with your friends here, I can do that too.
Thank you for the gifts. I do feel the cold, so they'll be useful and I appreciate the gesture. I'm not used to being given things like this... It's a nice feeling.
With gratitude,
-K
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So another note comes back that evening.]
K,
Thanks for the offer, I'd love some more pictures of my friends from here. You can never have too many pictures of your friends! Or too many friends, for that matter. And because you can never have too many friends, why don't you come back over some time and I'll make you some dinner, we can get to know each other better?
You're welcome any time.
Yours,
Al.
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Al,
I'm not one to turn down a home-cooked meal. That's a very kind offer, thank you and I'll get back to you on it. Admittedly, I'm largely unfamiliar with this custom. Will there be anything that you'd like me to bring?
Warm regards,
-K
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Dear K,
You don't need to bring anything but yourself, it'll be a pleasure to have you.
Hoping to see you soon,
Al.
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Al,
All right, I think I can manage that. Just feels weird not to do anything in return when you've given me gifts and offered a meal.
-K
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How about you come by in the New Year and bring a lantern? Then you're bringing something, if it makes you feel better.
Alphonse.
→ [action] backdated to around the new year-ish if that's okay!
It takes him a few days to get the gift sorted, but once he has, he sends Al a short note to make sure it's a good day to come by. Assuming there isn't a response asking to reschedule, he'll eventually turn up at Al's door, dressed for the cold weather and of course wearing the blue scarf — not just for Al's benefit, but because he's actually been making use of the scarf and gloves set. He shifts the smallish wrapped box he's holding to one hand, knocking with the other. ]
Of course!
He’s done as he said and prepared a meal, just a simple soup, bread, and some fruit cakes. And he’s been meticulously planning his excuses for why he won’t be eating too. So he’s ready for when K knocks, and opens the door with a cheery wave and a happy tone of voice to make up for not actually being able to smile in greeting.]
You came! Come on in, please make yourself comfortable.
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Did you think I wouldn't? [ From anyone else it might sound like teasing, but he's genuinely curious, offering a smile as he asks. He unwinds his scarf and pulls it off along with his coat, and will hang both up if there's an appropriate place to do so. ]
And it's not a lantern, but. [ Tilting his head in lieu of a shrug, he holds out the wrapped box to Al. Hopefully he didn't have his heart set on receiving said lantern, because the gift is quite a bit different. ]
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[He's definitely excited as he takes the wrapped box carefully, not wanting to damage it in case there's something potentially fragile inside. He hasn't had a gift in a long time, this is pretty cool!
He steps aside so that K can head into the living room and take a seat.]
Do you mind if I open it now?
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[ He'll take a seat as Al opens the gift. Inside the box is a black sash of somewhat coarse, sturdy material meant to withstand the daily wear and tear of being worn, with embroidered white cat paw prints on one end — inspired by Al's mailbox theme, which K took to mean he likes cats.
It's several inches wide and of a length that it can wrap around the waist of Al's armour a few times and still hang a bit lower than the loincloth, but not so long it'll get tangled around his legs or in the joints of his armour when he walks. But it will totally flutter dramatically in the wind. It could double as a scarf, too, if preferred. ]
It's meant to be a favour. The kind worn by knights. [ As he explains, he makes a gesture as though securing something around his own waist. ] Most stories only mention a lady's favour given to her chosen knight, but they were given for friendship, too. [ Which seemed doubly appropriate, he thought, with Al's offer of friendship to him and the fact he apparently wears his armour full-time. ]
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It's wonderful, thank you. I'll wear it in the spirit it was given, as a favour of friendship, and the cat paws are so cute!
[With any other friend he'd go in for a hug now, but this is very new and Al doesn't know how K would react to that, so instead he reaches out and tries to put a hand on his shoulder instead.]
Do you think this makes me Sir Alphonse the Knight?
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I believe it does. [ He agrees, as though he has the authority to decide that. ] Sir Alphonse the— well, you need a good adjective. Like courageous. Valiant. Wise. [ A little teasing: ] Guardian of cats.
Did knights exist in your homeworld? With knightly codes of chivalry and all of that?
[ He'd sort of just assumed so, because of the full suit of armour. ]
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[He's pretty unusual even in his home world, there weren't a lot of people who wore full suits of armour. Even less that were full suits of armour, though there were more than they used to be thanks to the immortal experiments of the Fifth Laboratory.]
But maybe I can start a trend when I get back, learn to ride a horse and go around doing heroic deeds with a sword and a lance.
[Or not.]
Do they exist where you come from? It sounds like you already know more about them than me, I had no idea about favours or a code of chivalry.
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[ The thought of Al gallivanting around on a horse acting like a storybook knight makes him smile. ] You could be chivalrous even without the horse and sword. I mean... you already are. [ A touch more seriously: ] You've been very kind to me.
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[It breaks his heart a little to think that people might not have been as nice to K before this, he's such a nice guy. Or a nice... robot?]
I'd love to hear more about your world, though, if you don't mind talking about it? About your fables, and your countries, and-- well, everything.
Feb 15th
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Al looks in vain for someone to thank for it, but he comes up blank. So in the end, he settles for pinning a note to his mailbox that simply says:
Thank you for the cat!
Please come by some time, I'd love to thank you in person.
--Al.]