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KD6-3.7
3313 Creampuff Way


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[aigue]

[K will find a neatly written letter in his mailbox.]

As you requested, some fairy tales and French songs:

Fairy Tales:
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
One Thousand and One Nights, or The Arabian Nights' Entertainment, multiple authors, the latter of which can be found in Andrew Lang's "Coloured" Fairy Books or Andrew Lang's Fairy Books of Many Colors, a series of 12 volumes of fairy tales from around the world
Histoires ou contes du temps passé or Les Contes de ma Mère l'Oye (Stories or Fairy Tales from Past Times with Morals or Mother Goose Tales) by Charles Perrault
Norske Folkeeventyr (Norwegian Folktales) or Asbjørnsen and Moe by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe
Le piacevoli notti (The Facetious Nights of Straparola) or The Nights of Straparola by Giovanni Francesco Straparola
Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Children's and Household Tales) by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Aesopica (Aesop's Fables) by Aesop

It isn't quite a fairy tale, but Le Petite Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Music:
Charles Trenet, "La mer"
Rina Ketty, "J'attendrai"
Léo Marjane, "Seule ce soir"
Jacques Brel, "Ne me quitte pas"
Gloria Lasso, "Etrangère au Paradis"
France Gall, "Poupée de cire poupée de son"
Charles Aznavour, "For me... formidable"
Sylvie Vartan, "La plus belle pour aller danser"
Maxime Le Forestier, "San Francisco"
Renaud, "Mistral gagnant"
Métal Urbain, "Panik"
Noir Désir, "Les Écorchés"
Téléphone, "Un autre monde"
Mylène Farmer, "Désenchantée"
Tété, "A la faveur de l'Automne"

Renart

[obeir]

Renart,

Thank you very much, this is more than I expected. (That isn't a complaint.)

I guess I really will owe you that meal now.

Regards,
-K

[ And he will essentially be hermitting for a few days as he reads them all, and transcribes each song to the piano. ]

[aigue]

[Merry Christmas, K! On the 25th a package will be left on his doorstep containing a record player and record of Queen's greatest hits. The tag attached has a very foxy paw print, three guesses who it is from.]

[obeir]

[ Setting up the record player takes a bit of figuring out, but once he's listening to it, he decides almost immediately that he really likes this band. He does wonder if there's any particular significance behind the choice, or if Renart's just sharing good music with him again. That she thought to give him gifts at all is touching. It's still very much a new experience for him.

As can be expected, over the next several weeks she might hear him picking out the melodies on the piano as well. ]

Renart,

I appreciate the gifts very much, thank you. I continue to be impressed by your taste in music.

Fondly,
-K

[clowngirl]

[K receives a homemade card on December 25th from Harley Quinn. The front has a doodle of a camera on it and says "Don't lose focus this holiday, capture the good times!" The inside reads "Let's give it another shot sometime soon. ;) Merry Christmas! - HQ"]

[obeir]

[ Those puns again. But the card makes K smile. His reply thanking Harley for the card and wishing her a merry Christmas in return is tucked beneath the ribbon securing a festively wrapped box, which contains an enchantment-free, devil's food harlequin cake. ]

[devoutish]

Mr. K.,

Come by for dinner sometime, if you like. 1108 Sweet Cream Street. We'd be happy to have you.

- A. Solomons & R. Melborn

P. S. - Mind the dog.

[obeir]

[ Huh. The invitation is certainly a surprise. Apparently he must have made a good impression at some point, between the VR puking adventure with Alfie and bonding over how terrible humans can be (especially one specific human; House) with Royce. ]

Mr. Solomons & Mr. Melborn,

Thank you for the kind offer and I'd be glad to accept. Is there a particular day you'd both prefer? Would you like me to bring anything?

Regards,
-K

mailbox note

[devoutish]

Thank you.

- A. Solomons

[This comes along with a small honey cake. He's assuming K will know what it's about.]

[obeir]

[ Royce's gratitude had made him feel guilty enough — despite knowing, logically, Royce might very well have gotten injured even if he hadn't taken that second to push K himself out of the way. Alfie's gratitude only compounds it. But... he's also touched by the gesture, especially considering he'd wondered if Alfie would be angry about the incident. ]

I hope you're both well. Or as well as can be expected.

Physically I know Royce was fully healed, I saw it happen. But afterward he seemed to think he was back in Norfinbury. Asked about his death price. Those memories don't seem to be doing him any favours.

-K

piano lessons and chats because why not

[bywolves]

[ It's a day or two after the naming the stars party. There's no fanfare accompanying his visit. Royce just shows up at K's house, knocks on the door, and then sips at his coffee, because he's addicted at this point.

Don't worry, he's brought one for K, too. Provided K is even home and not busy. ]

yes good

[obeir]

[ K's indeed home and not busy, beyond trying to alleviate his unusual restlessness. Over the last few hours he's cycled through editing photos from the Libra Station for the museum, marking passages from one of his favourite books to share with Connor later, preparing sheet music of various Lord of the Rings songs, trying a new recipe, and eventually tinkering with his spinner that's parked to the side of his house — which is where he currently is. He leans out of the driver's side open door to see who's knocking. ]

Hey. Ready for your next lesson? [ He assumes that's why Royce has stopped by. ]

beginning of may

[exigere]

[ when K returns to his cozy Meadous home after his various museum related activities, he'll notice there's a blue folded paper flower pinned to the raised flag on his mailbox, in a similar style to the notes they'd pass during those late nights working at the bar. there's a handwritten note inside as usual, in some variation of CyberLife Sans font because proper handwriting is still kind of tricky. ]


K,

I hope your evening went well. Follow the trail when you return, I have a surprise for you.

- Connor


[ by "trail" Connor means the line of smaller, equally intricately folded blue paper flowers, leading inside. once inside, the trail goes along the floor and leads into the bathroom, where Connor's set up a ... sort of poor man's attempt at a spa experience. the bathtub is full of hot soapy water and smells vaguely of flower petals (according to the bottle anyway) and there's a bottle of red wine and a glass on the counter. Connor's also hauled in the record player, some quiet and relaxing old jazz tunes playing in the background, and lit a few candles on the bathroom countertop - they're all mismatched sizes and colours, and don't really look that nice, but it's all he could find.

it's the thought that counts, right? Connor's noticed that things haven't quite been back to normal since they returned from the Libra station, and maybe a little bit of pampering will help cheer K up. so whenever K does discover what his robo boyfriend has been up to while he was out, he'll find Connor fussing over the whole setup, testing the water temperature and soapy contents the only way he knows how - via oral crime lab. ]

awwww the best bf, that's Connor

[obeir]

[ With the return of his spinner courtesy of Alphonse during the "Friend or Foe" game, K's been working on aerial photography for the museum. Connor has always been welcome to come along — whether riding with K in the car itself or simply helping guide its linked pilotfish drone — but it isn't always all that exciting, so he doesn't think much of Connor declining his earlier offer.

That is, until he returns home and realises that Connor must have had very specific reasons for declining. The flower note already has him smiling to himself as he collects each of the additional paper flowers leading inside. They're all left arranged on the coffee table before he follows the remaining trail, and the quiet, moody jazz is the first thing he notices. One of his favourite albums. Coming from the bathroom? That's where the flowers lead.

He's taken aback by the scene that greets him — in a good way. The music and wine, candles, the bubble bath (that Connor appears to be tasting, but K can pretty accurately guess why), it's all unexpected. And also incredibly touching; not only that Connor would go to all this trouble for him, but that he probably must've noticed K's been feeling out of sorts lately despite his efforts to mask it. It takes him a moment to find his voice. ]

This is a very good surprise. [ He says softly and waits for Connor to face him, then reaches for one of his hands, smiling at him. ] Thank you. [ And he lightly squeezes the hand he's holding before lifting it, and leans his cheek against Connor's fingers with clear affection. A pause, and there's a subtler hint of coyness in his expression as he looks Connor up and down. ]

But I think you're overdressed. [ As is K; he hasn't even taken off his coat yet. This is something he'd very much like them to share, though he doesn't yet start undressing himself or Connor, first wanting to know whether he's actually comfortable with things proceeding that way. He'd been given just a glimpse before, when Connor had teased him with the shirt garters, but full nudity — for both of them — is unexplored territory. And there's also that further level of nudity that's possible for Connor, with his simulated skin. ] You'll join me?

letter

[devoutish]

[This one's hand-delivered, and more than a little damp, but it should be readable.]

Are you pulling through in the rain? I do hope you'll come for dinner sometime this week in spite of it.

A.S.

[obeir]

That would be a welcome diversion from the weather. We'd love to.

-K

[ "We" because following what Alfie told him at the Passover Seder, he makes sure to invite Connor with him, of course. Because it's obviously a double date.

Much like the last time, K's made an effort to dress more formally in a suit — plus he wouldn't want to appear underdressed next to Connor, who's almost always in a suit regardless of the occasion. The lack of an umbrella has left the pair of androids a bit damp from the downpour on their way over, and after knocking K spends a few moments brushing the water from Connor's face with a small smile. It's largely unnecessary; he just wants to. ]

letter

[devoutish]

Come have tea with me? At mine or at the coffeehouse. It's your choice.

- A.S.

[After a recent conversation with Royce, he figures that he owes K a thank you.]

letter → [action]

[obeir]

Sure. I'll come by in an hour.

-K

[ Because that gives K some time to sober up, and, more importantly, provides Phil enough time to bake another apple kuchen by request. After it's cooled a bit and boxed, K takes it with him when he heads over to Alfie and Royce's place. Knock knock. ]

September 22

[voiceinthephone]

Officer K,

The wolf pups I pup-sit are having their first real hunt and I invite you to come with me and watch!

Bring a coat, it might be a little chilly.

- PG

PS: Bring jerky too. River and Rocky LOVE jerky.

letter

[obeir]

[ With as much depression-sleeping as K's been doing since Connor's disappearance, it's a miracle Phil even gets a response in a relatively timely manner. K considers turning down the offer, but, well — getting out might do him some good, and he is fond of the wolf pups. He remembers meeting them when they were just wee things, so it'll be nice to see how they're growing up. ]

I'll come by the Phone Tap shortly.

-K

letter

[devoutish]

I hope you'll stop by for lunch, when you have the time for it. There's fresh bread this week.

- A.S.

[There's fresh bread every week, and when you have the time for it is really a polite euphemism for when you feel up to it, but in Alfie's world, excuses and euphemisms are better than just coming out and saying "I heard you lost someone close to you, and so I'm rallying around you to make sure you have company". This way allows K to save face, if he wants to.]

[obeir]

[ It takes K a couple days to send a reply, simply because he hasn't been keeping up with his mail lately. For likely obvious reasons, since he assumes Royce will have told Alfie about — everything. ]

I appreciate the invitation. I don't think I'll be making it out today, but maybe soon.

-K

[termineur]

[ A couple days after the meeting they had with Royce, Gabriel comes by, holding a cloth bag. The weather has just turned, which he honestly is appreciating. Now he can go back to wearing his favorite long-sleeved shirts and layers, without looking far too overdressed.

He knocks on the door, somewhat hopeful. ]

[obeir]

[ Gabriel's interrupted some depression-napping, but it isn't unwelcome. It takes K a couple minutes to get to the door, thankfully looking more alert than he really feels, and also fully dressed (if maybe a bit rumpled-looking) because he hadn't bothered undressing before passing out. ]

Hey. [ Noting the cloth bag as he makes room for Gabriel to step inside if he wants to. Despite recent difficulties, K's maintained a tidy house. ] What're you up to?

Near Christmas-y Time

[bywolves]

[ On K's front porch is a box, clumsily wrapped. It's clearly addressed to him.

Inside is a collection of books, all pristine and new. There are several classic mystery novels, a series on the history of jazz music, and a book on the history of elves and mir in Elan. A note is delicately placed on top of all of these, in familiar all-caps, cramped handwriting: ]

It is the holidays, and I haven't forgotten you. You are one of three very close friends I have, these days.

You do far more for me than you will ever know. I hope that these gifts can show even a fraction of that.

Thanks.
Royce

Around Christmastime

[termineur]

[ One morning, K will find a warm loaf of pumpkin bread and a small package on his doorstep. Inside is a copy of the book The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein, as well as a metal beetle-style bookmark. A small note is included. ]

Merry Christmas, K. Thanks for being a friend, and for all your help with so many things this year.

-Gabriel

P.S. Royce gave me a CD of all your songs for Zephyr, and I can't tell you how happy it makes me that these exist.

January 14

[voiceinthephone]

Hey K,

It's Phil Gray, from the Phone Tap. Unless there's another Phil Gray in the Meadous, which I'd be surprised and concerned.

I've noticed that you've been eating animal cupcakes fairly regularly, and I'm concerned for your pancreas. It's not that you shouldn't be eating them! In fact, I'm glad you're enjoying the magic. But I'm serious though, that's a lot of sugar to be eating and I'd rather play it safe with diabetes.

I could make you a potion set of your favorite type if you want, but I want to talk to you before that, just to touch base. I know things haven't been easy. Drop by my place when you can?

- PG

[obeir]

[ ... Oh. He's been indulging in his escapism attempts too frequently, he assumes, and wonders if this is Phil preparing to fire him. No more cupcakes for him; probably time to go cold turkey if he's causing problems. He'll just have to find other methods of coping with things. ]

Phil,

I apologise for any inconvenience I've caused. And I appreciate your concern, though it's unnecessary. You don't have to go to any further trouble for me. I'll stop eating them.

-K

Late July

[termineur]

[ The letter is handwritten and clearly carefully penned. ]

K,

I'm sorry. For hurting you and for violating your trust like that. I know how people treated you in your home world, and I went ahead and did the same. At the time, I just wanted you to hate me. You were right, and I regret it now.

I understand if you never want to talk to me again. But if there's anything I can do to make this any better, I'll do it. I imagine you don't want me anywhere near your head again, but I can shift things back to the way they were, if you'd want that.

Sincerely,

Gabriel

[obeir]

[ Having been debating contacting Gabriel ever since the encounter, it's a relief when he reaches out first. ]

Gabriel,

I know that it wasn't really "you" who did that to me and that you couldn't control yourself. I don't hold it against you and just wish I could've been of some help. Trying to talk you through it seemed to make it worse...

But I appreciate the apology.

I hope we can still be friends. And you do owe me that date, even if you sort of skipped to third base already. Mentally. [ It's a shaky attempt at a joke. ]

No offense meant, but I think I will have to take a rain check on reversing the effects. At least for now. It has been a lot to deal with and I'm not sure that I'm ready for more.

Are things okay between you and Rhys and Harley? She told me about what happened to her.

-K