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Likely because you're more menacing. I've shown my hand. The worst I can do to him is kill him. The worst you can do is exactly that - remind him of someone he fears.

[ It is very clear Royce is annoyed by this. ]

Interesting priorities. [ K says mildly. That annoyance has him deciding not to linger on the topic, and he nods toward his bowl of stew. ]

It's very good, by the way. [ And he's privately grateful for their not being surprised about him eating "people food". Some folks have very strange ideas about what androids can live off of. ]

Ah, I'm glad you like it, mate. Royce here, he does the hunting--

[Alfie elbows him lightly in the ribs.]

-- and the two of us do the cooking together. And for dessert, we'll all have your lovely cake and wine.

I also do the skinning, because Alfie thinks it's gross. [ That's teasing, and probably way exaggerated. ] He's a city boy.

Is that the same wine from before?

It can be a bit gross. [ K says lightly, obviously in jest. In reality he handles his own butchering without issue. He handles most things that are likely to trigger disgust in humans without issue. ]

It's too bad you didn't want to share your meat. [ It's said with a perfectly straight face, and just the faintest hint of amusement, referring to his and Royce's agreed upon trade for the piano lessons. Now Alfie can enjoy the not-quite-innuendo too. ] If you'd have saved me the hassle of skinning. It's the red wine from the Phone Tap, yes.

[Royce gets a good-natured swat on the arm at that comment, even though it's completely true. But K's, though - it actually takes him a second to get it, mostly because he's only passingly familiar with meat being used as a euphemism. Only K's little grin (and, possibly, whatever Rocye's reaction is), gives it away, and he stifles an amused snort.]

Fucking hell-- here, we've got wine of our own, as well. Shall we open up both bottles? Let you try some of the Montemorcey?

[ Royce's reaction is to flush slightly and choke on his food a little. God dammit, K!! ]

Maribor above. [ Royce mutters. He doesn't seem bothered, at least, because he's trying not to grin, rueful. ] Yes, let's drink.

[ These reactions only serve as encouragement. It's nice, feeling like maybe it's okay to let his guard down a bit more than he usually would, though he'll always be careful about any boundaries he's aware of. The precise nature of Royce and Alfie's relationship is something he's still trying to figure out. ]

I won't say no to that. You've already started making your own wine, then? That was fast.

No, not yet; this is wine from Royce's home.

[Alfie says, standing and heading back into the kitchen.]

We've got an unending supply of it.

I think it was the first or second thing Alfie wished for when we got here. [ It's okay, K, both Royce and Alfie are still kind of trying to figure out the precise nature of their relationship. ]

We wished for the supplies, though. Should be getting started on it soon.

Oh. You have unlimited wine, but want to make more? [ K sounds amused. Apparently they're wine enthusiasts. Or high-functioning alcoholics. ] If there's anything from the Phone Tap that either of you would like, I'll bet Phil would be willing to trade for some of your wine, too.

[ And he's going to briefly lament Connor's inability to drink anything but thirium, since he'd have also liked to share the wine with him. ]

The first thing.

[Alfie murmurs in response to Royce's comment, then goes on to clarify when K is finished talking.]

Ah, but they serve very different purposes. This wine, the Montemorcey--

[He sets the bottle down on the table, along with three glasses.]

-- this is from Royce's home. It's special. Making wine, that's something to do. It's a trade, of sorts, to undertake in our retirement.

Mm. Our retirement. We're old men.

[ Royce jokes. ] Old men with not a lot of hobbies, apparently.

[ The mention of "retirement" causes a flicker of unease in K's expression. He understands how it's meant, the word just holds very different connotations for him, normally. ]

Wouldn't be a bad way to pass the time. [ He agrees. ] Like learning to play the piano. Soon you'll have good wine and good music to go with it. [ Well. Relatively soon, maybe. He does intend to actually teach Royce, not just use the lessons as an excuse to see how flustered he can make him. ]

Ah, don't worry; we're not gonna be old and dull.

[He says it lightly enough, but he's eyeing K a bit more seriously, wondering about that flicker there.]

Well. Not dull, at least.

[ Royce also catches it, but he doesn't say anything. He takes his wine. ]

Mm. K offered to teach me how to play the piano, so you're right. Not dull in the least. [ Joking, lightly: ] Every time you come home I'll play something from Lord of the Rings to grandly welcome you to the house.

[ K also takes his wine and curiously tries it. He's never been much of a wine drinker, so has little to compare it to. But it isn't bad, just... new. ]

Thank you for returning those to the rec center, by the way. [ The movies, he means, from which he's slowly transcribing the score to piano. And to Alfie: ] Is it also a favourite film of yours? [ Because if it's so important to Royce, it stands to reason they've probably watched it together. ]

You returned them to the rec center?

[Says Alfie, who has a terrible habit of "borrowing" movies and then keeping the ones they rewatch forever. If anyone else has gone to borrow The Lord of the Rings, The Prince of Egypt, or Fiddler on the Roof, it's almost certainly Royce that they have to thank.]

Well, there's three, of 'em, but yeah, they're excellent films. We've watched them all many times.

I returned them specifically because K asked. [ Sniff. ] When he's done with them I intend on borrowing them again.

[ He could just wish for his own, but y'know. ]

I'll return them to you both once I've finished. [ K offers with a small smile, figuring he may as well save them the trip to the rec center. ] It shouldn't take too long, the music's very— distinct.

And I've been wondering. [ Glancing toward Royce. ] Is the Elvish language of your homeworld at all similar to Quenya and Sindarin? [ That multiverse quantum theory stuff again. ]

There are similar words and sounds. [ Royce replies, in mostly fluid elvish. He's been teaching himself, so it's kind of stiff and formal, but hey. There's a translator that automatically lets K hear the words in whatever language he knows the best. ]

For the most part, it is its own language, though it does share similarities with languages from Earth, I have found.

We're both learning.

[Adds in Alfie, tossing Royce a small smile.]

He's better than me.

[ Unfortunately the autotranslation does ruin the effect, though K picks up on the fact it's a different language by the way it almost sounds like Cityspeak to him, a mishmash of several languages that's common in the city he's from. ]

I can tell you're speaking another language, but it doesn't sound like Elvish to me. [ He points out with a curious look. It isn't the first time he's encountered this. ] Will it only sound the way it's meant to if I also know the language?

I don't know exactly how Zephyr works when it comes to this. Renart mentioned that she'd asked Zephyr to turn the translation off when she and Monty were learning... Spanish, I think.

You have to make a significant effort to speak it. It can be annoying, sometimes.

Spanish, really?

[Alfie arches an eyebrow. Why on Earth would they want to learn Spanish? is the clear message here.]

It's a shame we can't use it to talk without other people understanding, then. That's the best reason to learn another language, eh?

[He shoots a half-grin at K, this time.]

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