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[obeir]

KD6-3.7
3313 Creampuff Way


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[bywolves]

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.

[devoutish]

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.]

[obeir]

Spanish, yes. She's also mentioned it to me. But I didn't know Zephyr could make exceptions for people like that.

[ Then to Alfie: ] That would be very useful, would it not? [ K agrees, speaking in the most common Yiddish dialect of his time, just to see whether or not Alfie might understand it properly. His pronunciation might sound a bit off to someone from the 1920s, but otherwise he speaks it without a discernible accent. ]

[bywolves]

[ Royce lifts an eyebrow. He knows some Yiddish, because of Alfie, so he's interested that K seems to be able to speak it. Royce glances at Alfie, judging his reaction. ]

[devoutish]

[That reaction is, honestly, shock - not a bad kind of shock, but shock nonetheless. He exchanges a quick glance with Royce, then looks back at K, mouth hanging partway open.]

Fucking hell. Who taught you that?

[obeir]

I've always known it. [ He's always understood every language he encountered in his homeworld. Part of being the most advanced replicant model created for law enforcement, he can only assume. But speaking them is another matter, and he looks pleased to have apparently been understood clearly. Possibly by the both of them? ]

Shame my creators didn't anticipate me needing to arrest anyone in Elvish, or I imagine I'd know it too. [ An amused glance to Royce. You shady character, you. ]

[bywolves]

[ Snort. ] Sounds just a bit different than what I'm used to from Alfie, but it's close.

That must come in handy. How many languages do you know?

[devoutish]

If he know Yiddish, he must know a lot.

[Alfie continues in Yiddish, because why not. He figures Royce will be able to pick up most of that.]

Smart as a whip, this one. Very impressive.

[obeir]

[ Oh no a compliment. Largely undeserved, since it isn't as though K learned any of this the old-fashioned way through study and effort, but. It actually startles him into silence for a moment, it's such a rare occurrence for him, and then he's smiling. ]

More than I'll ever have need of. Covering every eventuality I guess. [ Taking his cue from Alfie, he'll also switch back, asking Royce: ] You also understand, then?

I feel like I've just joined a private club. [ Or a gang, if you will. ]

[bywolves]

[ Royce knows Yiddish well enough at this point that he can follow enough to catch the meaning. ]

I do understand. [ Royce replies, settling easily in his seat. Teasing: ] Might want to think hard about joining a private club with people like us.

[devoutish]

I teach him.

[Alfie continues, using simpler language for Royce's benefit - though that's becoming less and less necessary, now.]

I like knowing that we speak bits of each other's languages. It's a connection.

[obeir]

[ The teasing is met with an ernest response. ] I would consider myself lucky to be in such company.

[ Says the emotionally numb professional serial killer. Well, former, at least in some (very important) ways, and that's probably a good distinction to hold onto. Point being, there's a whole lot of moral grayness in this room and K's no exception. ]

You share a lot of things. [ He notes with a small smile. ] It seems nice. You've made wishes together, too? [ He's thinking back to the offer Royce made to him, before — helping him to wish for free will, essentially. He's still curious about these nuances with wishing, what difference it could make having someone helping him. ]

[bywolves]

[ Aw, K. Royce's expression shifts into something more flattered. K is charming, okay, and he's falling for it. Huff. ]

We've made a few. [ Royce says. He struggles here and there with words, but he manages. ] Most in relation to each other. We wished for buildings together too.

[devoutish]

Yes. We also live in a treehouse.

[That last word is said in English; it's not exactly a common word in London Yiddish, and if a word for it exists, Alfie doesn't know it. He nudges Royce, murmuring:]

You're doing well.

[obeir]

[ K's nefarious plan to make friends is working? Oh boy.

... A treehouse. It's not even surprising, and he isn't going to hide his amusement. ] Of course you do. The ideal home for one who whispers to trees.

What names have they given you both, anyway? [ Because now he needs to know. His own tree-given name has grown on him, as silly as it is. Just the fact he was given a name (of sorts) means more to him than he'll let on. ]

[bywolves]

[ Oh no, K gets to see the somewhat gooey look of pride on Royce's face at Alfie's compliment. He manages to get it under control pretty fast, but Alfie complimenting him on the use of his language is a big thing. ]

I wanted to speak to trees to ask the tree we put the house on if it was good. [ Royce says, with a little shrug. ] To prove a point.

[ And as for the rest, he grins at Alfie because he thinks Alfie's tree name is hilarious. ] Mine is - Hidden Leaf.

[devoutish]

[Alfie breaks into a grin at that, and it's more than a little gooey itself. Sorry K, these two are pretty gross.]

We're not telling him mine; it's not nearly so charming as "Hidden Leaf".

[He says it lightly, though, like he won't really mind if Royce tattles anyway.]

[obeir]

[ Far from being bothered by the sentimentality, K observes the exchange with a curious look. Of Royce's tree-given name: ] Suits you. But I'm disappointed they didn't also give you a goofy name.

[ Because what the hell, "Hidden Leaf" is actually very nice. Evocative. He might just be the slightest bit envious. Alfie must've been given a sillier name like his, though, he assumes. ] That bad? Tell me. [ He needs to know. ]

[bywolves]

[ Oh, Royce is absolutely going to tell him. It's hilarious. ]

Bushface. [ Royce announces, almost gleefully. ] They call him Bushface.

[devoutish]

I can't imagine where that came from.

[Alfie deadpans, just happening to run a hand over his beard.]

[obeir]

[ Well, his assumption was certainly correct. ]

That's. Sure a name. [ It's a real struggle not to laugh, but he's trying his best to be polite. Bushface. Poor Alfie. ] Not "Treebeard"? Missed opportunity, I'd say.

[bywolves]

I don't think they know what beards are. [ Royce says, amused. ] But Treebeard is much better. Far less hilarious, too.

[devoutish]

Treebeard would be plagiarism.

[obeir]

I wouldn't think trees care about legalities. [ Still trying not to smile, and mostly failing. ] You can't explain what beards are to them?

[ Or won't.

He's also sort of vaguely wondering if either of them are familiar with the more modern slang, which makes the tree-name especially... awkward. ]

[bywolves]

I could. Don't know how effective it'd be.

Besides, that's his name. Why would I want to change it?