[Which did take Freminet by surprised to see Kaveh dressing so casually. But then again, sometimes he was taken aback to see his older brother out of his stage uniform. Either way, he gave a small nod before taking a step inside.]
Um...I didn't want to be rude and keep you waiting.
[He said with a soft voice.]
And especially when I was wondering what you wanted me to see too.
[Kaveh laughs, and briefly vanishes into the study, although he's left the door wide open for Freminet to peer into if he is curious. It's not long before he returns with a large plush turtle in his hands, with a cute pale blue bow tied around it's neck.]
[And all Freminet could do was just stare at said turtle and then back at him. It was one thing for him to give something away but for someone to give something to him was another. Suddenly, he found his face heating up before shuttering his words.]
Y-You shouldn't have. That's...r-really nice of you to do that. How did you...?
[Kaveh smiles gently, wiggling the turtle a little as an invitation to take it.] They said it's a miniature version of Eltrut...and now, I've never had the chance to speak to the leviathan myself, but seems to me, they'd probably love to meet Pers, no?
[Oh dear, now his face was heating up even more. He couldn't even bear to look at Kaveh as he found himself staring at the ground and not really knowing what to do. Where was his helmet when he needed it?]
...Y-Yes, they would. I always thought that Pers would probably want a companion too but I never had to the time to look for one....
[Well that's fine, it makes it easier for Kaveh to put a gentle hand on his head. Adorable children get headpats.]
The only thing you need to do to thank me is keep working hard. You've been trying very hard to be brave, haven't you? And hard work should be rewarded.
[It's not hard to tell how shy Freminet is. And even so, Kaveh's seen him popping up on the network, trying to talk to people. He thinks bravery like that is hard to come by.]
[Freminet didn't mean to flinch but he had a feeling Kaveh didn't mind. As he felt the headpat, he found his head sinking further into his shoulders.]
....Now you're starting to sound a lot like Lyney.
[Because it was true. Now that he didn't have to worry about his mission, he could take his take here. He could try to become a better version of himself.]
And I don't even know if that is really a proper way to repay you.
[He does remove his hand, but he's crouched down now, though he won't force Freminet to look up.]
It's very noble of you, you know. But I did this because I thought of you, and the thought of my friends makes me happy. In that sense, I've already been paid. I don't mind, if you do something for the same reason, but you don't have to stress out about returning any favors, okay?
[For Kaveh, an outlook like this is just natural. He does not ever put joy or kindness into the world expecting it to come back to him, but because he can.]
[Especially when it was just him and the children of the Hearth. It was strange to see someone else be an older sibling figure to him. As he kept looking down, he really didn't know if he should trust him. Lyney said that he was someone that he could but....]
And especially when I was always taught to repay any kind of debt to people.
It's a noble attitude to have. But kindness is free, Freminet--you can do anything you want for me if it's something you want to do, but you never owe me anything.
[Kaveh has no idea, of course, what he might sound like. He's been doubted before, and he's aware his attitude isn't common in Teyvat, but he will persist, because it is what he believes in, above all else.]
[Is this what Lyney meant by trusting Kaveh? Perhaps but one thing was clear. This was more than enough for Freminet to look upwards before raising an eyebrow or two.]
...I know I mentioned how kind you were and how I wish more people were like you. But are you sure that I don't have to repay you? Aren't you worried that I would take advantage of it?
[Not that he ever would but...how could anyone ever be that kind?]
...Then I hope that such a day never happens. You are far too kind.
[What could he say? Just like Freminet, he was just as equally earnest about helping people as much as he did. As he held onto the turtle, he couldn't help but smile a little.]
But thank you, I'll be sure to treasure this turtle. I suppose I need a name for him.
...Well, I'd be honored if you did. But you don't have to trust anyone if you're not ready for it. Whether or not you trust me...isn't something I get to decide or ask for, just something I hope to earn with time.
[He tilts his head a little.] What I am saying, though, is home isn't the places you live, but the people you are with. And if you're brave, even though it's lonely, those people will find you. Your brother already found you again here, right?
[Freminet didn't know how to respond. He really wanted to trust Kaveh but he also didn't know what his reaction would be if he told him the truth. As he gave a pause or two, he gave a small mumble.]
But yes, you are correct, he did find me after quite sometime. And you are also right, it doesn't matter who you are with. As long as you are with people whom you trust, it is a home right...?
[And yet, based on how he says it, it seemed as if he was thinking about something.]
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Um...I didn't want to be rude and keep you waiting.
[He said with a soft voice.]
And especially when I was wondering what you wanted me to see too.
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[Kaveh laughs, and briefly vanishes into the study, although he's left the door wide open for Freminet to peer into if he is curious. It's not long before he returns with a large plush turtle in his hands, with a cute pale blue bow tied around it's neck.]
Here it is!
[He is. Holding out the turtle to you, Freminet.]
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Y-You shouldn't have. That's...r-really nice of you to do that. How did you...?
[Oh dear, now he was embarassed.]
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[Kaveh smiles gently, wiggling the turtle a little as an invitation to take it.] They said it's a miniature version of Eltrut...and now, I've never had the chance to speak to the leviathan myself, but seems to me, they'd probably love to meet Pers, no?
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...Y-Yes, they would. I always thought that Pers would probably want a companion too but I never had to the time to look for one....
[He said as his words slowly getting softer....]
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[It's okay, Freminet, Kaveh can be patient and gentle.]
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[And yet, he still hadn't looked up. His face was still downward as he was still struggling to get his words out.]
...T-Thank you, Mr. Kaveh, you didn't need to do this. I'll be sure to repay you back somehow.
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The only thing you need to do to thank me is keep working hard. You've been trying very hard to be brave, haven't you? And hard work should be rewarded.
[It's not hard to tell how shy Freminet is. And even so, Kaveh's seen him popping up on the network, trying to talk to people. He thinks bravery like that is hard to come by.]
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....Now you're starting to sound a lot like Lyney.
[Because it was true. Now that he didn't have to worry about his mission, he could take his take here. He could try to become a better version of himself.]
And I don't even know if that is really a proper way to repay you.
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[He does remove his hand, but he's crouched down now, though he won't force Freminet to look up.]
It's very noble of you, you know. But I did this because I thought of you, and the thought of my friends makes me happy. In that sense, I've already been paid. I don't mind, if you do something for the same reason, but you don't have to stress out about returning any favors, okay?
[For Kaveh, an outlook like this is just natural. He does not ever put joy or kindness into the world expecting it to come back to him, but because he can.]
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[Especially when it was just him and the children of the Hearth. It was strange to see someone else be an older sibling figure to him. As he kept looking down, he really didn't know if he should trust him. Lyney said that he was someone that he could but....]
And especially when I was always taught to repay any kind of debt to people.
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[Kaveh has no idea, of course, what he might sound like. He's been doubted before, and he's aware his attitude isn't common in Teyvat, but he will persist, because it is what he believes in, above all else.]
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...I know I mentioned how kind you were and how I wish more people were like you. But are you sure that I don't have to repay you? Aren't you worried that I would take advantage of it?
[Not that he ever would but...how could anyone ever be that kind?]
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[He laughs a bit, and shakes his head.]
But even if someone did, that's fine. I'd rather take that risk, than be afraid to hold my hand out to someone because they might not mean well.
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[Which was still something that Freminet couldn't understand. Or rather, he does. He just found himself too afraid to take that risk.]
....That's very courageous of you. I don't think I can ever do that.
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['People' being Alhaitham. But he shakes his head a bit, and gently presses the turtle into Freminet's hands.]
I've never been so badly hurt I couldn't keep going. I've always been this way, even when I was still a student.
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[What could he say? Just like Freminet, he was just as equally earnest about helping people as much as he did. As he held onto the turtle, he couldn't help but smile a little.]
But thank you, I'll be sure to treasure this turtle. I suppose I need a name for him.
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...In Sumeru, we might name a brave child Zhiyan.
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[He said as the name trails off his lips. Placing his hands on his chin, he gave a small hum to himself.]
The lone turtle who happens to enter into Penguin Town with the mission of trying to find a place to call home....
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But I'm sure the kind residents of Penguin Town will help him find a place to settle down with them, right?
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[He said with a sigh.]
...And how scary it is.
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I'm sorry if this is rather straightforward but....is this your way of saying to trust you?
[Which was a tall order. How could he trust someone when they weren't even aware of what he has done?]
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[He tilts his head a little.] What I am saying, though, is home isn't the places you live, but the people you are with. And if you're brave, even though it's lonely, those people will find you. Your brother already found you again here, right?
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[Freminet didn't know how to respond. He really wanted to trust Kaveh but he also didn't know what his reaction would be if he told him the truth. As he gave a pause or two, he gave a small mumble.]
But yes, you are correct, he did find me after quite sometime. And you are also right, it doesn't matter who you are with. As long as you are with people whom you trust, it is a home right...?
[And yet, based on how he says it, it seemed as if he was thinking about something.]
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