PA   *<( what are you doing?!

PA   *<( come in! come in!!

You usher them through the entrance, flinching at the droplets of water that jump from them to you. You shut the door just as a crash erupts outside.

PA   *<( eaah!

PA   *<( damn thunder...!!

PC   <( paola

PA   *<( what? what?!

You can't see their face underneath their drooping wet hat, but the way they move their hands betray their smile.

PC   <( hello

You're half-tempted to slap them away from you.

PA   *<( are you crazy?

PA   *<( did you hear how close that was?!

PA   *<( i know you can do miracles but surviving lightning is no easy feat!

PA   *<( and this storm

PA   *<( what were you thinking traveling in this weather??

While you're blowing a fuse, they've walked to the other end of the entrance, putting down all their belongings one at a time. Thank magic the floor at your entrance is stone, or you'd give them an earful for making a sopping mess as well as being one.

PA   *<( patricio

PA   *<( are you listening?

They turn and give you a thumbs up.

PC   <( :)

PA   *<( >:(

You reluctantly walk over, helping them put their things aside. You help them out of all the layers of damp clothing, looking away respectfully when they're reduced to their undergarments. It makes assistance more difficult, but you refuse to debase yourself and look. As enigmatic and frustrating as they may be, they are still your magical superior.

Eventually, the two of you are sitting by the fireplace, Patricio drinking some tea you managed to whip up. They wave when they meet your gaze.

PC   <( hello paola

You huff and roll your eyes.

PA   *<( i heard you the first time dingbat

PA   *<( were past the greeting stage

PC   <( :(

PA   *<( why are you upset

PC   <( you didnt say hello back :(

PA   *<( because im cross at you!

PA   *<( for someone who roughs it you have an odd sense of survival

PA   *<( what were you thinking??

They hum a little. Hearing their voice in little moments is like gazing into a crystal ball and seeing the little galaxies, scattered and small within the deep abyss.

PC   <( your birthday

You blink.

PA   *<( my

PA   *<( huh?

PA   *<( you know october still has a week left right?

PA   *<( or are you just making excuses?

PC   <( its the truth

PC   <( i cant come later so i wanted to come now

PC   <( i have to prepare

PA   *<( some kind of show?

PC   <( the biggest show you can think of

PA   *<( oh youre all talk

PA   *<( you can barely do birthday parties

PC   <( not for long

PC   <( im going to do my best for a whole new crowd

PA   *<( :I

PA   *<( youre being awfully mysterious about it

They put a finger over their lips.

PC   <( i want it to be a surprise

PA   *<( ...for whom exactly?

PC   <( thats also a surprise

PA   *<( can i at least see some of it?

PC   <( you definitely can

PC   <( everyone can

PC   <( but thats for later

PC   <( right now i have presents :)

As soon as they sign 'presents', a childish glee erupts in your chest.

PA   *<( y-you cant bribe your way out of this

You have to press your mouth thin so a smile doesn't form.

PC   <( they should be dry

PC   <( i made sure they were in jars

PC   <( i just need to resize them then i can give them to you :)

PA   *<( ...

PA   *<( theyre all for me?

PC   <( all i could fit in my trunk

PA   *<( you didnt have to

PC   <( :?

PA   *<( i didnt ask you to go out of your way to do this

PC   <( i know

PC   <( doesnt that make it all the better that i did?

While you're left at a loss for words, they scamper off and rifle through their belongings. They make wide gestures that you easily interpret as 'don't look', so you turn and face the fireplace.

PA   *<( as long as you committed to gifts

PA   *<( it better not be a dumb hat

PA   *<( you know i dont trust you to pick out decent headwear

PA   *<( youve always been too focused on size rather than style

PA   *<( theyre not just meant to make you look large you know

Them and their obsession with ridiculously large things. And small things, for that matter. You don't see the point, especially since their Value renders anything any size at all times.

That's the problem with Patricio - they always find a reason to smile and look so content. It's must be nice, living such a simple life with simple aspirations.

PA   *<( and... if its another stupid gag gift

PA   *<( i will cast a 'cant walk through any doorway without hitting the frame' hex on you

PA   *<( just because it looks vaguely magical

PA   *<( doesnt mean id want it

PA   *<( i did not appreciate that cheap plastic wand

PA   *<( and i did not need the cool stick you found that looked like a wand

PA   *<( what are you a dog?

PA   *<( i can find an amazing stick on my own thank you

PA   *<( for the love of magic...

PA   *<( >:P

PA   *<( and even if that snake in a can did come in handy

PA   *<( that was a fluke!

PA   *<( the horror genre is so much more than just cheap sca -

A hand lands on your shoulder. You jump and shriek so loudly that you even deafen yourself.

PC   <( its ready

Behind you, Patricio is unfazed.

PA   *<( i hate you

PC   <( :(

PC   <( so mean :(

PC   <( do you want your presents or not

PA   *<( dont be dumb

PA   *<( of course i want them

They've made a decent effort putting everything in a gift bag this time. Their kind of gift-giving has never been splurging on something expensive and singular - it's a collection of things they've stumbled across. Shiny gemstones. Herbs. A little black cat figurine with the paint on the tail a little scuffed. It's the most clumsy, yet earnest kind of gift you've ever gotten.

You let out a particularly excited gasp when you spot the bag of chocolates.

PA   *<( the variety pack!!

PA   *<( good choice :o

When you open a caramel nougat one and pop it in your mouth, you can't help the noise that comes out. Sweets always taste better when other people provide them for you.

PA   *<( alright youve convinced me

PC   <( the present is good?

PA   *<( your explanation as to why you came all this way despite the conditions outside

PA   *<( by my decree as the birthday-haver

PA   *<( i have decided it was worth it

PA   *<( so be grateful

PC   <( :D

PC   <( happy early birthday

You reach up and rustle their fluffy hair.

PA   *<( thank you

PA   *<( and it is good to see you

PA   *<( you big ol mush-head

PC   <( :)

PA   *<( :)