paradisa | 24 (forward dated slightly)

[In the early morning hours of Sunday, there are some smudged words appearing in the journals, written in blue ink and a sloppy hand. For once, he's heeding the possibility that most of the castle residents are likely still sleeping--and he's trying to be quiet.]

It's November 11.

I've been here for a year today.

[He pauses, considering how far he's come in that past year, contemplating what he does and doesn't want to list out for the whole castle to see. In the end, he settles on a very brief little written list, more for the benefit of his own memory than anything else.]

In November, I got here.
In December, I kissed Maya Fey and Geoffrey Chaucer, and I went to Paris.
January brought Miles.
In February, I gained my voice back again.
March saw some really amazing birthday gifts.
In April, Sunflower found me.
In May, I was a mermaid, a phoenix, and a father.
In June everything started to make a lot more sense.
July took away my closest friend in this place, and also gave me something more.
In August, I tried to lead artists.
In September, I met my daughter.
And in October, I broke my leg, lost my arm, became a pony, and existed in others' nightmares.

Let's see what you've got to throw at me for this next year, castle.

[And then, because it's been far too long coming, he scribbles in a filter.]

[ Maya Fey ]

Maya. I need to tell you something.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Don't fault him for wanting to change the subject, now!]

It's less than a month away, after all.

Surely, you don't expect me to have planned for such a thing...

We're in a relationship now. You have to give me gifts on gift-giving holidays.

...and in what relationship rule-book is that?

Any relationship rule book?

Tch. Oh, shame on me for thinking that the gifts I give you on a regular basis counted for something...

They count for plenty! They just don't count as Hanukkah presents.

Well, in that case, why do we not also prepare for Kwanzaa as well? Especially since we've just missed Eid and Diwali...

I'm sorry it's so hard for you to accept that I'm religious, Miles, but I am. But sure, if you want to celebrate Kwanzaa...

[Right after Christmas when he expects Miles not to want to do much of anything.]

...and I am so sorry that it is hard for you to accept that I am not, but that holds true, too. And as I am expected to get accustomed to the fact that you do claim to follow a religion, I'd expect the same courtesy and understanding to be applied to me as well.

That being said, deal with it.

How hard is it to give someone a gift for a gift-giving holiday, anyway? I'm not asking you to celebrate with me--hell, Miles, you don't even have to be in the same room with me if I'm doing anything too religious for you to deal with.

But whether you like it or not, this is a relationship and if I'm supposed to give up spending the holidays with someone I love, the least you could damn well do is meet me halfway.

...and that is, by giving you a gift, I take it.

I don't expect you to eat or light a menorah or anything with me.

Figured gift giving was the most secular thing I could ask of you. ...but forget it. If you're going to be this big of an ass about it, none of it's necessary.

You know, I'd prefer to give a gift out of the desire to give one, not because some holiday dictates that I must...

And I would prefer not to be alone for the holidays again this year. Especially since there's no good reason why I should have to be this time.

...I didn't say you had to be alone.

So I get to sit next to you while you judge me? Breathing the same air as someone and celebrating a holiday with them are two vastly different things.

[A silent sigh.] ...I'll get you a gift.

It's kind of... past the point now. Forget it. Maybe Trucy will celebrate with me.

I am sure she would if you ask. Emphasis on..."ask".

...if you're heavily implying that I should have asked you... then no, I shouldn't have. There are some things that are just a given in a relationship. Or should be.

[And were the roles reversed, he'd do whatever Miles wanted in an instant. He sighs.]

Maybe I'll spend Hanukkah with GLaDOS and Wheatley. They'd probably be interested.

I do not think it works quite like that. After all, you're saying that I should have prepared for a tradition that I've never once in my life celebrated nor know a great deal about. I do not expect you to read the books that I read, to attend the lectures or debates that I do, nor to share in many such other enjoyments that you've oftentimes deemed "boring," even though I'd love you to. Yet these, too, are very central to my way of life. The concept of expecting someone to have made such an adjustment prior to at least discussing it with them contradicts a bit with the idea of accepting them as they are, does it not? And here, I thought that was given.

I'm only saying you should've prepared to deal with the fact that I'd want you to be involved with the holidays with me. That's what seems like a given.

You want me to read something you've read? You want me to go to a lecture with you? I will. Compromising and... and... you know, sharing interests and hobbies and traditions... that's all a part of this. And I'm more than willing to do all that.

Phoenix, just what good would it do to have you take part in that of which displeases you? It certainly would defeat the purpose of hoping that you would enjoy them with me. I thought that "First Date" of ours proved so in of itself.

I seriously doubt I would be displeased by sharing in your interests with you. That's part of a relationship, Miles. If we just carry on both doing our own thing forever and never trying to get involved, then... that's not really a relationship.

And heck. I might actually like some of the stuff you like if you'd give me a chance to. You never know.

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