"Thirteen? Let me see...well, our family didn't do presents at that age much."

"Our mother would make us our favourite food, and our father would give us some money to spend. Yeah. It's not tradition to give us many gifts until we reach Fifteen. If we survived the ceremony, of course."

"About half? That's on average, though. I had five siblings, and only two of us made it."

"Of course. Mother was in tears about it for months; I don't even want to think about how my father dealt with it. But...everyone knew what they were getting into. Both of them had watched their siblings die."

"Sorry. Bit dark. Okay, fifteen then. It was a pipe. No not that one. It's symbolic, so I don't use it."

"She does, eh? I've never seen that handgun. Guess she has no reason to show it to me...but yes, I would say it's similar to Marie's handgun."

"They made sure it was beautiful, I can say that much. I don't even let my hands touch it without a glove. Terrified it'll rust if a little grease gets on them."

"I've grown to appreciate it since. It's the start of...all of this, I suppose. But at the time I'd just lost four members of my family, so it went over my head."

"No, no I don't mind. I just figured you never asked because you didn't want to know."

"The Spirit of Hell judges us during the ritual. He looks at us, then at the worth our lives will hold. If we'll go on to do important things, then he gives us magic. If not, he lets us die."

"I don't know yet. I don't think I'll ever know why it was me until I die and see him again. But I've had ideas."

"When Evalyn first opened her Mind Palace, I thought, 'This is it'. That was what I was kept alive to do. To train her. But then you came along, and it changed my outlook."

"No, Evalyn will always be my magnum opus in a strange way, but I think you being hers is what really mattered. Don't tell her I said that, she might get butthurt."

"All right, back to presents...no? You're sure? Sorry for rambling. All right, where are you calling from? Ah, say hello to your mother and father for me when you get back, all right? Jolly. See you soon. Bye."

"Was that Mr Colte? What did you talk about?"

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"Present? Ah, that's right, I still haven't gotten around to it. What do you want?"

"...what reason was there to ask Mr Colte about that? Me? Why me? I've got no say in your tastes."

"Ah, right. That is very much in line with your character, Iris. Very much in line."

"Do you really want to ask me of all people? Fine...but you've asked Mrs Hardridge, haven't you? I'd wager it's much the same."

"Yes, that sort of thing, but our equivalents. Some gemstones and cosmetics you see around Excala are from Beak culture. It's a give-and-take, so the line in the sand, as far as aesthetics are concerned, has long since blurred. It was another one of those things my family hated."

"Me? Well...I never came of age in time, so unless my Aunt feels comfortable stepping in, I doubt I'll ever be able to tell you...."

"No, no, it's okay. It's...a bit tender, but we won't get anywhere if I forbid you from talking about it forever. Come here, next to me."

"The last thing I got was a brooch...well, not exactly. A good modern gift is a pretty mask, right? Women especially get ornate masks, but no matter what kind of Beak you are, you'll always get some kind of brooch eventually."

"Oh. I only say 'brooch' because that's how most Beaks wear them nowadays, but they're usually carved stones or gems, sometimes with a great deal of metalwork. Fashion changes with time, but each one is unique."

"We used to be just shadows, remember? Before we started mimicking humans and wearing Masks, that was the only way we could identify each other besides names. Mine is Garnet, caged in carved wood."

"No, I don't...I want to say it's because I'm afraid of damaging the wood but...it's because my mother gave it to me. Have a hard time looking at it."

"Yeah. Maybe you're right...oh, advice? Try not to fret over it, all right? If you start weighing up the pros and cons, it'll cease to be something your heart is set on. Don't follow your first instinct, but...follow your heart."

"Ask for leave."

"What? Leave. Days off."

"Holiday? I guess. We never referred to it like that. Distinction without a difference, though."

"Of course you can. I don't remember anyone ever deciding a present had to be a material object. It can be an experience or an act of service."

"It might depend on tradition, yes. But I've seen cruises and holidays advertised as gifts for loved ones in the paper. That reminds me..."

"Every year, the Emperor and Empress of Vesmos have their birthdays, and their gifts to each other always make the front cover."

"Inspiration? I don't think your parents are quite that rich. Stuff like tailored clothes that could buy you an entire city block, or art from hundreds of years ago...and experiences usually as an aside. Going to island resorts or renting out cruise ships. Things like that. They're not really spoken of in the same breath as a 'gift', but I can't think of how they differ."

"I guess you could. I suspect your parents are going to take you out to dinner. Somewhere nicer than usual. They do that, don't they?"

"See? That's still a gift. What have they been doing up until now?"

"Ah. I see. Well, I'm sure if Mrs Hardridge had had the time to think on it, she would've come up with something."

"Hm? Oh, I guess so. But asking someone else for an expensive meal takes a bit of the fun out of it for me. Knowing you worked for a good meal is a garnish in and of itself."

"No. I guess you're right. I'm not sure then. I may be in the same boat as you. But I'm sure I'll think of something if anyone ever wants to get me a gift. Even if it's just a favour."

"You? Hm. Asking you to come with me to dinner would be nice."

"It's not boring."