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[ It certainly helps that this one specifically is based around math and calculations, and once he got the principles of that and how to apply it to everything new, adapting to it seems easy. He's clearly enjoying the challenge of figuring it out himself as well, and though there's a few mistakes here and there, he catches them fast and is able to fix them afterward. It's only when he feels he's completely spent that he stops at all ]

I think that should be it for tonight. I do need some actual rest if I don't want to feel exhausted when I wake up.

I wonder if that's your own idea or Emecchi's influence. No matter. You've done well for a night's work.

What sort of dream would you like?

Taking requests today?

Emet-Selch takes me to Amaurot when he finds me in my dreams, but I do also simply end up sleeping in his office, and that wouldn't work with you.

Your last attempt was passable.

My last attempt was an act. But nor am I fond enough of you to take you home. If you have no request I will give you this place. Somewhat more comfortably modified.

I thought you would be less inclined toward that.

This place will suffice, simply adjust it with somewhere I can lay down and hide under the shade, and it will be just fine.

[ a pause, and then he adds ]

Background noises would also be preferable. Anything that tricks my brain into thinking I'm not the only living being around.

No cats?

[He is teasing. But the room adjusts around them. It's still large and stone. There's still an indented pit with practice dummies. But there are windows all around the walls, and a door leading to stairs down. The walls are now lit by actual lights that can be dimmed or turned off, as opposed to just nebulous light. Outside the sky is clear, stars and moon bright, and crickets chirp, frogs croack, and owls hoot. There's the sound of surf and the smell of sea brine, though not sharp enough to be right there, if Five looks the ocean is a few miles walk down a rolling hillside. And they are in a room atop a tower, the stairs lead to the base. Towards what might be the south are the distant lights of a village, alive and vibrant, though not so close it would be easy to reach.

Inside the tower it's more comfortable. The couch overlooking the pit is still there, but now there's a corner of the room fitted with a bed and desk and a single case of books. Should Five bother to inspect them, each is full of information on arcanima, theories, and formulas, treatises on the subject and scholarly collections about the science.

In one corner of the room a spider spins a web in the rafters.

The air is pleasant, not too warm, not too cool.

Lahabrea looks at his work critically, then adds a few blank notebooks at the desk, and a comfortably plush rug.

And a cat.]

[ He's almost touched that he's taken the request seriously enough, and that he was able to deliver in a way that won't bother him. Beyond the cat, which he's not actually terribly opposed to, despite his complaining last time.

He's even going to pet it before his attention is immediately drawn toward those books ]

You realize that's going to make actually resting, instead of taking advantage of their presence, really difficult, right?

Consider it a challenge.

[Maybe a little mischievous. Or sadistic. One of those.]

If there is nothing else, I will bid you goodnight.

[ He could just quickly go through the pages he has photographic memory, surely he can take JUST a bit of time to read through those??? ]

You should take care to rest as well. ... Thanks.

[Good luck there Five.

There is a pause and, brusquely;]

You are welcome.

[And then Lahabrea is leaving, stepping through a portal that vanishes behind him.]

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