[ Oh he can call him a lot of things, but there's affection in each and everything he does say. For one, Gareki is one of those people he's been able to really click with on that level of teasing you only have with the guys you see every day, at school or practice... for another, he's actually from a world that's semi-modern enough to be similar to his own. Sure, it sounds like it's some kind of mix and mash universe, but he could say the same about this place.

Funny the things you start to appreciate when you're ripped out of your own normalcy.

As for the things that seem to be normal here that people seem to take a lot better than he does... well. He can hide his own upset better, especially after that night they spent together, but Kururu was someone who made him feel welcome compared to the others he's been running into. Not to run any of them down, he appreciates the concern and care, but this is completely out of his element- back home, he knew what to do, he knew his world and he knew how to handle it, but here, not only is he made aware of that, he's also made to feel bad about not being aware sooner. Out of reasons no one else can control, but being a perfectionist has its disadvantages too.

Though at least, this is normal in its own way, even if Gareki has a way of going off into his own world that he's never actually seen on others. He'd been at the train himself and while he was exploring with Gareki, there was nothing he could make out about the technology that matched any of his knowledge. And he does need to have some knowledge even if he's a novice at prosecuting, for the kinds of evidence they get. But he turns his head as Gareki starts looking through the books again, and his own gaze lands on a book about Instruments of the Classical Era to Modern Magic... huh. Maybe he'll read that one later. His question is heard, though he takes a moment to consider it. ]

If I had to be. [ He lifts the book out to glance at it, before setting it back and starting to look through the rest. ] I've always been good at it, so it'd kind of be expected, ja?

[ His gaze lands on another book- Gears and Knick-Knacks - Know-Hows for the In-The-Knows... funny, before he sweeps past that entirely, instead circling around behind Gareki to glance at his row. With his smaller body in front of him, he's a bit walled in, but a little closeness never killed anyone. Either way, he's looking at something above his head.

Through the lens - Photography of the Obscure- and he reaches for it, before he picks it out and adds- ]

But even then, there was something I was looking for and didn't know I'd found until I heard that tune.

[ He steps back to Gareki's side, a small, nostalgic smile on his face. ]

People wouldn't have expected me to be anything put a musician and a prodigy at my age [ It's not boasting, he's just stating the facts ]

But someone else believed I was capable of more. Someone who inspired me to take my education to the next level... and really put my heart into something I love. Guess you never know what you're good at until it really hits you, ja?

[ He smiles over at him, then. ]

Why do you ask?

[ But where would the fun be in that? He looks calm about his move, not even worried that he's standing as close. It helps that Gareki is so adorably-sized too. Short enough to move his head over, to go where he needs. And to be fair, he's been doing his very best in maintaining himself- just because the place has decided to give them hell after hell doesn't mean that they forget how to look after themselves.

Though at Gareki's words, he chuckles. ]

Genius isn't measured in how much a person says they are one, but in how much they do. I can't say I'm much of a prodigy here, but it's best not to focus on what you can't do and do what you can.

[ His reply comes simply, before he shakes his head at Gareki. ]

Don't diss the unexpected. Have you ever heard of the concept of "turnabout"?

[ While he actually doesn't like using a method a known criminal did- he can at least appreciate the way it worked in his favor.

Namely, making a very useless (but precious!) nail file into something useful. ]

It's turning something around and making it useful for something you wouldn't expect it to be for. Like the nail file- that goes for other things, too. You just have to think outside the box and make things useful for when you need them.

[ He smiles, looking over his shoulder at him as he opens up the book. ]

Much like whatever you're thinking of doing right now, ja? Trying to turn something around for yourself, whether or not you return.

[ It's a general statement, which could apply to many things- and he has noticed Gareki the little engineer poking around books he wouldn't expect him to be reading as well. It's certainly interesting to see, and he always has curiosity where it comes to someone so intriguing. ]

I could say the same for you, but having that 1% is what counts.

[ Because really, while he appreciates the guy's impulse for protecting people, it's his lack of worrying about himself that concerns him. He smirks in his direction at that though, before he grabs his own book and adds it to the rest of his pile- mostly books on observations, plant life and rare beasts- and photography, before he sets the pile down in front of them and plops down right next to him. ]

Don't mind if I do, then. This place here seems comfortable enough.

[ There's a grin on his face as he opens up the book on hidden passageways that he reached out to grab, before sitting shoulder to shoulder with him. To his credit, he doesn't look over at what Gareki is reading nor does he comment on it if he has-

He's just content being near someone close to his age. In some ways, he reminds him of Daryan- and that is a level of homesickness he has tried to completely avoid since he got here.

There's no point in thinking of them when they don't even know they're being missed. ]

It's a good thing, though. To know more than what you do. Think that little 1% will get you there, Blumchen. Just don't force it and you'll be fine.

[ He leans back before holding the book up. ]

Pity you're not on my world. You'd have some fun with the stuff we have. I'm looking for a good forensics investigator on my side as well.

[ Yeah, just keep thinking that, Gareki. It'll make things easier for him when he wants to snuggle. Even with the elbowing and nudging, he's not really deterred and only gives Gareki enough room to move his arms when he shifts but stays close enough anyway. At his words, he nods- ]

Ja, exactly that. We have some good investigators back home, so it's something that's really valued. And you're forgetting that I'm still technically "high school" age- you think I wouldn't want to hang around other guys in my off time?

[ Celebrity or not, having personal time is important. ]

Of course, you'd definitely have an edge if you were in law enforcement too, but it's not necessary... you just have to have the talent. Which I've seen you possess on more than one occasion, ja? And I doubt you'd want to show yourself as a fan, so...

[ He chuckles, then. ]

I think we'd be destined to meet somehow, you know. Maybe I'd be making sure your defense attorney got you off the hook for the right reasons in court, maybe we'd take the same bus... maybe you'd join the same classes. Who knows. All I know is- [ He reaches out, pressing a hand on Gareki's head and ruffling his hair playfully ]

We've met now and you're always trying to kick my ass in training- I think that's good enough for now until we can do more together, ja? Now how about we actually get this info in our heads. Never know when it might come in handy!

[ He'll never say no to studying- even if it's about trap doors. ]

Though yours looks like it'll come in handier than most.

[ So yes. He's seen it. ]

Maybe you can patch me up instead of that angry girl after training, ja?

[ He'd definitely think Gareki doesn't know the difference between nagging and well-meaning concern if he knew what he was thinking. But to him, it doesn't matter how little or how long he's going to know someone- it's what memories they can make in that time. It's why he treats every friendship he can as the best one he can have and the last one he might have. Maybe others won't grow closer to others because of it- but he knows one thing for certain- if it works for them, this is what works for him.

He chuckles at his question though. ]

With hands like those, who needs enemies? [ She did nearly kill him- or well, terrified him enough that he was sure he left his bravado in another pair of pants by the end of it. At least Gareki he can fluster and manage- somewhat. The guy's still a bit of a brat, in the most affectionate way, and seems to think he knows everything about the world. Which he might, but at the same time- he thought the same at his age and he definitely didn't know what he does now.

However, it's the next part that makes Klavier reach out and flick his nose to the side to get Gareki's attention. ]

First, you need to stop making up ideas about what other people think when they aren't thinking of doing them. Do you hear me mocking you? And second- I don't intend to run. I intend to protect.

[ Self-preservation, only extended to others, too. Preserving them is protecting them for another day. ]

I'm training because I don't want to be useless if I have to fight. If anything, I can give someone a head start to escape- and possibly myself. Won't be any good if I'm dead, ja? Don't know for certain if someone I care for will be looked after the way I'd want to look after them.

[ And that is quite a serious thought he's considered. He lifts his book back up. ]

And who says I'm not happy? I've learned about so many different people and worlds in the time I've been here. It's pretty awesome, ja? With all the bad comes all the good, and I like to focus on the better.

[ With a smile, he glances over at him. ]

Whoever inspired you to think outside the box must be part of something dear to you. It's not often I see you putting your heart into something unless it's punching out your feelings. What caused you to want to deviate from what you were doing, anyway?

[ The desire to be more than a mechanic, that is. ]

I know that. You're not the only one doing his homework here.

[ He looks amused, watching Gareki with a fond look as he listens to him talk. It's always easy to push him into saying more than he actually thinks he shouldn't say and when he gets that upper hand- all he likes doing is savoring it.

Of course, he's a tough little nut to crack, but who ever said that was a bad thing? Though his next words make him pretend-fearful, even if with Gareki, who ever knows when he's actually serious? He isn't serious, right...

Oh, boy. That gets a nervous little laugh out of him, and he places his hands on the ground to carefully lean back but not enough to get out of the way. ]

As much as I like helping people out, being a corpse isn't a part of that. So, no thank you, starry-eyes.

[ He lifts a hand then and pinches Gareki's nose playfully, holding him like that before letting go and slipping his fingers under Gareki's chin. His own face moves dangerously close, lips just a breath away from his as he looks into his eyes. ]

But if you want to get your hands all over my body, I won't complain about a nicer setting, ja? I prefer a dinner and a date before it, though.

[ And, before he can do anything else, he grins and shifts back before snatching Gareki's book and holding it out of the way. ]

And you have to tell me who this other person is before that, or I might just get jealous of my cute Blumchen liking someone else's opinions more than mine!

[ Oh, he's going to get it, isn't he? But he can't help it. Gareki is cute when he's not trying to be a terrifying little shit, and he always does love seeing a pretty face break into a blush!

Though an angry fluster is more likely but what the heck... ]

[ The reaction is just what he wanted and it makes him burst into soft laughter as he backs off, watching Gareki with a fond look that he can't resist. It's bad enough that he's cute, watching him have the tables turned on him is a satisfaction little else can beat. He won't know it, but it's been soothing to him in a place like this that's so out of his element it frightens him.

But, he grins as he lifts up the book he snatched from him and dangles it in front of him. ]

Looks like you weren't all that serious about studying all this, then, were you? And I happen to know what I'm talking about. Maybe a certain Blumchen doesn't know what I mean, yet.

[ He winks at him, holding the book out. ]

Pick you up when you're done? Got some snacks you might prefer over the nightmare corn, ja? Dress nicely, now!