[Palamedes thinks two things at once: first, while Viktor is far too smart to ever be duped by, say, the fucking Emperor, he must still be protected against the Emperor's bullshit because he's also too smart to be ignored; and second, he's so very Sixth when he talks like this that Palamedes could kiss him. Which oh yes, he can, and so he does, dropping his pen momentarily to cup Viktor's jaw below his ear and kiss him swift and certain. Yes, please continue to question the mechanics of reality with him always, this is the good stuff.

Cold and clinical, as if— nothing has ever thrilled him more, at least.]

You're amazing. And you're completely right. Skillfully using a tool or acting within surface-level boundaries is— well, surface-level. Without delving, it's the same as doing any other repetitive task.

[Reasons he isn't wowed by pure displays of power level: this. Ooh, so cool, doing a big thing very bigly. Wow.]

Circling back— what about your squid day? Do you have any idea?