[that gets a small laugh out of viktor, more a breath he bites back and quirks his lips in turn.] Ah, that is quite a poetic way to look at it. True as well, you make a good point. Given corruption is an affliction of an unwell mind simple joys are more practical than they've ever been here.

[so a puzzle box. still he nods, and thinks this is probably not another teenager. iskander has the sort of wisdom he'd expect from someone older, which honestly? refreshing. a lot of younger people here he's only met a handful of people around his age, thirty and older.]

It is my hope that ah... thought will be noticeable. In truth I've never been one for birthdays and such before. But as you said, not all things must be practical and celebrations are part of that.