"I haven't decided yet. Do you want a silly present?"

"It depends on what's so silly about it."

"It could be a silly hat. That might be fun. Tacky and with puffballs and everything."

"Well, I won't wear such a hat, but it might make me giggle."

"That's the spirit!"

"I have the impression I'm sort of irritating to shop for. My parents get me books for most gift-giving occasions."

"Oh? What kinds of books?"

"Spellbooks, novels - usually old ones, nonfiction about people and places and things."

"Hmm. Okay. I'll keep that in mind."

"What about you?"

"I like things that involve thought or planning. Puzzles, books, some games, so on. Some practical things, but I don't think that's quite what you had in mind."

"What, like - socks?"

He snorts. "Yes. If I actually need socks."

"Well, that might qualify as a gift, but not a silly one."

"You do not have to confine yourself to silly gifts if you don't want to."

"Unfortunately, I am told I have terrible taste in all forms of clothing. Well. Not so much terrible as bland."

"And you also don't need to get me clothes," he laughs.

"Oh, you don't need socks, then? I will have to think of something else?"

"I don't need socks. You'll have to think of something else, I'm afraid."

"I'll keep an eye out."

He nods. "Zevros, if nothing else, usually has hints of what sorts of things I like. Interlaced equally with things that he thinks would be funny for me to have."

"Will it be fairly simple for me to tell the difference? And how sure are you his being mistaken about your sexual preferences is the worst of his errors about what you like?"

Edarial shrugs. "It's probably the worst of his errors, it's not like I was waving my sexual preferences around on a huge flag. But if you don't think it's worth the risk, feel free to not ask him."

"Worst case scenario with the gifts, I suppose, is that I will bring you socks when you don't require them or something."

"Yes. Something I will not hold against you."