Light streams in through the doorway, casting the pair’s shadows down the steps. Pavel stares down at the picture of Cheth’s old body and Vanna smiles at him.
Pavel: Maybe she and I should have traded places. She goes to the spa and I…
Vanna: And you take her place as King-Admiral? I wonder how she’d react to that…
Pavel: King…?
At the mention of the word, something seems to occur to him. He looks up and pushes himself to his feet.
Pavel: Wait… Mom… is my stuff from last year still where I left it?
Vana: Hm? Ohh… Yes, it’s… It’s under the sofa cushions. You're talking about… Your cos-
Pavel: MY COSTUME!
All thoughts of Princess Phaedra seem to be banished as Pavel spreads his arms and jumps down the steps, cheering. Vanna looks a little less excited, just catching on to what her son is thinking of and not quite sure if she is in support.
Pavel: I can wear it again! No one will have seen it at Grand Physalia… We can make it work for TWO Fracture Days in a row!
Vanna: I… I don’t know, honey. Grand P is a Shrine Island. As impressive as it is, they may not… approve…
Pavel: Mom… come on. Everyone back home loved it last year. IT’S AMAZING. And you worked so hard on it… You should want to show it off!
Pavel pulls a robe out from under the couch cushions. It’s black with white stripes in strange arrangements and a red collar and bottom hem. It is more than reminiscent of the color schemes and patterns that Cheth wears. Pavel raises his eyebrows and bares his teeth in an approximation of a familiar dastardly smug grin.
Pavel: And who cares what those dumb priests think, anyway?
Vanna taps at her chin, thinking and Pavel looks on with the outfit clutched close- already quite confident in his victory.
Vanna: Hm. That’s true. And the priests are pretty dumb. If you want to wear it so badly, I won’t stop you. But don’t be surprised if people pay you a LOT of attention- deal?
Pavel: If they do then for once, it won’t be because of THIS!
He points to his face and smiles genuinely, despite the reference to the ostracization he frequently experiences. He shuts the door, which has a triangle shaped doorknob, with a click and leaves his mother frowning after him. She worries.
Pavel: Be out soon!
