Val smiled and did as requested; he offered Adrien a plate with two slices, and set aside a smaller portion for himself. As Adrien sat on the couch eating his slices, Val wandered off and rummaged through one of the cabinets underneath the bookshelves. When he found what he was looking for, he approached Adrien with a big smile. "Happy new year", he said. "This is for you".

From behind his back, Val produced a shallow paper box wrapped in a ribbon. Adrien could say nothing; he looked at Val, at the package, and then at Val again, not knowing how to respond. "I -- wow -- thank you", he managed to mumble as he took the package from Val's hands.