[he absolutely missed that. But he'll hear the stories embellished later, as things always get retold and retold with bigger and bigger extraneous additions.]

Mm. I'm familiar with this practice in theory. But... I suppose I don't see much reason to put effort into hoping a wish comes true on the whims of some unknown deity or force.

[He's kept one hand firmly closed and clasped at his back, his burned left hand running through that salt and pepper hair.]

It seems others are enjoying the whole... act of it, though.