∞ 44: Another meeting [written/action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Filtered to the council and Golbez
[written]

I would like to call a meeting in the very near future. We have much to talk about -- the tunnels, the desert, the fort, the ruins. In addition, we have the matter of a destructive new resident who had to be forcefully neutralized; Sir Golbez, another newcomer, can report on the matter.

Your thoughts on meeting soon, everyone. Mark is unfortunately absent due to our captors.

/end filter

[action]

[Albert is finally heeding his body's need for nourishment, going out to shop for groceries. He has a lot on his mind -- but really, when does he not?]

Comments

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Observant, aren't you. [He remarks dryly, before giving up and letting out a sigh. He considers saying something, anything that isn't as deceiving, but ends up shoving a loaf of bread into the bag instead.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He locates a trashcan in the grocery store and throws away the rag, rubbing his fingers together distastefully at the idea of the nearly getting the egg on his hands. Gathering the items he had collected, Albert heads for the door and remarks from the other side of the doorway.] You don't want to be here, either.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty used to my wants being ignored, thank you. [Caesar follows Albert, carrying his share of paper bags.]

[chikaidestroyer]

Not everyone gets what they want, yes. [Albert leads the way across the plaza again, noticing the increased amount of activity going on and the number of unfamiliar faces milling around. Some sort of flux in the New Feather cycle? I don't even want to guess what this experiment completely entails...

His house is a one-story, four-bedroom setup on the eastern edge of town, tucked at the end of the street leading into the forest. The house is in sight when he finally breaks the silence.]

You don't seem surprised to be here, in Luceti.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

[Caesar idly keeps himself distracted during the walk, coming up with a different strategy every minute, only to discard it a second later. The silence is eating his nerves away, but he isn't grateful when Albert speaks.]

Maybe they designed me that way.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert pauses just outside his house, looking at Caesar over his shoulder. There's tension, anxiety, and confusion lingering in the air; he still doesn't know what to do this with this unexpected ... guest. Yes. Guest. This isn't Caesar. This isn't...]

You don't know yourself?

[He opens the door and enters the empty house.]

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

[Caesar can practically hear what Albert is telling himself. He is used to this; this tension in the air, pressing and confusing this Albert to the point he himself has no idea what he is doing. He answers as he enters the house.]

I can't determine the extent to which my existence has been fabricated, no. And even if I did, there is no good reason you should believe me.

[chikaidestroyer]

[...Treat him like a stranger. Even though you have already let him into your home. Salvage this mess.]

Indeed. In which case, I shouldn't even be communicating with such an untrustworthy existence.

[What a joke. He hadn't been able to ignore the corporeal figures of the past that had shown up in a previous experiment; how could he ignore a person he could touch?]

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Like you're any different. But I'm calling you Albert anyway. [You already let me into your home. You already touched me. Caesar bites back an apology.]

Enjoy it while you can. I'm the alloy of two things you just have to deal with. Don't waste my time resisting.

[chikaidestroyer]

The alloy of... [Albert trails off, disliking how his mind is basically being read by this Caesar. He sets his bag of groceries on his table and begins sorting through them to be put away, contemplating the next topic of conversation. I need to resist. It's an experiment.]

Do you know how to cook?

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Be grateful, the Malnosso had the decency to install mediocre cooking skills before sending me off as a present for you.

[Caesar looks around the kitchen, noticing something he hasn't been expecting.]

You've been cooking for someone.

[chikaidestroyer]

If your skills are mediocre, I should probably handle the cooking.

[He frowns slightly at the observation, but goes about putting away everything that he doesn't intend to use right away.]

More often than not, yes.

Back.♥ Forgive me if I'm not coherent.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Fine with me. I can wander around the house and set explosives while you cook.

That's... [A small smile pulls at the corner of his mouth.] Good to know.

No worries. ♥ Welcome back.

[chikaidestroyer]

I'm afraid I don't have anything worth destroying in this house. [His tone is dry.]

Not all Silverbergs are doomed to become hermits. [He doesn't question whether this Caesar even knows what that means. ...It's simpler to allows this experiment to run its course, isn't it?]

♥

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Worth is a strange concept, don't you think? After all, you still keep those drawings.

Yeah, now you have someone to smack your head whenever you're being ridiculous.

[chikaidestroyer]

[There's a notable silence; Albert turns from putting away the last few items in his cupboards. How--? No. These visitors seem to have a strange knowledge...] They're nothing of lasting value.

Define 'ridiculous.'

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Really. I'm hurt.

Worrying too much. Neglecting yourself. Things in general that Caesar Silverberg wouldn't approve.

[chikaidestroyer]

It isn't about you.

[Putting on airs around this visitor that resembles Caesar is much easier than Albert would have liked to admit.] And you assume that I am acting ridiculous.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Are you sure?

It's working in my favor, I'm not going to complain. But it's good to know there's someone else you have to take care of when I'm not here.

[chikaidestroyer]

[His voice is firm.] You aren't my brother. I'm sure.

Because sharing a house with someone automatically means that I am taking care of them. [...He might be getting argumentative here.]

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Way to deny someone's identity.

[And informative as well. Caesar hasn't guessed they were sharing the house.] Why else would you invite someone to live with you? You've been cooking, Albert.

[chikaidestroyer]

You would try to convince me you are?

Trading information and researching is much safer in-person than over the journals. And I cook whenever I need to; you needn't act so surprised.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Do you want me to try?

[Journals.] Because she is the only person you trade information and research with. And you don't cook for yourself, Albert. You just have a piece of bread when you realize you haven't been eating for 12 hours, and call it good. Needed, yeah. You felt the need to take care of her.

[chikaidestroyer]

The fact that you would try speaks of another agenda.

So presumptive of you. Do you really think I would neglect myself so much? I rather fancy living a bit more than by the skin of my teeth. [He refuses to respond to the matter of taking care of Raine.]

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

It's tempting.

[So it's a she. Caesar wonders briefly if he'd get to see this woman while he is here.] You would. You'd persuade yourself to eat because it's needed, but end up forgetting anyway. And you'd look forward to the day your brother returns and scolds you.