chikaidestroyer | ∞ 44: Another meeting [written/action]

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∞ 44: Another meeting [written/action]

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?]

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[Albert finds himself getting another helping of soup; he isn't looking forward to helping this Caesar settle into the other Aya's old room. Another blanket or two, probably a broom if there happened to be cobwebs or anything... He had no idea what was in there now.]

[Caesar smiles, noticing Albert eating more. He doesn't comment; thankfully he has grown out of the temptation of "I told you so", even though he still says it just to annoy people. He watches his pace, making sure he would finish the soup at least after Albert is half through his.]

[The slow pace helps with the digestion, but doesn't do much of anything for how tense Albert is. He finishes his meal without trying to bring up another topic, standing from the table and taking both of their dishes to the sink.]

I intend to retire soon. Do you need anything for the night?

[Caesar glances at Albert for a moment.]

Is there anything you want?

[Albert looks at Caesar at the question, his expression vaguely puzzled.]

What do you mean?

A good night kiss, maybe. A bedtime story. I don't know. [He lowers his eyes. There is something fascinating about the table.]

I, really shut up when I'm sleeping.

[The confusion disappears as Caesar gives examples. Albert isn't amused by the allusion to their childhood.] Do not bother the other villagers.

[He retrieves his coat and walks out of the kitchen, frowning.]

[The table disappears as he shuts his eyes briefly. He never thought he could be relieved by being rejected.]

I don't intend to communicate with them.

[He follows Albert.]

[Albert leads the way to the back of the house where the rooms are located. He doesn't look back at Caesar as he speaks.]

Good. They don't need you adding to their stress.

[To Caesar, walking behind Albert means he has to keep his eyes on him, a habit he has developed from chasing him.]

I can imagine.

[Albert gives each of the bedroom doors a quick look, opening the doors of both of the vacant rooms.]

Well?

[Caesar walks into the smaller one, brushing past Albert. Dusty, yes. He shrugs.]

Well.

[...Hn. He shuts the door to the "sister-in-law's" room, leaving Caesar in the other bedroom and walking back out of the hallway to click his tongue a few times. Rune fusses on his perch, but Albert knows he will come eventually. In the mean time, he collects sheet from a small linen closet.]

[Oblivious to his mistake, Caesar stays waiting in the room, until he hears the familiar sound of tongue-clicking. He peeks out of the room, and calls in a small voice.]

Rune.

[Albert glances in the direction of Caesar's room at the voice, disguising the motion by pulling the blankets out and closing the closet. He clicks his tongue once more before heading back towards the bedroom.]

Extra blankets. It can get very cold at night.

Thanks.

[He takes them, thinking he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. Experiments don't last more than a week, Albert had said. Caesar doesn't remember him mentioning the minimal lasting period. This could be his last day in Luceti. This could be his last day alive as this version of Caesar Silverberg.]

Try to sleep.

[Albert only hears the flutter of wings in warning, turning his face away as the small owl collides with his head. Tiny claws scritch at his hair as the bird makes itself comfortable.]

I will.

[He glances up at the owl, meeting its eyes momentarily. It wouldn't be a good idea to ask him now. ...This could be. He manages a smile.]

...Good night, Albert.

[Rune's eyes are shut tightly, but he clacks his beak almost inaudibly from his perch. Albert tilts his head slightly at what's said, reaching for the knob to close the door.]

Goodnight, Caesar.

["You're scared. Don't be."]

Albert,

[He hears his voice before he knows what he is going to do. If this may be his last day in Luceti, whether he is just a fragment of the Malnosso's experiment or not--

He doesn't reach for Albert's hand on the doorknob. It isn't affection he settles for.]

My Flame Champion was Geddoe.

[For the briefest of moments, the title and the name mean nothing to Albert. He grasps the knob in his cold hand, staring at the door; he can't meet Caesar's gaze as he processes the sentence.

The strangest sensation of relief fills him. He bows his head, shutting his eyes thoughtfully.]

Thank you for telling me.

[It doesn't mean anything. I did tell you not to believe me. Caesar is waiting for you in the world I came from. You are happy there. There is a world where you're a musician. Stop being ridiculous and accept the fact you care about her. This is nothing but a dream and I'm yours.

He doesn't respond to Albert's words; he will end up lying again. So he takes the knob from Albert's hand, his fingers as cold as the other's, and closes the door.]

See you in the morning.

Cae--

[The name dies on his lips as the door closes, leaving him standing there in the hall. He feels unsure. Unsure of what he wanted. Unsure of how he should react. Unsure of his decision not to ask questions.]

...Sleep well.

[He turns to walk to the end of the hall where his room is. Above all else, he feels weary.]

[He hears his name being called for the first time, Albert's hesitation on the other side of the door, and the sound of his footsteps becoming quieter and quieter, walking away from him. Caesar doesn't move, his hand still grasping the knob.

He counts the hollowness of the seconds and minutes, silently wondering just when he is going to learn and stop. He remembers one time when it took him three hours.]

[Rune flutters from Albert's head to sit on a perch set up near the window, leaving the redhead to prepare for bed.

He didn't know whether to hope that Caesar would be there in the morning or not.]

∞ 44: Another meeting [written/action]

He hasn't already? :|; ...Well, I guess that was more the castle's fault than Albert's.

He has yet to yell and stomp and cry his eyes out?:|

He would do that? :|

...... ._. ...Maybe if the castle helps.

Some help. >_> Caesar might want to move out afterwards.

You're underestimating Caesar. It allll depends on ALBERT's reaction.:|

Codepedent!Caesar? 8|

The reason he doesn't yell anymore is because it doesn't trigger the reaction he wants. So...

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