∞ 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]

...It's been a while. [It isn't a lie. He takes a step forward, studying Albert.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[As Caesar steps closer, Albert holds his ground. He doesn't know what to make of this. His height advantage allows him to see over Caesar's shoulders, though it takes a moment for him to realize what he isn't seeing.]

You have no wings.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[Caesar meets his eyes, having finished examining Albert.] ...You've lost weight.

[chikaidestroyer]

I'm just ... surprised. [He's stuttering. Why is he stuttering?]

You've been gone for months.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm here now. [His reply is simple.]

Are you on your way to somewhere?

[chikaidestroyer]

To get food, actually. [This feels surreal somehow.] The Malnosso wouldn't just forget your wings, would they?

[Part of him doesn't want to question this. But another is far to suspicious not to see this as an experiment.]

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

You should. And get some decent sleep after that.

They could have. But can you be sure I did have wings in the first place?

[chikaidestroyer]

I have been sleeping ... better than usual.

You had wings the last time you were-- [He stops, finally stepping back to put more space between himself and Caesar.]

This is an experiment.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

How surprising. What tipped you off?

[chikaidestroyer]

[And now he's gone from surreal relief to muted rage.] What are you?

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

How am I supposed to know? I might just be another figment of the Malnosso's imagination. Or yours, for that matter.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He pulls a curled fist out of his coat pocket. It takes concentration to uncurl it and reach out and grab Caesar's shoulder.]

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

[Caesar makes no effort to free himself.]

And what would your next move be?

[chikaidestroyer]

[He grabs Caesar and roughly turns him around.]

I don't know. I don't know what to do with you.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Like you ever did.

[He lowers his eyes, as he takes Albert's hand at his shoulder by the wrist. It's too thin for a man Albert's size.] ...You need to eat, Albert.

[chikaidestroyer]

[His arm is tense, and he finds himself curling his hand into a fist anyway. This feels ... too real to just be a figment of his imagination. This is just cruel, Malnosso.] Now you're going to be some form of conscience?

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

[Caesar looks up, his expression unreadable.] I feel like Caesar Silverberg, Albert.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He stares through Caesar for a second, then pulls away from the smaller redhead's grip.]

...I'm going to get my groceries.

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

Good idea. Lead the way.

[chikaidestroyer]

[His wings twitch warily as he continues walking, crossing the plaza with the sinkhole now in the center. The grocery store is unmanned and filled with various different foods, some preserved and others surprisingly fresh considering the weather.

He wonders if this ... impersonator? figment of his imagination? other Caesar? ... will try do anything. He certainly doesn't act like his brother.]

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

[Caesar had been wandering through the village before he spotted Albert, making observations and building up hypotheses on this controlled world, grasping for a plan and knowing he can't be anything that he just isn't. He doesn't even know where his house is.

Caesar starts filling a paper bag with fruit. Thankfully, he at least knows the kind Albert prefers.]

Are you out of eggs?

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert finds himself briefly staring at the fruits this strange figment-- Caesar-- is putting into a bag. How does he know my preferences? Can it-- ...No, this is an experiment. Don't start thinking that way.]

I-- ... [He had been pecked as a reminder a few days ago not to let those eggs go to waste.] Yes. Yes, I'm out.

[He tries to regain his bearings by focusing on vegetables to bring back. White onions. Garlic. Scallions. ...Potatoes? Yes, those too.]

[todisgrace.livejournal.com]

[Caesar does a good job of both packing the eggs into a paper carton and hiding just how tense he is, until he drops an egg. Caesar stands still for a moment staring at the egg broken on the floor, clenching his hand into a fist to hide the tremor.]

...Anything else you need?

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert looks at the broken egg on the floor as soon as he hears the unfortunate cracking sound, then over at Caesar with a strangely surprised expression.] No. This will do for now.

[He watches Caesar for a moment longer, then looks for a rag to pick up and dispose of the egg yolk with.]

...You're anxious.

[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.]