chikaidestroyer | ∞ 101: Quiet disappearance [voice/action]

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∞ 101: Quiet disappearance [voice/action]

[voice]

[It's almost midnight and he hasn't received a response from Raine for almost three hours. Raine could be kept busy after school from time to time, but she had not mentioned anything that would keep her out late today -- especially this late.]

Has anyone seen or spoken to Professor Sage today? She is not answering to messages from her journal.

[action]

[Despite the chill in the air so late at night, Albert stands out on the porch outside of his house. There is fortunately no snow tonight, so he was able to send out Rune to scout around the nearby forests.

Part of him has already concluded that it's likely Raine was abducted by the rogue facilities. She had certainly not been sent back to her world, as her belongings were still intact and the journal system still recognized that she was there. But ... there was the faint concern that something else might have happened. Luceti wasn't safe from its own residents, after all.]

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[He shrugs.]

Sounds fine to me. I was just wondering how many vegetables I'd have to cut.

[And peel. :|]

Is it that much of a bother? I could certainly allow you to go back to your important task of playing with your dog.

[Said dog is sniffing at his rolling ball around the kitchen, following after it wherever it goes.

Who said it would be a bother? Don't be so presumptuous! I was simply curious, that's all. I don't mind.

[In fact, he's already done peeling a whole carrot! That went faster than he expected it to.]

Good. I might have had something to say about you volunteering and then backing out so quickly. [With the water on the stove, Albert goes to get some extra plates -- one for the vegetables and another for the meat. He moves the tomatoes closer to Caesar's chopping board before bringing over the chicken he had removed from the fridge.]

Did you really think I'd give up so soon? This is my dinner, too, you know.

[If he had backed out now, he's sure he wouldn't be receiving any dinner.]

I simply know how strong your sense of laziness can be. You may even heed it more so than your need for sustenance.

[He washes his hands before he begins cutting into the chicken he has.]

Th-that's only true sometimes. [Or a lot of the time, if the way he said that is anything to go by.] Perhaps if I had no choice but to cook by myself, I would have just gone to sleep.

Edited 2012-02-01 03:24 (UTC)

Thus proving how strong your sense of laziness actually is. [He shakes his head, but he'll fall silent so he can focus on chopping up the chicken. Once he's done, he'll put the chicken into the pot of water.] How are you doing with those vegetables?

Almost done. [With chopping the carrots, that is. The tomatoes would be quicker and easier to chop up once he was finished with these.] ...almost.

[Not that he was in a rush, though. He didn't like tomatoes very much.]

Good. [He glances over to gauge how much Caesar actually has finished, then moves to wash the chopping board and knife he had so he could start working on cutting up the celery.]

[Caesar yawns as he finishes cutting up the carrots. He picks up one of the tomatoes and places it on the cutting board.]

What should we do while we wait for it to cook?

You had something you wanted to do other than play with your dog? [If not for his monotone, one might think that Albert was actually surprised by the question.]

Not at all. That's why I was asking you. [Ah, tomatoes. They look so good but taste so weird. This is what he thinks as he starts chopping one of them.] Any ideas?

[He's quiet at the question, but not for long.] Humor me for a moment and try to think of a pastime without my input.

You think so highly of yourself, don't you? [Caesar lets out a sigh. He just wanted to know if there was anything Albert wanted to do! But if that's the case...] Since we're in the kitchen anyway, I think I might bake something.

You? Baking? [It's worth a raised brow. His mind immediately goes to pastries and sweets that can be baked, but he refrains from reminding his brother.]

I lost a bet. [This is what your brother resorted to while you were out doing all this mission business...!] I could use the practice anyway.

[...The raised brow doesn't lower. A bet?] Very well. I suppose I can read or find something to do while you bake.

Or you can play with Kogoro.

[He's not serious about that, but of course, he wouldn't mind if he did.]

[As he finishes chopping up the celery, Albert glances over at the dog. Kogoro, seemingly understanding that he is being talked about, looks up and tilts his head at the brothers.]

That is an option ... if I wish to take a shower afterwards.

[As if Kogoro is that dirty.]

[Caesar pauses in chopping the tomatoes to make a face at that.]

He's not dirty, you know.

[Sure, it wasn't like he'd had a bath today, but he wasn't dirty, either!]

[Kogoro seems to take offense as well, crawling forward and bumping his head against Albert's leg. Albert shoots the dog a look, then snorts.]

Very well. I apologize for calling your dog dirty.

I played with him enough today, so it's fine if you don't want to. [Back to chopping tomatoes now. He's almost done!] Maybe to him, you're the dirty one.

[Terribly unlikely, he knows, but that's still no reason not to say it!]

[At the suggestion, Albert looks down at the dog again. Kogoro, despite the hour, pants happily and wags his tail as he sits at his feet. ...At this rate, Caesar was going to realize he spoiled the dog rotten.

So he pointedly ignores the dog as he goes to check on the chicken. He adds seasonings and bouillon cubes, stirring the simmering water. Then he walks over to where Caesar is working, getting the chopped carrots for the soup.]

Your dog probably does not know the meaning of being played with too much.

Probably not. Would you be surprised? He has even less to do around here than I do!

[Once he finishes with the tomatoes, he steps away from the counter to put the knife in the sink.]