∞ 60: Much-needed practice [written/action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[written]

Genis, please send a message when dinner is ready. I will be out for awhile.

If anyone needs me, I will be in the library.


[action]

[For lack of anything better to do on a nice summer afternoon, Albert has decided to sit in the library with a ... somewhat-odd setup. A map stretched across a table out of sight from the front door, dotted with small wooden figures designed as soldiers, cavalry, archers, mages... The map, upon closer inspection, shows patches color that denote plains, mountains, water bodies, and forests.

In some ways, the setup looks like a game board. It's really a lasting reminder of another strategist's presence in Luceti; he was the one who had introduced Albert to the method of practice, after all.

Nearly two years in Luceti without access to strategy books and news of warfare have dulled his skills. He doesn't look pleased as he makes moves for both armies.]

Comments

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

Yeah but that's actually nothing new.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

I didn't say you didn't have issues before.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

I was totally capable of taking care of myself. And my sister. And my friends. And I still am.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He's not going to say anything. Nope. He really doesn't have to when your face says everything, Tai.]

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

...[totally not starting to sulk, really] Well it's true.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Everyone here is stripped of something that makes them capable in their own world, be it raw power, connections, or confidence. I'm sure it's no different for yourself.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

Okay so maybe that is true. What about it?

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

I was simply saying that if you aren't speaking with the Professor about school or other things you could learn about Luceti, then it must be about personal issues.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

Oh. I guess that's true, yeah. She worries too much so I usually have to prove we're okay.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Worries too much? About you and your sister?

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

About everybody but herself. But yeah mostly about me...and my friends.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Ah. Yes, that tends to be her favorite form of deflection. She doesn't seem to realize she is quite predictable.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

Nope. But it is sort of funny to watch her get confused and flustered.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[A sigh.] She gets into that state often enough. I apologize if her deflecting is at all annoying.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's annoying, but I wish she'd take better care of herself.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

She is improving. She's better than she was a year ago.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

You've known her that long?

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Correct. I believe we met not long after she first arrived. We have worked together for quite some time now.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

...[oh. Then it clicks.] You're Albert.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

And you are Taichi. [He looks briefly amused.] The Professor has mentioned you from time to time.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

[Looks a little confused at this idea] She has?

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

You helped her during the last experiment, did you not?

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

...yeah but not really. I just stayed at the lake to make sure she didn't drown. [and of course there's more detail to that, but whatever, we won't go into it]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

That's more than you were required to do at any point. Thank you for your assistance, even if she may have not appreciated it.

[Action]

[goggle-syndrome.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. She appreciated it...I know she did.