chikaidestroyer | ∞ 69: After the first heavy snowfall [written/action]

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∞ 69: After the first heavy snowfall [written/action]

Introductions, I suppose. I haven't written one in quite awhile. My name is Albert Silverberg, and I have been a resident in Luceti for over two years now. A welcome to our New Feathers; here's hoping the welcome center and other residents make captivity as hospitable as possible.

Blue Rogues, please keep an eye out for the abducted and any stragglers from this month's New Feather cycle. The snow may make it especially difficult to traverse the forest.

I suggest everyone take heed of this amount of snowfall and prepare accordingly. Extra blankets, warmer clothing, stockpiling in case of a blizzard. The weather hasn't been this cold in the past to warrant snow this early. Long-time residents may recall that we had great amounts of rain around this time in the past two years -- enough to affect the terrain with floods and severe erosion.

I was told that there was a young lady who would customize jewelry. I would like to speak with her if possible.

[Filtered to Guy]

Perhaps we should resume our conversation in person. Will you be in the bar today?

[/filtered]

[Off-journal means of communication to Yuber]

[vaguely amused] Did I forget to mention your powers would be reduced in captivity? How careless of me.

[action]

[One may find Albert outside of house 42 if they are looking for him. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he's shoveling snow now that the snowfall has stopped.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I was just surprised by what you said. I was expecting you to remind me that I was a real pain or something, which wouldn't be unreasonable. I don't think I'd have had the patience.

Do you think you were a sarcastic idiot from the moment you were born? If you were, I certainly would have lost my temper.

I guess it's a good thing I wasn't, then. Though, I'd think it'd take a lot more than that to make you really lose your temper.

I don't know. I held ridiculous grudges as a child. [..."As a child." He's still capable of doing that as an adult.]

Yeah? Well, you were a kid once, too, I suppose. It's not so unusual then. [Or, you know. Now.]

That's funny, coming from you. You have a complex.

Do not. [Except he does, and he knows it.]

Perhaps I should be relieved you don't think I was born perfect and able to effortlessly glide through life.

I never thought that. [Well, he might have. Once upon a time.] After all, it probably takes a lot of work just to keep that image up.

After awhile, you don't really think about it.

[He stops shoveling for a moment to rest, looking over at Caesar.] ...Why are you still here, Caesar?

Huh? [The question also causes Caesar to stop. Maybe he should have expected it--they'd been here for a while now, hadn't they?] You didn't tell me to leave yet. Besides, I'm almost finished.

Why do I need to tell you to leave for you to go? Since when did you ... just volunteer to stay around? [He just wants to understand why Caesar keeps coming back.] You know as well as I that we didn't part on the best of terms. Or meet on the best of terms. Or see each other for a long while.

Because I know that you're not perfect. [He's quiet for a moment. He has a good feeling this won't end well, but...] And because you're my brother. My presence may irritate you, but you shouldn't have to deal with this by yourself. Kind of like shoveling this snow.

[Now it's Albert's turn to be quiet.] You don't even know what I'm dealing with by myself. But I appreciate the sentiment, even if it seems misguided.

You do? [He's starting to wonder if it's the weather...] Well, I guess that helps, because even if you didn't, you know I'd do it anyway. Maybe I'll never really know what you're dealing with, but I know I'm doing the right thing.

[If he knew where your mind was going, Caesar, he'd kick you.] Is that how you justify yourself? You do enjoy your simple life, don't you?

I have my reasons, but I wouldn't want to bore you to death with the details. Besides, I don't ask you to justify yourself every time you do something strange. [Like, you know. Now.] We can just leave it at that.

I suppose so.

[He pauses.] Or perhaps not. You may be content with how things are, but it remains disconcerting to me that you don't know what you once did here in this village.

You don't think it bothers me? It most certainly does, but you made it quite obvious that it was a conversation you weren't willing to have.

I told you that I wouldn't hold you to any standards from your past time here. It doesn't mean that it's a conversation that couldn't happen. [He gestures dismissively.] But when you don't show interest, it becomes a topic that can be pushed aside in favor of more current affairs.

Edited 2009-11-25 05:37 (UTC)

Every time we could have had this conversation, you said, "Don't worry, you were still an idiot." You always call me an idiot--what about that is supposed to make me want to know more? Things are rarely as simple as just asking when it comes to you, too, you know.

You honestly think you would be an idiot two years in the future in the same way you are an idiot now? If you have such a limited idea of yourself, who am I to prove you wrong? That's your own esteem speaking.

A-and that's my fault? [Must resist urge to throw snow.] Nevermind. Too tired to argue. But I want to know, and if you're willing to tell me, I'm willing to listen.

[Better not try, Caesar. The last thing anyone wants to see is two Silverbergs in a snow war. Albert doesn't say anything for awhile, though he does go back to shoveling.]

You probably already know a fair amount from my offhand comments.

[Caesar, on the other hand, doesn't go back to shoveling right away.]

I'll be here forever trying to piece things together from your comments alone.