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.]

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[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.

You already know he was older than you are by two years. Perhaps more upfront than you, since he asked if I would live in the same house as him. On better terms with me than yourself, since I actually agreed.

Not quite what you were expecting, I'm sure. [He pauses, remembering a strange conversation he'd had a long time ago.] I know I... uh, he was a busy person. An important one.

He was quite active in the community. To what end, we'll never know; he simply established interactions within Luceti, garnered interest where there was general apathy. [pause] But even in situations where strategy could have been used, he lacked clear plans. So clearly two years don't change everything.

He appeared in Luceti a little over a month after I did. We, of course, were snapping at each other almost immediately.

Huh. I guess I'll never agree with the way you do things, huh?

[He's quiet as he considers everything, though. He wasn't insulted, but something about this conversation felt very strange to him.] Things aren't like they used to be here, are they? I mean... did he even make a difference?

Edited 2009-11-25 08:59 (UTC)

I would say he made a difference. But there aren't many here who could remember him for his deeds, and none of them are substantial like the guide that Raine now takes care of.

But that shouldn't surprise you. Strategists leave their mark in different ways. Ideas, influence upon others. [The lack of recognition was something that came with their "support" role. Others would always receive credit and glory for their ideas unless those in the limelight were gracious enough to share.]

Most of those people are gone now. But things like the guide, those are things people take for granted. I just hope he wasn't wasting his time.

It's not surprising. Sometimes, it's better that way. [At least, in this case, he thought so. He didn't want to be recognized for things that he had no idea he did, whether they were good or bad. And suddenly, he was kind of glad that Albert always reminded him that he'd never make the comparison--others weren't always so kind.]

They certainly do. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a sentiment shared among the Malnosso, since we know they have been here for ... much, much longer than us.

[But now he's getting off-track.] Things changed not too long after he arrived. I was abducted for the first time by the Malnosso, and when I was brought back, he helped me. It snowed for the first time that day.

Edited 2009-11-25 21:44 (UTC)

...that's why you remembered.

[He doesn't say much else this time. He certainly wouldn't have guessed that this was the reason for remembering the date. He's also starting to feel the cold again, but he won't bother shoveling anymore. This was more important.]

[Albert stops as well, giving Caesar a side glance.] You've commented before about how I've changed. Or how I haven't. You can blame some of it on the persistence you pick up in two years. Things would be different if he hadn't been around in that first year.

Hm. Not hard to imagine, but I guess I should be glad. You aren't nearly as difficult as you used to be. [...but what a strange thought. He might have had an idea, but to hear it from him was weird.] But only some of it? And who can I blame the rest on?

[dryly now] Professor Sage could take some of the blame. I've been living with her for awhile now and her bad habits have tested my patience more so than living with an older you.

The experiments here have also played a part. What do you think I had to deal with when an experiment left the older you as a four-year-old?

That bad? Somehow, that's... oddly reassuring.

[what. You just get a look. He really has no words for that.]

Then again, I wasn't actively trying to improve upon your habits. "Teaching the teacher" can be quite frustrating.

Again, patience a mile wide. It was necessary. [But in reality, little Caesar was adorable.]

You know it would be useless anyway, but I had no idea it was like that.

I'm sure. Bet you never thought you'd have to do that again. [K-kind of like mom. 8D; That's so amazing, ffff.]

She doesn't seem to realize, either. Best to keep it that way.

No, not at all. I had forgotten just how dependent you were as a child. [His pride. :( ...And you have to wonder about their mother now.]

Don't think I could help it. I was a kid. And you were always there. At least I wasn't a bad kid. [Poor Albert. And no kidding. I don't know if it means that their mother is really pretty or... extremely intimidating. :|a]

You mean, bouncing off the walls and causing property damage? Yes, I suppose you learned discipline at some point.

The point is that being here has put me in a position where I've seen the older you vulnerable, and the older you in turn has seen me vulnerable. [He gestures at Caesar.] But there are still some things that you haven't seen. Nor should you need to see.

Things I don't need to see? But is that to my benefit, or yours?

You know as well as I just what kind of man I can be, Caesar.

Edited 2009-11-26 00:49 (UTC)

I don't get it. You do things for me that you don't need to do, but you push me away the minute I feel like speaking to you. [He shakes his head. You're confusing. :(] But... I don't think your intentions are bad. Whatever they are.

If at all possible, I don't want you to see what this-- ... [He stops. What is this sounding like? He shouldn't even be entertaining that kind of thinking.]

What? [Headtilt. He has no idea where he's going with this.]

["I'm trying to protect you, and I shouldn't. You're old enough to make your own decisions."]

......

[Come up with something else to say, damn it.]

Edited 2009-11-26 01:56 (UTC)

[You probably don't have to say it, Albert. He already guessed part of that. The silence is a little uncomfortable, if only because it's obvious that Albert's having some difficulties with this. He shakes his head.]

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.