chikaidestroyer | ∞ 74: A windy day [action]

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∞ 74: A windy day [action]

[Despite the mild windiness today, Albert is sitting out on the porch of his house. He has a few notes and his journal with him, but he's mostly just out there to think and drink a little. The town meeting was just yesterday, and it certainly proved a few things he had surmised about the populace. There had been a few opinions he had heard that more clearly showed others' state of mind (some for the better, most for the worse), and he had to readjust those plans accordingly.

Now to think of the next course of action.]

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After spending so much time here, I think a fair amount of travel would be welcome. [Rationalize, rationalize, rationalize.] I likely wouldn't be deployed anywhere so soon after one campaign, so I would have some time.

[He nods slowly, a bit of a smirk on his face. So typical of Albert to have some completely logical reasoning to go with an idea like that.] It would be nice, I guess. If you don't go through with it, I won't forgive you.

You would only be able to hold me to it if you remembered. [And while he thinks it would be quite unlikely for both of them to remember, he can still hold on to the hope.]

Something like that's too important to forget. [He really, really doesn't want to forget.] Though, even if I don't remember, I think I'd still have the same reaction when you showed up. I'd yell at you and call you names and ask what took you so long.

Hah. [He sets down his cup as he finishes his tea.] I can't say I would be surprised. You would find anything to complain about.

Of course I would! Especially about you. But I guess I wouldn't be that upset.

You guess? It would be your best chance to seek 'revenge.'

[He shrugs.] I'd forget what I was angry about, so I know I wouldn't be that upset.

I suppose I've never seen you absolutely livid, so that makes sense. You can't be bothered to get that angry; it takes too much energy.

That's not it! [Caesar can't tell if he's doing this on purpose or not. He takes another drink of his tea and puts the cup down.] I mean, well, of course that's true, but sooner or later, I would forget I was angry because... you'd be home.

[You'd be home.] Hm. I don't recall when I was last in Toran. It's been a long time.

Yeah. No kidding. [Totally not bitter.] I think they'd be glad to see you. Mother and Father, I mean. Even if it's only for a little while.

I think they would have a few words once they hear that we somehow ended up on opposite sides of the battlefield.

["Somehow"? Why does that word feel out of place?] It doesn't really strike me as dinner table conversation.

["Somehow." Caesar was totally not supposed to be in the Grasslands.] You don't think so? "Well, Caesar, Miss Apple tells me you met your brother's superior officer while he was in your camp." [Such a conversational tone.]

[It's always Caesar's fault!] I guess we'd both have some rather interesting stories to tell, at least.

Or Miss Apple would, at least.

Apple's not allowed to talk about it! She'd definitely embarrass me.

And yet you cannot say you would not deserve it.

What could I have done to deserve that?

You can't begin to tell me you haven't done terrible things to Miss Apple in your time traveling together.

Please. Anything I did was only to pay her back for all her hard work in helping me not succeed.

[...and suddenly, an idea. He has a feeling he better get this out before Albert makes him change his mind.] Albert, can I tell you something?

You have only yourself to blame for that.

[He's silent for a moment, as if the conversation has had a sudden change in tone.] What is it?

[...okay, now he's kind of wishing he hadn't done that. He wasn't sure how he wanted to say this. But it was too late to turn back now, wasn't it?]

Um... I already told you I don't have anything for you, and this probably won't mean much, but... [He pauses here, but not for the dramatic effect. He's just nervous. After a moment, he's made up his mind, however, and he's sure Albert's going to hate him for it. Still, he's going to invade his personal space one last time ~~for today~~ and give him a hug.] Thanks, Albert.

[Albert doesn't move for a moment. After what Caesar had been doing earlier, this really shouldn't be surprising. And yet, with the way their conversation has been going today...

He smiles faintly, reaching up and putting a hand on his little brother's head.]

Thank you for being here, Caesar.