∞ 80: An empty stable [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Despite the overcast skies threatening to turn into rain on Saturday, Albert is out and in his yard. He has cleared out Astrid's old stable and now sits on a bale of hay in front of it. There's a perfectly usable stool right inside the entrance, but the bale of hay is larger and better supports his tall frame.

He glances at his garden, considering working on it today. Instead, he mutters a compliment to Faeren for her assistance with his plants, then leans against the outside of the stable. He then glances at his journal, laying on the bale of hay next to him. There's a lot of things he could be doing today, including riding with Astrid or going grocery shopping. Neither really sounds appealing right now.

He's still feeling that training session from three days ago.]

Comments

[action]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Yeah, well, little brother is still feeling that as well. He's kind of over the whole "being tricked" thing and sure, when he thought about it, maybe he was kind of grateful for it. Maybe. But that was all beside the point. He was still tired, but he had things to do and thus hasn't had as much sleep as he'd like.

After Caesar finishes his own work for the day, though, he does his usual wandering around and contemplating-bothering-the-brother thing that he often does. Of course, seeing Albert outside means he really doesn't have much to contemplate. So he invites himself over, moving Albert's journal to the side and sitting on that nice bale of hay. He lets out a tired yawn before he speaks up in an equally tired voice.]

Still a jerk.

[He doesn't sound as annoyed as he did, say, three days ago, and his words are purposely childish. He's just being silly.]

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert opens an eye long enough to see Caesar approaching, then shut it again while listening to the boy move aside his journal and sit down next to him. The bale of hay comfortably supports the two of them.]

Still whining.

[He doesn't care how it comes across. It's just Caesar, and the tone has already been set for a not-serious meeting. For now, at least.]

[action]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar doesn't take it very personally either way. He's too tired to argue over silly things like that at the moment, and, you know. It's Albert, and he always says those kinds of things. It's also not hard to figure out that Albert's just as tired as he is, though, so he can't quite tell yet how he meant it anyway.]

You look terribly busy today.

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert refrains from glancing at Caesar again, simply snorting at the remark.]

I cleared out my horse's stable. What did you do today?

[action]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Why? Your horse wasn't stolen again, was she? [He shrugs.] This and that.

[It went without saying that the only really important thing he had to do was make sure that wall was built. But convincing Albert that he actually did work was always such a hassle, so he was perfectly fine with him assuming he hadn't done anything at all.]

[action]

[chikaidestroyer]

She has moved into a stable down the road with Zack Fair's chocobo. He thought it would be a nice way for them to socialize.

[And he isn't at all surprised that Caesar doesn't give a clear answer.]

So you thought it would be a good idea to come over today.

[action]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Chocobo? [Hm. He knows he's heard that word tossed around before, but ehh. Like he paid attention to those things.] That could be good for her, I guess.

[He pauses, taking a moment to stretch his legs. Still sore. He nods slightly.] Sure, why not? After all that hard work you did today, it looks like you could use a break anyway.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[Nothing like these Saturdays with their complete lack of structure. It had been a day Raine was intending to take care of a few things, usual errands, seeing where she was needed, catching up on visits. At least, that was the usual plan, but Ted's return sidetracked that a bit, thought-wise. Instead the day was spent mostly alone walking and contemplating, and not really liking where those thoughts were going.

It's early evening when she returns to the house, the sky still dark and threatening, with even a few drops of rain here and there.]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[If you're lucky, Raine, Albert might have actually moved from that hay bale. There may even be movements of a light in the stable.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[The light from the stable catches her attention before she gets to the porch, so Raine changes her direction, moving toward the smaller construct instead, and looking inside the doorway.]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert has put a lantern on a hook on the ceiling of stable, and is currently just sitting on the stool inside the doorway. He glances up when he sees Raine poking her head in.]

Good evening.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

[Her gaze flickers toward the lantern's placement, then toward the empty space, briefly, then looks toward Albert.]

Good evening, Albert.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Upon closer inspection, it would appear that Albert had cleared out the stable and placed the leftover bales of hay in one corner of the small building.]

I was just thinking of what this space would be used for now.

[herotypical]

[Buffy has tried to look as casual as possible as she walks by, but it's pretty obvious that she is looking out for Albert. Her eyes scan the "property", slowing her steps until she sees the man.]

Albert! [She calls out, hurrying within non-shouting distance.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert had been looking through his journal when he hears Buffy's voice. He rises from the bale of hay he had been sitting on, watching as she approaches.]

Good afternoon, Buffy.

[herotypical]

[There's a quick touch of a smile as she finishes her approach.]

Keeping busy?

[chikaidestroyer]

Hah, as busy as one can before a rainy day. [He nods in greeting as Buffy comes closer.] You aren't usually in this corner of the village.

[herotypical]

Oh, me? I get around. Patrols and stuff, y'know? [She shrugs.] But that's usually post-sundown. This is more a recreational stroll.

[chikaidestroyer]

Down a bit of a dead-end road, for that matter. But it is good to see you.

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

[ Ever since Raine let slip that there was a horse in Luceti that belonged to Albert, McCoy has been keen to catch a glimpse of it. After all, after growing up in the Old South, it would be ridiculous to assume the man hadn't been on the back of a horse at one point in his life and he looks just as 'inconspicuous' as Buffy did when she wandered by earlier. ]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Oh so inconspicuous, Bones. Albert was sweeping out the stable one last time when he sees the man looking around the house. He stops and speaks loudly enough to catch the other man's attention.]

May I help you with something?

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

[ Busted. He hasn't had many conversations with Albert, save the one about amnesia back in December, and he was too distracted by finding out there was a horse in Luceti to notice Raine's slip up the other day. At this moment in time, he just recognizes him as the man Buffy spends time with. ]

No, just out walking... [ It feels like a lame lie even to him. ]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert sets aside the broom, taking a moment to place the man before approaching. Between his conversations with Raine and Buffy and his own perusal of the journals, Albert would have at least learned to put a face to the name.]

I was beginning to wonder when I would meet you in person. Dr. McCoy.

[hippocraticly.livejournal.com]

It would have depended on whether or not you were inclined to get injured every week. I spend most of my time in the clinic here.

[ He refrains from using air quotes when referring to the medical facilities in the village. ] ... Silverburg, isn't it?

[chikaidestroyer]

[He methodically removes his right glove as he comes closer, offering his hand to shake.]

Albert Silverberg. And I would hope not to become a regular visitor of the clinic, with a healer in the house.