chikaidestroyer | ∞ 82: Waiting for the next step [action]

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∞ 82: Waiting for the next step [action]

[Now that things have calmed down around the village and the rain from earlier in the week has dried, Albert is getting around to cleaning up his poor garden. Long-wilted white and blue moonflowers and morning glories litter his garden where trellises are propped up next to them, so he's pruning and plucking them out from between the growing flowers.

His horse is hanging around the house today, eating from a bale of hay.

It's a pretty idle scene on a sunny day. At least he's not closed up in his room, reading old books and drinking wine. That can be saved for tomorrow, when the weather's even warmer.]

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[Since it's such a nice day, Caesar has decided it's probably about time that he went and spoke to his brother. He spots Astrid near the house before he actually sees his brother, so he lingers about for a while until he finds him.

...of course, when he does see Albert working in the garden, Caesar pauses and just kind of stares at him for a moment. Because... what are you doing, Al.]

[Albert has not yet noticed his visitor, so he continues working on a particularly sad-looking set of vines with many wilted flowers. This certainly doesn't count as a strategist getting his hands dirty.]

[No, it really doesn't. Caesar adjusts the strap of the bag he's carrying over his shoulder (because he couldn't forget his brother's clothes, nope) before he finally decides to walk over and stand beside Albert. He doesn't say anything right away, though, instead just watching him work on the sad little flowers.

Caesar can tell that he knows what he's doing. And this is really weird to him.]

[Well, now it would be difficult not to notice he's being watched. Albert doesn't stop clipping the dead flowers and dried-up leaves as he speaks.]

No ridiculous quips today, Caesar?

[It's because he's speechless.]

Uh, since when did you...?

Tend flowers? [He finishes the question for Caesar, taking a freshly-fallen moonflower and holding it between two fingers in front of the younger Silverberg's face.] You were still young, so I would be surprised if you knew I spent time out in the gardens.

[Caesar looks at the flower for a moment before he decides to take it into his hands.]

Huh. [His first thought was that maybe it was something he got into here. He kind of felt better knowing that wasn't the case, however.] You really do learn something new everyday. I had no idea they were yours.

And who did you think cared for these flowers? [He inquires dryly, returning his attention to the vines.]

Who else? [He holds onto the flower, though he goes back to watching Albert work.] I suppose it makes sense, now that I think about it. The garden was arranged far too perfectly to have been cared for by anyone else in the village.

Genis? [It's a sarcastic answer before Albert continues.] I do hope you are here for reasons other than to gawk.

Of course, of course. It just so happens that I don't remember what those reasons were! Such a shame. [He shrugs.] Take a break for a while.

[Albert snorts, faintly displeased, before pocketing his scissors and turning to give Caesar his full attention. He takes note of the bag over the boy's arm.] Are you finally returning my clothes?

They are too big for me. [And even if Albert never brought it up again, it would be impossible for him to forget about since... well. They were Albert's.] I was going to wash them, but knowing you, you'd just wash them again anyway, so I didn't waste my time.

It's the thought that counts. [But not really. He would have appreciated them being washed.] Anything else?

[Sure, sure, whatever. He only wore them once anyway. Or twice. Caesar shrugs again. He's not too bothered by this, surprisingly.]

Hm. I'm sure there was something...

[Do we need to wait here long enough for Astrid to take interest in chewing the red bush growing out of your head, Caesar? Albert folds his arms across his chest.]

You certainly took your time with the task I gave you.

[...if you let your horse eat his hair, he's going to be pissed. Of course, Caesar was just being silly, acting as though he hadn't remembered one of the reasons that he came here. He makes a face at Albert bringing this up, however, because, well, damn. He always seems to know what's on his mind.]

Oh, right. That's what it was. [He sounds bored, but that's not totally true. He starts digging through his pockets, looking for something. He should probably show him how things turned out in the end.] It's finished. It's been finished. Or... was finished.

[Oh, good, so Caesar hadn't completely forgotten it was proper to give reports after tasks were completed. He watches while Caesar digs through his pockets.]

For awhile now. Since you didn't bother telling me, I was beginning to think you had other plans in mind.

[The uncertainty at the end there was actually due to the fact that he'd missed the epic rain of flaming trees. Of course, if Albert's house was fine, the barricade most likely was, too. Hopefully.]

Well, what can I say? I am a busy man. [He pauses when he finds what he's looking for - a messy piece of paper that looks as though it could fall apart after having been folded and unfolded too many times before. He unfolds it now, revealing a very basic map of the village and the things surrounding it. There's some handwriting on it that's very obviously too neat and precise to be his own.] Listen well, all right? I don't want to repeat myself.

Of all people in this village, you needn't tell me to listen well. [But he makes a gesture with his hand for Caesar to proceed.]

I know. [He snickers a little. After a pause, he traces a finger along the line that represents the eastern wall on the map.] As you know, the first order of business was to take care of this old thing. That was a cinch - it hadn't sustained much damage due to the weather or, uh... other unnatural causes, so we didn't have to worry about it much. The random appearance of this building- [he points to C7] -was a bit of a hassle, but we worked around it, replacing that part of the wall, so everything's okay now.

As for the other half... [Caesar moves his finger to trace along the other line - it actually extends a bit further out than the one to the east.] We're not as close to the village here. Although it's unlikely, if more buildings showed up, it'd be troublesome to deal with. The trend of various entrances continues, however, there is a larger entrance to the west. With the majority of the forest sitting in that direction, closing it off too much would've been a bad idea. [He pauses again, thoughtfully, and then-] I think that's everything you need to know.

[Albert studies the map as Caesar goes over it.] We may want to consider speaking with the Malnosso about adjusting the borders if it becomes necessary, rather than them being destroyed should the village expand outward.

[He isn't fond with the idea, considering what surveillance equipment the scientists may put on the building.]

[Caesar frowns at the thought, folding that piece of paper up now and shoving it back in his pocket.]

Let's hope we don't have to. I'd rather it not be there at all if it comes to that.

Indeed. It's something we will have to talk about should the population increase. [He taps a gloved finger on his arm.] It will be awhile, though. Their recent changes have made room for at least another hundred residents.

Right. And it seems that more have left than shown up recently as well. At least we won't have to worry about it for a while. [He shrugs.]