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

Current Mood: calm

Entry tags:

∞ 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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

[dryly] I'm sure that suits your work ethic just fine.

I think I've earned a nice, long break. [Caesar walks over to the stairs leading up to the house and drops off his bag. When he returns, he sits down in the grass near where Albert's working.]

After delaying your report as long as you did? I should be telling you to travel out to the desert fort for inventory.

[asdhflkja what. Not funny, bro.]

My sincerest apologies, brother. I meant to tell you sooner, but I was a little preoccupied. [You know. With being kidnapped. There was also the missing Flame Champion deal, but he didn't want Albert to know the other reason he was here.] Besides, I'm certain there's someone more suitable for a job like that.

Of course there is. [He looks down at Caesar.] But it would be a sufficient way to make you miserable.

Shut up. Is this about the sheets? I can bring them out here, if you like.

You can, can you? But you wouldn't, because that would require too much unnecessary work.

I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, my dear brother. I was thinking I could lay in the grass, but that might be more comfortable.

I do appreciate the times when you manage to prove me wrong.

Is that so? [He smirks and then... falls back to lay in the grass.] Well. Maybe some other time, then.

[Predictable. Albert just shakes his head, continuing on his maintenance of his garden. He wouldn't be surprised if Caesar manages to fall asleep on his lawn.]