chikaidestroyer | ∞ 83: A chronicle of life and death [action]

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∞ 83: A chronicle of life and death [action]

[What a wonderful afternoon. The sun is shining, the sky has cleared up, and the ground is drying after two days of rain. And Albert is around the village today, weaving through the streets and between houses and even to the edges of the forest.

Little do people know that Albert received a beautiful flower last night, and he happened to smell it. When he awoke up the morning, getting out of his room proved to be an ... arduous battle. And getting out the front door? Well, he had at least discovered what a doorknob was by then.

He has a vague, wondrous look on his face as he looks at swaying tree branches and flowers he would have otherwise ignored. His hair is in slight disarray, as if he had rolled out of bed and fought his way through a bedroom door. His clothes are in a similar state, and notably the same as the ones he had been wearing last night.

This isn't strange at all.

He will be wandering around for the entire afternoon. Attempts to talk to or capture the 6'1" strategist will be bizarre. ...And he won't be returned home until sunset or so.]

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Too much time. ...There's too much time to think about. [Even answering questions requires too much thought, and he forces himself to stop talking. He shuts his eyes, focusing instead on steadying his breathing.]

[She rubs his back without realizing it, lowering herself so she's more eye level.]

Take a few breaths. Maybe eat a little more, as well, before it's too cold.

[He's very tense as Raine rubs his back, and he leans forward against the counter to steady himself. It takes several moments before he gingerly picks up his fork and starts eating again. He achieves a numb, almost automatic cycle of bringing food up to his mouth, similar to how he had eaten the crackers last night.

If he doesn't have to think for awhile, he might be able to calm down.]

[Raine stops her actions once she becomes aware that her attempts at comforting him are only making him more tense - and she's reminded of yesterday evening, those expressions of panic. She steps away and lets him finish eating... and starts straightening up the kitchen instead.

To fill the time.]

[Before he knows it, Albert has finished the meal prepared for him. He sets down his fork, staring at the plate. The longer he stared, the longer he dwelt on specific thoughts.]

I don't know what to do with myself now.

"Do"?

[She moves over to get his plate, but stops and looks down at him.]

You feel as if... you need to be doing something?

[He doesn't say anything to Raine's questions, though it's evident on his face that thinking about her questions causes him stress.]

Everything ... moves so slowly. There's too much time to fill. Nothing to fill it with.

Do you... remember how it was before? Are you truly... that detached?

... It was the night before, wasn't it? When this started. It wasn't just the morning. Tell me what you last remember. Before - before it started. Please.

[He's silent as he recalls. One, two, three lives ago? Dreams. Vague and yet vivid.] ...A flower. Rune brought me a flower. A morning glory, differently colored. I ... brought it to my room when I retired.

[A morning glory. That fits with... everything somehow, and she smacks her hand against the base of the sink after setting his dishes in, ignoring the pain that shoots up from the impact. Those damn flowers.

And another thought struck her, almost as if he had said the words himself. Compromised. There was too much to work through. Too much... and who knew when that draft would be. Both she and Caesar would be gone. But maybe that was getting too ahead of the basic problem. They could only handle this as fast as Albert could go... and he'd need all the help he could get to build those bridges back.]

... In the evening. You were working on the campaign. It's been ... one of the more prevailing things on your mind for days. Is that... familiar at all?

Edited 2010-06-19 11:03 (UTC)

[The sound catches Albert's attention, and he stares at Raine almost questioningly. But he listens as she explains what he had been doing.]

I recall that. ...Yes, I remember that. But it's-- I can't focus for such a task. Not now.

... I know.

I just... you need something grounding. Stable. You have to come back to this reality. If we need to find you something to fill up the time, if that will help ... then... we'll do that.

[He falls quiet again, exhaling slowly. Something to do that wouldn't overwhelm him...] Something stable... Luceti isn't exactly ... stable.

No, it's not. But there are tasks... activities... things to take up time. Even if they aren't necessarily productive things. But... you should remain inside today. It's too soon for some things.

... You could paint, or draw. I have more than enough supplies.

[It's much better than trying to come up with ideas for himself right now. He nods, rubbing one palm over his forehead quietly.] I'll stay inside today. [He repeats the suggestion in a form of confirmation.] Until I feel better.

... All right. [Raine reaches over and gently touches his shoulder again before withdrawing. Her fingers are trembling.]

Would you like any tea...? [There's no need to rush getting the supplies. Especially since he'll have a long while.]

Yes. That sounds fine. [He nods quietly, not moving from his seat. Instead, he looks outside.] ...I think I will try to rest again, after this.

[She wasn't expecting him to move. Instead, she forces herself to move, and get the kettle ready. She thinks of Caesar, sleeping somewhere in the house. There probably won't be a need for any lunch. But dinner...] ... You need it.

[His eyes wander for awhile longer before he flexes fingers.] ...And you should rest, too.

[Kettle's on the stove. She sets out the cups. Resting is so far from her mind, but she is so tired. And she would need to be there, alert and prepared. Especially with two strategists who needed looking after. She attempts to catch his wandering gaze.]

... I will.

[There's a faint sound from Albert, and he falls silent while he waits. He just has to wait for some time...]

[Raine goes back to straightening up the kitchen area, and trying to make a mental list of things they might need from the store in a few days. It's probably not good to leave him to too much thought... but perhaps it could help him as well.

She just doesn't know.]

[There is actually little to no sound or movement from Albert in that time. Almost as if he is dozing in his chair.]

[Which, of course, is worrying. When she realizes how quiet it's gotten, she turns her attention back toward him.]

... Albert? [It's slightly sharper than normal.]

[He lifts his head slightly in response.] Is it done? [He blinks a few times, disoriented.]

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