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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Yes. [He slowly pushes himself out of his seat, standing next to Caesar.] ...And you're still here.

[Caesar tilts his head. He's not quite sure what he means by that.] Of course I am. Where else would I be? The minute I leave, you'd probably start working again.

[At the comment about working, Albert looks down at the map and notes on his desk. He clenches a hand into a fist.] Not now. I can't work right now. [It takes him a moment to explain.] ...Concentrating is difficult.

I guess that's fine. You should probably take it easy for now. Besides, [He motions toward the things on the desk.] this is my problem, isn't it?

[He looks at the map for a long moment.] I ... suppose it is. [But he doesn't like it. Even if trying to focus on work, or trying to think at all, causes him to feel overwhelmed.]

Then you can just leave that to me. At least, until you feel up to it again. [Because he's not enthusiastic about this at all.] Still don't know what to do with yourself?

There isn't much I can do without triggering this ... anxiety. Nothing useful, at least. [He manages to sound frustrated about that fact.]

I guess that's not surprising. But you really shouldn't force yourself. You don't have anything urgent to take care of, do you?

Besides the draft? [He gives Caesar a look, walking across the room to his small table by the window.]

You just don't quit, do you? Well... Is there anything I can do?

I don't know. I had ... some plans. [He looks towards his desk.] Those will need to be worked on.

[Caesar walks over to the desk, then, and decides to look over this stuff properly. He'd pretty much ignored it earlier, after all. He idly studies the map as he prepares for the reaction to his next suggestion.]

Why don't we look at it together? Maybe it won't be so bad if you're not doing all the work.

[He stares at Caesar for a moment, then returns to the desk beside him. He slowly traces his the river winding down the map.] This... The river flows northwest from the source. It ends at this lake over here. [He points at the small mark on the map.]

Whatever the "source" is. [He sees no source. But that's probably not important. He reminds himself to try and take this slow.] How deep's the river?

It varies; three to twenty feet. [He scrutinizes the map, leaning over it as he points to a stretch of river where it splits into two rivers and then merges back together.] ...A good place for a trap. [He fans out his notes.]

[Caesar looks to where he points and nods.] These areas are occupied by the enemy, right? [He motions toward those nice, purple areas.] Do we know how many of them there are this time?

Areas where the enemy was seen. [He looks between the two colored areas, shutting his eyes as he tries to slow down his racing thoughts. Too many things to think of. He didn't have to think like this before... It was simpler without all of these thoughts...]

[It's the pause in conversation that causes Caesar to look up from the map and at his brother.] Hey, are you okay?

[Albert takes a deep breath, ignoring Caesar's question.] The numbers are ... still heavily in their favor. The Third Party's.

[Caesar frowns a little, but decides to continue for the time being. He knows Albert would be too restless if they stopped now.] I thought as much. Same goal as last time?

I don't know. The area ... seems to be for campers and sightseers. Tourists. [It didn't make any sense.]

They're sending us to that kind of place? [...what. Caesar shakes his head, and points to the green marks on the map.] What are these, then? Campsites?

[He stares at the spots, willing himself to think.] Rest stops made by the ... original inhabitants. There might be survivors. That's what was said.

Survivors? [Well, that was different. Albert would have mentioned something like that last time, he was sure.] I guess we'll have to keep an eye out for them.

...They aren't a priority. If they die, they will come back.