chikaidestroyer | ∞ 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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[He looks down at his cup, gloves fingering the cooling surface.]

Reconcile...

Just... let us help you. Please.

I don't know how you can do that. I don't know what to do about this. [He needs to wait. Wait and recover. Somehow. That would take...] ...It will take time. [How much time? How slowly? How quickly? He felt helpless against himself.]

That's because you're still getting used to this. It's - it's only been a few hours since you were cured. You're not in touch... you've said yourself how much that affects you. And it will take time. We don't know how long, but...

[Her throat is dry. She swallows.]

That doesn't mean we're going to give up... or allow you to give up on yourself. We can't force you to go at a pace that isn't your own... but we can be there. Understand?

[He is silent for a long moment. The way his brows are knit together conveys he's deep in thought.]

I never said anything about giving up. Giving up isn't an option.

[The very idea... He hasn't fallen that far.]

[She nods. Just as long as that aspect remained clear. She just needed to hear him say it for himself.]

It certainly isn't. But what I said still stands.

[Albert makes a sound of acknowledgment, then pushes his cup slightly towards Raine.]

May I have more tea?

... Yes, of course. [She stands up so she can move to take his cup, then carefully pours the fresh tea in.]

[He takes back the teacup, repeating his action with the last cup of tea and blowing on the surface.] I apologize for worrying you, Raine.

... It's all right, Albert. This situation was out of all of our hands.

It shouldn't have been. I must have been careless. [That was the only way he could rationalize what had happened. He ... should have been more suspicious of that flower. Should have recalled what Ginko had said...

His hands grip the teacup tightly.]

Even if it could have been, it... won't change that it's happened. Focusing on that just might make you feel worse.

[He lets go of a breath he didn't know he had been holding.] ...Yes.

[Without drinking the tea, he shakily sets down the cup before he cracks or drops it.]

... Just relax. [She's standing, moving to rub his shoulder again. So quickly she hardly realized she had done it.]

[This time, Albert lifts his hand and places it over Raine's. He manages to not squeeze her hand with the same force he had the teacup. He remains silent.]

[A warm sensation stirs in her from his touch, gently threading its way up her arm like a vine, and through her. When the surprise passes, her tone remains calm and - hopefully reassuring.]

... Take a few breaths, now, Albert. After you finish your tea... we'll try some painting. And then both of us can take a rest, before dinner.

[He does in fact take a deep breath. A few deep breaths. He feels a little lightheaded, but he attributes it to his erratic emotions.]

I know. I know. ...No need to repeat it.

[His hand remains where it is, and he doesn't reach for his tea. Not yet.]

... All right. [She smiles faintly as he takes the steps to calm himself. She's not moving anywhere.] I apologize if I've been too... repetitive.

It's fine. I realize you're only trying to help. [Even if neither of them knew how to help in this situation.]

It's a process. I have to not push so hard, and listen more to what you're conveying, instead. Not that different from usual, is it?

I ... guess not. [He manages an amused smile.] Thank you.

Mmm. [That's a good sign.] You're welcome, Albert.

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

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