chikaidestroyer | ∞ 88: Three years displaced [written/action]

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∞ 88: Three years displaced [written/action]

[written]

Professor Sage is missing -- has been missing since before the Halloween ball. Please keep an eye out for her, and others who went missing during the previous experiment, along with any possible New Feathers who may show up this month.

As a reminder, we have now entered the fourth cycle year as of October 26. Be sure to pick up a new calendar in the welcoming center or library.

Thank you.

[action]

[The sun is out, the effects are gone, and people are returning to their normal states. Despite all of that, Albert still finds himself somehow unsteady. Perhaps it has something to do with Rune being unable to find any of his brood. Perhaps it has something to do with the continued lack of presence from Epona's master. Perhaps...

He can be found between his house and community building 7, in the stables and corral he rebuilt with Link. Today he finds himself spending more time with Astrid and Epona, as if that will somehow make up for the fact that they had been left to fend for themselves in the fog. He even has his saddle if he feels like riding. ~~His~~ A tiny owl perches on a nearby fence post, outside for the first time in almost two weeks.

Like so many others, Albert is more than ready to put aside the stress caused by a handful of scientists. So instead, he reminisces over his three years in Luceti.]

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[He sounds so nervous saying that. And maybe Albert could be more appreciative of Caesar's admissions, but ... he focuses more on the literal meaning than the emotional.] I am still related to you no matter what happens here, Caesar.

[...did he just say that for nothing.]

I know that, Albert. That's what I meant about some things never changing. But you forget that I don't have to like it.

[Yes. Your brother is dense, Caesar.]

Of course I didn't forget that. You finally grew up a little bit.

You think so? [Caesar tilts his head a little. He didn't really think he'd changed. But if he had, and that was it... it was a good change, right?] Maybe that's something I can be proud of, too.

It was bound to happen sooner or later, regardless of where you were at the time. [It's a natural progression in life.]

Ah, I am pleased to hear that you have such faith in me, dear brother. [...he's really going to have to spell it out for him, isn't he?] Well, I'm still glad it happened. Because being related to you isn't such a bad thing.

[And he's proud of you. On occasion.]

[He's repeating himself, isn't he? Albert frowns at Caesar, as if trying to figure out some code from what he had just said.]

Are you just realizing this now?

[...He doesn't get it.]

N-no, you idiot. [How else can he even say this? You know, without actually saying it, that is.] I don't have a lot of things to be proud of, Albert, especially not here. But it's just like you said, nothing can change the fact that you're my brother, and... I'm glad for that. I would not want to be related to anyone else in this stupid village, not in a million years. Maybe it's silly, but the one thing I have that I can be proud of is... [Ahh. If he doesn't say it, Albert won't get it. He clears his throat.] You. Okay?

[...

...

...It finally dawns on him.]

You're right. That is silly, Caesar.

[...

Caesar would be more annoyed if he wasn't so glad you got it that time.]

Yeah. Right. It's silly. But the point is, I don't care what this place does to me or how long I'm stuck here, because I'll always have that. Make sense?

Yes, I suppose so. Good for you, Caesar. [It couldn't be anymore condescending if he reached out and patted Caesar on the head.]

[That tone is so frustrating. Even so, Caesar doesn't feel like giving up. And he can't figure out why.]

I know that doesn't make it any better. But stop thinking of it as time wasted and think about the few things you've accomplished. Maybe none of this should have happened, but as long as you're stuck thinking about it, try not to think of it so negatively. That's all I'm trying to say.

[He doesn't answer right away this time, turning his attention back towards Astrid. He has to think before responding.] My negativity isn't going to get in the way of anything.

Maybe not now, but if you keep thinking like that... [He knew Albert wasn't trying to be negative. But if it did start to affect things, there was no guaranteeing that Caesar could be there to keep him grounded, just like the week before.] Don't you think that could change, too?

[...]

You tell me, Caesar. You were the one who left and returned to Luceti.

Have you listened to anything I've said at all? [It wasn't unlike Albert to act like this, but Caesar did want to be helpful, and it bothered him that he couldn't be.]

There's a difference between being your brother and having changed for the worse. I dealt with worse before you arrived.

That's not what I meant. [...maybe Caesar was just terrible at this. Time to try something else.] Do you think you've changed for the worse?

I know that I have changed. I am not pleased with that fact.

[Caesar sighs a little. Back where we started.]

Me, either. I hate it. [Still completely honest, though perhaps not what he wanted to say. He'd just be repeating himself again.] But if it counts for anything, I don't think you've changed that much.

[He takes a deep breath, as if he needs to regain his composure, then shakes his head. No, it shouldn't count for anything. Caesar's opinion never really mattered to him, through childish rants and conflicted feelings across battlefields.]

I hope to continue to hear that from you. In the future.

[But he had changed.]

You will.

[He nods, and his words are confident, not because he knew, but simply because he hoped his brother wouldn't change anymore than he already had. Could things really change enough that they'd be back at that point, where those words wouldn't matter at all? It wasn't something he'd ever thought about before, not like this.

...but he really hoped it wouldn't happen.]

Are you still busy in here?

[Albert raises a brow at Caesar for the question, leaning onto Astrid's saddle.] I just prepared Astrid's saddle.

Will you be riding?

[It's obvious what he'd like to ask, at least on any other day. But whether or not he will ask today, he hasn't decided yet.]

[He snorts quietly.] Perhaps I should be asking you that. It's been a long time since you were voluntarily on a steed.