chikaidestroyer | ∞ 90: Snowy springs [action]

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∞ 90: Snowy springs [action]

[Takes place on the 28th.

Part of him is still surprised he made the suggestion a few days ago. If he tried to look for excuses, he could think of many -- the season, the new arrival of an ocean, the constant talk about holidays and good cheer. But whatever the reason, he had suggested to his housemates that they take their gift exchanging to an admittedly strange location: the mountain hot springs. And they had all agreed to it.

So in the early morning, he can be found in the clothing store looking for ... a pair of slippers. By noon, he will be on the way to the rec center to try out the teleporter and scope out the mountain hot springs for the first time.

And by mid-afternoon, he will be up in the mountains with his brother and Raine. Belatedly celebrating a holiday they don't know. Perhaps even celebrating the plaza fountain returning to normal after being shifted to resemble Bil for four days.]

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[Oh, wait, was that a compliment?]

H-heh! It was so simple, I can't believe I was the first one to think of it! [But he still can't help but think that's the strangest gift ever, even if he'd also gotten him something unusual on purpose. In fact, he'll have to see it to really believe it, so that's when he opens the pouch to investigate. His attention immediately goes to that other pouch since he isn't expecting to see that there.]

Huh... What's— [He pauses to check out that pouch, too.

...and he's quiet again.]

[This time, Albert can't quite manage to keep a smile to himself. Especially when Caesar goes quiet.

But he's patient. He'll wait for Caesar's reaction.]

[He'll need a moment. He's speechless again, even as he takes the little keychain out of the pouch to get a closer look at it. He notices that there's something else in there, but he's kind of preoccupied by this little gift.]

It, uh... looks just like... [These gifts are getting stranger and stranger by the minute.] Wh-what's it for?

[Albert makes a slight motion with his chin, indicating Caesar should open the other pouch--which, thankfully, is the last one. Inside the pouch sits a little key.]

My apologies -- I couldn't bring the actual gift along.

[And Caesar does so, discovering the key... Which leaves us with another moment of silence. He's still trying to figure out what it could be, but...]

Couldn't?

[dryly] A locked diary. Should I actually tell you now?

I-I don't know! You can't just... [He kind of wants it to be a surprise, but he doesn't like being left hanging like this. He sighs.] This isn't fair.

Were you expecting something different? [After a glance towards the room closer to the springs, Albert reaches up and ... pats Caesar on the head.]

N-no, I guess no— [But Caesar stops, looking up when his brother pats him on the head. ...and then he reaches up and pats Albert's hand, too. He can't be mad about it. It wasn't what he was expecting, but Albert was always up to something, after all.] So, what, do I have to figure out where it leads, too?

No, you don't. It's back at the house. [Since Caesar's hand is on top of his hand, he can't exactly remove it at the moment. ...So he tousles Caesar's hair.] Happy holidays, Caesar.

[At that, Caesar can manage a little smile. It might be small, but it's not hard to miss.]

Happy holidays, Albert. [For that moment, Caesar is quite content. Then he removes his hand and adds—] You chose interesting gifts!

[Albert allows a faint smile, then drops his hand back to his side with a snort.] I had to keep you on your toes.

Well, congratulations. I wasn't expecting any of it. [In fact, he'd only decided recently that it was reasonable to assume that Albert would give him a gift today at all. ...but maybe he shouldn't say that, it sounds terrible.

And then something else occurs to him.]

D-do I have to use the seeds?

[At the stammered question, Albert doesn't answer right away. His shoulders shake briefly with silent laughter before he responds.] No. Of course not. I wouldn't expect you to know how to take care of Grassland plants.

[...

There is an audible sigh of relief.]

Good. You had me worried there! [He could just as easily see Albert asking him in a few weeks whether or not he was ever going to plant those seeds, so it was better to make sure.] ...still plants.

Well, depending on the gardener you speak to, grasses may be seen as an important decor or a weed, so I am leaving that entirely up to you. If I had presented you with another plant, I just might be disappointed to hear you would not attempt to grow it.

One plant at a time, okay? Mine still hasn't flowered yet. [He is still just as impatient about it now as he was when he first received the plant.] I must have taken you by surprise! Surely that is why you remembered.

[That battle was the first time they'd seen each other in a while, and yet, Caesar was amused enough that this didn't even bother him today.]

...Like I said, it was a sound tactic. The battle could have easily gone the other way. [In fact, he had a distinct memory in his head of the village of Chisha being overrun with Harmonian forces.]

It was really a close one! [But they were all kind of close ones, weren't they? After all, they had convinced Harmonia to leave the village with a lie. He shrugs slightly.] I guess I'll hold onto them anyway.

It certainly wouldn't hurt. Just try not to ruin our yard with them. [Or else you will feel his wrath in the form of months of garden assisting.]

It wouldn't be my fault. It would definitely be the dog's. [Who he was reminded of thanks to the keychain. Speaking of which...] I haven't seen him in a while, you know. Perhaps he's due for a visit. I take no responsibility for what he does!

He's a small dog. I would not be surprised if he doesn't spend a lot of time trekking through the snow, which may explain a few things.

Oh? [He tilts his head. He hadn't gone out very much lately, so if anything had happened, he didn't notice it.] Like what?

The fact that I do not see signs of a dog bounding through our lawn during or after snowfall. [Were you expecting some complex observation, Caesar?]

Oh. I thought you might have seen him recently anyway. I have to wonder if a little snow would keep even him inside.