∞ 92: Warming weather [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He didn't send out an announcement of any kind when they returned home. Others had already announced their dead and offered any words of encouragement or frustration.

Instead, Albert spent the days following the draft ... working on his flower beds. March had brought with it a warm spell, meaning that his seeds would be germinating and eventually sprouting. This is also the time for pulling down the dried vines from his trellises.

It's a lot of work (and a lot of garden), so he'll be out and around the house until late in the day. It's as dusk approaches that he can be found sitting on the porch, watching three tiny owls perched on the porch fencing.]

...Welcome back.

Comments

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[While Albert's busy watching the owls on the fence, his little brother approaches from the direction of the stable. Unsurprisingly, his dog is following him, too. Caesar walks up a step or two and leans against the railing, and Kogoro just parks himself in the grass, wagging his tail.]

Taking a break?

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert glances over when he sees his brother approach, but doesn't actually keep his attention on him until he speaks.]

It's late. I'm done for the day.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

...huh. [He tilts his head.] I guess it is. [It was so warm today that he'd slept in late. It was nice, but his sense of time was thrown off. Naturally.] The yard already looks better.

[chikaidestroyer]

It looks bare. [He snorts, shaking his head.] But give it a few weeks. [...And then he looks at Kogoro.] You will have to keep him from digging up the flower beds.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

I do not believe it will be a problem. [...or at least, he really hopes it won't.] I, uh... will make sure of that.

[silversnowfall]

[Gardening, particularly flower gardening, fascinates her in several ways. She catches sight of someone doing it as she walks by, and so now, she's watching Albert play in the dirt.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Yes, playing in the dirt is probably the best way to put it right now, with the lack of actual flowers around. Albert dusts at his gloves as he finishes with one bed, standing to move to another. It's while he's standing up that he notices he has an audience.]

Nephry?

[silversnowfall]

Good afternoon, Albert.

[chikaidestroyer]

Good afternoon. [He turns to face her better, nodding in greeting.] Taking a walk?

[silversnowfall]

Yes. It makes it easier to think, sometimes.

[wise_maiden]

[While Albert's spent most of his time focusing on the outdoors, it left Raine with an opportunity to claim the kitchen area.

After all there were still a few belated things to tend to. Such as preparing dinner and dessert. She even had a new recipe to try, and was determined to focus properly on it.

Which was why she brought extra to spare, just in case. No fires, no large messes. Simple, simple, simple. She won't poke her head outside until everything is tidy and ready to go. It's a good thing she started early.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Raine will have the majority of the afternoon to work, since Albert won't go anywhere near the kitchen after pulling some tools from the foyer closet.

And since he's on the opposite side of the house, he can't smell anything even if Raine does manage to burn something.

He'll be outside until the sun has finished setting, since he just happens to be outside already.]

[wise_maiden]

[It's Raine. Cooking. Of course a few attempts were involved for various reasons.

In any case, the main meal is hidden under a silver tray cover, and the frosted cake is cooling.

She takes off her apron and folds it over her arm, before opening the door to get his attention.]

Hm. What a nice evening.

[chikaidestroyer]

[As the door opens, there might be a flutter of wings as an owl flies right by the opened door to another part of the porch. Albert looks over his shoulder at Raine, nodding.]

A nice change from the dreary cold.

[wise_maiden]

It's certainly refreshing. [And she notices that he's not exactly alone.] Looks like you have some company.

[falenandawn]

[And Frey is taking a long, long walk to enjoy the warm weather. He'll pause when he spots Albert once again at work in his garden.] Hello.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert turns away from his garden, a dried out vine in one hand as he acknowledges Frey.] Ah. Good afternoon, Prince.

[falenandawn]

Good afternoon, Albert. [he'll walk over, peering curiously at the garden.]

Are you preparing for spring?

[chikaidestroyer]

Yes, I am. This would be the best time to allow these vines to drop their pods and germinate. [He motions slightly with the vine in hand.]

[falenandawn]

I see. I hope they grow well, then. [Honestly, he's... not too sure of anything regarding gardening, but he understands that Albert basically said he'd try to let them grow again… right?]

[herotypical]

[ if he had heard the announcement then he might be able to expect that his 'general' would come seeking him -- working his house into her nightly patrol which she stuck to with undue dedication.

she stops in front of his porch -- wordless. ]

[chikaidestroyer]

[The twittering from the owls can be heard from the porch, followed a moment later by the sound of Albert shifting in his chair. Maybe one of the birds had noticed someone standing in the semidarkness.

Another moment later, Albert stands, carefully heading over to the porch step.]

[herotypical]

...Hi.

[ her tone is flat and she seems to be saying it more because a greeting is probably expected. ]

[chikaidestroyer]

Hello, Buffy.

[There's silence as he stands there, at the top of the porch and looking down at her. His steps down to her level are slow, the wood creaking slightly under his shoes.

He stands in front of her quietly. He could say something, but it would frankly sound out of place. But before the silence can stretch on...]

My condolences.

[herotypical]

What are condolences -- actually -- anyway?

[ the question is accompanied by a tight, appreciative smile. the sad kind of smile that suggests things aren't really okay at all but smiling is what one must do in times like these.

and the question itself is just a poor attempt at side-stepping the real issue at hand. ] I mean...they're not a thing. And does anyone ever use them other than to say my condolences. I mean -- it's not like you'd ever say "hey can I have some of those condolences over there"?