∞ 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

[wise_maiden]

Honestly, I think the only time I've managed on time before was when the experiment itself was purposefully late. [She just shakes her head.]

[chikaidestroyer]

I do not mind the delays. Celebrating birthdays is hardly a necessity, so I appreciate any effort made.

[wise_maiden]

Was there ever a time when you looked forward to them?

[chikaidestroyer]

[He pauses thoughtfully, thinking back on what had been done for him in the past.] ...No, not really.

[wise_maiden]

... I see. [She nods in understanding, taking a small bite of the pasta.] I always tried to do something for Genis. We never had very much, so I just wanted him to have something.

[chikaidestroyer]

How thoughtful. He was quite fortunate you felt that way.

[wise_maiden]

Considering it was just the two of us, it just made sense to me at the time. It got easier on him once he was able to make friends, at least.

[chikaidestroyer]

Considering it was just the two of you, I can imagine it would be very easy to skip birthdays altogether. [He sips his water.] Such as your own.

[wise_maiden]

He never questioned my lack of one until after we had settled in Iselia. [Thus confirming his point. But it was probably in bad taste to beign talking about her own experiences in absence of his own.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Perhaps in bad taste, but he's the one pursuing the subject.] What triggered his sudden interest? Having acquaintances in the village who also had birthdays?

[wise_maiden]

I believe he was asked, and then came to the realization that he didn't have an answer. So then he came to me.

[chikaidestroyer]

I see. How old was he at the time?

[wise_maiden]

Hm... I was turning nineteen, so he was around eight years old.

[chikaidestroyer]

Did you answer him truthfully, at that age? [He silently muses over the pros and cons of both telling the truth and withholding it.]

[wise_maiden]

I answered him as best as I could--he knew very well the situation we had been in after all. He didn't take it well, at first, but I think he understood.

I thought things would just remain as they were after that, but they decided to surprise me instead.

[chikaidestroyer]

"They"? His friends got involved?

[wise_maiden]

He had... very enthusiastic friends. I wouldn't be surprised if they put him up to it, at least for that once.

[chikaidestroyer]

How exciting. At least for one side of the affair. [He shakes his head, making progress towards finishing his meal.]

[wise_maiden]

... Indeed. [She sips at her water.]

Afterward it turned to more... quiet exchanges. I suppose he had made his point.

[chikaidestroyer]

I wasn't aware it had escalated into a "point." It is your decision if you do not wish to celebrate your birthday.

[wise_maiden]

Even if I thought celebrating it was a bit needless, it was something he wanted to do for me. Especially since he hadn't had the chance to do so before. What use would there have been in denying him that?

[chikaidestroyer]

If it was something you did not need or want, you should not encourage him. Perhaps you had reasons not to celebrate other than your own selflessness, or you sincerely did not want him to make that effort. A party, or even a gift, should be appreciated on both sides; insincerity tarnishes the entire situation.

[wise_maiden]

Accepting the kindness of others can be as important as giving it. Even if the act of accepting is where the difficulty is. [Although she's not entirely sure if they're talking about the same situation anymore.]

[chikaidestroyer]

Only if you truly want it. Perhaps I have a very different mindset, to think that accepting a gift from someone you care about, as an act of simple courtesy, is a disservice to the one who made the effort. [This may be why he doesn't give or receive many gifts.]

[wise_maiden]

Is that the impression that you were given by my words?