∞ 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]

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?

[chikaidestroyer]

[He leans forward briefly.] Hypotheticals, Raine. I don't know the reasons you decided not to tell Genis about your birthday.

[wise_maiden]

No, you don't. But instead of asking, you decided to branch into hypotheticals instead. Why?

[chikaidestroyer]

Because I find it far more interesting to compare thought processes than ask about your past when it is clear you do not discuss it for a reason. [And he leans back, returning to his food.] I have not asked many personal questions of you.

[wise_maiden]

You have not. [She picks up her roll of bread.] Most people don't. Yet you know more about me than others might.

[chikaidestroyer]

Because we live in close proximity and I can see your habits more than others. Despite living in one house, we are still strangers in many ways. [He says this nonchalantly, setting down his knife as he finishes with all the steak.]

[wise_maiden]

Strangers. You use that word often, in reference to this arrangement.

[chikaidestroyer]

Do I? [He raises a brow.] I don't recall.

[wise_maiden]

Not that we speak of it often, but I suppose it stuck to my mind. Mostly because I can't honestly ever remember you using the word friend in that context.

[chikaidestroyer]

I do not make use of the term.

[wise_maiden]

Oh...? Then what terms do you make use of?

[chikaidestroyer]

Acquaintances. I do not believe I have referred to you as a "stranger," Raine.

[wise_maiden]

Acquaintances. [She's quiet for a moment.]

If you don't make use of the term, is it because you've ... never had reason to, before? Or never a desire to?

[chikaidestroyer]

Friendship is an obligation, of sorts. An indirect promise that you will help, support, and aid another. It's a rather intimate term, in that sense.

By the very nature of my role, friendship is not a wise road to follow. Today's ally may be tomorrow's enemy.

[wise_maiden]

Similar to family, in that sense. [But then she considers the little she does know about his family. Bred to fight wars, even against one another.]

Can you say that's true of our situation here?

[chikaidestroyer]

What do you mean? That those we consider allies may someday be enemies?

[wise_maiden]

At home your role is your profession. Here it's a little different, isn't it?