∞ 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]

...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.

[chikaidestroyer]

Good. I will be keeping an eye on my garden to make sure, so I will let you know if I see something. [Sorry Caesar, but that's the way it goes when you're a pet owner.

Albert reaches out for one of the owls, who hops on his hand. He's fairly startled when the other two hop onto his hand--and wrist--as well.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Great. Thanks, Albert. I appreciate it. [So much sarcasm. ...if Kogoro messes with Albert's garden and he has to do something about it, he was going to kick the damn dog.

He watches as Albert reaches out to the owls, and, well... he can't help a quick laugh as all three of the birds make themselves comfortable on his hand. The look on his brother's face says that's not what he was expecting to happen.] Heh! Look at that.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert is holding fairly still, scrutinizing the three similar-sized birds as they attempt to line up on his arm. It's like some sad little circus act.] Don't laugh. [It's a weak protest from Albert, and he frowns at Caesar as he tries to figure out what to do. Shake his arm so the birds let go?]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Who's laughing? [Caesar's laughing. But he's trying not to. That should count for something. He watches Albert's little struggle in amusement.] There's nothing funny about a bunch of owls perching on you, Albert.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert gives the owls a disgruntled look, finally resting his arm on the chair's armrest. So he continues talking with his face turned away from Caesar.] I could suggest they go over and nest in your hair.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Y-you better not. [He runs a hand through his messy hair. He likes it being empty, thanks.] Besides, they seem to enjoy your arm just fine. These guys really are attracted to you!

[chikaidestroyer]

They are not. [That may be a little too emphatic there.] They simply follow their father's lead. [Albert knows this from experience, unfortunately.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Sure they're not. [It didn't explain all his other owl... problems. He blinks at that statement.] Are they Rune's...?

[...at least one of them had to be Rune, right? Even though Rune was often around, especially during the winter, they all looked the same to Caesar.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[There's a pause as Albert recalls that Caesar doesn't actually know much about the little owls. Rune yawns and tucks his face under his wing, much to Albert's annoyance.] They are. They made their way back over the mountain with the cold weather receding.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Huh. I see. [Caesar smirks a little bit.] Guess their father is setting a good example for them.

[...he refers, of course, to them perching on his brother's hand. This was too fun to watch.]

[chikaidestroyer]

Their father is stubborn and very entitled for a bird. [He says this as if the owls particularly understand or care about what he's saying.

...Let's change the subject.]

What are you still doing out here anyway, Caesar?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar has to stifle his laughter this time. His brother's tone just makes it so hard for him to stay serious about it.

He waves dismissively at his question.]

It's nice outside, so I went for a walk with Kogoro. [Well, technically, he did that earlier, but you know. Details.] It's about time it started getting warmer out!

[chikaidestroyer]

[Too bad Albert can't really see any of this, as his chair and the birds force him to look off in another direction. It's totally not on purpose, Caesar.] Indeed. You may be able to take your naps outside soon enough.

[He doesn't sound particularly impressed.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Maybe I will. [Caesar, on the other hand, sounds pleased with the suggestion. He's definitely looking forward to it.] Maybe while you work on your garden? That sounds like a good idea.

[chikaidestroyer]

...You sound far too happy with that idea for me to agree to it. [Yes, he is acknowledging his own ability to be jerk.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[...

...why does this not surprise him?

Oh. Right. Because it's Albert.]

That is quite all right, brother. You don't have to agree to it. I'll do it anyway.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Unfortunately, they both know that Caesar will have ample time to do just that, especially if the weather keeps up. Albert turns his attention to regard the owls on his arm; the siblings are picking at each other's feathers while Rune "naps." ...He's collecting tufts of feather dust on his sleeve. Sigh.]

What is your dog doing right now? [Since he can't seem to see Kogoro from his angle.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar is just enjoying the show. On the other hand, hearing him say 'your dog' was something he'd never get used to. It was weird to say he had a pet, a dog. His dog.]

Sitting. In the grass, wagging his tail. [He shrugs his shoulders a bit.] For now. I hope he's tired, I'm not going for another walk.

[chikaidestroyer]

I'm surprised you are taking this responsibility somewhat seriously. [And maybe just a little impressed. Kogoro is a weird dog and he's seen how Caesar is around the dog when he has no sense of responsibility towards it.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Why wouldn't I? I was the one who asked if I could keep him. He's relying on me!

[And he was sure that his brother didn't think he could do it. He wanted to prove that he could, to his brother and himself.]

...I'm surprised, too.

[chikaidestroyer]

Oh good. Something we agree on -- your responsibility towards that dog is a surprise. [He pointedly looks away from the birds as he hears them twitter, glancing in Caesar's direction. But he doesn't say anything else, as he's still distracted by those darn owls.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Yeah. [He rolls his eyes.] I'm also surprised you have that kind of patience to deal with a bunch of noisy little birds. [Even if they weren't that noisy. He walks up the rest of the stairs now and leans against the railing again. He's still watching the owls, but he notices that his brother seems distracted by them.]