chikaidestroyer | ∞ 94: The basics [written/action]

[written]

Welcome to all the New Feathers of this cycle. I am sure that residents, especially the volunteers working in the Welcome Center, have been helpful as you adjust to your surroundings.

Some may have noticed that there are stations some distance away from the village -- watch stations where New Feathers may find clothing or shelter. Residents may also use them as stopping points as they explore the surrounding forests and plains. They are maintained by a group of volunteers, which has been without a head organizer for a few months now. If anyone is interested in taking on this responsibility, please speak with me, Albert Silverberg.

Recent additions to the enclosure are the expansive farmlands to the northeast of the village. There are numbers of farm animals and growing crops up there that are in need of caretaking. While the village has the grocery store for easy access to food, I am sure some would relish opportunity to work with crops and animals.

If there are any questions about these subjects, they may be asked here. Thank you.

[action]

[Around noon, Albert may be found in the clothing store, looking for clothing for warmer weather. Maybe he'll attempt to tan this year. It's been awhile.

Later in the day, he will be in the stables tending to his horse. He will be out there for several hours before retiring for the evening to the house, reading a "Computers for Seniors for Dummies" book. Very funny, Bil.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If it was so important, I would have expected a little more ... enthusiasm involved.

Are you kidding? If I wasn't enthusiastic, I wouldn't be doing this at all. [And he means it. Though it was true he didn't appear as enthusiastic as he actually was. He doesn't want to seem too excited if his brother really is unimpressed.] If I'd told what this was about, you might not even want to see.

With all of this suspense killing me, I'm not sure I will last until the great reveal. [Hurry up, Caesar.]

You'll just have to try.

[Jerk. Caesar stops in front of his room, putting his hand on the doorknob, and then turning back to face his brother.]

Close your eyes.

[After giving Caesar a pointed stare, Albert shuts his eyes. He speaks sarcastically.] Should I cover my face, too?

What? [He shakes his head, even if Albert can't see it.] Don't be ridiculous. That's just silly.

[But now that his eyes are shut, he opens the door, reaching for his brother's hand so he can drag him across the room.]

[He had been silently wondering how Caesar would lead him into the room, so his hand tenses slightly as he is grabbed. But he allows Caesar to lead the way, brows knitting together as he frowns. He waits to be told when to open his eyes.]

[When they reach the other side of the room, he stops. He knows his brother won't be able to feel it through his gloves, but he lifts Albert's hand to hold the lone blooming flower.]

All right, you can open them.

[There might only be one flower in bloom at the moment, but there are a few other buds that look like they could open up soon. Caesar sounds quite pleased when he speaks again.]

It looks really good, doesn't it?

[Albert raises a brow when he feels Caesar guiding his hand towards something, and he's tempted to draw his hand away before Caesar tells him to open his eyes.

...Well. That action was certainly well planned, at least.]

Very good. [He agrees.]

To be honest, I really didn't think it'd last this long... [Not that he'd ever thought of giving up on it. It just took forever.] But I'm glad it did. You didn't even have to replace it!

Indeed. [Now that his eyes are open and adjusted, he inspects the plant a moment longer.] And you do plan to keep tending to it, correct?

[He watches him inspect the plant, but he doesn't mind it. He wants him to look at it.]

Of course I do. Why wouldn't I? I spent a lot of time looking after it, you know. That flower is here because of me.

Because you could have accomplished this as a lesson learned or simply to prove you could do it. Either of which you are perfectly capable of.

[He considers this quietly for a moment. If he knew he was perfectly capable of that, was that not the point? Hmm...]

So the point is to see if I can keep taking care of it even though I've already learned my lesson. Right?

Discipline, Caesar. I don't need to tell you that you lack it.

I-I know that. [If the plant had flowered, it meant that he'd learned some discipline, though, didn't it?] Like I said, I'm not going to quit just because there's one little flower. I've worked too hard to give up now.

...Good. [After he's done inspecting the plant, he turns to leave.] Perhaps in the future you will show some initiative as well. [Initiative not directly related to strategy.]

Initiative with what? [Because he knows he isn't talking about strategy.] That could mean anything.

[And he knows that he doesn't mean anything, either.]

Something to think about. How long are you going to look to me for answers?

[He frowns a little. This again... He knew he'd say that.]

It'd just be nice to know what you're expecting once in a while.

I thought my expectations were clearer than normal.

Nothing about you is ever clear, brother. [He shakes his head, looking back down at the plant. Albert had a bad habit of being vague like this, and normally, it'd be frustrating, but not now. He's too proud of himself to be frustrated.] I guess I won't know until I try.

...That saying again. [He shakes his head, not looking back at Caesar.] I suppose if it inspires you, it can't be a bad thing.

Good. I'm glad we agree. [Well, maybe 'inspiring' wasn't the right word. 'Encouraging'.] Thanks, Albert.