∞ 95: A quaint birthday [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[An early birthday dinner. That was what Albert had proposed, knowing it was likely Caesar would want to nap as soon as he was full. And so, with Caesar's Luceti birthday having arrived, there were light preparations for a quiet celebration. After all, Silverbergs were intensely private as it was, so there would be no invited guests unless Caesar himself decided to invite them.]

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[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[But guests weren't something Caesar wanted. In fact, a celebration wasn't even something he wanted. He had expected it, however, and he had known better than to argue against it. (He could just imagine what Apple would say if he had tried to argue against it.) It wasn't like he didn't appreciate the effort, of course. He just didn't like celebrating.

Still, Caesar would be there, taking a seat for dinner just as he always did, to help show that he did indeed appreciate it. Maybe if he thought of this as a regular dinner, it would be fine.

...a regular dinner being held in his honor.]

[wise_maiden]

[It was nice to have an occasion to make preparations for, especially after those first few days spent recovering from the draft. It was also like a thank you, in some ways, for Caesar taking care of those chores during that time. At least Raine didn't have too much of a hand in the dinner itself; mostly just setting the table and then standing to pour the usual-favored drinks.

Maybe the dinner plates that were set out were the ones usually reserved for special occasions, but that would be the point of having them.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert can't help but be a bit amused to see the special occasion plates being set out for this dinner; they so very rarely used them that the current plates had probably been used only twice after the earthquake last year.

He helps Raine move the prepared food to the kitchen table. It's rather ... eclectic for them, but Albert had planned for foods he knew that Caesar would like. Stewed beef and mashed potatoes, a cold chicken salad, and a simple margherita pizza that was hardly perfect ... but the effort was there.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar knew that his brother had been especially busy today when it came to preparing the food, and yet he still can't help being surprised when he sees all of it being moved to the table.]

Isn't this a lot of food...?

[wise_maiden]

Hm? I'm sure that anything that we don't finish could easily be tomorrow's lunch.

[But she doubted that Albert went over the usual serving sizes in this case. It likely seemed like more because of the variety present. And those nice dishes for presentation.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[The pizza was smaller than a normal-sized one, but there was no doubt that there would be leftovers for tomorrow.]

Consider it two meals, Caesar.

[He cuts the pizza, finally sitting down once that was accomplished.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Two meals for today? Or for today and tomorrow? [He sounds vaguely amused as he continues.] I'll bet you did this on purpose.

[So he wouldn't have to cook tomorrow.]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine takes a seat herself once the drinks are all poured, shaking her head a little at the banter.] Why don't you take your portions, Caesar.

[chikaidestroyer]

Of course it was on purpose. I would rather not cook this much again tomorrow if I can help it.

[Albert makes a gesture in agreement with Raine.]

The celebrant first. And then the ladies.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Or the next day. [Okay, that one's definitely an exaggeration. At the suggestion, he looks at the various foods spread out on the table. He might be a little more eager to eat than usual, but he'll do his best not to show it. He reaches for the salad first.] I hate to say this, but the food doesn't smell half bad.

[By which he actually means that it smells delicious, of course.]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine raises an eyebrow slightly at his wording--but it's Caesar, so she supposes he's not really being serious about it--and waits for him to finish his selections so she can begin her own.] I have to admit, I am curious about trying the pizza.

[chikaidestroyer]

Admittedly, I was inspired by the restaurant here... But I was not looking to be creative with the toppings. [So along with the mozzarella, there were baked basil leaves and tomato slices.] It was simpler than I thought it would be, other than the actual flattening of the dough. [Because he sure didn't want to risk dropping the dough if he actually tossed it like was done in the pizzeria.

So chatty about his own work. He moves to get a little of everything once Raine has finished.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[All this talk about the pizza makes Caesar consider it thoughtfully as he takes a slice or two for himself, but it's the beef and potatoes, which goes on his plate last, that he's looking forward to the most.]

It's pizza. It tastes good no matter what you put on it. [He picks up a fork and looks at his plate for a moment.] ...I fear that I may eat too much tonight!

[It really does smell so good.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Much like Albert had predicted, Caesar retires to his room soon after dinner. He doesn't go to sleep right away, but that isn't important since he certainly intends to sleep sometime. It doesn't take long for him to get bored, though, especially after having eaten as much as he did, so it also isn't long before Caesar finally shuts off the lights and lies down in his bed. For the most part, he feels content as he shuts his eyes and covers himself with his blankets.

...but it still feels like something's missing.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[The early dinner had been a part of his plan, of course. Carefully constructed and prepared ahead of time, down to the trips to the stores to find a transportable icebox (that is, a cooler) and ... a cheesecake.

He had kept the cooler in his room. Because Caesar would undoubtedly look in the refrigerator at some point.

Albert naps for a good hour or two before finally making his move, retrieving what he needed and heading out of his room and down the hall. He doesn't knock on the door, instead walking right in and towards Caesar's bed and nightstand.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar still sleeps soundly even after his brother enters his room. He hadn't been expecting any visitors, of course, so when he closed his eyes tonight, it was not with the intention of napping but actually sleeping that he did so. It'll probably take more than the quiet sounds of someone stirring in his room to wake him up tonight.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert walks over to Caesar's nightstand, setting down the items he had brought along while looking down at his brother in the dark. He muses over how to do this -- he had considered shaking his shoulder, clearing his throat...

And then his attention snaps towards the ajar door when it is noisily pushed open, admitting a curious Kogoro. Even as he raises a brow at the small dog, Albert is witness to Kogoro padding right on over and wagging his tail happily. So much for respecting boundaries.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Fortunately for Caesar, he is pretty used to these sounds by now. After allowing Kogoro to stay in his room during a certain experiment and letting him wander around the house during the draft, it would be difficult for him not to be. Because of that, he doesn't think twice about the noise before burying his face deeper into his pillow.

Something feels a little off, though, doesn't it...? Hmm.

...nah. Despite the dog's intrusion, his eyes stay shut.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Giving Caesar's sleeping form a sidelong glance, Albert crouches just enough to pat Kogoro on the head. Kogoro snuffles at Albert's exposed hands, but is clearly not trying to keep him from intruding upon Caesar's space. Guard dog he definitely is not.

...Hm. Albert turns to look at Caesar, and then at Kogoro.

And then he picks up the dog and places him on Caesar's bed with little fanfare.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Of course, Caesar doesn't notice this right away. He's just about ready to drift back off to sleep, ready to return to his dream world when... there are suddenly a bunch of little legs poking and prodding at him as the dog tries to climb over him and find level ground. This catches Caesar's attention, because there is no good reason for that dog to be on his bed.

Drowsily, he opens up his tired eyes to look at the dog trying to make his way over to him.]

What do you want...?

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert watches silently as Kogoro continues his "mischief," amused by how slow Caesar is to react. Kogoro eventually manages to find his way back to the lip of the bed, hopping down to the ground and shaking himself off. Albert snorts, keeping his voice low as he finally speaks.]

Still not awake?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar watches the dog as he makes his escape, but it isn't until he hears his brother's voice that he's actually surprised, and makes a quick attempt to sit up.]

I-I'm awake. [A blatant lie. He tries not to sound so sleepy, but he fails.] Is, um... something wrong?

[chikaidestroyer]

Wrong? [He keeps his voice light, though there's definitely a tinge of sarcasm.] Perhaps a little. [He reaches over in the dark, finding the fork he had put down and clinking it against the plate the cheesecake is resting on.]

Perhaps. Do you recall something of a birthday tradition?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[He rubs at his eyes, waiting for his brother to elaborate. The first logical conclusion is that something's wrong, of course, because it was unusual for Albert to come and visit Caesar like this. ...it was usually the other way around.

But when he hears that sound, he blinks, and turns to look for the source of it. Is that what he thinks it is?

...he has to try hard not to get too excited and smile.]

Of course I do. Did you think I'd forget?

[He thought you did.]

[chikaidestroyer]

I suppose not. You were the one with the original tradition. [As he says that, he clicks on Caesar's bedside lamp so there's a little more light in the room. This allows for a good look at the slice of cheesecake that Albert had brought, complete with utensils.]

I thought now would be a better time for it.