chikaidestroyer | ∞ 97: Peace and routine [action]

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∞ 97: Peace and routine [action]

[Things have been fairly quiet in the village with the draftees away on their escort mission. House 42 is especially quiet, with its lone remaining resident spending each day feeding his housemates' pets and then taking care of the horses in the nearby stable. It keeps him busy enough.

He gets around to opening Sheena's tea house around noon today -- later than the last two days he has gone in. He never spends a whole afternoon in the shop; perhaps a few hours a day, just in case anyone is curious enough to look inside. Kogoro stays with him in the tea house, usually content with chewing on a milkbone toy he found in the item shop. Albert himself taps away at his laptop at one of the tables with a cup of jasmine tea nearby.

If anyone looks for him on this somewhat cold day, he can be found at the stables in the late morning or the tea shop for the early afternoon. He is also available by journal.]

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Quiet is all right. It'll be nice to be back in that perfectly boring house. I could sleep in for a week!

Was the journey that strenuous for the noncombatant head strategist? [He wryly thinks about the last draft that had taken place in the jungle.

...And there's Kogoro with the bone. He sighs as he lightly tosses the bone for the dog to chase.]

No. But it's a good reason to stay in bed, isn't it?

You never need a good reason to stay in bed.

Of course not. But it certainly helps, doesn't it? [He sounds so pleased with the idea, though he isn't completely serious.] Don't worry. I'll still wake up early enough to help in the stables.

[Maybe he'd just, you know, take a nap afterward or something.]

You have all my gratitude. [Don't worry, he isn't serious in the slightest. In fact, he sounds unimpressed.]

Ah, I knew that you would appreciate that. Aren't I thoughtful? [And full of himself. But whatever.] I suppose it's the least I can do since you're looking after Kogoro for me.

[There's a yip from somewhere in the dining room as Kogoro tosses his milkbone around and entertains himself. Albert takes a sip of his tea.]

I'm sure the dog would be perfectly fine if you let it loose for several days. [The only issue would be finding him again.]

You're probably right. He was just fine on his own after Hugo left, and that's before anyone was training him.

[There's a thump as Kogoro tosses his milkbone into the side of the kitchen island, somewhat audible over the journal. This is followed by a louder thump as the dog charges over to get his bone, running into the kitchen island in the process.]

He certainly has the energy to take care of himself.

[...well, he definitely heard those thumps, and ouch. Poor dog. Still, he smirks a little.]

I can't say I'd complain. It makes things easier for me. He's pretty good at keeping himself entertained!

Exactly why I do not need to keep an eye on him. He also knows I will not tolerate his mischief as much as you do. [Even as he says this, Albert leans over to look at Kogoro wander out from behind the kitchen island, bone in mouth. The dog wags his tail triumphantly.]

Mischief? What mischief? I don't know what you're talking about. [Yeah, right. Caesar knows he has a bad habit of letting the dog do whatever he wants. Oops.] He really seems to like you! So I guess he doesn't mind.

Do not get me wrong; he is quite lonely without you. [He picks up the journal, crouching down to show Caesar's picture to Kogoro. The dog tilts his head at the book, still wagging his tail with the bone in his mouth.]

Lonely? He seems perfectly content to me.

[Still, he holds up a hand to wave at the little dog.]

[As Albert watches, Kogoro drops the bone he was holding and goes up to the journal, panting happily at Caesar's picture. He snuffles curiously, like he had before.]

He's quite smart. He recognizes his owner.

Even through the journal! I'm almost impressed. Give him a good pat on the head for me, okay?

[Albert's unimpressed expression is not visible to the journal, but he does reach over and pat Kogoro on the head. Kogoro looks very pleased.]

Anything else for your dog, Caesar?

No, but thanks for offering. I'm sure you two will be just fine without me for another day.

Very good. I will dismiss your dog. [The journal tilts slightly as Albert picks up the bone, offering it to Kogoro. Kogoro promptly accepts the treat and scampers off with it. That done, Albert heads back to sip his tea.]

He doesn't seem the least bit tired yet. But I bet he'll tire himself out soon.

Undoubtedly. He will toss that toy of his around and just roll around the carpet until he's ready to sleep.

That sure sounds relaxing, don't you think? When I come back, I think I'll roll around in my bed instead.

I somehow imagined even that would be too much work for you.

Hmm. You're probably right. I just want to fall asleep in a warm bed again.

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