∞ 100: Silent night [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Backdated to the late evening of December 24.

He is not surprised to find it snowing when he returns to Luceti and climbs out of the tunnels. The snow had proven to be irritating while he was outside of the barrier, and he is looking forward to getting inside before heavier snow begins falling.

He walks with a slight limp and stops once in awhile on the snow-covered streets, looking at the pale lights decorating various houses as he catches his breath. In the artificial light, the dark bruise across his left cheekbone may be visible.

Despite his frequent pauses in the snow, he walks with purpose. He'd like to sleep in his own bed tonight.]

Comments

[corrinesbell]

[Best decision, Albert.]

Good. If you get sick too, Caesar'll run away or something. And then who'd take care of your animal collection?

[chikaidestroyer]

[He takes the towel gratefully and hands over the sweater, now standing in the foyer in nothing but his pants. An obvious shiver passes through his body as he starts scrubbing at his cold arms. He frowns as he steps away from the damp carpet, silently walking towards the living room and away from the draft from the front door.]

[chikaidestroyer]

I don't believe I will be getting out of bed far enough to see her today, so I hope you will take care of her for one more day. [Can he have one day of laziness? That would be nice.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He manages another faint smirk, but he takes note of Sheena's words.]

Too? Did something happen?

[corrinesbell]

I think Raine was getting a cold a couple days ago, that's all.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

All right, all right. [He waves a hand dismissively.] I guess I can handle another day or two. Would you like breakfast in bed as well? I fear it won't be ready until after noon, though.

[falenandawn]

[Frey had been oddly restless, lately. Between the draft, the winter holiday and Silver's birthday, not to mention their young guest and the awkwardness that came with it....

Well, maybe he wanted a bit of a quiet walk to take the edge off, which is what he decided to do this evening. It was a lovely night with all the lights and snow, so he saw no reason not to. He pauses, though, when he spots Albert, and waves.] Good evening.

[chikaidestroyer]

[As the man above him talks, Albert looks back the way he had walked. So, in addition to going the wrong way, he would have to backtrack. Wonderful. He raises his head again as he speaks.]

That should be easy enough. I suppose this is one way to remind me I should get something to eat.

Thank you for your help.

[chikaidestroyer]

I see. I suppose it's not surprising, with this weather. [He's faintly surprised he didn't get sick so far this winter, but he had spent more of his years in colder regions back home.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert was ready to walk past the other person on the street without incident, not even giving him a second glance until a hand is lifted in greeting. He blinks slowly, tiredly, as he realizes who he had almost passed by.]

Ah, Prince. Good evening.

[chikaidestroyer]

You don't look particularly ready to get up and do anything yourself. [It's not quite as condescending a jab as he would usually make.]

[falenandawn]

[He approaches the other, frowning slightly as he notices the bruise.] You are injured?

What happened?

[chikaidestroyer]

[He waves an ungloved hand dismissively before slipping it back into his coat.]

A minor injury from the mission I was on. I just returned.

[falenandawn]

I see.. I hope things went well for you? I've heard some of them can be quite strange. [Like retrieving bodies...]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine tries not to study him too much as he passes by her, all lean and pale and cold, even those hands visible, but it's hard not to.

Hm... she'll watch to see if he needs any help walking, but if not, she'll go back to gathering the wet and dripping things, and put another towel on the floor once Albert's vacated the spot near the door completely, trying to block out some of the cold air and lying the shoes on their side to dry. Then she can take the rest of the clothes back to the other side of the house. A lot of going back and forth, but it is what it is.

The blanket, shirt, slippers and extra towels are already waiting for him on the sofa, and there's the semblance of some lingering warmth from an earlier fire, despite the breeze that had blown through when the door had opened.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Of course, that just makes Caesar smirk even more.]

That's why it won't be ready until after lunch. If you're in no hurry to get up, why should I?

[chikaidestroyer]

It was a physical labor task -- cargo loading. They did not exactly warn that the Third Party may attack, though I was not surprised by it happening. [He was more surprised that he had been expected to fight.]

[falenandawn]

So that's why.... do you need healing? [He might not have the dawn rune anymore and he had yet to find the time to speak to Nala again, but he still had his cyclone rune.]

I wish I could say it surprised me, but it does not. There is likely a lot of unrest given the Malnosso stirred up some trouble near an underground city and brought us in to fight only a few days ago- The civilians there escaped though, from what I could see. [Unless the third party could clear out more then just bodies...]

[chikaidestroyer]

Alas, my poor horse. [He sighs, and then doesn't say anything for a little while.

Then he attempts to get up, only to fall back onto his pillow. He mutters, reaching over to his bedside table to look at his pocketwatch.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

I'll go see her when I wake up, okay? [Surely she would be okay if he was just a little late... right?] Hey, what's the hurry?

[chikaidestroyer]

I'm just checking the time. [He frowns at the watch face, setting it back on his bedside table. It's as he's sliding the watch back that he notices a few things on the small table that seemed out of place to him.]

What-- [He reaches over, his fingers pinching down on a small note on top of a gray T-shirt and a pencil holder.] --is this?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Huh? [He looks over at that, tilting his head. If it weren't for the note he picks up, he wouldn't have thought anything strange of the items sitting on the table. He probably wouldn't leave something like that on top of his own things.] It wasn't me.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Since it's only Caesar in the room, Albert has no problem reading the note aloud. His voice is, of course, as deadpan as one could imagine.]

Merry Christmas, Albert. We at the Malnosso appreciate your continued efforts on making this a better world for everyone. Enjoy the holiday and have some damn eggnog, because you damn well deserve it.

...It's from CJ.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[He frowns. He should've expected that. They were always leaving them gifts, weren't they?]

How generous. [He reaches over and picks up the pencil holder.] ...or not.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert drapes the towel over his shoulders once he's somewhat warmer in the living room, and he drapes a towel over a section of the couch before turning to empty his pants pockets. There is a small pen he had been using for writing, a bottle of lotion that was almost empty, and a thick book wrapped carefully in a plastic bag. He sets them all on the coffee table for now.

Right now, most of his actions are on auto-pilot. He picks up the shirt and slips it on, his wings easily sliding through the slits in back. Then he sits wearily on the couch, not yet reaching for the blanket; he'll rub the towel at his tangled hair in a rather futile effort.]