∞ 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

[chikaidestroyer]

[He happens to see the tea shop's lights on as he walks past, and he stops to look at them somewhat blankly. The village was rather quiet and still at this time of night, so seeing those lights on was ... somewhat surprising.

After a moment's deliberation, he heads for the tea shop, carefully climbing the steps up and fumbling with the partially frozen doorknob.]

[corrinesbell]

[Someone's at the door! Whoever it is will hear a faint 'hang on, I'm coming!' and not a second later, a ninja pulling open the door.]

Oh. Albert. [Her head tilts slightly to the left.] You look awful. Get in here, Raine'll kill me if you freeze somewhere that I'm responsible.

[chikaidestroyer]

...Happy holidays to you, too. [Albert shakes his head at Sheena's greeting, a dry frown on his face. But he does move inside the shop, his coat and hair covered in snowflakes.] You're here late.

[corrinesbell]

I don't really have anything else to do. I'm just cleaning up a little.

[The place looks almost spotless.]

You want some tea? ...Or maybe just a first-aid kit?

[chikaidestroyer]

Both, if you please. [He manages a faint, wry smirk, though it irritates the bruise on his face and disappears after a moment.]

How are you?

[corrinesbell]

I'm okay I guess. The draft was...kinda rough, but not as bad as the jungle.

[Nothing will ever be as bad as the jungle.]

If Raine starts in on you about resting, you could always ask her if she's doing the same.

[She waves a hand around at the seats] Pick anywhere you want. I'll be right back.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert navigates his way to one of the closer chairs, not trusting his legs to allow him back on his feet if he sat on the floor. As Sheena heads towards the back, he calls after her.]

A draft?

[corrinesbell]

Yep. It ended about a week ago. We were underground.

[She's too far into the kitchen for the next sentence to be audible. In a few minutes she returns with the tea - a citrusy green variety - and a few small rolls. In case he's hungry.

In her other hand is the small first-aid kit she keeps around for a ninja prone to small kitchen incidents. That goes on the table in front of Albert, next to the tea tray.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert peels off his torn gloves, flexing his stiff fingers and nodding in gratitude as he sees the tea and medical kit. He opens the kit and tends to a cut on the side of his left hand.]

Underground... Always something different. Did the Commandant provide details?

[He could probably reach for his journal and watch it auto-populate everything he had missed, but he didn't want to risk it getting even more wet.]

[corrinesbell]

Not...really. Things were kinda different.

What were you doing? Letting people hit you or something? [At least she knows not to jump in and help him clean up without asking.]

[chikaidestroyer]

Physical labor. Cargo loading. [Yes, he does sound unimpressed by what he had gone through, even as he struggles to remove the ring on his cold-swollen right hand.] Perhaps unsurprisingly, there were Third Party soldiers out there as well.

[corrinesbell]

They're everywhere.

[okay, this struggle is a little pitiful] Here, gimme your hand.

[chikaidestroyer]

[He gives the ring one last tug before relenting, offering his hand across the table to Sheena. With his free hand, he takes hold of the teacup, allowing the heat to warm his fingers.]

Has it been quiet otherwise?

[corrinesbell]

There was a blizzard while we were gone. But I didn't hear about anything too bad happening during that.

[A long time ago she learned filial fire magic. In an effort not to Pyre Seal Albert's hand by mistake, she's going to use that to warm it up, instead. ...Yeah, it's a little awkward, but he seems to want the ring off, and this just makes it easier. The heat should loosen the ring a little, too.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[As he listens to Sheena's words, Albert finds his attention drawn away to how Sheena uses the Filial magic to warm his hand. He snorts inwardly at the creative, if creative, use of the skill.]

Much more snow this year, then. [He glances towards the door, then back to Sheena as he flexes his warming hand.] ...My thanks.

[corrinesbell]

No problem.

[There'd be more, but half a memory drifts by - the frozen stone walls of a dim and chilly cave - and she tries to chase it down, but it gets away.

Oh, well. Two quick twists and a pull and his ring is sitting in the palm of her hand now, instead of on his finger.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He winces faintly as the ring is finally removed, the skin a bit raw on his index finger where he had been wearing the ring. But he curls his fingers around the small piece of jewelry, nodding at Sheena before sipping his tea. It's a much-needed warm drink after his long day.]

I should head back out soon. To get to the house.

[corrinesbell]

At least finish your tea. Warm up before you freeze yourself again.

[As it stands now, she's leaning heavily toward walking with him back to his house.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[He snorts, but nods again before taking another sip of his tea.]

I can do that.

[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 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.

[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.]

[corrinesbell]

[And most of his winter away on missions.]

You want me to write her a note saying you're here?

[chikaidestroyer]

[The question results in a blank stare.] For what reason?