∞ 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]

In some places. [He watches, without moving, as Raine dusts some of the snow off of his clothes. It's only after her hand moves away that he begins unwrapping his soaked scarf. The neck and upper part of his sweater, exposed by his coat, are also soaked.]

It's been awhile.

[wise_maiden]

It has been. [She shakes her head a little. It felt even longer due to the draft happening, and all of the difficulties associated with it. But it wasn't time to dwell. She watches him remove his scarf, taking note at how soaked he is. Maybe she'll grab a fresh shirt, too, or a robe... but first.]

... Here.

[Those bruises and faint scratches on his face alone haven't gone unnoticed, and she'll hold out a hand to cast a healing spell. At the very least, she hopes it'll ease some of the strain and weariness on him so he can have an easier time removing those layers.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[A quiet sigh escapes him as he feels his muscles relax a little, though this only serves to have him lean more against the door. He carefully rights himself, frowning at his scarf before beginning to unbutton his coat. To distract himself from his own difficulty with the garb, he asks a question.]

How are you?

[wise_maiden]

[She'll frown a little at his slow progress, and will put off heading to the other room to help him with his layers if necessary, and indicating that it is what she is standing there to do, taking the wet scarf for starters and how slowly his fingers move.]

Me? ... Well, we've had a draft while you were gone, so in some ways I'm still recovering from that. Aside from that, I'm well enough. And you're safe and sound, which is more important right now.

[chikaidestroyer]

...Ah, yes. Sheena mentioned the draft. [He relents, allowing Raine to take the scarf. His hands are already without gloves because it made little sense to put them back on after they were already ruined, so they are once again quite cold despite Sheena's earlier efforts.

He finally gets his coat off, and it makes a wet sound as it falls to the floor. Albert frowns, leaning over to pick it up. It's as he does so that he remember he should take off his shoes, so he starts tugging at the laces.]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine moves to take the coat instead, noting his almost immediate preoccupation with it before he switches his focus to his shoes. Her voice takes on a slightly sterner tone, if only for a moment.]

... Honestly. Just focus on getting out of those wet layers for now. I'll take care of the rest.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert says nothing in response, concentrating on untangling and loosening his shoelaces enough to remove his soaked shoes. It's only after he's barefoot that he starts pulling off his half-wet sweater. His skin is pale and cold, and there's a bandage on his left arm that was covering a gash. There's some bruising on his sides and one shoulder from falling and crashing into things, but they're older and more healed than the bruise on his face.

Overall, it's probably the most injured he's been in awhile, but still nothing nearly as bad as he's dealt with before.]

[wise_maiden]

[As he focuses on that, she finally leaves the room -- making sure the coat doesn't drip all over everything -- so she can retrieve the dry towels, blanket, shirt and -- well, pair of slippers that was actually intended as a gift.

It doesn't take long, and she returns, frowning a little at more apparent signs of injury. But that would be dealt with later. Instead, she holds out a towel to him, almost a trade offer for that wet sweater.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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.]

[wise_maiden]

[A quick glance into the living room to see how Albert is fairing, and a soft sigh, and then Raine continues walking past and back over to the kitchen to get some tea started. She needs some for herself anyway, after handling all those cold and wet items, and feeling some of that stuffiness starting to come back.

And half glance over to her by-now cooled off cookies. They'd still have to be packaged and labeled and... well, maybe that could wait a bit. For now while the tea starts she puts them into an empty container instead. That should keep them.

Time to return with the tea. She gets a tray and pours two cups full before heading back over.]

... How are you doing?

[chikaidestroyer]

Tired. [He responds immediately, though it takes him a moment to expand further on his answer.] I should just take a shower and head to bed.

[He fleetingly wonders if he'll just fall asleep in the shower, but averts his attention to drying his hair.]

[wise_maiden]

[She sets the cups down slowly, eyes flickering up to study him again.] Have some tea first, at least, and let me see what I can do about your other injuries. You're practically worn out to the bone.

[chikaidestroyer]

To the bone... [Albert snorts a little at that, but sets the damp towel aside so he can reach for the tea cup. He holds the cup in his hands for a short while, simply taking in the warmth from the hot drink, before taking a small sip of tea.]

[wise_maiden]

Mm. [She'll allow herself a seat for a moment, so she can take in her own tea with a considering sip.] ... It's Christmas Eve, did you know?

[chikaidestroyer]

I ... tried to keep track of the days out there. [He takes another sip of his tea, contemplating.] At least their timing for my 'release' was fortunate enough.

[wise_maiden]

Yes... the timing is fitting. Although from the look of you, It seems as if they must have kept you busy the entire time.

[chikaidestroyer]

Perhaps not how they had intended. There were a few skirmishes with the Third Party.

...Though I suppose that comes as no surprise, outside of the barrier.

[wise_maiden]

[She takes another slow sip of the tea as he speaks, then sets the cup down.]

I'll do what I can for the bruises. Are you still cold?

[chikaidestroyer]

Not too cold. Better than before. [He sighs, again trying to comb a hand through his tangled hair. His hand lingers before he takes another sip of his tea.]

[wise_maiden]

I see...

[She moves closer, closing her eyes so she can concentrate for the magic. Internal damages take a lot more focus, even if it's just to accelerate the process at which they heal.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[There is a faint discomfort at first, but Albert soon relaxes under Raine's spell. He sighs, carefully holding his tea but not drinking it. Once Raine is finished, he sets down his cup.] Thank you. ...Not how one should spend a holiday.

[wise_maiden]

[She withdraws her hand, and takes a step back, needing a moment to gather herself. Using that particular brand of magic since a certain incident had an intensity to it that wasn't as easy to shake off.]

... You're welcome. For now the most important thing is to focus on your recovery, anyway. We can find a way to make up for the holiday after.

[chikaidestroyer]

There is ... really, not much to recover from. [He shakes his head wearily.] It's just bruising. Nothing serious. [Besides, you know, the lasting chill.

...] Ah. I landed on my ankle wrong before I returned, so it's somewhat sore. [Might as well get that out of the way before Raine scrutinizes him for downplaying the limp.]