chikaidestroyer | ∞ 100: Silent night [action]

∞ 100: Silent night [action]

[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.]

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Besides the physical labor? Fighting off Third Party soldiers, if you will believe it. [He leans against his pillow more, trying to ignore the small dog as he adjusts his head.]

That wasn't part of the job, was it?

[It would be even less of a reason for him to ever consider doing that. As he speaks, he pulls up the chair from Albert's desk and sits down next to his bed.]

I suspected it could happen, but more of a warning would have been nice. [He lifts his head slightly when Caesar pulls up a chair, but says nothing in protest.]

I heard that there was a draft while I was gone.

Yeah. [He notices how Albert lifts his head like he might say something, but then he doesn't. Of course, if Albert won't say anything, neither will Caesar.] It really was some timing! We were drafted not long after you left.

Edited 2011-12-28 11:37 (UTC)

But of course you were ready, and you prevailed. [He gives Caesar an almost bored look.]

Of course. Did you expect otherwise? [Despite how unenthusiastic Caesar tended to be about these things, he was always ready for them.] I'd like to say it went smoothly, but the people here really never learn!

You say that as if you were expecting anything different. [He snorts, shutting his eyes briefly.] Have you remained productive otherwise?

As productive as one can possibly be here, my dear brother. [He shrugs.] I've been keeping up with chores, if that's what you mean.

[And reading on the side. And sleeping... but you know, that's a given.]

Good. I would hate to hear that Astrid was left all alone when you were around to tend to her. [Though, really, he knows that Caesar takes the responsibility as seriously as he can.]

I didn't learn to take care of her for nothing, you know. [He can't help defending himself, simply because he's so used to doing it.] I've been keeping an eye on her, so you don't have to worry about that.

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.]

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.

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.]

[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?

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.]

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?

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?

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.

[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.

Edited 2011-12-29 13:26 (UTC)

[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.

I have had better gifts. [He looks at the pencil holder Caesar picks up, then shakes his head and sets the note down.]

Almost anything is better than this. [He puts the pencil holder back down on the pile, too.] I'll just let Kogoro play with whatever I get.

[The mentioning of the dog leads Albert to look towards his feet. Kogoro's ears twitch a little, but he remains still otherwise.]

There should be a book underneath that ... shirt. Give it to me.

[Said book is somewhat small but also very thick. It's hidden completely underneath the Malnosso Organization T-shirt.]

[Caesar turns toward the table and lifts up the shirt. He's vaguely surprised by how small the book is compared to the ones he normally reads, but he picks it up anyway.]

This one?

[Albert nods, glancing at the bookmark slightly sticking out between the pages. He seems to change his mind, motioning with his chin.]

Open it.

[The ancient language might be somewhat familiar, even if it's not readable.]

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