∞ 82: Waiting for the next step [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Now that things have calmed down around the village and the rain from earlier in the week has dried, Albert is getting around to cleaning up his poor garden. Long-wilted white and blue moonflowers and morning glories litter his garden where trellises are propped up next to them, so he's pruning and plucking them out from between the growing

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[mydearapple]

[Since it's such a nice day, Caesar has decided it's probably about time that he went and spoke to his brother. He spots Astrid near the house before he actually sees his brother, so he lingers about for a while until he finds him.

...of course, when he does see Albert working in the garden, Caesar pauses and just kind of stares at him for a moment. Because... what are you doing, Al.]

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[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert has not yet noticed his visitor, so he continues working on a particularly sad-looking set of vines with many wilted flowers. This certainly doesn't count as a strategist getting his hands dirty.]

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[mydearapple]

[No, it really doesn't. Caesar adjusts the strap of the bag he's carrying over his shoulder (because he couldn't forget his brother's clothes, nope) before he finally decides to walk over and stand beside Albert. He doesn't say anything right away, though, instead just watching him work on the sad little flowers.

Caesar can tell that he knows what he's doing. And this is really weird to him.]

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[chikaidestroyer]

[Well, now it would be difficult not to notice he's being watched. Albert doesn't stop clipping the dead flowers and dried-up leaves as he speaks.]

No ridiculous quips today, Caesar?

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[mydearapple]

[It's because he's speechless.]

Uh, since when did you...?

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[chikaidestroyer]

Tend flowers? [He finishes the question for Caesar, taking a freshly-fallen moonflower and holding it between two fingers in front of the younger Silverberg's face.] You were still young, so I would be surprised if you knew I spent time out in the gardens.

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[mydearapple]

[Caesar looks at the flower for a moment before he decides to take it into his hands.]

Huh. [His first thought was that maybe it was something he got into here. He kind of felt better knowing that wasn't the case, however.] You really do learn something new everyday. I had no idea they were yours.

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[chikaidestroyer]

And who did you think cared for these flowers? [He inquires dryly, returning his attention to the vines.]

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[mydearapple]

Who else? [He holds onto the flower, though he goes back to watching Albert work.] I suppose it makes sense, now that I think about it. The garden was arranged far too perfectly to have been cared for by anyone else in the village.

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[chikaidestroyer]

Genis? [It's a sarcastic answer before Albert continues.] I do hope you are here for reasons other than to gawk.

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[mydearapple]

Of course, of course. It just so happens that I don't remember what those reasons were! Such a shame. [He shrugs.] Take a break for a while.

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[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert snorts, faintly displeased, before pocketing his scissors and turning to give Caesar his full attention. He takes note of the bag over the boy's arm.] Are you finally returning my clothes?

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[mydearapple]

They are too big for me. [And even if Albert never brought it up again, it would be impossible for him to forget about since... well. They were Albert's.] I was going to wash them, but knowing you, you'd just wash them again anyway, so I didn't waste my time.

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[chikaidestroyer]

It's the thought that counts. [But not really. He would have appreciated them being washed.] Anything else?

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[mydearapple]

[Sure, sure, whatever. He only wore them once anyway. Or twice. Caesar shrugs again. He's not too bothered by this, surprisingly.]

Hm. I'm sure there was something...

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[chikaidestroyer]

[Do we need to wait here long enough for Astrid to take interest in chewing the red bush growing out of your head, Caesar? Albert folds his arms across his chest.]

You certainly took your time with the task I gave you.