Day 33: Greenhouse (Men)
[About to make a new fan friend.]By the time Aidou arrived at the greenhouse, he was once again immersed in his own thoughts. Idle talk with Anise was over. Where the hell was Kyon? Nurses usually gave the excuse of “they’re sick” or “they’re sleeping,” which were no doubt lies, but given out during the instances where prisoners actually came back
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But it was the next part that stung the most. He bit at his lip, pulling both knees up towards his chest so that he could rest his chin on them. He was starting to feel cold again. "But... there isn't anyone here that I know. I doubt they'd care too much if I didn't escape."
It wasn't like he had any important inheritance, and he had spent the last sixty-some years being rude to everyone in his family. And he didn't even have... no. He still had that. No one would take that away from him. But it made him wonder why he was chosen and no one else.
"Fine, just forget I asked, I guess."
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However, the noble didn’t look at Wolfram until the boy was finished, and even then, he did so suddenly and with a glare.
And then he took a long moment taking in Wolfram’s expression.
Finally: “If you want to die, just die,” Aidou said sharply. There was little comfort to be had in his tone. “I must have been mistaken, because there can’t be as much noble blood in you as I thought. Self-pity is for pitiful people.” He didn’t care who Wolfram was or what his life was like--he had given his name as part of his family, and if that was the case, then his family’s pride was also tied to his own. “It shouldn’t matter if you think you’ll be missed; you’ve got a place to be. You’ve practically said as much.”
Aidou really didn’t like the words Wolfram had used. They irritated him.
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That if a noble had obligations above one’s own happiness, they should keep to them. At least that was how Aidou felt; the night society had an ancient kind of protocol.
So he was a tiny bit surprised when his feelings sparked a similar response in the other. Maybe Wolfram wasn’t entirely full of whiny notions like he’d been starting to suspect. Aidou tried not to make the reluctance of his shrug too obvious. He couldn’t deny he knew his fair share of shame, and wasn’t… someone Kaname-sama always wanted to confide in. “I try not to forget…” He sighed too, though it was more brusque than Wolfram’s. Talking about his family wasn’t going to make a difference. “ ( ... )
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"In my family," he stated softly, "time doesn't always have the same meaning. But... I'm sure that might be the case. Although I haven't been gone as long as you have."
He relaxed his pose, so that his feet slid closer to Aidou's legs, just barely far enough away so they didn't touch. He was still a little cold, but the warm sun through the greenhouse roof was helping.
"So what would be your suggestion, then, to keep me from dying?"
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Time was… an interesting topic. The vampire ignored it for now.
He watched Wolfram shift in his seat absently, thinking this conversation had lasted a lot longer than he would have thought. “Hmm?” was his initial reaction to the second question, however. He supposed that even though he knew Wolfram was not the same kind of noble he was (which was synonymous with a high level of power for vampires), he expected Wolfram might be able to do… something. Perhaps have better survival skills than a regular human, at least ( ... )
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Aidou's answer, however, made him raise an eyebrow at the other boy. It wasn't like he brought up the question because he was completely clueless. But... what the heck. Maybe he could play along. Anything not to think about any more darker things.
"I'm in the process of collecting material for a weapon, and I've been invited to join a group, but it doesn't sound all that appealing." Besides, what if he had to work with people he disliked? It was one thing for a night or two to repay his debt, but beyond that he really wasn't sure.
"And what about you? What is your group?" He relaxed his form a little more. "Or would you prefer not having someone like me?"
His tone had no insulting tone... he was mostly curious more than anything.
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Crossing his arms loosely again, Aidou had to think the rest of his time talking with Wolfram was probably going to be over the typical things. He’d so far been lucky in not having to explain what the hell was happening to every new face that passed through this place, and didn’t think he could make a routine out of it. Wolfram obviously had a night’s worth of experience at the very least, if his wounds and words were any indication.
But he wasn’t expecting to be asked about his affiliations, as though Wolfram were trying to hint at an invitation.
“Eh? My group? I haven’t spent a lot of time in groups…”
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Although now Aidou had his true curiosity in his answer. "Hmph. So you suggest that I join a group, when you yourself go off on your own at night? Sounds a bit like double standards to me."
He allowed his eyes to close again, but his posture suggested that he was still in the conversation. "Perhaps I should make the suggestion that we might survive better together."
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Humans in Landel’s were weak and needed help.
The vampire realized Wolfram was no doubt thinking he was offering some kind of favour. Augh! How annoying! He leaned in close to Wolfram’s face, making his (rather indignant) argument right into Wolfram’s ear. “Of course I do, since I’m not the one who needs the protection!” As long as they were both being judgmental and aggravating.
It probed at his pride, despite Aidou knowing better than to just out himself. But his abilities had never been questioned before. It was different having it implied by someone other than himself.
He leaned away again, but didn’t sit back against the palm tree. “You’d be lucky if I let you tag along with me. Hmph.” The fact that they were both now making indignant noises didn't dissuade him. "I don't spend time with those groups ( ... )
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Wolfram sighed, eyes glancing to the floor. "For your information, I've had years of military training, and I'm very good with a sword. I've also had the talent of controlling fire since I was small, so I am more than capable of protecting myself." As well as others, but he wasn't trying to brag at the moment, and it didn't seem the opportune time to mention it.
His voice changed, with a hint of sadness in his tone. "I was just suggesting it out of concern for your best interest as well as mine. You don't have to get defensive."
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It meant so little in the long run, and stupid to focus on, but the mention of fire… The power of flame had always been Akatsuki’s element since he had been small. It hurt for such a sudden, sharp moment that it hurt to breathe. It just hurt, and his common sense couldn’t tell him any better.
He looked away, the fingers of one hand unconsciously curling around the edge of the bench and squeezing.
Taking a silent breath, Aidou looked at a nearby prisoner fooling around with a pot and said, “Forget it, I’m sure you’ll do all right, then. I… sorry.” The simplest word to divert attention was just to apologize. It didn’t feel like a sacrifice to him, not at that moment; he didn’t need to explain why he got ‘defensive’. And for a moment, he wasn’t interested in the insights into Wolfram’s abilities.
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It was the feeling of loss. Losing something, or someone, very important. That's all it really took to understand, really.
He didn't react for a moment, remaining motionless on their bench together as he contemplated the situation over in his mind. He'd obviously said something to set this off, but couldn't be sure what. Then finally he swung his other leg down off the bench, and scooted away from the palm tree, situating himself closer to the other boy but still not touching.
"Would you... like to talk about it?" he finally settled on, awkwardness in his voice underneath the concern and he stared down at his slippers. He was really starting to miss wearing real shoes. "I didn't really mean anything."
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Consequently, Aidou tried to rationalize the information as he should have done and squelch down his misplaced feelings. It seemed like he wasn’t at that point yet, the point where he could stop losing his composure with people and situations that shouldn’t mean anything to him.
He tried to ignore the closed distance between him and this boy, but it was hard when he was being sympathized with. Self-pity was for pitiful people. He hated becoming a hypocrite to his own warnings ( ... )
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