when johnny comes marching home

[ayu_nee]

Who: Everyone
What: Returning from the draft!
When: Midnight on the 7th and on
Where: Anywhere
Summary: Open post for post-draft returning and reaction, for those not in the plaza. If you're in the plaza, go to that log; if you're not, feel free to post here. ^^
Rating: Varies.

Comments

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[There's a small sense of ease that fills Caesar when he hears the sounds of, well, life in the house again. There's a greater sense of relief that he feels when he considers that his brother is back, and that he no longer has to worry about him and the dangers of the draft.

Normally, he would've been asleep already, but this was worth getting out of bed for. Once he's certain that his brother has had a chance to wash up and get changed, he heads over to his room, knocking once before entering. With the house being so empty lately, it almost feels strange to speak up, so he just shuts the door and takes a look around instead. Where are you, big brother?]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert has changed into a clean shirt and pajama bottoms, a clear sign of what he intends to do with the rest of his evening. But when Caesar knocks and enters the room, it should be instantly apparent that sleep won't be coming soon.

The bed, as well as a good portion of the bedroom, had a good deal of mud caked over it. With his hair still damp and a towel over his shoulders, Albert looks a bit childish looking blankly at his bed. He was exhausted, and he would still have to clean...?

He might be a little out of it, because he doesn't look in Caesar's direction.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar doesn't think much of this reaction—he had expected him to be tired. He is careful where he steps as he approaches his brother, and crosses his arms when he stops to look up at him.]

Welcome back. You're looking rather lively, I see.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert slowly turns as he averts his attention to Caesar, and he blinks deliberately at him.] Is there something I can do for you?

[He sounds weary, but also somewhat polite. He isn't displeased to see his brother.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

No. [He smiles a little to himself. His brother's behavior reminds him of an owl.] I just wanted to greet you. I'm glad you're back. How are you feeling?

[chikaidestroyer]

Rather tired. There was a storm and the camp fortifications were breached. [His tone is dismissive. Things could have been much worse.] How was being home alone?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Nowhere near as exciting, I'm afraid, but I kept myself busy. [He shrugs.] I had Kogoro with me, too, so I guess I wasn't really alone.

[But it still wasn't the same.]

[chikaidestroyer]

I'm sure the dog enjoyed having free run of the house. [He turns his attention back to his bed, his expression reluctant.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

You might be right. That guy just wouldn't keep still! [He follows his brother's gaze and snorts a little at the mess. It's not hard to tell what he's thinking from his expression.] A little too late for cleaning, don't you think?

[chikaidestroyer]

Just a little. [His voice is wry, but that doesn't stop him from finally walking over to inspect his poor sheets. He holds up a pillow.] ...This may not be salvageable.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

It sure does look like a lost cause. Will you even bother tossing it in the wash?

[chikaidestroyer]

No. [He gives his brother a glance, peeling the pillowcase off of the pillow.] Perhaps your dog would like a new toy?

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Should I call him in here and have him roll around in your bed, too? [He looks at the dirty pillowcase and shakes his head.] I think we'll pass. We'd be better off just throwing this stuff out.

[chikaidestroyer]

[Despite feeling so exhausted, he musters up an unimpressed stare.]

They can be washed.

[...He just doesn't feel like doing it right now.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Caesar sighs. Of course they can't just be thrown away.]

Then I'll go and put them in the wash for you. How's that?

[chikaidestroyer]

Would you? [He looks at the pillow he's holding, walking over to the table to set it down there.] Perhaps then I can focus on going to sleep.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Sure, why not? [He was tired, too, but certainly nowhere near as tired as Albert was. With all the other work he'd had to do, one more thing couldn't hurt.] Where are you going to sleep?

[chikaidestroyer]

The couch sounds suitable enough. [He stifles a yawn with the back of his hand, walking back towards the door.] I'll just take an extra sheet from the linen closet.

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Is that really all right...? [Sleeping on the couch just isn't something his brother does. Maybe him, but not his brother.] You could sleep in my room, if you wanted to. I promise that my sheets don't have mud all over them.

[chikaidestroyer]

It's your bed, Caesar. I'm not sleeping in your room. [You know, despite the fact that Caesar doesn't provide him the same courtesy. He walks out of his room, starting down the hall towards the closet.

There's the telltale scritching of a small animal quickly walking, followed by the appearance of Kogoro at the other end of the hallway. The small dog wags his tail frantically.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

Suit yourself.

[He shrugs, and starts working on gathering up the messy sheets. He'd try to be careful and not get himself dirty as he does this, but if he failed, he'd just wash up and change his clothes again before going to bed.

...but hopefully, he wouldn't have to do all that.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert blinks at the dog, glancing over his shoulder as Kogoro approaches with his tail still wagging. He steps past him, opening the closet, all the while pointedly ignoring how Kogoro puts his front paws on his leg. The small dog doesn't make any noise, but he's clearly happy.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

[Once Caesar's finished, he bundles up all the sheets and carefully heads out of Albert's room. It's a little difficult to carry so much at once and avoid the muddy spots on the floor, but he manages somehow. He's so sleepy that he almost misses his brother and his dog down the hallway as he walks into the bathroom.

Almost.

He pauses near the doorway, smirking a bit.]

I guess he missed you, too, huh?

[Maybe it wasn't that surprising. Kogoro seemed almost disappointed when Caesar first let him into the house and he couldn't find Albert.]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert carefully removes a sheet from the stacks of linens and towels in the closet, shutting the closet to look over at Caesar again.] It's rather annoying at this time of night.

[But he doesn't seem to be doing anything about the dog, who has settled back down to just stand at his feet.]

[mydearapple.livejournal.com]

I'm sure he won't make a habit of it.

[He continues on his way to put the clothes in the washer. He's done enough laundry recently to remember how to do this much quicker now. Once that's all set, he walks back out into the hallway, stretching his arms a little.]