26 - Sand Thief

[radiantwingedone]

Who: Duke and The Vesperia Household (Yuri, Ioder, Dhaos)
Where: at the Vesperia House
When: Late evening?
Status: Closed
[ style ]

[ After that pair of moderately awkward voice-mails, Duke has packed a few things up - mostly clothing for the next day, a notebook or two, and almost hesitatingly a book on magic he recently received. That last probably wasn't smart of him, but... It was interesting, even if mildly painful. If he couldn't sleep...

If anyone was anticipating him arriving by searching with magic, he isn't giving his location away that way. He is trying to hide, after all, and if that means he has to be more careful while walking... well, its not going to be a speed reduction or anything.

But he'll be there before it gets too dark, looking a little worn, but not nearly as worn out as he'd been after the fear-curse. ]

Comments

[hopeofzaphias]

[ Yuri's among the first to open up, actually having been waiting outside for the long-haired man to show up. When he finally does, there's an obvious frown in his expression as he studied him. ]

... you look like crap. What happened?

[radiantwingedone]

[ Jee, thanks Yuri. ]

... As said, was less of ... happen...

[ He's not sure anymore what it was. ]

... Combination of happen and hindsight...

[hopeofzaphias]

... that's gotta be the worst. Here, let's get you inside...

[ Especially if the person in question is prowling around out and looking for Duke... ]

[radiantwingedone]

[ He's pretty sure she won't be looking for him for a while, but yes. This sounds like a good idea.

... And if he kinda just stops once he's inside, well. That's because he doesn't know where he's going, and he realized that Yuri had been among those who had, perhaps, realized things before Duke had.

Or he had just been ... 'teasing'? ]

[hopeofzaphias]

[ There's a quiet sigh from Yuri as he stops, looking back at Duke with a frown. Well. This was... going to be slightly awkward, but. Might as well ask, right?

Otherwise he won't know who to help him avoid. Somewhat. ]

... so who is it?

[radiantwingedone]

[ This is a moment where Duke wished he wasn't trying to live with Lowell and Ioder, as he didn't know where he could or could not go and thus couldn't do his normal thing of pretend he couldn't hear or answer as he made himself unavailable.

His reluctance to actually name the person he's trying to avoid is probably clear, but its mostly because he's not sure of the sort of reaction he's going to get. ]

Zelda.

[fistfullofmagic]

[By the time Duke gets there, Dhaos has already finished moving everything - he even changed the sheets and replaced the blankets he took with him with fresh ones - and is waiting on the couch with a book.]

[radiantwingedone]

[ Ioder did sort of say that the door was open...

Duke will inch that open and head in as awkwardly near silent as he normally does things. And from that conversation he has the feeling that he missed something between Dhaos and Ioder but that really isn't something to focus on- ]

... Still did not need to. [ He normally sleeps on the ground, really guys... ]

[fistfullofmagic]

[He glances up from his book to look at his new housemate.]

Perhaps not, but it would be impolite to refuse a guest a bed if room can easily be made available.

[Aaaand back to the book.]

[radiantwingedone]

[ He's gotten too used to rude humans, hasn't he. All the more awkward feeling, but he guesses he should... get directions, or poke doorways until he finds the right one. ]

... where from here?

...I could have sworn I answered this days ago.

[fistfullofmagic]

Upstairs. I can show you, if you wish.

[That, and the door puzzle may have reset. Kind of bothersome to solve those by yourself sometimes, and guests really shouldn't need to jump through hoops to get to their room.]

O/

[radiantwingedone]

[ He's not going to be able to avoid them being nice, is he. ]

Is there more than one room upstairs? [ Because he would poke about to try to tell which was 'his' if there was. ]

[fistfullofmagic]

[It's in Dhaos' nature to be kind when nothing needs protecting, and he does consider Duke something of a friend.]

Indeed.

[He leaves it at that. Not much else to say, really.]

[radiantwingedone]

... May be needed.

[ He's not sure if anything would wake curiosity or of he'd just look for a moderately clean room and claim the bed. ]

[fortheempire]

[Once Duke was somewhat settled in the "guest" room, Ioder will come to check on him.

He wanted to know what was going on, why Duke had suddenly felt the need to stay elsewhere, but he was trying his best not to pry.

Still, the worried look on his face was more than enough to indicate his concern.]

Duke?

[radiantwingedone]

[ Ioder, he really doesn't need the concern, this is purely...

This is Duke hiding from his emotions because that's the right thing to do!

Okay, so maybe being concerned about him is the best way to go. ]

... Yes? [ He's mostly re-arranging the blankets to how he likes them, coat and gloves already off to one end. ]

[fortheempire]

Just... wanted to see how you're settling in...

[There's a smile, but it's strained. Of course he's worried. Asking him not to is like asking him not to breathe.]

[radiantwingedone]

[ You can stop worrying about him.... ]

... Suppose would be called well.

Will stay out of way.

[fortheempire]

[/stops breathing

Okay no really he's going to worry, Duke. Sorry.]

Oh, you're not in the way at all. Please, make yourself at home.

[radiantwingedone]

[ Whyyyyyy ]

.... [ He caused Dhaos to move out of his room, how is he not in the way-

Well. They seemed perfectly happy about it. Odd. ]

Will do best to believe that.

[fortheempire]

[They are, don't question it.]

Good.

Would you like something to eat?

[radiantwingedone]

... [ Duke needs to think on if he's hungry. He isn't really, but its been long enough that he ought to... ]

... not truly, however, ought to... [ Duke realizes he answered the wrong version of that question. ]

... Directions, can aid in making something.

[fortheempire]

Alright.

[Ioder brightens, still worried but willing to hide it for now.]

Follow me in to the kitchen.

[radiantwingedone]

[ Duke nods, settling the blankets close to how he wants them and following the little emperor. ]

... Two? All? [ Or really one and a half? He's trying to figure out how much he should be looking to help cook for. ]

[fortheempire]

Ahh... let's make it for everyone. Dhaos and Yuri can eat when they feel like it.