[Action]

[dissonates]

[It's morning, and Asch is paying a visit to the smithy to look into getting his Maestro sword sharpened; it's been a while, and you can only do so much without giving it a proper filing. While he's there waiting for his request to be processed - or waiting for a free spot in the workshop to do it himself if necessary - he browses around the store at the new arrivals, wanting to check on what kinds of blades have shown up. And that's about when he stumbles upon something he definitely wasn't expecting to see.

So within a few hours, Asch can be found heading home through the snow with two swords, one at his hip and the other simply carried by his side, though he's careful with it, as if it's some kind of sacred weapon. He's looking for someone specific, but feel free to stop him en route to House 5 if you're around.]

Comments

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[That someone specific is at House 5 and is -predictably- cleaning. He loves these clothes washing/drying machines so much that maybe if they didn't need them so badly he'd be dismantling them.

Anyway they make work a lot easier and he's humming as he folds clothes like a good housewife when Asch arrives.]

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Yeah, Asch expected that much- Guy's always doing chores one way or another. It doesn't take him long to track Guy down, rapping his knuckles on the doorframe to get his attention.]

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy glances up, pausing in mid-fold of one of Luke's shirts. He's a little surprised to see Asch voluntarily seeking him out; though he's come home Asch has generally been avoiding Guy, not that he could blame him for it.]

Asch, hey. Did you need-... [Guy trails off when he catches sight of the sword in Asch's hands, fingers clenching around the shirt.]

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Asch doesn't bother commenting or responding, understanding what Guy's probably feeling as soon as the other man halted. Instead, he lifts the sword to offer it out. No sense in stating the obvious.]

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy slowly puts the shirt down and turns to accept the sword.

To be truthful he'd been afraid he'd never see it again; it hadn't shown up in the two-plus years he'd been in Luceti. Or he'd been afraid it had and that some New Feather had found it pretty and taken it for themselves. That hurt a little bit more, to think of his father's sword in the possession of someone else, someone who didn't know its importance.

Guy holds the Jewel carefully, as if it could shatter if he were too rough with it, and his voice is a bit choked when he finally speaks.]

Thank you.

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Asch had watched him as he'd taken it, standing awkwardly as if suddenly without a purpose. It had been like watching a reunion between old friends, one he had no part in. Even after Guy speaks, he can't help but wonder if he should just go.]

...It's good that you have it back.

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy ducks his head, nodding a little.

He makes for the doorway, setting a hand on Asch's shoulder briefly before passing him and heading for his room. The laundry sits abandoned atop the dryer and his door clicks shut down the hallway.]

[Action]

[dissonates]

[....Yep. Awkward. Beyond awkward, actually. Asch stands there for a moment, unmoving. Not too long ago he'd have considered following, checking on Guy, making sure he was alright or giving him space before doing all of the above. Now he can't help but feel relieved that the meeting had been as short-lived as it was.

Maybe he should have just left it by Guy's door. Then he wouldn't feel so torn.

After a while, he finally moves, unfastening his sword and resting it against the wall by the door. Then he steps forward and works on finishing the laundry. He's pretty sure it'll be the last thing on Guy's mind for a while.]

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[It's definitely a while before Guy leaves his room again, and when he does it's to head back to finish up the laundry. His head is down when he returns, but Asch's presence makes him look up in surprise, freezing in the doorway with his hand on the doorjamb.]

Oh. [Guy looks slightly uncomfortable; he obviously hadn't thought Asch would still be around.]

You didn't have to do that for me, thank you.

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Dammit, and he'd just finished getting into a more comfortable working groove. Finished the laundry, too, or almost- Guy walks in just as he's folding the last pair of pants. Now what?]

...I didn't think you'd be coming back.

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Ah...yeah, I figured I should finish up before too long. [Guy shifts his weight and half-leans against the doorjamb, still holding onto it.]

...Asch?

[Action]

[dissonates]

[Despite Guy's expression, Asch's response is slightly wary.]

What is it?

[Action]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Are you avoiding me because I hurt you?

[action]

[alittlesilver.livejournal.com]

[there is a small child playing in the snow that Asch passes. Sitting in a cleared area is her doll. But she stops her snow-sculpting and looks up at him, blinking at the way he walks and the expression on his face. Is he going to kick one of her little snow people? There isn't enough to make a big one, and they're sort of in the way...]

[action]

[dissonates]

[...What. Does he look like some kind of monster, Nephry 8| Asch halts when he spots her and the little decorations she has going on, peering at her and trying to figure out why she looks so familiar. He doesn't usually pay much attention to the kids in the village, so it's weirding him out that his mind is trying to put a name to the face. Well, whatever. Ignoring that, he instead starts looking for a reasonable path through the little snow things. The last thing he wants to do is make her cry or something, then he'd have to find someone to deal with her and ugh.]

[action]

[alittlesilver.livejournal.com]

[look at that tall grumpy man.]

If you come around this way I made a path, sir.

[action]

[dissonates]

[If Asch could read minds he'd be tickled that someone found him tall.

...well alright it might make his lip twitch or something. He does nod and step forward, keeping an eye on the little snowmen.]

Why are you making these in the middle of the path? Someone's going to crush them.

[action]

[alittlesilver.livejournal.com]

Because I can't find enough snow to make a big one. ...I'm sorry, I didn't know it was all the path.

[she crouches back down and picks up a little round animal made of snow with her gloved hands. Mostly it's a blob, but caaaareful placement of pebbles might tell him it's a...rappig] Do you want one?

[action]

[dissonates]

[....What.] Why would I?

[Okay maybe that was a little harsh.]

[action]

[alittlesilver.livejournal.com]

[Nephry's face turns bright red, and she bites her lip. But she doesn't drop her gaze. She does pull her hands back, gently patting her little snow rappig before putting it back down on the ground]

To play with.

[action]

[dissonates]

[...Well, at least she didn't cry. He should probably make his escape before she does, though. He seriously doubts his ability to keep this up without bitching at her for whatever reason.]

I'm not a kid, I don't play. Where are your par- [And since it occurs to him that not many kid + parent sets are in Luceti-] ...Guardians?

[action]

[alittlesilver.livejournal.com]

[she hasn't even been an annoying little kid. Grow some more heart, tall grumpy man]

I don't know. Professor says this is not Keterburg. So I think...nobody's here.

[action]

[dissonates]

Keterburg? [A pause.] ...Nephry?

[action]

[alittlesilver.livejournal.com]

Yes? ...You know my name!

[action]

[dissonates]

[....Dammit. Should've just walked away when he had the chance.]

You should go home.