video;

[hymnals]

Who: Adrasteius
Broadcast: Everyone
Action: the Golden
When: Now

[Oh, Light; Adrasteius is exhausted. He's barely slept for the last however many days, a product of his campaign to avoid the calibrations as much as possible. Even then, the memories of what he intruded upon dog him (especially in Coil's case), and--despite his discipline--he's drunk from sleep deprivation. But today is an important day. An important time.]

I don't know about the rest of you, but --

[His speech is a little slurred. He blinks a few times, sighs, and goes on.]

-- but back home, we have a tradition on this day. 'S called Pilgrim's Bounty. There's ... typically ...

[He makes a bunch of vague gestures.]

You know. Feasting. Turkey and pies and everything. We all sit around outside the capital and just--jump from table to table. And we're thankful. That's the key bit. More than the food.

We're thankful that we're still alive. That the Light, or --

[He exhales slowly.]

-- or the elements, or pure happenstance ... that it's preserved us. For this moment.

[He runs his hands through his long hair, his fingers tangling in his feathery bangs.]

And even though I'm here, and I miss my home, I'm still--grateful. Because I don't have my whole family. But I have my son. I have the grace of the Light. And I hope that, despite everything, you all can find something to be thankful for, too.

[He rests his head down on the kitchen table. He mutters.]

Light be with you.

Comments

video;

[arcanepower]

An'da. [He's embarrassed, so he ducks his head a bit.] Are you okay? Have you slept? ... Have you eaten?

[hymnals]

Mmmm ...

[His eyes are shut, and for a moment it seems like he hasn't heard. Then:]

No.

[arcanepower]

[He wears a scandalized expression, not that Adra can see it.]

What?! Honestly! I spent all this time preparing a big dinner for today-- I am sending you a plate. And then you are going to sleep. This is not a negotiation!

[hymnals]

Light help me ... am I being parented right now? Is that happening?

[arcanepower]

I remember watching you collapse at a gala. Whether or not you remember that, I am not letting that happen again.

Besides, you are very hard for me to carry.

[hymnals]

[He waves his hand dismissively.]

I'm in the kitchen; you wouldn't -- [yawn] have to carry me anywhere.

[arcanepower]

[NO DON'T YAWN. He covers his mouth, yawning too. That's obnoxious.]

I... don't know what ship you're on.

[hymnals]

Hmmn. The Golden.

[He adds, mumbling.]

I put in a transfer.

[arcanepower]

[He's a little touched.] Let me wrap this food up and I will drop it off. There should be enough for... two or three meals, depending on how hungry you are.

Can I bring you anything else?

[hymnals]

I'm actually not hungry at all. You don't need to bring me anything, Bel.

[He smiles a little.]

Well, a hug might be nice.

[arcanepower]

But you haven't eaten! And besides, I made too much food for Pilgrim's Bounty. Someone has to help me eat this.

[He huffs and turns a bit pink. There is no eye contact here, he's embarrassed.]

Mmph... fine...

[hymnals]

[He makes dismissive hand gestures.]

You have plenty of people willing to help you with anything, Bel. Especially eating.

[He shuts his eyes til the kid gets here, but he's not really asleep. He's just waiting for huggin'.]

--> action;

[arcanepower]

W-- well, I'm going now. I'll see you soon.

[He's still embarrassed, evidently.

But he does board the ship before too much time has passed. He hurries down the hall with the practiced shuffle of a servant, with a basket and a platter in his arms. How does he manage to balance it? A wizard did it, probably.]

Adra!

[He sets his burden on the table-- carefully-- and then moves to give him a hug, as promised.]

... Are you sure you're okay?

[hymnals]

[He wraps his arms 'round Bel, hugging him--well, not tight, he doesn't have the strength for that. In fact, he kind of sags against Bel after a minute, sliding down til his head's resting on the kid's shoulder. He mumbles.]

I'm great.

[arcanepower]

[Belth can't help but soften. Poor Adra. Still not entirely used to physical affection, he tries anyway, and pets a bit of blond hair.]

Do you need help getting to your room?

[hymnals]

[Adra shakes his head, yawning wide.]

No, I'll be all right. You should probably head back to your ship.

[He pulls away and steadies himself, though he's still swaying slightly.]

[arcanepower]

It's okay, there is nothing going on presently.

[He gets up and tucks himself under Adra's arm. It's the only advantage to being a little shorter; it makes him easier to lean on.]

I did not sleep very well, either. I tried not to after I realized what was going on, but... it happened anyway. And now I am not entirely sure of what people saw.

[hymnals]

[That doesn't sit well with him at all. He frowns, though his unease is dulled by drowsiness.]

If anybody tries to use what they saw against you, we'll be having a word.