infinity zone

There's just a few people who will know where this is from. To everyone else, it's definitely an unexplainable oneshot at first glance. :|b Suikoden III, Albert and Caesar, GO!

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The bells attached to the handle tinkled as Albert threw the front door open. He gave a smile to the hesitant but willing boy behind him, taking his hand and leading him out into the yard.

"We're going to go play at the park today," he told his young brother, trotting out onto the cobblestone path that wound towards the gates. "There's more to play with over there."

Really, it was more along the lines of there actually being things to stimulate a child's mind out there. The manor offered nothing but the books of daily lessons and the stifling orders from adults of all shapes and sizes. Little Caesar was simply happy that his brother was accommodating him suddenly; after years of hugs not being returned and receiving strange looks when he asked to be read a story, the abrupt turnabout caught him by complete surprise.

It was like he had changed overnight.

"We might see someone walking their dog, or see other kids playing. Would you like that?" Albert said, trying to garner interest from the little boy. Caesar just clung to his hand more tightly, blinking up at him. As they reached the street, Albert turned again and gave him an encouraging smile.

He never saw the horse and rider tearing down the street they were standing on.

Caesar did not scream as the other's hand was ripped from his own. He fell on the stones and stared at the sky. All he saw was endless blue.

He doesn't remember what he heard that day.

But he developed a deep fear of horses.

I just bought more Suikoden III doujinshi. Of course, featuring Albert and Caesar.

I got the reprint book Lotus 1+2. That means ... I've got Lotus 1-5 now. I just need Lotus 6 to finish the series. Yiiikes. Haven't looked at it yet, but I'm assuming it's gonna start out with Caesar in the Ceremonial Site then open up to the childhood flashbacks, since Caesar and Albert face off in the Ceremonial Site in Lotus 5. Pages: 128

Akage Sairoku #2's another doujinshi made by Aki, who created the Lotus series. I haven't finished browsing yet, but WHOA at the pages of how Albert's coat works. I love it already. It's hilarious thinking about just how many buttons and clasps are on that coat, and how long it must take to put it on. Pages: 72

I already browsed through THUNDER WORKS (pages: 48). Contains Caesar/Albert (yes, in that order), Caesar/Hugo, and just a little Geddoe/Hugo. I'm not big on Albert/Caesar, but BWAHAHA at the idea of Caesar putting the moves on his brother.

...Okay, just glanced further into Akage Sairoku. Bedridden Leon talking to Albert. GLEE! *runs off to browse*

Edit: Looking at Akage Sairoku reminded me that I used to RP Leon (nosimpleanswer). How in the world did I forget that?

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Mathiu: *caught off guard but hides his shock rather well* My private business is best kept private, but I won't lie; I still have ill memories of my time with you. Children should be treated as children, not molded into some twisted family ideal that suits only the purposes of tyrants and madmen.

Leon: I would have more sympathy if you had not known about your heritage by the time you were walking and talking. When would you have learned the craft, if not as children? As adolescents? As teenagers? As adults?

Mathiu: ....if I could do it again? Probably never. There are much more important "crafts" than orchestrating wars and perverting history.

Leon: Yes, I suppose "perverting history" is a much less important and thankless job than being, say, a doctor. Would you rather have your clinic, nephew, and the hundreds of wounded that our paradigm would otherwise save?

Mathiu: I think you need to re-evaluate your decision making "paradigm"....if you are to ask me questions such as that.

Leon: You seem to forget that I have had many, many years to evaluate my methods. They are effective.

Mathiu: So you say, Uncle. But when you bring death and despair to people, do you still sleep at night? Do your "methods" bring your comfort?

Leon: Do you think I don't know the consequences? It is a war itself being a strategist, Mathiu; you know that as well as I. But, at the end of day, yes, I do sleep... Because there will always be another day with a decision harder to make than the last.
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Leon smirked to himself, almost pleased his nephew had not taken the bait. "It is unfortunate that there is no such thing as a quick study to relationships."

"Are you implying something?" Mathiu asked, letting his arms drop back into the tub. "Nevermind. Of course you are, dear uncle."

"Subtlety was never a strong point of mine, I'm afraid," Leon replied with a slight incline of the head. "In any case, perhaps you should rethink how you portray people. You let your heart do the talking far too much; it is no wonder that it bleeds so much." He reached for his towel, wrapping it around his waist as he rose out of the bath.

Mathiu averted his eyes as Leon stood up. "Better to be guided by my heart than driven by emotionless power."

"Best to have your heart at the end of the day than on the floor, crushed by those whom you mistrusted it to." Leon gathered his clothes and stayed to a corner of the bath house, fixing his clothing as he dressed.


Holy crap, K. I forgot how intense those two were when we RPed them. >_>

Albert: We are here to be experiments. Inhuman experiments; they are advanced enough to steal our humanity. And still you hound me with your snark.
Caesar: Humanity-stealing, my butt. I'm afraid it would take more than someone slapping a pair of wings on your back to make an angel out of you, Albert. ♥

Caesar: These last two years have been just unbearable without your uplifting pleasantries and general aura of good cheer. I've been doing great, thanks for asking.
Albert: Is that so? Two years? I fear knowing what exploits you could have endeavored into in that time. Nothing commendable, I'm sure.
Caesar: *scowls* Oh, the usual; extreme acts of debauchery, doing my best to destroy the precious Silverberg reputation, starting world-wide wars -- you know how it is. God, Albert you are such a prick.

Caesar: Father says hello, by the way, not that you seem to care.
Albert: You're right. I don't.


In other news, we have a little bit of snow in the trees this morning. Likely everyone's staying in when there's about an inch of snow on the ground.

Edit (2:23 PM): Huh. Now it's snowing a lot more. Wow.