010 Omens of Crusnik

[kinship]

[A: Elementary School (OPEN)]

[What is that sound floating out over the playground at lunch? It's piano music, just basic tunes being repeated over and over again from the open window of the music room. Cain has retired there to study the books that Charles gave him, tireless in his pursuit of being the very best at whatever task was set to him.

Every time he makes a mistake, he repeats that part of the piece over and over again until it's flawless. Anyone at all is free to hear his attempts or tell him to shut up.]

[B: Around Town (OPEN)]

[Tis the season, and all that... It's Cain's first Christmas where he'll actually get to celebrate, instead of watching all the colonists exchange presents while never being part of it himself. He's been saving all the pocket money that his drone not!mother had been giving him (until she got replaced yesterday), as well as the money he got for doing odd-jobs for his friends. So now he's out and about shopping for gifts.

Do you work in any of the stores? Then this blond haired boy might just be peering over the counter with a bright smile. Are you wandering down the street aimlessly? Feel free to bump into Cain as he carries a stack of boxes too high to see over... because clearly that's just asking for trouble.]

[C: Phone (OPEN)]

[Did you order a rousing pep talk by a ten year old today, Mayfield? No... shame, because it's coming anyway.]

Christmas is coming soon... Maybe you celebrate something else in your world, or maybe you don't celebrate anything at all, but here... I think they'll have Christmas. I don't know if anything will happen, but...

Even if it does, and even if it hurts us, we can't let it break us. We have to keep our eyes forward, and we have to stick together. As long as we look out for each other, then we can change the future to whatever we want.

[D: Home (Locked to Housemates)]

[It seemed like he was the first one home, which was a little odd after the drone!Esther housewife who had always been there to welcome him in and tell him to do his homework before dinner. Which, consequently, led to the thought that there was no dinner... Astha didn't seem the type to make a meal for the family based on what he had seen, Rachel had already shown she believed cooking beneath her, and he didn't want to die so Abel was out.

Therefore, whenever anyone else gets home, they might find the youngest non-drone member of the household stood on a chair by the stove. He's pouring over one of the recipes Esther had left behind, not being allowed to go and find any more of his own, and is carefully adding things to a big bubbling pot.]

Comments

[encored]

It does add something refreshing. A knight then, are you? [even in jest, he seems to find it pretty funny to share a title with someone like that.]

Pray tell, have you a reason for the difference?

[kinship]

They're just the names we were given, that's all.

[Because they're not even from the same country, let alone anything else. Cain only actually met his own twin when he was eight.]

[encored]

Are you from a place without the traditional surnames? [he doesn't sound too curious about the subject though, living in a 'family' himself in which only two shared a last name.]

They're quite nice, at any rate. Whoever chose them had fine taste. [if not a bit too over-the-top in the biblical reference department...]

[kinship]

We are, actually... our family is just a little unconventional.

[He grins, before gesturing to his friend.]

But however majestic our names, they will never compare to 'Just Charles'.

[encored]

It does bear something of a commanding note, yes? [oh, the sarcasm. he doesn't sound annoyed over it, at least.]

I do fear you may develop an inferiority complex simply by having to speak such a grand name too often, so for your own sake you ought to use it sparingly.

[kinship]

[He could not help but chuckle at that, it was a very witty warning.]

You're probably right, I'll use it as sparingly as I can. I'm sure I'll find some other way to address you in the meantime, my friend. --Ah! There, I just found one.

[encored]

[unlike the half-amused way he reacted to his former nickname with, he goes quiet at this one, and for a moment it looks like his placid expression will be marred by a scowl.

he seems to get over whatever that was very fast, though, and instead raps his knuckles against the practise book and pushes himself from the bench to straighten his cloak.]

Coming up with ways to address me won't aid you at all in your playing, I'm afraid. If we're to play at the same level, you mustn't let your practise slack.

[kinship]

[Now that is interesting, and says more about Charles than Cain had known before, though he takes care not to let it show on his face at all. His question is almost casual, despite how curious he is.]

You don't like being called a friend? I hoped that's what we were.

[encored]

[his tone seems to be equally casual now, and his expression shifts to one of clear but mild amusement. he's pretty good at backtracking initial reactions, it is clearly an invaluable skill...]

You're a rather presumptuous person, aren't you? [and that's about as straight an answer as Cain will manage to get out of him concerning the topic.]

[kinship]

[He notes that with interest, wondering what Charles' aversion is to making friends - or rather, admitting he has made them. He chooses not to answer if it's presumptuous to assume they were friends, shrugging mildly.]

You're my friend, Just Charles, regardless of if that's reciprocated.

[encored]

[the most that comment earns from him is an apathetic semi-shrug, and he turns to face the door.]

Either way, I do hope you'll carry on with your practise. I look forward to seeing improvement in our next meeting.

[kinship]

[He won't keep him here, but he'll remember this...]

I won't disappoint you, oh-great-teacher.