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[awesomegaolgreatjob]

This is Erichthonios! Please leave a message, and I shall return your contact as quickly as possible.

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[chiefkeyward]

[There’s no need to sit at all, especially since they’re leaving soon. Together, that is.]

I don’t need anything, but we’re going somewhere.

[Terse reply aside, Lahabrea moves away from the window towards the desk where an inconspicuous straw basket lies. It’s a pretty basket, one probably woven by hand, but as for what is inside…that remains a mystery for now. ]

We’re going on a picnic.

[Yes, they are. He had already made their lunches for today’s picnic, so he won’t take “no” for an answer.]

[awesomegaolgreatjob]

[ Can he sound anything but ominous? Erich feels the anxiety coiling in his belly. He should have known it was too good to last and th- ]

P...picnic.

[ Excuse his rapid blinking.

What? ]

Okay. Um. Lead the way?

[ WHAT ELSE CAN HE DO? ]

[chiefkeyward]

[Lahabrea waits patiently for his son to catch up to speed. While he knows Erichthonios is a bit odd at times, he cannot help but look a bit concerned when the youth stares at him in such shock. It’s a little embarrassing, to say a least. This serves as a stock reminder that he was a terrible father.]

Yes, a picnic. [He explains again as he reaches for the basket.] I figured we would have a better time enjoying the outdoors together rather than lingering inside.

[Explanation aside, Lahabrea makes his way towards the door, but not before turning to say the following.]

Would you mind if you carried the blankets?

[The red gingham blankets are folded neatly upon a nearby chair. It seems Lahabrea truly went out of his way to create something nice for their little picnic.]

Come along; I don’t want us to linger here for too long.

[And just like that, he’s out the door.]

[awesomegaolgreatjob]

[ Wow. Alright. So this is happening, he supposes. As the dread leaves his body it is replaced by a curiosity. ]

Yeah, that's okay.

[ He scoops up the blankets and skitters after his father, all the while trying to make sense of it. Perhaps he is making good on what he had said. Maybe. Just maybe, they really can have a better relationship here. Wild to think about, but he's not going to complain.

That aside, he does have something he needs to tell his father. Something important. ]

Where did you have in mind?

[chiefkeyward]

[It is happening, and thankfully, it's going rather well. Somewhat well, at least. Lahabrea is a rather difficult person to tolerate, especially since he is still coming to terms with his emotions. However, his icy facade is slowly beginning to melt. After all, he has Claudien's parting words to thank for that.

"Through unyielding discipline, you hoped to forge a son equal to yourself, but the crucible on which you placed him left scars that were loath to heal."

Those words haunt him to this day.]

Just beyond here, there's a grove. I went there from time to time to take in the scenery.

[He glances at Erichthonios as they walk.]

Tell me, do you—or rather, is there a place within this odd simulation that you enjoy?

[awesomegaolgreatjob]

Oh? I don't think I've been over there yet. I'd like that- or the Etheirys garden, if you haven't head the pleasure to see it yet.

[ He nods in the general direction of it. To him though, it doesn't much matter where they sit. His father wants to spend time with him. Leisure time. He likely won't be able to focus on much else.

That and trying to keep that little boy within, so desperate for his father's approval, at bay. ]

Either is good.

[ The way he fidgets with his belt is telling, it has been a habit since he received it. Though now it hangs a secondary crystal next to the first. ]

[chiefkeyward]

[Yes, he's quite aware of the garden modeled after their Star. As much as it brings him some comfort, it also reminds him too well of his failures. After all, he was supposed to be the one to govern their world into greatness, not let fall into despair and destruction. Losing Etheirys is a wound that has yet to heal for him, hence why he keeps his distance from the others.

However, that is liable to change, judging from what transpires here. ]

Mayhaps we'll venture there together on another day.

[He mentions once they've reached the grove. There's a couple of trees scattered about, but thankfully the grass here isn't so tall or bushy. He gestures for Erichthonios to find a place for them to sit in the shade.]

Nevertheless, I'm heartened to know you've found something to like about this...simulation.

[awesomegaolgreatjob]

Yeah- there are other places but, well. I mean, I guess we have naught but time.

[ Erich does settle down as indicated, but he's fidgety as ever. ]

Is there aught I can do to help?

[ As if a picnic really needs any kind of serious prep, but he's hard pressed to want to feel useless. It still feels... really weird doing this. He can't remember ever doing anything like this as a child. He wrings his hands, moving eventually to fuss with his belt. ]