expiationlogs

i.
[After the events of the maze, Astralin found it a bit difficult to relax. Everything was a bit too overwhelming, and even though he's recovered since then, he's been a bit restless. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any sort of hot springs or spa opened in Aldrip, and he wasn't about to visit the neighboring villages and towns to try and relax. So, as one does, he took it upon himself to use the remaining land that he had now to incorporate a hot springs on his land.

It's busy on the farm again with construction, and despite the citizens of Aldrip being much more... Wary of the chosen, he still managed to find a few of them that would still work with him on the construction. So, you'll find Astralin hovering over the construction with his arms crossed. His focus on some of the construction workers as they begin working on the hot spring. Ready to open it to the public once it was constructed.]

ii.
[After the construction, you'll find Astralin still outside. He isn't relaxing, but instead, honing his magical abilities. The maze has left a scar on him that certainly left him traumatized, and he feels like he needs to practice more to ensure he can keep the people he calls friends here, safe. It's the least that he can do for them, but even then, it seems like his powers didn't have any affect on the illusions when he did try and attack them.

He tries not to let that bother him though, and he focuses on summoning his icicles from thin air. Those icicles being hauled forward and toward their intended targets that he had set up. The whole farm filled with lingering frost that may or may not shift into Aldrip while he practices.]

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[Yu's face shows some of the surprise he's feeling at that.] You really have it all figured out, huh?

[That said, he's impressed. No wonder Astralin was able to get the farm running so efficiently, if this is how industrious he is about it. As for the rest...he offers a small smile, his expression grateful. He's more or less used to being on his own -- to taking care of himself. It's just how he's been since he was little. So hearing something like that...maybe it makes him think of his uncle.]

I understand. [A lot of them are probably feeling that way.] Just...don't try to do it all alone. "Us kids" can help, too.

[At least the ones he knows can. TWAT club represent, yo.]

An investigation? [His eyebrows lift.] To figure out what happened to the locals, or...?

Aha, you give me far too much credit. I just like to keep busy when I can.

[Still, the compliment prompts a faint blush to appear on his face in embarrassment. He was never one to take compliments well, and he tries to hide his blush by turning his face away from Yu. His eyes focused back on the construction of the hot spring, as the men and women begin to haul over rocks to the main area. The hot spring clearly having a Japanese influence to it, thanks to Kotone.]

I will not. I know that you all are very capable as well, and I have kept that in mind. I suppose it is just natural for me to want to protect all of you... Being a father and all. I cannot help it, I suppose.

[He chuckles, nodding his head.]

Yes. There must be a reason why there is a sudden shift in their attitude, and I would like to know why if possible.

[He smiles a bit even as Astralin downplays it -- and doesn't push. Compliments can be hard to take, that's something he understands. For a moment, he watches the workers thoughtfully as the construction begins to take on some familiar shapes. So it's going to be like that, huh...?

His expression turns fond at those words. A parent's protectiveness...]

I understand. [And he's grateful, too, even if he can't promise to stay out of trouble. Even at home, he couldn't make that promise.

Speaking of trouble--]

I would, too. Since it happened so soon after the maze, I can't help wondering if there's a connection, but...none of them went into it, so it's hard to say.

[Honestly, he knows that these kids aren't going to stay out of trouble. He's had four of them, and all of them have been very foolish, despite being so wise now. He figures that they will do as they please, and the best he can do is watch over them and ensure that they do not fall into danger.]

Yes, the timing is a bit too close. I do have to wonder if they were able to see inside of the maze while we were trapped in there, but I am not sure... Perhaps at some point, we were on full display.

[He doesn't know what happened outside of the maze during that time, so he's just going to take guesses until something rings true.]

I am sure that you can handle yourselves, though. However, just know that I will be there if you ever need my assistance. I will always have my tablet on me, so feel free to reach me by any means necessary.

[Yu was a good kid, and he didn't want to see him hurt.]

Now, enough of the serious talk... Shall we move to the animals and comfort them during construction?

[Too close. That's a good way of putting it...Yu nods in agreement, thoughtfully rolling the idea over in his mind. Is it possible that the townspeople were able to see what happened within the maze? If so, how? It's disconcerting, in a way. Being seen like that...it makes them all vulnerable.

There's a kindness in Astralin's offer that pulls him away from that train of thought. It reminds him of his uncle, in a way, and a pang of homesickness works its way into his chest.]

... Thank you. Really.

[It-- it means a lot to him. It really does.]

Mm, alright. Does this kind of stuff bother them much?

[He's never had a pet or an animal, so he wouldn't really know.]

There is no need to thank me... I suppose being a parent of four makes me worried about everyone else here.

[The frown slowly drops, and the corner of his lips curve into a soft smile as they begin to shift subjects, and locations. Now in the barn, where the cows don't seem to be too disturbed, at least. The cows immediately placing their attention on Yu and Astralin, before they start to move toward them to seemingly get food.]

Mmm... Cows do have sensitive hearing, but as long as the workers are not throwing things, then it should be alright. They will retreat if they are scared, but as you can see, they expect food. Fruits, to be exact.

[He points at the basket of fruit out of reach from the cows, that Yu will see on one of the shelves.]

Four? Really?

[Yu's expression mirrors the surprise in his voice. He can't really articulate what about that surprises him, but for some reason, four feels like...a lot...

Though, if he's as good with kids as he is with animals, maybe it's not too much after all.]

I see. So they're food-motivated.

[...

Clearly he's gonna feed the cow. How can he not? It's a thing he's never done before. He loves things he's never done before. (Is he maybe planning to check the bookstore on the way home for farming books?...will neither confirm nor deny.) He grabs an apple out of the basket and holds it out to one of them.]

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