[ Hours later, into the later evening of Louis' first day, Ayer couldn't help it in the end and decided to check on the revenant. He'll keep this brief as the last thing he wants is to intrude. He's aware the other doesn't need much rest, regardless it's still counterproductive to bother him for long. Because he wants this person to ease up this evening, and peaceful chances like this shouldn't be taken for granted. There's been a lot to take in and there will be more in the coming days. ]
[The text arrives much after they've parted, in the middle of Louis' near-neurotic efforts to rearrange the room in a way he can approve of. After all he's already done... telling him now is a little—]
Understood.
[A pause. He doesn't want to lie and say he is, but he would feel bad to worry the other now.]
How easy am I supposed to be taking it? There's so much to do still...
[ Sometimes, these hardworking or serious types need a tiny reminder to stop for the day. That's enough for Ayer to do, and it's all up to Louis to listen or not. He'll be at ease as long as he's done at least that for him, since he has no idea of the other's plans and activities. ]
[And he doesn't want to waste any of it, right now. These first few days feel the most crucial to setting the foundation for the rest of his life here, however long it may come to be. Once he's over this initial hill, then and only then will he maybe find he can truly "take it easy." He appreciates Ayer's concern nonetheless.]
You shouldn't stay up too late, either. You'll be taking the lead tomorrow, after all.
[ "I just wanted to know if you're okay." That goes unsaid, as Ayer experienced this scenario multiple times from others too. Overly compassionate and dedicated people like Louis always do their best not to cause worry, so they would often lie even if they're not actually okay. This is why Ayer feels limited in what he can do…
All he can really say is this much. ]
It's never easy when you're restless.
I still remember how I felt when I first came here.
That day, I ended up getting too overwhelmed, I nearly passed out.
[Ah... Passing out. Louis was more mindful of that in his student days—or better said, his human days. He may have been zealous more often than not, but even the sister he strove to catch up to would warn him to maintain his health, and that he'd have no right to preach unto others when he couldn't set the example himself.
It's not that he'd forgotten those words, but... perhaps he's taken advantage of a revenant's tirelessness a little too much over the years. Hearing Ayer's own story is a sorry reminder of that.]
I'm sorry. That couldn't have been a pleasant experience.
Restless might be just the tip of the iceberg, really... but don't worry. I won't be pushing myself to a point of collapse.
[ The Grandcypher crew members who were present at the time, they eventually found Ayer before it became too much to handle. He was able to rest in a safe place with them by his side and he'll always be grateful to them. This is why he is so determined to do things right. He refuses to be the only one protected. Louis also protected him before…
Ayer wants to believe the revenant wouldn't forget their earlier conversation, so he won't repeat himself. Even if Louis possibly forgets again, Ayer doesn't need him to remember anyway. He'll be here… He'll always be here. Louis is also not alone. ]
[How long has it been since he's received a good night text (not to mention texted at all)? It's... warmer than he remembered. Or perhaps it's the long drought of such that's made it so. It's seemingly such an insignificant thing, but he can't help the way his expression softens looking at the screen.
Ayer's shown his concern for Louis again and again, and even in this. The least he could do is bear that in mind as he works tonight... He'll try not to overdo it, knowing that someone is watching over him. He has to value himself, not only for the sake of the friends he'll make here—but also of those in his faraway home.]
Hmm. Is that not exactly why, though? If it's their first anniversary, I can understand him wanting to do it perfectly.
Did he seem like the kind of man who'd add hearts?
Well... Actually, go for it. I can't imagine she'd be unhappy with it in any way. Even if it's a little more sentimental than his usual, that has appeal of its own.
[Okay, well... When they’re placed side by side like that, maybe the point is clear. He still likes the first one just fine, but if this a professional matter—]
Mm... Can you not scrape it off and try again? As long as you’re careful and still have enough frosting for it, you should be able to...
Or maybe try a simpler design if you’re not confident you can pull it off?
[ The first one would've been okay if it was a homemade personal gift. But yes, someone is paying for this after all, so Ayer can't half-ass it. He has to do everything he can. ]
Okay… I'll start with scraping it off first.
[ Another set of minutes— ]
An idea clicked while I was cleaning the sides off.
I tried to think as simple as you said. What do you think of it now?
[ Ayer was trying to think of a whole new design or redoing all the roses, but he decided to try something after picking up the "keep it simple" idea thanks to Louis. This didn't take as much effort as the roses. ]
[Oh! Indeed, it's a bit simpler in technique, but still requires a good amount of effort to achieve that attention to detail. In the end, it's another beautiful take. Ayer is a boy of many talents.]
I think it may be even cuter than before. The roses are much cleaner, too. They'll love it.
text
Date: 2020-07-22 03:22 am (UTC)I hope you're taking it easy now.
We have a long day tomorrow.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 06:43 am (UTC)Understood.
[A pause. He doesn't want to lie and say he is, but he would feel bad to worry the other now.]
How easy am I supposed to be taking it? There's so much to do still...
no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 07:17 am (UTC)I know.
But you have time now, don't you?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 08:00 am (UTC)[And he doesn't want to waste any of it, right now. These first few days feel the most crucial to setting the foundation for the rest of his life here, however long it may come to be. Once he's over this initial hill, then and only then will he maybe find he can truly "take it easy." He appreciates Ayer's concern nonetheless.]
You shouldn't stay up too late, either. You'll be taking the lead tomorrow, after all.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 05:13 pm (UTC)[ "I just wanted to know if you're okay." That goes unsaid, as Ayer experienced this scenario multiple times from others too. Overly compassionate and dedicated people like Louis always do their best not to cause worry, so they would often lie even if they're not actually okay. This is why Ayer feels limited in what he can do…
All he can really say is this much. ]
It's never easy when you're restless.
I still remember how I felt when I first came here.
That day, I ended up getting too overwhelmed, I nearly passed out.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 05:58 pm (UTC)It's not that he'd forgotten those words, but... perhaps he's taken advantage of a revenant's tirelessness a little too much over the years. Hearing Ayer's own story is a sorry reminder of that.]
I'm sorry. That couldn't have been a pleasant experience.
Restless might be just the tip of the iceberg, really... but don't worry. I won't be pushing myself to a point of collapse.
[He physically, literally cannot, but. Details.]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 07:14 pm (UTC)I wasn't alone.
[ The Grandcypher crew members who were present at the time, they eventually found Ayer before it became too much to handle. He was able to rest in a safe place with them by his side and he'll always be grateful to them. This is why he is so determined to do things right. He refuses to be the only one protected. Louis also protected him before…
Ayer wants to believe the revenant wouldn't forget their earlier conversation, so he won't repeat himself. Even if Louis possibly forgets again, Ayer doesn't need him to remember anyway. He'll be here… He'll always be here. Louis is also not alone. ]
Good night.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-22 09:02 pm (UTC)Ayer's shown his concern for Louis again and again, and even in this. The least he could do is bear that in mind as he works tonight... He'll try not to overdo it, knowing that someone is watching over him. He has to value himself, not only for the sake of the friends he'll make here—but also of those in his faraway home.]
Sweet dreams.
I'll see you tomorrow.
text. 1/2.
Date: 2020-07-25 07:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 07:23 am (UTC)… Three seconds later, he clarifies before Louis gets the wrong idea. ]
It's for work.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 07:56 am (UTC)I think that would depend on the girl, and maybe even the occasion, but I also feel it's a bit hard to go wrong with flowers...
You don't trust your eye for these things?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 08:02 am (UTC)A housewife.
The client, her husband, left me to decide. It's for their anniversary.
And, no. Someone else normally handles this. I'm not cut out for delicate stuff.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 08:14 am (UTC)[Or he's a bit careless for a husband, but he wants to think the best for now.]
Well, roses were always a reliable option... if not a little predictable.
If you wanted to get more creative, can you think of any colors she might favor?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 08:26 am (UTC)I don't know why he would, they've been together for at least one year…
[ Surely, he's actually capable of having some kind of idea? ]
Roses… You're right. Maybe I should stick to that. I haven't been given much to work with, so I don't know her preferences.
Should I add hearts, or is that too lame?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:07 am (UTC)Did he seem like the kind of man who'd add hearts?
Well... Actually, go for it. I can't imagine she'd be unhappy with it in any way. Even if it's a little more sentimental than his usual, that has appeal of its own.
1 / 2
Date: 2020-07-25 09:32 am (UTC)[ Wanting to do it perfectly, because it's the first time. ]
Just like me, then. I've never handled an order like this before.
[ So here he is, speaking to Louis about it! ]
Okay. Give me a few minutes to design it first.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:36 am (UTC)IT SUCKS
WHAT SHOULD I DO
[ And a photo attachment… ]
I can't give this to a client!!
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:49 am (UTC)I don’t see anything wrong with it, though...?
Isn’t it fine as is? I think it’s cute.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 10:26 am (UTC)[ Some sides are uneven and some of the roses are cut off. He ran out of room at the edge. ]
I was trying to base it from this…
[ A second attachment. This is expectation vs reality. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 03:49 pm (UTC)Mm... Can you not scrape it off and try again? As long as you’re careful and still have enough frosting for it, you should be able to...
Or maybe try a simpler design if you’re not confident you can pull it off?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 08:28 pm (UTC)Okay… I'll start with scraping it off first.
[ Another set of minutes— ]
An idea clicked while I was cleaning the sides off.
I tried to think as simple as you said. What do you think of it now?
[ Ayer was trying to think of a whole new design or redoing all the roses, but he decided to try something after picking up the "keep it simple" idea thanks to Louis. This didn't take as much effort as the roses. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:17 pm (UTC)I think it may be even cuter than before. The roses are much cleaner, too. They'll love it.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:29 pm (UTC)Really? You're not just saying that, are you?
All I did is remove the crappiest roses and kept the better-looking ones, then covered the imperfections with whipped cream…
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:54 pm (UTC)It looks great! I promise.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 10:19 pm (UTC)The hearts.
[ He shows it: they're sprinkles. Now it's done!! ]
Thanks for putting up with me.
[ Th, thankfully… This is over text. Ayer would've struggled to say that otherwise. ]