steepwithdead | Folkmore

It's a very strange hill to die on. I'm sorry that this wasn't the reunion you were longing for. After everything that you all went through, most would expect this to be the better option.

Thank you. [He answers initially. Feeling like all he is doing is spinning in circles about all of this.

He ends up picking back up his glass to take another sip. Leonardo soaks in the atmosphere of the kitchen being lived in again. He hadn't realized how lonely the place felt without someone else here.]

It'll be nice to stay with you. It's a little closer to Casey and the other kids. I can at least go see him. Keep him from working himself to the bone.

[Caduceus makes a concerned, thoughtful noise at that, as he stirs things about at the stove.]

Is that what's been happening? I've been respecting his privacy, but he's cancelled a number of our talks recently.

[Understandable that this situation would be affecting the children as well, but without context or reason, it's been worrying him.]

He's been sleeping badly too. I told him, to take care of himself first, but- [Leonardo sighs a little.] He really picked up all my and my brothers worst habits.

Hmm. Not uncommon for children, especially when raised in difficult circumstances.

[He's seen it before. In this specific case, actually...]

This happened before. A long time ago, well before your arrival- it's what got us talking. There was a particularly painful trial, and Rue asked me to meet with him, for counselling. I gave him some tea to help him sleep. When we're at my place, I'll get you more to pass along, might help again.

[That takes some more stress off Leonardo's shoulders. To no one surprise, his concern is always for his son. He finishes off his glass of water. He places the cup in the sink, intending to come back to it later.]

That would be appreciated. I want him to get actual rest at some point. Instead of doing what his uncle is probably doing at this point.

[Caduceus gives his arm another light touch when he's at the stove, since he's closer and within reach. Physical comfort, he recognizes, is a benefit to Leonardo right now.]

He seems to share that trait with his younger self, as well. It'd be best if we don't let the younger generation follow those footsteps. Adults should be helping to resolve these problems, not the other way around.

[The touch is appreciated, given the attempt of a smile, Leonardo tries. It isn't an act at least. Just... a try to show his appreciation back.]

Trying to tell that to teenagers is like pulling teeth. I can tell you from experience, I was one of those teens once. [He jokes weakly back.] Casey has big ideas, big ideas he got from Donnie, but... Donnie isn't hearing it.

Does he have his own plan?

[That feels important. It's all well and good to run off and get some space for yourself, but if there's no step after that, you're left with a standstill.]

As far as I'm aware, no. [Its almost like running off and isolating yourself is a terrible plan.] He wants us to stay out of what he's planning.

So he may have one, but he's not interested in sharing it.

[Makes things a lot harder to plan around him or collaborate. Although it's apparent he's not interested in either of those.]

We've pulled off bigger miracles, we can do something together. [He answers with a sigh.

Leo rubs at his chest plate injury absently, before he moves to heavily sit back down.]

Okay, I gotta ask, what are you making?

[Different topic for his sake for now.]

Edited 2025-10-16 04:05 (UTC)

[Caduceus hums an agreement - he hasn't seen them personally, but someone who's lived such a long life of fighting has bound to have accomplished plenty of miracles, especially in the eyes of people he saved. It's a heroism thing. Try doing the right thing for long enough, and eventually you end up as someone's miracle.

The subject shift is obvious, and he obligingly leans into it.]

Ah, chicken... parmesan? Or maybe a different kind of cheese, not sure. The spirit at the market recommended it. It'll be over a tomato medley pasta, so I can have a little. Should give you a few meals of leftovers.

[He's glad for Cad leaning into the topic change. He feels a little bad Caduceus can't eat all of the meal. The man really didn't need to make a meal he couldn't mostly eat.] Chicken Parmesan, Mikey used to make that a lot. He loved cooking.

I think you'll like the pasta part at least.

Yeah, I like this particular recipe. Hope you do as well.

[The chicken parm of it is new for him, but the rest is foods he's cooked before. It'll just be creamier and cheesier than he's had it.]

It's almost done. Ideally it'll warm you up. [Warmth for the soul, too.]

I'm sure I'll love it. You know your way around a kitchen. [He feels pretty confident about that at least. It brings back a bit of warmth to his features, if for a moment. He leans back in his seat for a moment, gathering a bit more energy.]

Can I set the table, or is that illegal? [At least he's asking.]

Hmmm. [Very gentle disapproval, but-] You may. But you're on thin ice.

Not the first time I've been on thin ice. [He jokes back, though he is careful about getting back up. He moves to open the cutlery drawer and pull out a few things. Glad he has some dishes in a lower within reach cabinet.]

Just don't go overboard with the cutlery.

[Whatever the heck that means.]

Damn, there goes my plan to win you over with my use of tiny spoons. [He jokes back easily enough. They don't need much, at least. So the process is short and simple.

Leo does sit down a bit more heavily now.]

Sorry, I can't be won.

[Won how? Who knows. He sounds amused, though.he starts laying slabs of cheese over the chicken, arranged in a pan, and pre-heats the oven.

When Leonardo sits down heavily, he makes a disapproving noise.]

You really need to stop exerting yourself.

c'est la vie, tragic for me. [He finds it easier to joke, shrugging a little.]

I'll have you know, this is me resting. I'm resting so hard. [He's managing a smile, at least for now. Trying to not dwell on the earlier conversation.]

[C'est la what now?? That's not on his language list.]

You could try a little harder.

[Another language to learn!!]

I'm working on it. [He's seated again, so he's not getting up for a while. Leo genuinely does kind of hate having to just... stay put. He's also aware an accident could break the resin very easily.] I'm not really a rest kind of guy I guess.

If you don't learn how to be, you'll only prolong your healing, and make it worse for yourself. [And since he's clocked how protective parents work quite well by now-] And you'll worry your son.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject