video; evening of day 445

[familyissues]

[ Heya, Asgard. Desmond here has been part of the recent disappearances, unaware of the time that has passed between his departure and his return. Judging by his surroundings, he's just been given the boot by the castle maids, his expression tense. Small wonder why. It's a mite chilly for May, and he's clearly without a shirt.

Or much else, though he's not letting the camera drop to display any of that for public consumption. Banding in the stushes seems like a good plan for now, yes. ]

If this is someone's idea of a joke, no offense, but your sense of humor could use some work. If there's anyone up now that could lend a guy some pants, I'd be eternally grateful and in your debt et cetera et cetera.

Comments

video;

[pushesgently]

[For a long moment, Altaïr just stares. They've processed the shock, begun to deal with the grief--and here Desmond is again.]

You remember.

video;

[familyissues]

[ Altaïr what. ]

Good, you're up. I'm just outside the castle, so if we could hurry this along, jiddie, it's kinda cold out here.

video;

[pushesgently]

[...well that's terribly nonchalant.]

Are you all right?

[Besides being cold.]

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[familyissues]

[ Desmond doesn't fluster often, but now is a pretty good time for it. For a guy who normally talks with his hands, they're noticeably absent in the feed, preserving whatever modesty he has left. ]

Oh fine, just suffering from a- [ cough ] -case of shrinkage.

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[secondborn]

[Alastair stares too, for a moment blankly, and then all of a sudden relief crashes across his face.]

Desmond you're back.

Video

[familyissues]

Alastair! Hey- sorry, I really didn't mean to walk out after that-

[ Especially not while he was still naked as a jay bird, goes the unspoken part of that. He reasons that it could have been worse (he could have actually left, imagine that) but right now? This naked deal is way more worrying. ]

[secondborn]

[Alastair doesn't even know what to say for a moment, he's just... he's just glad Desmond's back.]

No, you didn't... you were gone for a week, Desmond. I... [He swallows.] We thought you were gone.

[familyissues]

What?

[ No, seriously, what? ]

A week? No, no, Alastair, I was getting a shower and wound up here. It can't be a week, it's only been an hour.

[ An uncertain look at the darkening sky ] ...maybe a bit longer.

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[sicarius]

[There is just unrecognizable disbelief at first. They had slowly and sadly accepted the fact that Desmond had gone, returned home to a fate that he deserved far better than. Now here he was. Back again. As if nothing had ever changed.

Ezio's voice is weak, as if he's been punched in the gut and left winded.]

...Desmond.

[He can't even say anything else, but his eyes are so thankful to see him again.]

video;

[familyissues]

[ YOU ARE ALL WEIRDING HIM OUT WHAT THE FUCK. ]

It's cool, Altaïr's got me covered. Hopefully literally in this case. You...okay?

[ This is a mystery~~~ ]

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[sicarius]

[THEY'RE WEIRDING HIM OUT?

YOU ARE WEIRDING THEM OUT DESMOND WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GO.]

You were gone for a week, figlio.

[They had thought the worst, and it shows.]

video;

[familyissues]

[ HE DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE WHAT THE HELL, MAN. ]

That's not possible.

[ Deny deny deny, but there's only so much denying a man can do when three of the people he's closest to have looked at him like he's climbed back out of his grave. ]

[womanfromacre]

[So someone's grandmother doesn't like to think herself prone to overemotional displays of sentiment buuuuut-]

Desmond!

[familyissues]

Maria.

[ After a flurry of other conversations, now he knows. Now he's started to grasp just what went on during these missing days. ]

I'm fine, I'm- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to freak everyone out...

[womanfromacre]

I am starting to view everyone 'freaking out' for one reason or another as something normal these days. There's nothing you need to apologise for, it wasn't your choice.

[But she is going to look at him quizzically.]

What have you done with your trousers? And your shirt for that matter...

[familyissues]

Oh. Right. It's a funny story, really...

[Voice] - late to the party

[true_renaissance_man]

Should it be asked why you have misplaced your pants or... is this a private matter?

[Desmond is not in bad shape, he can easily get away with public displays, hm? ]

[familyissues]

[ Have a sheepish smile, Leo. ]

It was for a very good cause.

[true_renaissance_man]

Perhaps you were furthering the creative cause by posing for an accomplished artist?

[No? Can't blame him for planting the suggestion.]

[familyissues]

[ Desmond laughs sincerely at that, shaking his head. Negl, this is a welcome distraction from the "by the way you actually disappeared for days JUST SO YOU KNOW". He'll deal with that in due course, just. When he's dressed and not waiting for pants, right. ]

Nothing quite so lofty-minded as that, Leo. But hey, if you're offering...

[ Yep, still smiling, bold as brass. Making a friendly pass at da Vinci, of all people? Sounds like a great way to cap off his day. ]

[Voice]

[comeonthensexy]

[ The laughter in his voice is so obvious. ]

You okay there?

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[familyissues]

[ Oh, he recognizes that voice! He covers his discomfort with a chuckle. ]

Just pantsless and massively confused, Doc, both states that will soon be rectified.

[ Desmond squints off in the middle distance. ] I hope.

[comeonthensexy]

Why are you pantsless, exactly?

[familyissues]

Best way to enjoy an early summer breeze.

...kidding. Actually this wasn't by choice. I just...happened to be in my birthday suit when a higher power decided to shuffle me along to the castle. They could have given a guy some fair warning.

[late to the party action don't judge me]

[emergingspirit]

[It's hours later, back at the shop when Connor finally approaches Desmond. He's not one for the network, he'd rather do things in person, which is why he comes to Desmond with a low:]

I am glad to see you back.

[That's all. He'll go back to packaging up deliveries now.]