Tale as Old As Time [Finished]

[accalia]

Echo smiles brightly as Siegfried speaks.

"This one wondered if you had noticed. This one felt him approach while this one was tuning the guitar. He is conflicted right now and that makes him much easier to detect. This one thinks he has some new things to think about and it may well do him some considerable good. This meal may be interesting."

Echo washes his hands carefully as he speaks. As he dries his hands he speaks again.

"So, about making that meal?"

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried flinches slightly. Of course Echo knew. "I probably shouldn't have baited him," he mumbles, going to the pantry. "Perhaps a wild rice stew?"

[accalia]

"This one thinks it is good that you did. It should help break the shell he as constructed around himself and allow him to bloom."

Echo moves to the pantry and starts flipping through the spices available.

"an excellent idea for the stew, perhaps served with a medley of roasted vegetables?"

[yamikuronue]

"Excellent idea, I have some yellow and purple carrots I've been meaning to try. They're said to be sweeter." Siegfried pulls out the bunch of carrots from the pantry, along with some potatoes. "If I said what I did to help him, it would be one thing, but I said it out of frustration, which was childish of me. Sometimes I feel that our places should have been reversed -- that he'd learn much by being forced to carry on while I'd love to have a ten-year sulk."

[accalia]

"Whether it was done in anger or said for good and noble reasons does matter. What matters is the result of those words, the results of the actions."

Echo begins peeling the carrots and potatoes for the meal.

"One is not remembered for their thoughts, one is remembered for their words and actions"

[yamikuronue]

Siegfried gives a dry smile. "I suppose I have the disadvantage, then."

When dinner is ready and on the table, Lance again chooses to join them. His hair is still damp from being freshly washed, and he manages a more neutral expression on his face, rather than the scowl from before.

"....Good evening," he says, awkwardly, as he takes a seat.

[accalia]

Echo once again stands  as Lance enters and bows deeply when he reaches the table. After Lance sits echo resumes his seat.

"A very good evening to you sir. How are we feeling this evening?"

[yamikuronue]

"...alright," says Lance, unsure how to answer. Siegfried begins dishing out the stew, as Lance glances down at his bowl, unsure what to say next.

[accalia]

"That is good to hear."

Echo eats quietly and with gusto, eventually he speaks up again.

"This one wonders, did perhaps the young master hear this one's performance earlier today?"

[yamikuronue]

"Some," he admits, keeping his eyes on his bowl as Siegfried sits down.

[accalia]

"Indeed, what did you think of it? Was the performance to your liking?"

[yamikuronue]

Lance hesitates. "It was fine," he says, after a long pause.

"I actually wanted to make an announcement," he adds, seeking to change the topic. Siegfried glances up, raising an eyebrow; Rosanna frowns, not liking where this is going as Lance continues. "I've decided not to keep on any staff. I'll write letters of recommendation for any of you that want them, but I won't be continuing your employment here."

[accalia]

Echo frowns at the announcement.

"That is sad news indeed. Are you sure that is a good idea? For this one will easily be able to make a living anywhere, this one is indeed used to it, but these fine people.... no... this one will not speculate, it would be too much like ill wishing...."

[yamikuronue]

Lance nods. "I'm sure of it. Just as I'm sure with my letter of recommendation--"

"I won't be needing one," remarks Siegfried, interrupting uncharacteristically.

Lance frowns. "Have you already found--"

"I won't be leaving."

Lance's face grows harder. "I won't pay you."

"Fine," he says, shrugging. "I'll live on what the garden produces, Lord knows I have little enough needs anyway."

[accalia]

Echo blinks and surprise and looks both questioningly at Rosanna.

Echo raises a single eyebrow in an unspoken "and you?" question.