Welcome to Gaia! ::

Caedus usually kept to the forest outside of the city when he was out. He didn’t like to use his glamour much, so it meant that he took great effort to stay out of of sight. Most eventings, this was an effective technique.

Tonight, not so much.

He was dressed in his uniform, and went without his cloak. In winter, he would don it again. Now, it was too hot. He’d just wanted a bit of fresh air, not to melt.

The was a stream nearby, and he’d intended to sit next to it and just listen to the sounds of nature. He just wanted something a bit different from all the noises of the city.

Vaylin had beaten him here.

His instinct had told him to dart and flee, but she approached with such kindness that he found himself succumbing to the loneliness he carried in his heart. It was dangerous to stay.

He couldn’t help himself.

“Just Caedus,” he corrected, as polite as always. He didn’t think he deserved any sort of title. His voice sounded a bit rough, like he might not have spoken for a while, but there was a friendly undertone.

He recognized Vaylin, of course, and offered a small smile. “I am glad to see you as well. It has been quite a while since I saw any of you.”

For good reason, though. He didn’t have a death wish.

For a moment, Caedus was quiet. He was probably very good at keeping his cards hidden, but there was something about him that just seemed tired. Whatever shields he had up were thinning. Maybe just tonight. He’d always seemed like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, but there was something just a bit more vulnerable about him tonight.

He was no less guarded, but her words inspired a much desired dream.

“Thank you. I am fine. I have food and shelter. I was just out for a walk tonight. I am restless.” Too much energy to be still, not enough to do anything phenomenal. He was far more interested in how she and the rest of the Vanguard were doing than he was interested in talking about himself.

“You owe me no apologies.” He didn’t act as if he were mad at Lyndin, only hurt. It carried in his voice, his posture, his eyes. “But I must admit, I do not know how I can be helped. Or what I need. I suppose there has been no advancement on starseed research, or I would have heard of it.” He already sounded disappointed. “Or any breakthroughs on how I might help while keeping possession of my own.”

Vaylin made sense, in that Caedus could understand her words. If not necessarily the meaning behind them, or the motivations. He chanced a small, tired smile.

He had trusted before. He had been betrayed.

Even if he sensed no ill will in her offer, the wound was still fresh. He didn’t know if it would ever heal, but he was doing his best to focus on the future and not dwell on the past. It was just difficult to follow through when he knew the majority of the Vanguardians were still following orders to detain him.

“I too am hopeful that there are alternatives,” he said softly. “With all the life on Earth, I find it impossible that our options would be so limited. But maybe that is just wishful thinking.” He sighed heavily and his head hung a bit. “I will not reject any offered help. I am out of my element. I have made no progress in finding any alternatives. Perhaps I am not doing enough. I was hoping that with so many bright minds, and Commodore Lyndin here, there would be progress, but…it feels like such an impossible task. I appreciate your enthusiasm. I too am certain there is a better answer out there. I only hope we can find it before…”

His voice trailed off and he drew in a deep breath. For a moment, he held it, and then he slowly released it. “I am sorry to disappoint you. I wish I had more information to help you. I think you have a worthy goal. I have been trying to understand why Earth is at the center of so much. I have spoken with a few, about their worlds. About how they have restored them. I have wondered if there is not some power in the universe that could ignite Velenia again, or grant Velencya the strength it needs to succeed in whatever form our people think best. It seems like there are so many options, and yet I find myself overwhelmed with dead ends. Have you found anything promising yet in your efforts?”