Welcome to Gaia! ::

The call from the other man was a surprise both pleasant and welcome- his last memories of Eridanus were the senshi's eternal optimism, strong hands hauling him out from danger and helping to get him clear of blood and danger. It grey more vague as time passed except for the amazement-

Eridanus was the one person who had come, the one time in his life that help had come. And saved his life.

but...there's no goodbye? He's still on the line. He hasn't hung up? I don't think he's going to. He's still talking Thraen left the line on, his phone held securely and like it had become some new marvel in being a virtual line that led out from the maze of horror to one of the few and hidden patches of sunlight left to the world. " 'mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it' ? Wasn't that the second movie? You know, that movie was made before I was born. Wasn't it from 92? "

The cadence of his running and jumps slowed, nearing the place appointed. The stone boots were so loud. He could feel Eridanus before he could see the bright colours decorating body on bench. It was only as Thraen approached to conversational distance that he closed his senshi phone. As though you would vanish away. His starseed still feels as a scout.

"Eridanus," He rolled the full syllables out, liking it better than any shortening. The name itself was toned as a greeting and part like a prayer. Even to bask in some light of that unconquerable smile for handfuls of sand, I will gladly stand by and guard. What use is an Eternal strength, if not to protect such things? "Do you like movies?"

He'd heard of Night of the Lepus in a listing of socially-conscious eco-horror, mostly a citation as a complete failure. Following along the conversation produced the expected revelation of the referred movie type for collection. B-Movies and their kitsch weren't something Thraen had ever expected much mention of in powered life. Sorting out the emotional response as one of sobering or of pleasant humanizing seemed a task for later.

"I haven't seen a single one of any of the above...truth be told I haven't seen a great many movies. Only what has been on at school events back through the 12 or required study for coursework in history and media now in college. My nose is usually too far in books, or I'm elbows deep in sculpture. "

He hesitated a moment, hearing 'glad' attending any reference to his presence and proximity to others or the war, then shifted to complete the distance and sit on what part of bench was left open of Eridanus' occupation. His eyes softened measurably. "Not much of a buff, I'm afraid. I have nothing against film, good ones or deliberately bad ones. I never gave it much thought compared to the other readily available things to learn. "

He doesn't regret it. It would be so easy to, with where my views tend. How did this broken city ever come up with you, Eridanus? Is it permissible to sit here, a moment? A handful of breaths, and just...enjoy someone with so much life in them? ...Civilian life even. I'm sure the names he bears do not yet blend together. How oft does he patrol? Is there a way to remain so light and still make it to Eternal powers? "Maybe sometime we can patrol some drive ins, if there are any even in the area of Destiny City. There's been a big to do about many more of the already rare beasts closing down. Related to digital film instead of reals and HD techniques, I think. ...I'm honestly surprised, with all the venues that have been hit of public enjoyment, I haven't come across any theater attacks. Have you?"

"I haven't been to a theater in a long time. Going with an expert, such as yourself, would make it worth the while. You could explain...Trifids..."

He's already seen me drop powered identity to go to the hospital, chest opened an spraying blood all over him and that eternal girl he was with. Even if he's not really learned more than face to go along with uniform. Do I have time for things like...relaxing and movies anymore? What use is the name of 'Quenton' and that life compared, except vehicle to shore up the necessities of this one. He lives much more as a ...whoever he is. Not Eridanus. Is it strange to him to be called it?"

The gesture earned a lifted eyebrow, a thin incredulity over stoic features not so different to one familiar with b-rated science fiction than Leonard Nimoy's iconic Mr. Spock. "You use a past tense with college? You are graduated?"

Leisure.... "On...you suggestions to begin with...I..could take you for a burger? I owe you that much and more. We'd need to leave uniform, though there's been rumors a few late night joints have just taken to not caring and serving people in odd costumes as much as any other customer. "

Leisure did not demand a relaxation of caution. Thraen stood from the bench, concentrating on the minutia of auras around them- none close by any shade and none felt sick or dark. Opening his eyes to look around, there were no civilians in sight either. Nor reflections in the dim of the streetlights off lenses- the wisdom of researching warfare and snipers as a precaution against cameras and the tenuous senshi glamour. Security ensured, Thraen dropped henshin, standing plain and less perfumed, dressed in threadbare tshirt and jeans.

"There's a decent place nearby. The Double Wide Grill. They've got a huge menu, and any burger can be beef, chicken or kosher turkey. ...Specialties I remember were the Boarder Burger, with sautéed peppers, avocado, basil pesto and Swiss, and the Hawaiian that has cheddar cheese, topped with an onion ring, filled with pineapple salsa and a strip of bacon. They have all the regular standbys as well. "

He held out his hand, "You can call me Quenton. Quenton Marinus."

Now there was an ethnic name. Greek and ...Sicilian? It went along with the dark complexion. There probably wasn't anything on the face of the wide earth that went with that 'fashion sense'. Pink and Green? Must like it? I'm sure he gets at least five people in any month breaking into impromptu Marlon Brando impressions or asking about 'the family'. Sad to shorten a name regal to Oddy. The same misfortune as Richard to d**k or Edward to Eddy. Best refrain.

"Do you answer to Odysseus? Or does that indicate you're in trouble for mischief?" Quenton pivoted the well-worn heel of a boot to indicated direction, starting a casual pace to lead to one of the student-blessed late night joints the city had for good, reasonably priced food. "It never fails to be strange to see someone out of costume."

You look normal. What could really be expected though? Of course you do. All are just people under the magic and pain. Normal like taking someone to dinner. Talking. Small Talk. I've never been good at it. "You don't look much older than I am. What did you get your degree in? Film?"

'A couple of' gave the impression that there were, in fact, more than just two. "You have a lot of siblings? All sisters?"

Safety was not something that attended his own lack of uniform in life or home. Not with Alois being able to appear directly in it. And with the unknown corrupted eternal as well. How many others had been there that he and Faust had not seen, being out on patrol or in studio? It is a delicate, precious thing, that certainty and feeling of security. It must be some part of the comfort of your company. Confidence translating some instinctual way to safety, and optimism. Do I have to analyze everything?

"You seem like you would make a good teacher. " At least, with pants like that, someone who could make musty history books new and interesting.

"If you do, send me a link sometime. "

Waiting for a light to change at a crosswalk felt so strange. Usually things like roads just meant a leap to the adjacent buildings and not bothering with playing human frogger at all.

"I have a Teaching Assistantship doing art history courses for the University, I'm in my last semesters of a double major Studio Arts and musical performance. I used to make jewelry, but there's been less and less time for that with wound, research and projects. Most especially with being ..Thraen. Trying to organize the Black Watch. " He shook his head. "Or falling asleep randomly because I get none. I woke up at my desk the other day having conked out in the middle of grading tests for the professor. He didn't mind, he was at his, sipping coffee. He just got up and brought me one, and smiled. "

The Doublewide's neon haloed in the dark, just across the street. There was pleasant alternative playing from some satellite radio system, a few waitresses and a few patrons happily gnoshing on appetizer plates while talking hipster scene. All the tables and chairs were 50s throwback chrome. "We should get one of the booths in the back?"