When Scylla next came to the park where Caedus had elected to make his temporary home, she was carrying a large duffel bag- one that, quite frankly, she thought might weigh as much as she did, and thank goodness for being stronger than she was out of uniform. As Jada she had spent the morning poring over camping supplies, and managed to acquire a few things she hoped that their mysterious stranger might be able to make use of.
A 10-pack of Emergency Mylar thermal blankets, a sleeping bag, some bottled water, a flashlight, a pocket knife. No less than 6 flavors of meal replacement bars, which she hoped would force him into deciding on a preference of food. She also had some snacks in there- bags of nuts, fruit chews, jerky. She’d also grabbed some carry-out, and a small meal was sitting in a stay-warm bag. She had wanted to bring him something a bit tastier than what she had, but other than if he’d eaten the protein bar last night, when had he eaten last? She didn’t know if he could get sick, but didn’t want to find out. (If there was a bag of dark chocolates in the bag as well, no one could judge.) She had picked up some baby wipes, and a few other things she had no idea if he would need…
Myths and reality were both full of stories of powerful travelers and gods who came disguised as something else, who had the capacity to grant powers and gifts. They punished those who were unkind, dishonest, and stingy, and were kind to those with a basic concept of human dignity. Cadeus had made no bones about what he had to offer. A chance- and little more. But even if he couldn’t have offered anything at all, someone of his age with his story deserved such aid as could be safely granted.
Everything she had picked up was just basic needs. She didn’t find any of it particularly luxurious, but Jada had never experienced the hardships associated with his situation. She could only go by what she had read. She did the same thing as this- or something she saw as similar- by donating money to humanitarian needs around the city, and if this stranger spoke the truth, he’d been without his home for longer than she could even imagine. Generosity and courtesy shown to those far from home was something that she had seen all over the world. And while the Senshi had been betrayed as a whole by hope many times before, that betrayal was not an excuse for poor manners and the potential alienation of an ally- or a neutral party who could yet be turned to their cause.
Hoisting the bag on her shoulder, she wandered until she came to the place she had met him first, then let the duffel fall to the ground with a thud. “Caedus?” she pitched her voice low, peering around. He could be asleep, he might not be here at all. If he wasn’t here, should she leave it? Probably not.
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 12:13 pm
For a moment, there was no response; there was movement in the distance, and after a few seconds it became obvious that he had wandered a bit away from his spot on the hill. But he approached Scylla without hesitation; he recognized her, and he welcomed her. She was among the senshi that seemed to have earned his trust and, now that he wasn't surrounded by so many people and their questions and threats, he did not seem so reserved.
"I am here," he announced; his voice was quieter than when he was addressing the whole group, but it still maintained the same raspiness. He eyed the bag she had dropped with some caution, but Scylla had been polite to him before—kind. "It is good to see you again."
She wondered, for a few moments, if she had spoken too quietly and Caedus had been unable to hear, or had wandered off. Her brow furrowed, and Scylla nibbled nervously at her lower lip, wondering again if she should drop the bag and leave it be. However her brief patience was soon rewarded with sound, and Cadeus approached her comfortably.
His gait seemed to her, at least, as though he were much more comfortable than the evening prior. The senshi gave him a beaming smile to welcome his approach, holding out her hand to greet him. "I am glad to see you seem to be feeling a little bit better. I don't remember if I formally introduced myself last night. I am Scylla."
His voice was still raspy. She should have thought to bring some honey and a thermos of tea. It was noted for later, as she fully intended to make sure he was kept comfortable and safe. His attention towards the bag was inferred, but she wasn't sure if it was caution or interest, so she dropped to one knee next to the massive bag and dropped a hand to the zipper.
"I brought you some necessities. Nothing fancy, but something to get you by. A guest gift, if you would consider it such, for a far-traveling stranger." her smile was self-conscious and if she was blushing from embarrassment at trying to balance modern manners with something he might recognize, hopefully he couldn't see.
"Do you like to read? I hope you like to read. Would you rather open the bag yourself? That way I don't pull out anything to startle you."
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 1:24 pm
Caedus looked down at the hand he was offered. He did not make any effort to take it, and stared at it for as long as she spoke. And then, hesitantly, he extended his hand to slide it into hers. His hand was cold, and whatever lay beneath the bandages felt very solid. His handshake was loose, to give him the means to withdraw his hand swiftly if need be.
When she moved, his attention moved with her. Again, he said, "You are too kind," though this time, he added her name. "Scylla."
He did not seem insulting, but it was a genuine observation. "You may open it. I am not afraid."
Or, if he was, he was too tired to show it.
"I have not read anything in many years. Why do you ask?"
The fact that he took her hand was a small victory, and she didn't squeeze or try to keep hold of the solid flesh under the glove, or bandages, or whatever they were. She let the loose grip continue, then slid her own hand away so that she could devote both to pulling out the supplies that she had brought to him. "My kindness is just a front for my nefarious plot to make new friends," she teased him lightly, trying to help him relax a bit more. He was cautious, and she didn't blame him one iota. She'd done nothing to be deserving of trust, and he was right not to trust easily, in his situation. It would be on her to prove herself worthy of anything other than a thank you.
"I'm glad you're not afraid. I brought you a knife. It isn't very big, but I know modern plastic wrappings can be hard to open, and I don't know how well you are physically. I mean, if you give me two guesses I could probably get the answer right. Plus it will be great defense for any more menial threats. Or cutting twigs, or ropes. I'll show you all the functions on the pocket knife. I tried to get a simple one, but it can also help you open any canned goods." Babbling? Not her. She was conversing.
Tugging open the bag, she began unloading all of the items from it. "Actually, I asked if you had read anything lately because I brought you-" her hand dug into the bag, scrabbling until it brushed up against leather, and she grabbed it, jerking it out triumphantly- "A book! I wasn't sure what you liked, so I actually brought you a couple. One is a book of some poetry you missed- Shakespeare, Donne, Tennyson, Frost, Poe, Dickinson, Angelou. I also brought you a history book, but honestly, the poetry book will be much less disheartening. Human history is just a sad lump of racism and imperialism that would just depress you. I can bring you something more if you'd rather. You need something to do while you recuperate and wait, and you don't strike me as the type to play cards."
Scylla was known to be wrong, though.
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 4:35 pm
Caedus was impressed, to say the least, and even with most of his face hidden, his eyes alone showed it. "You put much thought into this. It find it hard to believe you are nefarious at all. I should reassure you that I am capable of defending myself. Knives are…primitive weapons. But I suppose they have their merits in ways my crystals would not. It would be wasteful to try and use even my sharpest crystal as a tool to sever or slice. I appreciate that."
But he seemed more interested in any book than he did tools. "I have been known to indulge in card games before. Though likely not any you have ever heard of. My literacy of the Earth language could use some refreshing. I am interested in the history. The poetry you brought," he paused, and glanced from the contents of her bag so he could look at her face. "Your favorite?"
"Making sure you are comfortable is something it is in my power to do." Her voice came out quiet, possibly quieter than she intended. Caedus said he found it hard to believe her nefarious, but Scylla was certainly capable of any number of things she wasn't proud of. Had done things she wasn't proud of. Things that had backfired in her face over the course of days, weeks, years. And maybe this was going to be something else that would backfire too. Maybe it wasn't kindness that had brought her here? Perhaps it was hope.
Trying to shake her mind free of memory, she tilted her head to listen to him speak. "I am actually quite reassured of that. Destiny City... you can't trust anyone. Even the humans could be something they aren't. I've guarded my civilian identity fairly poorly, but I'm still alive, so something has gone right." Her mother was less fortunate, but Audrey had never known she was... Most of the Blood Moon hadn't known they were training at Scylla's house, and there was only a handful of older senshi who knew her now. "As for the knives, they have been around for a while. They are primitive, but we haven't quite been able to stop them from being useful. And they've added bottle openers and tweezers and clocks, all sorts of interesting gadgets."
Grinning up at him again, Scylla nodded. "I love poetry. From the fantastic, to the romantic, to the political and religious, people use poetry to bare themselves to others and strip everyone equally to the bone through satire. This one is just a collection of different poets. I spent hours poring over them when I was younger." Holding it carefully in his direction, she used her other hand to resume rummaging in the bag. "i'll bring you some cards next time I come. Perhaps we can teach each other some card games. Apparently I have a very poor poker face.Maybe I'd be able to pull off a win with you." Doubtful, but she'd try!
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:47 pm
"That is interesting," he said, eyeing the utensil she spoke of. It looked simple enough, but far be it from him to denounce the inventions of any species. He had enjoyed listening to her speak; she had a way with words that he, despite having his difficulties with the language, enjoyed. He understood greatly that all of this could be a trap. In fact, he should have been more wary.
But worrying took energy he just didn't have.
"You may bring cards if you like. But I would warn you." He was quiet for a moment, face unreadable. "I have a very good poker face."
It may have been a joke, but he did not dwell on it for long; instead, he reached out to take the book. He held it delicately, in both hands, and carefully opened it. He did not seem to be reading it and flipped through a few pages. "Do you write any poetry?"
"Interesting, but watch your fingers." More items were making their way into his view- the protein bars, the mylar blankets, the bedroll. But something he said caught Scylla's attention and she paused, tilting her head to give him a dubious look. Had he just? Surely not. But she was pretty sure he had just. I know what you did, Caedus, you sly, tired dog. Scylla didn't comment on it, but if her lips quirked up at the corners, well... He wasn't commenting on it and neither would she. It was well-played on his part.
"I'll be bringing cards," her voice was resolute. "If your poker face is good, I guess we won't place any proper bets. Instead..." she cast her eye over what she had brought, until an aberration caught her eye. "Instead, Loser has to eat one of these peanut butter pistachio protein bars. Why did I even pick this flavor up? They are disgusting." She moved them off to the side, disapproving.
If he was having issues with the earth languages... Poetry was her number one choice to help him learn. "I don't write any poetry of my own," she admitted. "I am a harsh critic of my own literature. I can quote you sestinas, soliloquies, Shakespearean sonnets, iambic pentameter, rhyme, but not a syllable my own." The history book made it out at last, and she eyed it before disregarding. "Now you said you could use some refreshing of Earth languages, but there are over 6000 spoken languages. The most common one you'll encounter in Destiny City would be English, which you've been speaking quite well. There are a few others, but I doubt you'll wander across many people in this area who don't speak it at least as a second language."
Her task complete, she relaxed next to the unpacked bag, grabbing the flashlight and flicking it on and off, double-checking that it worked. "Do your people write books and stories of their own?"
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 9:36 pm
"We are not the best story tellers," he confessed after a moment. "We have books, but they are usually biographical and educational in nature. We are encouraged to pursue knowledge. But," the word was heavy, as if he were debating on what to say next. Finally, hesitantly, he admitted, "I was not the most obedient youth. We had many alliances. I traveled with a diplomatic group in my adolescence. I am not supposed to, but I do have a soft spot for…stories. The made up ones. We do not dream. We sleep to restore energy, but our minds focus on numbers and algorithms and chemical properties. It is nothing…romantic. If I had known I was not going to be returning for so long, I would have cleaned the ones I had stashed out of my office. It will be awkward to explain. Perhaps after so long they will have forgotten."
He was still flipping through the book she had handed him. "I am content with English. I know many words, but I have forgotten many more." He did not look up, but added, "I would play a game with you, if you would like. Though, I would eat whatever you brought regardless of losing. I forgot what it was like to taste." He shrugged, apparently interested in good and bad flavors. "No," he paused for a moment, and then decided, "If you plan to subject me to a card game, I would play with different bets. The loser should write something for the winner."
His confession was oddly pleasing, and Scylla unfolded herself from the position she was in and opened up the only remaining item to matter. The supplies lay scattered, he had his book, he had snack foods- now, he had dinner. "I wouldn't have pegged you for a teenage rebel, Caedus." she bit into her cheek to stop a grin. "Maybe I should have brought you a book of fairytales instead of the poems and the history book. I can bring that when you're ready for it."
He spoke of them having many alliances, and she opened up the thermal blankets and popped one down on the ground, dropping her bum onto it and listening to the noise that the material made. His confession had opened up a dozen questions to her, and they danced on the tip of her tongue, demanding to be freed. Opening the heater bag, she pulled out the takeout container. Setting the container in front of her on the blanket, she popped the cap on a bottle of water and then pushed them away from her and out of arms reach, motioning to the food and beverage. He hadn't been comfortable getting too close last night, and while he seemed more comfortable today, she was already being pushy by presenting him the food. She could at least let him decide where he ate it. The warm meal she offered was Chicken, a very small portion, with some bread and a bit of roasted potatoes. And an entire bag of dark chocolates, Dove. "We can pack up any of the foods you won't use just yet, but please- eat. I tried to keep this meal simple and small."
Encouraged to pursue knowledge, but not to dream. Or rather, not to let the mind wander into fancy. No story telling! How dreadful. "If you like stories, you are in good company here. We have hundreds of them." If there was nothing else that this world worth saving, it was the sheer amount of creativity that sprang from human minds.Stories. Music. Art. Perhaps this rebel diplomat would see it. Oh, there was plenty about the planet that should be gone and buried, but there was even more yet to enjoy.
"If you don't wish to play cards, I can always read to you instead. But I'd be willing to take the bet you offer. I'm certain I could come up with a little something enjoyable for you if I lose."
Scylla wanted to ask some questions, but she also wanted to see him have some food and water, first. She wouldn't get many answers out of someone possibly keeling over from hunger.
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2016 4:04 pm
Caedus eyed the food for a second and then slowly sat down. The movement was not necessarily graceful; it seemed like certain parts of his body did not want to move, but he took his time to settle. He did not sit on the blanket; instead he kept just barely off of it.
He was absolutely quiet, and then seemed to decide on a course of action: he reached for the takeout and pulled it closer. He began to pick at the food, but once the first morsel touched his mouth tongue—or whatever lay under the folds and shadows of his food—there was no picking. He devoured the entire contents of the offered takeout in less than a minute; he did not seem to chew. For the water, he tilted his head back only slightly; it took seconds for the liquid to disappear.
He cleared his throat afterwards, and almost seemed embarrassed about the display.
"…I have been very hungry," he said awkwardly. "Thank you."
In an attempt to return to the conversation, and perhaps to pretend like he hadn't just devoured the meal she had offered, he said, "I would not object to a game. I have not played anything for some time, though. But I would not mind you reading. You have a nice voice. It is pleasing on the ears. I would like stories. And I would be interested in listening."
Politeness kept her from watching Caedus like a hawk as he ate, or devoured, the simple meal she'd acquired for him. He didn't seem to appreciate the blanket she had laid out, but the food was something she had done right! She probably should have warned him to slow down- that would have required time not available to her. She did, at least, make note of his stiffness and made a soft noise. "I can't believe I forgot a first aid kit- uhh- painkillers and bandages." Had she even thought to put it on her list? She'd been thinking of other things, and here he could be bleeding out.
As he tipped back water, she looked over his cloak thoughtfully. "Well, you won't have to go hungry for a while." her voice was firm, not even hopeful- it was a statement of fact. "You've got these to snack on, and I've been going out every night on patrol anyway. A swing by with something warmer for you to eat won't be hard. And that's assuming I'm the only one coming by- I'd lay money on that I won't be the only one trying to make sure you're doing alright."
"As for your game, I'll give you some time to practice." she slipped away from the conversation along with the lead he'd given her. "One tip- if someone brings a board game, don't do it. Too bulky, too many rules, and Monopoly has ruined more marriages than any card game." She reached over, easily opening the bag of chocolate and held one up for his attention before tossing it gently over to the side of the blanket where he was hovering around the edge.
With a smile, she accepted the compliment on her speaking voice. "I'm sure you're still tired, so how about this. I'll read you a couple of my favorites, toss you a few questions, and then show you how to pack this up and let you get some rest." She wasn't trying to escape, not at all; he just probably needed it, and she didn't want to be too much a bother. "Then when I come back tomorrow, I'll have cards and a novel for you." And probably quite a few more questions, depending on how her testing went with the crystal he had passed out to them.
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 8:04 pm
Caedus was playing with the piece of chocolate she had given him as she spoke; he nodded. "That sounds like a good plan to me." He didn't specify which part of it he thought sounded good, so he had either only heard part of what she said or simply thought all of it sounded good.
Finally, he put the chocolate in his mouth and frozen. He did not move for a few seconds and then just breathed a very contented sigh and slouched forward a bit more.
"I like your plans very much," he said; his mouth still sounded a bit full and it was clear that he was savoring the treat.
"You can come back as often as you like. I will answer any question of yours."
His approval of the chocolate was the final clue Scylla needed to be fully convinced that no, Caedus wasn't actually an evil soul-sucking android from the future. (She'd come to this conclusion long at least 3 hours ago, but no one who liked chocolate was fully beyond redemption, no matter what their alignment.)
He leaned forward, relaxing, and with a satisfied grin, she reached over and gripped the book of poetry. Closing her eyes, she opened the cover and ran her finger over the list of poets in the book. Up and down the page, until her finger finally settled on one, and she opened her eyes to see her fingernail reasting on the name of the first poet she would introduce him to. "Robert Frost," she told him. "Most of his poems are fairly short, in my opinion. I'll do a couple."
She had said she would give him her favorites, so she let her eyes drift closed again. She knew more Frost by heart than she cared to admit. Much of his work could be considered... Well, she found it to be nostalgic. Full of something that sometimes tasted like regret in her mouth, more than any other emotion. "The first one is called Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of the easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
"This one is Acquainted with the Night."
Acquainted with the Night
I have been one acquainted with the night. I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet When far away an interrupted cry Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye; And further still at an unearthly height, O luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. I have been one acquainted with the night.
It didn't take her long to finish, and while she considered the questions she intended to ask, she gave the visitor a chance to consider the poems, grabbing one of the water bottles and passing it over to him- he'd made the first disappear- and opening a second one for herself to sip from. It would be interesting to gauge his responses to the poems, which she knew -she- could identify with. Someone in his situation likely could as well. After a moment, she asked her first question. "So I took one of the crystals you passed out last night and was experimenting with it." Or playing with it. Same thing. "I know you said that if I fall asleep or let go of it it will stop collecting my energy. And you said I shouldn't try and use my crystal to help charge it. My cat sat down on it and immediately it was like I had offended his entire clan."
Not that cats had a clan.
"You also said the crystal testing only yielded a few incidents- can I ask what kind? Spontaneous Combustion in the users, nuclear explosions, massive headaches? I just don't always have the best of luck. Preparation is key."
