Welcome to Gaia! ::

Though it took a few seconds for Caedus to arrive, he poked his head out of the dome he and his people used to shield themselves for prying eyes. The rest of his body followed shortly after but he looked a bit puzzled.

“Decent?” he asked. “I have been on my best behavior, yes. I think I have been respectable. Though you may disagree,” he acknowledged, because he recognized Andronicus and did not want to presume anything in her presence.

“I have been trying.”

He looked behind him, as if he expected that Lyndin should be behind him, but when there was no one immediately there he looked back to Andronicus.

“You are looking for me?”

Caedus mumbled a quick “Oh,” at her explanation and nodded. Her smile was reassuring and he seemed to visibly relax after she’d finished speaking.

“You do not have to apologize. But I appreciate it. I am sorry for blindsiding you all with this plan. It has been difficult to communicate. I tried to contact Earth before but I was unsuccessful. I misjudged our ability to communicate.”

He did not completely understand all of what she said, but he did his best and worked with what he could. “But I do not judge you for your caution and concern. I did bring others with me, but they are not…an army,” he tried to explain, because she had said she wanted to understand more.

“The Vanguard is very respected on Velencya. They have been, even before I was stuck here on Earth. But Commodore Lyndin has set the standards so high. I am so proud of him. And he has hand picked everyone who has come with us. We do not want anyone to get hurt. I have told them how wonderful Earth is. And how Metallia corrupts people. But the people themselves are not all to blame. I have been told by Senshi and Knights that everyone deserves a chance, and I hope we can give them one. We do not want any trouble with any government. I want Earth to be safe. We all do. I will tell you anything you want to know about myself, and Commodore Lyndin, and our people. I do not want to keep secrets from you.”

Caedus seemed relieved when she said she thought Commodore Lyndin seemed like a good sort, like he could breathe a little easier. He nodded, and a smile remained on his face.

“Velencya is a synthetic world. We built it ourselves when our world was taken from us. We had to evacuate. We have created an artificial environment and it is mostly self-sustaining. Sometimes we have to scavenge for resources still but Commodore Lyndin says we have made great advancements. But he is afraid that our systems will fail one day and we will not have a backup. Velencya was only supposed to be temporary until we could reclaim our homeworld, Velenia. But we have not been able to take it back. We travel in the sky, it keeps us safe. It does not surprise me that Earth have not yet discovered it. We are discreet. But you must understand why your world is so fascinating. Your world is an actual, living world. Not something you had to make. Something natural.”

He looked around, perpetually in awe of Earth. “Your world might hold the secret to waking up the other worlds, too. But, even if it did not, I am still fond of this world for the people on it. I have many friends here. I want them to be safe.”

“No,” Caedus answered a bit sadly. “Just...people.”

A voice from just behind Andronicus--Lyndin had finally appeared, and seemed to have arrived just in time to hear the tail end of their conversation. “They came from another world because they saw us as weak. They thought we’d roll over and they could have our resources. But, that wasn’t enough. They couldn’t just steal, they had to humiliate us. We were children at the time, we escaped the worst of it. But the horrors lingered in our elders. There are so few left. I apologize if I’m intruding, I wondered where Caedus got off to.”

Caedus couldn't help but smile at how predictable Lyndin was. “You are not unwelcome, I think. But I do not wish to presume.”

“If I am interrupting, I don’t mind leaving.” He smiled at Andronicus politely. “I just wanted to make sure everything was alright.”

Lyndin watched Andronicus thoughtfully, and he listened carefully. “You don’t need to bow,” he assured. “I appreciate your apology, but it’s unnecessary. I cannot say I wouldn't have been resistant as well. You’re only looking after your people, I respect that. If others are unaware of the damage they do to this world, they are lucky to have you looking after them.”

He seemed sincere in this. “Those with power should be using it for the betterment of the people. There’s no point in fighting for what you believe in if you’re going to destroy everything in the process. I assure you, I have only the utmost respect for any world that cultivates life. This planet has worked hard to maintain it, it should be protected. Do you think Andronicus is really an empty world?” he asked, obviously curious. “Does it have no spark of life at all? There, or in all of Uranus?”

Caedus listened as she spoke, but his face had settled into a small frown, and his brows knit in what might have been disappointment. “I am sorry to hear that. It sounds difficult. But I know you must be doing your best.”

Lyndin exhaled, similarly disappointed but there was more of a heaviness in his sigh. “I am surprised to hear that there are Knights on any world without their Senshi,” he admitted. “I thought their powers lay dormant in the absence of their protector, but...I suppose there is a lot in this universe that we do not know. And even more than we do not understand. It is fortunate that you are here and have been given the chance, at least. I only hope that you get the opportunity to do something with it. I must assume that Cosmos has a plan. I am surprised to hear that you know her. The Cauldron cannot be left unattended. Or are there so few starseeds left that she is not missed when she travels? ...I hope she has protectors there, at least. This universe…”

He was quiet for a few seconds and then shrugged. “...Isn’t really safe. But I’m sure she knows what she’s doing.”

As Andronicus recounted the story, Caedus looked guilty; the ambush into the Dark Kingdom was not exactly a failure, but neither had it succeeded in crushing Chaos like he’d hoped. He regretted that he could not hold the portal up for any longer than he had, and that he’d been at the mercy of Cosmos’ generosity. He was not proud that they had needed her. But, he was glad that she had been there for them.

He had not seen her, he could only go off of stories told to him, but it was enough.

“Velenia did, yes. Once. A long time ago,” Lyndin answered. “Do you have any of these texts on you? I have studied many languages. Perhaps I can find something to help you translate your records? We have studied many languages of the Sol System.”