Welcome to Gaia! ::

Caedus was regularly doing his best, but any expert might note that the Vanguard pushed themselves to a degree he was still learning. He wasn’t as skilled as them in gathering information, or physical training, or working with their technology. He asked to help often enough, and was good at completing straight forward tasks, but there were many times when there simply wasn’t anything for him to do.

Like now.

He hadn’t really left their base, mostly because he was worried about someone having questions or needing something and coming by while he wasn’t there, so when he took time to himself to appreciate Earth it was usually within sight of the dome.

When his name was called, he glanced over his shoulder immediately and seemed ready to push himself up from where he sat cross-legged on the grass. Caelyna spoke quickly enough that he hadn’t wasted the effort and he relaxed again quickly.

“I know you,” he promised, because he had worked hard to learn everyone’s names. He knew he was an outsider but he didn’t want to highlight that by not knowing the team Lyndin had picked to come with them. “Please, come sit. You are welcome here. I am watching a caterpillar. He is very hungry,” he said, and shifted positions just slightly so she, too, could get comfortable near him and observe the fat little thing as it nibbled on a leaf.

Caedus blinked at the food and then seemed grateful. “Oh. Did you hear my stomach making noise? I meant to get something to eat but I did not want to lose this one. Thank you,” he said, and though he picked up a sandwich he just held it close.

The caterpillar reared up, wiggling its little legs like it was searching for something, and then flopped back down on the leaf to continue devouring it.

“I saw them often, when the seasons changed. They did not like the cold but the season after was fresh and vibrant. Many little creatures were born. I lived in the forest, so I saw them often. These like to eat. Everything likes to eat,” he clarified. “Earth is a very hungry planet.”

A little smile twitched onto Caedus’ face when she asked, because he had not seen enough of it but he had loved what he had been present for.

His eyes were on the caterpillar, even as he carefully unwrapped the sandwich and took a small bite. When he chewed and swallowed, he answered, “It is wonderful, and a little scary. Things changed around me so quickly sometimes that I was afraid I was going to be left behind. It is, ah. A persistent fear, I am afraid.”

He seemed a bit embarrassed and took another bite to spare himself further explanation immediately, but it only bought him a few seconds.

“I hope you enjoy your time here. I thought this planet was a miserable rock for a long time. But then I fell in love with it. Every time I blink there is something new to experience. You are lucky to have a sister to experience it with, I think. I always wanted a big family. I know it is not practical. But I thought it would be nice to always have someone there. I thought, it would nice to never be lonely.”

“I did make friends,” Caedus agreed, although he did seem to be trying not to sound too enthusiastic about it. He knew how reserved most Velencians seemed to be, and even if he knew he could never quite capture Lyndin’s masterful control of emotions, of course he would use him as a reference for perfection. His smile was a little too revealing, his eyes were a little too expressive.

Caedus was easy to ready, even when he tried to mask it.

“I hope we can restore Velenia soon,” he continued, because he had such faith in his heart that they would find a way. It was just a matter of time. They had Lyndin, they had the Vanguard, they had Velencya working on it--and his friends on Earth.

How could they fail?

“I am not quite so young anymore. I do not know if I could have a family of my own. Or if the Council would let me. Or if anyone would want to. I do not even know if I would be good with a family! But,” he shrugged and leaned back a bit to give the caterpillar a bit of space. “It is a nice dream. If I cannot, I hope those around me can. That would make me very happy, too.”

At this, Caedus immediately brightened. “I would like that very much, I think. I would love to be surrounded by children. Especially if they are not mine. Not that I would be against having my own,” he insisted, despite the long list of complications behind that, “But I think I would be happier to have many children, from many different people. Because then that would mean that there are many families in blossom. And I like that idea very much.”

He was still smiling, even as he released a wistful sigh.

“Do you want a family? Or is that too personal a thing to ask? I have to relearn appropriate conversation topics. They are very open on Earth. I like that about them. They are so honest with their thoughts and feelings.”

“I apologize,” he said quickly, and there was never really any questioning if Caedus’ apologies were sincere or not. His brows knit and he looked worried, but he seemed at least somewhat relieved that she hadn’t taken offense.

“A very distant someday sounds like a good plan. By then we will have Velenia back, and everyone will be thriving. I hope you find someone you are compatible with. Earth certainly romanticizes things, but I like that too. I forget how young you all are. I have spent so much time alone with my own thoughts that sometimes I find myself with strange assumptions. I am grateful you are so patient with me.”

He was grateful for a lot of things, and he hoped Earth inspired them like it had inspired him.

…He hoped they’d all have the freedom to make families of their own, and to not have to worry for resources or space.

He hoped they’d all get to be happy, and safe.