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 Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2022 6:09 pm
The diner was bright, but it was comforting, with the smells of food and the bustle. Thankfully it wasn’t too terribly busy, and when Talia sat down with Caius across from her she gave a sigh. “Still feeling okay? Make sure you get a soda to drink, or something with sugar in it, and something substantial to eat.”
Truthfully, she was glad that they boy had asked her to come to dinner, it was easy to worry about him. He wasn’t terribly young but he was young enough that he shouldn’t have to deal with a wound like that. If he had gone to the hospital she was sure it would have required stitches at the very least and that was…definitely not ideal.
“You said that you’ve eaten here before, right? What do you recommend? I half want a grilled cheese…but I know it won’t be anywhere near as good as the ones that my roommate makes. He…oh my God, one day I’ll take you to the food truck and you’ll see!”
If he wanted to see her again after this and after when they practiced with his magic. But…she hoped that he would. It was always good to have allies.
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 8:58 am
Caius nodded quickly; he didn’t need to look at the menu and already seemed to know what he wanted. “The grilled cheese sandwiches are good. Everything here is good. I kind of want French Toast. That’s got powdered sugar, and syrup.” All the sugar he needed. Probably. Hopefully.
“You have a food truck?”
This felt good. Normal. He’d calmed down significantly now that he was in a familiar, safe environment. Caius was still pale, and a little more lethargic, between bouts of the jitters, but he relaxed some, and even seemed a bit more aware and involved in the conversation.
“They make good cheesy omelets if you’re afraid of an inferior grilled cheese. I almost always get breakfast food when I’m here. I used to come here before I got adopted because it was cheap and they give you so much food. But it’s still good, honest. I mean, I’m not a picky eater, but I promise. This place is good. And they’ve always been nice to me.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 2:11 pm
“Well, my roommate Evan does, yeah. I work on it sometimes. It’s. Really nice and I think you should come eat there whenever you can. If I see you I promise that I won’t charge you! It makes it pretty easy because when I work there, I’m the one taking the orders and the money, so. You definitely have an in with me!”
Talia grinned, though it slipped slightly as he spoke about being adopted. It…
She hoped he hadn’t been ripped from his life too. Hadn’t had to uproot everything, deal with missing memories…
“...You know, In a way I was kind of adopted by my roommates. I took his last name, Evan’s I mean. It…I got corrupted late last year and they managed to bring me back but. I forgot everything from…you know. Before it all so. I feel you with the whole adoption thing, and I hope that’s not what happened to you too, because it…really sucks.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 2:45 pm
Caius nodded, crossing his ankles below the table as he leaned forward a bit. “Oh, um. No, it’s–”
He hesitated and shook his head. “No, I was just in foster care for a while. I’m sorry to hear about all of that. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, um.”
He wasn’t entirely sure what to say, but he wondered how someone as kind and sweet as her had ever been corrupted. She hadn’t even hesitated when it came to reassuring him, or healing him, or sticking with him to make sure that he was all right.
“It kind of sounds like you might have gone through more than I did. I mean–I didn’t really lose much. I just sort of had caretakers that didn’t like, care. Well, no. That sounds bad. It’s–all of that, it’s in the past for me. I’m better off now. I live with this great couple, I work at the bakery–have you heard of A&H Bakeries? I work there. They own it. So if you ever want any sweets or anything, you can drop in and I’ll hook you up. Or I can get you something if we ever hang out or anything.”
Caius offered a quick, hopeful smile. “...Are you doing okay? After all of that? I mean…corruption and all, it sounds…I know people it’s happened to. People that went into it, and people that came out of it. I know it can be, like. A lot. Are you okay?”
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 5:33 pm
Foster care…so it was different, and for a moment, Talia wasn’t sure if she should be relieved that he hadn’t had to go through what she did…or if she should pity him for going through what was honestly worse and she decided to move on from the subject.
“I’m glad that…you have a good family now, Caius! It’s important, I know that for sure…I…I’m doing okay. It was really difficult at first and…there are days where it’s still difficult. I had been stronger. And for some reason coming back mad eme weaker so that’s…that’s been one of the worst things to deal with. I’m going to talk to my cat about it. I’m sure he’ll have answers and you’re like the millionth person I’ve told that I was going to talk to my cat, so if you could do me a favor and text me after dinner and remind me to actually do it…I’d appreciate it.”
Talia swallowed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, shaking her head. “I’m afraid I haven’t heard of that Bakery, but I’ll stop by sometimes. I enjoy baking myself, obviously…it’s…really relaxing. Um. I’m really glad I was able to help you tonight. That…helped a lot. Being reminded that I’m not useless always helps so…I’m not happy that you got hurt, but I am happy that you were able to find me. That I was able to help you.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 6:27 pm
“Oh, yeah. I’ll, uhm. I’ll text you to talk to your cat, for sure. I don’t think you’re useless. I hope you don’t tell yourself that. You really helped me. Like, a lot. I don’t know anyone else who could have done what you did. I’m sorry to hear that you lost some strength, but–well, I need to practice some, maybe that could kick loose whatever you need to do to get your power back? I don’t know. I got stronger when I practiced. I mean–obviously you would know this, especially if you were already stronger. Ah,” he sighed and rubbed at his eyes, but then lowered his hand and smiled.
“You should stop by. We have charms, too. If you like cute things. Um. I draw.”
He said it a little quieter, and then now picked up a menu and seemed to hide behind it.
“But, um. I mean, I’m really glad I met you. I hope we can be, you know. Um. Friends.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 6:37 pm
“I’d love to be your friend, Caius. I thought we already were, if I’m being honest, but.” Talia picked up her own menu to hide her smile, feeling rather amused by his sudden bout of shyness. He was adorable, and she wondered if this was how she had felt about Evan or Malcolm back when she had been Cambria.
Protective and indulgent…
In all likelihood, it seemed possible. It sounded like something that she would do and though she jumped when the waitress came to take their order, she managed to recover, ordering an omelet and a side of pancakes, finally realizing that she was rather hungry.
Perhaps…it really had all been something that was meant to be.
When she spoke to Soeliyu tonight…she would figure out why she couldn’t be an Eternal Senshi any longer. After all, Cybele was.
The only thing she needed to figure out now was what to say to the cat…and how to not blame it all on him.Though…
She supposed that she could if she tried hard enough.
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