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 Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:33 pm
After staying in the springs for who knows how long, Riker was grateful to be allowed a chance to dehydrate for a bit. Not that he had anything against being in some magical healing springs, but he was restless. And sore.
There was almost no humidity in the room that had been set up for him. It looked like it was once an office of some kind, or maybe a study or something. There were filled bookcases, a fireplace, a couch, a desk…
But there was also a twin sized bed that had been set up in the room. And there didn’t seem to be any dust on any of the probably hundreds of books. And while there was a warm glow in the fireplace, it looked like it was some kind of rock instead of an actual fire.
Everyone else had left Sessrumnir. Understandable, since they had lives and he would be fine on his own. Well, mostly on his own. There was the alien-- Atticus’ dad or something, who had been left to babysit him or whatever. And the giant white dog-wolf that decided Riker didn’t need any feeling in his legs.
By now, Evan and Julian, and maybe even Cassidy knew he’d been hurt. Or at least that was what he assumed since he’d mentioned wanting to let them know so Evan wouldn’t start calling every hospital he could find when Riker didn’t show up to work, and same with Julian if he didn’t text him to let him know how things went with Énna. Cassidy would likely be blowing up his phone too, trying to make plans to meet up again.
He hoped they weren’t too upset.
He blinked tiredly at the ceiling, and then over at the small table that had been set up next to the bed, and the glass of water with a straw. Yeah, well… it wouldn’t do any good if he couldn’t actually pick it up.
Riker grimaced as he made a small attempt to push himself up, but soon gave up. Especially when the dog lifted her head to see what he was doing. Or maybe she was deciding if she wanted to attack him or something.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:36 pm
Devyn and Riker hadn’t spoken much, though Devyn had hardly been unfriendly or distant. Riker slept for most of their time together, and when he was awake he was always on guard. Devyn was a stranger to Riker, who already seemed to have a chip on his shoulder when it came to trusting any sort of adult, so it wasn’t like they were having many heart to hearts.
Devyn understood. He hadn’t taken anything Riker said personally.
He remembered being young and surrounded by people who thought they knew what was best for him. He remembered being hurt and wanting to retreat to his own area to lick his wounds and rest. After a while, they’d let him. For the most part. Dr. Eld was always particularly good at hounding him and demanding Devyn accept his treatment.
He wasn’t a doctor, but maybe it was more fortunate for Riker that he didn’t have the same bedside manner as Madison had. He didn’t push Riker for conversation, nor did he pry beyond what was necessary for his well-being. Riker seemed to get stressed, so Devyn didn’t mind giving him some space. Even if it was difficult to stay quiet and take it easy for so long.
Devyn was good enough at changing bandages, at making sure there wasn’t any infection, at making sure Riker’s insides stayed inside. He was good at keeping the room warm, good at making sure Riker had food to eat, good at making sure he had the support he needed to make himself feel human.
Devyn didn’t like to be a nag but Michael had left him with very specific instructions to make sure Riker survived this. Such was the cost for his unwillingness to go to a hospital. As such, Devyn hadn’t slept much. He was exhausted from sharing his blood, not that he’d admit it, but if he slept too deeply he risked something unexpected happening from Riker.
So he’d rested in the springs with him, he’d eaten iron-dense foods (constantly), he’d kept himself hydrated and caffeinated. He’d updated Michael often.
Princess was a far better companion for Riker, with her sweet face and willingness to cuddle up for warmth. Devyn trusted her to keep an eye on him and let him know if anything seemed off. He’d only left for a few moments, just to fetch fresh clothes and blankets, and more snacks.
He was quiet when he re-entered the room, and maybe he was in the middle of a yawn, though he quickly stifled it when he realized Riker was awake. “Oh, good. You’re up. It’s almost time for your medicine. How are you feeling?” he asked, not because it was a trivial conversation starter but because he needed to make sure Riker hadn’t developed a blood clot or tore a stitch or something. Setting down a well-packed woven basket on the ground, he then placed the stack of blankets on a table towards the foot of Riker’s bed. He stretched over, just enough that he could scratch behind Princess’ ear but still not crowd Riker.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:36 pm
“Fine,” was Riker’s immediate response. Despite his voice sounding like he hadn’t spoken in years, and a painful sounding wheeze followed as he coughed from not getting enough air in his lungs or something stupid. It was annoying that he had to be there in the first place. It was extra annoying that someone had to babysit him.
He supposed he understood why. And he didn’t want Énna or Atticus or even Elliot to worry about him. He hoped they wouldn’t tell Maisie or Dawn, but he suspected they’d find out since Maisie was supposed to be having a birthday party in a few days or something.
Riker watched Devyn suspiciously, like he wasn’t sure what to expect. Obviously he wasn’t going to kill him. That would have been such a waste of their time and energy. But no, Riker was worried about him prying. He hadn’t. Yet. But adults usually liked to stick their nose in things just because they could.
“You seem pretty normal for someone who’s been on their own for… a really long time,” he commented before he could think better of it, watching as the dog thawped her tail contentedly as Devyn scratched behind her ear. “Usually people go crazy,” he shrugged, just in case an explanation for his comment was needed.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:37 pm
It was the most personal comment Riker had made to him in all their time together, and it took Devyn by surprise enough that he let out a small laugh. Truthfully, he didn’t know how much Riker knew but whatever it was, he didn’t mind.
“Thank you, I’ve been on my best behavior,” he promised. The blood loss probably helped.
He scratched Princess’ cheek, and then under her chin.
“Being stubborn probably had a lot to do with keeping me sane. And I kept busy enough that I didn’t really have time to lose my mind.”
Devyn didn’t trust Riker’s ‘fine’ but neither did he call him out on it. He had to trust that Riker would tell him if something felt off and he wasn’t going to get honesty by pushing. Though Riker no longer appeared like he was on Death’s doorstep, he didn’t look like he’d made it down past the driveway yet.
If Devyn had gone crazy it wasn’t like he could even trust his memory to remember it. He had journals, notes. They weren’t all together and they weren’t complete but if he’d really wanted to piece everything together, he could have.
He doubted he’d gone crazy, just lost himself for a while. The wishful thinking hadn't been so bad. It kept him going.
“I’m sure I have my moments, though.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:37 pm
Once again, Riker made an attempt to push himself up, whimpering and wincing as he did so. He knew he should probably ask for help, but he didn’t want to be that annoying kid who always needed help with one thing or another. He was doing his best to hold his breath and make it hopefully less obvious that he was struggling.
“Isn’t it weird? Being on Earth?” he frowned, once again giving up, but being stubborn about it and refusing to actually ask. He could suffer a bit longer anyway. He would be helped up to take more medicine, probably, so what was the rush?
“It’s weird knowing that aliens exist. Although you look pretty normal too,” he admitted with a frown. A little eccentric, yeah, but he was an alien or whatever.
He made a face when the dog adjusted herself, getting up from her spot as though trying to make sure he had room to sit up as well.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:37 pm
Ah, that teenage stubbornness. Riker was incredibly obvious about being in pain but this wouldn’t be the first time he’d needed help and just didn’t want to ask for it. Devyn pretended like he hadn’t seen or heard.
“I’m fortunate to have similar genetics. It wasn’t–isn’t–always easy to blend in, but being able to pass for any other person has helped.”
Sure, the makeup made him stand out a little, and his outfits might have too, but he liked to think he was decent when it came to smooth talking so he hadn’t gotten himself into too much trouble. Things probably would have been very different if Michael and Peter hadn’t found him but Riker didn’t need a story that long.
“I suppose it’s stranger to be called an alien, I don’t really see myself as one. I’ve made a home on Earth, the same as I did Sessrumnir. I like Earth, for the most part. It’s very different from Alastor, but my homeworld’s been a bit lonely for a while. I haven’t found anyone else up there, yet, but there’s been an uptick in life coming out of the woodwork. I really can’t complain. Are you comfortable right now or do you mind if I get you upright? I’ve brought a different flavor soup for lunch today.” Whether or not Riker was hungry, it was important to make sure he was getting his nutrients and taking his medicine with something. He needed to work up his strength, especially if he hoped to get home soon.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:38 pm
Riker forced himself to bite his tongue. Thankfully, he was out of breath, so making the effort wasn’t even worth it. But for Devyn to believe that there were people who lived on other planets? Well, sure, maybe there was a chance since Senshi somehow survived, but…
Those were Senshi. They had some magic mumbo jumbo keeping them alive. Super weird. He didn’t even want to try and comprehend how old some of these aliens were.
Okay, maybe he could figure out something else to call them instead of aliens. It was just easy, especially when others had weird skin or non-earth human features.
He supposed he didn’t have any right questioning things when he didn’t even know for certain. And biting the hand that was trying to feed him with a potentially mean or at least controversial comment was probably a bad idea.
The thought of food both had his interest and sickened him. He wasn’t sure how much he could keep down, but he nodded to indicate that he could accept some help. Just so he wouldn’t spill soup everywhere.
“What kind of flavor?” he grimaced skeptically. “What’s in it?” He hadn’t had anything that made him nervous about having an allergic reaction. Yet. But he didn’t want to survive this only to die because of some stupid coconut.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:39 pm
As he had before any time Riker needed to sit up, Devyn moved to his side and very carefully maneuvered him. There were always pillows stacked up to make sure he could still rest while sitting there, and Devyn seemed very attentive and aware of how he was moving him to make sure he didn’t agitate his injury.
It probably wasn’t painless but Devyn always did his best.
“No coconut, no coconut oil,” Devyn promised, already used to assuring Riker that he wasn’t going to poison him. Atticus and Elliot had been very insistent about Riker’s dietary restrictions.
“It’s all from Earth, too.” Anticipating the question, he’d already written out the ingredients, so once Riker was settled, he picked a dark brown glass jar and read off the paper he’d taped to the side. “This one is spinach, purple cabbage, corn, carrots, peas, garlic, tomatoes, a little lime, and moong dal. It's a lentil, I don't know how popular it is. It’s got a lot of protein and a lot of iron. Also good for hair growth and glowing skin,” he mused.
Eventually, he shrugged. If this had been Atticus wounded, he’d have sat in bed next to him and held the jar so his son could sip at it but Riker was far more independent. It wasn’t that he wouldn’t have done the same for him, it was just that Riker seemed to get a little worked up when he didn’t have any control over the situation. Riker should not be holding anything heavy right now, so there was a middle ground for each of them.
Devyn lifted the bed tray he kept by the side of the bed and sat it up as he had for previous meals. He added a napkin, a spoon, a straw–everything Riker might need.
It wasn’t much, but Riker already seemed like he needed to prove that he could do things himself, so Devyn had gone out of his way to make sure he could.
“If you don’t like it, I can heat up some of what you were eating yesterday.”
Devyn had a jar of his own that he’d brought, but unlike Riker he had no reservations; while he gave Riker a chance to get settled, Devyn uncapped his own jar of soup and chugged it.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:39 pm
Sitting up was painful. He was fairly certain his ribs had been bruised, if not broken, and putting pressure on his abdomen was enough to make him feel faint. His back and shoulder was also bandaged up, after that Captain had cut him with her blade, but obviously it wasn’t as bad as the parasol through his gut.
He tensed when Devyn promised no coconut. Sometimes he forgot that he told certain people in his life that he had an allergy. He didn’t expect them to bother telling anyone else. Still, he made a face at all the other ingredients in the soup, and before he could ask what the ******** moong dal was, Devyn was already answering him.
Riker knew he should eat. It smelled good, even if he hadn’t thought of all those ingredients together before. Devyn was already drinking from his own jar like it was nothing. The use of a straw was tempting, but as carefully as possible, Riker picked up the spoon to scoop some up to sip.
The texture was strange, but he wasn’t getting an immediate reaction, so it was probably safe. He wasn’t sure how much he liked lentils, but it wasn’t bad. Not Cassidy’s cooking.
“Thanks,” he mumbled once he’d swallowed, already scooping up another spoonful. He took another few bites in silence. He could hear the distant rumble of thunder, but he supposed that if this was Jupiter, then that made sense.
“So, do you just give anyone your blood?” he asked after another few moments. He knew Devyn had given him some. Énna had given him some as well. He was grateful, and maybe curious about why Devyn would help out someone he only knew as an acquaintance of Atticus and Elliot.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:40 pm
Devyn’s jar was nearly empty by the time Riker asked, so he just finished it off. “If they need it.”
He set the empty jar down but he had a second one ready to go. Devyn was starving but he also didn’t want to tease Riker with foods he might not be able to have. It had been important to get him foods that were easy to eat. Devyn at least had the luxury of being able to pick at their reserves in the other room but he knew the faster he got better, the faster Michael would calm down.
Devyn often stayed in the room with Riker, less for companionship and more just to make sure he didn’t stop breathing in his sleep. He spent most of his time in the chair across the room, but he’d already finished translating the last chapter of the book he was working on, and he’d run out of shirts to repair.
He pulled the chair closer to Riker, but also closer to the fireplace. He didn’t yet sit and instead busied himself with getting Riker’s medicine prepared. “Maybe the perks of being an ‘alien,’ my body works pretty hard to keep me healthy. I’ve got all I need, might as well share. Maybe you’ll heal up a bit better with it. Alastorians are very hardy, and I’ve always healed quickly.”
The jar was warm in his hand and it was only after he offered Riker his medicine that Devyn sank down in the chair with a sigh and sipped at the soup. He’d done his hair up not so long ago, and at some point he’d made time to reapply his makeup so he didn’t look like he was still making up for lost blood.
“Ah, realistically I know the springs are the best place for you, the water especially. But there’s a part of me that thinks you might heal up just fine on Alastor. At the very least, you’d get some sun. But you’d miss out on Princess,” he said, watching her affectionately.
Devyn had no intention of moving him; there were adequate first aid supplies here, and the water was good for him. He just wondered if his world would take care of him like it did Devyn.
But then, he had unwavering faith in his world, so of course it would.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:40 pm
Princess, of course thrilled about the attention, thawped her tail against the bed again. Riker gave her a wary look but didn’t do anything to provoke her. He hoped. He didn’t mind animals, as long as they didn’t mind him. Princess seemed nice, but she was still a magical being with sharp looking teeth.
He wasn’t really picky about where he was, as long as he wasn’t dying. He was worried about Evan and Julian, since they were prone to worrying.
“Well… thanks, I guess,” he mumbled between bites of soup. He paused so he could take the medicine from Devyn, although he still watched him curiously. He shouldn’t care because Devyn was just another adult, but for an alien he seemed to have things figured out.
“Is Alastor like Earth? Like… cities and stuff like that?” he asked, trying but failing to fight back his curiosity. “And you just… show up on Earth and decide to adopt kids in need?”
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:41 pm
The question made Devyn laugh and he shook his head. “It’s not what I meant to do, no. Is that what Atticus says?” He might, he had such a big heart. Tired, but unwilling to show it or give in to any sort of fatigue, Devyn still sank into the chair as he relaxed.
“I suppose it’s not in my nature to stand by and do nothing. A long time ago, when I was a young man–probably only a few years older than you–yes, I had planned to just show up and adopt kids in need. We set up an orphanage and everything. Ah, but life didn’t quite work out how I’d imagined.”
He shrugged, because for as much as he felt the itch to regale Riker with stories of Percy–especially because they were on Sessrumnir!–he recognized that perhaps that was a very heavy topic. At the very least, it was complicated, and Riker already had enough complications.
Devyn filed the topic away for later because it was inevitable that he would talk about Percy eventually. He caught Princess’ eye and smiled at her, like it was a secret between them. She heard about Percy one way or another every time he visited. She got stories about Michael, too.
It was too bad she couldn’t talk to tell her own stories, but she was a good listener all the same.
“When Alastor was in its prime I think it had a lot in common with Earth. We have cities, of course. But I suppose our technology didn’t develop in the same way as Earth’s. You might have called us a bit old-world. No electricity, no wifi, no cars. Maybe we would have developed that way, but my world was very sick for a long time. It survived, but a little worse for wear. I’ve spent a lot of time repairing and rebuilding, it’s all starting to come together.”
Well, not really. He had a whole world to go over, and plenty of work just waiting for him. But, he was proud all the same.
“How’s your Wonder doing, have you had the chance to spend much time there? If you don’t mind me prying.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:42 pm
“Sounds boring,” Riker frowned at the thought of no electricity or modern conveniences. Especially no internet. Not that he was on the internet very often, but he had friends who were, like Cassidy. And he liked being able to stay in touch with his other friends, like Julian.
He shrugged when asked about his Wonder and regretted it, because a sharp pain radiated from his injured shoulder. He winced and reached a hand up to place over the wound, like that would somehow stop the pain and not just make it worse.
“It’s fine, I guess. I spent however much time I could, when I could. It’s been cleaned up some. Well… we-- my friend--”
Was Yvoire still his friend…? He didn’t want to think about it, so he shook his head.
“We started cleaning up things and other things I guess got fixed on their own. I guess there’s magic and stuff up there.” Obviously there was magic.
“I don’t really talk to Atticus. I feel bad for him, and Elliot is better suited to handle whatever he needs.” Better than someone who was a jerk to people all the time.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:43 pm
Atticus had a kind soul. Even if friendship wasn’t on the table, he was always friendly and good to others. It didn’t surprise him that Atticus would have been so eager to save Riker even if Riker seemed to keep him at something of a distance.
There was no denying that Atticus was emotional and wore his heart on his sleeve, so maybe Riker was trying to express a unique sort of kindness. Just, not very eloquently.
He bit back the urge to insist Alastor was anything but boring, though he felt the words burning on his tongue. Similarly, he kept words of concern buried away. Riker hurt himself but such was inevitable given his condition. Better a discomfort than a health risk. Devyn did not fuss over him only because he didn’t want to work him up. Riker would do neither of them any favors by denying that he was human.
“You know, in all my years, I still don’t completely understand the magic,” he said instead. “I like to think it’s just the world–the wonder–giving back what you put into it. But I suppose it’s one of those things that wasn’t meant to be understood. Sessrumnir, for example.”
He looked around the room like he could see it now, and how it was a thousand years ago. “I know this place like the back of my hand. And yet, it’s always doing something odd.” He didn’t sound upset, only fond. When he lowered his hand to the arm rest, he patted it affectionately. “Things I can’t explain. Things this Knight or the last couldn’t, either. Not just the Code’s influence, I think there’s something else, too. But we’ve always looked after it, and it’s always looked after us. And then there’s Princess. I don’t know who made her, or how old she is. Older than me, at least. I can only imagine what she’s seen. If you get the chance, you should take a Mauvian up with you to your Wonder. They can install some modern amenities. Air conditioning and indoor heating units have made Alastor much more tolerable throughout the seasons.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:44 pm
Riker eyed the dog again when Devyn referred to her. What kind of name was Princess for some kind of ethereal Knight summon? Ephesus had a golden tiger, and Amarynthos had a golden bear.
For a few moments, the amber eyes he’d seen while unconscious came to the front of his mind. Those hadn’t been human eyes… but he also didn’t know what he’d seen in that dream-like state he’d been in.
“Seems like a waste of resources to put heating and air into a cathedral,” he huffed, taking another bite of his soup as he tried to keep his body from rebelling against him. He was also trying to ignore the dog that was now laid across his legs. As much as he wanted to reach out and touch her fur, he didn’t dare give her a chance to take a bite of him.
“I don’t know. Ganymede seems to know a lot of things. Maybe you were too busy giving out blood and saving babies to figure it out.”
He wasn’t trying to be mean, but he couldn’t read Devyn and he couldn’t figure out his game. Maybe he was just being nice so Atticus wouldn’t be upset with him. Maybe Devyn was waiting to get something in return from him.
Unfortunately, being able to tell what a person was really like often came by seeing them in less than perfect situations. Even if it was to make them angry.
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