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 Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:28 pm
Quote: Cryogenic Crisis (1) : A strange phenomenon has overtaken the flora of Destiny City. Most prevalent in large trees, but occurring also in saplings, bushes, and any wooded plant, the color seems to be completely draining and the plants are becoming oddly crystalline. Leaves and bark especially almost seem to be turning to ice, and observant passersby might notice that the trees seem to be crystalizing. They are cold to the touch and even seem to melt under heat. The increased weight has made it dangerous to walk beneath any of these trees; branches also snap and fall, and even leaves and small twigs can become dangerous projectiles. Scientists have said there is a pollutant in the water causing a strange chemical reaction, but there’s still something suspicious about it. Destiny City has employed some specialists to treat the afflicted trees, and some already seem to be in various stages of recovery–but if you’re out and about, chances are that you’ll still find a few of these arborous anomalies.
Sometimes he just wanted to take a nice walk through the forest, just for a breath of fresh air, and a little quiet.
Devyn just wasn’t the best at staying on the path.
Sure, he always made his way out, but he’d gotten to know a few of the park rangers fairly well. Devyn never had any nefarious goals and Morgan especially knew that, but Devyn had been on the receiving end of many of his heavy sighs.
He wouldn’t admit it to anyone–what was the point?–but he always found himself in good spirits whenever Morgan showed up to redirect him to the path. There was something distantly familiar about him, maybe not of himself, but it reminded Devyn of his youth.
The people he’d lost so long ago were never very far from his heart. He knew he looked for them in the faces of others.
Devyn didn’t mean to go off the path, and in fact he put great effort into trying to follow it. Sometimes his feet just wandered. And when the forest was covered in a thin layer of snow? It was easy to lose the way. Devyn could hear a waterfall not too far off, so in a worst case scenario he knew to follow it downstream and it would come out about a mile from the parking lot but he wasn’t quite sure he was that lost. Yet.
Although, the snow wasn’t a proper canvas by which to trace his steps back so maybe soon.
He was bundled up somewhat, because the last time he’d shown up in only a sweater Morgan had made him borrow a jacket, just in case he got too lost and the snow worsened before someone could come fetch him.
He’d grown familiar with some of the local flora–in part because Morgan liked to give him lectures while leading him back to the path. Devyn was only ever interested so it hardly felt like a punishment. Maybe Morgan liked that he listened so well, because he never seemed too annoyed at Devyn’s questions.
It was only a matter of time before one of the park rangers came to get him this time; he was wearing a bright red jacket, not because it was his color or even because he liked it but because it contrasted well out here. Michael would worry if he wasn't taking the most precautions.
He wasn’t moving as quickly as usual–but only because he was waiting for someone to show up and explain why the bark of this tree, and the shrubbery surrounding it, looked so crystalline. It felt like ice when he touched it–and some of it even melted. He kept his hands in his pockets for now just to make sure he wasn’t doing any harm.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:38 pm
Casey was happy. He had a good life. A good job. A very good dog. Good friends. A good boyfriend.
So many good things had been happening to him, so why did it feel more and more difficult to smile?
Sure, his boyfriend didn’t really like him talking to his friend, but that was just because he was… sensitive or… self conscious. He just wanted to spend time with Casey, and felt like Casey might think of him as boring or would rather be with someone else, or something like that. But that was Casey’s fault! Not Mason. Mason was always perfect, always a gentleman.
Maybe if Casey wasn’t such a pathetic--
No… he couldn’t think of himself like that. Just the thought had images of a deeply concerned Ariel popping into his head, and he didn’t want him to worry, even if it was just his imagination. Morgan saw him every day he worked, and while he saw Ariel nearly every day, it wasn’t for very long.
It made him feel sick to his stomach. He missed being able to curl up next to Ariel and just breathe and relax and let the worries of the day melt off. But he knew that was unfair of him to even think. Ariel had Morgan, just as Casey had Mason.
For now, he just had to focus on his job. He was just stressed. Things were good.
Well… most things. The trees were something to be concerned about, but Casey had been taking notes of the locations of the strangely crystalizing trees so they could be treated faster. What he hadn’t expected was a man in a bright red jacket just wandering around the woods, off the path.
“Ah, I’m very sorry, but there’s no path here,” Casey called out, tugging his jacket tighter around him. He was in uniform, his nametag with Martel sewn into the chest pocket. He even had an extra wrap around his head to cover his ears under his hat. A gift from Ariel, who was always concerned when Casey went out running with Harrison in the cold weather.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:45 pm
“Oh, I know. I lost it about fifteen minutes ago,” Devyn answered, completely unflustered. This was just a normal Tuesday for him. Well, normal sans the iciness of the plants, and the fact that it was a different ranger than usual coming to collect him.
He stayed put but half turned to face the newcomer. He couldn’t see his name from this distance but squinted just slightly at it.
All he had to do was wait, the ranger was coming over here, anyway.
“What is this?” he asked, pointing at the ice-bark with his thumb. He was only wearing one glove but the other was hanging from his pocket so he’d clearly only just removed it recently. “I haven’t seen this before. Oh, sorry. Devyn,” he said, extending his hand in greeting.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:48 pm
Casey paused for a moment as he peered curiously at Devyn, and then stood up a little straighter. Not that doing so gave him any more height. He was still significantly shorter than Devyn.
“Oh! Morgan told me about you. I mean. Oh. Hi, I’m Casey. Uh. I mean, you’re not supposed to be off the path, but Morgan told me to keep an eye out for you since you like getting lost,” he hummed thoughtfully as he moved closer to hold his hand out in return.
Morgan was always so thoughtful and good. Caring about so many people. Putting his life in danger to save others. Ariel definitely deserved someone like that in his life. Someone who could protect him and take care of him. Not some kid who seemed to always get things wrong. Mason was kind enough to put up with him, but Casey could tell that he often did things that disappointed him.
“But yeah, the trees have been doing that. It’s really weird. There are some people who come around and do different treatments, and they seem to get better after, but these people are also studying the trees and, well, I don’t really have the smarts to do sciency stuff,” he admitted with an awkwardly forced laugh.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:50 pm
Devyn laughed, not the least bit embarrassed or upset that Morgan might have passed along his inclination for getting lost. It wasn’t that he wanted to, it’s just that it happened. Regularly.
He took Casey’s hand and shook firmly, still warm despite the winter chill.
“I don’t much understand the ‘sciency stuff’,” he admitted, “but that’s all right, there’s always someone around to explain it. If the trees can get treatment then I suppose whatever this is can’t be too bad. It’s interesting, though. I’ve spent a lot of time in forests, mostly lost, so I’m always surprised to come across something new.”
His eyes dipped to Casey’s nametag and though it was supposed to be brief, he visibly paused. “Martel? …I don’t suppose you like art, do you?”
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 6:10 pm
Casey blinked curiously and then glanced down at his nametag as if that would somehow have the correct answer. Obviously he wasn’t going to find anything.
“Oh, yes. I mean, yeah that’s my last name. But, uh, I’m not really good at making art, but I do like looking at it. I like to cook. Oh, but that’s not really art. I don’t know why I would even mention that. Uh, I like to read? I mean, writing is an art, but I don’t write.”
Oops, he was rambling awkwardly to a stranger who was lost in the woods.
“Do, uh… you like art?” Was he supposed to ask in return? He wasn’t sure. He felt as though his confidence had been drained in the past few months. Not because of Mason! No, it was just that Casey was realizing how ridiculous he sounded all the time, so now he was questioning what he should be saying or if he should just stay quiet. Which was harder said than done.
“Or, I mean. I could help point you to the path again. You probably shouldn’t be wandering out here. It could be dangerous if you’re not careful.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 6:39 pm
“Dangerous? Oh, no. Probably not for me. But I know it’s your job to worry. Thank you,” he said, like he wouldn’t wander off again next week. He smiled politely and nodded once to Casey to encourage him to lead the way.
He looked once more at the strange, crystalline bark on the tree. He could ask Lucien or Michael about it later if he remembered to be curious when he got home.
“I do like art. Of which, cooking is most certainly an art. The culinary arts, they count,” he reassured, but was quick to get to the point. “My first husband was a very talented artist. I hope it isn’t a strange thing for me to say, but you look a bit like him.”
A lot like him, if he were being honest; Devyn knew Percy’s face better than he knew his own reflection. Of everyone he missed from all those lifetimes ago, Percy was the only one he wasn’t looking for. He’d spent enough time searching for him. He found Michael, and all else that remained of Percy lived on in his heart.
But, Percy was from Earth. Of course Devyn could only wonder.
“He was a Martel, too. He had more family than I could keep track of. I suppose it could just be coincidence, but I wondered if it wasn’t just a small world.”
Devyn was already pulling out his phone. Of course he had a favorite self-portrait of Percy. It took him seconds to pull it up. He tilted his phone to Casey to show him, in part because he could never pass up an opportunity to talk about Percy or show off his art, and maybe also to reassure Casey that he wasn’t just some strange guy throwing out creative pick up lines.
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 7:21 pm
He couldn’t help his curiosity when Devyn held out his phone. Casey had paused from stepping back towards where he knew the path to be and looked at the painting.
“Oh, he’s beautiful,” Casey gasped, and then blinked with slow realization. “Wait, did he paint that? That’s really good. But-- oh, I don’t think we’d be related. Or at least I don’t know anyone who was, um… I mean. My family isn’t very, uh… open minded about, well…”
He awkwardly shuffled his feet as he drew back, not wanting to crowd Devyn just to look at his phone. And even though they’d just met, there was something about just knowing Devyn had been married to another man that made Casey relax more. After all, he was used to being judged, and quite harshly by some. He was practically put out on the streets as a teenager just because his parents didn’t approve of his ‘lifestyle.’
“That’s neat that we have the same last name, though. Is he from Destiny City, too?”
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Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2024 5:36 pm
Devyn brightened immediately at the praise because he respected and liked anyone who had good things to say about Percy. Poor Percy, so modest. He never got to hear all the compliments he deserved.
“He’s from around these parts.” Or, close enough. When Devyn’s world was out by Jupiter, Destiny City was close enough.
“His parents didn’t exactly approve of us. But that’s fine, he was worth fighting for. If you can’t make everyone happy, make yourself happy.”
Words he probably could have done better to live by, back when it mattered.
Devyn, eager to share more of Percy’s masterpieces, held the phone out and swiped through a few more pieces–some sketches of everyday moments, some paintings of people or places. Nothing ever enough to imply they couldn’t have been painted this day and age, which was too bad because there were so many pieces he wished he could share safely. “You should come to his gallery sometime. It’s free, and there are a few good restaurants nearby.”
He had a business card at his fingertips before he’d even finished his spiel. “It’s not all portraits of himself. He did a lot of still-life and landscapes, too.” And the ones that didn’t look like Earth could just be explained as fantasy. Who would know?
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 5:27 pm
Casey gasped and oohed and aahed when Devyn showed him more of the really neat paintings his first husband had done. And he had a gallery, too?
“Oh, yes, I have some friends who would probably like to see, too!” Ariel wasn’t what he would call an artist, or rather, he didn’t ever have time to do things for himself. He was always working it seemed. But one day, Casey hoped they would be able to make sure Ariel had time to do whatever he wanted--
Well… it was a little complicated at the moment. The momentary thought of Ariel made Casey’s heart swell, but then he remembered that he probably shouldn’t be spending as much time with him as he wanted. He didn’t want to upset Mason.
“Maybe I can ask him about his family when we visit. Who knows? Maybe we’re actually cousins or something,” he hummed thoughtfully, taking the offered card from Devyn so he could inspect it while trying not to upset himself further by thinking about how much he just wanted to see his friends without worrying about upsetting his boyfriend.
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 5:32 pm
“I think he’d have been very interested to have a conversation with you about his family,” Devyn mused. “But, unfortunately, Percy passed quite a while ago. But I hope that won’t deter you from stopping by sometime. If you plan to visit, give a call and leave a message. I’ll show up. The gallery is a tribute to him. I thought it would be a shame to keep all his work to myself.”
He spoke with fondness, though it would always be tinted with some shade of sadness. He was glad to talk about Percy, enthusiastic even now.
“I’ll see if I can dig up some of his family records, though. I’ve got so much paperwork I’m still going through, but he was a scholar. Always kept good records of everything.”
It wasn’t a morbid topic but poor Casey already looked a little overwhelmed with things. Devyn couldn’t quite place it but there was something just a little off about him, like he was already carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Well, maybe he was, in a way. He did have to come out in the cold to look for stray travelers. Devyn wasn’t exactly sure if they were back on the path or not so he just stayed close to Casey while they walked. “Sorry, you’ve been such good company. I didn’t apologize for making you come all the way out here to come get me. I hope they let you warm up some and don’t just keep you outside for your whole shift.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 5:21 pm
It felt as though the air had been knocked from his lungs. It made sense now. He thought that maybe they’d just parted ways for one reason or another. Devyn spoke so fondly of Percy that he couldn’t imagine a messy divorce, but it hadn’t even occurred to him that Percy could have died. Well, if he’d actually been listening to Devyn and not just hearing what he wanted to hear, then maybe he would have realized.
“Oh… oh, I’m so sorry,” he stared up at Devyn with already misty eyes. And Devyn was so young. Or at least he looked fairly young. And if Percy had passed a while ago…?
The urge to call Ariel and check on him was strong. He knew his first instinct should have been to call Mason, but…
He knew he shouldn’t. Ariel had Morgan and they were happy. And Casey was happy for them! So why did he feel so miserable?
“I’ll still go, yes of course,” he insisted, because how could he not go, especially now? “But don’t apologize, either! I’ll be okay. I don’t mind the cold. I was-- I was looking for those trees, too,” he quickly continued, as if talking more would mean he didn’t have any chance to get emotional.
“I’m glad you found one. I hadn’t seen that one yet. I can make sure it’ll get treated. And… oh, oh wow, this is so embarrassing,” he forced a laugh and quickly rubbed at his eyes. They were almost on the path, which was good because if he could send Devyn on his way, then Casey could probably go find somewhere to hide and cry.
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 5:38 pm
And so quick to tears? Devyn couldn’t imagine Casey and Percy might not share some distant ancestor, but maybe he was only seeing it because he wanted to. Truthfully, he didn’t know what had happened to Percy’s family on Earth after he’d been cut off from contact. There wasn’t any easy way to trace them–and why should he have? Just for the satisfaction of knowing they survived?
…Well, yes. But it wasn’t like he had any intention of intruding into their lives. He didn’t want to complicate things. He just wanted to know.
“Is it embarrassing? I don’t think so. Here,” he said, briefly unzipping his jacket so he could pull out a fresh, silk handkerchief. It smelled faintly of fresh flowers but was markedly devoid of artificial aromas.
“I think it’s a rare trait to have such honest emotions. Percy was very in tune with his own. And my son is as well. I think very highly of both of them. I’m glad we could find the tree. And I’m glad you could find me. In part because I wouldn’t want to worry anyone by being lost for too long. But also, I appreciate you letting me go on. I wouldn’t be surprised if Morgan sent you out because needed a break from my stories,” he laughed.
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 5:44 pm
It felt rude to decline an offer of the very fancy looking handkerchief, so even though Casey hesitated to reach out, he eventually did.
“Thank you,” he sniffled a little and used the soft fabric to dab at his eyes. But he shook his head when Devyn laughed about the possibility of Morgan sending him out there to avoid Devyn’s stories.
“No, I offered to come out. I wanted to check on the trees that had already been treated, and see if there were more.” And to clear his head as much as possible. He wanted so badly to spend time with Morgan, but he knew Mason didn’t feel comfortable with it. They were friends! But he also didn’t want to upset his boyfriend. And he was a horrible liar. Mason would see right through him if he did anything Casey knew Mason didn’t like.
“You have a son, too?” he looked up at Devyn with slight surprise. Not because there was anything bad about it!! He just thought it would be nice to have parents -- or… a parent in this case… who actually cared. Devyn seemed like such a gentle hearted person, Casey was certain any child of his would be well looked after.
“Well… maybe you could come visit the park here sometime. We have a lot of activities in the warmer months. Now it’s, I mean, I guess only people who really want to be outside come to visit. Oh, but maybe we should work harder to make sure the paths are marked. Oh! But I don’t mind stories. And I know Morgan doesn’t mind. I mean, I talk a lot too. Probably too much. It’s just easy to keep talking sometimes. Usually I have my dog, Harrison, to talk to. She’s such a good girl, but it’s too cold for her. She’s better inside where it’s warm and she can nap,” he laughed, hoping it would cover up how awkward he felt now.
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 5:49 pm
“You think you talk too much? I don’t think that’s possible. I’m an expert on the subject,” he clarified. It was no effort to prove as much, as he had plenty more to say anyway. “I’ve met Harrison before, she’s a good girl. I’m glad she’s inside, I’d worry about her feet if she was out here without boots on. She’s a good listener, very friendly. She found me before Morgan did a month or two back. We were watching salamanders, I’d never seen so many. I liked her bandana, very fashionable.”
And her own little honorary park ranger badge? Perfect. She might have only found him because he was always carrying around snacks and he was always very generous with them.
“She’s good with everyone she meets, isn’t she? I’ll bring my son out sometime, he’s not as interested in the outdoors as I am but I think breaks from the city are good. He’s in high school right now but he’s a good kid. Very good at following the rules. I’m glad he doesn’t take after me. It’s not that I’m trying to give you a hard time,” he promised. “My feet just have a mind of their own.”
He spoke not wholly just because he had plenty to say, but he watched Casey out of the corner of his eye as they walked. He liked to think he had a good read on people most of the time, and he was usually good at picking up things they weren’t saying. It was really only a matter of deciphering what that was, but Casey seemed stressed about something. Maybe it was work related, maybe it had something to do with the trees icing over, or fetching Devyn from off the path.
Maybe it didn’t.
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