016 Starry Starry Night

[kinship]

[A: Mayfield Elementary (Open to All)]

[Cain had taken his lunch into the music room so he could practise while he ate; or at least, that had been the plan... But when he opened up his brown bagged lunch, he quickly discovered (by putting his fingers right into the filling) that the wrapping around his sandwiches had split sometimes in the morning. Making a face and waggling his hand to try and get the sandwich off his fingers, it finally came unstuck with and... unfortunately... flew through the open window. Were you playing innocently outside? Eating your own lunch? Well, now you've got a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on your head. Whoops.]

[B: Around Town (Open to All)]

[Cain is going into a variety of rather odd shops today, or odd for a small boy. He might have stolen some money from Abel that morning (sorry bro) and is on a shopping spree! He's got himself a little pull cart full of odds and ends - a canvas, some squishy looking bags, food, pans, and some warm sweaters. What on Earth is he doing with all of this? And did he just run over your foot with his cart?]

[C: Phone (Filtered to Lucifer)]

I regained a book I thought might be interesting to you, if you'd like to come over then you can borrow it. I remember you have a penchant for poetry, this is a book of politically themed poems from history.

[D: Phone (Filtered to Beast Boy)]

About... About Valentine's Day... [No. No, it's too hard. Sorry, Beast Boy, he just goes awkwardly silent after that.]

[E: Phone (Filtered to Esther)]

Esther? I wondered if we could talk... please. [He's not going to pry for information behind Abel's back, but he needs to talk to her or this will just keep looming over his head and he won't find any peace.]

[F: 1648 Albright Lane (Closed to Abel)]

[Having got all his shopping, Cain ninjas it into the garage before it can be seen, before looking for his brother. He's not a fool, he knows Abel has probably been following him around the town and has seen his purchases already, but he's keeping up the pretence that he doesn't know and isn't taking comfort from Abel stalking him.

It's been a week now since... everything... and he can practically feel the tension still inside both of them. Raw and hurt, a pain that neither of them knew how to soothe and both wanted to desperately. It's why he had come to a decision to do something fun and light-hearted for just the two of them, something he had always wanted to do...]

Comments

[kinship]

One day I'll see all these places, when we get out of here.

[He has already decided he's not going home when he gets out of here, he's going to make a new life with he and his brother.]

[omg_thrall]

My city will always welcome you, as friends of the people. [And if they didn't, he'll just get grumpy and tell people off.]

[kinship]

[He feels like he should give a repeat of the sentiment, but... he can't.]

I wish I could offer the same, but I'm afraid it would be a lie.

[omg_thrall]

[Thrall nods at that. Yet another thing to think about as he took a bite of pineapple.]

I see now why you treasure this time here spent.

[kinship]

Both home and here have their own different things that make them good.

[Freedom here, and his brother back home.]

[omg_thrall]

The old shaman say experiences make life whole. And turns one into a strong member of the tribe.

[kinship]

That sounds like a pretty wise shaman, and I know I agree. Even if things seem bad, there's always going to be something worth carrying on for.

[omg_thrall]

Exactly. Making the most of it through trying days is just what one needs to do.

[kinship]

I hope... last month wasn't too trying for you?

[His way of subtly asking if Thrall had fallen victim to Mrs. Johnson.]

[omg_thrall]

In its own way. [Thrall admitting that his own household was affected, and he had spent long hours looking for Pokey.]

It worries me that this place can affect not just the adults.

[kinship]

[The beat of silence should tell Thrall it had taken and affected him as well, before he nods.]

At least we are all equal, I would feel guilty if I were spared everything because of my age and others suffered for it.

[omg_thrall]

I certainly wished I could have shouldered the burden as well. But there was little I could do.

[kinship]

I'm sure just knowing you were there for your friends was more comfort than you give yourself credit for.

[omg_thrall]

Thank you Cain, that is most kind. [Thrall sighed.] There seems to be always something amiss here that drags the day down, isn't there? But there is much good too.

[kinship]

I'm pretty sure that's the same back home too... there'll always be good and bad in every world.

[omg_thrall]

Indeed. There's many hardships in my own homeland.

[kinship]

But you love it anyway, right? So... try to love the good things about here too.

[omg_thrall]

Indeed I do. And that is a wise decision. I will make certain to do so.

[kinship]

I have to admit, I love hearing stories about your world, though... it's much more interesting than mine.

[omg_thrall]

While books are a way to tell stories, there are tales sung in the taverns and the shaman and druid elders speak of various stories. It is quite a tradition to listen to these stories and tell tales of the people who live within the world.

[kinship]

Stories aren't really a big thing where I live, not unless they're factual historical ones.

[omg_thrall]

Perhaps I could tell you some of the songs that were sung in the taverns? They each tell a story.

[kinship]

I'd love that! I don't really have many stories to offer you in return, but I promise I'll try so it's not a one-sided debt.

[omg_thrall]

Very well then. I will teach you a few of our songs and tales so that you may recite them to others when you get a chance.

[kinship]

[Ah, he looks so eager, it's ridiculous. Stories that had no scholarly worth at all, his favourite!]

Would you like me to try and tell a story first, or would you like to?