Post by The Captain on Mar 1, 2010 22:20:26 GMT -5
He stares quietly at the small rucksack settled on the foot of his bed. It was old .. far older than it looked, covered in buttons from all over the world .. all over -multiple- worlds if he were ever to be honest about it .. not that he usually was. He had become a Diva at dodging questions he didn't feel like answering, or outright ignoring them. He made no qualms about his refusal to talk about his life before the Inn. All that need be known was that he had had a wife with a kid on the way .. and didn't any more. He held his past close to the belt, because that was what he had been taught to do. Honour thy past, honour thy ancestors .. but beyond that, leave it the hell alone. The only problem with that .. is that he can't. No matter which way he turned, he was faced with the 'ghost' of what could've been .. and that could've was killing him .. amongst other things.
His head canted to the left, a few strands of shaggy brown silk cascading across one smoky eye. So much had changed in such a short time at the Inn .. just a matter of months and he was nothing like the cool, laid back 'Southern' gentleman he had been when he arrived. He had changed drastically. His hair was long, his eyes had subtly shifted color .. he now blackened around his eyes ever so slightly, and he had taken to at least keeping his shirt on. Not because he wanted to, because he never had and never would like the restriction of clothing, but because he now had something to hide.
He bites his inner cheek, feeling the spot that had been rubbed raw by the blunt press of his teeth and the 'soothing' caress of his tongue. It tasted of blood .. always did these days, though he tried not to think about it, not really. What was the point of thinking about the inevitable? After all, it was going to -inevitably- reach out and catch you up, and there wasn't a damn thing you could do about it!
He licks across the raw spot, again that bitter, copper taste of blood against the tip of his tongue. He reaches out on instinct to run his fingers across the top of the rucksack, feeling the dimples in the leather from wear and tear. Once would have to wonder where such wear and tear had occurred, given the fact that he stated himself to be 24, and that he had not been wandering but a few years. The pack seemed as if it had seen a few -decades- thus far. And then there were the buttons .. some were not written in English .. some were not written in any language of -this- world, but it had been easy enough to pass off .. geek chic backpack couture .. as if. If the 'Geeks' only knew the kinds of things he had seen, they would die of jealousy. But whatever .. none of that matters now, does it? Onward and upward .. to infinity and beyond, though it seemed he was going to be making it to the great infinite afterlife long before anyone else he knew .. his wife and child not withstanding, of course. And shouldn't he be happier at the prospect of finding out if he might meet them once again? Probably, but ... he isn't. All he knows is that he will miss so much here .. everything here ... everyone .. a home he had worked -hard- to build for himself, and it was tumbling down around him like a House of Cards .. his own cantankerous attitude the fatal wind that is causing it to crumble. But then, he has ever damned right in the -world- to be angry .. he just wasn't going to let the rest of the world know that. Let them think he had become an asshole .. better that than their fucking -pity-!
He turns to his doorway where the other things are gathered, a faint smile on his upturned lips .. sadness raging through him almost as painful as everything physical at the moment .. though there was nothing as painful as that. He had stepped through so many doors .. he had tapped out his different savings accounts through out the ages, and had recovered all of the money he had, save a small amount. And what had he done with his savings, all of his saved wages, and everything else .. he went shopping for those he cared about. It was simply his way .. go out with a bang, or whatever that silly saying was.
It takes only a moment of contemplation before he knows what he must do. He will begin with the most recent .. Kieran. They had spoken briefly when he had angrily shot a veiled insult at the pregnant wolf shifter and he knew that he shouldn't have done that. He grasps two items in his hand, and turns slipping silently out of his bedroom. He stops in front of Shar and Yuri's room first, holding the thin envelope in hand. He shoves it carefully under her door. Whenever she managed to stumble across the envelope, she would find a single piece of paper, with the words, "My apologies, present this to Fabian and he shall help you acquire things for your child. May your cub(s) always be blessed with love and light." written on it in an unsteady hand. Also inside of it, she would find a gift card for 1,000 dollars to a baby boutique that could be found in Fabian's time, since he knew that the older male was helping the female out.
He creeps along to the next door, the next package grasped gently in his arms. He remembers agonizing over Kieran's gift .. he also remembers asking the sales lady for help. When she saw him eyeing a bunch of cashmere items, she had thought he might have been shopping for a girlfriend, until she noticed that he was in the men's side of the fabrics. So, she had assumed he was shopping for himself, and given how handsome he was, and how expensive the items were he was looking at, she figured that he was shopping for himself. If he didn't have a woman with him .. well, she was hoping he was single. When he asked her the best present for a guy, in the soft fabrics, she had nearly face planted right then and there. Just her luck, he was rich .. and gay. She eventually helped him settle on a pair of $250 Cashmere lounge pants. They were soft, supple, and warm .. a deep dark charcoal grey in color, they were made to be 'breathable' but to also retain body heat. And the woman had described them as feeling like gossamer when worn .. he assumed that was supposed to be a good thing. He carefull lays the package at Kieran's door.
Next, he sneaks back to his room to grab the next two gifts, though he knows that he'd not have to leave those at the door. He sneaks in to the shared room of Nuello and Fabian, not surprised when he sees the room in utter disarray, pillows strewn everywhere, sheets draped across the desk, a comforter wadded up in a messy pile in front of the closet. He actually laughs faintly to himself and walks to the desk. He carefully drags the sheet off and lets it fall to the floor, smiling sadly as he places three items there .. a gift basket, a long Victorian wooden box, and another envelope.
The gift basket had Nuello's name on it, and the contents were rather .. well, not that surprising. It was a dark chocolate gift basket filled with Amarene Cherries hand coated in dark chocolate and enrobed in a shell of 72 percent bittersweet chocolate couverture, a bag of Dean & Deluca Espresso Blend Coffee, rich with deep notes of chocolate, caramel and spice, and finally, a bottle of intense B.R. Cohn Chocolate Cabernet Wine Sauce, the 'perfect' topping for strawberries, ice cream and brownies. The gift was three fold: Because he knew Nuello loved chocolate, because it would actually give the brute a reason to be hyper .. and because it would drive Fabian up the -wall-! Something Syd -always- loved doing!
The long, thin Victorian box was, of course, addressed to Fabian. Inside is a Victorian sterling silver locket and collar with etched butterfly design on the locket, 2" locket, the chain is 16" long and 1/3" wide and the Y part of the chain is 2" long, complete fittings inside for two photographs. It was one of the only stories Fabian had ever told him .. of a locket he had once possessed like it, a family heirloom. It was lost in the tragedy that claimed his pack.
Inside the envelope, they would find a letter, three pieces of paper, and a key. The paper was appraisal and insurance coverage on the locket, appraising it at just under $900. In the note, "Fabs .. Elly .. you two are night and day, and it seems you have always affected me so. Fabs .. you always knew how to brighten my day .. Elly, you -always- knew how to piss me off .. you're both wonderful, in your own ways. Fabian, have fun dealing with Nuello's sugar rush .. and Nuello, have fun helping Fabian create new memories for his precious treasure. I ask only two things .. Nue, you will not go into a rage over this .. I would never forgive you for such behavior. And Fabian .. fill one side of this heart with you and your love .. and save the other side for now .. you will know when it is time to fill it. Enclosed is an appraisal slip, an insurance slip, directions, and a key. The directions will lead you to a safe deposit box .. that's what the key is for. When you realize what the other half of your heart is for, there will be something waiting there for you. Goodbye, my friends."
First thing in the morning, a package would come for Caelyn, roughly 37x25 in size. There would be no return address, no nothing .. Syd had handed it in to the Post Mistress himself, and asked that it be delivered to Caelyn, as a surprise. She had found it somewhat amusing, and when he offered her a tidy sum for the inconvenience, she had smiled slightly and he had left. Again, he had agonized over what to get the outdoor youth .. had searched and searched hs mind and when the answer came so suddenly, it was like a clap of thunder that left him feeling quite the fool. He had scrambled to find it and was so very happy when he had. He did not know the artist, did not care to .. he knew only that it was so -perfect- for Caelyn. It was one of the more expensive gifts, but again .. it was perfectly Caelyn, he had to have it.
When Caelyn opens the package, he would find an oil painting inside. The canvas was 36x24, it had a black frame .. and the picture was just beautiful. It was entitled Sunday Sun and depicted two horses standing together. The light brown stud is standing proud, one dark, observant eye cast toward the viewer. His mare, dark and sleek is nestled against him, her head pressed gently against the side of his head, hiding shyly from the viewer. Syd had no clue who Deborah Peters was, but at $2,700 for the painting .. well, he felt like he had gotten the better end of the deal. There would be no actual letter within Caelyn's gift, but instead a single white card, Syd's beautiful, identifiable, bright red Calligraphy having been used to mark the card with a single saying, all in good fun: Giddy-up!
When Agni and Jon eventually awoke, they would find their presents at the foot of their door as well. Wrapped in delicate silk, it was a gift to be treasured .. it was the gift that apart from one other, meant the most to him. Because they were his -own- property being gifted to dear friends. Beneath the silk, a sword stand rests, a blade for each of them.
Agni's would be on the bottom, the heaviest, the place of most respect amongst the blades. It is a fully handmade clay tempered razor sharp Japanese Tachi Gunto Sword. Translation: A superior weapon that had been given to Syd by someone close to him, and was now being given to a friend. Estimated price: $18,000.00. Not that Syd would've ever sold the thing.
Syd had, at first, thought about getting Jon a blade as well, but he decided to go a different route. Something about the enigmatic man had struck his as .. artistic, different, sort of like that. The kind that would rather be focused than wild, and Syd hoped that he would not be completely off about that. But Jon's gift is an elaborate, beautiful Shodo Japanese Calligraphy Gift Set, incl. Calligraphy Brushes, Ink Grinding Stone, Ink Stick, Porcelain Brush Holder, etc...
They would also receive a joint gift .. a beautiful Victorian tin filled with sugared violet petals. No note, just a card with "Best Wishes," in Syd's writing.
And the last present would arrive the same morning, for Lacey. In side she would find a velvet box, and upon opening them, a pair of beautiful diamond drop earrings which culminate in two lustrous South Sea pearls measuring 16.0mm each. Round and baguette diamonds weighing approximately 4.25 carats lend sparkle to these platinum-set earrings. They were long, elegant, and reminded him perfectly of the Boss Lady. Her note would be present as well. "Lacey .. you gave me a chance when I had nowhere else to go. Thanks to you, I've had a bit of a life here, and I will forever be grateful to you for that. Good bye."
With everything delivered, or soon to be delivered, Syd makes his way back to his room and grabs his rucksack, before heading back down the stairs to the main room. He goes over to the little bulletin board and tapes a white cord there ... it bears a single word in trembled Kanji .. the symbol for love. Syd thrusts a push pin through the letter, and then turns to the bar, placing another let there. It says simply .. to all my friends. He turns and quietly makes his way out of the inn, and toward the area in which he had first arrived. It was time to find another anomaly and continue on his journey.
"To all of my friends, those who have become like brothers and sisters .. those I have loved. This final card is simply to say this: I love you all, and a fond farewell. We may meet again I hope .. but, until then ... There are other worlds then these ...
- Syd"
And with that .. a single figure slinks out of the Inn, disappearing into the night that surrounds his 'home,' destined for other adventures.
His head canted to the left, a few strands of shaggy brown silk cascading across one smoky eye. So much had changed in such a short time at the Inn .. just a matter of months and he was nothing like the cool, laid back 'Southern' gentleman he had been when he arrived. He had changed drastically. His hair was long, his eyes had subtly shifted color .. he now blackened around his eyes ever so slightly, and he had taken to at least keeping his shirt on. Not because he wanted to, because he never had and never would like the restriction of clothing, but because he now had something to hide.
He bites his inner cheek, feeling the spot that had been rubbed raw by the blunt press of his teeth and the 'soothing' caress of his tongue. It tasted of blood .. always did these days, though he tried not to think about it, not really. What was the point of thinking about the inevitable? After all, it was going to -inevitably- reach out and catch you up, and there wasn't a damn thing you could do about it!
He licks across the raw spot, again that bitter, copper taste of blood against the tip of his tongue. He reaches out on instinct to run his fingers across the top of the rucksack, feeling the dimples in the leather from wear and tear. Once would have to wonder where such wear and tear had occurred, given the fact that he stated himself to be 24, and that he had not been wandering but a few years. The pack seemed as if it had seen a few -decades- thus far. And then there were the buttons .. some were not written in English .. some were not written in any language of -this- world, but it had been easy enough to pass off .. geek chic backpack couture .. as if. If the 'Geeks' only knew the kinds of things he had seen, they would die of jealousy. But whatever .. none of that matters now, does it? Onward and upward .. to infinity and beyond, though it seemed he was going to be making it to the great infinite afterlife long before anyone else he knew .. his wife and child not withstanding, of course. And shouldn't he be happier at the prospect of finding out if he might meet them once again? Probably, but ... he isn't. All he knows is that he will miss so much here .. everything here ... everyone .. a home he had worked -hard- to build for himself, and it was tumbling down around him like a House of Cards .. his own cantankerous attitude the fatal wind that is causing it to crumble. But then, he has ever damned right in the -world- to be angry .. he just wasn't going to let the rest of the world know that. Let them think he had become an asshole .. better that than their fucking -pity-!
He turns to his doorway where the other things are gathered, a faint smile on his upturned lips .. sadness raging through him almost as painful as everything physical at the moment .. though there was nothing as painful as that. He had stepped through so many doors .. he had tapped out his different savings accounts through out the ages, and had recovered all of the money he had, save a small amount. And what had he done with his savings, all of his saved wages, and everything else .. he went shopping for those he cared about. It was simply his way .. go out with a bang, or whatever that silly saying was.
It takes only a moment of contemplation before he knows what he must do. He will begin with the most recent .. Kieran. They had spoken briefly when he had angrily shot a veiled insult at the pregnant wolf shifter and he knew that he shouldn't have done that. He grasps two items in his hand, and turns slipping silently out of his bedroom. He stops in front of Shar and Yuri's room first, holding the thin envelope in hand. He shoves it carefully under her door. Whenever she managed to stumble across the envelope, she would find a single piece of paper, with the words, "My apologies, present this to Fabian and he shall help you acquire things for your child. May your cub(s) always be blessed with love and light." written on it in an unsteady hand. Also inside of it, she would find a gift card for 1,000 dollars to a baby boutique that could be found in Fabian's time, since he knew that the older male was helping the female out.
He creeps along to the next door, the next package grasped gently in his arms. He remembers agonizing over Kieran's gift .. he also remembers asking the sales lady for help. When she saw him eyeing a bunch of cashmere items, she had thought he might have been shopping for a girlfriend, until she noticed that he was in the men's side of the fabrics. So, she had assumed he was shopping for himself, and given how handsome he was, and how expensive the items were he was looking at, she figured that he was shopping for himself. If he didn't have a woman with him .. well, she was hoping he was single. When he asked her the best present for a guy, in the soft fabrics, she had nearly face planted right then and there. Just her luck, he was rich .. and gay. She eventually helped him settle on a pair of $250 Cashmere lounge pants. They were soft, supple, and warm .. a deep dark charcoal grey in color, they were made to be 'breathable' but to also retain body heat. And the woman had described them as feeling like gossamer when worn .. he assumed that was supposed to be a good thing. He carefull lays the package at Kieran's door.
Next, he sneaks back to his room to grab the next two gifts, though he knows that he'd not have to leave those at the door. He sneaks in to the shared room of Nuello and Fabian, not surprised when he sees the room in utter disarray, pillows strewn everywhere, sheets draped across the desk, a comforter wadded up in a messy pile in front of the closet. He actually laughs faintly to himself and walks to the desk. He carefully drags the sheet off and lets it fall to the floor, smiling sadly as he places three items there .. a gift basket, a long Victorian wooden box, and another envelope.
The gift basket had Nuello's name on it, and the contents were rather .. well, not that surprising. It was a dark chocolate gift basket filled with Amarene Cherries hand coated in dark chocolate and enrobed in a shell of 72 percent bittersweet chocolate couverture, a bag of Dean & Deluca Espresso Blend Coffee, rich with deep notes of chocolate, caramel and spice, and finally, a bottle of intense B.R. Cohn Chocolate Cabernet Wine Sauce, the 'perfect' topping for strawberries, ice cream and brownies. The gift was three fold: Because he knew Nuello loved chocolate, because it would actually give the brute a reason to be hyper .. and because it would drive Fabian up the -wall-! Something Syd -always- loved doing!
The long, thin Victorian box was, of course, addressed to Fabian. Inside is a Victorian sterling silver locket and collar with etched butterfly design on the locket, 2" locket, the chain is 16" long and 1/3" wide and the Y part of the chain is 2" long, complete fittings inside for two photographs. It was one of the only stories Fabian had ever told him .. of a locket he had once possessed like it, a family heirloom. It was lost in the tragedy that claimed his pack.
Inside the envelope, they would find a letter, three pieces of paper, and a key. The paper was appraisal and insurance coverage on the locket, appraising it at just under $900. In the note, "Fabs .. Elly .. you two are night and day, and it seems you have always affected me so. Fabs .. you always knew how to brighten my day .. Elly, you -always- knew how to piss me off .. you're both wonderful, in your own ways. Fabian, have fun dealing with Nuello's sugar rush .. and Nuello, have fun helping Fabian create new memories for his precious treasure. I ask only two things .. Nue, you will not go into a rage over this .. I would never forgive you for such behavior. And Fabian .. fill one side of this heart with you and your love .. and save the other side for now .. you will know when it is time to fill it. Enclosed is an appraisal slip, an insurance slip, directions, and a key. The directions will lead you to a safe deposit box .. that's what the key is for. When you realize what the other half of your heart is for, there will be something waiting there for you. Goodbye, my friends."
First thing in the morning, a package would come for Caelyn, roughly 37x25 in size. There would be no return address, no nothing .. Syd had handed it in to the Post Mistress himself, and asked that it be delivered to Caelyn, as a surprise. She had found it somewhat amusing, and when he offered her a tidy sum for the inconvenience, she had smiled slightly and he had left. Again, he had agonized over what to get the outdoor youth .. had searched and searched hs mind and when the answer came so suddenly, it was like a clap of thunder that left him feeling quite the fool. He had scrambled to find it and was so very happy when he had. He did not know the artist, did not care to .. he knew only that it was so -perfect- for Caelyn. It was one of the more expensive gifts, but again .. it was perfectly Caelyn, he had to have it.
When Caelyn opens the package, he would find an oil painting inside. The canvas was 36x24, it had a black frame .. and the picture was just beautiful. It was entitled Sunday Sun and depicted two horses standing together. The light brown stud is standing proud, one dark, observant eye cast toward the viewer. His mare, dark and sleek is nestled against him, her head pressed gently against the side of his head, hiding shyly from the viewer. Syd had no clue who Deborah Peters was, but at $2,700 for the painting .. well, he felt like he had gotten the better end of the deal. There would be no actual letter within Caelyn's gift, but instead a single white card, Syd's beautiful, identifiable, bright red Calligraphy having been used to mark the card with a single saying, all in good fun: Giddy-up!
When Agni and Jon eventually awoke, they would find their presents at the foot of their door as well. Wrapped in delicate silk, it was a gift to be treasured .. it was the gift that apart from one other, meant the most to him. Because they were his -own- property being gifted to dear friends. Beneath the silk, a sword stand rests, a blade for each of them.
Agni's would be on the bottom, the heaviest, the place of most respect amongst the blades. It is a fully handmade clay tempered razor sharp Japanese Tachi Gunto Sword. Translation: A superior weapon that had been given to Syd by someone close to him, and was now being given to a friend. Estimated price: $18,000.00. Not that Syd would've ever sold the thing.
Syd had, at first, thought about getting Jon a blade as well, but he decided to go a different route. Something about the enigmatic man had struck his as .. artistic, different, sort of like that. The kind that would rather be focused than wild, and Syd hoped that he would not be completely off about that. But Jon's gift is an elaborate, beautiful Shodo Japanese Calligraphy Gift Set, incl. Calligraphy Brushes, Ink Grinding Stone, Ink Stick, Porcelain Brush Holder, etc...
They would also receive a joint gift .. a beautiful Victorian tin filled with sugared violet petals. No note, just a card with "Best Wishes," in Syd's writing.
And the last present would arrive the same morning, for Lacey. In side she would find a velvet box, and upon opening them, a pair of beautiful diamond drop earrings which culminate in two lustrous South Sea pearls measuring 16.0mm each. Round and baguette diamonds weighing approximately 4.25 carats lend sparkle to these platinum-set earrings. They were long, elegant, and reminded him perfectly of the Boss Lady. Her note would be present as well. "Lacey .. you gave me a chance when I had nowhere else to go. Thanks to you, I've had a bit of a life here, and I will forever be grateful to you for that. Good bye."
With everything delivered, or soon to be delivered, Syd makes his way back to his room and grabs his rucksack, before heading back down the stairs to the main room. He goes over to the little bulletin board and tapes a white cord there ... it bears a single word in trembled Kanji .. the symbol for love. Syd thrusts a push pin through the letter, and then turns to the bar, placing another let there. It says simply .. to all my friends. He turns and quietly makes his way out of the inn, and toward the area in which he had first arrived. It was time to find another anomaly and continue on his journey.
"To all of my friends, those who have become like brothers and sisters .. those I have loved. This final card is simply to say this: I love you all, and a fond farewell. We may meet again I hope .. but, until then ... There are other worlds then these ...
- Syd"
And with that .. a single figure slinks out of the Inn, disappearing into the night that surrounds his 'home,' destined for other adventures.
Your lips are nettles
Your tongue is wine
Your laughter's liquid
But your body's pine
You say "Come touch me"
But you're always out of reach
In the dark you tell me of a flower
that only blooms in the violet hour
Your tongue is wine
Your laughter's liquid
But your body's pine
You say "Come touch me"
But you're always out of reach
In the dark you tell me of a flower
that only blooms in the violet hour
