007 | Audio | Day 95

[tryingitall]

I'm back, just in case anyone was wondering; it's possible you weren't, of course, since I have no idea how long I was gone.

But someone has clearly been watering my garden, so thank you for that! And the radishes are ready.

Comments

[bluesrat]

I'm... sorry? Wait, the garden is that far along already?

[He's sounded better, too.]

[tryingitall]

You sound dreadful. [Okay, not tactful, but he does seem genuinely concerned.]

It's...been nearly thirty days since I planted. Are you missing time? You might have been taken, too.

[bluesrat]

Heheh, thanks? [It's a weak sort of laugh, but tactlessness doesn't generally bother him.]

I've been... I must've been sick. Wouldn't I remember it if I'd been somewhere else?

[tryingitall]

Not...necessarily. Are you feeling all right? Where are you; I'll come check on you.

[bluesrat]

I've felt better. Alley by the old general store. I'm... I'll be okay, just feel like I've come out of a bad fever or something.

[tryingitall]

Yes...well, you should probably eat. I'll bring you something. [No buts! He signs off at once, and appears at the end of the alley less than three minutes later.]

(Switching to action?)

[bluesrat]

He's easy enough to find. In fact, there are hints he's camped out here for a while, junk strategically piled to make a little bit of shelter. Rat sits smoking a cigarette and looking generally rough and a little ill. When he sees Balthazar he gives a weak smile, though. "Hey... you said you've been gone? I didn't really get the chance to ask if you're okay."

[action forever!]

[tryingitall]

Balthazar pauses as he registers the shelter. He's been camping here? With all the houses available? The angel frowns, visibly upset, but he's carrying a coffee can with radishes, dandelion greens, and crackers packed into it, as well as a bottle of tea with honey. Now it feels inadequate.

"Yes...for a few days. I'm fine." He comes over and crouches near him. "You know there's plenty of space for you in several of the houses. Not to embarrass you, but this isn't a good place to stay."

[bluesrat]

It's what he's used to. The place has been abandoned for a few weeks, though, even if Rat himself is in denial about having been temporarily abducted.

He does look a little embarrassed, but tries to cover it with a few coughs. "They were kind of all occupied last I checked... but that was... a while ago, I guess. I'm okay. It doesn't get that cold nights, or I'd worry about Bessie." Granted, some of them only had single occupants, at the time, and they've lost some people since then.

He can't help eyeing the coffee can, curious. He's felt better, but he's only just now realizing he's kind of hungry.

[tryingitall]

"Well, no, the weather's fairly temperate, but there are dangerous animals about, and they've been known to come into town. I'm going to have to insist you come back to the house I've been in, I think. My...sister's left, anyway, so we have space now." Unless she comes back, which could happen (and would be wonderful), but they can cross that bridge later.

Noticing the look, he hands over the bottle and can. "It's basically a salad and crackers. Not that exciting, but I daresay we can get you a fish sandwich and a beer later."

[bluesrat]

"I thought... they pretty much stuck to the woods?" He's genuinely surprised by this revelation, because he's been lucky so far. He'll accept the can, though, putting his cigarette out carefully. It's best to smoke them down to the end, since they're a rare commodity around here. "I'm sorry about your sister. Are you sure that's okay with... whoever else is living there too?" He opens the tea first, unaccountably thirsty.

[tryingitall]

"Mostly, but I've heard they've made raids in the past. No one should be living so vulnerably." No one human, anyway.

"And I'm sorry, too. But it's important to be practical." He tugs at his blazer, pulling it closer, as if he's caught a chill. "I doubt Chuck will care. My other roommate may or may not, but I'll talk to him. It ought to be all right for a few nights, at least."

And if not, he suspects Donna or Riley will take the man in.

[bluesrat]

He looks sheepish. "I... wasn't trying to play bait or anything. It seems safer here than in the city I'm used to, that's all." He nibbles a cracker, guilty and awkward. "But if you have a spare couch or chair for a night or two... maybe I can shake this..." He gestures with a half-eaten cracker, "whatever it is. I didn't get the license number of the truck."

[tryingitall]

"I don't have to sleep, so yes, we have a spare couch at least." He smiles wistfully. "And you can help with the garden and the water distillation and whatnot."

Refocusing, he shakes his head slightly. "I think you really must have been abducted. It's been happening a lot lately. Hopefully you'll perk up in a few days."

[bluesrat]

"But... I'd know..." It's the meekest of protests, because he's coming around to believing Balthazar, now. He just doesn't want to. Rat rubs a hand over his face, feeling like he's been chewed up and spat out. "But... thanks. A couch might do my back a few favors, and I did want to see that irrigation system finished. Sorry I got distracted helping with the diner."

[tryingitall]

"Try not to think about it for now." Reaching over, he gives the man a reassuring thump on the shoulder. Hopefully he's not still so sore that hurts.

"The diner's an important project, too. D'you have things you want to bring? I'll pack for you while you eat, if you like."

[bluesrat]

If it hurts, he doesn't show it, just gives Balthazar a grateful little smile. He's not in any great hurry to get up, though.

"Everything I own is in Bessie's case." He nods at the guitar case, sitting open nearby. There are definitely some odds and ends tucked in around the guitar itself. "How... do you know you were gone?"

[tryingitall]

"Well...the last thing I remember clearly was dream-sharing, and I was inside my house when I feel asleep for it. When I woke, I was near the library, and it was several days later. Also my wing-joints ache, like someone was pulling on them, which shouldn't be possible."

He looks apologetic. "I know it's unsettling, but it may be better to focus on the fact that you're here now."

[bluesrat]

"I exchanged a few messages with people, after, but then I must have dozed off again and..." He passes a hand over his eyes and frowns. "Nothing. I woke up again, here. Didn't see anything too strange in that."

[tryingitall]

"I got tackled by a friend who missed me," he adds. "And scolded for vanishing. I suppose without that and the progress in the garden I might be less certain."

He stands and offers Rat a hand up. "Let's head back to the house. I can make you toast or something there; that'll be more substantial. And tea. Sorry, we ran out of coffee."

[bluesrat]

"Sounds familiar." He gives Balthazar a wink as the angel gives him a hand up. He hasn't been tackled, exactly, but Balthazar was pretty quick to come fuss over him and that's good enough in his book. He'll accept the help, too, stiff and sore and wincing a little as his back protests. It might be that something was done to him by the scientists, or it might just be that he's getting a little old to be sleeping in an alley, without blankets.

"No coffee? At least I got a smoke in. This place is hard on the vices." He coughs a little, massages his lower back, and reaches to collect the guitar case that holds his worldly possessions.

[tryingitall]

Blink blink. Balthazar takes a moment to follow that thought process, then grins. "I won't tackle you. You're taller, anyway."

"There's wild tobacco around, you know. If you help me, I'll gather some. I believe my book said it's stronger than commercial stuff, though. I wouldn't want to make anyone sick. Or, you know, high as a kite."

Not without pre-warning, anyway.

[bluesrat]

Rat rolls his eyes, because he's taller than pretty much everyone, and it's damn inconvenient. He winces picking up the case. Tackling him might end badly, because he aches like he's recovering from the flu.

"That... would probably be marketable, around here, but I should probably quit, myself." He's never quite lost the cough since the forest fire, and he knows the cigs aren't really doing him any favors.

[tryingitall]

"Perhaps if it were cut with something, but I'm not sure what." Balthazar shrugs, and then pats Rat on the arm.

"Yes, you should quit, unquestionably. But I'm the last person to lecture anyone for their vices. Do you want help carrying that?"

[bluesrat]

It's all just idle chatter, washing over the haze of aches and disorientation, as far as Rat is concerned. He's really not interested in anything stronger than tobacco and whiskey. "...Yeah, okay. I mean, if you don't mind? Just feels heavier today..." He smiles weakly at Balthazar, willing to let him take the hard guitar case.