a-piece-in-time

[a-piece-in-time]

Samuel follows Caulos to a back room. Samuel takes in the view through a window – a small yard with a garden – before making their way to a seat facing a dark wooden desk. Caulos takes a moment to grab a book from the shelf before making her way to the chair opposite from Samuel’s.

She gazes out the window. The two merely listen to the sounds around them for a short time, gazing out the window.

Caulos looks tired. After her years of experience, Samuel understood the tiredness in her body. And yet her eyes shine, her posture comfortable and assured as she leans back in her seat. Chin-length hair is held back from her eyes with a couple of plain clips, a scar noticeable on her temple. The long sleeves of her shirt (dusted with what was likely flour from baking) are pushed above her elbows, revealing her right arm made of metal and the left one, scarred and bearing markings, much like Samuel’s, scattered across it.

“Are they all doing well?” she finally asks.

Samuel thinks for a moment. “As well as they can be – some better than most, as you’d probably expect.”

“Scars still run deeper than the skin,” she sighs. “I wish I could help them, but I am also needed here,” she gestures towards the general direction of where the rest of the town lies. “I’m glad you came today, despite the event.”

“We need the supplies,” they reply simply, “and I can handle it.”

Caulos looks at them directly in their eyes, and they both know how they feel, asking, “Came across strangers?”

They merely nod, before adding, “Nothing said, though.”

Reaching over, Caulos rests a hand on Samuel’s. “Remember this town does care about you. They’re not like the army.”

They break eye contact to look down at their hand. “I know.”

Her gaze softens. “I’m sure anybody can understand why you’d hesitate. Do you want Drago to go out with you?”

Samuel shakes their head. “I’ll be fine. And you’ll probably be busy soon.”

Both are silent again, until Samuel speaks again.

“The pair asked after you.”

Caulos smiles. “They always do, don’t they?” she says. “Everything’s been business as usual, no trouble. Remind them I can still help with any building or repairs, alright? Don’t want anyone having to ‘make do’ when I can do something about it.”

“Evelyn knows what she’s doing for the most part. I think it’s been helping her.”

“I’m glad. Do they need any more scraps?”

“I didn’t ask about that.”

Caulos stands up and makes her way over to a wall that appears blank, but then opens up to reveal shelves of metal and technology. A couple limbs sit together, similar to Caulos’ metal arm. She gathers a few different items and puts them in a bag to hand over to Samuel.

“Hopefully this helps them. Remember you all can visit anytime, alright?”

Samuel gives a small smile, eyes reflecting their gratitude. “Sure thing.”

(Asks open – feel free to send multiple at once!)

[a-piece-in-time]

@whyamionlyabletouse32characters​

Samuel staggers slightly, his foot stepping back and nearly sending them falling into the baker’s table.

“Samuel?” she asks, concern clear in her voice as she reaches out across the table. Her hands don’t reach Samuel to support him.

Without responding, Samuel looks away from the unfamiliar group, feeling the shield on his chest act up instinctively before he pushes it away. It’s not safe right now. Short-term vulnerability over probably-long-term consequences. He quickly shoulders his pack, already walking away quickly.

Samuel doesn’t stop walking until he arrives at a café. It’s relatively large, compared to the shops all around it, but it’s quiet despite how many people are sitting around. A simple, forest-green overhanging covers half of the front patio, while the sign above is merely a logo in the vague shape of a diamond split in half, a dot in the middle of it. The tension in his shoulders ease up as he enters the patio, though he carefully watches all of the customers sitting at the tables.

Inside is a lot cooler and slightly dimmer, since it was out of the direct glare of the noonday sun. Samuel stands at the door for a few seconds to adjust, eyeing a few other people who opted to stay indoors, before walking towards the counter. A young staff member looks up at him for a moment before promptly making their way to the back.

Samuel thinks he hears a, “They’re here!” but he can’t be sure of it. Still, he waits slightly off to the side in case any new customers were to enter. He waves to the other staff member behind the counter, who signs a quick greeting with a smile.

“How’s the mountain?” he asks. The staff member is almost small and unassuming, if it weren’t for how expressive his personality is. Every movement is somehow exaggerated and yet perfectly normal to Samuel.

“Business as usual,” he signs back, dismissive. “Though we got a better amount to pay this time around – got to include next week’s part.”

The staff almost responds, but by then the one who had gone back returns with someone else in tow. Samuel inclines his head at this new person.

“Hello, Samuel,” she says, tilting her head and moving towards another door.

“Caulos.”

(Asks are open - and they’ll certainly influence where I go!)

[a-piece-in-time]

@whyamionlyabletouse32characters​

Again, their hair shifts as they attempt to clear their head, brow drawn in. Keeping their eyes on the ground, they perk up as they hear a voice across the crowd call for them.

“A little early today, eh, Samuel?” a short woman smiles up at them, before returning to her goods – a table with bread and other bakery items set out across it surface.

They return her bright grin with their own pale comparison, shrugging the bag off their shoulders. “The world’s waking up sooner.”

“It has been indeed!” she laughs. “Getting closer to the solstice every day. Here, hun,” she hands him a small fabric bag filled with food. “Do you think some of them will come celebrate it with us? Just the locals, unlike today.”

Samuel’s eyes flit around at the comment as they accept it, handing over their goods from their own bag. “That’ll be next week’s too, I think… I dunno what we’re planning.”

There’s a pause as she tucks the sack in a box behind her. As she turns back, Samuel rubs the back of their neck and shifts their position slightly. She notices, raising a concerned look.

As they look back up, they say, “Heard anything…”

“I’m not sure, dear,” her eyes shift past Samuel for a brief second, then returning back to meet their gaze. “Nothing from the café, yet. But no news is good news for that, right?”

“I s’pose… Anyways, thanks,” they say, raising their bag, now containing the food, towards her as they turn to leave. And they notice that there is a group of unfamiliar faces watching them.

(Asks are open)

[a-piece-in-time]

I dare u to climb the tree

Their brow knits together a moment, glancing at the tree they’re leaning on. Then they shake their head, bending to pick up their bag and continue their walk, headed towards the small town. The bag is slack and small, appearing to either lack contents in part or in full as it bounces lightly off their back. The person makes their way towards the sun, which still sits on the eastern side of the sky, not yet reaching the warmest hours of the day.

A small dirt path eventually appears at their feet, at the edge of a farmer’s field. Once there, the person pauses and wipes at their face, removing the mark from under their eye. Their hand moves back to tuck their hair behind their ear as they continue to walk.

After a few minutes, they perk up, eyes narrowing slightly as they begin to hear more sounds from the town; shouts, laughter, general chatter – even music. A glance at their arms, and they pull their sleeves down as the crowds start to come into focus, filled with unfamiliar faces.

(asks are open)

[a-piece-in-time]

Welcome.

Our story begins with a forest, tucked up against a vast mountain range. A young adult stands at the edge, looking out from the trees to the valley beyond. Once a bag they had been carrying is set on the ground, they gaze out at the land, past green fields and farmlands, to a small town. A large sweater drapes over their body, the sleeves pushed past their elbows, revealing various markings and scars. One hand rests on their hip while their other arm supports them against the rough wood of a tree.

Asks are now open for this character.