tampered | Log; Complete

It's cold out tonight, and he doesn't intend for this to be a long walk but the dogs have to be taken care of.

Apolline alerts him to the man limping and leaning on some sort of staff or something first. As he gets closer, he realizes it's someone he recognizes. They met one time at Lux. The man offered him money in appreciation for the set. What was his name again?

Oh, right: it's Mat. Closer inspection shows that Mat...pretty much isn't doing so very well.

"Mat, right?" By his side, all three dogs stand at alert. "Are you okay?"

Startled, he looks over at the man speaking. It's that musician from Lux. His memory is still a little fuzzy in some places about the City so no matter how hard he tries, he can't come up with a name. Coming to a stop, he smiles at the man then nods to the dogs. It would help if he had a name but he can't think of anything.

Is this another friend of his?

"I'm afraid that I have to apologize. I know that I know you from a place called Lux but I don't remember your name. And I've been worse. Light, it hurts to admit that. But a building fell on me recently. This is what happens when you live through that."

Still, no name comes to mind.

"Gren. We only met once."

It's not his fault he has a good memory for names and faces. It comes from all those years spent as a musician: club-goers like it when they're remembered, and he understands exactly why. Everyone's important, and when someone remembers them... well.

"A building fell on you?" He almost can't imagine what that feels like, but he's got a pretty good imagination and the memory of being thrown out of his personal spacecraft onto the rooftop in Blue Crow is still pretty vivid. Physical memories are the most visceral and real. "Let me give you a hand. Or at least see you safely to wherever you're going. The dogs are friendly." Horatio especially can be a little intimidating. He might just be a puppy, but he's a really big puppy.

"They're just protective of you. I can see that."

Taking his hat off, he runs his fingers through his hair. Only once. That explains the trouble he was having. Add his memory problems that he's already having and it just makes it worse. He lets out a sigh as he puts his hat back on.

Still, this has to be his luck kicking in again. It's the only reason he can think of for someone finding him when no one would be outside right now.

"Thank you. I'll let you do that, Gren."

He nods to the dogs then. "What are their names?"

Good. He'll feel better not having left someone out here in the dark and the cold to struggle with walking. "The big fellow's Horatio. This lovely lady is Apolline, and the littlest one's name is Bu. Say hello to Mat, you three." They really are very good dogs; curious, tails wagging, they all relax and fall out of what seems to be their usual formation.

Mat's right: they are protective.

"You're not... going to the woods tonight, are you?" That would be a coincidence but he ought to explain. "I spoke with Rain earlier."

The Network. He's going to have to get used to how public knowledge is here all over again. And Rain was very excited earlier. Smiling, he nods. "That is where I'm going. I wanted to go now so I could get out of Anita and Reeve's way."

Heavily favoring one leg, he goes over to the dogs and holds out his hand for them to sniff. They're relaxed now so he figures it will be alright to at least do that.

"I forgot how far away it was though. A lot of my memories of this place are still fuzzy." He frowns. "Burn it too. I've already had my memories messed with twice. I didn't need a third time."

"Dogs, that's enough. Let him be." It's a pretty good walk they have ahead of them. If Lestat was here he could probably get Mat there in a snap, but he's not here and there's nothing to do but keep going. They'll be safe, even out here at night.

"And Anita and Reeve didn't offer to bring you over?" Shaking his head, his brows knit together. Either of them would have been easily capable of making this walk. But he can think about Anita and Reeve and everyone else some other time and besides, it's not really his business. "Never mind that, though. What can I do to help make this an easier walk for you?" His eyes go to the spear in Mat's hand, the cut of his greatcoat. "You're okay using that for spear support? Because I'm a former soldier. I can keep you on your feet long enough to get there in relative comfort if you'll let me help."

"They did. I pretty much told them that they were idiots and should stop worrying about me so they could spend time together. With how they look at each other you'd think they were in love already or something." He laughs anyways as he looks at his spear. It really isn't helping at all. And he'll believe Gren was a soldier. He has men like him in the Band back home.

"I think I need to stop being a bloody idiot and let you help me." His weight shifts and he winces slightly. Those bloody women had better thank him later for this. It's their fault he got trapped under that building to begin with.

At that point, he pushes those thoughts aside. "Thank you."

"All right." There's nothing but professionalism involved with it when he directs Mat's arm around his own shoulder, steadies the injured man by holding him around the waist. "There. That should give that leg of yours better support. We'll take it slowly, go at your pace. You just tell me if you're uncomfortable and we can stop or take a break, then keep going. We'll be there before you know it."

There's a certain fatalism that takes over when a comrade's wounded and he goes right back to that now, assessing Mat's height, his weight: the other man's smaller by more than a few inches, not significantly lighter.

He can do this. Even if it is like Titan all over again, they can both look on the bright side.

It's too cold for sand fleas.

A short grunt comes out as he lets himself be steadied. That hurt more than he cared to admit. He could probably make this on his own but the help is appreciated. A lot.

"You're stronger than you look. I have men like you in the Band back home. Bloody bunch of misfit soldiers you've ever seen..." Here he hesitates. What he is about to say dies away as he replaces it with something else. "...They're good men though. And those flaming idiots had better take proper care of Olver. The boy needs that."

Looking up at Gren, he gives an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry to put you through this. You barely even know me and I was a bloody fool and got hurt while I was at home."

"You're not putting me through anything I didn't volunteer for." He likes the visual of a bunch of misfit soldiers; he often felt that his squadron was like that on Titan. But then a certain Corporal whipped them into shape and that was that.

It's slow going with Mat injured like this, but they'll get there. As usual, the dogs scout out the path for them like they know where they're going and they probably do.

"So you just got back to the City, then? How long were you home for?" They might as well spend this time getting to know each other. heaven knows it looks a lot more intimate and special than it really is.

Also, thank heaven for heavy coats. That way he won't have as much explaining to do if he needs to do a different type of hold to keep Mat walking toward the woods.

"In my world, about a week and a half I think. That's about...two weeks City time? I get time mixed up. Months and weeks are set up differently where I'm from."

Ten days to a week and twenty-eight days to a month. No wonder he had trouble adjusting the first time he was here. And he's having trouble with it again. "I don't know how long I was gone based on time here. I just know that I got back yesterday. Anita offered me a room for the night and Rain said I could live with her until I figured out what happened with the bloody Doctor."

It sounded like the Doctor had left the City or something. He hadn't figured that out. All he knew was that he didn't have his key to get into the TARDIS. That much he could remember.

"I was home long enough to have Ebou Dar invaded, have a building fall on me, go through recovery time with Queen Tylin, and start my escape from that place. Light, I'm glad to be away from that bloody nightmare of a woman and her idea of playtime in bed."

Bragging about sexual exploits is a game that had to be invented as soon as there was a population of at least one woman and two men in the world; he shakes his head at it a little but doesn't say anything in response. It's been a long time since he had playtime in bed with a woman, although it's not so far in the past that he doesn't remember what it was like.

No, he's very content now with the arrangement he and Lestat have, and the particulars of it are nobody's business. He doesn't comment on Mat's laundry list of things that happened at home because really, he doesn't know what or where Ebou Dar is and who Queen Tylin is and even if he did it wouldn't matter.

All he knows is this city now, and points that are of even less meaning to Mat than they are to him any more. "Rain's excited to have you there. I think you mean a lot to her. Does she know you're coming over tonight?"

Just as he ignored the home parts of the conversation, he doesn't talk about the doctor, whoever that is. He doesn't do well with medical personnel any more.

Not since Pluto.

Ahead of them, his dog stops to sniff at something by the side of the road. "Bu. Don't eat that."

The change in topic should throw him off or something but it doesn't. Instead, he moves right on with the conversation. Gren doesn't know him and he doesn't know the other man...

...And if his leg doesn't stop throbbing he knows he'll go mad.

Again.

"She's the one who offered for me to stay. I told her yesterday that I'd come over today. I would have come earlier but whatever Anita told me to take had me sleeping all bloody day long. It was better than trusting magic though."

There is too much he doesn't trust about magic.

Grinding his teeth together, he keeps walking. Maybe he's too stubborn for his own good but all men from Two Rivers are like that.

If there's one saving grace, then, it's this. "I'm probably the least magical person in this city, so as far as that goes, you're safe with me. How's that leg doing? Need a break?" There's a bench up a little way by the side of the road, right before the path veers off into the woods.

"And Rain is... a friend of mine. She's a gentle person with a good soul. It will be good to know that someone's there with her. I worry about her when she's all alone."

Some friend he is: he doesn't even know where Rain's house is. But he doesn't have to give that away yet. Right now, his priority is making sure Mat gets there and then, once he does, making sure he'll be good to Rain. She's been hurt enough and doesn't need any more of it.

"I remember her. She's been hurt a lot." Wincing, he shifts his weight a little. "A short break would be good."

With that said, he shifts again as he goes back to the other topic. "She and I are alike in some ways. I understand her and what she goes through. I've told her things willingly that I swore I'd never admit to anyone. And now, I can't remember where her house is. All I know is that if we just keep walking, we'll get there."

It doesn't say anything at all but he already knows Gren won't ask. He can't begin to describe how much he appreciates that. Actually, he needs to say that aloud.

"You're the first person that I can remember here who hasn't asked me anything about the things I say. You don't pry at all. It's a really nice change."

He might just be the last person in this city who would ever pry. Of course Mat has no way of knowing that, so he'll just put it as succinctly as possible.

"I've got an abiding respect for privacy."

It's just a few steps more; they can make it to that bench. When they finally do he gets Mat settled, frowns at that leg of his. "You really should have stayed off it. Too late now, though. And we can always send Rain a message if we need to. The dogs are pretty good at sniffing places out, though, so I'm not worried about getting lost."

He's also not worried about getting home: once they get to Rain's he'll send a message to Lestat. Just so he knows what's going on. After all, this was only supposed to be a quick walk for the dogs.

Shaking out his arm, he gives each of the dogs a thorough rubbing. They're good companions, part of the family. Also, they'll save his ass if that's necessary and around here a person never knows. His boyfriend's not the only creature of the night in this city.

Finally, he sits down on the bench too, stretching out his own long legs. "I could ask you questions about everything you're saying if it would make you feel more at home." But he laughs and shakes his head, rubs his hands together: it's really cold. Even dead, he feels it.

"I've been staying off it for so long that I'll go mad if I don't move around. I need to walk." Letting his head fall back, he sighs in relief now that he finally not walking anymore. He hadn't realized it would be this difficult.

"Anyways, ask all the bloody questions you want. I just promise you that only half of them will actually be answered if you're lucky." Inside his coat he has another pair of gloves which he pulls out. They're leather and the insides are lined with fur. They aren't anything fancy but they're warm. Besides that, technically he snatched them from the palace.

Holding them out to Gren, he smiles. "Take them. You can keep them if you want to but they will keep your hands warm."

At first old habits kick in; he eyes the gloves with suspicion. When people give something, they want to take something in return. It's supply and demand, one of the fundamental laws of nature. Almost imperceptibly, he shrinks back from the offer. What difference will it make? He's dead; he's always cold. What does Mat want from him?

Fucked up, much, Gren? They're just gloves. They don't come with a request or a command. It's all this acting-like-a-soldier, he knows, that's bringing it all back. If he doesn't snap right out of it, Lestat's going to have a hell of a distressed partner to deal with once he and the dogs finally return home and that really wasn't part of tonight's plan. Nodding one time, he reaches for the gloves and puts them on. They are warm.

"Thanks. I'll give them back as soon as we get to Rain's. And as far as questions go, I guess the only one I have is this: you'll treat her well, won't you? Rain, I mean. She deserves that."

He was going to have to put voice to it sooner or later.

He notices the look of susupicion but doesn't say anything about it. Gren took the gloves so there is no need to. A man's reasoning for things is that man's own bloody business. He doesn't even really know this man at all. Another reason why he doesn't need to know.

And that question is a good one.

"I've done plenty of stupid things in my life. But, I gave my word years ago that I would never hurt a woman so long as I could help it. That has gotten me into all sorts of Light forsaken trouble. Almost killed me too. I want to see her safe. I like it when she's happy." He stares at the ground. "And, if it ends up being that the best way to treat her well is to leave her, I'll do that too. Light, I care about her. She's a good friend of mine. I don't want anything to happen to her. And I hope she'll find someone who will love her for who she is someday. It won't be me but I bloody well hope it is someone good."

Looking over at Gren, he smiles a little. He's been told that his ways are so old fashioned here. But he doesn't know any other way to be. This is how he was raised. And really, he doesn't want to change.

"Mind if I ask you something?"

Chivalry is chivalry no matter how the words cloak it and he appreciates that for Rain's sake. She needs someone who'll treat her kindly, no matter what type of relationship they have. It sounds like this one's just friendship, not that it's any of his business. He's not the only one in this City free to pick and choose who he shares with and exactly what he shares.

At Mat's question, he smiles a little bit. "You can ask, but I won't guarantee an answer." Horatio circles three times, then lies down just at his feet. A huff of frosty breath spirals up with every panted exhale the dog makes. Bu and Apolline pace, but stay close. It's cold for them too, and they're much smaller dogs than Horatio.

"I don't think this one is too personal. Anyways, you said you were once a solier. Did you want to be one?"

He knows that he didn't. If he could go back, he'd find a way to escape it all. That way he'd have never been a general.

Life was easier when things were simple.

Did he really want to be a soldier? Was it his life's dream to travel the solar system armed with a rifle and shoot people on their home planet? No: he's a musician and he always was a musician.

He can answer this one with detached honesty. "I volunteered for it, but no, I didn't really want to be a soldier." Looking down now, he continues. "Did you ever do something that was so much the opposite of anything else you'd ever done, just to be... oh, I don't know, different or spiteful, or maybe because you thought you needed a good jolt or maybe even an escape? That's why I became a soldier. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole."

It's had its few small benefits, he supposes. But no, the military was not for him. It ruined his life.

The opposite of anything else he'd ever done. He had an easy answer to that. "I did. I ran away once. Didn't want to fight and so I left everyone I cared about alone. Even though I knew they would die, I still ran."

To this day, he regrets that.

"Then I came across a group of men who were about to be killed. What a bloody noble fool I was. I went in and led them to a victory. And brought them back to the others to help save them. Those men have been loyal to me since. I'm no military man. I'm a gambler who was raised to be a farmer."

Standing, he takes a couple limping steps to get his leg moving again. "That's just one thing I've done too. It goes to show you that I'm not the most intelligent of people." He smiles over his shoulder at Gren. "I don't even really know you but I'm glad you aren't a soldier anymore. The bloody world needs music more than it does fighting."

Farmer or not, Mat's more of a military man than he is. He never led anyone to anything. It's probably the best thing in the world that he's not a soldier any more. And honestly, he doesn't know about the world but he does know that he needs music more than he needs fighting.

He wasn't a very good soldier. Oh, sure, he obeyed orders and kept safe, kept his comrades as safe as he could. But he was just a Private. Just a grunt. An expendable.

Just another casualty of the military.

"That makes two of us." He stands, goes through the motions of getting Mat supported for the walk again. "I'm glad I'm not a soldier too." Being a soldier gave him hard edges where there had only been soft ones before; it made him a fatalist where he'd been a daydreamer, it showed him a harsh and ugly side of life he'd been protected from since he was a child. He wasn't prepared for it in the least, and he really doesn't want to think about it right now.

"Horatio. Apolline. Bu. Let's go to Rain's house." As if they know exactly what he's saying, the dogs move off up the path then circle back excitedly: they're going to lead the way. They're smarter than he is.

"You three, let's go that way." He points in a random direction. It's off the path but his luck hasn't led him the wrong way yet. A glance is thrown Gren's way. "Is that alright with you?"

He can't wait to get his memories back. Then he'll know exactly where to go. They're all coming back rather quickly but he wishes they would do that faster. It would be less of a worry then. Less of an annoyance.

And he really would like to sleep again.

"I'll leave it up to you since they're your dogs."

"If that's where she lives, it's okay with me. I haven't been to her house before." If they really do end up lost, he knows someone who can find them without much trouble.

Still supporting Mat, they make their way through the trees and branches and brambles. It's not easy going; staying on the path might have been a better choice but this place, he knows, will exact its toll from them one way or the other. Somehow, somewhere, some day: probably with another curse sometime. Bringing a flashlight would have been smart.

He's not frightened. In a sense, he was a much better soldier than he'll ever give himself credit for being. The only thing he was afraid of on Titan was dying, and Pluto cured him of that fear by about the end of the first month. He still thinks death -- even if it had been the final thing he believed it to be -- would have been preferable to prison.

"The problem is that I don't know where she lives. I'm hoping I'll get lucky again." That's probably the least comforting thing he's ever said before. But, he has the Dark One's own luck according to people in his world.

Anyways, he was raised to hunt in forests. He knows how to track and survive in them. And there is always that Network thing too.

"You probably didn't want to hear that though. Not everyone believes in luck."

Trudging through the woods supporting another adult human -- especially one with a bad leg -- isn't easy during daylight, but at night it's twice as... interesting. Luck? How many times has he thought he was the luckiest man in this City? How many times has he said that exact same thing to Lestat? He can't even remember.

"Oh, I think luck's as good a thing to believe in as anything and better than most." He's not sure if he sees lights in the distance or if that's a trick of the forest; the only other time he was this deep into the woods was that one time with Lestat. But he's self-sufficient; he'll manage to get Mat to Rain's and get himself and the dogs back safely.

He has no fear of these woods.

"I hate to be practical, but... we do have comms. We can always ask her." Asking directions is always the last resort of both men and fools and he knows it, but if it comes down to practicalities, maybe they can make their excuses on it and be done with it. Mat needs to get this leg rested or it will never heal. And Rain needs to know he's on his way, at some point. Or she'll worry, and she was so happy earlier that he'd like to take worry off the table for her.

That, he realizes, is his problem: he wants to make things good for everyone. And he knows he can't. In the distance, he hears Bu barking excitedly.

Hearing the dog, he gives Gren a silly grin. "Or we could keep walking. I think I picked the right way after all."

Thank the Light for small favors. Like his luck. It does come in handy sometimes. At least it did now. He never knows when it will work anymore. But, the more random the chances, the better his luck is.

"Thank you again. I'm glad Rain has a friend like you. She needs that."

Wincing suddenly, he tries to steady himself so he won't knock Gren off balance as he steps off the rock he found. A low groan leaves him and he takes a deep breath. Then makes a note to not let another building fall on him.

He takes one more deep breath as he swallows. "We'll be there soon enough."

"Are you okay?" It's the sudden hesitation at first, and the low sound tells the rest of the story: one very strong arm keeps Mat from toppling over. He's nowhere near as frail as he might look and that surprises people sometimes.

Maybe what he was best at as a soldier, now that he thinks of it, was this exact kind of thing. He helped countless comrades to the medical tent in just this way. Although he's a pretty good shot with a pistol and even better with a rifle, he never really felt like that was why he was on Titan although rationally he knew that's exactly why he was there.

To kill people.

He never liked that part of it and always expected he'd be the one to end up dead in the sand. But that took a few more years before it came to pass. Oh well: he's here now.

"Bu. Horatio. Apolline. Back here now." At least the dogs have the good sense to obey and they're back by their side right away. the last thing he wants is to be separated from them in the dark in the middle of the woods. "Stay by us. No getting too far ahead. We have to go at Mat's pace."

"I'll live." One more deep and he nods that he's fine. Nodding to the dogs, he decides to get the topic on them.

"Those are really obedient animals. I've seen some great dogs but those three are better than most. Did you train them?" Not a personal question. Curiosity without prying. He is pretty good at it most of the time. Especially when he's never seen dogs that obey like these three do.

"Light, if you breed any of them, I would even ask for a pup since they're so bloody intelligent." That's a random idea. But he's not lying. Besides, what he said is supposed to be a compliment to the dogs.

"Lestat trained them. Except for Bu. He's new to the group -- a Christmas present -- but he came to us pretty obedient. He's learning fast from the other two."

And if Mat's fine, then they need to get going to Rain's again; they set off together in the direction the dogs had run and sure enough, there is a light -- lights -- that way. It shouldn't take them long.

"So you believe in luck. Good thing. It looks like it's on your side, if that looks like Rain's house to you." Now all three dogs move ahead a little more slowly, keeping close. They are good, and he'll keep in mind Mat's request for a puppy if there ever are any.

Lestat. That name sounds familiar. As he thinks about it, he remembers from where. There was a time when Lestat read his mind while he was having sex with Waverly. Light that had been embarrassing. But, Anita had gotten him to stop.

He hopes.

"Luck usually is on my side. It tends to follow me where ever I go."

Looking through the trees, he smiles. That's a place he recognizes. "And that is Rain's place up ahead.

His nod might not show exactly how glad he is they made it, and, looking back, he's not exactly sure how he'll find his way home. But he knows he will. He's got the dogs to help him and their noses are much better than his.

And men being what they are -- vain creatures, for the most part -- he has one question to ask Mat before they actually get there. "Do you want me to take you right up to the door, or would you rather get there under your own steam?" Either way's fine with him, and he won't begrudge Mat a thing if he wants to make it look like he got here on his own.

He knows how that story goes.

"If you could get me right up to the door, I'd appreciate it." He's hurt and he knows it. It would be better for him to have the help and he knows that too. So, he's not going to push it aside for something as foolish as pride.

Besides, after being around the Aiel, he lost a good deal of that pride anyways.

A sideways glance is thrown Gren's direction. "Is there any way I can pay you back for this?"

"Yes." The answer comes without hesitation. "You can take good care of Rain. She's young, so be kind to her."

That's about it. He doesn't need anything else and acts of kindness aren't done with payment in mind. Anyone would have (or should have) helped Mat. He's just the one who got there first.

As they make their way up to the door, he calls back the dogs. Rain hasn't met them yet and he doesn't want to frighten her. The gesture he makes toward the door isn't broad and Mat might not have felt the need to swallow his pride and show up alone, but he can let Mat be the one to tell Rain he made it. Injured or not, he and Rain have to start out their roommate situation with it being just the two of them.

"I can do that."

Once they get to the door, he takes the next couple steps on his own. Knocking on the door, he waits and when he hears her voice he smiles at Gren.

"I give you my word that she'll be in the best of care."

"Good." He doesn't have to threaten with see that you do or anything: he's got the feeling it will be just fine. Anyway, Rain knows where to find him if she needs him.

Once the door opens it's time for him to take his leave and he does, stepping back into the shadows after a quick hello. He and the dogs need to navigate their way back through the woods and get home. By now, Lestat might even be wondering where they are.

He should let him know and he will. As soon as they're out of the forest and back on the street. It shouldn't take too long: his eyes are well adjusted to the darkness and he's got Horatio, Bu, and Apolline to help him. His take care, Mat stays silent on his lips; he and the dogs move off into the darkness.

It's good to know Rain doesn't have be here all alone any more.

Log; Complete

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