002. there's no place like home

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

It's one of those absolutely beautiful days when the sky outside is clear blue for a change instead of grey and the rain from the night before actually cleaned things instead of adding to the layer of grime.  Outside, the people passing on the street don't seem quite as in a rush or beat down as usual and there's a feeling of faint relief in the air, almost as if you can inhale deeply and it will be okay.  Down one of the quieter streets, there's a building with a sign over its front door that proudly proclaims itself to be Seventh Heaven.  The door's locked and the sign on it reads 'closed'... but just to the side of the building, tucked away and private, is a little garage attached to the side of the building.  That door is wide open to let the fresh spring air into its cramped interior.

It's a small space and a great deal of it is taken up with stacked boxes and bits and pieces of things that might be useful items or just might be junk.  There's a washing machine and dryer tucked into one corner and that area is the only neat one in the entire place.  A child's bike and a faded ball lay near the front of the open garage door.  What takes up most of the space however is a monster of a motorcycle, glistening black as a beetle's shell after a rain storm and even parked it looks like speed on wheels.  The air is full of the smell of oil and wax and a hint of gasoline.  And there's a long, lean pair of legs sticking out from under the back of the bike where it's been cranked up, the soft sounds of metal on metal coming dimly from underneath.  There's a tool chest nearby and a decent amount of dirty rags to show that this has been an ongoing process.  Somewhere back through the closed door on the wall that connects this with the rest of the house the faint sound of a radio can be heard playing.  The body attached to the legs under the bike might, or might not, be humming - poorly - snatches of whatever song it is that's playing.

Comments

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She gives her hand to his and dismounts with his help before turning a questioning look up wards Cloud.]

What is it? [A quick look reveals nothing immediately here, so she makes ready to follow him inside.]

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[he helps her off and than lets go as he turns to survey the various stands that are set up. Most of them are food vendors but there are a few here and there that are selling other things. It's a bit of a smorgasbord with everything from salvaged faucets and pipes available for sale to used books and hand made jewelry. But mostly it's produce. It's a light crowd of shoppers at the moment and there's an almost subtle shift to make room for Cloud as he moves into it. He doesn't seem to notice, blue eyes curiously scanning the displays until he comes to one he recognizes. He gives the vendor a nod and then picks up one of the little cartons of small, reddish orange berries.]

They call them meteor fall. Something that's just shown up in the past few years. They start out tart but go sweet. Try one.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Just one.

[She takes a single berry from the carton, and examines it closely.]

A new variety of fruit. Earth is truly wonderful.

[When is the last time she's seen a new species on the Moon? Or her home planet?]

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

Watch out for the seed in the middle.

[he belatedly remembers to tell her before digging in a pocket to pull out the money to pay for the carton of fruit. At her comment though, his eyebrows go up a little and he looks curiously at her. He's been almost everywhere on the Planet and he doesn't recall - ]

Where's Earth?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Mercury fingers the berry, and uses her fingernails to pluck the seed from inside before putting the fruit into her mouth. She holds up the seed in a vague gesture after she chews and swallows. Where to throw it away?]

It has a unique flavor. I like it very much.

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[the fact that he's found something she can enjoy makes his lips soften into a small, almost shy smile and he'll tip his head at the wastebin almost hidden under the stand at her silent question about the seed. She didn't answer his question about 'Earth' though and maybe it's for the same reason she wanted to stay with him in his garage even though it had been obvious that wasn't what she'd intended when she walked in. He's comfortable with a few mysteries. His life has given him enough. He hands her the carton of berries, both so that she can help herself but also because he's going to be the one driving and he heads back toward his bike, glancing at her as he does]

You can take them with you - when you have to leave. If you plant the seeds they might even grow.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[It's true she's reluctant to leave. Besides, the comment about Earth had surprised and confused her. She isn't sure how to reply without making things more awkward - though it's rude to ignore, too; a terrible dilemma.]

Do you think they would grow on the Moon? In the dome?

had to go check and see if Cloud's planet even HAD a moon - lol

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[her question will have his brows coming down a little and from habit, he'll glance up at the sky. There's no moon visible in it today... and no Meteor to bathe everything in red either. He's only been into space once - as far as he knows one of the four people that ever have been in the history of the planet and he can't say for sure, never having gotten as far as the moon... but he's pretty sure that pale orb is supposed to be lifeless. And he's very sure he's never heard of any dome on it. Or any people to plant seeds in the first place. Still, he's so used to dealing with unknown things that it doesn't feel all that strange to ask:]

Is that where you're from? A dome on the moon?

rofl. i have...looked up so many things re: astronomy for Ami over the years XD

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She's a little taken aback; as far as she knows, most of Earth is at least aware of the Moon Kingdom's existence.]

From the Moon Castle. [But she says it tentatively, not truly expecting it to trigger recognition.]

I lived there ever since I was young. I left planet Mercury to live at the court of the Moon Princess.

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[the only reaction to her words is the way his pale brows bend down just a little bit more. Because he's pretty sure he would have heard of something as grand sounding as a Moon Castle. He could accept the 'princess' part because one of his friends/annoyances is a princess and so he understands that all it takes is one island deciding it's got royalty to have princesses - but...planet?

Not his planet at least.

But he feels hesitant to just blurt it out. Instead he tests the waters but saying:]

I've never heard of a moon castle. Or a princess of it.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Never? [She widens her eyes in some surprise.]

I suppose... that may be because relationships between the Earth and Moon are forbidden. [Though it still confuses her that someone doesn't know of it, by now, when contact has happened anyway.]

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[it seems like the time to bring it up, so, trying not to alarm her, he keeps his voice calm as he states:]

I don't know where Earth is either if you're taking about a place and not dirt.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[That...]

If so, then where is this? Which planet?

[There were other planets with such thriving life?]

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

This is Gaia. It's the only planet I've ever heard of with life on it.

[but the dream is taking enough of a turn away from his routine life that dream knowledge is starting to slip in. Still, he's not thinking of other worlds yet, just friends and they're as real to him as his waking reality.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Gaia. [She says the name as one who knows it.]

They call Earth, Gaia, sometimes. They worship her as the Earth goddess.

Could this be a parallel Earth after all?

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[he shrugs. He's never heard of Earth so he really couldn't say if it was another version of his own world or not. What he can offer is:]

The planet's alive but we don't worship it. It only speaks to Ancients as far as I know and -

there aren't any of those left.

The only goddess I've ever heard of is in a play.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

What is an Ancient?

[She can hear that slight emphasis in his voice that means more than simply an elder. And she's interested now; it will help her to know where to place herself in Cloud's mental framework.

The immortal princesses of the Moon Kingdom are often worshiped on Earth.]

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

Ancients could hear the planet. And speak to it. They had a touch with magic - and making things grow.

[with an almost invisible shake of his head, Cloud's hand unconsciously brushes over Fenrir's metal.]

There aren't any left now.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

You could call it the same, or very similar.

[Senshi hear their element, commune with it - and their life and their planet's life are very much tied to one another. She bears within her the star seed of Mercury, and her powers come from her birth under her planet's protection.]

However, there are sailor senshi throughout the galaxy.

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[there's a measure of comfort in thinking that other planets have someone similar to Ancients. And a measure of pain because he was there when his planet lost it's last one.

It's his fault she died.

His chin tucks a little. His voice is soft.]

Come on. I'll take you back.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[The dream world is full of second chances, in many ways.]

To your home? Thank you. From there, I should be able to find a way to return to mine.

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[he settles onto Fenrir and starts the engine, offering his hand in case she either wants help or wants him to hold the berries until she's ready to go.

Home.

It's his siren's call. And his final fear.

He's not sure how you get a princess that talks about moon bases and multiple planets with Ancients back to her home... but they'll find a way. Because everyone deserves to be able to go home. And to have one to go back to.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Mercury gives her hand into Cloud's, and is soon seated behind him, as comfortably as possible. This time, prepared for what to expect with his speed and the rushing wind, she looks forward to it.]

I think I should be ready.

[findmyownreason.livejournal.com]

[he waits until she's settled and then he lets Fenrir slide forward, easing comfortably back onto the road before letting the throttle out so the giant bike can pick up speed. They're not headed into the wastelands this time and so the speed is only vaguely insane instead of full out so. Cloud's control over the bike is complete though and the wind pulls a smile to his lips as it shoots past.]

! sorry i wasn't really around today T_T

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She half-shouts into Cloud's back to be sure he hears her.]

Even going this fast, it feels like you completely have it under your control.

[She admires that, someone who can take control and take charge.]