Feb 12 11:03:06 106 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Fri Feb 12 11:03:06 106 PA.

Coventry Place - Kalvin's Rooms

Kalvin's apartments are fairly expensive in layout and furnishings, indicating one who draws a good pay. Quite large, they have three fullsized bedrooms. Two of these have their own baths. One is the 'guest' bedroom and features a simple double bed with two pillows and a black comforter along with a television set, an empty dresser and a big hardwood bookcase full of medical journals and magazines. Not that anyone really would want to read that. In fact, it seems to have been used as a storage place for these older volumes. A small bathroom is attached. The master bedroom looks almost untouched, though it too is quite large. In this one is a large king size four-poster made of oak. A heavy, black fur blanket covers it. It is perfectly made and has an almost unslept in look, though the rest of the room is fairly busily used. A couple of dressers contain clothes, and a nearby vanity has . . . . metal polish on it? So that is the secret of how Kalvin's head manages to shine like that.

The third bedroom has been converted into a work area and the carpet exchanged for tile. Some diagnostic and laboratory style equipment is set up on tables here with some petri dishes and bunsen burners and all kinds of little laboratory like things. The apartment features a seperate dining room, a kitchen seperate from that along with a very large living room. Furnishings are solid, without being overboard. A hardwood table set frames the dining room and a very large television unit. A pair of black, overstuffed sofas are found in the living room also. Framing these are a pair of tables that have lamps that are in the shape of a genetic helix.

The place is absolutely and completely spotless with every single thing, no matter how small having a place of order and a place to be.

Not even noon on a chilly Friday. Anita knows Kalvin won't be home. Just the cat and the doctor's harem. Okay, so she doesn't think that. No. But she knows he isn't home, but she comes to knock on his door anyway.

Caliopa is home, and takes a moment to answer the door. She is dressed in her old combats, worn and soft, her t-shirt is baggy but covers her up to her throat. Her hair is tied up into a ponytail. She leans against the wall, holding the door partially open, her hand resting against it. "Uh, you're Anita..." She observes, then smiles, pushing the door open.

Anita waits patiently outside, looking Caliopa over with a smile when the door is opened. "Yes, I am Anita. I have come to see you. Can I come in?" She smiles, nods, and just stands there.

Caliopa steps back, waving a hand in a welcoming gesture. "You come on in. Kalvin, he ain't gonna mind me havin' folks over." She hesitates a moment before giving Anita a wry smile. "Gonna have to sit down though." She turns, making her way to the sofas, curling up on one of them where she has obviously been camped out, her books and belongings around her.

Anita wipes each hoof carefully on the mat before she walks inside. She closes the door behind her if Cali didn't take care of that. "How is your recovery?" There is some concern, but with Caliopa here, in the love machine's own apartment, she trusts that she isn't about to keel over. "Can I get you something?"

Caliopa settles herself down. "Gettin' on." She replies briefly, giving Anita another quick smile. "I don't need anythin'. Kalvin keeps gettin' anythin' I'm needin'." She picks up her glass of water, taking a sip, before speaking again. "Jus' poppin' by or needin' somethin'?"

"I need something." Anita takes out the same crumpled map that Caliopa saw the other day, and folds it out. It isn't a great map. Can't have cost more than a few credits. Still, as Caliopa can see after Anita puts it down on the table, it shows Kingsdale and the surrounding area and cities. Maybe not extremely accurately, but they're there. "Do you know about Laramy?"

Caliopa leans forward, looking at the map thoughtfully. "Not much..." She offers quietly, her forehead wrinkling thoughtfully. "I know it is there, ain't never been there, I ain't one for travellin' really..." She chews on her lower lip, waiting for Anita to explain, fixing brown eyes on her.

Anita nods firmly. "Yes, that is very common." She looks down at the map, tapping a finger on Laramy. "There has been dinosaur attack. Laramy has lost many farms. They could not defend themselves very good and Kingsdale did not help. They do not have much food left."

Sympathy for the people there crosses Caliopa's expressive face and she nods slowly, holding her glass of water between her hands, rubbing it lightly between her palms. "Harsh on them." She comments softly, not understanding where this is going, the question reflected in her face.

Anita's lips curve ever so slightly, maybe approving of Caliopa's reaction, but the subject matter bothers her too much for one of her usual smiles. "Yes, it is very unfortunate. The dinosaurs are gone now. They have been chased away. Not by Kingsdale, but Coalition." Again she waits, looking expectantly at Caliopa.

The mention of the Coalition does get a response. Caliopa tenses and goes still, her gaze dropping down to the glass in her hands. "That ain't good but I ain't sure neither where this is headin', ain't got nothin' to do with me, surely?"

Anita shakes her head. "Yes and no. The Coalition is still there. They have not invaded, but people soldiers there off duty. They have not given them food, so they are becoming hungry. This is very bad. Do you understand?" So she's not being as clear as she could be.

Caliopa's face reflects her lack of comprehension, and she slowly shakes her head. "Them bein' hungry ain't good..." She gets that much but as to what a mechanic can do about it, that link is missing. "I mean, no folks should be hungry. Not really."

Anita shakes her head energetically. "No, no. You are right, but look." She runs a finger through CS territory. "This is Coalition. I do not think Laramy wants to join them. They have held out very well. Very brave. But they are becoming hungry and no one else has helped them. Look." She taps on Laramy, then runs her finger through the CS territory again. With Laramy, it forms a circle around Kingsdale.

Caliopa nods again, comprehension showing finally in her brown eyes, in her expressive face. Along with that comprehension comes the fear of a psi user who lived in Coalition territory. "So if they go over, 'cause of noone helpin', we're trapped." She comments, sitting back in the sofa, her hands tightening their grip around her glass.

Anita nods, happily. "Yes, that is right. When Coalition comes, there will be no supply lines. There will be nowhere to run." She purses her lips. "I do not think it is too late. We can still help them." She goes back to watching Caliopa. Like a cat watches an adorable mouse.

That mouse is scared and it shows in her face, in the grip of her hands on the glass, in the stillness that hopes things might pass her by. Then she takes a breath and lifts her gaze to Anita's face. "We." She repeats. "You're wantin' me to do somethin' for them? I ain't much use, not really. Ain't good with blood, ain't a person person."

Anita nods again, acknowledging the observation. "You are good human. I cannot go there. Not with Coalition there. We need humans. They will go talk with Laramy, find out where we are with them. Keep eyes open. That is all. No violence." Again she watches.

"You want me to go there?" She stares at Anita for a long moment, biting her lower lip, the fear evident and in place. She takes a long moment to think about it, frowning as she does so. "Can't go alone. I ain't good with people, ain't good at bein' sociable." She is thinking this through. "Kalvin ain't gonna like it neither, me goin' off. Got the truck though, that'd take a pile of food..." She speaks slowly, as the thoughts surface.

Anita shakes her head quickly. "No, no. Not alone. There will be a team. I have weapons expert for protection. There will be very good friend of mine too. He is very good and strong. He will not let you get hurt. There are Joachim also. He is assistent director at Knights of Hippocrates hospital. He will be leader. There will be Sebastien. I do not know Sebastien. Have not met him. Doctor Kalvin knows him."

Caliopa is nodding slowly, and the mention of Joachim gets a small flicker of a smile. Then the name of Sebastien draws a strong look of doubt on her face. "Uh, ain't sure Sebastien would be wantin' me along. He ain't got a real good impression of me doin' that type of thin'." She puts the glass down, rubbing her palms against her combat pants, glancing away, the nerves showing. "But I guess... I ain't sure what use I'm ..."

Anita raises her shoulders in an expressive shrug. "I do not know Sebastien. Doctor Kalvin knows him. He says to bring Sebastien. I trust doctor Kalvin." She pauses for several moments, looking down at the map. "You will keep everything working. They must be able to rely on gear. That is the key issue. You will also keep eyes open and help as good as you can." Again a pause, but this time she looks up at Caliopa and smiles. "People like you. Everyone say so. Laramy people will like you too."

Caliopa reaches for the glass again, ducking her gaze, her cheeks flushing. "Folks are nice around here, ain't sure I can be ... I mean, I used to live in Coalition space, 'n' ..." She stammers, before taking a sip of her water. For a long moment, she sits in silence, her forehead wrinkling into a frown. "Alright. When? I'd take my truck, mind, least they let me check over theirs first. "

Anita actually perks at the news. "You live with Coalition? That is very good. Not good for you. I am sorry. But you know understand them. Valuable insight." She picks up the map and folds it up. "I think you will leave after doctor Kalvin is done with vacation." She puts the map away and looks directly at Caliopa. "This is first step. When we know how they feel, we can help. We will hunt dinosaurs to help food stores. We will build industrial greenhouse to help... making?" She frowns faintly. "It will be good."

Caliopa looks up at the first comment, her expressive face reflecting some of the emotions any psionic user might have after living with them. "I ain't got insight." She speaks bluntly, "They took both my pa and ma for doin' what I do." She takes another swig of the water, her hand a little shaky. "I'll go but I ain't gonna pretend I ain't afraid, not that I don't hate them." Those words are soft, and the word hate has a hesitation before them, as if an unfamiliar word.

Anita has the decency to look abashed. "I am sorry. It was not good. I know that. I am very sorry they took your mother and father. Many have died because of such humans." She sounds sincere. She knows that well. "I hope you will not fight with them. That is all. Must give good impression. The Coalition are. Their soldiers are on best behavior in Laramy. It is bad."

"I ain't a fighter, you might not have noticed." The words are bitter, and Caliopa shakes her head. "I ain't the type to be gettin' into arguments neither." She shrugs, taking a swig of the glass, emptying it. "I'll go, 'n' I'll do my best. Them folks don't deserve bein' looked after, not the way the Coalition do it."

Anita shakes her head. "They do not. We will help them and they will be free. I think they will like that. I think they are good people. Thank you very much, Caliopa. It is very good of you." Another hesitation. "Would you like cookies? I know doctor Kalvin has cookies."

Caliopa nods slowly, acknowledgement rather than agreement, her mind on the task ahead, the nerves showing. "I got some,... I mean, you help yourself if you're wantin' some. I ain't doin' much more than eatin' sleepin' and a piece of readin'."

Anita is standing in front of the table, which is in front of the sofa, which is where Caliopa is lying. "No, no, you keep the cookies. They are for you." She folds her hands uncertainly. "Would you like to sleep now? Should I leave?"

The heavy tread of Desmond sounds as he comes along the hall towards the front door of Kalvin's rooms. Helmet removed, held listlessly at his side. Though his steady, dead neutral expression is firm in place, there is, for those who know him well, something a bit off about it. Even those who don't might feel something bothers the big cat, but it will be most clear for the well acquainted. His knock will sound when he arrives, though in the moments of waiting after, his attention drifts slightly, thoughts rolling forward to distract his focus.

Caliopa shrugs lightly, pulling a face. The glass in her hands is put down, neatly, on the table before she leans back into the sofa. "No need, I slept more these days than I ever did before..." She glances up at Anita, opening her mouth to speak as the door is knocked on. She gets up, slowly but still moving towards the door to open it. Seeing Desmond, she pushes it back, welcomingly. "Come on in."

Anita trails after Caliopa, almost hovering. She doesn't like it when she moves around. When the door is opened and she sees the heavily armed figure, she takes a full step back, then quickly walks forward until she finds out Caliopa knows the figure. Then she looks sheepish.

Desmond comes back to the present when the door opens, his eyes flicking to focus on Caliopa. And he stares at her for a moment before pushing aside another moment of reverie. "I am pleased to see you well, Cali," he states, his voice a deep, basso profundo rumble with a soft roll on his 'r's. His eyes lift then, taking in Anita a moemnt before offering her a dip of his head in acknowledgment. He then asks a general, "I am not interrupting, yes?" His eyes move back to Cali. "I heard you were released."

Caliopa's forehead wrinkles and she gives Desmond a jerk of the head, inviting him to walk in and close the door. She herself makes her way back to her seat, lowering herself into it gingerly. "I'm out, 'n' I'm grand." She speaks, a little breathlessly from the tiny exertion. "Ain't interruptin' us, I reckon we're done talkin' over that." She glances at Anita, questioningly.

Anita responds to the nod with a curtsy. She doesn't speak until Caliopa looks at her. "Yes, we are done." She says that hurriedly. "I will just leave. Thank you very much for the talk, Caliopa. It was very good." She smiles and nods energetically.

Desmond enters when bidden, his eyes lingering on Anita at the curtsey.. something he doesn't often see, brow furrowed just slightly. But he doesn't linger overlong, his attention flickering about slowly before he pauses, turning his head to watch as Cali goes to sit. He notices her trouble, but after a few moments of observation, he makes no move to assist or speak on it. Nor the hint of prior talking. Though as it seems Anita is set to depart, he turns towards her. "If such is your desire, though I do not wish to drive you to depart," he rumbles to her. A hand lifts, casually touching his palm to his chestplate. "I am Desmond."

"You ain't got to go, 'Nita." Caliopa's smile for the woman is warm, if brief. "'Nita, this is Desmond, he is a friend of mine. This is 'Nita, she came over when I was ill...bought me flowers." The smile returns, briefly, and Caliopa leans into the cushions, glancing between the pair, her eyes thoughtful with the remains of the previous talk.

Anita looks from Desmond to Caliopa and back. She gives Desmond a friendly smile after hearing Caliopa's introduction. "I am Anita, yes. It is very good to meet you, Desmond. I think Caliopa has very nice friends." She walks over to him and holds out a hand.

Desmond meets the offered hand with his own. A predictably firm grip, but careful in that force. "Yes, it seems such a thing is true," he rumbles deeply. "Those I have met have been positive overall." While Desmond seems friendly enough in his steady tone, Anita might come to notice an odd thing. He doesn't smile. Not even a little. His eyes drift slightly, taking in her armor. "You are a warrior?" A casual question in the wake of the handshake.

Caliopa smiles, seemingly pleased with the comment about her friends, proud of them. She hesitates, picking up her empty glass, before rising again, her movements restless. She slowly makes her way towards the kitchen and its taps. "Either of you want a drink?" She offers, giving Desmond a considering look as she passes him, her forehead wrinkling. "Trouble with you 'n' Aimee?" She asks him softly.

Anita doesn't react to the lack of a smile. Maybe she expected it, expecting big and sharp teeth. Her handshake isn't very firm at all. Gentle. "Warrior? No, I am not warrior. I am nurse and security director for Knights of Hippocrates hospital." She nods energetically. Caliopa knows just how to get her attention. "Do you have cocoa? It is very good."

Desmond nods his head once to Anita, her declaration met without a negative flicker. "A good path to walk," he rumbles. Teeth? Not so much. he has them, but he doesn't flaunt them. "I have heard of Kalvin's venture.. it will be difficult." He head turns then, considering Cali's words for a moment before he tells her, "No.. nothing like that. I am merely.. preoccupied." Then he adds, "I will share what is made."

Caliopa glances across at Anita, nodding slowly at the question, her mind obviously ticking over. "Uh, Knights of Hippocrates?" She asks as she moves slowly, carefully, around the kitchen, heating milk and pouring water. Her movements are stiff, cautious, as if she expects trouble from her body at any moment. She begins to make enough cocoa for three, pouring the heated milk over the powder, stirring it quickly. "I ain't heard about this."

Anita nods to Desmond, but again Caliopa draws her attention. It takes a lot to pull it away from a big, armored feline bristling with weapons, but the promise of cocoa is sufficient to do the trick. She walks over so she can keep an eye on the woman. "We have the hospital in the Dregs. We help the people there. It is very good, but there is so much to do. So very much. Doctor Kalvin has the hospital and Joachim is his assistent director. They work very hard."

Desmond follows along just a bit as well, but he hangs back a respectful distance behind and to the side of Anita, ears flicked forward as he listens to the talk. "You should take care of the violent elements in the Dregs," he puts in. "Cali has experience with this.. the gangs. If they have not reacted to your effort yet, it is good. But it is better to be prepared for when they do.. know how you will respond. I cannot give much advice, however. I do not know that place very well and my methods seem to make things worse." Just a bit rueful on that, but he doesn't flinch from his past mistakes.

Caliopa glances at Desmond, biting her lower lip before she holds out a mug of steaming cocoa to both. "They ain't friendly, reckon they do what they want, without regard for them folks tryin' to make things a piece better for them that need it." The blunt words end up weaker towards the end, as breathlessness wins out. "They doin' alright for cash with it then?" She asks quietly, leaning against the side, letting the body have the rest it demands before she moves.

Anita presents a worried frown and shakes of her head. It takes a lot to pull her attention away from a big helping of cocoa, but the prospect of gang violence is sufficient to do the trick. "We try to be ready. We have deal with gangs, but it may not last for ever." She sighs deeply. "We will get by. We do not have much money, but I think we will get by. It is bad that other efforts cost money too."

Desmond steps forward to take the offered mug with a subtly exaggerated care, then steps back again, just a little. He lifts it, lightly scenting the contents for a moment before he takes a testing sip. Unable to feel the heat through his gauntlets, he does so with his tongue. His attention shifts to Anita as she speaks and he nods once. "I bid you luck with the likes of them. Sadly there are too many of them to simply remove.. without a large, organized force." Though something seems to bother him. Going silent then, his eyes drifting to the side as a stray thought comes to him.

Caliopa nods slowly, looking thoughtful, "Everythin' costs money..." She murmurs, her breath slowly catching up with the rest of her and she moves forward, back to her seat, her cocoa in hand. She gets settled, leaning into the cushions, catching her breath again. "Desmond, you alright? Seem a piece distracted." She frowns at him, in concern.

Anita nods energetically. "Yes, the gangs cannot be removed. This is not so bad. They will learn eventually. We will keep doing our best. Yes also. Everything costs so much money." She sips her cocoa, eyes closing as she focuses on enjoying the warm, thick liquid. She's a little hedonist.

Desmond looks toward Anita when she speaks on things so positively. But after a moment he choses to not speak on that, instead looking to Caliopa. There too he seems reluctant to speak. But then he relents, coming closer to the couch, though he choses to remain standing for now. "I have had a vision. Something I must soon share, though I admit I am reluctant to share it with you in the now. It was.. bad." The word does not fit the heavy timbre of his voice, the warm chocolate drink in hand forgotten.

Caliopa frowns, leaning forward in her seat, resting her mug on her knee. "This the thin' Kid 'n' Ordo were refusin' to talk about? Seems you all reckon that 'cause my body is a piece broken, my head is too. Tell me, would you? Ain't gonna help, worryin' over things..." A direct, blunt appeal, unhelped by the pause to draw in more air, her own running short.

Anita opens her eyes and lowers the cocoa mug. "Vision? If you tell us about it, I will try very much to help." She's earnest and looks expectantly at Desmond right up till the point where she remembers herself. "Oh. OH! I could leave. It is personal, is it? I will leave. Very sorry." She quickly drinks some more cocoa, but it's hard to force down warm liquid.

"I did not wish to tell Aimee," Desmond rumbles to Cali without a pause to consider, as is his norm. "It is not that.. it is.." He pauses and looks towards Anita and shakes his head slightly. "Not personal.. it effects all." This, perhaps, is what finally motivates him to speak further. Though he takes a few moments before he does, gathering his thoughts. "I spoke wrong before.. I did not see the end. I saw what comes after." His eyes move to Cali. "I saw myself.. aged, striding through the ruins of this city. Quiet.. dead. To the graveyard in the park. So many there were.. Markers.. markers I made for each that I buried. I could not count.." His brow furrows as he speaks, his stony expression growing dark as he sifts through what he remembers. "Someone.. something came. Spoke to me of what had been. Plague.. the undead.. the Coalition.. bombardments and destruction. I cannot bring it back.. I cannot grasp it again, though I have tried."

Caliopa's fingers tighten around the mug, and she bites her lip, bleeding the colour from it. "All gonna die?" She whispers, colour fading from her face, her eyes fixing on Desmond. "Uh, no, you don't have to go, 'Nita." The comment is given with a shake of her head, "Seems it is for anyone livin' here..." She draws up her legs, tucking them beneath her. "Reckon it is to do with the fog?" She questions softly.

Anita blinks. No, that doesn't properly convey it. She *BLINKS*. No, still not right. Anita

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She pales and slowly lowers her mug. "That is... a very unpleasant vision. How did it come to you, Desmond?" Her voice is shakey, even a little hoarse. Whatever she expected, that wasn't it. She folds her hands and watches him warily. "Did it just come? Do you have many visions?"

Desmond is silent for a time.. long enough that one might think he may not have heard Cali speak. Standing still as a statue, his gaze distant.. looking back into his memory intently. Then, "I know not. It seems likely.. the fog came after the attack that night. When we fought the abomination." His blinks twice and seems to reconnect with the now, looking between the two females. "I must tell you.. it is rare I have seen and it is not the future. It is.. a possible future. It can be changed.. it must be changed or this city will be erased. I meditate twice a day.. seeking a new vision. But it is not so easy as that.. I may not see anything in time. And even if I do, there is no promise it will shed light." His concern grows as he explains this, then fixes on Anita. "I do not have many.. it is rare. My kind have powers of the mind.. they vary. At times, I see visions of what might be.. and I can attempt to draw images from those things I touch when I focus on them. Sadly both powers are unreliable."

Caliopa nods slowly, chewing on her lower lip, her worry and fear showing. "Reckon we need more knowin' of what happens in that future before we can change stuff, else we might change it, 'n' it be the cause of what happens instead of stoppin' it..." She speaks slowly, pausing at times to catch her breath. "I ain't seen nothin' yet, nor know of anyone else that has, cept perhaps Ordo... he wouldn't tell me stuff..." She looks up at Desmond, as if he might instantly go forth and fetch this man and demand answers.

Anita nods slowly. More much subdued than in the manner she blinked. "I see. I am sorry. I do not know what to say. It is unfortunate. I will think on it." She puts down the half-finished cup of cocoa. "I must go now. There is much work to be done. I hope you both have very good days." She walks towards the door. She's in a bit of a hurry.

"There is but one thing that may change your place in this," Desmond tells Cali. "Be prepared to leave this place." He pauses and his frown returns in full. "I know not if it will work, however.. Aimee and I have plans.. preparations to depart, should factors become overwhelming. And yet.." he pauses then, Anita's announcement of departure drawing his attention. "Speak not of this to just anyone," he warns firmly. "I know not if such a rumor would cause panic, but I would rather not chance it. Kalvin.. he should know. But do not let it spread too far."

"I'll tell Kalvin when he comes home, that ain't a problem." Caliopa comments softly, absently, her mind ticking over the information she has been given. "'Nita, you come by again, pleasure to see you." Bluntly spoken and seemingly genuine, the quick warm smile reflecting that thought. "I ain't leavin', Desmond. I only got my garage, 'n' ain't anyone takin' that from me. Reckon without it, I ain't got a thing, so might as well stay 'n' keep it myself. Sides, I got somethin' else to be workin' on too." The long speech stops abruptly as she catches her breath.

Anita waves hurriedly when she opens the door. "Yes, yes, will be very careful. You too. Very good to see you, Caliopa. Very good to meet you, Desmond." She slips outside, far away from the scary dreams of Desmond.

Desmond looks to Cali with a subtle frown and a hint of disapproval, letting Anita go without another glance. "Things can be regained," he tells her firmly. "I remember.. you were there, near to.." A pause, then he states, "Your life is worth more than any one thing you own in the now. I do not say to do it now, but be prepared. Have gathered what you might need to survive a trip to a nearby place. I know this future is not what will be yet, but it is there.. one path that we might take. One that can be avoided if we are aware.. watching."

"No." She replies softly, stubbornly. "I ain't leavin' my garage. It ain't about things, its about drawin' a line over what I'll let folks take off me. Reckon I lost enough already, 'n' I ain't losin' anything more." She lifts her chin, the breathlessness of the statement undermining the stubbornness slightly. "That is jus' one path, Desmond, it ain't about runnin'. Them robots, they might have reckoned to me bein' the weakest one that would hurt them that are strong but ain't takin' my garage from me."

Desmond frowns still at Cali, obviously not pleased with her resistance. Yet, after a moment he seems unwilling to badger on over it. "Your path is yours, Cali.. but if I see more, I will tell you. I am not leaving yet.. Though I wonder now if I will know when, if the time comes." He pauses, his eyes losing a bit of their luster. "I need to know how Aimee died," he tells her. "It was early.. I know this, yet how.. it is not there." His eyes close and he feels he must vent this, continuing to speak, his deep tone roughening. "In the vision, I was there to visit her. I ever return to visit her. Yet I cannot feel what I felt before.. I cannot feel anymore. Not even the rage would come, as it had before. I can remember.. so much fighting. I threw myself at the enemy.. any enemy, seeking the peace of death. To join her and yet none would give that release." His eyes open again, no better than when they closed. "I must know more.. I remember only the end.. not the beginning."

Caliopa's face softens from stubbornness to sympathy, her forehead wrinkling. "Oh Desmond, that ain't good. I didn't realise... guess I see why you would want to be ready to be leavin'." She wraps her fingers around the mug tightly, her face thoughtful. "That ain't... I mean, we could change it, Desmond. Ain't nothin' worth rollin' over for." Fighting words from one of the weakest of the group, her chin lifted determinedly.

"We cannot be certain unless I can see what happened." Desmond then looks to Cali and states, "I will fight for this place, Cali.. but I will not die for it against futile odds. There are other places to go.. perhaps you might think less of me for this, but she is my main concern. If I can save her by taking her away from here, I will do so if the moment comes clear to me. But as I said, I do not leave now."

"Don't reckon you any less for it, Desmond. You love her, that ain't a weak thin'." She hesitates, as if she might say something about her recent past, her recent choices and changes, but doesn't, movin' on. "I'll tell Kalvin. He oughta know somethin' is happenin', 'n' a couple of other things I got to tell him 'n' all so..." She nods slowly.

Desmond nods his head once. "I must tell Atticus as well, but I had hoped to learn more before going to him." He shakes his head slightly. "I have not had another vision.. I know not if I will be able to pull upon in intentionally." He continues to hold the mug without really noticing it remains in his grip. Now that the cat is out of the bag, so to speak, he lets his expression relax some, some of his inner trouble laid bare. Easy enough to guess that the vision has shaken him and weighs heavily.

Caliopa's fingers tighten slightly on her mug at the mention of his name and she ducks her head, looking down. "You seen him?" She asks abruptly. "How is he?" Her shoulders tense, and she chews on her lower lip, waiting for the reply. "Ain't seen him since I got out. Visited me there, even after..."

Desmond almost misses it. So wrapped up in his own concerns, he nearly lets it slip past that Cali has her own troubles, discreetly laid bare by those certain questions and statements. "I have not seen him for a time. LIkely he has been.." A pause, his attention fixing more on her. Drawing back up the words she spoke over the last few moments. "After?" That in particular remembered, her last word and the most telling.

She hesitates, stumbling over the realisation that nobody has told him this news, reluctance to say the words again. She tightens her lips, reaching for the other's mugs, moving slowly to the kitchen to wash them. "Atti 'n' me broke up." She lays it bare, bluntly, her back to him as she cleans up the mess she made, moving slowly and cautiously.

Desmond gives up his mug, though only after a downward glance that betrays a moment of surprise that it is there. Not thirsty, it seems. Of course, there are more important things. He frowns faintly in response to the answer he gets, the instinctive coming out first. "I am sorry.." There is an obvious curiosity, but he stifles it for the moment. "I have not seen him for a time. I suspect that I know now a reason why. But when I do find him, I will tell you how he is," he promises simply.

She slowly finishes the work in the kitchen, an effort born more of stubborn desire not to see more pity or sympathy on anyone's face this month. "Thank you." She speaks quietly, reaching to put the clean mugs away, before turning, leaning on the surface. The tiredness is winning now and she takes a few moments before making the return journey to the sofa. "He ain't moved, far as I know, and ain't no plans to move his offices..."

Desmond does not offer assistance, perhaps gleaning upon that desire. But he does keep an eye on Cali as she does her thing. Quiet until the words as she moves towards the sofa. He keeps a nearness, but does not loom over her. "Yes.. I can see how that would be awkward," he rumbles thoughtfully. "I cannot speak for him, but did not think for an instant to give up on Aimee when we parted before. But in many ways he is not like me. Do you.. have plans for what you shall do?"

She makes it as far as the sofa, curling herself up, leaning back into the cushions tiredly. For a moment, she shuts her eyes, frustration written on her face. "Gonna find a place, Kalvin reckons there is an apartment gettin' emptied here." She steadies the breath, making an effort to control it. "Atti ain't got a choice, I decided." She wrinkles her nose, taking a sip of the water beside her seat.

"So too did Aimee at first," Desmond offers simply, though he doesn't seem keen on arguing any further than that. He moves closer to the couch and rumbles deeply, "You are tired.. I should let you focus on rest and speak no more of such stressful things. In truth, I only came to see that you were well. And you are. Be well, Cali. And.. consider my words.. what I have seen. I do not wish to.." He pauses, staying what he would have said, replacing it with, "I do not wish to see my vision made true."

Caliopa gives him a small smile, the exhaustion obviously winning. She hesitates, judging her abilities against good host behaviour. "Ain't bein' rude, but will you see yourself out? Ain't that sure..." She trails off, biting her lower lip. "I'll think over it, 'n' talk to Kalvin." She smiles again, the small flicker of one.

Desmond nods his head once to Cali and rumbles, "I shall, though I cannot lock the door. But I do not think you shall see much trouble here." He dips slightly, a hand placed atop her head gently for but a moment. "Rest well, Cali." With his vulnerable moment done, the stony normality of his expression has reasserted itself. Covering over the dark thoughts in his mind. Best face forward is something he does with too much ease. He will rise then and turn, moving towards the door. Tags: anita, caliopa, desmond