Jun 21 12:34:01 105 PA

From Chronicles

The current game time is: Sun Jun 21 12:34:01 105 PA.

Once again, Desmond occupies the library gardens. The Sunday being a free day, he feels no rush, quietly immersed in his latest book. He's taken to one of the benches about the fountain, the book held low and open in one hand as he leans his chin against the fist of the other, braced against his knee. His expression a steady mask of concentration as he devours the text, his reading speed slowly growing as he ingests more and more literature.

Caliopa appears in the gardens but rarely, generally only when troubled, and her face expresses that clearly now, her forehead wrinkled. She has a book, purely for the image of the thing, a tome on the workings of a complex machine. She heads towards the fountains, her footsteps slow, her thought process taking up much of her headspace. She is nearly upon Desmond before she sees him. "Uh." She stops abruptly, the indecision clearly written on her face.

Desmond rouses from his reading at the sound of Cali's voice. His eyes blink twice before his head lifts and he casts his attention her way. "Cali." The name/greeting given with a light sense of welcome. He pauses, considering her for a moment before he asks, "You are troubled?" While the cover of the book isn't visible to her, there is a largish picture in black and white on one page of the book, showing a woman in a wedding dress. The text itself too small for a casual gleaning of context.

She moves forward slowly, hesitating before she sits. "Just thinkin' 'bout Tu'ul, and if I done right to react the way I did." She shrugs, her expression far more eloquent than her words, the worry over her own reaction and the illogical path her mind took showing clearly in those eyes. "You lookin' at clothes now?" She does sit then, resting the book on her lap, both hand's fingers curling around its edge.

Desmond looks to his book as she asks after his own path, eyes going to the woman in the dress. "Not exactly.." But he decides to address her concerns first as he returns focus to her. "As to your thoughts on matters with Tu'ul, you reacted well, I believe. You did not speak unkindly towards him and offered explanation for your preference that he not touch your mind. That you don't wish such a thing is, of course, your choice. It matters not the why. Do you think you were in error?"

"Ain't so much that. It ain't logical that I ain't comfortable with what he done, not when I spend all day puttin' my mind into machines without askin' them if they mind." She does draw up a knee then, hugging it, the book pushed to one side. "Seems if he only done what I do, seems like I oughtn't to mind it." The logic is unquestionable but it may lack the emotional basis. "Ain't what he done, more what I do, and why I don't like what he done." Desmond furrows his brow slightly at that, musing her words carefully. "Has a machine ever asked that you not enter into it?" A simple, rhetorical question which he follows up on after only a brief pause. "The same principal holds true for living beings. I would assume if you could touch the minds of others and someone asked that you not, that you would not, yes? And I trust the same would be true for machines. Just the same, you have the same right to ask that of others. I would not say you should be forced to allow it. Especially after what came before. It is a simple matter of courtesy when it comes to the desires of others and their own minds."

She nods slowly, following the logic with a comfort she couldn't have with an emotional response to her comments. "I would not, if one of them machines turned up askin' that I don't do anything..." She frowns in thought, her forehead wrinkled as she processes the thoughts slowly. "Seems that when I told Tu'ul that reason and that I weren't happy for him to do it, he didn't take no offense, not like other folk can do." The tension slowly relaxes from her face.

Desmond nods his head once. "There will be those that take offense, but you must not allow them to stay you from deciding what is done with your person," he rumbles firmly. "It is impossible to live a life without someone taking offense at something. But if it comes about because you are denying them something, such as access to your mind, they are the ones at fault. Tu'ul responded properly, by respecting your desires. If you come to trust him later, you might allow him to touch your mind again, but that is your choice."

"I don't know the man, met him but twice. It ain't something I'm likely to figure into plans." She smiles then, the sunny nature showing in her eyes and face. "So you ain't precisely plannin' to go into sewin' stuff then?" She is teasing, the warmth in her eyes shining. "I can kinda see you in a dress." She reaches out for the book, questioningly. He only nods to her talk of Tu'ul, feeling the topic close positively and willing to leave it where it lies. When focus comes back to his book, he closes it and turns it right side up to present to her. 'Human Marriage' it declares on the cover, part of a series of books investigating the varied ceremonies and rites of union amongst the races, which is clarified by a neatly written subtitle. "Any dress would not be for me," Desmond replies steadily, considering Cali quietly after this is said, gauging her possible reaction.

Her eyes widen and her gaze flickers between Desmond and the book. Then, her smile turning into a delighted grin, she exclaims, "You're gettin' wed?!" The pleasure in her face, shining simply in her eyes, is obvious. "Aimee? You done asked her? That ain't just the sweetest thing, you two bein' happy when you weren't certain she were gonna take you on at all." The leap from a book, to a wedding planned and certain is perhaps not logical but female.

"I have not asked her yet," Desmond replies steadily, taking in her reaction with a soft air of bemusement. But its one that slip to the side easy enough. "Aimee does not know that I know, but I have discovered that she may well desire this with me. Truth be told, I consider her my mate already and need no ritual for it to be so. Still, I would do this for her because it seems important and what is important to her is important to me. I know little of the ritual, so I am reading to know what is involved. To know what I must do to see that it is done properly for her."

Caliopa's smile fades and a small perplexed frown takes its place. She slowly tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, processing his words. "You know but she don't know you know, and you ain't sure what it does mean?" She replies slowly, rephrasing the words to check she grasps it. "How'd you know she reckons that if she ain't told you? I mean, I ain't clear on it but I'm sure that most girls ain't great at sayin' precisely..."

Desmond muses just how much to say. "I have it on good authority from someone I trust. Aimee would not tell me herself.. I had desire that she come to dwell with me in the new lodgings I have. There is more than enough room for two, but she would not. I could not understand why until I was given a proper hint. I know not why she would not just ask, but.. now that I know, I will offer this to her, for it is something I can offer without a need to consider."

The look of perplexion deepens, before Caliopa blurts out her thoughts, uneditted. "That don't make sense. Why wouldn't she live with you if she'd be willin' to marry you? If you ain't gonna do the one, you ain't likely to do the other, ain't it?" The response is, at the very least, honest but perhaps not so very tactful. "You sure it ain't something else that's stoppin' her?"

Desmond shakes his head slightly. "I know not, but I trust the one who has spoken to me on this. That this is of issue. I know not why it is for her.. perhaps it has to do with her religion.. the Catholic." He shakes his head slightly. "I know little of this thing, unfortunately. But such things often have rules to follow on how things are done." He pauses considering the prospect. "Perhaps I should also read of Catholic as well.. I'm sure the library has such books in it."

She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes, processing that information and comparing it to her knowledge of that religion. "Kinda makes more sense then." She comments softly, giving Desmond a questioning look. "You sure 'bout doin' this? I mean, if you ain't, it ain't something to be considerin', not at all..." Her expression shows her thoughts, linking the situation to her and Atticus.

"As I spoke before, there is no doubt from me," Desmond states, with not a flicker of uncertainty to be seen. "She is my future and I embrace her as mine even now. I think of us as one without rituals. I suppose she is not one to do so, but that matters not. I will perform the ritual with her, that she can embrace this as well." He looks at the book and muses. "The only question is the how of it, so that I don't do this improperly. I wish it to be special for her, for I can understand that such things are important. It seems I must get her two rings for it at least. And perhaps a dress. I'm not sure how large she might wish to make this, the book says they can be small and large."

"I guess...You reckon you wouldn't get any further with her without the weddin'?" She gives him a quick glance, almost uncertain before she speaks the next piece. "I mean to say, if it matters so much to her, ain't it kinda matterin' more than bein' with you?" She speaks slowly, almost putting pieces in place as she does so. "Ain't really one to look at stuff like dresses, I only got two and neither are for stuff like that." The doubt in her face is obvious.

Desmond considers that quietly for a few moments. "The adherence to one's ways is a strong thing. I know not of those ways, but I would not ask her to break her beliefs for me. I have no doubt of her love for me. And because of that I would bend to fit within her ways. It would be arrogant to think myself above them or to demand to be." Reasoning out his own thoughts on the matter, not given true form before, with how easily he would bend to something of this nature. He then considers things like dresses. "I think, perhaps, I will focus on the rings alone for now. Such as dresses.. and the size of the thing are best discussed with her once I have proposed, as it is termed. I think I can discover a proper ring.. one that matches her preferences in color." He gives Cali a thoughtful look and muses, "It is strange.. such a small thing it seems, to know the like of another in color, and yet it can be important in a moment such as this."

She gives him a long look of thought, her forehead wrinkled, trying to process his emotions. "Rings." She repeats slowly, her eyes holding a world of confusion. "I guess I never wear them, can rip your finger right off, if you ..." She stops abruptly, biting her lower lip. "Seems like folks have rituals as a way of livin' with a polite way of sayin' rules, not because they believe in the reasons for them." She is reasoning it out, slowly.

Desmond nods his head once to that. "Likely so, that is. But I look at this as a new way to bring her happiness, thus I am pleased to do it for her. So too if she would come to live with me after, it would please me." He considers for a moment before he describes, "A slender golden ring. It is said that diamonds are often part of these rings.. yet I wonder if perhaps she might prefer a ruby. She favors the colors red and gold. Would her preference of the ritual's common precepts be proper to follow?"

"I guess so." The answer is given in a slow voice with a look full of doubts of her own knowledge and expertise in this area. "I mean, I never owned a ring in my life, Desmond. I ain't really into girls' stuff. Would rather have new tools that..." She realises then she is babbling, her voice stopping abruptly. "Um. I guess if she likes them colours..." Desmond muses just what he might get for her for a few moments before he rumbles, "I will come to a decision." He gazes at her with a light sense of casual fondness. "Have you thought of this with Atticus? Such human rituals of bonding? He is.. elf, yes? I have heard of his kind, though I know not if they have such rituals amongst their kind." All of this feeding a bit of curiosity into him about her own relationship.

She shakes her head slowly, her forehead wrinkling. "Never even thought it over. I mean, with the garage and all, it don't make sense to waste a ton of credits on a frippery that I ain't likely to wear again." She stops abruptly then, her face stricken. "Uh, I didn't mean it ain't worth it for some other folks, only that it ain't for me, or Atti. If he wanted something like that, I reckon he would say it outright. We neither of us talk in wiggly lines, or hint."

Desmond nods his head and seems to take no offense at her words. "I understand your thoughts on the matter. In a way I share them, though now that I know it is something she has an eye towards, it is not so much a waste. I'm sure that if it became important to Atticus, you would feel the same way. Doing such for his and your pleasure and a strengthening of your bond."

She gives him a thoughtful look, her mind clicking away at the thoughts, processing. Almost, a giant hourglass appears in her eyes, but not quite. "I guess. If Atti wanted something that bad, I'd do a whole lot to make it happen for him. Like him and my garage. He is gonna talk to the bloke, see if he can't turn the process up a bit."

Desmond nods his head at that. "It is the way of those who truly mesh. Even those things that seem unimportant to one can become important for the happiness of the one that we feel close to." He turns the book over in his hands and considers it. "It has led to many a strange thought. The one who spoke to me on this.. spoke of progeny. Though Aimee and I could not make one together, there is talk of adopting as a possibility. It is something that I have not thought of, but again.. if it would please her, I would not be against it." His brow furrows slightly. "Though I know not how to attend to such things. Such possibilities for life have never even occurred to me as something that would happen." Not that he seems at all dismayed about the possibilities, musing them with a steady sort of focus.

She does tilt her head then, the thought of children clearly not something considered much. "I got an injection from Kalvin so it ain't happening for us." Blunt, honest, utterly Caliesque. "I reckon a kid is too much. What if you don't get it right? It ain't like a machine when you can go back, fix it up and carry on. You make a mistake with one of them, it is broke forever." She shakes her head, firmly. "Ain't for us, I reckon."

Desmond cants his head slightly and then nods once. "I suppose that is a way to look at it. It would be preferable that you only do such a thing when you are prepared and desire the results. In a way Aimee and I would have to choose, for we could not make one of our own. But even so it would require proper guidance for the young to develop properly. Something I know little of, to be honest. I suppose I will speak not of it unless Aimee were to show want again. Though in the future I shall need to be more attentive to her wants. Were it not for the assistance I got, I know not how long I would be mystified by her unspoken desires."

She grins, the sunniness in her nature resisting the serious nature of the talk. "It ain't a thing to worry over 'til it happens. I mean, there ain't no reason to be figurin' out stuff before we have to figure it out. Else we'd spend all our times worryin' over what might be and what ain't and the rest of it." She gets in a tumble there, her thoughts moving out of her mouth before she can clearly think them out.

Desmond catches the gist and nods his head once. "True enough. There is the moment to consider. I plan to wait a short while. Time best spent thinking to the how to propose. I don't wish the one who gave clue to be revealed, for I suspect she spoke of this only recently. So some time will mask their part in this. I have read in here that often a place of significance is used for the spot to do this.. yet I am unsure what place would be significant to her in this way. Truth be told, we have not been to a great many places together.. at least, none that stand out in a great way, to my mind."

"They ain't meant to be tellin' you of it?" Caliopa guesses softly, leaning against the back of the bench. "And they did, and you ain't wantin' her to know that?" She bites her lower lip, thinking slowly over the issues. "Best you wait a bit then, yeah, else she'll figure it and your friend'll be in trouble." She slants him a look, her hearing as good as anyone else within range of the gossip. "Kesslan told you? Rumour has it you three are real close now."

Desmond nods his head at that last, a slight frown rising. "He did. Kesslan is very self sacrificing when it comes to Aimee and myself. We embrace him closely, for he is worthy of such an embrace and isolated from his people.. his ways. That along with the problem of the radiation have left him feeling apart, though we look to see that he feels welcome. I don't wish Aimee to shun him for what he has done, though it was done with the best of intentions. He would accept that shunning I do not doubt, due to his nature, but I would not wish for he and Aimee to grow apart over something such as this."

Caliopa nods slowly, the complexities of a menage a trois beyond her understanding and experience. "If we find Kalvin, reckon he'll be able to help with the radiation 'n' all..." She offers softly, the flash of concern in her eyes at the thought of her missing friend, for he is, to Cali. "Reckon Aimee wouldn't understand his reasonin' then?" The last is spoken softly, her eyes on his face.

Desmond considers that a moment before he opines, "She might, but so too she might be upset that he has broken his promise to speak not of it. Such matters as this.. I sense they are important. If this she would hide from me.. perhaps seeking for me to discover on my own or thinking that I would be upset if she said, such a break of promise could shake her trust in him. I would rather not take chances with it, for we have only recently had some trouble amongst us solved and had trust restored."

Caliopa's forehead wrinkles again, thoughtfully, before she speaks slowly, "She don't trust you like as well?" The question is spoke before thought. "Uh. Sorry. I mean, I'm sure it ain't so, just that...I guess if Atti had to tell someone some such for my good, I guess I'd understand." She shrugs again, resting her chin on her knee.

Desmond shakes his head slightly. "To be honest, I don't understand her reasoning. It seems a simple thing to me as well.. if she had only expressed her desire, I would have gladly performed this ritual with her. Perhaps after we have spoken of this, I can speak to her on why she did not simply ask. Likely it has to do with emotions. They are rarely a logical thing and she is close to her own. In part it is what draws me to her.. that she is such a mystery.. a challenge to decipher."

She gives him a look that speaks of miscomprehension of Aimee's way of life, Caliopa's own emotions far distant from her logical thought processes. "I guess I never ... I ain't the type to be thinkin' this type of thing over, Desmond. You oughta be talkin' to someone good with relationships and folks." She shrugs, giving him the warm, sunny smile, but utterly unaware of her own beauty as she does so.

Some of that warmth is reflected back at her in the softness of Desmond's expression, though there is no smile. The big male never smiles, really. "It is true, but you did aid me before. So too I trust you have given me much to consider." He might comment again on how lovely she is, but he feels certain that she would pass it off. Still, he is reminded to ask, "Did you show the image I drew to Atticus?"

She blushes, ducking her head, and looking away. "Uh, no. I kinda thought I might, you know, when it is kinda..." She is stammering, stumbling over the words, "Um. I will. It is very pretty. The drawing I mean." The colour is deepening, turning her cheeks a rich, dark blood red.

Desmond furrows his brow slightly at that. Not knowing, really, uncertain at the response. "An image and its subject are linked in the results," he responds simply. "You need not show it until you are ready, but when you do I would like to know what he thinks of it." I have continued to practice, I feel I an getting rather good at the creation of images on paper. I might attempt to use paints next."

She shifts uncomfortably, the blush spreading slowly. "I don't reckon it looks like me, Desmond. It ain't your skill, nor your ability but it ain't me." She shrugs, hugging her knee as she rests her cheek against it. "I'll show him, he ain't likely to say anything you didn't. Both of you, your eyes're faulty."

Desmond shakes his head slightly. "It is you, Cali. I would not draw fiction. IT is an expression of what is seen and what is real. I know not why you deny the truth of yourself, but I will not belabor the point with you. Only trust that in both my word and in what images I create, I am true."

She doesn't speak, giving him a look of such pure doubt that it outshines her normal smile, even as she shakes her head. She lifts up her book, shifting in her seat. "Guess I don't see me like that. I ain't no swan." She shrugs again, hugging the book to her.

"How one sees themselves can often differ from what is, I suppose." Desmond's words thoughtful. "Perhaps you might take the image and look at it, and a mirror. To see what differences linger in your mind afterward. I feel that if you were to do that, you might see that the images is much like you.. not exactly, for the image itself is far from perfect. But enough to acknowledge it is an image of you." Offered as a possibility rather than ordered or firmly spoken otherwise. His deep voice almost gentle in the suggestion.

The doubt holds up well to this suggestion, and she shakes her head slowly. "I look in the mirror each and every mornin', Desmond. I got to go. I got work pilin' up at the garage." She uncurls herself from the bench, giving him the warm sunny smile that matches her nature so well. "Guess Atti'll like it anyhow." She comments before lifting a hand in a gesture of departure.

Desmond remains thoughtful in expression, nodding his head once as Cali rises to depart. "In any case, let me know," he replies to Cali, rising for a moment to see her off. "Be well and thank you for the talk. It has helped me a good deal," he tells her.

She shrugs off the thanks, with a smile, before turning to walk into the library itself, returning her book before taking herself off to work.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • New Log **********************

Desmond will settle back down onto the bench with his book. And linger for a bit, dipping back into that relaxed reading posture, chin on fist, propped against thigh, book held out low and open as he scans the pages. Clearing through a few more chapters as the afternoon deepens. Once focused, he pursues his defined goal with a dogged persistence.

Roulin eventually makes his way on in, though he seems to have come with a purpose. He looks back and forth a few times, looking at the likely spots before he spots Desmond and heads on over. He remains standing as he gets closer, not moving to take a seat as he says "Desmond...?"

Desmond is a bit more alert this time, thus as Roulin nears, he takes note before he gets too close to the fountain(where he's settled), the book he reads closed and casually veiled with a hand as he looks up to the man. "Greetings, Roulin." The big male's tone steady, unchanged in how Roulin would normally hear it. "Come and sit. I sense you are here to talk and it is not a bad idea for us to do so."

Roulin looks between Desmond and the fountain for the moment, as if to decide if he really wants to sit. Eventually, sitting wins out as he gives a simple nod and says "Yes. I was looking for you. To speak to you about what happened with Kesslan at the operation." He's pretty quick to get to the point.

"Yes, I thought that might be the case," Desmond replies. "I have spoken with him, gained an understanding of what his thoughts are. To say it simply, he thought that your words were given as an order might be given. And this is a cause for agitation for him. Though his words were harsh, I believe, they were simply a warning to refrain from speaking in such a way to him." The big male pauses a moment, considering what more might be said to clarify. "Roulin, Kesslan is from a place where his people have been made slaves by beings that look much like humans. Though he knows that humans are not Atorians, the ones who enslaved his people, there is mistrust for him. I suppose there is still some lingering uncertainty with him because of the recent troubles we have had, even though you two did come to some private understanding. I know not if he will seek you out again.. he seems uncertain as to the right path to take. But I would advise that if you do seek to speak with him, that you ask of his past, his ways. Understanding is what you two lack still. Understanding is what would soften this lingering tension between you two, I believe."

Roulin looks to Desmond, and replies. "Desmond, I've already bent over backwards to try to accomodate Kesslan. Willing to forget about things he does, forgive him, apologize to him. Everything to make him happy because I had really liked him." He uses the past tense before he continues "On one hand, I hear from the pair of you that you're both above base instinct. That you're both better then monsters...and Desmond, you've shown that quality time and again." His hands clench in his lap before he says "But, I would have done the same to each and every person in that room, had they tried to hurt those two." he pauses before looking seriously at Desmond, "Desmond, if I ever see Kesslan attack some innocent without reason again. I will shoot to kill. The world dosn't need more monsters. I really did like Kesslan. But, my duty and my heart go to the people of this city, no matter who they are. Only what they've done."

Desmond frowns slightly. "Roulin, Kesslan is not a monster and I am disappointed in your for making such a comparison to him." This stated with no room in his tone for doubt. "He was trained to act a certain way in the heat of battle and in treating those who could be considered enemies. While his means were perhaps a bit harsh, to allow a simple kick to mark him as a monster is short sighted on your part." A pause, considering the next thought he would give for a moment before he adds, "You may do as you will, of course. But I would be disappointed if you chose to shun him. While you may have bent for him, you don't truly understand him. Just as he does not truly understand you or most humans for that matter."

Roulin keeps the serious tone about him. "Desmond, where do I draw the line? Is a kick okay, but a slash to the face to be considered abusive? Is a laser wound okay, because it wasn't a plasma cannon? And, you're right Desmond. You're extremely right that we don't understand each other. But, welcome to Kingsdale. Welcome to planet human. The excuse that he's been trained one way does not give him leeway to do as he pleases. Or else, should I say 'Kesslan was trained to kill people, and today, he killed ten people in the dregs. But, that's okay, it's how he was trained." Roulin seems pretty unhappy about this as well.

"Peace, Roulin," Desmond rumbles, maintaining that simple focus. "I am not going to define how you should react to things. I can tell from what I know if you that you and I are quite different, despite that we get along. I give no excuse for Kesslan's actions, only perspective, which you lack. So too I suggest that it is an easy path to shun. It is a harder, but higher path to understand. To attempt to change one who you think could benefit from a shift in their ways. There are some aspects of him that I look to change.. to temper some of his training with more consideration. But whether you wish to involve yourself in that is yours to decide."

Roulin looks to Desmond. "Well, who am I to shun someone better then myself?" His sarcasm almost dripping. "Anyways, it's moot point. I'm leaving soon for a few months. So, you won't have to worry about me at all. There won't be any more conflict to worry about." Desmond frowns deeply. "Do not twist my words, Roulin. Never have I spoken of myself as better than you. Nor have I said the same of Kesslan. Such terms I do not use, for what one is will be seen in their actions and in their heart to those who know them well." A pause as he muses the man's words and adds, "Perhaps this will work well.. time to let things cool. Perhaps after you return you will feel differently. So too may he feel the same with past matters more distant in mind." His head cants slightly. "There is no trouble, is there? In your departure, that is."

Roulin looks to Desmond, "I didn't mean you Desmond. What Kesslan said. After I told him to stop attacking the two bound innocents, he went off about how much better he was." He pauses and shrugs, "Define Trouble? Just don't let Aimee know where I'm going."

Desmond considers and then shakes his head slightly. "Kesslan was upset then. He has a distinct desire to be commanded by no one save those he allows to guide him. He believed you were commanding him and reacted as such. Again, I do not defend, but I do give you perspective on his thought process and his reasons. How you react to them is yours. Personally, I would hope that you seek understanding, but I will understand if you choose not to." And there is no reproach in his tone, kept in that steady neutral. Then comes the matter of Aimee. "If you do not wish me to tell Aimee, then you should not tell me either. But I would advise that you do not leave for such a time without telling her. She is fond of you and were you to simply disappear, she would be worried and very angry when you return. As to trouble.. do you go into danger or is this trip of some other nature?"

Roulin looks to Desmond. "Be free to tell her that I'm gone...just not to what. I'm registering in the arena, trying to get an NTI sponsership, and do demolition derbies. It's dangerous, and risky, and for a time I don't want to have to worry about anyone else. Noone who goes into the derby is innocent."

Desmond frowns slightly at that. "Roulin, I cannot lie for you. And I cannot conceal what you say from Aimee. And I can assure you that she will not be pleased by this.. but she will be even less so if you conceal it from her. Your best bet is to simply tell her and weather what is to come. Though she will be angry, I doubt she can stop you. I will not tell her for now, but know that if she asks me about this I will have to tell her. It will go better for you that she hears it from your lips and not mine."

Roulin gives a sigh and looks to Desmond. "Yeah yeah, I'll tell her in the next two days. I'll likely be back or something after the derby all stars is over. I don't want to take my Lady Love into the derby, but if NTI won't sponser, then I'll have to."

Desmond nods his head once. "Good. Trust me, I have found out through experience that, with Aimee, honesty is best. Speak lies or half truths and if she discovers it, it will go poorly for you." He and Roulin are sitting at the benches near the fountain in discussion. Des has a closed book discreetly concealed in his hands. The time is in the early afternoon that is slowly maturing. "So too I wish you luck with this derby. You are doing this as a means to gain money? Or simply as.. a means to release emotion?" Roulin hmms. "Both. It'll give me some time when I don't have to worried that any word I say might upset someone. Instead, I'll be able to drive it home to people and smash thier vees up. There's no room for kindness in the derbies. Just skill and smashing."

The lovely lady Lucy - well, maybe not the "lady" part, comes walking into the gardens, book in hand, reading. She has a book labeled "X-Files". As she approaches Desmond and Roulin, she stops and comments, "I wanted to read up on some non-fiction. You know, D-Bees on Earth before the Apocalypse? Its fascinating, and all in this one book! Well, and on holo, but I don't like that Scully woman, she annoys me. Then, "What kind of derby are you going on, Roulin? I love derbies, if they're the driving kind." Then, finally, "Sorry to interrupt, I just haven't seen many people that I know today, and while I love Renos, he can be.. frustrating.. at times.

Desmond nods his head once to that. "I doubt that aspect of it will please Aimee. But what upset will be born of concern for you, do not doubt that. It was the same for Kesslan when before he went to battle with the vampires and I spoke of his departure obliquely." A pause then as Lucy nears, the big male looking up towards her. Much of the first part of what she has to say bemuses the big male. Names and such that don't register, but like most such things, he lets it slide past without a bother. "That is so?" Asked in reference to the rest of the talk. "Relationships can be difficult, but through that there is reward."

Roulin looks over to Lucy. "Yup, vee derby. Smash 'em up, trash 'em, grind them down to parts. I'm trying to get an NTI sponsership, they've got this six wheeled truck that has got to have some serious horse power. With that, maybe we could put ram plates and extra stiffners and armor to help it work better."

Not entirely sure whom Desmond is addressing, but not wanting to appear rude, Lucy says, "Relationships /can/ be difficult. In fact, they're /often/ difficult, in my experience. But it is through that difficulty that you find the greatest rewards," she quickly ends. "Robert is simply.. uhm.. down on himself sometimes. Kind of sullen." She looks at Roulin blankly for a moment, having expected a traveling derby, but quickly winds up to the current event. "Do you need a uh.. shotgun rider, with you, Roulin? Someone to keep an eye out for you? Take over if you get injured?" He dark emeralds light up at the possibilities.

Desmond cants his head slightly, leaving the talk of derbies to those who favor vehicles. "I see," he rumbles in reply to Lucy at first. Considering for a moment before he adds, "While I have not spoken much to Robert, he does seem.. like that. To be honest, I know not what to offer you in assistance. IN fact, I tend to avoid the man because, quite simply, I have no wish to create problems. He holds on to certain outlooks that would generate friction with me and I would prefer that such things remain to the past. Perhaps if he could let go of such things, it might aid him in looking to the future."

Roulin gives a slow nod to Desmond before he looks over to Lucy. "Sorry Lucy, I ride solo. If I come back alive at the end of the tourney, it'll be from my own strength, not from anyone elses." A bit suicidal? Maybe.

"I agree, Desmond. He can't get over the ah.. whole relationship thing," she says, not wanting to give anything away that hasn't already been discussed. "I try to make him forget, but he holds onto his anger. I thought that his snap with reality would cure him, and it largely has, he is a different man. But he still holds onto that anger. It is never good to hang on to anger, it eats your soul." Lucy punctuates her sentence with a quick nod of her head that sends her long ponytail whipping around her body slightly. She comments to Roulin, "Ah, well, that's too bad, but I understand." The offers the man a pretty smile.

"Then therein lies his issue," Desmond rumbles, slowly rising from the bench, the book shifted casually against his thigh. "If he learns to let go and move on, I would speak to him again if that is his wish. Perhaps again try to have a peace with the man. But for now, I would rather not be a catalyst as I am sure he does not hold me in favor for what part I played in it, well meaning that I was in my aims." He looks to Roulin. "If I do not speak to you again before this, I would wish you good luck with your coming trials. And do remember to tell Aimee soon." A pause then as he says more generally, "I must depart for now, I have some matters to attend to. A good day to you both."

Roulin gives a small wave to Desmond. "Yeah, sure. I'll remember to tell her. Else, she'll likely rip me a new one. And I don't need a new one." He looks back to Lucy, "Yup, sorry hon."

I'm not pushing you, Roulin, I understand, I'm just saying, I'm educated in combat driving, so if you ever need a shotgun, I'd be happy to help." The girl smiles again. "Goodbye, Desmond, have a nice day!" she says, cheerfully. "Hmm, perhaps I should be going, too," she girl ponders. Then, is Aimee the one who was with Dr. Kelley? The one that I laughed at?"

Roulin holds his hands up. "Un uh. Not my relationships. I got enough drama, that I don't need to think about others. As for combat driving...well, no. I don't need you shotgun, I need you turret. What kinds of guns can you use? Heavy machine gun if I got it?"

Desmond does start to go, though as Lucy asks after Aimee, he pauses and looks towards her. There is a moment as he considers before he decides to remain silent on this. He continues on, departing the garden quietly.Tags:caliopa, desmond, lucy, roulin