Lunch break

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

Sometimes, I ate in my office. Sometimes, I needed to be out, and about, and to eat my lunch, something other than a quick bite, warm and hearty, and to have in a place where a bustle of people would distract my mind.

A while back, I would have chosen the White Hart. But the Patron was growing in popularity, and I'd heard of it from several patients, peer and adepts alike, and I was curious.

I didn't despise people gazing. But seeing as I was alone, I placed my order at the bar, and sat on a stool, heedlessly looking at the clientele of the Generous Patron.

[Caine nó Cereus]

The Dowayne had sent an adpet to check up on me and rightfully shoed me out of the house when I was hiding in my room as usual. I was feeling a little more confidient, having a few assignations under my belt.

I walked into the Generous Patron and looked around. I had not been here before, but the name sounded good. I was sure I would at least find something good to eat.

It did not take me long to spot Siegfried sitting at the bar, he did tend to stand out a little. Part of me liked him for it though, if anything it made it easy to find someone to eat lunch with.

I walked over and sat next to him with a smile on my face, "Hello Siegfried."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

A familiar face entered the Patron tentatively, and Caine’s unmistakable pale hair and lithe figure circulated about with catlike grace.

I wondered if the young adept would locate me. It had been a while, since I’d seen him, but I had a fondness for the youth – he and I had much in common, despite appearances. He notice and strode over with added confidence, gracing me with a friendly greeting.

“Caine. Long time no see, mate. How have you been?”

[Caine nó Cereus]

"I have been doing pretty well," I said with a smile. "Things are well at Cereus and I can not complain. How are you?"

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"I'm well," I replied with a quizzical grin. "It's been... a lovely week, really," I told him. "You know, I'm still seeing Raegan," I added with a wide grin. Was my emotion blatantly visible? Likely so. My Princess was changing me, making me a happier man, more friendly, more open.

[Caine nó Cereus]

I was glad to hear of Siegfried's good tidings and told him as such. "It sounds like you and Raegan ar a strong couple," I told him. "Do you two have any future plans or are you simply enjoying each other?"

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"Thank you, Caine," I replied with a frank grin. "I hope to wed her," I admitted, and something rather unusual happened as I felt blood rush to my head. I hadn't told anyone, save my mother, and it was heady, just to think of it. "Hopefully, it will happen," I added as I took another sip of my drink.

[Caine nó Cereus]

I thought I saw Siegfried's face flush, but I wasn't sure. If he felt ill I figured he'd say something or excuse himself. He was a man of medicine after all and I was simply an adept.

I gave him a smile of confidence and said, "I am sure she will wed you." Then with a little tease though I did feel honestly about it I added, "who wouldn't want a nice man who could take care of their ills both mental and physical."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"How kind of you," I replied, chuckling. There was a ring of truth to his words though - Rae did have a thing for Mandrake, and I expected there would be moments where she would need my skills to assist her. "Time will tell, no doubt," I said with a patient grin.

"But tell me, how did your Coronation end? I didn't see you after supper, that night," I asked with genuine interest.

[Caine nó Cereus]

"Coronation night was an interesting one," I said as I thought of the conversation I had with the fiery Gentian, "I spoke with a girl about her history and dreams." I had not seen her since though part of me had hoped she would call upon me.

I girl about my age came and asked for my order so I asked for some juice and a salad. She took my order and left. One perk of finally being able to take a few assignations is more freedom to eat what I liked instead of what the House served.

"It is interesting," I told Siegfreid as she left, "how diffrent some of our lives are."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"Isn't that the wonder of our universe ?" I noted with a pleasing grin. "You know, if we were all identical... imagine how boring it would be." I paused, and added whimsically, "I guess it would be like having a conversation with yourself all the time... pretty lonely, huh?"

I gave Caine another look, and smiled a bit more. He was... there was something different about him. I couldn't put my finger on it, though.

[Caine nó Cereus]

I nodded as the girl brought back my order. One benefit of liking uncooked food is that it is usually served quickly.

"I agree, it would be dull." I then said with a jesting smile, "I wouldn't want to be stuck with only conversing with myself."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"Though I do like conversing with you," I replied with a sincere grin. "I'm glad to see you again. I hadn't see you, Joie or Alean in a while... blame it on work," I said quietly. "Have you seen either of them?"

I didn't say it overtly, but I missed the two redheads - the quiet and warm Joie, the rambunctious Alean... They were lovely women, and I liked to think of them as good friends.

[Caine nó Cereus]

I nodded a no, "unfortunately I can't say that I have seen either since the Coronation. I hope that they are doing well." I am not always the best at keeping in contact with others. I tend to feel like I am interrupting their lives. After all there is nothing that special about me.

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

“Ach,” I grunted. “I’m a terrible friend. I’ve been neglecting all my friendships recently. In truth, I should have visited you at Cereus, or at least called on you – and them - for tea.” I sighed, shaking my head at myself. I guessed it had to do with my mad adoration for Rae, but nevertheless – it was no excuse for such neglect. “I guess I should make amends…” I added with a grin.

[Caine nó Cereus]

"You do not have to worry," I told Siegfried, "I have not exactly been the most inviting either. " I drank some of my joice and then added, "a good conversation is enough amends, it has been a while since we spoke."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"You are too kind," I replied with a smile. For a moment, I took a silent sip of ale, enjoying companionable silence, as men only can enjoy it. "I did have an interesting encounter recently, in fact," I said after a while. "With a man who claimed to teach me about my culture," I added, grinning in self-derision.

[Caine nó Cereus]

I drank as Siegfried spoke and then cocked my head slightly in curiosity. "Really? Was he from Skaldi as well?"

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

“No, not at all,” I replied pensively. “A soldier, who served on the border of Camlach. He never was by my family’s estate, but he had rather extensive knowledge of the Skaldi. I suspect he may have been assigned turncoat assignments. It was…” I paused, thinking of the word. “Interesting.”

[Caine nó Cereus]

I nodded as I listened to him talk. Then, speaking what had come to mind I said, "I don't think I would ever have that experiance. To find another person who's had a vauge experance of my history would be a feat in itself." I thought for a moment and then addd, "though I guess anyone who has traveled a lot might have a small amount of experiance."

That thought made me think that maybe I wasn't that unusual at all. I did not have the typical parental upbringings of others, but it would be silly to think I was the only one who bested the wild.

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

I crooked an eyebrow. “Really?” I looked at him, smiling. “Try me, Caine,” I offered. “Maybe in my vast field of patients, there are some who have a similar background. I tend to groups of all walks of life, you know,” I added matter-of-factly.

[Caine nó Cereus]

I had forgotten of Siegfried's job, and it was true that he would meet a large number of people. Perhaps he would have meet someone with a similar background. If so, it would be very interesting to meet them.

"Well," I said, quickly trying to decide if I wanted to give him a long story or a short one. "I do not know who my biological parents are. I lived without any parents for some time, until I was maybe 6 or 7. The people who found me did so when I was very sick and they guessed my age with the aid of a doctor. I was quite wild then, only understanding survival and understanding that anything strange is to be considered dangerous until proven otherwise. They were patient, however, and in time I learned to act like a person, to talk, to read, etc. It was very difficult but I wanted to know what their strange noises meant."

I thought for a moment, my story not seeming to go far, but then I decided to stick with the past. "I remember trees, animals, and spending all of my time either trying to find something to eat or running from something. I did not have any clothing and probably only survived the first winter out of sheer luck since I found an abandoned camp with some old blankets. However, no matter how hard I tried I slowly grew ill and almost died from it."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"Oh good gods," I replied, thinking on how wrong it could have gone for him. "You know, we did have similar starts, you and I. But I've never quite met anyone who stayed out so long, in truth."

My hands drummed on the table reflectively. "I'm not sure how it all started, but I can tell you I was stranded in the cold lands. I have vague recollections of men feeding me, and of them dying, and then I was taken in by my adoptive mother. But it all happened while I was about that age. She adopted me at the age of 8."

[Caine nó Cereus]

I was a little surprised to hear Siegfried relate a similar past, but very interested as well. While I would wish warmth and comfort on anyone, especially those I care about. It is also good to find someone who is like you. Siegfried seemed much more confident than I was, I would look up to him as a guide, someone who had a better grasp on society.

"I did not know your past was so much like mine," I said. "it looks as if we are both lucky to be alive. I do not know how I found the road I had collapsed on since the whole time I was wondering around I had never found it." I thought for a moment, thinking things through. "Perhaps the gods do exist and guide us. They taught me about them at Cereus but I found it hard to relate. I knew nature and the world at it's wild."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"Ah, the gods," I mused, thinking. "I'm a scientist, you know... my discipline pushes me more to beleive in nature and the course of the elements. But I can understand how religion would be a comforting thing, and I never talk against it."

I looked at him, smiling warmly. "There is a great deal of strength in you as well, to have survived all that you have gone through. That and the gods? or mayhap natural selection? In the end, what matters is here and now, and what you can make of yourself," I said with confidence.

[Caine nó Cereus]

I nodded in agreement to Siegfried's last statement, "I am trying to do my best and be a good adept. If anything I owe it to those who saved me before Cereus and to Cereus for taking a chance on a largely uneducated wild boy." I thought for a moment about his mentioning of nature and science verse the gods. In the end I shrugged, "I have never been good at understanding those aspects of culture. The belief in unseen things. For me I just react to what is here and try to be the most helpful person I can."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

For all his claims of being uneducated, Caine had more than a good measure of practical sense. "A sound philosophy," I replied with a smile. "Though some metaphysical comfort can come in handy at times. The man I spoke to told me of Odhinn, and the gods the Skaldi worship." I chuckled. "I think given the choice, I'm still picking up Elua."

[Caine nó Cereus]

"I know a little bit about the Skaldi, but not much in terms of their religion. So I wouldn't know which god would be the better choice." I took a bite of food. I then spoke my thoughts again and said, "I wonder if every cultural group has their own gods. If so it would make it difficult to choose one, especially if they differed much." After another brief moment of thought I added with a smile, "it would be interesting if they were all where ever gods live arguing over people. I would think that they would each say that their own people was the best."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"And each people would argue that their gods were the best," I added with a shrug, "and on to war, and invasions, more blood spilled, more lives lost." I shook my head in disapproval. "I'm not philosopher, Caine - all I know is the common lore. Elua, born of the blood of Yeshua and of the tears of the Magdalen, his companions, Terre-d'Ange-that-Lies-Beyond... Love as thou willt does seem to preclude violence, at least some..." I paused, took a sip of my drink, and thought aloud, "Though the name Odinnh does sound rather ravaging, does it not?"

[Caine nó Cereus]

I listened carefully as Siegfried spoke, I had not thought of things in this way before and it seemed important to take in. I knew that people went to war and it was one aspect I could maybe understand. I avoided large animals as much as I could, but I had witnessed a few den fights. It seemed both man and beast felt they could not share.

"Odinnh," I said testing out the name, "yes it does sound aggressive." From what I had been taught in Cereus it seemed that the Skaldi were an aggressive culture. Siegfried seemed pretty friendly, however, so maybe there was more to the stories.

Thinking back on the subject I knew more about I said, "love could cause violence," I said, "especially if two love the same person." I shrugged a little and said, "if I have learned anything in my short life is that life doesn't share well."