Who: Poppet & Nate What: A conversation and a quick guidance to the library When: 03/29 Where: A park. Rating: PG-13 Status: Complete
Poppet was prone to exploring, often wandering aimlessly until she found something she deemed worthy of extra attention. She didn’t have much concept of the dangers of being alone in the city without really paying attention to where you were going or who was around you. She’d gotten lost more than once, but that didn’t faze her in the slightest.
She’d meant to go to the library. Really, she had. Instead, she ended up at the park, unable to resist the pull of the swings.
Nate was there, and mostly swinging high, ignoring the world. He had been in a combination of depression and wonder these last weeks since coming back from the future. It had felt odd, and he didn’t know if he was meant to feel normal, or weird. And everything was still unstable.
And so he was swinging, when he felt the pull of a mind close by, his eyes opening and focusing on a young woman and his smile coming out. He slowed and stopped his swinging as he nodded to her. “Helo.”
Poppet waved cheerfully, dropping into the swing next to him. “I was going to the library,” she answered, as though that might explain everything, even though he hadn’t asked her anything at all. “I think I’ve gotten lost again. But I’m not too worried yet. I almost always find my way back eventually.”
And she really didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the fact she might be lost in a still mostly strange city. “I just love the swings! Don’t you?”
Nate smiled at her. “I could show you the way. I know somewhat of how to reach there.” He liked the library, too, if perhaps not quite as much as he had before Wonderland and the future incidents, but he still liked it.
“I do. I enjoy zooooming on them.” He smiled at her as he started swinging with her.
“Oh, that would be lovely!” She was sure she’d find her way back eventually, but she almost never minded company. Poppet loved people, even if she often didn’t understand them. Odd creatures, humans. At least you could teach cats something.
“Do you like to read?” Of course, if he liked the library, he must enjoy reading, but then people were strange.
“I do! I read a lot. And tend to do so at all hours.” he grinned at her. “Currently, I’m reading a treatise on the quantum alterations caused by soundwaves when they impact on the body.” he nodded.
She giggled, shaking her head. “I’m not sure what that means.”
He facepalmed. “Sorry! It’s ah... about how sound can alter how our bodies react and work.” He nodded. “Sorry.”
Poppet smiled, shrugging. “That’s all right. There are lots of things I don’t understand.” Nothing to be overly concerned about, she thought. Everyone was terrible at something, just like everyone was good at something. “But thank you for telling me. Is it very interesting?”
“You’re welcome. I think so, yes. Not my favored field, but still interesting.” He nodded. “What do you like to do?”
“Look at the stars. I like to read about them, the stories they tell. They’re beautiful.”
Nate nodded. “Do you use a telescope?” He was curious.
“There was never really room for one. Mostly, I just use my eyes.”
Nate nodded. “You must see all kinds of awesome things. I forget to look at the stars sometimes. It’s been ...a long time.”
“I guess I have. I’ve always thought they were beautiful. I like to decide what they mean.”
Nate grinned. “Oh yeah? Do you just make it up?” He’d heard of astrology, but never of someone just making it up.
“Sometimes. But not often. Storytelling is more Widge’s department.”
“sounds like fun.” He nodded. “Who?” He was curious now. He found himself enjoying talking to her.
Curiosity. That was something she related to very well. "My brother. We're twins," she answered, smiling, "Widget isn't his real name. But no one calls him any differently."
“Cool! Sounds like an interesting person.” Nate smiled. He had never had a twin, but he had enjoyed having a sister for awhile in the future. “Are you two close?”
“I guess so.” She hadn’t really thought about it. He was just…Widge. “Do you have any siblings?”
Nate shook his head. “Not in this lifetime.”
She frowned, confused. “What does that mean?”
Nate sighed. “It means I dream of another life. Of a life in another world.” He nodded. “IN that life, that world, I have a sister.”
"Well that's funny, isn't it? I've never had a dream like that."
Nate hmmed. “Stick around the valarnet long enough, and you will.” He nodded and bounced a little.
“Care to walk toward the library?”
Smiling brightly, she slid off the swing. "Oh, yes. Of course!"
He rose as well and smiled to her. “This way!” She was nice, he thought, and it was fun to encounter someone new who was a good person. “It’s not far.”
Following strangers. That probably should have been a lesson somewhere in her upbringing. Even if he was probably even younger than she was. He seemed nice, though. And new friends were always welcome!
So she followed. "Widge will probably be there."
“Yeah? Cool!” He was curious, now. “What kind of books do you like to read?”
She giggled again. "Books about stars, mostly."
“That’s cool. I like all sorts, but especially science fiction and fantasy.” It was fun reading about possible impossible things. Sometimes.
"I like reading about what I know."
“Oh? That’s cool.” Around a corner, down the street, and around another corner, they were now on a street with the library on it.
"The stars are familiar. They're constant but not. I mean, sort of. It's hard to explain."
“I’d love to hear more, if you want to talk about it?” He peered at her, and smiled as they headed down the way toward the library.
"We moved a lot. The stars were always the same. Mostly. I guess I just liked having something that didn't change."
Nate nodded. “Makes sense. Must be nice having something like that.” He smiled at her. It sounded like a good thing.
"I think so. Don't you? Have something like that, I mean."
Nate hmmed, then slowly nodded. “MUsic.” He grinned at her slightly. “It’s always the same.”
"What sort of music? Do you play anything yourself?"
“I play the guitar mostly, and sing some. And mostly jazz, rock, and old pop.” He grinned at her. “A little bit of alternative sometimes.”
"That sounds lovely!"
Nate blushed and smiled at her as they walked. “Looks like we’re almost there. Say sometime when we’re both free, poke me, and I’ll give you that tour.” He nodded.
She thought it was a bit cute when he blushed, making her laugh again. "I'd like that. You're very sweet."
“Just me!” He smiled as he delivered her to the library. “Here we go, and---” Then his phone buzzed and he checked it, and nodded. “It’s a text from my mom. I gotta head home. See you later?” He smiled at her warmly, and regretfully.
She nodded, smiling. "You'll know where to find me." Without further explanation, she disappeared into the library.