2037

[acautionarytale]

Comments

[emotionisweakness]

Hey, Astrid started it. And don't go Bogarting October, Donald-- Peter got there first!

"You're no longer one of them," he points out to Donald. "That makes you pretty different in my book."

[tookhishand]

"I started out like him. You both have to believe me when I say he isn't an invader." He isn't raising his voice, he isn't even angry. Earnest and almost pleading.

[acautionarytale]

The individual they're arguing over has managed, somehow, to get this part of the kitchen cleaner than it's been in ages and is now reassembling the coffee machine. He looks up at them occasionally, and while he's much calmer than he was, there's still a trace of trepidation to him.

Astrid, who had been watching him during this exchange, looks back at them. "I believe you, Donald," she says quietly.

[emotionisweakness]

Peter, for his part, doesn't look as reassured. But it isn't really October he's worried about, yet. It's the threat of more of them.

"People on the street might not have that same kind of faith, Donald. We need to keep him hidden."

Isn't it great how they're talking about you like you're not even there, October?

[tookhishand]

October isn't speaking for himself, for whatever reason, so Donald will. Kinship.

"I realize that. We will."

[acautionarytale]

Sorry, guys, October had kind of entered a state of cleaning zen. Now that he's finished with that, he joins them near the door. Astrid looks up at him but doesn't step back from him. Closer to, one can see he looks worn and tired and thin, his suit looking a bit large on him. Some of that fear is back in his eyes but he focusses on Donald.

"I came to find you," he says quietly. "You... know how to survive here. I--I do not know why I am still in this time or why I cannot leave it. I need a safe place to work on how to leave it again. And... we must find the others. Some of them are..." He pauses, blinking, trying to find the right words. "...in trouble."

[emotionisweakness]

"What kind of trouble?" Peter is quick to ask. And yes, there may be a note of skepticism in his voice. As well as a healthy dollop of 'who cares?'. Hey, he has his reasons.

He's placed the bag of sandwiches on the table, by the way. If October's still hungry after all that horrifying coffee.

[tookhishand]

Donald's helping himself to a chair, medicated and a bit beat. How Peter can be skeptical about an Observer who doesn't look as healthy as he should is a mystery.

"You're trapped in time? When did this problem start?"

[acautionarytale]

Astrid peeks inside the sandwich bag and then pulls one out, handing it to October and then shushing him into another chair so he'll sit down before he falls down. He murmurs a quiet "thank you," before returning his attention to the questions at hand.

He keeps his gaze on Donald even though he answers Peter's question, first.

"November had been captured by a group of humans, but I do not know how long he has been imprisoned. May has been captured, as well. I could not free them, as I did not know where I could bring that that would be safe, and I suspect they... are not fit to travel for very long." His voice is only just audible and sounds more... numb than truly emotionless. He stares into the middle distance, the still-wrapped sandwich in his hands.

"I have found July, but... I cannot find the other five."

Astrid stands nearby, arms around herself, a pained expression on her face.

October doesn't notice anyone's reactions. "I found... that I could no longer move through time when the others, the... Invaders... disappeared."

[emotionisweakness]

Astrid may look pained, and surely Donald, by this information. Peter, on the other hand, looks pretty much the same. Skeptical and that's about it. Expressionless otherwise. He listens to October's story, head tilted slightly, arms crossed.

"Walter and Michael must have disrupted your timeline just enough to prevent anyone else crossing over," he muses at the end of it all.

[tookhishand]

Yes, he's more than disturbed, running a hand through his hair. There goes his hopes of hitching a ride to Michael, and what they must be doing to his friends... because he has to admit that's what they were.

"You're safe now. We'll get you a change of clothes..." Suits are taboo for good, he's sure. "And I promise, I will help you."

[acautionarytale]

There's a pause as the statement sinks in. Something creeps into October's mind that had been hovering at the edges for a while, now. Something that creates a small, tight ball in his chest. He blinks a few times. One hand comes up to his chest absently.

"I... was told you would not wish to aid me," he whispers. His eyes flick to Peter for an instant.

Astrid looks at Peter, waiting to see what he'll say.

[emotionisweakness]

Seriously, October? Now you're tattling on Peter? Aware all eyes are on him, he contrives to look contrite.

"I wasn't aware of his intentions," he says. "And Donald was... vulnerable."

[tookhishand]

He's floored, utterly speechless for what seems like a long time as he tries to process. That stings--who would say something like that about him?

...Peter. He caught the little flicker of October's eyes towards the man.

"That's... not true. Peter didn't know we knew each other... and spoke out of turn. Just a inconvenient misunderstanding." Surely there's nothing more to the lie.

He stands up from the chair, touching the back of his neck in an old nervous habit. "I have a lot of questions, October. Why don't we get some fresh air?"

[acautionarytale]

Astrid puts a hand on Donald's shoulder, pressing down gently. "No, you're recovering, and it's not safe for him to go out right now."

She eyes Peter, then sighs.

"You two do need to talk, though."

"Come on, Peter, let's see what's in your closet."

[emotionisweakness]

Peter blinks, not sure if he's heard her correctly. "My closet?" Seriously, Astrid, that's the best excuse you can come up with? But he follows her into the bedroom, giving the other two a backwards glance as if to assure himself they aren't going anywhere.

They'd better not go anywhere.

[tookhishand]

Donald... won't. As badly as he wants not to be overheard. What is going on with Peter?

He's keeping his voice down, sorrowed somewhat. "I'm sorry. I had no idea you were alive."

[acautionarytale]

October watches them leave, then looks back at Donald.

"We had... been cut off, ourselves, somewhat, ever since we lost December. There was no communication at all."

He unwraps the sandwich and takes a small bite, not tasting anything, as usual.

"We... were abandoned. Left to our own devices. They considered us aberrant but not dangerous. We were... adrift."

[tookhishand]

He takes his seat back, behaving and not going anywhere.

"He... hadn't told me anyone lived. I couldn't have done anything if I'd known, I was fitted with a tracking device. I would have led everyone straight to you." Same reason he could never see Michael...

And he nods. "November first, as soon as we find a safe place for you to recover."

[acautionarytale]

October blinks at him.

"No, it is wise that you did not go looking. I do not... blame you for not doing so."

"I will need to accompany you. I... know where he is." He looks back at the door. "Do you... trust them?"

[tookhishand]

Another nod. As much as it makes to seem to make October sad... he was trapped against the wall for twenty years.

"Of course. I do." Astrid, for sure. Peter... "I think it should be the two of us. They've been through a lot."

[acautionarytale]

Yes. Yes, it is. Would you rather she'd said 'Oh, god, Peter, I gotta have you--you, me, bedroom, now'?

She walks into the bedroom and goes right for the closet, opening it and putting her hands on her hips.

[emotionisweakness]

It would have made him smile, at least.

"Astrid... why are you in my closet?" Peter figured it was an excuse to give September and his friend some privacy, but here she is really going through his things. Not that there's much in there. A few changes of clothes and a lot of dust bunnies. Oh, and a small box full of Olivia-things she absolutely should not look inside.

[acautionarytale]

Yes, yes she is. She pulls a few items of clothing from his closet and throws them on the bed.

"We can't take October anywhere looking like he does, so to start with, he's gonna have to wear something of yours," she says briskly.

She spies the box, next, and her curiosity gets the better of her and she opens it. "Peter...."

[emotionisweakness]

"Where are you taking him?" Peter almost seems annoyed at the prospect. His Observer, dammit. He found him.

And ah... the box. He steps up to Astrid quickly, jaw set, and reaches out with a firm but gentle hand to close the box she's holding again.

"Don't."