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[acautionarytale]

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[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]

"I... suspect the woman may object. You are... recovering from something?"

He looks a little bit worried.

[tookhishand]

"Astrid." He's fond of her, of them all. "She... I trust more." You can't keep a secret, October, but...

"I was shot while we were finishing our plan. No danger now."

[acautionarytale]

"'Astrid.' I will remember that," October answers solemnly.

His head tilts and he regards Donald for a moment. The former Observer looks worn and tired and a bit... wobbly.

"Maybe we can take her with us."

[tookhishand]

"We need time to plan this out. You need a few good meals and a new look... and you haven't told me how far away November is."

[acautionarytale]

October looks down at the half-eaten sandwich.

"You are right. I... got ahead of myself. I do not know why. I can tell you where he is if I have a map of the immediate area. He is... not far from here."

[tookhishand]

Dismissive, because if he's taking charge... food and clothes come first. Save October, then November.

"I'll get one. You should eat."

[acautionarytale]

"Yes. You are right."

He'll just devour the sandwich, then. It doesn't really matter right now if he can't taste anything. The first few bites had reminded him just how hungry he was.

He looks almost embarassedly at Donald, smoothing the wrapper absently.

"Did you... experience emotional reactions before you were... changed?"

They hadn't had much contact, after all.

[tookhishand]

Oh, wasn't there hot sauce? He's fetching it and offering it to October, if he wants a second sandwich.

"...Yes, I'd been having them for some time. I'd interfered more than the others ever knew."

[acautionarytale]

"Thank you." Hot sauce goes on sandwich, sandwich goes in face. He'd eaten the entirety of it and was rubbing sauce from his fingers with a small napkin.

"What... was it like? Physically. Did you feel strange?" His hand goes to his chest again.

[tookhishand]

"Physical sensations and changing priorities is the simplest way I can describe it."

He's smiling, pleased. "What do you feel?"

[acautionarytale]

It takes October a moment to put his thoughts into words.

"...Pain," he finally answers. "I know that I am not injured or ill. But... there was pain when I saw what had been done to November and May, and... there is pain again when I remember it. I feel cold, and... weary. I have been travelling and have not eaten or rested, but this is... different."

[tookhishand]

"Ah." Fading smile. "Sadness. There are a lot of words for sadness... and when friends are in pain--sharing their pain is called empathy."

[acautionarytale]

"Is it always painful and cold?" October asks softly. "Is it always going to cause me to want to act rashly, to take them away from there even though I do not know where to bring them?"

He rubs his chest, eyes closing wearily.

[tookhishand]

"It doesn't always hurt. It's not all bad... being human. Acting rash and human."

It's hard to judge how far along October's come, if being touched is uncomfortable or not.

"You share their pain because you care about them and caring can be wonderful."

[acautionarytale]

There's another pause and October speaks again, his voice a little steadier now.

"I have seen... what compassion and empathy do for humans. I am told that it makes one... warm and... happy. Will I... experience that, as well?" His gaze drops. Again, his voice goes quiet and a little choked, now. "I do not know if I can."

[tookhishand]

"Yes, you can. It can be turned around. You'll see, once everyone is safe."

Please don't make him promise. He's done with promises.

"We should get going--if you want to come with Astrid and I to her new home. I don't feel right about leaving you alone here."

[acautionarytale]

October looks a little indecisive. "I was brought here, but I do not know why. I think he wants information. He has not harmed me, but... there is something in his mind...."

[tookhishand]

"He shouldn't be alone." Donald's musing. "They should have never separated, Astrid, Olivia, Peter... they're all that's left."

And: "I can't tell you what he wants either, I don't have any clue."

[acautionarytale]

"They were... close, weren't they? Humans... do not do well when they are separated from those they are close to. Their personalities change. Do you think this may have happened to Peter Bishop?"

He isn't sure how to put across to Donald that he senses something not-human about Peter. His eyes dart and he opens his mouth but nothing comes out.

[tookhishand]

"He's lost everything. The pain you feel isn't much at all compared to... losing a child."

And he can't imagine what it's like to have your child die.

"This isn't a very nice place to live, too."

[acautionarytale]

"How did he lose his child?"

Even though he suspects he knows at least part of the answer.

[tookhishand]

"She was part of the resistance. Windmark shot her."

Etta. He met her more than once, not that any of the Bishops remember.

[acautionarytale]

"... There is hatred, there," October says, sounding as though he's coming to the realisation while speaking. "Of us."

"And... there is something... not human."

[tookhishand]

"I'd expect hate, for... everything that's happened these last decades. And I think he expected to get Etta back." But something's terribly wrong.

"Not human?"