(Eventually) OOM: bird song

[isaysimplewords]

Cal is at a table in the middle of Milliways, as per usual. He also has his usual mug of raktajino.

Slightly less usual is the small scarlet feather he's studying, twirling it contemplatively between his fingers.

Comments

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Really," she repeats. "I've had my eye on you for a while. It's not that you don't try. You're assimilating quite well. But there's something off about you. What planet are you from?"

[not_lugosi]

Bela coughs to cover her laugh.

[isaysimplewords]

Cal splutters a bit. Okay, fine, he knows he gets things wrong, some of the history on this world is different from what he grew up with and he missed an entire decade of pop culture and he does get weird looks sometimes, but he'd thought he was doing pretty damn well, all things considered.

"I'm not -" Is she even likely to believe the truth?

But he can't lie convincingly, either. He doesn't know any names of any other planets he could be from. Not even the Doctor's, and he's the only alien Cal's met from this w - this universe. And if he tries to lie anyway, she'll never tell him what's going on.

(And just because he's gotten used to lying to people here about where he's from doesn't mean he likes it.)

He takes a long moment to think. Then he says, matter-of-factly,

"Alternate reality."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Oh. Right. That explains a lot, actually. And your friend?"

[not_lugosi]

"The same goes for me."

[isaysimplewords]

That was easy. Cal exhales in relief.

"It's kind of complicated," he says. "But, uh. I'm guessing you're not from around here, either."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"That would be a good guess," Elaine says with a grin. "I think these things are always kind of complicated."

[not_lugosi]

But she looks so human, Bela thinks. How could she be an alien?

Then again, demons look plenty human, too, until they prove they're not. Whatever.

"So... do we have a problem here? Or what?"

[isaysimplewords]

Cal turns the question over to Elaine with an inquiring look.

Do they?

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

Elaine turns her palms up. "I suppose it depends on what you want to do about your new found knowledge. This is my home. I care about this shelter, the animals here, and the people I work with. What are your priorities, Cal?"

[isaysimplewords]

Cal believes her without thinking about it. He's seen the proof of it all for himself in the months of working for her. It's part of why it took him this long to form any real suspicions about the bird - Elaine is a good person.

Plus it's hard to spend as long as he has in Milliways and come away with any kind of inclination to think that non-human = automatically bad. That would just be stupid.

"Your species doesn't matter to me," he says. "I'm more concerned about whatever the bird does. Is it safe for it to be here?"

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"It wouldn't be here if it weren't safe. I promise you that."

[not_lugosi]

Cal knows this woman. Person. Alien? Bela's not sure about the correct term.

In any case, if he thinks Elaine's okay, Bela will believe him. It doesn't matter to her unless there's a chance of contagion, disaster, or destruction hurting Cal in some way.

"That sounds fine then."

[isaysimplewords]

Cal nods slowly.

"How long were you planning on having it around?" It can't be much longer, or even the longtime workers here would start wondering.

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Oh, it will find a new home by tomorrow morning. I should thank you for keeping me on my toes in that regard."

[isaysimplewords]

Cal looks a bit wry.

"Glad I could help," he says.

He still wants to know what it is, of course. But, since he believes her when she says it isn't dangerous, and it's not going to be around much longer - much as he hates to admit it, it's officially none of his business anymore.

But now that they're being more straightforward with each other, maybe she'll tell him some other time anyway.

[not_lugosi]

And then maybe he'll tell Bela, because she'd like to know more, too. Especially if she might come here for good. Not that she's decided yet.

"You might want to think about better security, by the way. It's ridiculously easy to break in here."

Bela can be helpful, too! Sort of.

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"I'll, uh, take that under consideration."

Elaine walks to the bird cage and unhooks the basket from the stand.

"If we're done here, I'll lock up after you and head for home."

[isaysimplewords]

"Looks like we are."

Cal can take a hint. When he wants to.

"See you tomorrow?"

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"I hope so."

Elaine smiles.

[not_lugosi]

"Nice to meet you," Bela nods to Elaine, and then she takes Cal's arm.

"I'm starving. Let's go eat."

There's nothing like a meal after a successful job.

[isaysimplewords]

Cal smiles back at Elaine, warm and relaxed, then turns to Bela.

"Let's."

Milliways is waiting for them in the doorway.