It Was Late (Open)

[lyle]

At the edge of a park, way past midnight, close to the road, ratty, eerie, a long side walk, trees, shrubbery, grass, cold winds

That's how it'd started.


His feet stalked the sidewalk, tripping over the many scattered cracks that littered nearly every slab of worn concrete. Though true that it was better than snow or cold forest floor, which he was more use to from his previous life. He wasn't so timid then, but he was here, his pace erratic as his gaze lingered up and down the park. It was dark out, the few lamps around only making the scene more ominous, as he'd noted long before the sun had set. Dazed for a moment, he forgot to turn with the contours of the sinuous sidewalk, tripping upon another crack and falling upon a bench in a heap. His side immediately hurt, though he knew he'd shrug it away.. Such was Vincent's luck, no matter where he traveled, trouble found him. The light above him flickered, giving the surrounding a moment to creep in, and then quickly slide away. All in all, a ratty look of life, perfect for him. Where was it? Where was that little trinket? Where was his room key? Question's he'd never come to terms with, he didn't even remember this area of the park from earlier.

[Winters]

OOC: Would appreciate it if this took place, timeline-wise, before the Emergency Assembly.

Coincidence

Tell me the first time everything went out as you planned.

Life wasn't terrible. No. It was.... lacking. Took my fill of the daily dosage of Brimstone for the day. Always with the slight shivers, but its pretty damn fast acting. And from there, proceeded on to put on my standard jeans and my vest, and went off to school.

Things rarely go the way you plan them out.

Had to settle about two fights today, one between a boy and a girl, actually. Apparently, 'Moron A' had become experimental and had himself a 3-way with two guys. Worse, he's a masochist. The girl in turn had this death and blood fetish... and you can already see how it got awkward from there. Couldn't tell if the little bastards were fighting or humping each other, around the lockers, but it nearly instigated one of those mass fights. Why, this time?

Gay rights.

Not pleasant at all.

Won't even get into the little 'discussion' I got into in the 'second' fight I mentioned, involving a vegan and a football jock. Hell, I had to bring out "Thrush" for that, but his annoying tendencies cause far too much damage to the body then is normally considered healthy.

Rarely get a chance to spend time in class now these days too... spending far too much time doing all my work at home. Bah. This job's changed me. I've got... 'power' now. But what else is it? Constantly that feeling of... 'lacking'.

Of course, that's how I got involved into 'this'. And it all started when I was taking one of my 'rest walks' where I sorta discuss with myself the course of the day and everything that happened. Sort of like meditation, but not quite. You see, the thing is, I didn't expect 'him' to be there.

Note to self: Remind me to walk in the park more often.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dark.

Heel-toe, heel-toe, slowly and quietly enough, as if with some sort of rhythm, just walking down the cracked cement. No mother's back to crack. Eyes up in the stars. And face as stiff stone. But the point was, I don't like noise. Never have, unless its appropriate. And if I find it annoying, its only fair that I should abstain from it, when possible, right? Hence the 'heel-toe' walk rhythm. Except for the slight 'scraping' noise, that was barely above a whisper, it was a pretty quiet walk. The winds made me wish that I had a long-sleeved shirt, but that only reminded me that I also wished I had more money. The restaurant had yet to start yet, still. Needed to save what was left of my income for now. Eyes always trailing the trees and the flickering lampposts.

You see, he'd walked through this park dozens of times. Avoided walking the beach, after he was proven wrong with how 'secluded' that was. That... Jyo. ... And hence the nighttime park walks. Still people walking, walking their dogs, but less 'unexpected'. And you wouldn't accidentally step into the wet grass or into the ocean, so long as you kept your head up, and your eyes watching for the trees that usually dictated how the path twisted and curved. A slow, careful walk---

Not alone. Eyes glazed downward, onto a boy who'd just fallen soundlessly, like a mouse. Huh... ...Why'd I stop?

"Guten Abend."

The words slipped out like a leaf from its branch before I could even stop. Eyes focused, and instantly, the features. Recognized, but ever seemingly so long ago. This boy. He was...

A slow smile crept onto Jonathan's face.

[lyle]

((Using free German translator, I'll put the English next to it, so not to confuse. Will learn the language later in life I think. ))

The faintest sounds rolled across the side walk, the sound ricocheted off the sulking Vincent, his figure nonchalant to any stranger at a time like this. Stretching across the bench and sitting up, he reviewed that he was now homeless, more or less; he'd screwed up again and this would be it. There would be no one else to help him off the streets, or off the evil nazi like prison camp grounds. Gah, he sounded, his head falling back and eying a rather grand starry sky. Odd it was, those stars so high up in the deep and ominous sky. Like little beacons, to keep one going, to keep one driving. How many others were looking for hope in these things tonight? They glittered in his eyes, a few disappearing with every flicker of the nearby electric lamp, set up to help people see. But was this what they truly needed? Couldn't they just see the stars? His homeland was like that, he reminisced, nothing was like this in those hills, those forests. He'd loved his Germany, though he'd hated it too, for forever Vincent would be troubled that hatred, that both he and Germany it seemed to share together. They hadn't cared for him though, he only had a handful of friends his entire life, they would rather rot in hell then join in laughter with him.

"Guten Abend."

That was oddly shocking in many ways, a thick German voice sounding off in the park late at night, the first time Vincent had ever heard another German word see light of day. But it was also oddly caring. Nothing short of what one friend says to the other. The lamp flickered its last few bursts of light and died, leaving Vincent cloaked in a blanket of darkness. The starry night gazed down on the young German as he stretched his blue jeans, moving up slightly and taring his gaze off from the scene above. A small wife beater like shirt, colored black clung to his skin, keeping him cold, he'd noted. And in the back of his mind, as his long hair shuffled, he knew it was him. They'd left with mixed results you could say. Vincent only had a handful of friends, as noted, was this man behind this accent and comforting hello one of them..? He spilled forth words, though they weren't so immediate, like the other guy. His figure moved in the darkness, standing slightly. A swell of emotions mixed up in his mind, as he tried to remember that moment when they'd both crossed paths. Remembering whether it was fate, or a mis-calculation upon his own part.

"Und was gut darum ist"
"And what is good about it."

[Winters]

OOC: *smirk* Of course, Lyle, dearest . Please forgive my rudeness.

Kin

"Und was gut darum ist"

For Jonathan? He let a smile hang loosely at his mouth. Eyes at the other boy. He wrapped his arms around himself, but the cold wasn't exactly 'uncomfortable' per say. More rather... 'familiar'. His fears of false hope were cast away in an instant, and immediately feelings of reminiscence came. He'd found another German.

For the usually emotionless Jonathan... something like this... that was almost enough to bring tears to his eyes. Excitement? Joy? Unless you understood the cultural isolation that these two fellows faced, its doubtful you'd understand. But for Jonathan? Well...

"Was ist gut um heute Abend? Brunnen... Ich denke, dass Zufall ist. Es ist ein Vergnügen, einen anderen vom Vaterland zu treffen."
"What's good about tonight? Well... I think coincidence is. It's a pleasure to meet another from the fatherland."

From the lights dancing lightly in his eyes, it was fairly obvious that he was perhaps... 'overly happy'. But let me remind you... rarely does he get opportunities to be in such a way. One of German blood. Native and kindred strength to his own. A little nod...

"Hoffe ich, dass Sie nicht bedenken, aber... macht Sie gehen zu Öffentlicher Sekundärschule #259?"
"I hope you don't mind, but... do you go to Public High School #259?"

Perhaps in a rush that he'd forgotten to ask names, or perhaps he just wanted to get to know if he'd seen this fellow around frequently? Never can know... If that was the case, that would make him a transfer. But one not from America. But from Germany.

Hair dangled in front of his face a bit... hahahahahaha... but, well...

Tell me the first time everything went out as you planned.

[lyle]

Tameless Horses

The figure seemed to converge upon the other German, Vincent, who was still a bit caught up in the shock of the moment, and the many little thoughts that drove his wondering mind. Was it him? His words were so familiar, like the way a parent soothes its child. The young German could only dream of such a thing, his life much more disturbing rather than soothing. But this voice comforted him still, which appeared annoying to the distraught man. Hatred still withered in his eyes, whether from the fact that he'd lost and was sunk yet again in a deep abyss of helplessness, or the fact that it was this one that stood before him now, hidden in the darkness. Still he would not show his face. Still he would hide behind an impentrable ocean, his words like the very tides that ripped across the shores, slaying all peace and quite that would ever exist.

"Was ist gut um heute Abend? Brunnen... Ich denke, dass Zufall ist. Es ist ein Vergnügen, einen anderen vom Vaterland zu treffen."

The mountain broke, the swell of the ocean a hammer that knew no bounds. It shattered what was once forever, taking life in its hands and thousands of years all at once. Now it was gone forever, it would be said. Yet the waves were not done it seemed, the motionless mountain a puddle of rock, waiting to be adjoined with massive waters of the ocean. To be nothing yet again.

"Hoffe ich, dass Sie nicht bedenken, aber... macht Sie gehen zu Öffentlicher Sekundärschule #259?"

Blind he was now, as the tides drew in with one grand surge, the final stunning moment of a devastating and hellacious night. Taking with it the only remnants of the earthly mountain, casting them askew in its turbulent waters. The sound of jeans stretching and moving was apparent as Vincent's figure stalked forward, fists all balled up, mind along with it. There was no spirit like before, his eyes needing only conformation to start what never could be finished. He'd try, earnestly either ways. A few wispy hairs covered his face, though it reminded him of the same he'd seen before in his mind, when his thick accent had first spoke. Oh hell, that was it.

"Ja... Nur wie im Lager, sind Sie beharrlich"
"Yes... Just like in the camp, you are persistent."

Rage cooled over, as the tide tried to pull a final stone. It would not budge, as though waiting for something.

A reply, might its hidden key be?

[Winters]

Do I... Know You?

"Ja... Nur wie im Lager, sind Sie beharrlich."

Stopped in his tracks. Eyes flashed. Well, yes, it was to be assumed that he was more then overly joyous to be meeting someone from the fatherland. But how did this man know Jonathan? The chances of them meeting in one country and then in another... let alone being the same school... What in God's name?---No. Wait. This man was referring to THAT school. Military School. Eyes widened. Widened with suprise and shock... Because, he did not remember this man.

Jonathan had met various people at the encampment. Some encounters were... not so pleasant. But his own memory was very vague. Usually, it was there that "Thrush" was put into place. So could it be that---

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"---I KNOW THIS GUY!!"

"W-What?"

"HahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MY OLD COMRADE! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"

"W-WHAT A-ARE Y-YOU D-DOING? I-It's n-not y-your t-turn y-yet... h-how d-did y-you...!?---"

"---Ze sight of him triggered your subconcious. As VELL as ze person residing there.. You did not know him. He vas a great comrade.. LUCK! GOD HAS DECIDED TO RAIN LUCK ON US! ..If only I could remember his name..."

"..A-Ahhh... I-I s-see...---"

"----..!"

"----!?..."

"----..?"

"----.."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

For a moment, Jonathan shuddered, his head suddenly falling forward... Shuddering. Shuddering. Something was going on that he did not expect. Something.. making his whole body shake, as he stared down there, violently quaking, where he stood.

His eyes were hollow... no. Not quite. Various images, visions were passing through his head... "Thrush" himself was screaming. What was going on!?

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

There I was... no. Wait. This is "Thrush". ...This is "THRUSH'S" MEMORY!?

Watching through "Thrush's" eyes as he took step by step... Eyes were looking around. But why? No.. wait. People didn't like the 'silent kid'. That's what he brought up "Thrush" to take care of. There were people behind him. Looked up.

..Something hard hit him, at the back of his head, and he fell forward... but in front of him, as he looked up, and saw a kid with wild hair, rushing over, towards him, as the laughter behind him grew...

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

A clip of five seconds. Before he looked up.

"Wartezeit... Wartezeit. Macht I. kennt Sie, Kamerad?"
"Wait... Wait. Do I.. know you, comrade?"

A truly perplexed look on his face. Yes, it seemed strange that at first he welcomed the man, without even knowing who he was... but, he hadn't expected to ACTUALLY have known him.. if he ever even did, that was.

...Maybe...

[lyle]

His body hunched over, catching Vincent off guard, but his fist still held clenched tightly, like two bricks. Meant only to destroy. Nothing would be built today, he had his mind set upon that. It was nearly sad that it'd turned out like this, but that was just life for you. His faced gazed up into his own, eyes meeting and souls locking again. Still, he looked similar, still, he looked like he had long ago. Funny, Vincent was so young, and could be thinking of things as they'd decades before. Memory had a way with the boy, his past too hard to forget, or forgive. How could one's soul return to society when it was never truly normal, when it was treated like an animal, something inhuman.. But could this comrade, truly still feel the same? Was it he who stood before him that had stood before him in those snowy grounds, digging with him graves for fallen brothers?

"Wartezeit... Wartezeit. Macht I. kennt Sie, Kamerad?"

He pushed the boy, his anger slipping.. Well, he almost did, his mind in different places from the expression upon the others face. He seemed disgusted, un sure of what to do, never so more in his life. Vincent was deeply annoyed by this horrible feeling that crept from his stomach, sneaking into his head, sneaking into his body. How could such a thing come from his lips, from his mind? What had he done for this, why had the world turned against him. Why was he always given up upon? Why.. even him. He retorted to the boy.

"Schauen Sie mich in den Augen, an erzählen Sie mich wieder, dass Sie mich nicht kennen."
"Look me in the eyes, tell me again you do not know me."

He neared further, his eyes deep in the others, his last chance at finding a place for his life. It seemed silly, in a park, in despair, but he did it anyways. Leaning over to view the other.

[Winters]

Unintentional---

"Schauen Sie mich in den Augen, an erzählen Sie mich wieder, dass Sie mich nicht kennen."

The stranger neared..

Alarms were going off in Jonathan's head. Eyes pierced by so many blades... of what? Of what was he trying to see. Jonathan's breath caught.---

* * * * * * * * * * * *

---There it was. Me.

Do you remember, fool?

..Remember, before, 'it' happened? Of course not. You didn't exist. You didn't insult yourself like this.---

---Ever again, they'd come to beat me up..---

---He seemed to rush over like some sort of demon. I saw nothing, as everything went black. I beserked, he said. We took them on.---

---Who?

Well, of course you don't remember.

You weren't the one experiencing it.---

---Things were bad. We became targeted. You were~...---

---I owe him. Not you.---

------

---B..Brother..---

---Well of course you don't remember. You we~....---

[shadow=black,left,300]V..

cent...[/shadow]

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Jonathan shuddered back. Eyes flashing with hundreds of millions of thoughts. What... WHAT!? WHAT!?

...

Eyes... wide... wide, wide, wide, wide... This was impossible. Nigh impossible. Mouth slacked open a little, but hesitation was all that came out, as he stepped back in fear, in shock, in absolute surprise. This was impossible, impossible! That was not his intention, no this stranger was just a paradox to his former life... this was all unintentional. So why now? What was going on? It was as though.. Jonathan felt a piece fit together. Where a blank piece in Military School was filled..

..."Thrush"..?

...Simply... Ah... Dear... Uh...

Eyes. Wide open.

"Dies ist... dies ist unmöglich. Der Zufall ist zu groß! Dies... dies...""This is... this is impossible. The coincidence is too great! This... this..."

I knew this man. Yet he did not know me. Not 'this' me, anyways... How should I act? Did he know about Thrush and me? Was he a liability?---No. Most important. Most important of all...

"...V-Vincent? Ist das Sie?"
"...V-Vincent? Is that you?"

[lyle]

"...V-Vincent? Ist das Sie?"

He nearly died, with the words. Feinted into darkness, shaken with the grand beast of death, the cracken grasping ever so tightly upon him. It was different than before, when he saw and knew what stood before him. They both knew each other now. Both figures seemed to stand in awe for a moment, truly unsure of the each other, as even Vincent was caught off guard. Sad that things had come to this, seeing as the developing boy was already experiencing a troubling life. Having a friend, if not the friend forget you would have sent him over board. Fighting him another whole story. But he saw the light, and he punched it deep in the stomach. And as it slid, falling to a heap in the ground, he stomped it. He broke it hard. His neck was fine. The lights seemed like a figment of boths' imagination. His eyes shown in the deep sky, no longer blank, no longer uncertain with what they were looking at. They knew it was a friend, they knew it was not an enemy. All would be pleased. His voice nearly cracked at first, though truth be told he was past that point in his life. Stuttering slightly even, he spat forth German like a rattling machine gun.

"Nein ander könnte es ist, an dieser schicksalhaften Nacht. . . Glück ist reichlich vorhanden ist wieder. Erzählen Sie mich, wie haben Sie Ihren Weg hier gefunden? Nach Amerika von allen Orten?"
"No other could it be, upon this fateful night. . . Happiness is abound again. Tell me, how have you found your way here? To America, of all places?"

Like a newborn, he embraced his comrade, hugging him deeply, as though he were his long lost brother of many years before.. Wonderful, this would be for his soul. Truly he could be set free again, with the compassion of a fellow German, and the only good German he knew, matter o fact.

[Winters]

OOC: >_< Sorry. Not as good a post...

"My Brother"

"Nein ander könnte es ist, an dieser schicksalhaften Nacht. . . Glück ist reichlich vorhanden ist wieder. Erzählen Sie mich, wie haben Sie Ihren Weg hier gefunden? Nach Amerika von allen Orten?"

For once... logic gave way to confusion. And confusion gave ways to tears, bliss, and joy. Long arms wrapping around him. Him. Vincent. The only man he could easily call his kin, though they shared no blood. But the blood. Could not speak. Could not believe it. But from from thousands upon thousands of miles and across several bodies of endless waters, he had come, and they were reunited. Brother with brother, once more. Never had Jonathan, save with Calamity, smiled as pleased, as happy as he did now. For though it was "Thrush" who knew Vincent as 'brother'... their memories had leaked. And now, Jonathan knew this stranger as 'brother' too.

"Glück, Glück, Ja, Ja, Ja. Ich bin... sprachlos und so übermäßig... hat gut, lieber Bruder überwältigt. Meine Geschichte ist lang, Kamerad... und außer gut, in diesem Fall, „Glück“... nichts von irgendeiner beachtenswerten Aufregung."
"Happiness, happiness, aye, aye, aye. I am... speechless and so overly... well overwhelmed, dear brother. My story is long, comrade... and aside from well, in this case, 'luck'... nothing of any notable excitement."

He backed up, somewhat loosing himself of the embrace, but still looking upon his long lost comrade with pride.

"Ich wünsche mehr, von Ihnen zu hören... wie SIE von allen Leuten, die hier gelandt werden. Erzählen Sie mich, das Militärische Hat Eingeschult schickt Sie hier? Oder was? Kommen Sie, dies ist eine Wiedervereinigung von der höchsten Freude! Sprechen Sie frei, wir müssen gehen zu meinem Restaurant, damit ich Sie mehr ordentlich anpassen darf!"
"I wish more to hear about you... how YOU of all people ended up here. Tell me, did the Military School send you here? Or what? Come, this is a reunion of the highest joy! Speak freely, we must go to my restaurant, so that I may accommodate you more properly!"

Barely unable to contain his excitement. Yes, his way of speaking was different from "Thrush's" (or at least... so he thought), but.. come. Come. Who would not be excited?

Who would not be excited to see... their long, lost friend?

[lyle]

Vincent almost giggled, something beneath the hard exterior of a war torn-trained boy. He didn't giggle when he was beat. He didn't chuckle to himself as his morals were stripped from him. But now, he smiled, laughed and was far from the idea of losing his keys, or finding himself again in a nazi like military school. Well, camp. They couldn't beat that idea into him. Questions from his comrade never the less took his smile nearly away, as his eyes looked onward, though strait at his friend. They stirred off to the left, he himself now distancing. Maybe so that his hands did not crush the man in resentment, it still drove him to madness, those memories. Speaking quietly in a hushed tone, he let out to what no one else could ever even think possible to hear.

"Frisch war der Tau von jenem Morgen, sondern auch war das Gras nässt mit Blut. Ich war in aller Kürze gespart durch einen Amerikaner, dessen Pflicht war, sich zu vergewissern, dass die „Schule“ tatsächlich war, was es auf gesetztt hat. Sie haben Körper gefunden, nachdem Sie es fertig gebracht haben, zu verlassen, und sie hat mich gespart. Aber lässt uns Rede besserer Tage, wie dieses Restaurant von ihrem, es eine Geschichte dahinter geben muss?"
"Fresh was the dew of that morning, but also was the grass wet with blood. I was in a nutshell saved by an American whose duty was to make sure the 'school' was indeed what it chalked up to. They found bodies, after you managed to leave, and she saved me. But let us talk of better days, like this restaurant of yours, there must be a story behind it? "

He assumed they would walk on.

["Unfettered"]

OOC: Sorry for the terribly long-awaited, short post.

Accommodations

Unfortunately, the air intensified... immediately giving Jonathan every urge and feeling that he asked his comrade the wrong questions. Lighting up his face with a newfound smile, more to mask away things, he nodded.

"Ja, gut... die Geschichte ist dass viel von einem großen Geschäft nicht. Ich habe plötzliche Inspiration gehabt, ein Restaurant von Küche vom Vaterland zu machen. Und durch viel Papierarbeit, harte Arbeit und Beharrlichkeit, die ich es fertig gebracht habe, eine Gruppe der Studenten von Öffentlicher Sekundärschule #259 auszubilden, mir zu helfen. Es ist langsam beim Wachsen, aber es ist sauber, neu, und hat ausgezeichnete Speise, als nur Sie und ich am besten kennen würde... Beharrlichkeit hat es aufgebaut."
"Aye, well... the story isn't that much of a big deal. I had sudden inspiration to make a restaurant from cuisine from the Fatherland. And through much paperwork, hard work, and perseverance I've managed to train a group of students from Public High School #259 to help me. It is slow in growing, but it is clean, new, and has excellent food, as only you and I would know best... perseverance has built it up." A light chuckle. They were getting close now, the park slowly transitioning into normal sidewalks...

"...Actually, auf jener Notiz, haben wir noch Bedarf an ziemlich ein noch paar Kellnern, und ich habe ein zusätzliches Zimmer, falls Sie Unterkunft im Obergeschoss brauchen. Nicht ein zu weiter Spaziergang von Schule, entweder."
"...Actually, on that note, we still have need for quite a few more waiters, and I have some extra room, in case you need lodging in the upstairs. Not too far a walk from school, either." Eyebrows raised, to let his words sink in...