like chasing a shadow

Hyper · Apr 16, 2018

Charles couldn't help a laugh, "I suppose you're not wrong," he responded back, "If I were any younger, I wouldn't last at all at work. Hospitals are already a depressing sight for people; what more with Manta Carlos' incidences added into the mix? The plants certainly are a comfort!" He decided not to continue the line of discussion about mandrakes; the last time he ever encountered them, it.... definitely wasn't great. He almost quit gardening entirely. In any case, it seems like they both have an unspoken agreement not to speak of them further. "I mainly plant herbs -- on occasions, I mix some vegetables in when I feel like it but I just prefer herbs over anything else. I find it more therapeutic than most others," Charles continued. He picked up the habit from an old friend, the old wispy memory flickering in his thoughts for just a moment when the girl witch used to force him into helping her with her garden decades back. "Ah but I never did take you to be a cat person -- that's a discovery," he said, finally turning the focus of conversation to Aiden just as they stop in front of the cafe's porch (much to the latter's possible discomfort). A quiet laugh hid in his voice, almost as if he'd discovered a big secret no one should speak of. "Coffee, cats; what else? You always seem so busy whenever I see you; I always did wonder why you're almost always so poured into work, Dr. Hart."

a king with no crown

ReD · Apr 16, 2018

Aiden was doing good as long as they were moving.

This was one of the benefits of being a doctor: conversations often happened on the move. There were only so many hours in a day and he was used to maximizing all of them.

The first part of the conversation was easy to navigate: work and gardening.

"I'm partial to the way mint really thrives in this climate," Aiden said. "I agree with you completely. There is something utterly relaxing about a quiet evening working with herbs. My only regret is that my cilantro never makes it. Perhaps I could steal some tips from you sometime?"

Casual, polite, friendly.

When they came to a stop, so did Aiden's thoughts.

They crashed internally. Record scratch, freeze frame.

You're probably wondering how to dodge this one, Aiden old boy, said a voice in his head.

Coffee. Cat's. Work.

Aiden's entire life poured into three words. But the second part, the unasked question, was the one Aiden couldn't answer. Why did he pour himself into his work?

"I like to stay busy,' he said.

It was a non-answer, but the truth was this: Charles was far more persistent than anyone Aiden had interacted with in a while. He was out of practice. He was letting subtle signs show that he was cracking.

He said, 'And cats are wonderful. Really, the most efficient little house predators. Are you fond of any animals, Charles? I can't imagine deer with your garden."

There was a desperate tone hidden beneath the pleasant voice Aiden used. He didn't even realize he'd slipped up.

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like chasing a shadow

Hyper

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ReD

Sex & Death Everywhere