Remembering The Words

Participants:

robin_icon.gif kaylee2_icon.gif

Scene Title Remembering The Words
Synopsis Robin asks Kaylee for a favor.
Date December 14, 2009

Grand Central Terminal

With the topside of the iconic Grand Central Terminal in ruins, it's its basement level that sees most activity, as covert as such activity may be. Entrances are sealed (at least, to those who don't know any better) to the upper levels leading above ground, whether with rubble, or with manmade additions of gates and blockades, and so most will find their way to this place via the countless tunnels that run like arteries in what could appropriately be termed the heart of Manhattan's train system.

Electric lights shine pallid white in the arching ceilings of the basement concourses and foyers, running off their own generators and so power is only used conservatively. Here, the wide open spaces are used for storage that is destined to be moved either towards the arching doorways opening to platforms and subways for shipping out, or waiting to be dragged down to the subbasements for longer term storage. The floors, the walls, the ceilings are differing kinds of tile and vary in cleanliness.

Tables have also been set up so that supplies can be sorted, shifted, packed properly. Folded cardboard boxes awaiting use can be discovered in most corners. Signs on the walls in the form of crude spray paint indicate where things might go, from food, to clothing, to medical supplies, and some things even more exotic. This is a place of motion and organization.

Last but not least, a makeshift recreation room has been set up for the workers of the Grand Central Station, and this can be found within what used to be known as the Whispering Walls. Famously, this interstitial space was known for its strange acoustics, wherein one could whisper to a companion from one far side of the corner to the other by talking directing into the curving corner, where sound would travel along the curve of the arcing ceiling. This, of course, still works, but now the space is no longer simply a foyer - there's a semi-portable kitchen area offering simple food and beverages, a television (which gets no reception, but is hooked into a VCR and a DVD player, with a modest library for both), a card table, a few comforts such as couches and armchairs.

Upon one of the walls, is a rough but well-meaning mural, a mock up of an aquarium - an addition that came after the Ferrymen claimed this space as theirs. It seems to grow in size every several days, with new aquatic characters added each time.


After calling Kaylee to come by and help wrap presents, Robin is waiting in the main longue area for the blond to show up. He’d be pacing, but instead is adding bits of neon pink coral to the ever-growing aquarium mural, spots of the bright color showing up here and there on his jeans, though he doesn’t seem to notice, or maybe he just doesn’t care. His foot is tapping, which is adding to the splattering of the paint, and it’s obvious the man is wound up about something.

When she got the call, Kaylee was in the middle of clipping hedges at the work site. So it took a bit longer then expected to get to the safehouse. But eventually, the crunch of her boots is heard reverberating off the walls. "Hey Robin… I'm here!" She calls brightly, but then the smile slowly fades some at the edges. "Is… something up?" She asks curiously, head tilting slightly as she studies him.

Closing the distance between them, Kaylee watches him, almost tempted to touch his mind, but she doesn't only says. "Talk to me, Robin… What's on your mind?"

Robin starts out with a bright smile and greeting, “Hi Kaylee, good to see you!” but his smile turns wry, “I should know better than to try and fool you, huh? — It’s nothing bad,” he adds quickly, knowing that Joseph’s absence is still weighing on them all.

“Let’s get some privacy, alright?” Rob leads the way to the office he and Neil share and ushering Kaylee in before shutting the door. It’s obvious which desk is his, as Neil’s is organized and dust-free, and Robin’s is… the opposite. Leaning a hip against the desk, he offers Kaylee the chair with a wave. “I want to ask you something, for a favor, really, but I want you to know you can say no.”

Brows quirk up, but Kaylee follows the young man without question. "Well, it is hard to hide thing from a telepath." She teases lightly, though there isn't a lot of humor in it. Brushing past him into the office, she moves to settle into the chair. "I'm willing to listen to favors." She offers him a gentle smile. "Ask away, Robin." She motions to him to continue on, giving him her full attention.

Rubbing his hands along his thighs, and smearing the droplets of paint in the process, Robin smiles, his nerves calmed somewhat. “I’m hoping it’s hard to hide things from you, that’s a big part of the favor.” Pushing papers aside, he sits fully on the desk and starts to explain. “Something happened about a week ago, while I was with Buck. Do you know anything about nightmares… nightmares that you don’t even remember having, much less the details?”

"Beyond that I'm having them and so are others?" Kaylee's brows drop a bit as she gazes at him curiously, head tilted slightly. "Not too much. It sounds like there is someone out there getting into our dreams from what's come down the grapevine." She settles back in the chair, arms laying on the arm rest. "You have a nightmare you’re trying to remember?" She guesses, her voice soft.

Robin blinks in surprise at that news. “I… no, not me. But, yeah, sort of.” He shakes his head and tries to gather his thoughts. “Buck had a nightmare of sorts, he looked like he was awake; sat up yelling his head off.” Running a hand through his too-long hair, Rob shrugs one shoulder awkwardly. “It’s hard to explain. I really thought he was wide awake, so I touched his shoulder, asked him what was wrong.” He huffs out a humorless laugh. “Next thing I know he’s choking me and talking to me in some foreign language.” He pauses as he rubs his throat, wincing at that memory. “I want to remember what it was he said.”

That makes her brows lift high on her head, Kaylee leans forward again in the chair, it squeaks softly under her. "Choked you in his sleep?" Blue eyes drop to his neck, brows dropping. "You… want me to see if I can find that memory?" Her gaze flick up to catch his eyes. "Is that it?" She asks, a small smile tugging at one corner of her mouth.

“Well, yeah. If you could figure out what language it is, that’d be great, but… yeah. That’s it.” Robin leans over enough to flick at a lock of her hair, smiling a little himself. “I know you try not to read people, so I didn’t know how you’d take me asking.” He’s relieved that she seems willing to do it, though still nervous about the whole process of reliving it.

Chuckling, Kaylee climbs to her feet. "Being asked is different then me invading your privacy… I'm not sure I'll be able to identify it.. but I should be able to help you remember it.. I did similar for another woman who was stuck in her head." She motions at him to sit in the chair, before she starts removing jacket and gloves laying them across his desk. "I'll do my best." Her hands rub together as if trying to warm them.

Robin takes a seat in the chair, pushing his hair back once more, and then looking up at Kaylee. “I really appreciate this. I want to help him but I need to know what’s going on with him first, I figure knowing what he was saying is a good first step.” He blows out a short breath, “alright… just tell me what I need to do.”

"Okay.. I'm going to touch you… contact helps, less of a strain." Kaylee's voice takes on a calming note, moving to rest her back side on the desk. She reached out with both hands and he can feel the cool tips of her fingers pressing lightly to his temples. "Now… " Kaylee's eyes slide shut as she starts to ease herself past his defenses. He doesn't feel anything as she lets the tendrils of her ability slips into his mind. For her it's like sinking her fingers into warm jello. When she speaks again her voice is soft, almost sounding distracted. "Think of that night."

Thinking of that night isn’t hard, it’s been on Robin’s mind on and off since it happened. The memory is vivid despite it being over a week old. Buck yelling as he sits up in bed… Robin gripping the Texan’s shoulder and ending up on his back, a hand wrapped around his throat… a few short words said in a foreign language which sound like «buol ja gamal», middle eastern in tone.

Mixed in with that memory is another… Another night… Buck screaming again… sliding off the bed and staring distrustfully at Robin… coming out of the night terror, green eyes confused and unaware of what happened… lost. Robin tries to hide that more private memory though, pulling back a little, though not enough to actually break contact.

The command and the compulsion to do what she says comes softly as she sinks her mental fingers into he memory pulling it the to front. "«Remember his words.»" Kaylee's head tilts some as he tries to retreat, but she doesn't let him, as she pulls that memory to the front again. He doesn't relive it, but as she slips out of his mind, he… remembers the word Buck spoke of clearly.

With a soft sigh, Kaylee's fingers slip from his temples, brushing his cheeks lightly. Blue eyes open and take a moment to focus on the man before her, a small smile on her lips. "How about now?" She asks softly, as if speaking too loud might break the moment.

“That was… not what I expected.” Robin catches one of her hands and squeezes it gently, “Thanks, it worked. I remember it now, not that I know what it means, but at least it’s a place to start.” He stands to rummage through the papers on the desk, finding a notepad and writing down the words phonetically. “Did it sound familiar to you at all?”

The hand is squeezed in return, before they let go so that he can write it down. "I…. maybe something middle eastern?" Kaylee asks, but she doesn't sound certain. Kinda of has that flavor and tone to it.. not sure for sure." Her eyes rove over the word on paper frowning softly while fingers rub at her forehead. One thing about working like that, always leaves pressure, but at least it's not a headache. "Maybe take it to the university? Not totally sure they would do that, but can't hurt to try.. or look on the internet."

Robin frowns a little, “Middle eastern… that sort of makes sense.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know, Buck says he doesn’t know anything other than English and a little high school Spanish.” He sets aside the questions for now, and smiles at Kaylee. “Taking it to the university sounds like a good idea, maybe someone will understand it.” Noting Kaylee rubbing her forehead he asks, “Are you alright? Headache or anything?” He isn’t quite sure what mindreading does to Kaylee or it’s after effects.

"Just a little pressure." Kaylee assures him, hand lowering to rest on her lap. "Happens…. Anything I do is a little taxing. Little rest will take care of that." Hand slides to the desk and she pushes away from it. "Well it's something at least. Hopefully, you can find the answers you’re looking for, hmm?" Giving him a small smile, her look is worried. "Be careful. Okay? There were two memories of him reacting violently… I'm worried about you." She studies him carefully and continues, "Not cause I think he'd do it purposely, but accidents happen."


Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License