JSA Brownstone

[caleb_z]

As the gathering breaks up, Caleb numbers among those heading towards the door. Unlike the rest, though, he lingers, and stares at the door for a moment. He lets out a sigh as he brushes his hair out of his face with a hand.

Hesitantly he moves away from the door, and drags his tired, sore frame towards the cold comfort of the guest rooms.

Comments

[sand_hawkins]

"Crashing for the night?"

Sand was cleaning up a bit afterwards. No sense in making Ma do all the work.

[caleb_z]

“Hm?” He turns, and notices Sand. “Oh, uh well, yes. I thought I might want to remain nearby for the time being. The Monster Society might return, after all.” There’s more to it than that, but that honestly is part of the reason.

[sand_hawkins]

"Sorry to surprise you - for now at least, I still live here, so I'm not going anywhere tonight." A pause. "So what's the other reason why you're staying?"

[caleb_z]

“You still live here?” he asks, genuinely surprised. Earlier Sand had mentioned having enough money to set them up with a headquarters. Somewhere along the way, Caleb had just assumed that Sand must have a home of his own. And if he had the means he implied he did, probably a rather nice one.

Well, obviously that assumption was somewhat flawed.

“If, uh … if you don’t mind my asking, why? I mean, if it’s money, I could help."

[sand_hawkins]

Sand chuckles. "This *was* my home before the JSA began to use it. This was owned by Wesley Dodds. When he died and left his and Aunt Dian's collective fortune to me, the place was huge enough that it converted rather nicely into the JSA's headquarters and museum." He shrugged. "At least until it was rebuilt in the fight with Johnny Sorrow and Despero a couple years back. Never saw a reason *FOR* a place of my own. If anything, I was still home - I just had the rest of the family move in."

[caleb_z]

“I-I hadn’t known that,” he answers. A home, and a family. Must be rather pleasant to have. “But to answer your question, yes, I was planning to remain for the night.”

Caleb breathes an internal sigh of relief, hopeful that he’s managed to sidestep Sand’s second question. The answer was rather personal, and there was no easy way for Caleb to tell Sand he was part of his issues. Given their past, things between them were remarkably friendly. And for the time, it suits Caleb’s purposes that they remain that way.

[sand_hawkins]

Unfortunately, he's not getting off that easily.

"Actually, my question was what was the other reason that you're staying? The one you're not telling me."

Sand pauses, and explains. "I apologize for being so direct, but with all the happy shiny stuff going on amongst everyone tonight, the one thing that took me as odd was the fact that you joined at all. Especially a group where you're still having a serious case of the ex's, not to mention the ex's current, looking at you in the face." He smiles. "Make no mistake, I'm glad you're here. I'm glad to have your experience and your power level, and I don't think that you DON'T want to be there - but there's got to be a reason other than you feel like it at the moment."

[caleb_z]

Thank you so very much for pointing that out to me. I certainly hadn’t thought of it. He quickly reigns in his feelings, though. He isn’t really angry at Sand, and doesn’t want to inadvertently give the impression that it were otherwise.

“Indeed there is,” Caleb answers honestly. He takes a moment to roll the thought of answering Sand in his mind. He certainly doesn’t want to. With any luck, Sand can respect that. If not, for team harmony, he’ll talk. He’s not done yet, and as such still needs to be a part of this.

“If I, uh … If I might be so bold, I’m here. And so long as that remains so, you’ll have my best effort. What does the why truly matter?” He sounds tired, both physically and othewrwise.

[sand_hawkins]

"Because the 'why' is what keeps people like us from becoming the Monster Society." Sand says. "That having been said, it's been a really...REALLY...long day, and we're both beat, so I won't force the issue tonight. But I get the feeling there's something even more at work here than the interpersonal stuff that's been lingering for months - and for a team to be able to be effective, they have to be able to do more than just get along. In short, that game of darts at Warriors you promised me months ago should probably happen sooner rather than later. This isn't a matter of whether I trust you or not, Caleb - they need to be able to trust you, too."

Sand starts towards the stairs. "Sleep well, Caleb. We'll also need to talk about possible locations soon for whatever base we'll be using.
I'll buy lunch. G'night."

Sand walks up the steps. He knew someone else was nearby, but didn't quite pick up who. Caleb's night's just beginning, it seems...