For Anatoly

[keepurshirtonlt]

Trip had been on the island known as Tabula Rasa for 3 days now and every day, he came a little bit closer to accepting this new reality. Considering how relative reality had been for him lately, with everything that had happened in the Expanse and the time traveling to World War II, it was very strange to be standing still in a sense. To not be

Comments

[whoneedsadream]

Aeneas was a remarkable little dog, Anatoly thought as the two of them embarked on their afternoon walk. He spent as much time staying with Cassie as he did with him and Lex but it hardly seemed to bother him. He seemed happy as long as he had food and someone to pay attention to him and Anatoly wished he could find some measure of that kind of serenity for himself.

He let his mind wander as they walked along the beach and it wasn't until he heard a voice that he realized Aeneas had run far ahead of him. The voice was horribly familiar and he could feel his stomach twist up at the very sound of those drawn out vowel sounds. He had not been prepared for Florence's arrival and he was even less prepared for Walter de Courcey.

He rounded the corner and was both shocked and relieved to see a strange man being greeted enthusiastically rather than the CIA agent he was dreading.

"I am so sorry," he called out, his voice a little shaky despite himself. "I was not paying attention. Aeneas, come back here!"

[keepurshirtonlt]

Trip looked up at the voice and the politeness bred into him from birth brought a friendly smile to his face, even if he didn't quite completely feel it yet. Sure he was better then three days ago but it still needed work.

"Nah, it's alright. He was just keepin' me company." As the little dog scampered back to his owner, Trip wiped the sand off his shorts. "Real friendly lil guy ya got there."

[whoneedsadream]

As far as Aeneas was concerned, he had made a new best friend and it was the most wonderful thing in the world. Anatoly was happy his dog had found someone he liked but why in the world did he have to attach to someone who sound exactly like de Courcey. It was frightening and it made Anatoly wonder if this was some version of Walter before everything had happened.

"I don't think I have seen you before," he forced himself to say in a friendly manner. "Are you new?"

[keepurshirtonlt]

Trip ducked his head and chuckled. "Ya'll really do know how to pick up newcomers, don't ya?"

The man was standoffish, like he was afraid Trip would bite. It confused him, since he didn't think he'd done anything to offend the man, but considering what he'd been told about where people came from, he might not even know it if he did. It was like constant first contacts and he'd never been very good at them.

He stood up, wiping sand off his shorts in an unconscious gesture before offering his hand with a perfectly friendly smile. "The name's Charles Tucker the third, but you can call me Trip if ya like."

[ltmalcomreed]

I see Trip with a little dog in his arms . I pet the little dog as we talk . Tipe would you like to come to my quarters after your shift so we can talk and have a few drinks tooo.