Rue: Prelude to Discord - Part 3

Gathering / Conference

With the eve of their trip into Hell  drawing to a close, Rue drops in on a dear friend for a moment's reprieve.

Rue's patrol of The Railyard takes longer than expected, the area bustling with life even in the later hours of the day. They briefly stop for a chat with Russel whilst he's packing up his merchandise for the day, and they give a pair of men a gentle warning not to make any stupid decisions after overhearing part of their conversation, promising to check in with them again and to help them find a better use of their time than plotting how to best rob a shop.   They heave a weary sigh, rubbing a knot out of their shoulder as they amble through the street towards Chapman's Bargains, the lights still on in the shop despite the 'Closed' sign in the window. They softly knock on the door, waiting patiently as they hear Arthur pause his restocking of the shelves.   "Oh?" the older gentleman says as he peers around the aisles, his face lighting up as he spots the young hero at his doorway, "Well, hello there, Kiddo!" He quickly makes his way to the front door and unlocks it, swinging it open to invite them inside, "How've you been? Feels like I've barely seen you! Come in, please. I'll go put on the kettle."   “Hey, Pops,” Rue says as they step in, closing the door behind them while Arthur disappears into the little back room to make them their usual drinks, “I had some time and I saw the light was on, so I thought I’d stop by,” They look over at the boxes of produce on the side, one half empty where he’d paused in his work, “You need a hand with these?”   "Oh, I couldn't ask you to do that, Rue... But if, by the time I turn around after making this tea, the boxes are unpacked," he says, chuckling to himself as he gets to work at the little tea station behind the counter, "then I'll just consider myself a pretty lucky man. So what brings you back down to these parts? Feels like I haven't seen you around here in a while."   “No coffee for you tonight?” Rue mirrors the chuckle and gets to work moving the boxes’ contents up onto the shelves, stacking them in neat rows while the kettle boils, “My patrols have been a bit more… nightly, I suppose,” they muse as they open another box, “By the time I walk past the shop it’s usually dark, so I haven’t been able to come in as much.”   "I've been expanding my beverage horizons," he says, smiling to himself as he retrieves a small box of teabags from beneath the counter, "Evelina introduced me to this really nice peppermint tea that I've been enjoying. Don't worry about coming through, Rue. I've seen on the news how busy you've been. No need to waste your time entertaining an old man."   ''It smells good,'' Rue comments, making quick work of the box of canned soups, ''and you're not a waste of time, Pops, it's nice to see you.'' They finish the final box just as Arthur walks out with two mugs, taking the proffered hot chocolate and wrapping their hands around the ceramic, ''Have you been going to the One-Life Centre more often then?''   "You're sweet to say so, Kiddo," he says as he settles down on his stool behind the counter, mug in hand, "Oh, yes. I try to get down there at least twice a week. I've been on my own in this place for so long, it's nice to feel like a part of something again. Have you been back since the opening?"   “A few times, yeah,” Rue says, sipping their drink and leaning against the counter, “I was there earlier today  , actually, I needed to speak with Evelina about something.”   "Ah, important work going on, eh?" He asks, unveiling a tray of shortbread biscuits and offering one to Rue, "Hope you're not getting into too much trouble, Kiddo."   ''Yeah... You know, just the necessary level of trouble,'' Rue says wryly, taking one of the proffered biscuits and dunking it in their hot chocolate before taking a bite, ''But I'm getting help.''   "Quite a change of pace for you," he continues, "Seems this teamwork thing is really working out for you."   “I’m not sure if I’m entirely used to it yet,” they admit, running a finger over the edge of the mug, “but I’m doing what I can.” Taking another sip and savouring the sweetness, the two of them briefly fall into companionable silence, and a little bit of the tension in their body seems to fade away.   “So are you one of Evelina’s…” they make a vague gesture, “I don’t know, followers? Since you said you’re going to the centre more often.”   "You could say that," Arthur says thoughtfully, "Though she doesn't tend to use the term. Doesn't seem to care much for hierarchal structures, that one. I like what she talks about, though. She's wise beyond her years and I've noticed that a few of the Railyard kids are really taking what she's saying on board. The place has actually become a little safer, I think."   “Huh… What does she talk about?” Rue asks with genuine curiosity, “I know she’s… well, she’s certainly charismatic, and her powers are incredible, but I can’t say I know what she’s really like.”   "It's nothing too ground-breaking, I suppose," the says, peering thoughtfully off to the side as he scratches his chin, "Mostly just about looking after yourself and those around you, practicing kindness and creating strong communities. You know, the type of things that appeal to Railyard folks. The disenfranchised kids who feel like they've been ostracised from the rest of the city like to feel that they belong to something greater than themselves."   “That… sounds kind of nice,” Rue smiles, “it’s good that she’s helping people to connect with their community.” They take another sip from their hot chocolate, licking the sweetness off their lips before asking, “Maybe I could come with you sometime?”   "It would be my pleasure, Kiddo," the elderly man responds, giving them a warm smile as he mulls his own drink, "I can introduce you to my new friend, Byron, while we're down there. He goes on many of the same days I do."   ''Oh?'' They say, their interest piqued, ''I'd love to meet your new friend. What days do you tend to go? I'll have to make some time for it.''   "That'd be swell, Kiddo," he says, smiling, "I usually go down for an hour or so on Tuesday or Saturday mornings, though they've been talking about hosting some evening events, so I might just head down then, too."   ''Well, if I survive until then, I could join you on Saturday morning,'' Rue says, quickly backtracking upon seeing Arthur's concerned frown, ''Just kidding... Sort of.''   "I still don't get your sense of humour sometimes, Kiddo," he says as he finishes his tea and places the mug back down on the counter top, "But I'd love to have you come along. And maybe we could go to lunch afterwards and you can tell me about some of your adventures."   ''Don't worry, I won't do any stand up comedy anytime soon,'' Rue says sheepishly, downing the last of their hot chocolate and placing the mug next to Arthur's, ''Lunch sounds good, though.'' They glance at the clock on the wall with a frown, pursing their lips in thought. ''I should probably leave you be for the night, huh?''   "Unless you wanna come up to the flat for some bread and soup," he says, grinning as he stands up and begins the familiar ritual of closing time, "You know you're always welcome here, Kiddo."   ''Ah, now, what kind of soup are we talking about here?'' Rue smirks, taking the mugs to the sink at the back and rinsing them out.   "Only the very finest chicken and mushroom, Kiddo," he continues, turning off the open sign in the window and closing the shutter, "Nothing but the best for my guests."   ''That does sound nice,'' Rue says, pointing at the box that they've continued to carry with them, ''I have some pastries for dessert if you'd like?''   "Sounds delightful," the elderly man says as he leads them up the stairs behind the shop floor to the apartment above. The door is swiftly unlocked and Rue is ushered inside.   The place is small and cosey, with a small living room and adjoined kitchen. The walls are strewn with family portraits over dated 80's wallpaper, and the scent of freshly-laundered linens permeates the air. It's a place that feels homely and comforting but, with Arthur living there alone, seems somewhat incomplete.   Rue places the box of pastries on the dining table, looking around the space as Arthur moves towards the kitchen, ''D'you need a hand with anything?'' They offer, ''Want me to set the table?''   The two of them quickly find a comfortable rhythm as they move around the space, Arthur stirring the soup as he reheats it over the stove while Rue slices some bread and retrieves two bowls from one of the cupboards. Soon, they’re sat at the small table in the living room, enjoying a warm meal as Arthur fills them in on some of his customer stories.   It’s a calming moment, the city having quieted at the late hour, and allows Rue to ease some of the tension from that day. They feel calm, and warm, and safe here, in this moment, and for a little while, Rue feels normal. They don’t have to keep their senses sharp to look out for signs of danger, there’s no need to constantly be ready to spring into action, there’s just good company and soup.   The pair decide to share a pastry after their dinner, along with another hot drink, and it’s not until Rue catches Arthur stifling a yawn that they decide to call it a night.   “I’ll see you on Saturday, Pops,” They say at the door, smirking knowingly as they add, “You and your new friend.”   Arthur simply smiles back, “I look forward to it, kiddo,” he says, “Get home safe.”