The Nightscape

Frustration

Lyra's head was on a swivel as they walked through the underground bunker. The sheer size of the place was amazing enough, but how extensive and advanced it was. She passed by a hospital ward with all sorts of equipment inside, and a schoolroom was a teacher and a dozen students giving a lesson on history of the scapes that Lyra herself didn't know. One room appeared to be a small suite, with a double bed in one area and a bunkbed in another. Everyone she saw seemed to be busy, but happy and clean and rested and well fed. They hadn't even been able to do something like this in their town, and they had an immortal with them, someone who had lived and thrived in this land. Anya was also investigating, peeking around every corner they didn't go around until she was prodded forward again by Talura or Cassidy. 

For an old man, Gabriel moved rather quickly, a cane in his hand that he didn't seem to use, just rap against the floor with every other step. There were some stairs that led further down, but he avoided them, going to what must have been the very back of the bunker. It was a small suite, but cosy. Carpeted floors, walls painted to look like a thick forest with deer and birds among the foliage, fully furnished with what looked like very old, very sturdy mahogany furniture. There was a small kitchen, a dining table, overstuffed chairs next to a bookcase, a small bed stuffed with comforters and pillows and a small ensuite through an open door. It was clearly very lived in, an age in the wear and tear of the furnishings that suggested he had lived here long before the split was healed. As soon as they entered, Talura took up a sentry position by the door, and Cassidy made sure to place herself between the two women and Gabriel at all times. 

"Won't you two please have a seat?" He bade them politely as he went to the kitchen and began to brew up some tea. After exchanging a glance, the two girls pulled out chairs and sat next to each other as the older sister hurried after him. 

"Gabriel, let me do that, you can sit down-" She said, trying to take the heavy kettle from him but he only batted her away good heartedly. 

"Now, now, none of that. You make terrible tea, I can't drink that and I'm not in the habit of torturing my guests." Gabriel said good naturedly as Cassidy reluctantly slunk back a few paces. 

"They're prisoners, not guests." Talura mumbled, half under her breath, but the old man heard her all the same. 

"Well, I'm not in the habit of torturing my prisoners, either." He replied, getting out three teacups and saucers and going to set the table. Bright eyes swept over the two women. "I'll fetch some biscuits. The two of you seem famished." He said, going back to the kitchenette. 

"Finally, a warm welcome." Anya muttered with a look to Talura, who just glared straight back. 

"With society the way it is these days, our people are quite suspicious. Keeps us safe, in some aspects, and puts us in danger in others. Anyway, I suppose it might be fate that brought you here. The spirits finally having some small mercy on us all after all the punishment." He said, though the sisters looked very sceptical. When he made a sign over his forehead, though, they both copied him. Lyra subtly glanced at Anya, wondering what was happening, and watched as she did the same thing, though a little more stiffly. Lyra tried to replicate it, but she didn't even know what it was, never mind how to do it. Gabriel's sharp eyes focused in on it and he gave her a quizzical smile before turning to pour hot water onto the tea. 

"You don't know of our ways at all, do you, young lady? What's your name and bloodline?" He asked her politely, carrying the teapot and a plate of biscuits to the table. Close behind him, Cassidy brought some sugar and some tinned milk. 

"My name is Lyra- I don't know my bloodline." She answered him. Anya remained quiet for a moment, a little unsure and a little offended. 

"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you, young lady. What is your name and bloodline?" He asked, even though Lyra very much got the feeling that he was just being polite rather than actually wanting to know.