Ephemeral

chapter 7-11

Chapter Seven

Veeno felt completely nauseated at the sight of the overly positive Nathan happily helping a group of people preparing food in a makeshift kitchen.

Nate smiled as he saw their new guests, his nose crinkly upwards with the corners of his mouth. He ran over to them, so over excitedly that he'd knocked the table and along with it several pans and bowls, scattering diced - slightly browned - vegetables across the table. There was a collective sigh followed by an eruption of laughter from the surrounding people, though it could be by no means considered impolite as Nate was laughing by far the loudest.

Veeno stared at him with a look of absolute disgust. He didn't know why he hated Nate so much, but he did, and he had no problem letting his dislike fester. Nathan ran over - after he had re-set everything he'd knocked - as if no time had passed between when he first realised, they were there and now. He possessed the same enthusiasm that he'd had earlier in the day when they had first encountered and though he seemed genuine, Veeno couldn't help but try to unravel his sincerity.

"You know these people, Nathan?" The man who had answered the door enquired, his tone was very casual when he spoke to Nate, as if they were lifelong friends.

"Met them earlier today! They were wandering around just like us." Nate gestured towards the general direction in which they had met, waving his hand distractedly, and Veeno wondered how they had managed to arrive first.

"So, you're not usually with this group then?" Clive asked Nate curiously.

"Nope, we got here about 2 hours ago" Nate lent in a little as he spoke "These guys are so welcoming! you'll feel right at home in a matter of minutes." He added comfortingly to both men, though he was looking at Veeno.

"Well then... I'm assuming you two are looking for some shelter, maybe a meal... You are welcome here; we are happy to have a couple more guests." The man's tone changed considerably now that he was talking to Clive and Veeno, becoming far more formal and distant. "My name is Joe, I'm a bit like the boss, well of course that is only until God gives us his next instructions." He smiled, his eyes flicking up to the roof as if he could see through the ceiling to the heavens. Veeno looked at Joe, understanding that the church was not simply chosen as their place of hiding out of convenience.

"You got a pyramid scheme to sell us?" Veeno sighed, looking at the man's cult chique fashion sense as he walked past him into the church. Clive nudged Veeno in the arm, a little harder than necessary, shutting down the boy's insolence before he could get them kicked out.

"I'm Clive and this is Veeno." Clive mentioned despite it not being asked, a pitiful attempt to recover from Veeno's insult. Veeno watched as Nathan mentally noted their names... Had Clive not told him them before? No... He hadn't. In less than 2 minutes of their arrival, Joe abandoned Clive and Veeno in favour of another responsibility. Nate began walking the two men around introducing them to the entire community, impressively remembering the vast majority of all their names.

"So, you've befriended an entire camp within hours? I've only made one person hate me in the last week... Damn I need to step up my game." Veeno rolled his eyes, throwing his back against the wall as Nathan Briefly stopped to help a small, elderly man carry a particularly large box over to the kitchen table.

"Don't worry you'll make friends with everyone here in no time." Nate smiled sweetly at Veeno, placing the box down.

"That's not what I meant." Veeno mumbled at the back of Nathan's head.

"I know" Nate continued walking onward Clive in equal stride with Veeno a few steps behind. They walked towards the corner of the church, an area filled with people chatting, reading and resting - an improvised common room-. They walked between the people, Nathan giving varying detailed introductions for each individual, though he did seem to be headed in a specific direction. They finally stopped when they reached Claire who was sitting with a middle-aged woman- a mother- and playing with her young child. Claire looked completely at peace cradling the infant and Nate stared at her with complete admiration for several movements before saying anything.