Cairo

Chapter 12: The West Port City

It took a couple of days to get the CDP for Aidan delivered. The moment the box got there, Cairo was out the door with bags and all. After a mile jog, Cairo had finally calmed down enough that he was walking at a speed Cane could easily keep up to. Without interest in what Cairo was whispering to Aerie, Cane stayed a couple feet back, pushing random buttons on his new CDP to see what they did. It was such a newer model from the one he had, it was almost like learning a new language. His brows were creased, his mind deep in thought as his fingers moved over the screen. It was a little wider than his hand and almost as thin as paper. Packed with the latest technology and trinkets, it almost rivaled the Government issued CDPs (but those were in a category all on their own, as was everything Government issued-always with technology way above what the current latest thing was for the general public). He took one quick glance up when he realized he hadn't heard Cairo or Aerie make any noise for a decent amount of time.

"What's up?" he asked when he saw Cairo had stopped to look up at the sky. Aerie was standing nonchalantly next to him rubbing the back of her head, clearly not interested in what he was doing. 

"I was thinking of-" Cairo stopped and sighed, bringing his hand up to his neck for a quick rub before turning to face Cane. "Our next stop is Berrgport."

Cane's eyes widened at the name. He didn't think he'd ever hear that name again. Part of him was ecstatic, part of him wanted to refuse; he wasn't actually sure what he was feeling with his mix of emotions that were all blending together like some bad meal that'll only give you indigestion. 

"So we go to your home, then we go to mine?" he asked. He meant it as a light hearted jest, but his tone came out more rough than he thought it would have. Cairo had apparently caught the tone too as his eyes narrowed at his friend. 

"Yeah." His voice was almost nonexistent in the silence. "I know that's probably the last place you want to head, and honestly, I wasn't planning on taking you back there, but our mission is to get rid of the protest group residing there. You don't have to stay if you don't want to, we'll pick you back up later if you chose to." 

"Not much for me either way," he said with a slight shrug of his shoulders, slipping the CDP into his pocket. "I wouldn't mind seeing my family again. It's a been awhile." The look on Cairo's face told Cane he was skeptical, but he just shrugged again. "It'll be fine. If they say anything, you'll have my back."

Cairo nodded, flicking his head towards the steadily increasing shadow in the distance. "I called a friend to come pick us up. She'll drop us off and we'll be on our way back to Kleptos collecting from there."

"Sounds like a plan." 

"A really great plan." 

A Cruiser pulled up in front of the trio, sending dust flying all over the place. Cane was the only one who made a move to cover his mouth. Cairo stood still, like a calm water about to burst with ripples of something. He smiled tenderly as as woman stepped out with a smile to match his. Cane could tell in that moment they knew each other in a pretty intimate way, and his suspicions were only increased when Cairo walked straight up to the woman and hugged her, keeping his arms wrapped around her waist for a bit longer than necessary.

"This is Adena," Cairo introduced, stepping to her side where Aerie met him. He had a hand on her arm that Cane zoned in on. "You met her at Doctor Savas' lab. She was the one that drove him back to his new place."

"Ah, that's right," Cane said, recognition clicking in his head. "Nice to meet you. Cancius, you can just call me Cane, though."

She smiled at him before turning back to Cairo. They spoke in whispers again, Aerie glued to his side, speaking only a couple words here and there. When they were done, Cairo walked over to where he spotted Cane.