07-03-2014, 03:04 PM
Connor briefly mentioned the woman and her child, and Calvin recognized the subtle hint. Connor had noticed his glance and more importantly had noticed his body language. The subtlety was a signal that the man had noticed, but wouldn't bring up the issue without Calvin's permission.
The hint was well placed. Flat out asking Calvin what was wrong would have brought denial or anger. By using this tactic, Calvin felt he could trust the man, but honestly still felt afraid to bring it up. He didn't know if he could face the pain that he had as yet had only faced a glimmer of.
Connor mentioned having been in Moscow for a year, mentioning that it had been "interesting." The word made Calvin smile inside. If the man only knew...
Connor asked about his thoughts of Moscow, and Calvin responded, the memories of his family still in his mind, "It seems really nice here. Better than I expected. I've met some...interesting people. Excuse me for a moment."
Calvin pulled out his Wallet, pretending to check for messages, but in reality he drew up the picture. He had the same picture on his table in his apartment. It was taken shortly after Benji had caught his first baseball. It showed Mary, holding her son. Her dirty blonde hair held back in a ponytail and her green eyes sparkling with pride. She held Benji, a smile beaming across his face as he held the baseball in his mitt.
The picture brought a short smile to Calvin's face; the memory was a good one. While looking, Calvin reached out to Dawn Wind, the word purpose in his mind.
What bothers the pup now?
the sending as always, was sent as images - Calvin's mind translating them into words.
Do I have a purpose here?
The pup has a purpose or he would not be here.
Do you know what it is?
Does it matter?
The sending this time being strange. It reminded him of a father grabbing a child's chin and turning his head to meet his eyes saying "You better be listening." Obviously, Dawn Wind wanted Calvin to pay attention. Without a doubt, Dawn Wind had it.
Calvin also noticed in the moment that Dawn Wind had hardly ever referred to Calvin as "Star Gazer" instead referring to him as "the pup." It really drove home what the pack leader thought of Calvin - as a pup that knew nothing.
Dawn Wind continued his sending, showing Calvin an injured wolf. The message was clear. An injured wolf couldn't help the pack. In fact, in many ways, the injured wolf was a hindrance. Calvin, although not physically injured, couldn't be useful to them in his emotionally injured state. He thought of all the times he had reached out to the wolves in his pain. They had helped, but Dawn Wind was telling him "we've had enough. It's time to move on."
Calvin sent understanding, apologies, and gratitude to Dawn Wind who responded with his typical farewell, Good hunting, Star Gazer!
The use of his name had new meaning to Calvin. It was an encouragement. Calvin had decided to start the healing process and Dawn Wind wished him good luck. Calvin turned off his wallet and placed it back in his pocket while letting out a sigh. He wondered if this Connor could be trusted. He had cast the lure out into the water, leaving Calvin to decide whether or not he would bite. Calvin decided to nibble, not yet revealing everything, but would feel this out to make sure he would be comfortable discussing his ghosts to him. An opportunity presented itself as the train began to slow. This method was tried and true.
"Hey Connor, I passed a nice looking bar on the way here...place called Chesterfield's. Do you want to get a beer?"
The hint was well placed. Flat out asking Calvin what was wrong would have brought denial or anger. By using this tactic, Calvin felt he could trust the man, but honestly still felt afraid to bring it up. He didn't know if he could face the pain that he had as yet had only faced a glimmer of.
Connor mentioned having been in Moscow for a year, mentioning that it had been "interesting." The word made Calvin smile inside. If the man only knew...
Connor asked about his thoughts of Moscow, and Calvin responded, the memories of his family still in his mind, "It seems really nice here. Better than I expected. I've met some...interesting people. Excuse me for a moment."
Calvin pulled out his Wallet, pretending to check for messages, but in reality he drew up the picture. He had the same picture on his table in his apartment. It was taken shortly after Benji had caught his first baseball. It showed Mary, holding her son. Her dirty blonde hair held back in a ponytail and her green eyes sparkling with pride. She held Benji, a smile beaming across his face as he held the baseball in his mitt.
The picture brought a short smile to Calvin's face; the memory was a good one. While looking, Calvin reached out to Dawn Wind, the word purpose in his mind.
What bothers the pup now?
the sending as always, was sent as images - Calvin's mind translating them into words.
Do I have a purpose here?
The pup has a purpose or he would not be here.
Do you know what it is?
Does it matter?
The sending this time being strange. It reminded him of a father grabbing a child's chin and turning his head to meet his eyes saying "You better be listening." Obviously, Dawn Wind wanted Calvin to pay attention. Without a doubt, Dawn Wind had it.
Calvin also noticed in the moment that Dawn Wind had hardly ever referred to Calvin as "Star Gazer" instead referring to him as "the pup." It really drove home what the pack leader thought of Calvin - as a pup that knew nothing.
Dawn Wind continued his sending, showing Calvin an injured wolf. The message was clear. An injured wolf couldn't help the pack. In fact, in many ways, the injured wolf was a hindrance. Calvin, although not physically injured, couldn't be useful to them in his emotionally injured state. He thought of all the times he had reached out to the wolves in his pain. They had helped, but Dawn Wind was telling him "we've had enough. It's time to move on."
Calvin sent understanding, apologies, and gratitude to Dawn Wind who responded with his typical farewell, Good hunting, Star Gazer!
The use of his name had new meaning to Calvin. It was an encouragement. Calvin had decided to start the healing process and Dawn Wind wished him good luck. Calvin turned off his wallet and placed it back in his pocket while letting out a sigh. He wondered if this Connor could be trusted. He had cast the lure out into the water, leaving Calvin to decide whether or not he would bite. Calvin decided to nibble, not yet revealing everything, but would feel this out to make sure he would be comfortable discussing his ghosts to him. An opportunity presented itself as the train began to slow. This method was tried and true.
"Hey Connor, I passed a nice looking bar on the way here...place called Chesterfield's. Do you want to get a beer?"