The Roof, In the Wee Hours, Tuesday

[endsthegame]

He couldn't sleep again. Or rather, he could: it was just that the nightmares started clawing at him again, shreds of dead bugger bodies and Bonzo's eyes. That meant the comforting routine of the roof was Ender's tonight.

He'd been there for a little while, a book hidden between the folds of his blanket. Might as well get some work in while he had the time.

[ ender is here mostly for one, but post is open, and he's available before karal in the timeline! ]

Comments

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal was rubbing his eyes as he followed Altra up onto the roof. While he was a morning person, by inclination as well as training, his unintended sugar intake yesterday had meant sleep had been slow in coming and nowhere near as long as he would have liked.

He paused as they saw Ender and decided that morning prayers, already said, would suffice for the day. "Good morning, Ender."

[endsthegame]

"Ho, Karal."

He wasn't really surprised to see him here, although it had been a very long time. "I heard you were back," Ender continued, shutting his book abruptly.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He sighed and rubbed his temple as Altra sauntered across the roof, Karal following to drop to sit near Ender. "I could do without being a sheepdog puppy," he said wryly. "Fandom doesn't seem interested in what I want, though. How have you been?"

[endsthegame]

"Busy," Ender replied, shoving the book between the folds of his blanket again. That kept him warmer, and he nodded at Altra in greeting. "Stark has me jumping through hoops like a thing deranged."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal shivered, wishing he'd brought his thicker cloak, and Altra flowed up and over his lap, both a source of purring warmth and a better view of Ender. The 'cat nodded a greeting to Ender.

"Stark," Karal said, "that's the man you're working for?"

:Is he also forbidding you from sleeping in a bed?: Altra added.

[endsthegame]

"For the moment, yes." The Firecat got a look that might've held some amusement, but was mostly neutral. "And no, he's not," he continued, fluidly, "Although it's getting too cold for me to go up here."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I'll arrive to find a small blue frozen Ender statue, and that would make it very difficult to talk to you," Karal teased, and Altra blinked once, slowly, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he met Ender's gaze. "Are you all right with being worked so hard?"

[endsthegame]

"Don't worry," he said, shifting his hands further under his blankets, "I think this is my last go at it." Ender was already wearing a sweater and a coat and some heavy wool pants, but even that was starting to feel cold. He'd have to find somewhere else secluded, somewhere indoors. "I've been worked harder," he said, "I don't mind. Just as long as things get done."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He nodded slowly, with perfect understanding. "What are you working on, if I can ask?"

[endsthegame]

"I've set up a security system for the company," he said, "Right now I've got something more long-term that he wants me to design." Ender held up the book-- it was a guide to aerospace engineering. "I'm still brushing up."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra studied the book curiously and Karal huffed a small laugh. "You could explain that to me, but Sunlord knows I'm not going to understand it," he said, amused. "But it sounds challenging and worthwhile." He paused. "And like something you enjoy?"

[endsthegame]

Ender shrugged once, putting the book back in the fold he'd taken it from in the first place. "I need another skill," he said, simply, "And this will be useful if I ever get home."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I could teach you to ride?" he offered. "If you're collecting skills. It could be fair exchange for teaching me about rafts."

[endsthegame]

"That probably wouldn't be as useful back home," Ender said, but his tone was thoughtful, and not an outright refusal. "But seeing how the island works, back home might not be the only place I go."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal smiled. "In my world it's essential, here it's a hobby. Who knows what it might be in another world. I'm sure Aravis will let me use Trenor, so if you decide to, just let me know," he said, then added, just a touch wistfully, "I suppose it's too cold know to try the raft."

[endsthegame]

"Unless you'd like to try being a small blue frozen Karal statue," he said, waggling his eyebrows. "Not until spring hits."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra huffed, tail lashing, and said, :No,: which made Karal chuckle. "In spring, then. If I didn't know better, Altra, I'd think you'd arranged for me to be a puppy just so we couldn't take the raft out."

Altra sniffed and looked inscrutable.

[endsthegame]

Ender watched Altra's little performance with a careful eye. "Wouldn't put it past him," he opined, "The cat looks suspicious."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

:The ways of Firecats are mysterious and unknowable,: Altra drawled, making Karal chuckle again. "And we'd not have it any other way."

[endsthegame]

"Just be careful he doesn't steal any of your food," Ender countered, waggling his eyebrows again. "How has life been now that you're without fur, Karal?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra rolled his eyes. "It's been good," Karal replied, absently stroking the 'cat. "Busy, each day seems to bring more papers from Valdemar, but I'm enjoying the challenge."

[endsthegame]

Ender could understand that much, too. "So everything's under control over there?" he asked. Not being geared towards one goal had started to afford him the opportunity to be curious to someone else's, and the state of Karal's home had been touching upon his curiosity, although no instincts to interfere had set in.

But that wasn't a surprise.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It is settled," he replied slowly, thoughtfully. "But it has something of the feel of riding a fractious horse. Well enough while you hold tight to the reins and keep it under close control. The moment you let your attention wander, it's going to plant its feet and buck you off."

[endsthegame]

"I think I know what you mean," he replied, "You don't want to lose sight of the goal." It would pile on, and become too much, and he remembered having to be on top all the time well enough. "Just make sure you pace your horse, or you'll wind up in a pond that way, too."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He held up a hand, smiling a little. "I will pace myself, I promise. And if I forget, Altra will remind me."

:Altra will turn off your sight, so you have no choice but to take a break.:

[endsthegame]

"Good," Ender said, leaning back so that he could bunch more of the blanket by his chest. "I've seen good commanders break because I pushed them too hard. I'd rather not repeat the experience with new friends."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

It warmed him to hear Ender refer to him as a friend, and his smile broadened. Altra purred loudly under his hand. "I will remember," he said quietly. "Because, speaking as your new friend, I would definitely prefer not to repeat it."