The Push of Fate....(Tag Orion, Noon to past MId Day)

[Orion Kou]

"Shit. I'm sorry." Rion wasn't sure what was worse: losing the ones you loved, or having them there with you every day but they don't remember anything. But at least Zowie was still alive, which surely meant there was hope for her to regain her lost memories.

He said nothing as they trekked up the hill and came up beside Max, looking out over the fields. The sight took his breath away. He caught a glimpse of Max's satisfied expression and looked back out over the fields in the direction he was pointing. The fields stretched as far as his eyes could see. He'd never seen anything like it. His eyebrows shot up when Max mentioned that this was only the front few hundred acres. Of course, Rion knew the land he had ended up on was all part of the farmstead. He wondered how many people it took to keep everything running.

He looked at Max when he mentioned the du'. "Doo?" He asked as they started down the other side of the hill, the word unfamiliar. He had a love of languages and had studied many, but Araxian was unfortunately not among those studied.

[Max]

Max shrugged at the issue. He was trying to make his peace with it and when he was sure Rion wouldn’t fall down the hill.

“I’m close and that’s enough. I do think one day her memories will come back. I’ll be here until then.”

As they walked toward the equipment path he diverged toward the house. He was quiet for a moment until they started down the road.

“Avoid Annabelle and the barn. I’d rather not have you get tangled in their business. After introductions I’ll show you the du’ or warriors contemplation lodge.”

He kept an even pace and they came up on a hedge the forces you to go around.

“Avoid the hedge. It has six inch thorns that secrete a toxin that paralyzes the area stabbed.”

He lead them around the hedge into the side/back yard proper and the barn was straight ahead and little off the the right as you rounded the hedge. Which forced you to walk out in front of a window.

[Orion Kou]

Rion walked quietly beside Max, taking in his surroundings and making a mental map as he went along. The last thing he wanted to do was get lost, especially if the owner of the farm agreed to let him stay around. The farmstead was huge, and it would be easy to get lost of he didn't pay attention. He perked a brow and looked up at Max when he told him to avoid Annabelle and the barn. What "business" Max was referring to he had no idea, but he felt that it was probably better not to ask.

When they came to the hedge, Rion scooted a few more steps away from the thorny thing. "...Why the hell do you guys have a killer hedge on your farm? What's the point of that?" It seemed a little too far into the farm compound to be a deterrent for trespassers. As they rounded the hedge he could see the barn and the main house a little further off. He glanced over at the window as they passed in front of it.

[Max]

He smiled as he motioned him to stay close and follow along.

“You wouldn’t know that just by walking up and by the time you got to threatening us the toxin is taking effect.”

He thought Rion would appreciate that now. It was the best deterrent and had a surprise just beyond being thorny. He glanced toward the barn. He lead into the kitchen where he was hoping to find Galax.

“Rion, uncle Galax should be around here somewhere. I’ll get you introduced and we will all take a walk together to talk about things.”

He looked at Rion and waited for him to agree.

[Orion Kou]

Rion nodded. "I can get on board with that." He stole glances around the kitchen, and the normalcy of it seemed almost suffocating. He hadn't actually been in a house since Kinmoku had been invaded, and though the kitchen he was in now looked nothing like the one at his own home, the homesickness hit him like a knife to the chest.

He didn't know how long it had been since he'd left home, but it was long enough to apparently make standing in a kitchen feel foreign.

With no small amount of effort he forced away the memories that threatened to choke him. He couldn't afford to let them float freely through his mind. If he did, he figured he might fracture into a thousand pieces.

He returned to the task at hand: meeting Galax. "Anything I should know before I meet him?

[Galax]

Galax wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked at the position of the sun. It was heading towards midday which would explain the heat. He cracked his neck as he stood up from tending the various herbs which he dries and sells at the various markets. While Max usually worked out in the fields while he tended the gardens. There were a few animals which Zowie tended to. They all had their roles here on the farm. It was a simple life that he enjoys.

A smile crossed his face as he scratched the large black cat behind her ears. He felt drawn to her as she often stayed close. She was a comforting presence. "Found any creatures nibbling on our plants? I do enjoy the little gifts you leave us. If you find Zowie, maybe she can give you a treat of sorts."

He chuckled as walked towards the house after he brushed the dirt off of his pants. There was something about that cat which made his heart ache. He shook his head as he was unsure of what to make it. He pushed it to the back of his head. He wondered if they had meet in a pervious life. It would be a train of thought for the dead of night.

He stopped in his tracks when he noticed that Max had someone with him. It was odd as Max was rather protective of them, especially Zowie. He often wondered if the large man had feelings for the girl. It was not his place to intervene. His pace quickened as he wondered what was going on. Something felt off.

As he drew closer he called out, "Hail Max. Who do you have there? What brings you here, stranger?"

[Max]

Max looked at Rion and motioned him to wait. He took a step forward.

“This is cousin Rion. You remember we have festival prep and other things to take care of today. I was just showing him around. That’s all. He’s going to be staying a few days. Maybe longer.”

He stepped toward Rion as if to have him say hello.

[Orion Kou]

Festival? He looked up at Max. The idea that any city on any planet in any system would still be holding celebrations was both startling and exciting.

He turned his attention to Galax and smiled as he stepped forward to introduce himself, projecting more confidence than he felt. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Your farmstead is impressive. I've never seen anything like it."

[Galax]

Galax shifted his weight as the large man came forward. He searched his memory though nothing stood out that Rion was coming. He must be losing his mind as he normally had a good memory. A sigh left his mouth as they needed all the help they could get.

“It is nice to meet you, Rion. I’m sure that Max here will fill you on all that needs to be done. It is a huge festival to honor the dead. It shuts down the whole planet.”

He shook the man’s hand work as something seemed familiar. “Have we met before?”

[Max]

Max was glad that Galax was accepting of Rion. It would make things easier in the long run. Max didn’t mind he’d get Rion a place to stay on the farm and hopefully he’d get a little company while he wandered the land tending it. When he shook Rion’s hand he tensed up at the question. He didn’t stare he just waited for anything else. He decided to fill that in for him.

“Four seasons ago he helped with a few deliveries since we were short handed and I was struggling with irrigation from the river. He was able to haul our wheat to market and able to have there after you sold it.”

He looked at Galax but gave the barest of looks to Rion. He hoped that Galax would accept that answer. Max had gotten a bit of help but had traded some grain for the man’s animals.

[Orion Kou]

Rion was not expecting the question, though he should have anticipated and was mentally kicking himself for not having everything about his temporary identity, but hunger and dehydration had driven all thoughts but survival from his mind.

He was relieved that Max filled in the answer for him. He was fairly certain he'd never seen the man before, but as they shook hands he had that nagging feeling in the back of his mind that they had met before.

A festival that shut down the entire planet? The purpose of which was to honor the dead? The concept was foreign to him. Death was a solemn occasion on Kinmoku. There were no festival celebrations or anything like that, though he had read about other civilizations that had such celebrations.

He couldn't help the excitement he felt at the prospect of actually taking part in such a festival. This would be so much better than just reading about it. "I'm happy to help in any way that I can."

[Galax]

Galax looked between the two men as he gave a nod of his head. It was a plausible explanation as Max usually hired people to help during the harvest. Rion must have made a lasting impression. It also made sense as he didn't always remember the hands which helped.

"Well I'm happy to have you around. Max must think you do good work if he has invited you back. Did you travel far?"

He hoped asking questions would jog his memory a bit more. He disliked not placing Rion. His memory was normally much better. He thought it was a great idea to get enough money to feed everyone who lived at the farm.

"Anything that I can get you?'

[Max]

Max was relieved when Galax accepted his answer. He was a hard read at times but deep down Galax was good and decent being. He had always wanted the best for them and took care of Zowie. When he asked if there was anything he could get them he answered up quickly.

“Yes Zowie has yet to tell me where I am placing the crossroad shrines this year. I have them assembled but without her to designate our spots it will be slow going. She has always been one to ensure they are aligned as the priestess says they should be.”

He looked at Galax calmly before asking his question.

“Have you decided what I will be smoking this year for the festival? I know it’s always something good that you pick and get delivered. I have been cleaning and repairing the smoker for this.”

He glanced at Rion and nodded. He was going to get him to his lodge and get him some clothing. Then before he got to dress he would take him to where he bathed and they would bath and get dressed for the later part of the day. He would wait until Galax didn’t have anymore questions or Rion for that matter.

[Orion Kou]

In response to Galax's question about the length of his journey, Rion gave a half-smile/half-grimace. "You could say that." How far he had actually traveled is anyone's guess. He didn't know where he had started.

One rather large detail that had been overlooked when they had discussed Rion's identity cover was the fact that his clothes had seen better days. Torn, rumpled, and splattered with blood here and there, he only hoped Galax had other things on his mind and remained oblivious to his appearance below the neck.

The talk of smoking food...meat, he hoped...had Rion salivating and his stomach once again growling. Remembering the fruit he had brought with him, he took another bite, hoping he looked casual and not as ravenous as he felt.

[Galax]

Galax looked between the two men as his hand came up to rub his chin. Each of the men seemed to be at ease for the moment. His green eyes scanned Rion up and down for a moment as the man looked like he had been through hell and back. There was a story, one which would come out in time. He didn’t press Annabelle and her crew and certainly would not do so here. The endorsement from Max meant something as the large man was a good judge of character.

The conversation turned towards Zowie and placing the shrines. The festival was right around the corner. It was the yearly tradition between the two of them. It did make him wonder where his niece was at the moment. He knew that she would not travel far without someone escorting her off the property.

He stepped closer as he noticed Rion took a bit of fruit to munch on. It made him think that the man had a bigger story to be told. He nodded as he clapped each man on the shoulder.

“Come, let’s get you something more substantial, Rion. There is plenty to eat in the house. Zowie will be able to help place the shrines before the week is over. It will be in time for the festival. As for the smoker, I think that a boar will feed all of us. We have not had a large enough crowd until now.”