Lost reflections [Flashback/Retuo]

Paris, 2035

It has been 20 years that they had been traveling the wasteland remains of Paris. Even though the world was over, Eden had never stopped trying to bring smiles to other's faces, and today was no different. A former client had came over their place of residence to request that they travel somewhere to retrieve a lost bag. The client had lost it on a travel and was too scared to retrieve it themself. This was a first, they had never been paid to retrieve a lost item before, so they accepted the commission but even now they still felt a bit confused as to where to begin looking for this darn thing. The person had given them a drawing of the bag, but this just looked like any old sack, almost as if they too forgot what it looked like. Oh well! This was an adventure nonetheless, and they would be sure to enjoy every second of it.

Traveling to the commission location, they arrived in the Fields of Glass, stopping to take a look at the beauty in the surroundings. This place was absolutely breathtaking, but one could get lost if they took their time to smell the roses. Eden unfortunately is one of those people who gets lost very easy, and has tried multiple ways of not getting lost in the fields. One was to drop food to follow back, but they only ended up attracting the inhabitants of this area. There was not much to do but hope this didn't turn into a week long adventure again, but either way they were happy with the results. They'd begin searching the nearby area for the object in question, making sure no stone went unturned.

Man...

The young boy grumbled to himself as he paced his way through the crystallized lands. It would perhaps be a strange sight for any random observer to see an 11 year old all by himself wandering outside like this, but for Retuo it wasn't that uncommon of an occurrence. Maybe it was a little dangerous, but he actually did have a dagger on him and could defend himself in a pinch if he truly needed to. Far better than his mother whom he temporarily ditched to avoid her constant obnoxious nagging, in fact. One would think him an irresponsible child perhaps, however he did always make sure to remember which way he was going so he could come back without much issue when he did this, and he did have his reasons for going out alone. He never did think he was safer with his mother than without her anyway, for she was more of a talker than doer at the end of the day. If anything, he was surprised they were making it out here with her attitude towards everything...

Bah, whatever...

What was he doing again? Hmmm.



Well, if anyone were to pass by the area at that time, they would find themselves greeted with an odd sight of a young boy staring at one of the crystals growing out of the ground with a half-curious, half-contemplative expression on his face.

Eden could not for the life of them find this bag, but nothing would falter their deamination in this quest. They made a promise to locate the object, and nothing would stop them from obtaining it. Nothing of course, but the appearance of a small boy. Upon traversing the area for a little while, they stumbled upon a young man hidden amongst the glass. It wasn't as if he was hiding, only that the position he had found himself in was very secluded. They curiously watched him, mostly to be aware if it was a demon or actually a human boy before approaching. Nothing was setting off any sensors, so they slowly approached him, announcing it so as not to startle him. "Hello there my friend!" They smiled coming a bit closer before looking down at him and smiling. "It's very easy to get lost in here, are you alright?" Looking him over, they checked with their eyes to see if he was injured at all. "My name is Eden Delacroix, and who might I have the pleasure of speaking to?"

Huh?

Oh.

The boy would glance around until he found the owner of the voice that had disturbed him from his musing. "Um, hey?" Retuo's brows would furrow a bit, not sure how to respond to this. While he did like going off on his own, he typically did not go out of his way to interact with anyone. "I'm okay. Just walking around. No need to worry." The last thing he wished for was to have a stranger looking over his shoulder trying to parent him. He was aware of how this probably looked, but that didn't mean he liked the idea of it going in that direction. "My name is Retuo...is there, uh, anything you need...?" Maybe changing the subject more towards the other person would work for him.

That was minorly unexpected, usually people jump at the chance to receive help especially in these times. This was a first since the fall to say the least, but that didn't make it a bad thing by any means. "It's a pleasure to meet you Retuo. Can I call you Retty?" They smiled widely, taking a moment to kneel down and lean up against a pillar of glass. They looked up to the sky, trying to gauge the time of day before looking back down at at the boy in front of them. "I'm looking for a bag around here, have you seen one laying around?" They gave the general area a look around, trying to make sure they hadn't just missed it sitting right there. Of course they were probably imposing on this young boy's personal time, but they did enjoy the company especially after being alone for a few days with no conversation. "Are you from around here? Or are you one of the vault-folk I see occasionally?" They had seen a few folks who had claimed to be from vaults, but not too many it seemed like those who went underground planned on staying there. Everything was so different after the fall, the way you interact with people, the way you meet new folks. It was all so different and they loved every second it!

Yeah well in all fairness, asking for help from a stranger was not exactly a smart move to make. They could easily be conning you. Young or not, Retuo wasn't about to be that trusting of someone he knew nothing of, and even less a person that approached him out of nowhere acting suspiciously friendly. He wasn't going to worry too hard either, but it was nevertheless a simple fact that you didn't just put yourself in someone's hands without any thought.

The young boy would purse his lips slightly, as his brows furrowed at the man. "...if you must? I don't really know you though, so it's a little awkward to be doing nicknames already...but, nice to meet you too I guess." And he didn't exactly prefer being treated like a child, even though he technically was one. Honestly, did age mean anything these days? He did more work out here than his own mother, despite how it ought to be the other way around. "No though." He would shake his head lightly. "I don't recall seeing any bags. I haven't really been searching the ground." Not this time around, a least.

"I...travel, I guess. I haven't been to a vault in a few years." Technically, it could be said he was from around here..? They didn't really stay in any specific place though, so it was perhaps a tiny bit confusing to narrow down.

Eden smirked a bit while looking up at the sky above. "Not to sound extra, I just enjoy nicknames. They really help me vibe with someone, y'know?" They pulled out their old compendium, opening it up and jotting something down in it with an old pencil they had traded someone for. While it doesn't seem like a good trade, writing utensils weren't in abundance in this day and age. "That's alright. A client of mine requested that I search this area for a bag and return it to her. No shade to her, but she doesn't even remember what it looks like!" They chuckled slightly, closing the compendium and looking to the boy. "The vaults are nice, but why would you live there when all the adventure and thrills are up here on the surface? Why just three days ago I spent four hours hiding from a group of demons inside an old dumpster. You can't get that kind of sense of excitement in a vault." They smiled, pushing themself up off the ground once again. "I know I'm a stranger but do you want to help me look for this bag? No cap, I haven't spoken to anyone in days and could use the company." They didn't really understand not trusting others, and would probably let this kid steal their wares if he wanted to.

"....vibe?" Nope, Retuo wasn't following that at all. In part due to not being sure what the person really meant by that, but also because he was not the type to see a difference between calling a person by their actual name versus a nickname. Sure, it could save a little bit of time or spare one from a tough to pronounce name, but that was just about it, in his mind. The boy would tilt his head slightly. "Are you some sort of a service worker then...?" Why would anyone take clients out here like this anyway? The person could have just searched for their own bag the same exact way they asked someone else to do it for them. It'd also be completely free to do the job themselves!

Retuo would from a tiny bit, the careless claims making him feel a tiny bit concerned here. "Um. I think most people like to feel safe. It's far less likely that you get killed or die from a lack of food or water inside a vault. Are those things less important than...excitement? Why do you feel excitement from almost dying anyway...?" He didn't quite understand. Sure, he would do what he had to in order to make it out here, and he was by no means too slow to adapt...but he would probably never say that he found near death or simply unpleasant experiences to be all that thrilling. They were usually far more stressful than anything else, and even though it was something that...you got used to when living outside, it becoming exciting was a head-scratcher alright.

"I'm...not going to just leave. Isn't company going to distract you from your job though?" It'd be impolite for him to refuse since the person wasn't being rude. He was still confused as to what they were hoping to gain from this though. Maybe he just wasn't social enough to understand.

"A service worker? I suppose. I usually don't turn down a job if asked of me. I like to help others when given the chance. While I'd rather be selling goods, the thrill of the adventure makes it worth it." They smiled, not really understanding that their line of thinking was super weird. Honestly, it was very like Eden to not understand social queues in this day and age and speak almost like a vampire of a more modern era passed. They tilted their head slightly at the question, thinking for a moment before continuing. "I've been told I am an optimist; I see the best in every situation, so even in death there is some bright light at the end of the tunnel. As the great Bob Ross once said, there's no mistakes, only happy accidents; and we stan." They chuckled a bit, listening to the boy as he continued to talk before speaking again. "Oh no no no, I enjoy talking! Just follow me and be on the look out for a bag of some sorts. Could be a dime bag, could be a giant dufflebag; it iz what it iz." The began to walk towards an open area opposite of where they came, looking around the glass spikes and along the floor for any sign of the elusive, mysterious bag.

"Searching for a lost thing doesn't sound very adventurous..." Then again, Retuo didn't even think there was a need to seek out adventure given the way the world was. It was enough on its own, really. The boy would blink. "Um...I've no idea who it is you're quoting, but...I don't think optimism is wrong. Just that too much of it can be unrealistic. Even if there is something nice to be said about death, most people still don't wish to die, right?" The silver lining didn't always work as intended and make people like the thing it was used to embellish.

Retuo would take a couple looks around to make sure he didn't forget where he had come from in case this turned out with him having to walk far enough from this area before giving his companion a questioning glance as he followed for now. "So...if you don't know what this bag looks like, how would you know a bag you found is the one you're after? You could easily find one that is wrong." To waste time searching for an item only to find the wrong one because of a lack of information sounded pretty exasperating. He didn't think he'd like taking on a vague job like that.

Eden lifted a large piece of glass of the ground, checking the area underneath before dropping it and moving on to the next zone they hadn't checked. "My dear Retty, anything is an adventure if you have enough enthusiasm." The chuckled a bit, peaking their head into a small opening inside the glass. "That's right! Bob Ross is so fire. So many people from before the fall are gone and now all of my pop-culture references are becoming outdated. He was a very famous painter, world renowned. His words of wisdom resonated with everyone on the internet." They smiled, looking up to the sky to check the time again, seemed like it was around mid-day as the sun was directly above them. The light reflecting off the glass around them was minorly blinding at times, but they continued to push through it. "You do know what the internet is, don't you?" The continued walking through the area, finding a small passage and squeezing their way through it. "I'm sure I'll find it even without a description!" They weren't able to tell how much of an opposite they were to Retuo, in how optimistic they were about everything where as he was very realistic. Funny how the child in this scenario was the more realistic one, opposed to the being who has lived for over a millennia.

"...I don't." Well, he was painfully honest, at the very least. Not to say that he was incapable of being enthusiastic about anything, but it was hardly his default mode of operations. If it wasn't worth getting excited over in his eyes, he wouldn't. He had always been more quiet though, so perhaps it was simply how his personality was. The boy would blink as he processed the 'information' he was being told. "So...you're old then?" The implication of having been around to learn references from before the Fall made it sound that way, but Eden didn't look that old at glance, making it kind of strange. Retuo would huff lightly. "I sort of do...not much though." He hadn't had much of a chance to experience it given his mother dragged him out when he was rather young, but he did have at least a basic idea of how it worked.

Nevertheless, he would keep cautiously following his strange companion, occasionally looking around to make sure he wasn't getting himself terribly lost. "Uh, how does that work? Can you magically tell which bag's the right one?" Presumably, if they did find a lost bag, chances were high it was the one in question...but it wasn't guaranteed to be either.

Eden looked to Retuo, their smile toning down to a small grin. "Well I'm sure you'll find your enthusiasm one day! But if not, that's okay too. Honestly as long as you are your authentic self, you're a real one." They turned back to looking, lifting up large shards of glass here and there before looking more up into the air, towards the peaked summits of the large stalagmite-shaped glass. They'd spot a small object flowing in the wind, which seemed to be latched around the top of one. Looking back down to the boy, they let out a very hearty laugh. "Cut the cameras... Deadass." They continued to laugh, not really offended but just so amused at being called old. "Oh my! Well my dear Retty, as Rose from The Golden Girls once said; 'The older you get, the better you get, unless you're a banana.'" They calmed their laughter with a breath before continuing. "But in relation to age, I guess you could say I'm ancient. But don't go around treating me like a boomer, okay?" They let out a small chuckle. "Not magic, with hope that I will find it! And it seems it worked!" The pointed up towards the bag that was rustling in the wind, scratching their head. "How did she get up there though? I wonder if she was trying to impress that guy she's simping over." They shrugged, looking towards Retuo. "Well, can I give you a boost to grab it?" They smiled, preparing to give him a boost if he agreed, looping their fingers together and hunching down.

For a couple moments, Retuo was tempted to just say something along the lines of 'I wouldn't want to become like you', but would wisely hold his tongue there. He didn't want to argue with a stranger because that was not a very safe bet. Besides, it would give the wrong impression because as much as he didn't really agree, he didn't think it was necessarily a bad way to be. Just not for him. "If you say so..." He couldn't think of a lot to say, to be honest.

"...."

Nor could he understand half of what Eden was saying, but it was what it was. "I've...no idea what bananas have to do with this, but you don't really sound old. I don't think most old people act like this." Or at least, it's certainly not what he'd imagine them to act like. That said, he would blink up to where Eden was pointing, a small frown on his face. "Could've been the wind...?" Unless the person really did climb up there, though he would agreed there seemed to be no good reason for it. The boy would stay quiet for a few moments at the request that followed however, seemingly mulling over it before he crossed his arms over his chest. "I agreed to tag along...why should I do your job though? Can't you get that bag down with your hope?" Well, it appeared he had a bit of a snarky attitude there, but to be fair...he was kind of tired of being subtly made to do things for others. His mother did that a lot, and while he was willing to do what he thought was important, he was having trouble seeing why he should be doing this for a person he just met.

Eden unlopped their fingers and shook their head, maintaining their smirk. "That is no issue at all! I can do it myself!" They didn't really mind at all, probably not even able to tell how curt the young boy's tone of voice was. Honestly, they maybe had an idea that he wasn't very into the conversation they were having, but they were determined to form a bond with him. They drew their bow, and pulled an arrow from the quiver on their back. Taking a moment to aim the arrow for a metal loop between the strap and the bag itself before releasing it. The arrow flew through the air, moving through the ring until it was caught on the fletching. The bag lifted up into the air a bit, just enough for the strap to unlatch itself from the spike before plummeting to the ground. They turned to Retuo and smiled. "There see, I'm a savage." They caught the bag in the air and strapped it around their shoulder, holstering their bow on their back as well as placing the arrow back in the quiver.

"Alright my friend, let's make our way back before we get completely lost in here." They'd wait for him to agree before beginning to make their way down the path they entered on. They had been trying to not ask him where his parents were, as sometimes the answer was just 'they're dead,' which wasn't the best way to have a conversation or make people feel better. Reuto looked like he was handling himself enough, and frankly, the question held no weight in this particular conversation. They'd silently walk back to the clearing where they had met him, bowing in his direction. "Thank you again, my dear Retty. I always appreciate a traveling companion." They reached into their outfit, pulling out a small card from inside. Written on the card was their name, along with directions to the apartment they were living out of. "I'll probably be around until you're old and gray, so here." They'd hand him the card and give a wide grin. "If you ever need supplies, a place to stay for the night, or just someone to talk to, you'll always be welcome at Château D'Eden." They'd take one last look at him before turning and beginning to walk out of the clearing. "Stay safe my friend." With that, they'd turn the corner and be out of site to him; making the long journey back home to their apartment to turn in this commission. While maybe he didn't agree, they felt glad to have spent time with another being and to have met a new person.

[Eden - Exit]