Test Scene: Gnarrk:

[opposite_forces]

Don walks along the path, keeping his eyes open for his old friend. After everything, he figured Gnarrk would want some time to process. And Titans Tower, for all its strengths, is not a good place for quiet reflection.

It's strange. A few days ago, he hadn't remembered Gnarrk at all. He was gone from his memory, like a dream after awakening. Lilith and Donna had remembered, of course, but Don didn't, and none of the others did. But since he's been freed from his hypertime prison, the memories have returned to everyone -- even if the details return at a slower pace -- and it's good to have an old friend back among them again.

Gnarrk might need some quiet retrospection, but that doesn't mean he needs to do it by himself. It's the least Don can do to just sit with his friend until he can process everything. Being forgotten by his best friends; held outside of time for over a decade...

He moves through the park quietly, though he's sure Gnarrk will probably be able to tell he's there. A city park may not be the untamed land that Don's old friend might want for his reflection, but it's likely the closest he can easily get.

Comments

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

Gnarrk walks through the park deep in thought, taking in the peaceful nature of the park at night. So much has changed. My friends have changed. They thought I was dead and have moved on with their lives. Even I can't remember everything, just pieces here and there. Gnarrk finds a comfortable place to sit among tree roots. I missed so much. What am I going to do now?

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

Don pauses, seeing his friend sitting among the roots. "Hey," he offers gently.

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

Gnarrk looks up and sees Don. He puts his head back against the tree looking toward Don. "Hi Don. Did you follow me out here, or did you need a break from the commotion too? I know you have been walking the same direction as me, but I doubt this is only my refuge at times."

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

Don shrugs, sitting on the ground cross-legged facing him. "I just thought maybe you could use someone to talk to."

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

Gnarrk chuckles, "I thought so, but I don't mind. It's been a while since I talked to anyone, though it doesn't seem so. I was just thinking about how much has changed in the time I've been gone. You have all done so much, and everyone has gotten so much older. I guess in some ways, you're in the same situation as me. How are you doing Don?"

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

Don smiles gently. "Well... I was dead, but was brought back by my connection to the Titans just a couple months ago. I found out someone had taken over as Dove after me, and had started a romance with Hank until Hank went insane and killed a bunch of people until another hero stopped him and killed him. And a new Hawk took over after Hank." He sighs. "Then all this stuff with the Time Trapper happened, and we found out that wasn't Hank, and he's been lost in time... and we got you back..." He drops off, perfectly away how overwhelming all the information is.

"So... yes. I can understand the overwhelming nature of it all." He shakes his head. "And the need to get some distance and some perspective. I suppose that's how I am."

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

Gnarrk looks Don in the eye and smiles. "Well I am glad you could come back. It gives me a friend to talk to." Gnarrk sighs, "Where do I go from here Don. So much has changed, I just don't know what to do? It feels like before, all over again, except Lilith isn't by my side. I feel incomplete; like a piece of my life's puzzle is missing." Gnarrk leans back against the tree with his eyes closed; a single tear rolling down his cheek.

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

Don doesn't blink at the tear; he reaches over to grab the hand of his friend.

"I wish I could answer that, Gnarrk. All I can tell you is that you do have friends who are here to help you."

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

Gnarrk stands up and rubs the tear away. "Walk with me Don... tell me more about my old friends and what happened after I disappeared. Maybe it'll help fill the gaps." Gnarrk starts walking, slowly through the park on no specific trail.

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

Don gets to his feet to follow.

"Gnarrk... I need to tell you. There's no easy way to break this to you. But... after we all thought you died..." He pauses. "Lilith and I... we.." He breaks off.

He wishes there were a better time to tell his friend, but there really isn't.

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

Gnarrk doesn't stop walking, but his knuckles turn white. "Lilith is a beautiful person, isn't she. It would be horrible if she had to spend all that time alone." He turns to look at Don. "After I found out I had been 'gone' for so long, I knew this could be a possibility. I'm glad it was you, and not Hank. I would've had to kill him, but you..." Gnarrk smiles and his hands loosen, "You've already died. I'll give you a few more years."

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

Don smiles a little sadly. "Gnarrk... I'm sorry. If I'd known you were still alive..." He pauses. "And as it stands... it ended before I died. On good terms, of course, but... I think she was still in love with you."

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

Gnarrk turns away, "I can only hope, Don. Now that that's out of the way, and we're both still here, how about everyone else? I don't care about their exploits, just about them, and you."

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

"To be honest? I... missed most of them. I came back, and most of them looked like they died. I read the reports, but... that's not the same. Garth and Tula were the only ones left from our time with the team. They've been through so much, but... they're good now. They've got a kid." Technically, Garth's, but not Tula's, genetically speaking, but that's not important right now.

He pauses. "I worked with a lot of the new kids, though. I think you'll like them. They're great. The new Hawk and Dove are amazing, and Superboy, and the new Robin... they're all just... I'm honored to have them as teammates."

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

"So many new people... and it took me so long to get used to the old ones." Gnarrk smiles and sighs. "A few more minutes and I'll be ready to go back. You're welcome to stay and enjoy the peacefulness of this place."

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

Don puts a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Only if you want to be alone. Otherwise... I won't let you face that crowd again all by yourself."

[teen-caveman.livejournal.com]

"I thank you. It helps to have familiar faces." Gnarrk walks for another couple of minutes and takes a deep breath. "I'm ready to go back."

[opposite-forces.livejournal.com]

"Then let's go meet your friends all over again." He squeezes his friend on the shoulder, and follows him back to the Tower.