Walking up to the cafe, Shale had to decide how to make her approach. She'd visited the cafe before and didn't leave on the best of terms, so that was a problem. And she didn't know how Edward would react to seeing more of his, um, fellow have-been living machines (again, she had to change that name). Most likely another panic attack, and that was the last thing both of them needed.
So instead she resolved to only go in if she saw any other people like Edward. She's handel the introductions afterwards. Walking up to the window she looked inside. So far it was just the everyday patrons. A grumpy old man reading the news paper, a few teenagers skipping classes and the odd couple or two.
But it was the group of six boys tucked near the back that caught her eye. Each of them had coal black hair (except for one who had a odd streak of white that reminded her of a skunk). And though most of there clothes covered their skin she could see that it was dark grey.
'Found you.' She smiled and glanced back to Edward who was shuffling on the spot while fiddling with the charm on his necklace. 'Should I just go in and bring Edward with me? I don't want him wandering of in public. They'll probably be able to tell that he's one of them. That might help me win there trust. But what'll happen to us after that?'
Shale didn't deny that she did enjoy Edwards company. It was like having a little brother at some times, which was ironic considering that he was older than her by a large margin. Part of her wanted to just point Edward in their direction and let this all fall behind her. But she also knew that they wouldn't last long on the run. They most likely be captured again and forced to work as slaves. And she knew what that felt like, if on a smaller scale.
So she stuck decided to stick with them out of some vague sense of duty and emotional attachment. 'Now look where you are. Hey, being selfish was what got them into this mess. Don't sink to their level. And for the record, those types of people are part of the reason I'm here in the first place.'
"Hey Eddie?" said Shale
"Yes?" He said. He was still smiling and Shale couldn't help but smile to.
"I'll be blunt about this, I think I might have found some of the other engines from the experiments." Shale braced herself for his reaction.
Edward went silent for a few moments before he responded. "Are your certain that they really were engines?"
"Yea, grey skin and floppy black hair. Pretty sure they fit the bill." She flicked a strand that fell in front of his face and both of them giggled. "C'mon, let's introduce ourselves."
She motioned for him to follow and they walked inside. One of the boys at the head of the table, the one wearing a red shirt and leather jacket peeked up and was visibly shocked. The others began to notice and his reaction rippled through the group. But they didn't make any sudden moves. Instead, talking to each other in hushed voices.
Shale pretended not to notice and drew up a chair for her and Edward next to the group. A waitress was walking by and her expression read as 'Great, not this again' to Shale.
She knew that it was probably directed at her since homeless people did tend to congregate around places like this to try and steal some scraps.
Before she walked closer Shale called out. "I'm just here to meet someone. I don't want any trouble."
The waitress still looked suspicious but she just walked pass them. Shale turned back to Edward who look seemed to be alright so far. She decided now was as good time as ever to introduce herself. She kicked her feet up on the chair beside her and faced the other living machines. (Demi-Humans? That might work.) To her surprise, all six of them were looking back at her.
Her hand flicked towards the boy at the front of the table. "So, I assume your Skarloey?"
Shale noted his hand curl briefly into a fist. "How do you know my name?"
Shale rolled her eyes. "Duh, the jacket." She pointed at the patch on his left arm that had 'Skarloey' written on with yellow letters outlined with black.
One of the boys face palmed at this but Skarloey kept his face neutral. "What do you want?"
"Hey, hey, I'm on your side. If I wanted something out of this do you think I'd bring him with me?" She pointed over to Edward who was now facing the others. "This is Edward, I found him near my hideout. I assume you both know each other."
They stared at each other for a long moment before Skarloey broke the silence. "Edward?"
Edward stopped watching his surroundings and stared back at him. "Yes? Did we know each other?" He said.
One of the others spoke up this time. The one with the orange dress shirt and tie. "What? How come you don't- oh." He paused to look down at his hands. "I suppose you wouldn't."
"Guess this calls for a roll call." Skarloey said. "You already know me, that's Renneas, Rusty, Duncan, Peter Sam and Falcon." He pointed to each of them as he listed them of.
Edwards eyes widened and Shale knew what was coming. He groaned and rubbed his forehead. Skarloey instinctively reached out but Shale grabbed his hand.
"What are you doing?" He asked "Can't you see he's hurting?"
"He's remembering." said Shale, "Listen, whatever they did to turn you into this, didn't work completely on Edward. He's lost parts of his memories but they can be triggered by familiar things, places, objects, whatever. Anyways, its not the best idea to touch him when he's like this. Just give him a moment and he'll calm down."
"Yea, and why should we trust you?"
"I'm sorry, Duncan, was it?" She glanced over to the boy with the mohawk. "I could've just left him to die and gone on with my day. But I went out of my way to help him out and buy some clothes, which cost me my entire emergency cash reserve and half of my afternoon. I know you guys don't exactly trust humans, neither do I. But
None of them said anything after that. Shale took this as a positive sign and looked back to Edward.
"Hey, hey, Eddie. Look at me, tell me three things you can see." said Shale
"You." He said quietly "Floor, Chair."
"Good, you remember why we're here?" she asked
"Yes, yes, I remember you now." He looked up to face the others. "You were the narrow gauge engines, right?"
"Ah, yes. But how much can you recall?" Said Skarloey
"Not much. Just small pieces, here and there. But you were all pretty old, even compared to me." He gave them all a cheeky look
"Oh come on, we're not that old." exclaimed Peter Sam. This got some odd looks from some of the nearby patrons.
"Would you shut up, Peter!" Falcon hissed "We're not supposed to talk about that."
"I'm with him on this. Even with normal clothes, none of you really pass for humans." Shale looked down to their empty plates. "Do you even have money? What are you gonna do, Dine and Dash?"
"Well, yes. But I still don't feel good about this." said Rusty
"Don't worry bout it. You can get away with it, as long as you don't make it a habit or they'll won't let you in anymore. If you try this again then swap outfits and make sure to do it at a different place each time." Shale explained
"You've done this before?" Skarloey asked, baffled at how casually she said it.
"Yea, every now and then." Shale said "Anyways, what's your plan for when you get out of here. You've got a place to stay? Cause I can help with that."
"Why are you helping us anyways?" Renneas asked. "I mean, it's not that we're ungrateful we are but, um-"
"You want to know what I'm getting out of this." Said Shale. She saw him and a few of the others wince at the blunt wording. "Don't worry about sugar-coating it, I understand where that's coming from. And I'll be honest, I would enjoy some of the extra protection. But don't think that's the only reason. I've seen what they do to you guys when your deemed replaceable or disposable and that is just disgusting, even by my standards. And yes, I am referencing what probably happened to most of your friends."
As an emphasis she made the motion of slitting her threat and went limp. "Anyway, my point is that we both now have a reason to stay together. That being, Mutual survival."
"Ah, of course." Renneas said, looking more distressed than ever.
"So, what do we do now? We do have a place to stay, can we take you their?" Rusty asked quietly.
"Really? Dam, didn't expect that. But best to talk latter. You guys finish and get ready to dash." She turned her chair so her back was facing the rest and looked back to Edward.
Talking to him in a hushed voice, she asked if he was alright.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." He smiled but still massaged the side of his temples.
"Eddie don't lie. Just tell me how bad it is, I can take it." Shale said.
"Really, I am fine. It does hurt but it's going away. It's worth the pain if that means I can remember who I am again." He took Shales hand and looked her in the eye.
She still felt he was hiding most of the pain but his answer felt genuine so she didn't press the matter. She decided to ask again if something like this happened again. Wether or not she wanted that was up for debate.
