Into The Aether

Chapter Twenty-Three: Shared Memories

"He's like a big kid. Wanna go see to dinner with me? It'll be like I'm takin' you out to dinner", Dempsey cooed.

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"It's always very romantic when I'm the one who's having to cook it!" I jested before we walked over to Primis.

As we approached, he snapped around to look at us before glaring at me.

"Vhat do jou vant?" He said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, it's time for dinner and I'm head chef these days. I was going to start cooking but I'd like to make sure you've got a suitable babysitter considering I still don't fully trust you", I said jokingly, though I still meant the latter.

I then looked around at Dempsey who initially eyed me with confusion before the look of shock conveyed that he clearly was not happy with his nomination.

"But! We were gonna make dinner!" He protested before I convinced him of his duties.

I left the two men and headed to the canteen. The theatre was a Group 935 facility after all so it would just be like Der Riese. And this time, I was going to make sure I got use of the showers. I desperately needed one by now.

After getting lost, I finally made it to the canteen and began picking up tins like before. I had a rough idea of what German words to look for by now which made things easier. After I secured suitable pots and pans I emptied the contents of the tins into them. Once I was done, I then took a seat and listened to everything simmer and bubble away.

Takeo entered the room whilst Nikolai followed his nose close behind. I welcomed them in as Takeo took a seat and Nikolai went over to watch the pots like an impatient child.

"We need to talk", Takeo said, his voice was serious.

I cocked my head to one side in confusion.

"Do you know where Richtofen has been? He is not in his office", Takeo asked.

I did not tell him that I thought the creepy bastard had followed me into the ladies room so I shrugged and replied that I did not know.

"Where ever you go, he is always close behind", Takeo stated.

I rolled my eyes.

"Gee, Takeo. That's a lovely thought. Not creepy in the slightest!" I remarked.

Takeo looked at the floor as if he was having an inner conflict with himself. I stood up and put a hand on his shoulder to try and reassure him that he could tell me whatever it was. But to my surprise, he shook the thought away and changed the subject.

"I think you should check those pots", he said as Nikolai was now anxiously trying to get our attention whilst pointing at the pot whose water was spilling over.

I ran over and saw to it before turning off the heat and taking the pot off the hob. After a few minutes, I had emptied the pots and plated up the food.

Takeo and Nikolai helped me carry the food to the others who had made a base on the stage. As we got closer, I felt a pang at the thought of having to give Richtofen his food again. Thankfully, Takeo volunteered this time and I was immediately awash with relief.

Dempsey and Primis had moved multiple sofas onto the stage for us to sleep on for the night. They had surrounded the fire with them and it looked so cozy despite the dilapidated surroundings. I was handed a blanket which I put around my shoulders before tucking into my food.

The evening passed without an appearance from Richtofen and I knew by then that he was avoiding me - or at least watching me from afar instead of making his presence known. He had not answered the door to Takeo who had decided to just leave the tray at the door. To because honest, I felt much better not seeing him; I could begin to let my guard down for once.

Primis was also beginning to relax around us as we tried to make him feel welcome amongst comrades. I looked over at him as he listened to Takeo speak; he was very attractive with Richtofen's angular face and quintessential Germanic features. He looked youthful but also old enough to be a fairly established academic. Oh, how I love intellectual men. He sat nearby me and, as the night went on, I kept catching him looking over at me. Thankfully I felt relieved in the knowledge that I knew he would not have the guts to try and make a move on me.

Or so I thought...

I collected everyone's plates to return to the canteen before Primis insisted on volunteering to help me take them over. I suspected he wanted to talk privately - even if Richtofen was skulking around the place to eavesdrop. The cutlery gently rattled on the plates with each step as we made our way there. Primis was remarkably silent on the way there which surprised me but I remained silent too. Once we arrived, I left the plates in the sink as I decided to see to them in the morning.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and instinctively turned around. Primis was standing in front of me looking down at me through Richtofen's blue eyes. I stayed silent in confusion before he finally spoke.

"Jou sheem so familiar, I feel like I know jou", he said softly.

I was completely taken aback at his tone, his voice was deep and sonorous and it was very strange.

"Uh, maybe you share thoughts with the other Richtofen. Like a hive mind or something? Maybe because he knows me that those thoughts carried over to you?" I mused as I thought over my hypothesis.

It had been mentioned in the game after all so it was not anything new. But his gaze was still growing in intensity and I was trapped between him and the sink behind me. I did find him extremely attractive but I really did not want to encourage him.

"Yup, you're being inundated with all that knowledge from your other self. It'll take a while before it fully sinks in so maybe get some sleep--", I tried to barter for my freedom before being cut off.

"Und vhy can't jou fill zhe gaps in for me now?" He growled lowly, but this growl was not menacing like Richtofen's.

I reiterated that it was time to sleep and I would do it in the morning if his memories did not come through. But the doctor protested that I stay as he took a seat and urged me to do the same.

So, I relented and quickly gave him a rundown of what had happened back in Der Riese.

End of part twenty-three...