The Elements

[Raven]

"His name is hard to remember," Kenny said. "I'll call him the bastard if you prefer."

[Gifted]

Rakel chuckled. "That works." She admitted. "But no, I don't expect you to be like him. I expect you to be like every other fucking person who could have stopped it. The people around every fucking day now. My father. If there's one thing Boskovic taught me it's that there are very few people who won't screw you over for personal gain, and if there's one thing being on the streets taught me is that people who say they care take it exactly as far as they have to to ease their own conscience and not a step further. Nobody actually gives a damn. Not about poor people and not about children, either."

[Raven]

Kenny nodded. "Unfortunately, sometimes there really is nothing someone can do," he said. "People are wired to put themselves first, and they'll do what they can to help, but they aren't going to work themselves to death for you, or for most anyone. And some people won't do much to help you, and that doesn't necessarily mean they don't care. Just that you aren't their priority. But some people really will do whatever they can for you. Like your mom, I assume."

[Gifted]

"Nothing they can do my ass." Rakel snapped. "My best friend's mother spends every penny that doesn't go toward keeping the lights on on food so that whenever someone he knows needs a roof over their head for a night or two, and a hot meal, she can always open her doors to them. Despite being no better off than they are. You wouldn't do that. None of those moneyed men who pass us in their big fancy cars every day on the street and lock their doors would do that. Not one of those fucking cops who wouldn't hesitate to destroy my mother and I's life because I didn't want to die would do that. There were dozens of journalists who could have taken one fucking second to hear our side of the story. To hear my side of the story. But Boskovic's version of events was jucier. It got them more ratings. There were dozens of my mother's work colleagues who could have stood up and protested against party leaders forcing her resign. But that might damage their chances at a bigger office someday. Nobody gives a rats ass what happens to me, or how much my mother did for this country. It doesn't matter as long as they can get something out of it or it's not happening to them or their immediate inner circle. Sometimes not even then."

[Raven]

"Yes, I would. If you, or anyone in my church, or any one of the second generation kids, or any child, asked me for help, or food, or to for a safe place to stay, I would absolutely give it," Kenny said.

[Gifted]

"I don't believe you." Rakel said simply.

[Raven]

"You don't really need to. But you do need to stop giving my kid reasons to hate you," Kenny said.

[Gifted]

"I haven't done anything to your fucking kid. I don't even think I've seen your fucking kid."

[Raven]

"Yeah, because he's sheltered and you're abrasive, so he avoids coming out if he at all possibly can because the first time he did, you shouted profanities in his direction."

[Gifted]

"Well, this is my personality. Don't like it, tough." Rakel did feel a bit guilty she'd scared him, but she certainly wasn't about to show weakness.

[Raven]

"I doubt that," Kenny said. "Anyway, he's going to want to come out when everyone gets here. So don't freak him out. He's just a kid. He's been through a lot." The oven beeped and Kenny turned to pull out two large trays full of rolls, grimacing as he stood up. He then got a turkey from the fridge and placed it in the oven. "Frederick - he's the previous Nature - is bringing pies, so all we have left to do is the salad."

[Gifted]

"Hmph. No promises." Rakel said. "Ok, what kind of salad?"

[Raven]

"I've got a recipe for some broccoli confection. Do you want to cook bacon or chop broccoli? Do you know how to use a kitchen knife? Do you know how to cook bacon?"

[Gifted]

Rakel sighed. "Yes, I can cook bacon and use a knife. I'm poor, not incompetent."

[Raven]

"You're a teenager, I didn't know how to use a knife properly when I was your age," Kenny said. Not to chop vegetables, anyway. "And I would rather not have you cutting off your finger in my kitchen. Which would you rather?"