*
“Good morning m’boy!” were the first words Barsch heard the next day, followed by, “I’ve got a present for you, if you’d like.”
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Barsch awoke, and, after returning the hermit’s greeting, asked, “What is it?”
Kingston entered the room with several small bundles in his weathered hands, and, after Barsch had moved, placed them on the bed. After he stepped back, Barsch was able to see what the old man had brought him.
“My old clothes, from when I was young and foolish. The style is most likely a few decades out of date, but they’re well made, and will keep you warm. What do you think?” Kingston explained, gesturing to the bundles on the bed.
Picking up one of the bundles, Barsch saw that it was in fact a black shirt with an intricate spiral pattern outlined in blue. Another bundle contained a pair of black pants, and yet another held a large, dark grey overcoat, with a pair of comfy looking boots wrapped inside.
“They’re perfect,” said Barsch, examining the clothes. Before the Great Sleep, new clothes were almost as rare as fresh food, so it had become common to treasure any that were found. “I really can’t thank you enough, Kingston.”
“Ah, think nothing of it m’boy. If my old things can be of use, then you are welcome to take anything else you want!” Kingston was wearing one of his trademark grins, but there was a sadness to him that Barsch could not quite place. He wanted to ask Kingston about it, but the hermit had already left the room, returning to the kitchen to make their breakfast. After tidying the study, Barsch slipped on his new clothes, keeping his podsuit on underneath. If he managed to reactivate the pod, he would need the suit, and if he could not, then the suit could serve as a layer of insulation.
Awakening Page 16