The Home Front

Volodja heard Belle's call and put his notebook back into pocket. Obsessed or not, he must be there for her. Professional ethics. Never leave innocents to suffer and rest of idealist bull shit, he considered to be so noble earlier. But at moment he had to find those principles under layer of dust and put them for use again. Just this time. So he moved relatively fast and stopped only at Belle's cell.

As a first thing he explained about von Eschen's weird and self preserving behaviour. Poor guy had suffered enough during his life and hadn't been on line of duty decades already, although he had a really brilliant mind. All he did was mere surviving and now Volodja made him part of something bigger again. It became too suddenly and no wonder that von Eschen needs time to adapt himself with suddenly changed environmental conditions and lifestyle.

Then he listened Belle and after doing some serious brain work, he begun with the Volge issue: "As you know, dear Tinkerbelle, it's not your fault. You could not object your father's decision to make a war machine out of you. I can't find a cure yet, you know, but I might have few simple ideas, like counting numbers, when you are upset to keep your mind busy and concentrate on counting only. Don't think about anything else. Just count. And as for sleep - maybe suggestive music therapy will help a bit. Calming, smoothing and meditative melodies during your sleep. We should try that. No words, just music. And maybe some aromas too. Maybe I have suggested that already...? Not sure...Or I thought about that earlier? Never mind. Timing won't change value of the idea.



As for your and our losses....I wish I could bring them back and let you out from this cell, but I can't. I am not powerful, but I think about a cliché here - concentrate on living ones. Don't look back. Do something useful and think about that all the lost ones won't be happy if you keep burying yourself alive, dear girl. Remember what I suggested earlier - let's try some field trips. Real and illusional. Travelling usually helps in cases of depression. All new placed to discover and miracles to see. I...I used that method myself, although I turned to be a selfish bastard, when taking a vacation in Europe to rest my soul.

The rest is up to you. You must have some faith to yourself and to the world, although I am the last one, who can say those words, without telling a lie. I am quite broken and I still feel fragile. So I must warn you - avoid turning into me. I am really a bad example here. I can't guarantee miracles, but it would be something, worth of trying, because you don't need others to keep Volge at bay. You need yourself first and foremost! So we have a week to search and find you. It's all about thinking, therapists used to say, before whole world went mad."

"My dear Tinkerbelle," said Volodja. "As I mentioned before, although your mind seemed to busy with other matters, it's all up to you. We must change the way you are thinking right now. Actually we must change it back and regain the positive thinking pattern you had before. You know - glass is half full, et cetera. For my kind there is a bit different thinking pattern - fill it up and then I drink it all, but I am a maximalist and get disappointed, when I don't get a full glass or I don't like the taste. You are natural born optimist, dear girl. So we have lot of time to help you up and make you move on in your path. A whole week, can you imagine? You just have to try hard enough, because you need it. And we need you back, so think about us too. But if you...we won't succeed at first try, then we just keep trying, until we win that depression of yours. By the way - if you want to be petty, then you will do it so you could just say: "Told ya'll so.""

And then he went silent, waiting what influence his words might have on this poor girl, who really wanted to get out from her cage. He was not sure, how much he helped her, but at least he tried. And by helping her, he helped himself to get back some of his lost self esteem. And when he is done here, then he will go and try to insert some courage into Wolfram's soul too. Poor man obviously needed that, after receiving too much information about Belle. 

"Always happy to help, Tinkerbelle," said Volodja after Belle paid him royal fee for his services by giving him another hug and kiss on a cheek."You helped me too and more than you could ever imagine. Must go now and try to get my shocked friend on solid ground again. I bet he is barricaded himself in again, so I must use some muscles, before reaching his mind. Be a good girl and don't step back now. Only forward. I ll keep my eye on you. Maybe even camera lens. Can't risk with poor Wolfram's health here so I better do the hard part for him. Don't worry. I won't peek when you are taking a shower, but I will watch you when you are asleep." And he winked his brown eye, smiled, turned on his heel and left Belle's prison. WHEN they succeed, then after a week they can build a freaking hen house here after that, as long as he cared.



But now he had to break into his old friend's living quarters and to save at least remains of his nervous system, although he knew, that he had to drink that ten thousand times damned liquid again.

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Few minutes later Volodja was busy with tearing down the barricade, separating Wolfram from him. "Alles Gute, Wolfram. Das ist Mich, Volodja," he said comfortingly. "Just came to see you. Damn! (he said louder than intended, because chair fell right to his feet from the top of the barricade)" Finally he breached through and spotted Wolfram in his bed, still in shaky condition.

"Everything is fine. Went there myself and suggested some simple ideas about her therapy. I know that you call me a charlatan now, or something worse, because I didn't use long term therapy sessions, but my suggestions were happily accepted and when they help, then we have our Belle back in no time. She has a strong will, I must say, but you look like that you have seen a ghost."

"You knew all the time about her!" yelled Wolfram. "And yet you acted, like she was a perfectly normal girl!"

"But she is a perfectly normal girl in my eyes," replied Volodja with his ordinary calm tone. "Really sweet and adorable normal girl. One Volge more or less inside of her won't mean a thing."

"I just don't understand, how you managed to survive here. Das ist ja unglaublich!" Wolfram was really out of himself.

"Have to borrow the term "habitus" from social sciences this time. I am used with them all and if you decide to stay, then you will get used too and won't pay any attention to our weirdness," said Volodja. "You are used with your solitude, that's it. These are your baby steps on your path leading you to the world. Don't you worry - nobody touches you here."

After several drinks and more comforting chat our good doctor von Eschen became more confident again. Especially when Volodja promised that he will help him getting adjusted with their extraordinary team. That part was done, so Volodja returned to his cabin and started to work again. On his second try things went faster and better, than before. Mostly thanks to Belle and her kind words about his small effort dragging her out from misery. And Johann Sebastian Bach's "Air" helped him concentrate too.

After quick snack at canteen Volo went back to his cabin and kept himself busy with working. Wolfram von Eschen's "Collected scribblings" were in perfect order, but since Volodja had anything else to do, he asked Sophie to deliver him some literature about psychology and psychotherapy and decided to get busy with them. At least nobody can say that he thinks about himself all the time. This time he thought only about his duties. Some "mainstream" classical music played on background, when Volodja was fully occupied increasing his professional level. 




He stopped only to write "Don't disturb" note and glue that to his door, so he could work in peace. If professionalism has to be his only quality, then so be it. And soon he was swimming in the sea of knowledge again...

By the time Erika Widowmaker had arrived to the holo-suite, the birthday party was already in full swing, although the birthday girl, Lady Christianna, and her consort, Atticus Batman, had not arrived yet. The holo room was set to another beach scene, but more tropical that the one she had been running in earlier in the day, and much more like a tourist resort with cabanas and carefully landscaped palm trees. There were numerous tables and chairs set up in the sand, and Japanese lanterns strung above them for when the virtual sun went down. A large open bar was situated at one side of the dining area, and in the middle was a dancing area with a calypso steel drum band at the other side.

Erika saw Belle Starr and her chaperone slash guard Lena Marr, both in vividly patterned sarongs sitting at a table at the edge, along with Broderick Smythe in a truly awful gaudy Hawaiian shirt. The fourth at the table was a white suited man graying at the temples vaguely resembling Belle and smoking a pipe as he stared curiously at her with intense gray eyes when she approached the table. All had colorful drinks with tiny umbrellas in them. Erika had her usual fatigues on, and Belle raised a blond eyebrow when she joined them at the table.

"Nobody told y'all this was a casual affair, Erika?" Asked Belle with a warm smile and a glint of mischief in her blue diamond eyes.

"This is as casual as I get," Answered Erika truthfully, but with a hint of mirth on her full lips, then added as she stared at the pipe smoking stranger, "Who is this gentleman, Belle?"

"Let me introduce myself," Said the attractive older man with an easy smile holding out his pale hand for Erika to shake, which she did. "I'm Alfred, Belle's EGO psyche and her father."

Erika's wide jade eyes grew bigger, knowing all the stories about Alfred's machinations concerning Belle. She had heard that he had returned as her EGO psyche, but had not expected to actually see him in the flesh so to speak, as this room gave the EGO holograms solid form. Erika kept her Irathiat cool and merely answered, "Pleased to meet you."

"I sure hope Miss Christianna gets her soon," Said Broderick Smythe with a goofy grin, "I'm going to ask her for the first dance"

Belle winced as she replied, "Not a good idea Brody! Maybe you should wait to the sixth or seventh dance!"

"Or maybe never," Muttered Lena Marr under her breath, having seen how Atticus "The Harbinger of Death" Batman was so protective of his beloved Lady Christianna.

"I'll dance with y'all Brody!" Volunteered Belle with a warm smile.

"Be careful my dear," Interjected Alfred with a wicked grin as he puffed on his pipe, "If he steps on your toes, you might just Volge out on us!"

Belle glared at him and nobody laughed, while Brody looked confused not understanding Alfred's comment or knowing that Belle was a Were-Volge. An awkward silence ensued, with Alfred watching the others with a bemused look on his handsome face.

"Of course you can, dear," replied Volodja who was suddenly dragged out from depths of an ocean of new knowledge. It was really a deep dive, because he didn't even noticed the time passing and even his response to Dinara came automatically. Rest of his talk was more conscious already.

"What can I do for you, dear? A soda perhaps? Or did I missed an earth quick? I just got lost into pile of new books, Sophie downloaded for me. This time this boy found a new set of intellectual toys. And I was playing with them until you arrived."

God damn! He was really carried away, so he had to wrap his present for Lady. As her tutor, he had to increase her knowledge, so he made Henry Pine-Coffin a really happy and wealthy guy, when he bought some really expensive and useful books for Lady, including that art catalogue she admired, and didn't bother to haggle at all. Some day he will return to Freedom and he wanted to be good terms with Henry. They shared same interests and he wanted to support his new friend any way he could, including financially.

Books were not a very original present, but it was still something which might help Lady to develop her personality. While Dinara settled herself, he got himself busy with wrapping his modest and predictable present.

"Depends, what you are looking for, dear. I actually might have something for you. Couple of electronic art catalogues, so you can read them peacefully. Sophie, dear, share our riches with Dinara, please." He didn't had to tell her twice, because soon she appeared with some books and handed them to Dinara. Then she looked intensively at Volodja, having only one question in her green holographic eyes: "Can we go, Volodja?" Volodja saw her glance, gave appreciative nod to Sophie and after that said to Dinara:

"You know I almost forgot about that party. Thanks for reminding me...And if we aren't in best terms with the Giant at moment, then it's mostly my own fault. Our views about the best solutions to some problems just clashed and since we both are stubborn enough, we kept arguing. I forgot that he is our leader now, and still took him as my partner and companion. Old habits are sometimes hard to forget. I should have been more flexible, but I saw, what imprisonment did to Belle. Can you imagine that you are suddenly cut off from friends and family and all you have are bitter memories of deceased ones? I would not wish same thing to happen even to my enemies, not to mention friends. I am ready to go, but where are we going and what might be the dress code? Ah never mind. Will improvise if needed. By the way - Sophie needs a night out too. She has been really busy lately, mostly with metabolism problems, so she needs rest and I won't be the one who keeps her grounded." 

"Thanks Mr. Volodja...I mean just Volodja...I mean Volo...for the books and for letting Sophie out. We have some FUN, FUN, FUN tonight, right Sophie? Puhleese say, we have fun," she pleaded.

Volodja listened that charming childish chatter of the really life wise EGO girl and smiled to Dinara, before both of them left his cabin. They had a party to attend. A chance to relax and have some fun and he suspected that he was not the only one in need of both of them.

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"Oh my. We have a beach party," thought Volodja after he arrived. "It seems that we even have chance to get ourselves into holographic clothing," he continued his inner monologue, after Sophie, who made a quick reconnaissance tour around the beach and found a nice short designer dress for herself already, informed him about that option, before she went to see other EGO girls. 



The air was warm, calypso steel drum band played and sun was still setting. And it was time to dress into something suitable for occasion, so Volodja entered into one of the dressing cabins and started to pick an outfit.

"You will not see me in Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals," he declared decisively, and continued with more didactic manner. "Gentleman orders his tailored suits from London, but if you want a decent summer suit, then you must travel to Rome."

After awhile he stepped out from the cabin, wearing white hand made summer suit, matching shirt and suitable pair of white shoes (plus his shining smile) and looked around, ready to mingle with the crowd, if anyone should be interested interacting with him at all. After adding his present into the huge pile, he set his course towards cocktail table...



After first cocktail Volodja spotted Lt.Oenfer, who was officially off duty, but was still busy guarding Lena Marr. Since it was time to improve his human or sort of human relations, Volodja stepped in front of him and said: "I apologize for earlier incident. You were doing your job, so it was wrong of me convince you to step aside."

Huge dark violet Bioman looked him seriously with his orange eyes and replied: "Apology accepted, Volo. And to be honest, I would have followed my protocol if I would have been on your place and Lena Belle's as you reminded me back then. But I would seriously considered breaking it. That much I will say." After looking at Lena for relatively long time Kaj added: "You really scared some of my guards with that battle look of yours. I would send them to counsellor, but since it is you, they would probably be too frightened to go."

"Don't worry," answered Volodja. "We have psychiatrist Wolfram von Eschen now with us. He is a bit scared of large crowds, because of his hermit years and feels a bit insecure about his skills, because he had our Belle as his first patient after returning from retirement, but he was an excellent specialist about mental battle traumas. To be honest, he still is, because he has really good ideas about Erika's children. You can send your frightened men to him. One at the time. It's his speciality and with every cured patient his confidence will raise, so it's useful to you and him both. I believe in him."

"Thank you, Volo. I will consider that proposal," said Kaj. After some small talk Volodja left him on his volunteer guard duty and mixed with crowd, wondering, whom he will meet next.

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Wolfram von Eschen still felt chills running down his spine. This place was one big verfluchte Irrenhaus for him. Although Volodja calmed him somewhat down, poor Wolfram could not get rid of feeling that he is constantly watched by the Volge. Even his Schnapps didn't help very much, but maybe a little vacation in holo room will restore his emotional balance. That was an idea worth of trying. He needs a quiet place like a...beach! Yes, a beach. 

Wolfram opened his cabin door and peeked out with extreme caution. Corridor was empty. Gut! He can get there unnoticed and then he tries to reprogram holo room himself to have a nice lonely beach scene. And alcohol. He saw exactly how Volodja did it, so he is able to do the same. After all - Wolfram was a good observer and remembered everything. 

Not very much people around. That was weird, but who cares. Makes easier to move. And here it is. The door to the holo room. Wolfram sneaked there, opened the door and slipped in backwards, looking an empty corridor just in case someone appears. Seeing nobody, he sighed from relief, closed the door, turned around and...SURPRISE!