Episode 109

[spongetastic]

[Peter was just settling into his second cup of coffee when the letter came. It's good he's already sitting down when he reads it, because the words hurt. Every time someone leaves it's painful for him. This is just another blow, another dear friend gone back home. The news is so staggering he almost misses what else is in this letter. When he sees this second thing he lets out a soft laugh.

When he's ready to speak, his voice sounds overwhelmed]

I want to talk to everyone about something important. The newer people may not know about it, but there's a karaoke bar in town called Caritas. Its name is Latin for "mercy", and was built a few years ago by a dear friend of mine. Anyone regardless of being human, demon, powerless or powerful is welcome in Caritas. It's a sanctuary.

If you ever need a safe place to go, or just want a drink, Caritas is open to you. I won't turn anyone away. And if ever there's a crisis in Paradisa, the bar is protected.

The reason I'm saying all this is because it looks like I'm the new owner. I'm going to make sure Caritas continues to be the sanctuary its founder intended.

Comments

[heloise]

Charity.

What do you do in a karaoke bar?

[spongetastic]

Some people like to get up and sing. I won't make anybody do it, but the machine is there, and some have fun with it. You can just come and have a drink, too. I work as a bartender.

[heloise]

[ She knows what a bartender is! ]

What drinks can you mix?

[spongetastic]

Whatever you order, more or less.

[heloise]

I usually take only wine, but I have heard of martinis and the old fashioned.

[spongetastic]

I could make you a sample if you want to try something new.

[heloise]

Could you?

Then I must come and visit this place at once.

[spongetastic]

I'll look forward to seeing you.

[heloise]

Can I bring company?

[spongetastic]

Sure. Everyone's welcome in Caritas.

[heloise]

Everyone, truly?

[spongetastic]

That's the policy, yeah.

[heloise]

Even Joshua Christopher?

[spongetastic]

Yes, even him.

[heloise]

[ That earns him a chuckle, light. ]

I will be there soon.

[spongetastic]

Okay. See you soon.

[pompous_today]

I'll be by sometime. Not necessarily for a drink, but the company will be good.

[spongetastic]

We serve non-alcoholic beverages too, just in case you get thirsty.

[pompous_today]

Sounds good.

[luxe_can_kill]

I suppose I should give this place a try. I only know of The Lux, a change of scenery would be quite welcome.

[spongetastic]

The Lux is a great place, too. But Caritas is in the city, so it's away from the castle craziness.

[luxe_can_kill]

Perfect. I could use some time away from the Castle's mischief.

Although my curiosity is getting the better of me, who was the former owner if you don't mind me asking.

[spongetastic]

The original owner was a demon named Lorne. He had a bar just like this back in his own world. He was a great friend...

[luxe_can_kill]

I see. I have heard of The Lux was founded by a demon as well. Is this true?

[spongetastic]

I'm honestly not sure. It's been passed through so many hands over the years.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

A karaoke bar, huh? That sounds pretty tempting, but I'm not even 18 yet.

[spongetastic]

It's okay, we have non-alcoholic drinks too.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Awesome! I'll definitely check it out. I might bring my friend along too, she's a singer from back home. You might have met her before, since she's been here for much longer than I did.

[spongetastic]

I work a lot, so I probably haven't bumped into her unless she was in the clinic.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Clinic? What happened?

[spongetastic]

Nothing recently. That's just where I work. I'm a nurse, a paramedic specifically.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Oh, okay. How did you two meet?

[spongetastic]

Um... I couldn't say unless you tell me her name.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Oh, right. [Chie's being a little slow today] It's Rise Kujikawa.

[spongetastic]

No, sorry, I haven't met her yet. But she's welcome in Caritas anytime.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Okay! We'll definitely drop by then. What's your name?

[spongetastic]

Peter Petrelli. Just Peter is fine, though.

[pint_sized_carnivore]

Nice to meet you! I'm Chie Satonaka.

[spongetastic]

Nice to meet you too, Chie.

[kungfuwitch]

[Phoebe's curled up in a chair nearby, re-reading her own letter. She glances up, watching Peter. She knows how important Fred was to Peter. She might not have known her as well as he did but it was still like losing family.]

[spongetastic]

[Peter folds up the letter, now weighing the papers saying he's the owner of Caritas in his hands. There are keys to the connecting apartments]

You and your sisters owned a club, right? Maybe you can give me some pointers.

[kungfuwitch]

We did, yeah, though Piper did most of the work. I'll do whatever I can to help you, though. [she chuckles] There have been a few people who have tried to tell me I should open a club here for that precice reason.

[spongetastic]

Well, now you can work in Caritas with me. There's an apartment right above it where we can stay.

[kungfuwitch]

Not even married a year and we have our own business, a house and an apartment. [She smiles sadly]

Though... I don't know if I'd want to live in town full time. With Code Blair, now...

[She lets her voice trail off. The fact that all of their property and Code Blair all came to them after people had left is not lost on her. It feels strange, all of these things were so easy to think of as "Piper's House" or "Alan's group." Having them now be hers...]

[spongetastic]

Oh... no, you're right. That's important, too. And I want to make sure the church is maintained.

[he didn't technically inherit Abel's church, but it's still a piece of Abel left behind]

I feel like I've grown up a lot, to manage all this.

[kungfuwitch]

[She nods] We've inherited a lot, haven't we?

[Her eyes turn a little sad and she reaches out to touch his arm]

We've both grown.

[spongetastic]

[he takes her hand, twining their fingers together]

A lot of good memories. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

[kungfuwitch]

[She smiles, giving his hand a squeeze. Having him here with her made everything they'd been through worth it, absolutely.]

Not one thing.