The Third Day (Koh & Hadrian)

[Hadrian]

"They should," he said. Zeltiva was a trade hub, and all currencies should be exchangeable with the right people. Once Hadrian determined precisely which market Koh meant, he pulled more specific information about the house so he could find it. He was not in the mood to go searching through all the houses for rent around that market looking for a picture of a snake on the hearth. "I'm fairly sure I can find it," he said, nodding. He waited to see if Koh would trust him with his coinage.

[Koh]

Hesitant at first, Koh stood motionless for a bit before giving a defeated sigh and handing the bags to Hadrian, leaving every last coin to his care. "The house has stood the test of time for over a hundred years. The doors frame should have a name still etched into it. The seller did not find much concern and left the house in an as is condition. H-" he paused a bit and altered what he was about to say, "The name etched in. It is Yun. It's in small letters. Almost touching the floor on the right. Beyond that there is not much else to explain. Old splintering door and brick. Somewhere in the older markets."

Koh stepped back once more, leaning against the tree before speaking again, "The seller lives three houses north of the home in question. Shall I wait here? Or would you like me to follow you into town and wait somewhere there?" The question was one to see what he would want. Does Hadrian want the Dhani to wait behind, or did he want a blind snake following him like last time?

[Hadrian]

Hadrian considered, hefting the payment in his hand before tucking it away. "I'll be back," he promised. *** It was two hours before Hadrian returned, a faint sheen of sweat illuminating his fair face in the spring sunlight. All that walking. But what made his face light up even more was the smile he shared with Koh. His father would have been proud of him, wheeling and dealing with the seller and securing the home for Koh. Well, he likely wouldn't have cared much for Koh unless the Dhani or his family were likely trade partners for the Aelius trade empire, such as it was. "Sir," he said, somewhat grandly, "your key." With a flourish, he presented Koh with the key to the house in question. Hadrian smirked, knowing he was good.

[Koh]

Koh was quick to become impatient as Hadrian left, waiting ten, then twenty minutes. After that time passed he became bored, and began trying to climb the tree in his human form, gripping tight around the base of it. He inched his way up, not used to climbing like this until finally he made it to the branch he had been resting on before. In the same means he wrapped both arms and legs around the branch and inched forward, bit by bit.

Now forty minutes passed and Koh began kicking at the dirt, digging into the ground with his foot. It only took a minute before this too bored him.

Now fifty minutes passed and Koh was becoming more restless, beginning to daydream about the old days in the home they were trying to purchase. Oh the joys of it all, to be under that roof again. I've longed for this day I must admit.

An hour and thirty minutes passed before Koh went into despair, Damn, he must have taken the money. That's exactly what happened. He took the money and ran. Damn him, when I catch him next I'll devour him alive!

Now two hours passed, the day seeming to go slowly until this moment. Footsteps in the distance were heard, shifting the leaves of the twigs and leaves. Quickly he regained his composure, wiping away something in his hands from yet another experiment to keep his mind off things. Hadrian came into view, looking tired and bringing out a key with few words.

The key in question was old and worn out, sitting silently in the palm of Hadrian's hands, yet Koh's face brightened, as though watching the sun rise for the first time. His hand shook as it reached out, grabbing the key carefully as if of glass, holding it up like a piece of treasure in his palm. He opened his mouth to speak but could not. Never had he felt like this, his entire body weakened at the sight of this one item.

He looked as though he were about to cry but did not shed a tear, taking a step back from the spot he stood to take a deep breath. Finally after a minute of what seemed an overdramatic moment, he placed the key into one of his pockets, reached into his robe to grab his gauntlets, placing both on to hide his arms, then tightening the robe to a point of a more decent nature. The great snake had a huge size to him, even in human form, but from what emotions could be seen, he looked more the part of a child now, almost frail at the time.

Finally he spoke, his voice almost skiddish, "Hadrian...Thank you." he began, pressing a hand against the pocket with the key, "Can we go? To the house I mean." he asked as though it were not his home, having been used to the natural setting for so long a time instead of being a home owner.

[Hadrian]

"It's your home now," he said, smiling. "So we can go if you like. We can get you settled and I'll go get anything you might need. You can probably get around all right at night, but until then you should stay inside if you're worried people will see that you're Dhani." He took a deep breath, blowing the air out of puffed cheeks. Forgotten meals and the occasional practice of personal magics made sure he didn't keep any spare flesh on his bones, and while he was a frequent walker, today was shaping up to be a bit of a marathon even by his standards. Still, he didn't complain, and he had to walk back into town eventually. "So what do you say? Homeward bound?"

[Koh]

Slowly Koh pulled over his hood, stepping towards Hadrian, "If you would be so kind." He took the key back out of his pocket, gripping tightly onto it, probably unwilling to let it go. He could still see well enough, the hood yet to cover his entire face. However once more in town he would rely on Hadrian again for sight, as he had relied upon him for near everything else.

[Hadrian]

The journey back was slow and silent, Hadrian leading the way. He was tired and Koh was hampered by his disguise, which accounted for the slowness. Koh seemed overwhelmed by some emotion or complex of emotions and Hadrian thought it rude to intrude overmuch, which accounted for the silence. When they reached the little house, Hadrian stood aside that Koh might stand on his threshold and unlock the door for himself. Keeping quiet, he merely observed the Dhani in action. He wondered, though, whether he meant to bring more of his kind here and start a small nest. It seemed unlikely given the unutterably cold of the bonesnapper winds that came in winter, but he supposed stranger things had happened.

[Koh]

Koh stepped forward, touching the door lightly, staring down at the etched name in the frame. He inserted the key, turning, and then pushing the door open. To the right, an old hearth, bricks long since blacked by ash, and in the corner the bed, Her Bed. He stepped inside, removing his hood at looking around with a blank stare, leaving the door open as though an invitation to Hadrian to come in as well.

His footsteps were silent as he crossed the floor to the side of the bed, kneeling beside it and examining it's old frame. After a minute he looked up, quick to rush to the hearth once more, grabbing at the brick with the snake etched into it. The brick moved with his hand as he pulled it out, leaving a gaping hole which he reached into. His hands searched silently before finally coming into contact with something. What he pulled out was a doll, long since worn and near the age of ancient. After looking at it for a moment he returned it, placing the brick back into the hole before speaking again.

"Once there was a girl here. Long beautiful hair with a smile brighter then a sun rise. Compared to others she was strange, finding interests in many different things. One day she passed by a shop, finding a small snake on sale. She visited that snake almost everyday, always bringing that same smile, and same warmth. After so long a time, she finally bought the snake. Her mother was upset with her but accepted the new pet over time. As the snake grew, so did the little girl, and so did their friendship."

Koh gave a bit of pause, thinking about what he was talking about. He eyed Hadrian for a second and then looked away, continuing in deep thought, "She cared for that snake for many years. Even as she grew old, weathered, she cared for the snake. The snake never paid much notice to her age though, thinking she would live as long as he..." He paused, clenching his hands into fists, looking as if someone had just stabbed him, "The snake was foolish in those days. By the time he realized how much faster humans aged, it was too late. The snake. He was alone."

He was silent for a second before turning his head towards Hadrian, "The girl got her pet snake over one hundred years ago. Over one hundred years after she got the snake, the snake's dream came true. To live in that girls house again, and to have someone actually care for him as she did so long ago. Hadrian. Thank you. Thank you, for making the dreams of this foolish snake come true."

[Hadrian]

Hadrian didn't enter the house at first, though he had seen it with the seller already, but when he recognized what a personal moment Koh was having, he slipped in and closed the door to shut the rest of the world out. He idled by the door, not wanting to intrude. Emotions were not his strong suit and while he listened to the story and smiled encouragingly, he hoped Koh wouldn't burst into tears and need comforting. It was strange to see him in such a state; he had expected a snake-man to be cooler somehow, but apparently there was enough human blood in his veins to allow for certain passions. He would have to double check some of his books on Dhani culture when he got home, comparing his experiences to the words written down. "You're welcome," he said finally. He might have said, 'It was nothing', but speaking with Isikais had made him more aware of the subtle effects words could have. It wasn't nothing to Koh that he had done him this favor, even though the effort only amounted to a lot of walking and a little fast-talking with the seller. 'Don't mention it' would have been similarly dismissive. So he left it at 'You're welcome'. "I hope you will be safe and happy here," he added at the last.

[Hadrian]

END