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Casual racism at the canteen.

"Did you see the lizard we have walking around here lately?" Tariffs eyes wide. His bovine snout twitching with excitement.

"Yeah, I can't believe they even let one in" replied Skeerzi, her feathers puffing up. "You know what they do...what with all those teeth and claws n junk"

Eryndor paused before replying.

"Yeah, but aren't you a bird? your practically related?" Skeerzi snorted at the remark.

"Sure, when's the last time I ripped up a defenseless herbivore because I was feeling like sashimi that day?"

"Sashimi is fish you dolt." Tariff laughed.

"I wouldn't say we are defenseless..."Eryndor said, tapping the new buds of horn forming on his head.

"Yeah, but you have a season for that, most of the time you are naked, unlike me." Tariff said, moving eye eyes side to side, as if to say 'look at these' in reference to his large horns. "Mine never go away"

"The pain of being a deer...they are going to get so itchy soon." Eryndor sighed. "I will admit, it is somewhat concerning, I've never met one. One of my dad's friends is a lizard though."

The groups eyes grew wide.

"And he's still alive?" Skeerzi said, astounded.

"Last time I checked." Eryndor laughed.

"Are they...like, vegetarian?" Tariff asked.

"No, I think they like fish--and from what I hear they left their country cause of all the war and shit."

"Well, that's boring, I was hoping for some drama." Skeerzi said.

"...you were hoping a bloodthirsty lizard snuck into town to kill people?"

"Well, I could just fly away, you saps would be boned though." despite her jokes, Eryndor could tell Skeerzi was nervous.

"I have to go to work; I will catch you guys later." Eryndor picked up his tray and put it in the 'dirty dishes' rack before heading out the door. (the 'rack' is repurposed deer antlers)

Busy day at the print shop.

Eryndor adjusted his vest as he walked in.

"Thank god you're here, Eryndor! I haven't had a break yet!" Shifa said as he hurried in. Her feathers a ruffled mess, several people had formed a line, bunches of papers in their arms. Eryndor smiled with a sigh, and got to work.

The day went on as usual, people needing posters, invitations, business cards and flyers. There were a few artists who needed prints, and Eryndor always liked these clients the most, there were always interesting images and paintings he got to look at before anyone else.

It happened during the last client of the day, Eryndor was helping them decide on a size format for a set of wedding invitations when something outside the window caught his attention.

Iridescent feathers and scales. The feathers were nothing like an A'vali's, not designed for flying at all, more like armor.

It was the lizard, just across the street outside. He seemed to be somewhat aimless, just sort of walking and looking around. He turned slightly, and eryndor could see one of his bright orange eyes, it was the color of molten metal.

The fur on the back of Eryndor's neck stood up.

"...oh, not a good idea then? I didn't think the gold leaf would be that bad, but it looks like you've seen a ghost--maybe your right, it might be a bit gawdy..." the client said, her ears drooping slightly.

"Oh no, not at all, the gold leaf sounds like a great idea...i just...i just remembered i have some extra things to do after we close, and i was imagining what my dad would say to me if i forgot them..." Eryndor lied.

"Oh, how diligent you are! I hope my soon to be son in law treats their duties as well as you...I fear he might be a bit lazy..."

They chatted some more, before Eryndor took some notes from her and transferred them to the appropriate folder, before waving goodbye. As she left, Eryndor flipped the open sign to 'closed' and locked the door before he made his way to the back office to clear up the remaining files.

Eryndor looked at the clock before he got up: 9:30 pm and it was dark, the weather had been getting colder and he pulled on his coat. The sleeve snagged on his newly budding antlers.

"Ah this again..." he sighed, as he readjusted. He walked out the back door, and was about to lock it when something bumped in to him knocking him over. The pavement bit in to his elbow and he could feel warm blood beginning to seep, his scarf had been thrown over his eyes, and caught on his antlers.

"Excuse me could you watch where you are going--" he lifted the scarf and found himself looking up at the creature...the lizard.

It towered over him and he could finally get a look: the liquid metal eyes seemed to blaze and its mouth hung slightly ajar. The knife-like teeth reflected some of the light from the streetlamps.

Eryndor was frozen, he had never seen a khar'dak up close like this. He thought he would be able to handle it better, considering all the nice things his dad had said about them. This was different, he sat face to face with what every cell in his body considered a murder machine.

The lizard's eyes darted down to Eryndor's injured elbow, and he instinctively drew it close to his body to hide the blood, to hide the weakness. The molten eyes darted back up to meet Eryndor's, something in them had changed, the slit pupils dilated, growing larger. The lizard stepped back, and drew its claws toward its body as if it had just touched something hot, before turning and running, the feathers on the end of its tail flicking in to the darkness.

Eryndor was perplexed. He sat there for a while; he didn't know how long. After a few moments, he unclutched his aching arm, it had grown numb, he didn't realize how tightly he had been holding it. The blood on his jacket had gotten cold.

Kael

"This place sucks...everyone hates me." Kael said as he spoke in to his phone

"What did you expect? we don't exactly have a great history with them." Tharros' voice crackled over the phone.

"...still that wasn't us..."

"I know kiddo, but they don't see it that way, tensions are still high, and old wounds like that don't go away overnight. khar'dak is still at war, and there are plenty of atrocities for the media to choose from. The best we can do is be our best selves and try to be as friendly as possible. My friend owns a print shop there, you should tell him who you are and maybe try to get a job."

"...I will try."

"don't try, DO. I godda go. i will call you tonight."

Beep.

"Damit...."

Kael walked through town. Every time he tried to talk to someone, he would freeze up, and by the time he was going to say anything, whoever he was trying to talk to would make a nervous excuse and hurry away, looking at him over their shoulder the whole time.

It was going to be a lonely year, he thought.

Hey look it's the print shop, he thought. I will have to come back later when it's not as busy. A white deer was at the counter helping a lineup of people. He was a snappy dresser, with a blue-green button up and a black vest. Kael looked down at his own rustic leggings and matching vest.

"Oh lord, people are going to think this is genuine leather..." in reality it was made from processed mushrooms, but no one else knew that. "They are going see me and think I'm walking around wearing one of their relatives."

Kael was overcome with self-consciousness, he slipped in to an ally to collect himself.

"Ugh this is gonna be hard."

Later that night, Kael found himself somewhat comforted by the quiet light of the moon as he walked. As he gazed up at the stars, he did not realize where he was walking. He bumped in to something warm.

"Excuse me could you watch where you are going--"

It was the deer. He lifted the scarf that had been covering his eyes. There were brown like rich chocolate, or honey, or some sort of honey chocolate dessert. Kael had not realized he had not eaten.

The deer looked frightened.

"Shit..." Kael thought, and then he could smell the blood. "...oh no, I hurt him...I'm done for, they are gonna deport me...or worse."

Kael looked down at the deer's elbow, the deer noticed and drew it in tight and close to his body, Fear welling up in his eyes in the form of tears.

Kael drew his arms close to his body, feeling embarrassed as if he had just knocked over a vase. Panic overtook him and he turned tail and ran.

"oh god why did i do that? he's gonna think I'm a monster" Kael thought as he ran. "If that was a Khorbaal, I would have ripped it to shreds, why am I so afraid of a little deer?"

At the canteen.

"YOU WERE ATTACKED?!" Skeerzi cried.

"No, no I just tripped is all." Eryndor laughed.

"Someone said the Lizard pushed you over." Tarriff said, a cautious tone in his voice.

...word travels fast in this town, Eryndor thought. "No, I don't think he saw where he was going, and he bumped in to me is all.

"So, you lied, you didn't trip, the Lizard bumped in to you." Skeerzi said.

"I guess so, look it's not a big deal..."

"Did he apologize?"

"well, no--I--"

"He didn't even apologize? how rude! if he's gonna live here he needs some manners." Skeerzi said, the fear in her voice replaced with confidence.

"Hey isn't that him outside?" Tariff said looking over eryndor's shoulder. Skeerzi was nervous again, until she looked at Eryndor's wound.

"I'm gonna go talk to him." she said defiant

"Wait! no don't--" Eryndor pleaded, but she had already walked out the door.

The lizard noticed Eryndor looking at him and tensed up. He tried to turn around to make an escape. It was too late. Eryndor couldn't hear what they were saying, but Skeerzi looked mad. She then grabbed a tuft of the lizard's feathers just behind his ear, and started dragging him inside.

"Oh, she's gonna get us killed..." Tariff whined.

Eryndor had a horrified expression on when Skeerzi pulled the lizard in and sat him down across from him.

"Well?" she asked.

The lizard was quiet. He didn't look it, but he was shocked, but on the outside he just looked annoyed.

"Y'know what, we are terribly sorry for our friend here's behavior...I'm sure it was a big misunderstand--" Tariff began.

Kael noticed the terrified deer across from him, and his stomach sank. He looked so scared.

I'm such an idiot, SAY SOMETHING KAEL! he thought to himself. The deer's eyes darted looking for an escape.

"Stop glaring at him! that's rude? are all lizards this rude?" Skeerzi said.

...lizard? She just called me a lizard? If anything, that's kind of rude.

"Look, chicken wing, it isn't polite to refer to a Khar'dak as a lizard." Kael said looking over at Skeerzi. "...my name is Kael."

Skeerzi was taken aback, all the confidence drained from her face. Eryndor was stifling a laugh--chicken wing was a pretty good slur, he thought. This would never fly if we were in school still. (pun intended)

"...uh, well, yeah, sorry...sorry about that, but you still...hurt my friend last night and didn't say anything..." She said sheepishly. (sheep people: excuse me wtf?)

Kael looked back at the deer; he had a smile on his face from trying not to laugh. He was so cute.

ugh, no, not these feelings again--not here. Why now? Kael thought. After a moment he spoke.

"Look, I'm really sorry about last night, uh, it's been kind of hard making friends and stuff..." Kael reached behind his head and scratched the back of his neck in an attempt to scratch away the discomfort of the situation. "I don't blame people for being afraid, I mean I assume you all watch the news...and I know words don't really mean much, and so far, my track record is glaring at people, and drawing blood on this...uh...this guy."

"Eryndor."

Oh, his names Eryndor! what a nice name. I wonder what he's like--NONO GO AWAY, I DONT NEED THESE THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW. Kael thought.

"it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm sorry our first encounter had to be...what it was."

"it's all good, I was hoping I would get to talk to you."

"You were? why?"

"Your kind are fighters, what are you doing here?" Eryndor realized that his question sounded rude.

Kael laughed. "Well, you aren't wrong, most of us are fighters, however next to my family, I look more like a secretary, or nurse or something."

Eryndor couldn't help but let out a little laugh. He stopped, in fear of being rude. Kael however found this amusing, and smiled when he knew his joke landed.

"Any who, is your arm okay?"

"Yeah, it's just a bad scratch, it will be fine in a couple weeks."

Kaels heart sunk, hurting monsters felt good, but accidentally hurting this lovely creature made him feel pain worse than getting stung in the eye by a razerfish. What's going on with me? he thought.

"I'm hungry." Kael said, "I need some food." The group looked worried. "oh...OH, you guys don't need to worry, I've never eaten deer...willingly."

Kael got up and went to the service counter.

"Ok...what the heck does 'willingly' mean." Tarriff said.

"I think he was joking? he seems kinda funny...I hope he's being funny..." Eryndor guessed.

Kael returned with a mountain of sushi.

"See, I told you: fish." Eryndor said.

"What? what's wrong with fish, fish is good."

Eryndor at home.

Kael turned out to be really kind. Maybe he a really good actor-spy who's been sent to infiltrate...this small...unimportant...town, with its...post office, and fish hatchery. Wow that sounds silly to think about, we don't even have a military base here, Eryndor thought. The fear was still there though, the thought of those claws piercing in to him...ripping him open... having his insides spill out...

Stop. Why do I think like this? I don't need these morbid thoughts, I blame the media, they don't censor anything. They should never let kids watch that stuff.

The phone rang.

"Hey dad, whats up?"

"Just calling to check in, i should be back in a few days. Oh, and Tharros told me you met his nephew Kael?"

"Yeah, he seems really nice."

"Thats great! oh, and by the way, he's similar to you in some ways..."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, I'm sure you will find out. They are...well I want to say they are a great family, but they are really not, Tharros and Kael are great thought. Show him around, and dont kill yourself at the print shop."

"Okay dad."

"Love you tons, oh and by the way do you have a boyfriend yet--?"

Eryndor hung up the phone, his face turning somewhat pink. He could see his dads smug face on the other end of the line.

"I guess it could be worse...he could be an unsupportive parent." he said to himself.

Next day at the canteen

Kael walks to the table to find Skeerzi crying and talking to Eryndor.

"what's going on?" asked Kael.

"Relationship issues..." Eryndor replied.

"HE'S SUCH A FUCKTARD, WHY IS HE SO MEAN?" Skeerzi cried.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it, he's probably just being dumb." Eryndor soothed.

"I will come back in a bit, I'm gonna get some food." Kael said, feeling awkward.

When Kael got back, Skeerzi was looking better and hugging Eryndor goodbye.

"Thanks again Eryn, I'm sorry for unloading on you--your too awesome, I can't help it."

"Its fine Skeerzi, your problems are my problems, and I'm happy to help."

"You're a nice guy" Kael teased.

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"No, it's just cute is all..." shit, why did I say that Kael thought.

The deer looked embarrassed, but there was a small smile on his face. "I didn't mean to--" Kael began to say, but Eryndor's phone rang.

"Hey dad...oh, a few more weeks. Okay, sure i can handle that. Sure. The event? it's still on, and Mrs. Parkway needs a hundred more posters, they are advertising in three more towns than we thought. Yup sure, i can call them. Okay, good luck, i will see you when i see you."

"Wow, you sound busy."

"It's not so bad, I'm always doing stuff."

"I know you probably won't have time for it, but could I get your number? I still haven't made many friends here yet."

Eryndor looked surprised. "Sure, here you go"

Kael programmed the new number in to his phone, and sent a text: "Hey its Kael, I just asked for your number, we are sitting at the canteen."

"I know, I have caller ID" Eryndor laughed.

Kael blushed a little, although he didn't know why.

The following weeks.

Kaels claws hung over the keyboard of an empty message. What should I say? he thought. Earlier that day he had seen Eryndor at the print shop, and then when he went by again after closing, he was still there, his head buried in a stack of documents. The day before he was helping some people putting up banners for an upcoming event. It was getting dark.

He's so busy...Kael thought. I don't want to bother him.

A message popped up. It was from Eryndor:

"what's up?"

"Nothing, hbu?"

"I need a break, meet me at the barrel."

The barrel was a local brewery, Kael had sent a resume to them, but they hadn't gotten back to him yet. This might be a good way to talk to them about getting hired, he thought.

Kael walked in to the tavern. It was dim and moody, in a pleasant way. He looked around, his posture awkward and cautious. He stood out, being a foot or so taller than most of the patrons. (and also a lizard) He saw a waving arm. It was Eryndor.

"hi" he said with a relaxed cheer.

"hey" Kael replied, in a stiff tone.

"Do you want anything?"

"it's hard to drink, it doesn't do anything to us, we need something stronger to feel anything..." Kael laughed, still feeling awkward.

"Whatever you are comfortable with. I'm going to have some; I feel like I've been going nonstop."

"You practically run this town," Kael laughed, feeling a little more relaxed.

"Oh god, I hope not, the way things are going, it might end up that way. My dad is only a small shop owner, but everyone here knows he's from a huge family with lots of pull, so they've been buggin him for years to help out with events and town administrative stuff."

"Aha, you got your work cut out for you."

Eryndor realized his story might be considered bragging. He didn't mean to overshare. "Uh, enough of that, I came here to forget work. How is the job search going?"

"...to be honest its slow, i applied to a bunch of places, but most of them have a section where you have to fill out your race and gender, so I imagine everyone knows who I am when I fill out 'khar'dak'."

"Yikes, that sucks, I will see if I can do anything about that. You are a sweet guy, most places here would be lucky to have you."

Kael didn't know what to say, it's been a while since he's heard such kind words. The bridge of his snout grew a little red.

There was a commotion erupting in the kitchen, a large Khar'dak appeared in a white apron.

"WHERE IS HE? HES HERE? WHICH TABLE?" the large creature looked about. Soon he spied their table. "JACKPOT" he rushed over. He was massive, almost two feet above Kael.

"Welcome, son! are you the new brother in town? i mean you must be! there aren't many of us. I assume you are the one who sent the resume? that's awesome, my name is Khy'drin, and I own this lovely little establishment. If you are still interested in working here, i would love to have you, if that is, you haven't been scouted by anyone else?"

A worker came up pleading with Khy'drin.

"Sir, I know you are excited, but you are scaring the customers, why don't you invite them to the back where you can be...loud." said the bespectacled bat clutching a clipboard with his folded wings.

"Excellent point Guildr, would you lads like to come and sit at our VIP table perchance?"

Eryndor finished his drink and said 'fuck it why not'

The VIP table was nothing more than a rustic wooden table in the back room, probably a staff lunch table or something you would store stuff on.

"I didn't know there were other khar'dak here, it's nice to see a familiar face." Kael said.

"Likewise young master, and it's good to see a young one like yourself making friends with the herd."

Eryndor gave an unimpressed glance.

"oh you know I kid, Mr. Eriol, your father made it possible for this place to exist let alone for an old lizard like me to have a happy life here after the... you know."

"any who," Khy'drin continued "I am absolutely tickled to have you here, and would love for you to help us out, and it has nothing to do with how much I've drank tonight."

"he's drank a lot tonight." Guildr said. Khy'drin in the background: 'whaaaaaa? I dunno what you're talking 'bout...'

"i would be very grateful for a job, will give me something to do, I know I won't be able to compete with Eryndor, cause he's always so busy."

Kael doesn't see, but eryndor looked at the floor, something akin to sadness in his eyes.

"Great, I will see you tomorrow at...3 pm sharp."

"why do you say it like its a hard, early-morning thing?" Guilr said, "honestly he won't care if you show up late, this wyrm typically shows up at 5pm..."

"Ah he's always breaking my balls, but this place does well, and we do need the help. Anyway, here some drinks on the house, I will see you lads later." With that Khy'drin put a large black bottle with a reptilian skull, and a clay jug on the table. "The clay jug is for the furry one, and the skull one is for the feathered one with scales, don't mix it up, or you will probably be in trouble. specifically, you Mr. Eriol."

"I am aware, thank you Mr. Khy'drin." Eryndor said.

"What just happened?" Kael asked.

"Khy'drin was just drunk and happy to see you I guess."

"well, that's a good sign."

"Maybe, he can be a handful."

"I thought I was the only one here?"

"I had honestly forgot, Mr. Khy'drin is a night owl, so I never see him, and he pretty much keeps to the brewery."

"What is this?" Kael asked holding the foreboding bottle.

"You have never heard of it? it's like alcohol but on steroids, it's a mix of herbs and other ingredients. You said the Khar'dak aren't affected by alcohol, well they are most certainly affected by this."

"I will try it."

"Go slow."

"We had beer and wine and stuff when i was growing up, but that's only because the water was so dirty you had to boil it and make it in to alcohol to preserve it. No one drank it for fun."

"That sounds rough, I can't imagine what it was like growing up like you did."

"Haha same, an administrative, overworked deer? I don't know what I would do..."

Eryndor looked somewhat hurt at the comment. "I don't do this 'cause I want to...people need me."

Kaels stomach grew cold and uncomfortable. The relaxation he felt earlier faded. He didn't mean to upset his new friend. He poured some of the blue liquid out of the jug into a small glass and drank it. It was interesting, tasted like medicine.

"I'm sorry Eryndor, I didn't mean to--"

"It's okay, I...I, just don't know how to deal with things when they get like this, it feels like I've never had a break. When i saw i would have some extra time today, the first person that came in to my mind was you." His eyes rose and met Kaels. Eryndor's complexion was a little pink, Guilr came in and refilled his drink. Kael swallowed, feeling nervous. His throat was dry, and he poured more of the blue tincture, and swallowed it without tasting it.

Kael felt his vision change, the peripherals began to swirl with colors, despite the dark room, and he felt a relaxing warmth overtaking him.

"Back in Khar'dak, i was considerably smaller than most of my kind. I did like fighting, but it was the killing i did not care for, there were a lot of raids on other villages, and most of the others were much bigger than me, i was almost killed many times, but my sisters would always save me. There was one time where i was cut quite badly, you can't see it now, but my jaw was in two..." Kael pointed to a thin scar on the right of his chin. "They thought i would starve to death, and it was a deer who saved me. I thought my family would kill her, but since i was the only male heir in the family, the fact she healed me spared her life. I cannot understand the level of bravery it must have taken her, to walk into a Khar'dak camp, when every eye that lay upon her, yearned for her blood. If not for her, I would not be here."

Kael didn't notice at first, but when he looked towards Eryndor, he could see tears welling up in his eyes.

"Oh, it's okay. I'm sure she survived, I can't remember her name but she's quite famous now from what I hear."

"You are a good person, Kael"

"Aw, c'mon don't cry, what's the matter?"

"I feel so guilty, I judged you so poorly...I always thought of myself as someone who is kind and fair, but lately I've been proven wrong, I am no different than those I hated for their prejudice..." Eryndor said as he downed the last of his drink.

Kael wasn't sure if it was the tincture or not, but a wave of compassion filled him--the deer were everything he thought and more, they possessed a kindness that was almost unfathomable.

"If I am a good person, you are a great one..."Kael mused, and raised his glass, before he could drink it, Eryndor snatched it out of his claw, and drank it himself. "whaaa? you idiot, you heard what Khy'drin said! that could be dangerous!"

"it's not the first time...i have...partaken in the...medicine" Eryndor slurred. "...and it...(hic) won't be the last..." his eyes were dreamy, and half closed as he gazed into Kaels liquid metal eyes.

"c'mon bud, lets get you home..."

"whaaaa? we're just getting...just getting started, whoa, your feathers are so soft--" he said as Kael scooped him up and attempted to walk him out. Eryndor just slumped to the floor. "You will have to carry me~"

Kale sighed, a smile forming on his face. "Okay, where do you live?"

"In a house I think? don't you live in a house?"

"For fuck sake, okay, what's your address?" Kael laughed.

"Oh...oh, I know this one, gimme a...gimme a sec."

Walking at night.

"Okay...okay put me down I think I can walk, it's just this way."

"Do you...do you do this often?"

"No, just a couple times a year...when I've had it up to here." Eryndor said, as he motioned towards his antlers.

"ha-ha fair enough, I'm not gonna lie, this is my first time trying something like this. Sometimes my sisters would drink this stuff before battle, and it would make them...crazier?"

"Your sisters sound fun."

"They aren't...if they saw me now, they would probably kill me, and then you."

Kael and Eryndor walk through the door, and Eryndor flops down on the sofa.

"You could kill me now, so easy~"

Kael was silent. Eryndor's shirt had come up, exposing his stomach. His head was thrown back, exposing his throat.

"I could never do such a thing." Kael said as he sat next to him.

"If I had to die, I would hope it was you who killed me."

"What kind of talk is that?" Kael asked getting annoyed. "you're drunk"

"You are right, I say that because I know you would never do it."

Kael was about to get up, but eryndor grabbed his claw, and placed it on his stomach.

"Stay with me?" he said, and Kael sat back down. His fur was warm under his claw, and he could feel his stomach rise and fall with his breath.

"Okay."

"Are you alright? I'm sorry I said that messed up stuff."

"It's okay, it's kinda funny given the circumstances."

"Okay...thank you for coming out with me, and carrying me home..." Before Kael could reply, Eryndor was asleep. Kael leaned in, and gave a small kiss on his forehead.

"What the heck am i doing?" he thought. "there's no way this can last." he worried.

Several weeks later, at the brewery.

"I'm staying with you."

"What?"

"A pipe burst, and wrecked all my stuff, I can't stay there while they are repairing it."

"Okay sure, here's the key, uh...there might be a spare mattress in the--" too late Eryndor had already walked away.

That night, Kael walked in to his flat. Eryndor was asleep on the couch. There was a note on the counter:

You didn't have much food here, so I bought some fish and made something, it's in the fridge, I hope you like it. I am so very tired, I will see you in the morning.

Sweet, I don't have to cook, Kael thought. The dish was a lovely ensemble of flavors, he doubted whether he could ever make himself something like this. He really is amazing, he thought. Something was gnawing at Kael in his subconscious, and he fell asleep with troubled dreams.

A young, white deer drew figures in the dirt with a stick. Kael watched as they drew little people and houses and symbols. They noticed him.

"Oh, hello...you're a lizard aren't you?"

"Yes..."

"I'm not supposed to play with you, but you seem nice, what's your name?"

"Kael."

"Thats a nice name, my name is...Kabak."

"hi"

"My parents say living here is dangerous, cause all the...the...khar'dak? that's what you are called right?"

"yes"

"All the khar'dak are mean, and like to cause trouble, is that true?'

"...yes"

"You don't seem that way? are you different?"

Kael hesitated. "You seem different in a good way?" Kabak continued. "let's go to the river, I know where we can catch fish!" Kael followed along, feeling like he was doing something wrong.

They're so trusting.

"Kael look I caught a trout!"

So stupid.

"Look a water bug! look how fast they are! watch out they can sting you."

So pathetic

"ha-ha, you're not very good at fishing, you're all wet!"

So weak.

Frail.

Useless.

Wait. He was having fun? These creatures were nothing like mother said. They were warm, and kind and...

...naive.

A tunnel opened up beneath Kaels feet and he plunged downwards. Next thing he knew he was in front of his mother, her jet-black scales glittering in the lamplight.

"Don't play with deer, they aren't useful, save for their meat."

"Kabak is my friend, he showed me how to catch trout."

"Disgusting, fish are for poor people. You are well aware the best meat is that of your enemy."

"Kabak is my friend."

"Just wait, you will see..."

By the river.

"tag, your it, Kael! you have to catch me! look out, we are very agile." Kabak said from a tree branch.

"Just wait, I will get you, you might be fast, but i am strong!" Kael rammed the tree with his shoulder, and Kabak fell in to the creek.

"that's cheating you hulking lizard!"

"all's fair in love and war!" Kael yelled as he ran after Kabak. They laughed as Kael reached out and tagged Kabak on his chest, he could feel a rib bone under his soft fur.

"I guess I'm it now, you better run...I'm fast."

The dinner table.

"what's the matter Kael?" his mother cooed.

"I don't like red meat..." he said as he chewed, slow and steady.

"I don't believe that, you liked him quite a lot the other day...what was his name? Kabak?"

A rib bone protruded from his bowl as he chewed the soft flesh. Realization washed over him. That rib bone was 'it' days earlier.

"What did you do?" Kael screamed. "Where is Kabak?"

His mother only smiled her malicious smile, rims of knife-teeth taunting.

"what's the matter Kael? you don't like your 'friend' anymore?"

The room swirled with images of Eryndor, his soft fur, his brown eyes, his tears. Something was choking Kale: Eryndors throat was in his mouth, and before he could stop himself, he bit down, and a gush of warm blood flowed over his jaws and down his chest.

"Kael"

"Kael"

"Kael, are you okay?"

"Kael, wake up."

Kael screamed.

"KABAK?! KABAK?! WHERE ARE YOU?! IM SORRY, IM SORRY."

"Kael it's okay, you're okay, it's me Eryndor."

"GET AWAY FROM ME! THE BLOOD, THE BLOOD"

Kael struggled to his feet, and pushed Eryndor away from him, his claw catching his cheek, rending a long cut that bled, before escaping through the door. Kael disappeared in to the darkness of the trees, as Eryndor's blood dripped on to the floor: pap...pap...pap.

The forest.

"where is he?" Tharros asked, urgency in his voice.

"I don't know, he was having a nightmare, and when i woke him up, he ran off."

"how's your face."

"I will be okay."

"Probably shouldn't have woken him up."

"Hindsight is 20/20, I know that now."

"OH! Eryn! what happened to your face?" Skeerzi cried.

"It's nothing, just a little scratch."

"Hold still, I have bandages..."

"it's fine, we just need to find Kael."

"Stop thinking about other people for a second and think about yourself!"

Before Skeerzi could finish, Eryndor was off running in to the night.

As Eryndor ran through the trees, the wind seemed to blow against him. "Kael!" he yelled in to the blackness, yet the forest seemed to eat his cries. He scanned the brush for any sign of those iridescent feathers, those liquid metal eyes.

A clearing by the stream lay up ahead, he spotted Kael facing the water, his back turned.

"Kael..." Eryndor's voice barely a whisper.

Kael turned, his eyes rimmed red with tears.

"Stay away!" he screamed, turning to face Eryndor. Fear and sadness in his voice. "I don't want to hurt you again!"

"What? this? this was just an accident. I know you won't hurt me."

"...I can't...I don't want to be...like them."

"you're not, I know you're not."

"...Kabak...I'm sorry."

"You wanna know something?"

"...?"

"I remember you."

"...what?"

"We played by the river together, your garbage at catching trout."

"That's impossible."

"Kabak was the name my parents made me use when I was younger. They didn't want me walking around using my full name...they were afraid of ransoms and stuff."

"...You?"

"Yes"

"You're Kabak? you're still alive?"

"How many white deer are there? plus i told you to watch out for water bugs, but you still tried to eat one and it stung your mouth."

Kael stood up, his face becoming unreadable. Yet the tears still streamed from his molten eyes.

"I thought they had killed you...and i had eaten you..." Kael retched and black bile streamed out his mouth.

"I'm still here." Before Eryndor could say anything else, he found himself embraced. Kaels scales were warm against him, his feathers smelling like wind and starlight.

"I'm sorry I left; I was so afraid...scared that I would hurt you."

"you've already hurt me a couple times, and you feel so guilty about giving me a paper cut that its funny to think you'd be capable of anything more than that." Eryndor laughed.

"Your face..."

"it's fine.

"you're arm..."

"It doesn't matter."

"This stupid, clumsy body, these bloody talons!"

"it's okay, if it's any consolation i can bite you or cut you or whatever...just don't leave again..."

I don't deserve this beautiful creature. Kael thought. What am I gonna do?

Several nights later, Kaels flat.

Kaels eyes snapped open, sweat drenched his sheets as they wrapped around him like a cold tentacle. His heart raced as he gasped for air. Another nightmare. He tried to calm his racing thoughts.

"I hate this..." his voice only a whisper. He didn't want Eryndor to see him like this again. What if he started to think he was weak? What if he lost respect for him? The thought of sharing these thoughts with Eryndor frightened him. "I mean, he's already seen this once..." Kael thought..."but I don't want him to see anymore...there is too much to see...too much pain, I don't want him to see me like this..."

He got out of bed, pacing the room unable to dispel the dread that lingered in his mind. Eryndor stirred in his sleep in the next room.

"Kael?" he said, reaching out his hand.

Kael froze, his heart skipping a beat. "I...I just needed some water," he stammered, trying to brush it off.

He sat up his eyes concerned. "Kael, what's wrong?"

Kael forced a laugh. "Nothing, really. Just a bad dream."

Eryndor's gaze lingered, but he didn't press the issue. Kael felt a pang of guilt for not confiding in him. Being open was never an option.

As he settled back in to bed, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding a part of himself from Eryndor. He wondered how long he could keep this up before it drove them apart. The thought terrified him more than his dreams ever could. His eyes closed, and he could feel a troubled sleep wash over him.

"Kael, wake up! Kael, it's okay!"

Kaels eyes snapped open, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Eryndor's face was etched with concern, his eyes wide with worry.

"wh-what happened?" Kael stammered, trying to get up.

"You were having a nightmare," Eryndor said, his voice soft. "You were saying things...scary things."

Kale's heart sank, his mind racing. What had he said?

Eryndor's gaze locked on to his, his eyes searching. "You said 'don't leave me'...and 'please don't go'. Who's leaving you, Kael?"

Kaels throat constricted, his voice only a whisper. "No one...it was only a dream."

Eryndors expression softened. "Kael, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. But you need to tell me what's going on. These night terrors...they're not just random, are they?"

Kael shook his head, feeling the familiar fear of vulnerability creeping in. "I...I don't know..."

Eryndor's eyes narrowed, his voice firm but gentle. "Kael, don't lie to me. I know you're hiding something. I'm not going anywhere until you tell me the truth."

Kael's heart raced, his thoughts a torrent of pain. He was trapped, cornered by his own fears. But Eryndor's words echoed in his mind...'I'm not going anywhere'.

Kael's gaze dropped, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I...I don't know if i can do this, Eryndor."

Eryndor's voice was soft, encouraging. "Do what, Kael? Tell me the truth? trust me?"

Kael nodded, feeling a lump in his throat.

Eryndor's hands cradled Kael's face, his thumbs tracing gentle circles on his cheeks. "I'm here, Kael. I'm not going anywhere. You can trust me."

Kaels eyes met Eryndor's, searching for any sign of deception. But all he saw was kindness.

With a shaky breath, Kael began to speak, the word tumbling out in a rush. "I...I have these dreams...these nightmares...ever since I left Kar'dak. I see things...awful things, things I've done, things that were done to me. And I'm...scared, Eryndor. Scared of losing you, of losing myself."

Eryndor's grip on Kaels face tightened, his eyes welling up with tears. "Oh, Kael...I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

Kaels's face crumpled, his body shuddering, as he let out small, stifled sobs. Eryndor pulled him close, holding him tight. He whispered soft words to Kael, but he didn't remember what they were. He imagined Kaels heart in his hands, as a small red bird, so delicate and shivering living in the armored cage of Kaels breast.

Kael felt a weight lift, a burden shared. He could breathe. He had never cried like this, sure his eyes would get wet, but he had never heard himself make these sounds, they sounded so small, like a bird. He felt a glimmer of hope, but it was entwined with the thorns of fear. Maybe things will be okay, he thought.

Kael woke up to an uncomfortable silence. He avoided eye contact with Eryndor, his face burning with embarrassment.

"Morning,' Eryndor said, his voice soft and gentle.

Kael grunted, pretending to be interested in the ceiling.

"Eryndor chuckled and sat up. "Kael we need to talk about last night."

Kaels chest felt heavy, his embarrassment spiking. "No, we don't."

Eryndor's expression turned serious. "Yes, we do. You can't just pretend it didn't happen, Kael. You opened up to me and I'm proud of you for that."

Kael's gaze dropped, his shoulders slumping. "I'm just...I'm sorry, Ery, I don't know what came over me."

Thats a cute nick name--Eryndor thought. He reached down and grasped Kael's claws in his hands.

"You don't have to apologize, Kael. You're alive, and people have vulnerabilities. I'm here to support you, not judge you."

Kael's eyes met Eryndor's, searching for any sign of disappointment or disgust. But all he saw was that blasted kindness again, behind those amber eyes. He felt like crying again.

Eryndor's voice was soft, gentle. "We'll face this together, Kael. No more hiding, no more fear. We'll work through it, as a team."

Kael felt his heart swell, his embarrassment had thawed somewhat, the ice melting to reveal a shard of hope.

Several weeks later.

"My place is done, they fixed everything...I won't be staying with you anymore." Eryndor said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Oh, that's...good, you can finally go home, I bet you were a little homesick?" Kael said, unsure of how to feel.

"You'd think that, but I felt at home...with you."

The bridge of Kaels snout grew a little pink. "Oh, well, I try to keep the place organized, and clean...and maybe that's why you felt so comfortable there..." Kael said, looking away and scratching the back of his neck.

Eryndor looked unimpressed. "Anyway, the festivals soon, and I'm going to be busy, so I might not get to see you as often as I would like."

"oh..."

Oh? that's it? that's all he can say? He could at least try to--

"I'm gonna miss you..." Kael said, his voice low and shy.

what? he's gonna--? Eryndor paused a moment. His fur stood up and his eyes grew wide. "ohdontworry, I'msurewecanmakesomethingwork!" he said very fast unable to stop the smile forming on his face. He could feel blood rushing to his face, and he felt he was probably a pink deer now instead of a white one. He hurried off towards the planning office.

The next few weeks were a bustle of activity in (name of town) and Kael didn't get to speak much with Eryndor, although he saw him lots and he waved, a warm smile on his face he was often preoccupied with other people. Kael would have been lying if he said he didn't feel a little abandoned.

One night, as Kael got home, he noticed on of his lights were on. He stepped inside to find Eryndor flopped on the couch. A bottle with the reptilian skull was on the side table, a quarter of its contents missing.

Eryndor looked up, he had dark circles under his eyes, his clothes were disheveled, and one of his antlers was broken. There was a tired smile on his face when he saw Kael.

"omg, Its you...Hi you...Kael..."

Kael, although happy to see Ery, was concerned at the circumstances.

"You've been running yourself hard lately, you need a break."

Ery pouted. "What do you think I'm doing right now?"

"What happened to your horn?"

"Oh this? It's nothing serious, a chandelier fell on me during set up at the hall."

"What?! are you okay?"

"Tough as nails," Ery replied, knocking on his head.

Kael was silent as he gazed into Ery's eyes. Ery's expression shifted, he looked away and he looked tired again.

"I...I don't know, Kael. I just feel like an engine that keeps running, the thing with actual engines, is when they run out of gas, they stop. Not me." Ery said, returning his gaze to meet Kaels.

"I'm here for you, you can show up on my couch whenever you want, and if they ask where you are I will say I don't know." Kael said, trying to smile.

Ery laughed. "you're a real partner in crime, aren't you?" his expression grew dark again. "I've always had to be the strong one. I was the oldest. I had to take care of my siblings; my parents were always so busy. I never...I never had anyone to lean on. I learned to ignore the things i felt, the stress. I learned to set aside the things I wanted...or needed."

Kael's eyes widened with understanding. "Ery, you don't have to carry that weight alone anymore. I'm here for you, i can help you with your duties. I don't need as much sleep as you and the brewery is open at night. Tell me what i can do and I will do it...for you."

Eryndor's gaze met Kael's, his eye searching. "What if I don't know how to let go? What if I don't know how to feel my own feelings?"

Kaels heart swelled with compassion. "it wont happen all at once, we can take little steps together. I'm not much different in that regard, we can learn to figure this stuff out together."

Ery's face crumpled a bit, his body curling into a fetal position on the couch. Kael sat beside him and wrapped his arms around him. Ery relaxed his pose, his feet touching the floor, as he reached behind Kael and ran his fingers through his feathers.

"I don't know who I am without my duties..." Ery admitted. "I've always been the oldest, the protector. Now that we have all grown, all I have are my jobs--the things people need from me. I feel lost."

Ery always seemed so strong, and capable. He always took on his responsibilities so gracefully. Seeing him like this made Kael's heart ache. "You are more than just your duties, more than just a protector. You are your own person, with your own dreams..." Kael replied, his voice low and calm.

Eryndor's eyes clouded. "But what are they? I've never had a chance to look--to find out. I've always put others first."

"Then let's discover them together. Let's explore who you are, what you want."

Ery's face twisted in a mix of fear and longing. "What if I am only a shell? an automated collection of all the things others want from me? What if under it all, there is nothing? A hollow husk masquerading as a person..." his voice cracking as his eyes watered.

Kael's voice was firm, reassuring. "You are enough, Ery. You are worthy of happiness--of love. You stood by me, even though I was a mess, and I will do the same. We will face this together, one challenge at a time."

"How do you know that?" Eryndor accused, his voice rising. "You have no idea what it's like to be me!" His eyes flashed with fear and anger.

Kael's calm demeanor only seemed to fuel Eryndor's anger. "Your always so perfect, so strong--If something pisses you off, you could probably just rip is to shreds. But I'm not like that! I'm broken...If i don't like something, I just have to sit there and take it!"

In a moment of desperation, Eryndor pushed away from Kael and lashed out as his face, striking his jaw, a single razor tooth dislodged and fell to the floor. Ery's hand was bleeding.

Kael didn't flinch, didn't react. He just gazed at Ery with what he hoped were eyes of kindness and compassion.

Eryndor was horrified. He didn't remember the last time he raised his voice like that, let alone loose enough control to lash out at someone--let alone someone like this. He stumbled backward, turning to flee out the door and in to the darkness of the city.

Kael followed; the click of his talons soft on the cobbled street. "Ery, wait! please don't go!"

But Eryndor didn't stop. He ran, his heart trying to escape his chest. He couldn't face Kael; he couldn't face himself.

Finally, Eryndor collapsed against a dumpster in an ally, his body shaking as he hyperventilated. Kael soon appeared.

"You used to be faster," he said, trying to make a joke. "You will have to try harder if you want to get rid of me." Kael said as he plopped down beside him.

"I'm so sorry Kael, I don't know what's wrong with me." Ery sobbed as he buried his face in Kael's chest, his tears soaking in to his vest.

"There is nothing wrong with you, if anything, I'm happy you got mad. You've probably been holding that for a long time, I'm happy you trusted me enough to show me those feelings."

"What do you mean?"

"There is an old saying where I'm from, that goes something like, you only ever show your true colors to your enemies, and your family, and everyone else gets the mask, and I am certain we aren't enemies."

Eryndor laughed through his tears, "that's a funny saying, but now that I think about it, it makes a lot of sense."

"When you let go of something painful, its gonna feel like you are falling, and I am here to catch you."

Eryndor was speechless.

"Here, I'll take you home..." Kael Said.

Eryndor was relieved...for a moment. He then remembered how messy his house was.

"Wait! no! my place is a mess."

"It can't be that bad."

Eryndor's house.

It was that bad: Stacks of boxes were piled in nearly every available space, papers and binders on every table. It had looked like someone had cleared out a massive office and then stored everything here. Even his bed was covered in papers, with only a small space where Ery probably had to curl up to sleep.

"Oh, Ery, is it always like this?"

Eryndor was embarrassed. "Only for the month or so preceding the festival. Normally it's a bit cleaner." He brushed some papers aside, and sat on his bed. Kael curled up on the floor beside the bed.

"I can help store some stuff if you'd like?" Kale yawned.

"Maybe, the festival is soon, so all this stuff won't be here for too much longer." Ery said as he plopped down on his pillow.

"Thanks...for coming...to see me." Kael said, his voice low and sleepy. Before Eryndor could answer, Kael began to purr as he fell asleep.

I didn't know they could make that sound, Eryndor thought. Kaels tail began to twitch, Eryndor grabbed it, and held the soft feathers to his face. He held it under his arm as one would do a stuffed animal. He wasn't sure why, but the subtle scent reminded him of moonlight.

The Equinox Festival

The streets were lined with tents and pop-up stalls, people were flooding in from nearby cities and towns, the organized chaos of the festival was underway. Kael and Eryndor walked amid the bustle of people, all manner of creatures were in attendance, and Kael had never experienced such crowds. He appeared to be the only Khar'dak, and thus he drew some attention and felt self-conscious. However, when people saw him walking with Eryndor they relaxed.

"Now that the prep is done, the event runs itself. I can finally relax." Ery said stretching.

"What will you do after the festival is over?"

Ery's smile faded somewhat, "I'm not sure, there will be another in the summer but that is some time away..."

"Perfect! that will give us time to figure out some fun things to do. Is there anything you wanted to try?"

"I've really never thought about it, in between administrative stuff, i would just put more hours in at the print shop. But even then, I would run out of things to do, there is only so much organizing you can do before you start to disorganize stuff on purpose so you can organize it again..."

"Oh Ery, you need a hobby..."

"I know, I know! I just can't think of anything right now!" Ery cried, getting flustered.

"It's okay, you don't need to think, it will come to you. Let's just focus on relaxing tonight. What kind of food do they have here?"

"Everything..." Ery said, his expression becoming confident. "I want ice cream."

"what's...an ice cream?"

Ery turned to look at Kael, his expression shifting to concern. "You don't know what an ice cream is?"

"Well, I know what ice is, and I know what cream is, but I've never heard of them together."

"You poor creature, we need to fix this."

Eryndor grabbed Kael's claw and tugged him in to the crowd.

Tariff was minding the ice cream stall. Ery ordered two cones and handed one to Kael. Kael thought for a moment, an odd thought striking him.

"Did...did you make this, Tariff?" he asked, looking at the cone.

"Yeah why? something wrong?"

"No, I mean did you make make it?"

Tarriff looked confused for a moment, then a wave of horror washed over his face.

"...NO, GOD NO, WTF KALE? first of all I'm a boy, and second why would we...why would I... seriously what were you thinking? we get the milk from the herd of khaal my family owns.

Ery was losing his shit in the background; Kael had never heard him laugh so hard. Tarriff just looked sad and grossed out.

Eryndor looked over to Kael during laughing fit and noticed the cone was gone. "I thought I gave you one."

"You did, it's gone."

"You didn't like it?"

"I want another one."

The fancy paper stall with Guildr and Skeerzi.

"Hello, and welcome." Guildr said sounding tired. His sunglasses glinting in the sunlight.

"Hey Guildr." Eryndor said, still kinda laughing. "How's the paper today?"

"Oh! Eryndor! its awesome, we just got a new shipment of mulberry fibers, and i was up all day yesterday making sheets."

"up?...all day?" Kael asked.

"yeah, it was a bit tough, but I wanted to--yawn--have some ready for the festival."

"Oh, right, you're a bat...what are you doing up so early?" Kael asked.

Guildr lifted his sunglasses revealing bloodshot eyes and dark circles. "I'm passionate about paper, and i will be damned if i let an early morning stand in my way..." His expression shifted from intense to pleading. "But no, you are right, it's so EARLY, I'm never awake before 3 pm, and I'm sooooo tired!" he cried.

"I told him he could take a nap, but he wouldn't have any of it." Skeerzi said.

"How long have you been helping Guildr, Skeerzi?" Eryndor asked.

"I take care of the morning shift of the paper shop, been there a few months, then Guild comes in on his days off, or nights when the barrel isn't so busy." she said.

"It's awful." Guildr cried, "all the customers come in the morning and skeerzi gets to talk about all the cool stuff with them."

"it's kinda better that way," she whispered, "he would end up talking their ears off, and we wouldn't sell anything."

Guildr began to snore. A felid came up and started asking about something.

"I really like this one, how much for a stack of three?"

Guildr snapped awake, suddenly very energetic.

"Oh! the Mulberry wash with the silver leaf and desert pattern! this is such a fun design! you see, the thing with mulberry paper, is it had exceptionally long fibers and is quite strong while retaining its soft flexibility!"

The patron was smiling but seemed overwhelmed by Guildr's enthusiasm.

"I wanted something fun for a project I'm doing...oh Eryndor! your here! i know the print shop is closed right now, but i will be putting an order in for some scrapbook pages soon and this paper seems perfect for the job."

"I completely agree, maybe we can work out a package with Guildr here and we can get something ready soon." Eryndor said.

"WE HAVE A DEAL, IF YOU BUY 4 YOU GET ONE FREE YOU CAN PICK ANY PATTERN YOU WANT." Guildr cried becoming animated.

The patron looked uncomfortable and her eyes darted around the table, "uh, how about those two there? the purple one and the green one?"

"Oh, those are exquisite choices! the purple is a cotton blend with gold leaf and--"

Skeerzi looked happy. "He's a handful sometimes, but us winged guys have to stick together."

"Okay," eryndor laughed, "i will see you guys later, maybe we can meetup at Khy'drin's beer garden for some food, and maybe hit the hot spring later."

"okay, I doubt Guildr will be able to stay awake for much longer, but Tarriff and I will probably swing by."

"I will always stay awake for paper," they could hear Guilr shout as they walked in to the crowd.

Through the streets.

"Isn't this nice?" Eryndor asked, still working on his ice-cream.

"Ice cream is nice, yes." replied Kael.

"No, I meant the festival." Ery laughed.

"Oh, yes, it's quite the event...I'm not used to so many people just walking around."

"You don't have festivals in Khar'dak?"

"We do...they are just not like this, the last time I was around this many people, half of them wanted to kill me."

Ery was taken aback. "...I'm sorry." He said looking at the ground.

Kael looked surprised. "Haha no, it's fine, this is a nice change. It's good to know things can still be so...peaceful. You did an awesome job helping put all this together."

"Really? I feel like i always miss stuff, and that it could be better."

Kael reached up and ruffled the fur on top of Ery's head. "you are hard on yourself, thats why you do such a good job, you want everything perfect."

Sitting at a stall eating waffles.

"So how has it been since you moved here?" Ery asked.

"It was tough at first, I was really nervous. People being afraid of me didn't help either."

"Is that real leather?"

Kael laughed, "I was wondering when that would come up. No, it's made of mushrooms."

"Wow that's super cool, who made it?"

"There is a cloth maker in Khar'dak that makes clothes that aren't so...inhumane."

"I see, so there are other Khar'dak who disagree with the conflict?"

"There are a few of us for sure, but it's dangerous to stay in Khar'dak, and leaving is scary to most of them, because...well you know. One of my cousins was killed on a train when he was trying to escape..."

"Thats horrible..."

"It's been a lot easier moving here though, at least since I met you."

Ery turned a little pink at the statement. "w-well that's great!" he stammered. "I'm happy i could be of some help!"

"When people see me with you, they trust me more, and the forgive my awkwardness. It's really given me a chance to talk with people...to connect." Kaels eyes were gazing in to Ery's, their liquid metal glow almost warming him.

"Are there many other khar'dak with those colored eyes?"

"No actually, I am a bit of an anomaly, first of all, like I said before I'm a bit smaller, but my colors are darker. Males in my country are typically smaller than the females, and I'm even smaller than that. Males are more brightly colored, and the females are usually quite dark, and large...I was mistaken for a small female many times."

Eryndor stifled a laugh.

"What? what's so funny?"

"omg...omg you're the Khar'dak equivalent of a fem-boy"

"...What the heck is a femboy?"

"...uh, it's pretty much what you described: a male that looks feminine."

Kael's snout grew red. "Not this again, my sisters would rip on me for the same reason...they would call me kich'kal...which means...vagina boy."

Eryndor couldn't help himself, he burst out laughing. Several other people looked up from their waffles.

"Thats not funny..." Kael said getting annoyed.

"No, I'm not laughing at the name...I'm laughing at the fact that one of the strongest fighters I've ever met--someone who exudes an aura of power gets picked on by their big sisters."

"I don't understand."

"Kael, I'm sorry."

"You should be."

"I am, part of it was I had trouble conceptualizing something that could pick on you. I can't imagine anyone picking on you."

"Well, they did. And they are terrifying."

Eryndor realized he was being somewhat callous.

"I'm really sorry Kael."

Kaels gaze grew distant. "One of them...Eira, is nearly twice my size, and she inherited none of the kindness I did. Her cruelty was bottomless. She would...she would regularly attack me...pin me down...and...and..." Kael began to breath heavily. His eyes grew wide as he hyperventilated. He stood up, knocking the table over.

Ery went over to him and grabbed his claw, it was tense in his hand, but when Kaels eyes met Eryndor's they relaxed.

"I'm such an idiot...Kael I'm sorry." Eryndor reached up to touch Kale's face, but he drew away.

"Please, not right now. Don't..." he whispered through his knife teeth.

Ery drew back his hand and let go of Kaels claw, where it dropped to his side.

"I need to go home." Kael said, his voice tense, but controlled.

Eryndor's eyes were wide with worry and regret. "Okay" he said.

Kaels flat.

What happened to me? Why did i do that? Sure, Eryndor didn't know, but when he laughed at me, and when i thought of...thought of Eira...I...

Kael paused.

"She did things to me." He whispered.

Kael curled up on his floor, drawing his tail up to his chest where he hugged it, the plume of feathers obscuring his face.

What? It smells like Ery....he thought. The feathers had a faint scent of him. How did that happen? The scar just below his ribcage on the left ached. The place Eira had pushed a dagger in as slow as she could. He remembered screaming, he remembered feeling the blade graze his heart, and the panic of death crept upon him.

If it wasn't for Tharros, he might have died.

People are always saving me... He thought, a hopeless shroud enveloping his thoughts. I can never save myself. Weak. Pathetic...I should have died when my jaw was split.

A message popped up on his phone. It was from Eryndor:

"HEY KAELL, NEED UR HELP ASAP, I KNOW UR NOT DOING GOOD, BUT IM IN TROUBLE PLS COME QUICK" he had shared his phone's location.

What's going on? Kael thought. He got up and ran out the door, his negative feelings fading from his mind, being replaced with worry.

His talons clicked on the cobble stones as he ran, he turned and ducked thought the streets and alleys. He could hear voices, angry ones. He came upon a dark alley at the end of a street. He peered around the corner to see a large ursine, it had cornered Ery and Skeerzi.

"Aww, what? not so tough now that all the people are gone? you little deer bitch..." The bear taunted. "What? I'm not good enough for your dumb little gathering?"

"You proved last year that you were unfit for the festival, you assaulted several guests, and made a massive mess of things" Eryndor said, his voice faltering slightly with fear, but still filled with resolve.

"Thats not fair, i was defending myself, they insulted me."

"You were stealing things...things you didn't even need. Why would a bear like you need size 3 high heels?"

"I needed some money, I was gonna sell them, those gazelles were pretty well off, they wouldn't miss a few dollars."

"It doesn't matter, stealing is wrong--most of the time--anyway, your father owns the apiary? you have plenty of money."

"Yeah, well my dad's a real bastard and cut me off, so i had to improvise. Whatever, and last words? I'm gonna have fun rippin' up that little vest of yours."

"Skeerzi, get out of here, you can fly."

"I'm not leaving you."

"Go! get help, I sent Kael a message...hopefully he got it."

"Are you sure?"

Eryndor picked up Skeerzi and threw her in to the air. "Get out of here!"

"Thats right, fly away little bird. Now it's just us, not like that little twig would have made a difference anyway."

"You like messing with people, don't you Erving?"

"Oh, don't try to stall, I'm tired of talking." The bear raised his paw to strike Eryndor.

Click click click the sound echoed behind the bear.

"Whoever you are, I'm busy right now, unless you wanna join this deer bitch, I would be happy to take you too." The bear looked over his shoulder to see a towering figure. Kael stood, the streetlight behind him casting his form in shadow. The outline of his feathers giving the appearance of having horns, the only features visible were his liquid metal eyes, the pupils wide.

The bear paused but regained his voice. "Who are you? get out of here unless you want to get hurt." Erving said, sounding a little less confident than before.

"I like getting hurt, if it means I get to hurt you." Kaels voice had changed, it was smooth, like a knife. There was an aura of malice about it.

Holy shit he's cool. Eryndor thought. But he's also super scary...in a hot kinda way?Eryndor was mad at himself for letting his mind wander.

Erving had lost his voice, and seemed to be weighing the situation in his mind.

Kael didn't let him finish his thought, and began to walk, taking slow, calculated steps towards him. His claws flashed at his sides, his mouth hung open and his teeth seemed longer than normal.

"Don't come any closer! If you do, I will make sure your friend goes home in a hearse."

"My friend? The way I see it, there is a main course of bear, with a side of deer...I will not go hungry tonight, not like the starved nights I would spend in Khar'dak."

"A LIZARD!?" the bears voice finally cracking with fear.

Damn, Kael you're really piling it on...I'm starting to freak out a bit, Ery thought.

The bear released Eryndor and shuffled along the wall, his back to it, and Kael faced him as he moved towards the opening of the ally.

"Look, I might be a bit more difficult to take down, that deer isn't going anywhere? I will just leave him there, I mean I wouldn't want to eat me, I'm all gristle and bone and hair..."

The bear peeled off in to the night.

"I think he pissed himself...ew, it's all over my leg..." Ery said.

Kael turned to look at Ery, still cast in shadow with only his eyes visible. "Kael?" Ery asked, still somewhat shaken. Kael moved towards him. "Are you okay?"

Kael stepped in to the light, his expression smug "Nice cover, if you peed I wouldn't blame you."

"Gross, this most certainly wasn't me."

"I know, it smells like gross bear."

"Are you okay though? I'm sorry for laughing at you."

"It's cool, I'm glad you messaged me...I was feeling so useless, it was nice to save someone for once...it always feels like people are saving me."

"What? what do you mean?"

Kael's voice was soft "you saved me..."

Eryndor started to turn red. "...I saved you? how?"

A loud voice from the end of the ally called out. "Hey, are you kids okay? Skeerzi here told me there was some trouble?" It was Khy'drin.

Kids? I'm like 25. Eryndor thought. "yeah we are cool, everything's fine."

"you sure? if you're okay you should come have something to eat and drink at the garden."

"Sounds superb, we will be there shortly." replied Ery.

The beer garden.

Skeerzi's eye were lit up with excitement. "You should have seen him! He was back talking that bear like he was nothing. Eryn didn't even flinch...Even though he probably would've been torn limb from limb. He was so brave facing death like that!"

"I doubt we would have killed me, I think he was just picking a fight." Eryndor retorted.

"Still though, Erving isn't exactly a model citizen." Tariff replied.

"It was a little freaky, I wasn't expecting to get in to something like that..."Eryndor said.

"It was a good thing he left, I think he heard me and Khy'drin coming." Skeerzi finished.

"Where were you in all this, Kael?" Tariff asked.

"uh... I caught the back end of things, i arrived just before Khy'drin. I got to see Ery...uh...do his thing and...uh, scare off the bear dude."

"...It was you, wasn't it?" Tarriff asked.

Kael was silent, he looked over at Ery, who seemed to be enjoying the direction of the conversation. What are you looking so smug for? Kael thought.

"It waaaaas you...You saaaved him didn't you Kael?" Tarriff teased, leaning in towards Kael.

Kael leaned back slightly.

"Also, I noticed you calling him Ery, is that your little nickname you call him?" Tarriff asked.

The bridge of Kaels snout reddened. His eyes met Eryndor's, and the deer began to turn pink.

"UH, I may have helped out a bit, but out of the whole thing, I think Eryndor's choice words convinced our ursine friend to rethink his actions."

"See, now that I've pointed it out, it sounds weird when you use his full name." Tarriff lamented.

The tavern master strode up, jugs in his hands.

"More rounds for the table!" Cried Khy'drin as he set down the jugs. "Anything for you, Master Kael?"

"Thats okay, I've had enough excitement today, just some tea please."

"Suit yourself," Khy'drin said. "Guildr! get some tea on for our model employee here."

"I run this place..."Guildr said under his breath, as he polished a glass.

Skeerzi and Tarriff finished their drinks.

"We'll meet you at the hot spring later." Skeerzi said as she got up to leave, Tarriff tugging on her wing.

"c'mon, I wanna see the fireworks...and don't fly around and get yourself set on fire like you did last year Skeerzi." Tarriff pleaded.

"Okay we will see you guys later." Eryndor said.

"What a day." Kael said.

Eryndor laughed, "Yeah things can get wild when there are lots of people around."

"You're okay though?"

"I'm good, I was gonna ask you the same thing."

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Kael?"

"Yes Ery?"

Ery was looking at the ground, before his eyes found their way to Kaels. "I like you."

Kael was surprised. "I like you too?"

"No, I like like you." Ery said, turning pink.

Kael was silent, his expression unreadable. You what? he thought, stunned, the bridge of his snout flushing red.

Kael's eyes rolled back and he fell backwards as he passed out, a trickle of blood flowed out his left nostril.

"Kael! Oh god, are you okay?!" Ery cried as he waved a napkin as Kael's face in a vain attempt to give him more air.

He likes me? I mean, now that I think about it, people don't put up with you if they don't like you? Kael thought. He could hear Ery crying out about something, but the thoughts swirled together, and he couldn't hear what they were.

Hot spring.

Kael wrapped a towel around his waist. He could hear Eryndor struggling in the next stall.

"These...fucking...BUTTONS!" Ery cried. "I will be in a sec, go in without me."

Kael obliged and made his way to the pool. The waters steamed, and he could see the stars above. He undid his towel and folded it in to a neat triangle, placing it on the rim of the pool. He set himself down in to the water. Everything was quiet. As the surface of the pool settled, he could see the reflection of the sky.

What have I gotten myself in to? he thought. Things seem okay though...He likes me?! He actually likes me...ME?! Kaels mind swirled with chaotic thoughts, he felt a warm tingling in his stomach.

Clack clack clack Eryndor's hooves hit the stones as he ran and jumped in to the pools deep end. Droplets of water hit Kael and pulled him out of his thoughts, and back in to reality. The deer's white form moved towards Kael beneath the waters like a ghost approaching him. His antlers broke the surface, and he was in front of Kael.

"You never responded..." Ery said, as he moved to sit on Kaels lap, facing him with his legs spread against his torso. His nose only a few centimeters away. He lay his arms on Kaels shoulders, his fingers playing with the feathers on the back of Kaels neck. "...when i said I liked you."

Kaels claws instinctively drew forward under the water, gripping Ery's waist. He retracted the talons, using the soft pads of his fingers to trace circles on Ery's hip bones. He moved the flat of his hand over Ery's stomach, he had a bit of a belly.

Eryndor's voice was timid "...I know, I'm not as fit as I used to be...it's probably the stress."

"It's okay, I like it...I like you."

Eryndor looked up and met Kaels liquid metal gaze. "I thought so..."

"...Then why did you ask?" Kael asked, incredulous.

"I wanted to hear you say it..." Ery answered mischievously.

"Uh...we're naked." Kael said, his snout turning red.

"It's a hot spring, idiot, you're supposed to be naked."

"Yeah, but its public, what if someone comes in?"

"We aren't doing anything wrong...yet." Ery said, leaning in, his eyes closing.

Holy shit, Kael thought as he closed his eyes. He could feel Ery's mouth connect with his, and in a moment he would--

"Cannonball!!" Tarriff yelled as he jumped in to the pool. The resulting wave washed Ery out of his lap and in to the deep end, bubbles surfacing where he went under.

"What are you guys doing? I didn't hear any talking, were you just sitting here in awkward silence? I thought you guys were friends? nothing to talk about? how sad..." Skeerzi said as she slipped into the steaming waters.

"The fireworks were great this year...Skeerzi caught herself on fire again though..." Tariff remarked.

"It's not a big deal, I like to chase the fireballs." she said raising her burnt wing. "it's just the feathers."

Kael laughed "That seems dangerous."

Ery's head burst out of the water. "What the hell?! This is a hot spring! No cannonballs!"

"Sorry, I had to, its tradition." Tarriff said, smiling. "So, what were you guys doing? Smooching? and maybe some--"

Ery used his hooves to launch a wave of water at Tarriff, his words were cut off in a garble. Tarriff surfaced sputtering and shaking off the water.

"To be fair, me and Skeerzi did some smooching of our own--" Tarriff said.

"Cram it, Rawhide!" she yelled as she threw a wet towel at his face.

Tarriff untangled the wet towel from his horns. "Skeerzi why always with the racist stuff? Leather was banned decades ago, why you godda bring that stuff up?"

"I was mad! you shouldn't share private stuff."

"Have you guys been going out long?" Kael asked.

"Oh, about a year now." Tarriff answered calmly as Skeerzi bashed his head repeatedly with a rock.

"Shut up! stop talking! We aren't going out! stop telling lies!" Skeerzi yelled.

"You know you can't hurt me; my skull is like a rock."

"YOUR HEAD IS FULL OF ROCKS!!"

"The sweetest most gentle creature I've ever met." Tarriff beamed. "I think she's a little embarrassed when it comes to public displays of affection...any affection, actually, now that I think about it."

Skeerzi had gotten tired at this point and put the rock down.

"Why are you so mean to me??" She cried.

"Is it true, you guys are dating?" Eryndor asked.

Skeerzi paused. "Okay, you guys are my friends, I can spill the beans."

Tarriff looked unamused.

"It's true, me and the cow are tight." She admitted.

"Thats awesome, I mean I kind figured, but hey, hearing it from you officializes it." Eryndor stated.

"What do you mean? was it that obvious?"

"...uh...no...I was just joking?" Eryndor said.

"It's all your fault, stupid cow, you told them!!" Skeerzi yelled.

"I didn't say anything...hey ow!" Tarriff pleaded as Skeerzi pulled on his ear.

"Skeerzi, are you always this...abusive?" Kael asked.

Skeerzi looked embarrassed and looked down at the water. Tarriff chimed in.

"It's not like that...I can be...stubborn, and I do need something physical to bring me back to reality. Skeerzi's good like that. She's never hurt me, not once," he said. "I really appreciate when she is able to get my attention."

Skeerzi began to cry.

"I'm not abusive..."

"No, you're not, it's fine. Kael just wanted to know what's going on."

Kael felt guilty bringing up a sensitive subject.

"I'm just...I'm just so small...no one listens to me...I have to be loud to be heard..." Skeerzi stammered through her tears. "I don't want to hurt people, I only want to get their attention, I have things to say...things that don't get heard..."

Eryndor watched from the deep end--Its good they're bonding? he thought.

Kael could only listen; he didn't know what to do. "I'm sorry, Tarriff's right, I'm new here, I don't know how things work. If you guys are happy, then I am happy. I am glad we are friends."

Skeerzi sniffed. "New? you've been here almost a year. And you went from being something akin to the boogie man, to being my best friend's arm candy..." her sadness fading in to her usual provocative confidence.

Kael was taken aback. Arm candy? what does that mean?

Ery swam up, "are you guys okay?" he asked, trying to divert attention from Skeerzi's comment.

"So what? Me and Tarriff are tight, and yeah we smooched at the fireworks, after Tarriff put me out."

"You're like a shit magnet, Skeerzi: attracting all sort of shit. Getting set on fire, mouthing off people way bigger than you, causing shit...God your perfect." Tarriff swooned.

"Oh, that's enough out of you, T-bone. Like you aren't a box of roses yourself--"

A loud voice called out.

"Hey, you guys got room for a couple more?" It was Khy'drin and Guildr.

Khy'drin slipped into the water without disturbing it, and Guildr jumped in splashing everyone.

"Hey, you guys made it."

"Sure did, stuff died down a bit, and Guildr here got his second wind." Khy'rin remarked.

"I'VE BEEN AWAKE FOR 35 AND A HALF HOURS BABY!" Guildr yelled.

"Was the stall busy today, Guildr?" Eryndor asked.

"Was it ever! I got to meet so many paper people, I even made a few connections that will help me with supplies."

"Thats great." Eryndor laughed.

"Oh dear, its hot in here...I have to be careful; my wings absorb a lot of heat." Guildr remarked, Eryndor noticed he was turning somewhat red. "How are you and Kael doing?"

Eryndor looked at the water, he could see Kael and Khy'drins reflection as they chatted at the other end of the pool. "I think things are going well, I honestly didn't expect to find myself in a situation like this...I always thought I would be too busy to make any more friends, let alone something more."

"Thats kinda how --yawn--life works sometimes. It's never what you expect it to be. When I was growing up, I had to move out of my cave, and integrate with the other species. Being a vampire made things...awkward. Meal periods at school were hard, sipping on blood didn't win me many friends. My family always tried to source blood ethically, via donations, synthetics and the like. But it all looks the same: Bright red. Most creatures freak out when they see it, something deep in the brain telling them there's danger. I remember dropping some and it splattered all over the floor and on to this poor girl's face, when she turned around and everyone saw her and the mess, two kids passed out and a few more were screaming." Guildr laughed.

"Thats kinda horrible."

"It was at the time, but man, when I think about it now, it makes me laugh every time."

"I guess humor is a good medicine."

Guildr got serious, "If I couldn't make jokes, I would be dead."

Eryndor nodded in agreement. "There is something to be said about being able to turn negative situations into positives ones, when something goes wrong, it's possible to frame it as an opportunity to learn, rather than just mope in a puddle of your own sorrow." Eryndor looked up at the stars. "If more people saw it that way, maybe the world would be a little kinder."

Something bumped into Ery's shoulder: It was Guildr, floating face down in the water, a small stream of bubbles rising around his head.

"Oh, shit! Guildr!" Eryndor cried as he lifted the bat out of the water, his eyes were swirling and water dripped out of his open mouth.

"Did he pass out again? He did this last year too!" Khy'drin said as he swam over and took Guildr from Eryndor's arms.

"I'm sorry, I said I would be careful this year...now look at me." Guildr reclined on a sofa with a cold cloth stacked on top of his head, pressing his ears down, both folded wings grasped a glass of iced blood, which he sipped with a straw.

"I should have noticed; I was too engrossed in my story to see you were about to faint." Eryndor said.

Guildr perked up. "Eh, it was my fault, I know I should be more careful...oh well c'est la vie. Other than that, we should do this more often."

A week after the festival

Kael decided to pay Ery a visit at the print shop. There was a crowd, and from what he could hear, most of them were ordering supplies, invitations and cards for Christmas. Kael met Ery's gaze.

“Oh, hey Kael, if you're not busy you can wait in the back for a while until I'm done." Ery looked very tired.

Kael made his way to the back office and sat down. A hand written book was on the table. It was a journal.

It was Ery's journal.

Kael closed it. It would be rude to read someone's private thoughts. After a few moments of fidgeting and looking at the book, and looking away, he opened it; his curiosity got the better of him. The pages were dated, and he flipped back to a date from before he had moved there.

August.

The equinox festival is in a couple months, and I will need to talk to (long list of names and occupations)

Boring, Kael thought as he flipped forward.

There is a new person in town, A khar'dak! How exciting! A lot of people are very nervous, but from what I understand he's my dad's friend's nephew? So, he can't be that bad, I have never met one, and I'm not gonna lie, there are a lot of bad stuff said about them...but I'm hopeful? My dad says he's cool, so they must be, I hope I can make friends with them, even if they are scary.

Kael smiled. He flipped the page.

It's a monster.

I thought I would be prepared...but I could never prepare myself for what I faced tonight: It was huge, after it knocked me over, I thought I was done for. It must have smelled the blood, cause when it looked down at my arm, I thought I would die. I was in no position to fight. Its orange eyes were the color of molten steel. I remember seeing its claws...it's teeth...It could have done whatever it wanted with me...

Kael's heart sank...so this is what he thinks of me...he thought. I'm just a monster. Just then Ery walked in.

“Ugh, sorry about that, things get wild before Christmas...now that I think about it, things are always busy here—what are you doing?" Ery asked, a note of concern in his voice.

“I see..." Kael said, his voice flat.

“You shouldn't be reading that."

“...Yes, it would seem your true thoughts are laid bare here."

“Thats how journals work..."

“A monster...that's what you think of me?"

“...Kael, you idiot, keep reading. You might as well, considering you've gotten this far."

Kael was annoyed at being called a monster and an idiot within the span of only 5 minutes. His gaze slowly returned to the pages. He noticed the date was from several months ago. Ery stood over his shoulder.

“Thats right, that's when we first met...keep reading." Ery said, his voice firm.

The journal continued: ...but then he ran away? I could see something in his eyes, and the way he stepped back after bumping in to me...I think he was just scared? I don't think he's out to get anyone, I think he was just nervous?

The next day.

Oh my god, Skeerzi just dragged him in to the canteen after learning he didn't apologize when he bumped in to me last night. When he saw me, he seemed to tense up, but then when Skeerzi sat him down, he was so polite. Oh lord, I can't believe I'm saying this, but he's incredibly funny. He apologized, and was a complete gentleman. I feel bad for judging him...although I can't blame myself, I am glad he's one of the rare gems of the Khar'dak. Ugh, i was so rude to him, I feel like I was grilling him a bunch, like “why are you here, what are you about?" But I couldn't help it...I am still kinda scared of him. He could rip me in two, easy.

Kael sighed. “no...you aren't wrong...I would be freaked out too if I were you."

“Keep reading...Mr. Nosey, you can't stop until both of us are embarrassed now" Ery said, blushing somewhat and still looking annoyed.

Kael started to get nervous, what else was in here? He flipped the page. His eyes darted across the words. The bridge of his snout grew redder with every sentence. He looked up at Ery, Kael's eyes relieved, yet surprised.

“I knew you liked me, but this is what you think of me?" Kaels eyes filling with tears.

“Are you happy now, you dummy?" Ery said as he placed himself in Kael's lap, his face close and turning red.

Kael wrapped his arms around Ery, his snout burrowing in to Ery's neck fur.

“God damn it, I'm sorry Ery."

“Apology accepted. Let's get out of here, my place is clean now."

Eryndor's flat was indeed clean. The boxes and paper from before had gone, and Eryndor's house seemed bare. It seemed to contain only the essentials, a sparse kitchen, bedroom and bath. There weren't even any plants or artwork up.

Kael plopped down on the couch, and Ery sat beside him.

“So...are we dating now?" Kael asked.

Ery met Kaels gaze “I would like that?" he said, his voice soft.

Kaels snout reddened. “Okay...cool."

Ery scooted closer, pushing Kael down as he climbed on top. Kaels claws reached up and grasped Ery's waist. Ery's hands rested on Kaels chest. Ery slid forward; his elbows slid up on either side of Kael's head as he played with his feathers. Ery's stomach was so soft and warm; Kael pressed his thumbs in to the soft flesh.

“You like that part, don't you?"

“It's so lovely, how could I not?" replied Kael.

Ery laughed. “it's cute, sometimes I get so self-conscious that my body isn't perfect by social standards, but having you here makes me feel better."

“But it is perfect, I don't know where other people get their twisted notions of beauty from, but they're wrong"

“The way you say things just--" Ery didn't even finish his sentence, as his mouth connected with Kael's. At first it was soft and light, his lips dancing around his, as Kael opened his mouth, he could feel Ery's tongue slide in. It was soft, and tasted like him. He couldn't describe it, but something electric was happening and it felt like little fireworks were going off in his mind. Kael felt his whole body relax. It felt like he was floating.

I don't deserve this, Kael thought. This is too much for someone like me...

The thought subsided and he felt his whole form meld with Eryndor's.

Later.

Eryndor pulled on his leggings, and plopped down on the couch next to Kael, who decided to remain naked. Ery rummaged around in a nearby drawer and pulled out a cigarette, he placed it in his mouth and rummaged again for a lighter. Reaching up he touched the flame to its end before inhaling.

“You smoke?" Kael asked.

“Only on special occasions." He replied with a grin.

“when's the last time you smoked?"

Ery thought a moment. “I don't remember...a long time ago."

"I don't think I've ever been a special occasion."

Ery laughed, "Well, you are now and I'm pretty sure I stole these from my mom years ago, and I tried one, but it made me sick..."

“Do you feel sick now?"

“Not in the slightest."

Kael smiled, and decided to put on his clothes.

“Do you always wear the mushroom stuff?"

Kael looked embarrassed. “it's all I have, nothing else in this town fits me, I'm somewhat big and tall...and lizard."

Ery laughed, “we will have to see if we can do anything about that if you want."

“I would love if you dressed me up..." Kael said, his voice quiet.

“Oh? For real? This is gonna be fun!"

The next day at the Tailor.

Ery gets Kael to try on a bunch of outfits that make him feel embarrassed and they laugh.

Tuxedo? No.

Summer dress with matching sun hat? No.

Scottish highlander outfit with kilt? Kinda badass on Kael, Maybe?

Eventually they settle on something cool.

“What do you think?" Ery asked.

Kael wore a pair of black and blue plaid cargo shorts and his black top was asymmetrical, with one side having a long sleeve, and the other side open to reveal his bare arm and half of his chest.

“I love it."

“Now we just need a bracelet for your naked side to balance everything out."

“You seem to have an eye for this sort of work, Mr. Eriol, would you consider submitting some drawings?" Tappas asked, his tail wagging.

“I've never considered it, but it sounds really fun. I could come by on the weekends to see if we can work out designs."

“Awesome, I can't wait to see what you come up with!"

Later at Eryndor's house.

“You really need some plants and artwork in here." Kael mused.

“D'you want to go plant shopping with me?"

“I want to do everything with you..." Kael said, his voice low.

Ery turned pink. “What do you mean by that?" What lurid thoughts is he thinking? He thought.

“Y'know, just every day stuff. I like going out with you, shopping or whatever. I would be happy to sit in the dentists waiting room with you to be honest."

My mind is in the gutter... Ery thought, he's just being sweet. He's so innocent?!

Ery smiled.

At the nursery.

“Snake plants are pretty easy to take care of, and they look super neat." Kael suggested.

Ery was holding a fern, his eyes wide. “Look at it..."

“...are you sure, they are somewhat difficult to take care of."

“You're right, I should probably start with something easier."

The two left the shop with an arm full of numerous plants. They spent the rest of the day deciding on placements.

Kael visits Ery at the print shop a few days later.

“It's pretty quiet today." Kael noticed.

“...yep, I've already done everything." Ery said, looking sad and tired.

“You're bummed because you have nothing to do."

“I just said that didn't I?" Snapped Eryndor.

Kael was silent.

“...I'm sorry, no your right, now that the festivals over, and Christmas is in a few days, everyone is busy at home."

“Is your dad around?"

“He is, I will be going over to his place for Christmas, and I will get to see some of my family."

Kael was silent.

“Wait, what are you doing for Christmas, Kael? Do you have anywhere to go?"

Kael looked at the ground. He looked out the window. “It's snowing." He mused.

“Kael...if you're not doing anything for Christmas, you need to come over."

Kael's expression perked up. “I wouldn't be intruding?"

“Never, I want to do everything with you."

Kael smiled.