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The Cohen Icosahedron

Chapter 21

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Kaiden had no doubts whatsoever that he'd be the last one of his roost to arrive at their shared dormitory; Viddin had very few personal effects and, what little they did have would probably be designed to stack on their back, hook onto their sash, or fit into their satchel. He, on the other hand, had two suitcases, a backpack and a duffel bag to fill up. Not only did he have plenty to transport to his new room, but he had to pack it up first.

As he went to his apartment to gather his things, he was thankful at least that the furniture was provided by the Programme, otherwise he could very well have needed a trolley. His thoughts on moving were suspended, however, when he saw that the door to his apartment was ajar. Peeking his head inside, Kaiden spoke loudly. "Hello? Is someone in here?"

A voice Kaiden didn't recognize called from his bedroom. "Yes, Kaiden Wilson. I am here to assist you with moving your belongings."

Although the young man had become familiar with the different races during his time in the Unity Programme he had some difficulty placing the accent. It didn't have the organic-metallic twang of most Phin; Oolou didn't use full names for formality; the voice wasn't 'chittery' enough for an Ikali; he was on Plateau Earth but he was definitely not being hailed by a Viddin. Slowly stepping into his apartment, Kaiden called out again. "Okay... you know me, but who are you? Who sent you to help me pack?"

The voice chuckled-- it was a deep, rumbling sound, and mirthful in a way that suggested some kind of private joke to which Kaiden was not a part. "I am afraid that I would be of little use gathering up your delicate body coverings, Zfielt... alas, Kaiden Wilson, you will have to do that without me."

As the Human shifted further into his quarters he heard his surprise guest likewise move around the bedroom; whoever he was, he was big. He'd also said 'zfielt', which was definitely a Viddin word. Perhaps, Kaiden considered, his guest might be a Viddinire from the southern continent-- supposedly they were different from the ones Tral represented, and it would make sense considering he'd commented about-- Kaiden's thought processes ended the moment he saw a reptilian head peek out from his bedroom door frame in his direction. It was an Ilsit, and it was big!

Unlike the drones Kaiden had seen, the one in his apartment was large-- not just large, it was Viddin-sized! As his 'guest' continued to emerge, it became quickly apparent that, also unlike the drones, it walked on four legs. The Ilsit was somewhere between the size of Vetlyk and Tral; it was decidedly reptilian, yet moved with an almost feline-grace using a very Viddin-like gait. It's scales were a deep, rich green but so dark and muted as to be nearly gray; it also had wings-- big, membranous wings. The words were out of Kaiden's mouth before he could think to stop himself. "I've never seen an Ilsit like you."

The dragon (yes, it was so VERY much a dragon) looked straight at him, its thin, scaled lips pulling back to reveal what almost looked like a smile. "Were I vain, I would say that there are no other Ilsit like me but, Kaiden Wilson, I will assume you mean that you have only ever encountered drones. You are correct-- I am no drone."

Kaiden remained frozen in place, body stuck in a paralysis that stemmed from somewhere deep within his mind in a way he could not possibly reason through. "I... thought Ilsit weren't supposed to be--"

That same almost-insulting chuckle reverberated out of the Ilsit; Kaiden watched as the thick, muscular throat of the creature shook visibly from the sound. "You know better than that, Kaiden Wilson; you have already met several, as you had noted."

Still frozen and unsure how to start moving, or even if he should, the Human said only "But... drones must be a LOT easier to hide... right?"

The rumble from the Ilsit was not one of humor, and that finally broke Kaiden's body's unwillingness to move as he took an involuntary step back. The reptilian creature likewise stepped back, membranous ear-like tails on either side of its head lowering slightly as it gave him space. "Ilsit Majors pride ourselves on our commanding presence. We do not hide. I owe you an apology if you feel intimidated, Kaiden Wilson, but it is important that you understand slights against us are rarely overlooked... I do so on behalf of my Holruak."

It took several seconds for Kaiden to find the definitive of the word despite how obvious it should have been; adding an 'a' between the final two letters of a word denoted a diminutive version-- Kaiden had never considered 'holruk' a word that COULD have a diminutive since it carried with it such respect. "Who is your-- Holruk?"

He didn't feel right using the same word as the Ilsit, preferring the generic version instead. If his guest cared he didn't let it show. "He will make it known. As I said, Kaiden Wilson: I am here to help you move... you see?"

Even as he asked that question the Ilsit spread his wings, revealing what almost looked like a bicycle rack strapped onto his back. Kaiden realized that, in fact, it was a luggage rack. The Human had somehow managed to find it within himself to move more freely and he did so, giving the Ilsit a wide berth. "I'm sorry for insulting you. It was an accident. I didn't mean to... um... Ilsit Major."

A genuine, good humored laugh emerged from the dragon. "Ah, yes, Kaiden Wilson-- we have not been properly introduced. I know you, but you have yet to receive my name. Although our names are far longer, we have taken shorter terms of address so as to accommodate the simple points of reference used by the Viddin-- you may know me as Haklys."

Kaiden was surprised. "All of the other Ilsit I have met all have names ending in 'g'."

Haklys let out a huff; the Human was astounded to see that little fumes of smoke accompanied it. "Kaiden Wilson, you are astute enough to notice Drone names end in g, yet have not met Majors yet to understand that ours end in S."

The Human felt himself blush in embarrassment. "Oh... I... kinda jumped to conclusions."

The Ilsit bobbed its head in a very suitable imitation of a Human nod. "I would agree with you, Kaiden Wilson-- and that is not always an intelligent way to process information. In addition, you have obviously only met male Drones; female Drones have names ending in L. Female Majors have names ending in 'kj'."

The sound that Haklys made was NOT a letter with which Kaiden was familiar-- it sounded like the combination of a velar phoneme combined with a palatal approximate phenome; there was no equivalent in English, and almost sounded like the simplified onomatopoeia of glass breaking. For a number of reasons, Kaiden's reply was kept simple. "I... didn't know that."

The Ilsit Major about-faced, turning his body back in on itself in an almost perfect (literal) u-turn as his front had turned about before his hind-quarters moved to follow. "The purpose of Tier 7 class is to learn more, is it not, Kaiden Wilson? We will be staying with you to help move the process along."

There were a number of things in the two sentence Haklys spoke which caught Kaiden's attention, but he specifically chose to focus on the plural. "We?"

The Dragon remained just inside the doorway with only his rump still in the living room. Gesturing with surprising dexterity using his tail, Haklys stated only "There will be more time to discuss the future when it becomes the present. For now, let us get you ready to be moved, shall we, Kaiden Wilson?"

The Human couldn't help himself. "You really use my name a LOT. Is that an Ilsit 'thing' or something?"

Haklys, despite having been relatively verbose up until that point, apparently chose that moment to change tact. "Yes. Something like that... Kaiden Wilson." and he disappeared into the Human's bedroom.

The next thirty-something minutes were spent in relative silence with the Ilsit Major standing idly, patiently waiting for Kaiden to pack up his belongings. Every time a suitcase or bag was filled, Haklys would tilt his body and adjust his wing, providing the young man access to the luggage rack he wore on his back and, each time the dragon would follow it up with a statement along the lines of "A good start, Kaiden Wilson." or "You are making fine progress, Kaiden Wilson."

Finally, as the Human got his final bag packed and put in place, he was surprised when Haklys did not straighten up, maintaining the slight angle of his body and the half-extended wing. Realizing there must have been some conflsion, the young man stated "Okay... that's it. I'm done now. That's everything."

Haklys' response was not very helpful. "I am aware of that, Kaiden Wilson."

Kaiden offered just as simple a response. "We can get going then, right?"

The Ilsit spread his wing wider. "Correct, Kaiden Wilson... as soon as you join your luggage on my back. My Soltyar asked that I fetch you and bring you myself."

Another diminutive word and it was reference to his brother-- his Soltyr. "There are other Ilsit Majors on campus? And one knows me?"

Haklys gave his wing a shake. "Be quick about it, Kaiden Wilson... the rest of your Roost are likely already at your new home."

It took Kaiden a few moments to figure out how best to mount the dragon but, with Haklys' assistance, he figured approaching from the side and using the Ilsit's elbow as a step worked well enough. Once he was in place, he rephrased his question. "How does your brother know about me? The only Ilsit I've met so far have been Drones."

His companion once again kept his response short, to the point, and less-than-helpful. Kaiden was starting to think that it was on purpose and a display of kind of Ilsit humor. "I was adopted into a Viddin family. One of your Roost is my... 'baby brother'."

Judging by unclear comment Kaiden was almost certain that Haklys was being purposefully vague. He was ready to follow up on that thought, but changed his question part way through as the dragon made a left turn and not a right. "And I suppose you're not going to tell me who-- we're going toward the patio and not the hallway?"

Rather than answer his question, Haklys reached out a foretalon and pushed the sliding door open with no effort whatsoever. Unlike a Viddin, the dragon did not bother getting a running start; a short bunny-hop took him up and onto the railing and, teetering there for just long enough for Kaiden to realize what was about to happen, the Ilsit leaned forward, and dropped straight down off of the balcony. Kaiden didn't even have a chance to scream as the dragon's wings shot out in either direction and their downward momentum took then into a sweeping climb, which, in turn, caused the Human's stomach to feel as though it had hopped up into his throat, cutting off the forestalled cry of alarm.

Strong wings catching an updraft, Haklys began to move them, flapping in a way that reminded Kaiden of the running gallop Tral had used before their own take off a few days previously; it was very unlike the soaring of Viddin flight. Each downbeat of the dragon's wings brought a surge of weight with it pushing up against the Human's backside and every time the wings rose back up Kaiden felt a moment of near-weightlessness. The experience was, in its own way, entirely unlike what he'd experienced before with Tral.

The entire flight time was not a long one; Haklys made a lazy circle in the air as he flapped his wings, taking the both of them well out over the edge of the plateau as they rose perhaps 4 or 5 meters in the air. In the end, however, they had done a complete 360 degree turn, which took them right back to the Unity Centre one level up, at which point Kaiden caught sight of an enormous patio easily large enough to accommodate two dozen Viddin with ample room for more. It served quite well as a landing spot for the Ilsit, who touched down with scarcely any forward momentum-- a far cry from most Viddin's running-stops.

Kaiden was so focused on carefully dismounting from Haklys that, until the Ilsit called out to someone else in the Viddin language, the young man realized that they weren't alone. "I have brought your Zfielt, Soltyar."

Turning about, the Human caught sight of the crown of pure white, regal cowl feathers as Vetlyk stepped out onto the patio through the open sliding glass door. Although he spoke formally there was still a familiar warmth to it that he normally eschewed with other Viddin around. "Tral had said that you greatly enjoyed your flight with him... as I was otherwise occupied I had hoped that Haklys would do as a substitute until you and I have ample time to pursue such activities together."

Kaiden couldn't pass up the opportunity for an understatement. "When you said you were familiar with Ilsit you weren't kidding."

He jumped in surprise when the tip of a surprisingly dexterous serpentine tail slipped around his ankle. "To his credit, Kaiden Wilson, he was not supposed to mention me at all... to know that he even had some familiarity with my kind was, in my opinion, quite a show of faith in you."

Kaiden didn't miss the reddening of Vetlyk's nares and wasn't the least surprised when the Viddin changed the subject. "Be that as it may, we should provide my classmate time to familiarize himself with our new domicile. The rest of the Roost is settling in nicely, though we have agreed on vote of 5 to 2 that Kaiden should have the opportunity to choose his room first... and the others are becoming... less patient."

Not about to guess aloud who the two were who voted to choose before he arrived, the Human kept to the matter at hand. "Well... I suppose if it was voted on, sure. I guess you'll be giving me the tour?"

Vetlyk's beak quirked, parting slightly in a slight crack to his otherwise immutable expression as he offered up a Viddin smile. Lowering his head into a casual gryphon bow, he righted up stating "It would be my pleasure, Kaidin."

Haklys let out a rhythmic rumble that, after a moment, Kaiden identified as a laugh. The Ilsit passed by Vetlyk, who remained by the sliding door, and only then was the Human better able to assess their size differences; Vetlyk was only slightly broader, but Haklys was at least 10% larger. As he stepped around the gryphon, the dragon extended a wing and used it to ruffle Vetlyk's head feathers and spoke something in the Ilsit language. Kaiden didn't have the first idea what it meant, but it seemed to get a good-humored response from the Viddin.

Once Haklys was gone, Kaiden approached his classmate. "He was quite the surprise."

Vetlyk's attention was wholly on the Human in an instant, crown feathers half-raised. "Not an unpleasant one, I hope."

Dozens of ways to answer the question went through Kaiden's mind but, in the end, he just nodded simply. "No. He was great. I look forward to getting to know him better but, for now, I'd kinda like to just unpack and relax."

The Viddin stepped aside, sweeping his wing in an expansive gesture toward the door. "Of course, Kaiden. Please... allow me to show you around."

The Human felt his cheeks blush; it almost felt like they were out on a date and Vetlyk was holding the door for him. He had to object, just a little. "Thanks... but... don't YOU have to get familiar with the place too?"

A call from within the suite indicated that they were not even close to alone, and the snarky remark was definitely from Hahn. "Are you kidding? This is probably his family's second home, Kaiden'huu."

Kaiden shot a glance at Vetlyk, whose expression had become suddenly very stoic. In a neutral voice, the Viddin fluffed his wings out and, in a chagrined tone, stated flatly "He is not entirely wrong."

All smiles, Kaiden followed his classmate inside. He was prepared to be wowed, but he didn't realize just how impressed he would be.

* * * * *

All-in-all, the walk through took nearly twenty minutes. Vetlyk showed him the ten different bedrooms and five different bathrooms, all only briefly, promising him a more complete tour once everyone had settled in; it might have had something to do with the fact that the two of them had six sets of eyes on them almost the entire duration of the tour. Finally, as the Roost sat down in the living room, the question was finally posed. Plopping down across from the recliner in which Kaiden sat, Vetlyk sought an answer. "So... which room do you feel most inclined to accept?"

The young man knew that, given the choice, he really liked the idea of a room with a bathroom attached and, since there were two such bedrooms, that narrowed down his options. Since he wasn't a particularly early riser, he went for the one that didn't have an east-facing window so as to limit the sunlight in the morning. "I think I'll go for the one with the light blue walls."

Kaiden hadn't realized that the rest of the Roost had gathered around during his guided tour until he heard an indignant squawk from the end of the hall and Kytskir let out a mild curse. "Downdraft! I was hoping for that one."

The Human quickly backpedaled. "Oh-- well, if everyone already had their rooms picked out I can always find a different--"

Tral interjected, head appearing from around the corner. "Oh, no, Kaiden'huu, we all agreed before you arrived that you would get to choose first. We've already looked through and made our choices first."

Kytskyr's head appeared beneath Tral's, his little feathery deelie-boppers framing either side of the larger Viddin's beak. "That is correct, Classmate. And, since you preempted my choice, that means I can select my second choice and override someone else's."

Kaiden heard Prirn's unmistakable groan, followed by the lynx/falcon's objection "Aww... and I really liked that one too!"

The cheetah/owl cluck-chuckled. "No... I decided you can keep that one. I will claim the second room with an en suite bathing chamber."

Vetlyk immediately objected. "You cannot, Classmate."

Kytskyr scowled, lowering his head so he could stare at Vetlyk over the rim of his large glasses. "And why is that, Classmate? We had agreed that--"

The Vidday spoke right over him. "We also need a room for the Ilsit, and I had promised to Haklys that they would have a bathing chamber all their own."

Sokkas' seditious tone suggested that he didn't mind starting some trouble from the periphery. "When ai'Holruk'huu has made up his mind we have no option but to comply."

The argument would probably have continued and, knowing the Viddin, they would start to talk over one another, but Kaiden interjected before it could escalate. "Wait-- we're having Ilsit stay here too?"

Prirn stepped into the hall, padding quite calmly down it before sitting in front of the Human and leaning his head against Kaiden's elbow. "Yes. We all have Ilsit, and the administration said that they'd be joining us here so you can start prepping for a proper education on them. All fourteen of us get to stay here like one big Roost!"

It didnt't take long for Kaiden to do the math. "If you each had an Ilsit then that'd be 15... seven Viddin, me, and seven Ils--"

Nittik appeared at the end of the hall, standing majestically with his wings half-spread. "I can confidently say that I am Ilsit-free! You and me are the only unbound members of our Roost, Kaiden'huu!"

Kytskir quickly corrected the small Viddin. "It would be 'you and I', Nittik."

The ocelot/kestrel shot the cheetah/lion a glance. "No... I'm pretty sure you have a Greater Drone, Kyt."

"It's 'Kytskir, and I didn't--- ugh-- never-mind."

The exchange was over as swiftly as it began, and Nittik's self-satisfied, smug grin revealed that he knew exactly what Kytskir meant. Either way, it did raise quite a few questions, and Kaiden, for once, was ready to start asking them, doing so as he walked back down the hallway toward the living room. "So... there are SIX Ilsit that will be living here? I... I know I've met a few--" he glanced toward Vetlyk and Nittik, who were following after him, and over to Sokkas, who stood off to the side, "--but when do I get to meet all of them?"

Tral, who had moved back as Kaiden emerged from the hallway, took one large step to the side, revealing a small wall of scaled humanoids, his beak split wide in a huge grin. "Right now, actually."

Kaiden recognized Hassag and Sogig standing beside the others; Zithing, who was standing between Tral's wings was also familiar to him, but the remaining three were new. Hahn introduced Kalsig, another Ilsit Drone who had off-brown scales and otherwise closely resembled Zithing and Sogig... except that he wore a leather collar eerily similar to the one on Hahn. The other two Ilsit were, based on the descriptions Kytskir had given several days past were Greater Drones. Both were nearly two meters tall and stood on their hind legs. One was only a little broader build than Kaiden himself but the other would have been described as almost 'portly' if he were a Human. Both had thick scales-- the thin one looked similar to a crocodile while the broader one was a shoe-in for an alligator.

As if on cue, Kytskir gestured with a wing. "Kaiden'hu, may I introduce Hassag? He has been as curious to meet you as you him."

The thin lizard man bent at the hip, providing a bow quite similar to what the young man would have considered appropriate for the romance era of western Europe. When he spoke, Hassag spoke clearly in English, and with a hint of Germanic accent. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Kaiden, Sir. I am pleased to have the opportunity to be invited to the Unity Centre and spend time with Kyt and his Kawkikikik."

Prirn, in the meantime, had been bodily picked up by the other Greater Ilsit and the two together were sized properly in a way that gave Kaiden the impression of a burly bodybuilder carrying around his prized Newfounland. The happy lynx/falcon was quick to speak up when the HUman glanced their way. "I have been so excited to introduce you to Vaskag, Siik'im. I've told him all about you."

Unlike his enormous bulk would suggest, the Greater Ilsit turned out to be meek... or at least shy. Inclining his muzzle slightly to Kaiden, the alligator's scales flushed slightly in a very Human-like 'blush', and he mumbled something quietly in the Ilsit language. Prirn's nares reddened and his crown feathers rose. Smiling demurely, the Viddin murmured "He said you are very handsome."

Tral reached out a thick foreleg and wrapped both Prirn and Vaskag into the gryphon equivalent of a 'bro hug'. "Of course he is! Kaiden'huu is the best Human out there! You'd have to be a hukt to think otherwise!"

As if the largest of the Viddin were the Roost's cheerleader (quite likely, if Kaiden took a moment to consider it), the informal gathering turned even more informal as everyone began to separate, numerous different discussions carrying on over one another. Kaiden took that as an opportunity to make a quick escape so he could use the bathroom while everyone was getting freshly settled. Having finished his business, the Human opened the door, only to see Hahn standing right there. "Hi, Kaiden'huu!"

"Uh... Hahn. Hi. You need something?"

The Viddin joined him on the walk back down the hall. "Nope-- I have what I need now."

Once the Human was back in the living room, Nittik called out. "Kaiden! Kaiden! Did you see that there are FIVE bathrooms?!?"

Hahn, still right beside Kaiden chimed in. "Two of them have Scrubbers... and the three with showers have shower wands too!"

Vetlyk, standing off to the side, scoffed. "I prefer baths."

The floor shook suddenly, and the central part of the room lowered nearly a food. Kytskir, off to the side, was seated on his haunches with one talon slowly turning a dial. "It appears many of these rooms are Phin-convertible... bathing and swimming will not be any great problem."

Things got even more chaotic as Prirn called everyone from the sliding door separating the living room from an enormous balcony. "Sunfire! This patio is at least five times the size of the ones we had!"

The Roost migrated out to where Prirn was, but Kaiden remained in the living room; he was able to appreciate the view, even if the gryphons had more of an interest in the balcony itself-- they spent far more time than he had any care to discussing the pros and cons of a 'custom take-off-and-landing site'. Kaiden didn't realize he wasn't alone until he heard Vetlyk scoff behind him. "They obviously didn't take any notice to Haklys landing. The southern courtyard is a far better place for it."

Kaiden smiled when he realized that Vetlyk was still with him, but it also gave him pause. "You didn't want to join the rest of the Roost out near the railing?"

The Viddin trotted over and lowered his head so that his beak was resting on the backrest of the sofa next to where Kaiden sat. "Due to my indiscretion I was separated from you, Kaiden... given the option, I would rather than not happen again."

The Human chuckled, reaching out to rest a hand on Vetlyk's head. "That's silly... it's only... what... 10 meters at most?"

The Vidday rotated the eye closest to the Human to look at him, but only for a moment. Vetlyk ultimately looked away, speaking in a surprisingly quiet voice. "There are so many things I wish I knew how to say, Kaiden, but..." he let out a long sigh. "I am unable."

Sitting up a little straighter, the Human leaned forward. "Like what? You can tell me anything, Vetlyk."

The regal gryphon didn't meet his gaze, staring at the ground as if seeking an answer that wouldn't come from inside his own head. "It... it is hard to explain, Kaiden. There are words I would use in my language which would not relay it in the way I wish to explain in yours. Life is..." his feathers deflated and a disgusted expression creased the flesh at the corners of his beak. "...complicated."

Kaiden slowly reached out a hand and pressed it to the side of Vetlyk's neck, running his fingers through the feathers there. The touch seemed to be enough to snap him out of the existential downward spiral of frustration and, once their eyes met, the Human encouraged him. "I'm here, and I'll listen to whatever you have to say to me no matter the language."

Vetlyk took in a deep breath, the feathers of his face puffing and then relaxing, 'ear' tufts rising then falling. "As you have heard, my family is responsible for this being our accommodations for the next several months."

The Human nodded, still gently stroking the Viddin's neck. "Yes... it's very generous of them too."

The Viddin's expression soured. "My family does not do 'simple'. Everything that involves them becomes mixed with expectations, requirements, tradition and station. Despite how involved the Unity Programme has been it is far simpler than dealing with my clan."

Kaiden gave him a gentle, encouraging pat. "Vetlyk... I may not know your family, but I know you, and I can't think of anyone, Viddin or Zfielt who could handle whatever may be coming. Whatever it is, I hope you know you can talk to me."

The gryphon nodded, and spoke slowly. "Kaiden... classmate... Hasst... Takket..." his eyes began to drift downward to the floor again but, suddenly, as if controlled by a switch being flipped, they shot right back up, staring into his with an intensity that was almost too much to bear. Then, in that moment, his classmate spoke the words the Human had doubted would ever come from him. "Kur'im, I love you."

Glancing toward the collection of Viddin on the balcony and the otherwise empty apartment, Kaiden then looked to the hallway leading back toward the rooms. Slowly standing, Kaiden moved around to the back of the sofa. Vetlyk raised his head off the back of the furniture in time for the Human to lean forward and kiss him on the beak. "I love you too, Vetlyk. And I think I understand what you mean about complications. We haven't had any real amount of time to be together-- just us... in about a week."

Vetlyk nodded, his ear tufts raising then falling. "Indeed, Kaiden'huu... I understand HuuStook and will honor it."

Kaiden's cheeks almost hurt from the width of his smile. "Vetlyk... it's your turn to be with me."

Understanding and realization struck as all of the feathers on Vetlyk's head rose at once. The gryphon's irises dilated and his beak parted in a wide Viddin smile, dispelling the usually stoic expression which was otherwise ever-present. Regardless, his words were still measured and understated. "You do not understand how pleased that makes me."

Judging from the length of flesh which had already emerged from the Viddin's sheath, Kaiden had a pretty good understanding. Slowly heading back toward the hall, he didn't need to look back to see that Vetlyk was following after. Just in order remove all doubt, the Human added "And I think we have Xys."

Kaiden had never heard Vetlyk make the sound that followed but, as they entered the young man's room, he was looking forward to see if he could get his Takket to replicate it.