Finding Emptiness in Familiarity

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The 'Registration' process that the Adventurers Guild, as they called themselves, was simple enough at least. There was a sense of uneasiness within the shack though, and he felt that his presence made the girl at the desk, at least, uncomfortable, her smile thin and her attention distracted, her energy nervous. He was welcomed still none the less though, and given papers that asked for basic information. He had hesitated over a line requesting his age, before shaking his head, remembering that to the more mortal folk, each year was important to be counted, the life of a human far too akin to that of a sparrow when compared to himself or the spirit folk.[break][break]

Hyaska was getting the distinct impression that while Other-Worlders seemed to come from just about any place or time and were by definition, usually strange, though some were simple humans from their own worlds, there still hadn't been anyone like him to arrive quite yet. It wasn't a surprise, but the pain in his heart was still there none the less, a dull ache reminding him. Always reminding him.[break][break]

With a heavy sigh, Hyaska set the thin stick of charcoal down beside the parchment. "Is that all?" He murmured, finding his energies drained suddenly, and no great desire to stay and beg questions here. He would ask another time, or find someone else to give answer to his questions of this world. The other one at the desk, a human man, nodded with a slight smile. "Yes, I'll be around to answer your questions if you need, and we try to keep the reception desk staffed. Come by when you need work or assistance." He pushed a small bag over even as the girl beside him took the paper back, nodding his head towards it. "And take this. It has some money in the currency this village uses, and some writing supplies. You are free to stay here, but many prefer to ask the locals for room and board, they have a little organization to rent out places for Other-Worlders to stay. As for the writing supplies... some have found journalling, writing, or even just drawing their surroundings makes it easier to adjust." He offered another smile, almost apologetic this time, as though chagrined it wasn't much, or perhaps sympathetic for what he imagined was the shock of being in a new world.[break][break]

Hyaska only nodded though, a quiet "Thank you." Rumbling from him as bronze fingers wrapped around the soft fibrous bag. Turning, he pushed through the wooden door again, greeted immediately by the bright green eyes and vibrant red hair of Miklan, eagerly awaiting him. Zane it seemed had taken his leave already. Miklan all but danced towards him as the door swung softly closed on it's own with a well-worn squeak of wooden hinges, the boy hesitated before the man as though debating grabbing at his hand or the hem of his clothing, his own pale hands awkwardly hovering even as he flashed a grin. "You finished registering? Did you get your questions answered? Come, tell me while we walk, since you are new here and its your first day, you should come meet Nanai! She's real good with Other-Worlders, perhaps she can help you get settled in!" [break][break]

Like he carried his own sun within, Miklan was bursting with energy, his slightly musical and light voice spilling out questions before jumping ahead on a suggestion of his own making, seemingly already decided on the course of action before Hyaska had responded, already beginning to turn and lead the way, though he hesitated slightly to look back and make sure the strange-looking dragon-turned-man was following. With a slow blink, Hyaska nodded, acceding to what the little one wanted after a moment, and his moved to follow, his tabis making split-toed tracks softly upon the sandy earth of the village. "Very well. I registered, but no more than that." He seemed to be a stranger upon this land, and knowing nothing of its people or geography, and with no other goal or desire before him, there was no real reason for him not to humor Miklan's wishes. It seemed to please the young humanoid, in any case, and perhaps would help him find direction, or at least answers.[break][break]

Miklan would have to stop to ask a few of the villagers for directions before he would find where the elderly woman he sought was located for the moment, eyes always drifting to Hyaska, though none seemed to be too surprised or suspicious of the dark-haired human that Miklan dragged behind him, and a few even seemed bemused or perhaps pitying, smiles amused or sympathetic, one nodding his way while another waved before resuming their path, a stack of wood under their arms. Nanai proved to be gathered with a small flock of children, several the very same who had been at the pool when Hyaska had awaken, though there was just as many again who were new, their features varying between fully human in likeness to fish-like and frog-like features peeking from their hair and growing along their small bodies. Nanai herself seemed human in the moment, an older woman with an aged and kindly face, her hair turned white and her skin grown loose into laugh lines and crinkles, though her body seemed plenty able still otherwise.[break][break]

Nanai had been recounting a story it seemed to the young children, though she paused as she saw Miklan running towards her, and the trailing figure behind him who approached steadily. She offered a warm smile, and a nod of her head, the other children breaking to chatter or staring curiously at Hyaska, one bouncing up to hug at Miklan as the two laughed. "Good tides Miklan. I hope you are not pestering another Other-Worlder with your endless curiosity. You could tired even the ocean with your questions." There was a chastizing note there, stern, but a laugh underneath her tone, a smile wry on Nanai's features even as she scolded, and Miklan only laughed in response, shaking his head. Hyaska was gestured forward as he made up the distance Miklan had created in his sprint, Nanai turning her attention towards him. "Welcome Other-Worlder! I hope Miklan brought you to the guild before he brought you here. He's a good boy, but all too prone to get ahead of himself. I'm Nanai, one of the village elders here. Welcome to Myrtle Village."[break][break]

Nanai's voice was warm, and genuine, and her gaze sharing this welcoming friendliness. Hyaska took his time finding his words, but nodded at last, responding with his appreciation. "Thank you. He and one named Zane did take me to the Guild to... register before he took me here. I am Hyaska Sinmaru." A bow of his head for a moment finished his statement, dark eyes meeting her own, bright and keen despite the age that marked her body. The boy wrapped around Miklan, the youngest from the pool earlier Hyaska recognized after a moment, piped up with a squeak, surprised. "Hyaska! That was the name of the dragon Nanai! That was the dragon Miklan and Zane found!" The other children immediately broke to chatter and awe, and their excited voices overlapping as they proclaimed amazement and disbelief in one. "The dragon?" "There was a dragon then?" "He's gonna eat us!" "But that's just a human!" "Why do you think a dragon came here?" "I've never seen a dragon!"[break][break]

A wrinkled hand hushed the children, and Nanai blinked kindly at Hyaska after nodding at the younger child, glancing towards Miklan who beamed, proud and seemingly nearly ready to burst with his excitement at getting to bring his find to her and the other children, nodding purposefully. Her gaze settled back on Hyaska, his own looking towards the children a moment, silent, distant, before sensing her attention are turning back towards her. "Ahh. Is that so child? Well, it is our pleasure to have you then. I didn't know your kind could change shape, but I suppose none of us here have ever really met or seen such a creature beyond in stories. I hope you will stay a while, we don't have much, but these are good and honest people."[break][break]

Hyaska let his gaze shift past Nanai for a long moment, looking across the village. It was not quite like any he had known, but in many ways, it bore strong similarity to the humble and simple fishing villages along the ocean he knew... he had known, from... his world. The disconnect lingered, odd, as though still not adjusted to nor really acknowledged he was not where he had been before, but he believed her words none the less. "Hm. I will stay I think, at least for a short time." There was no real place for him to be yet, and he knew nothing of the world he was upon. It served no real purpose to leave. Perhaps in time.[break][break]

Miklan seemed near ready to burst into tears of joy as he answered, trembling a long moment as he with held himself before finally hugging sharply at his younger friend and giving a sharp cheer of victory, as though needing some way to let out his joy at this news. "Oh thank you!" He cried, whirling around the younger boy and lifting him high to the delighted squeal of the child. The other children all gasped, and some began to bubble up with chatter and questions, roaring up in conversation with each other or at Hyaska, though Nanai was quick to hush them with a stern "Shush now!" and a narrow glare for a moment before she softened again to a smile. "Treat Hyaska with some respect, you know better children. He's a new Other-Worlder, give him time to settle in and don't go bothering him."[break][break]

A dark crown shifted as Hyaska shook his head slightly, but he didn't offer counter-argument. He wasn't bothered by it, not really, it was the nature of children to be curious and questioning, but he left it still to Nanai to dictate how she wished them to act. It wasn't his place to interfere in how they taught their young ones. Her gaze returned to him, and she gestured him to join her and sit on a sturdy old log beside her. "Here, if you want you can help me watch after the children for now. It's best not to have them running around unsupervised for too long while the parents work and fish. If you have a story to tell, perhaps you can regale it to us, they love stories, and most have heard mine several times already." She offered a smile, her eyes crinkling with it. It was an open offer, unlike that of Miklan or Zane, but Hyaska still found no reason to deny it, nodding and moving to sit carefully on the log beside her with a rumbled "I will."[break][break]

Immediately Miklan set the younger child down, both hurrying after to sit with the other kids, the red-headed teenager taking a spot directly before Hyaska at the front, and all the bright eyes of the children watching him. "A story..." Hyaska murmured, his voice thoughtful and his gaze distant, seeming to look past the group before him. "I know a few, yes. I'll share one then."[break][break]

A long and patient moment. A breath, drawn in, slowly, then released as he leaned forward, bracing his arms upon his thighs. Then, his voice quiet but powerful, he began. "Once upon a time, there were two great dragons that ruled a vast and ancient land. One ruled the north wind, and the other the south, powerful brothers who could control the very heavens and watched over the simpler people and beings that lived upon the earth below them. Yet always, they bickered..."[break][break]

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