We Solemn Few

Chapter Four: Sunset Hills

Zenrin drew open the door with a feverish haste, coming nearly face-to-face with a smiling Veyha. Her smile was genuine, a large grin that touched her eyes, emerald-like eyes that glittered in the midday sun. They suited her; the dazzling colors blended well with her sharp features and her flowing waves of sunburnt hair that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. Her silk shirts, much like his mother's dresses, were an oddity in a town that lends itself towards cotton, but beautiful nonetheless; today she wore a light brown silk shirt whose sleeves were rolled to her shoulders, her trousers and boots contrasting completely, though that seemed to be her intent. She was beautiful.

Wandering thoughts faded as her kind voice took over, "I was wondering when you were going to come outside! First you sleep in and then you take even longer to get dressed? Did Grayheim overwork you for being late? Oh, that old man, I'll have his-"

"No-" Zenrin cut in, "Grayheim didn't overwork me. He didn't care that much at all, if I'm being honest." Zenrin let a laugh escape, but his thoughts weren't humorous. Grayheim was distracted. Worried, even.

"Ah, well, that's good! You must be rather well rested, then! Enough so to remember to return my umbrella, at least; I'll be taking that back now, thank you." The umbrella was pulled from his hands in one swift motion that made him wonder if he even held it to begin with. "Oh, the funniest thing happened after you left! So, you know how I told you I was going to force Marrow to share his umbrella with me?"

Zen nodded, "I do."

"Hah, well this big oaf-" she nudged the muscular boy with her elbow causing him to let out a huff, though his attention remained on his book, "-is more of a pushover than I thought. Hard to believe, I know, but not only did he share his umbrella, he also gave me his coat. I didn't even have to ask, hahah~"

The suddenly click of a book shiftly shutting stole Zenrin's attention, as did the scoff from the boy steal Veyha's, "I was just being a gentleman; what kind of man would I be if I let you go cold from the rain while I remained warm? Not a man at all, I'd say."

"Going on about the 'man' stuff again, Marrow?" Zen questioned, "Your dad rubs off on you more and more each day." The logger simply shrugged while Veyha stifled a laugh. They all smiled at one another.

Zenrin took a quick look at the midday sky, the sun hanging high in the air as rays of light beamed down upon the trio through sparsely spaced clouds. The day wasn't quite warm, though, the hint of autumn that caressed the land sending quick chills throughout the town. Zenrin suspected that another bout of rain wasn't far off and tightened his coat. When he felt the odd sphere press against his ribs through the cloth, he muttered to himself. Mythos, I need to see Ixus soon. Or Mjunik. Better yet, both. Shaking his head, he looked upon his two friends. Relax Zenrin, you're giving into fancies. Relax.

Zenrin took a sudden lead and quick gate, pushing forward with newfound confidence, if one could even call it that. Veyha was quick to bound up to his side with a small smile and Marrow, after a sigh and a shake of the head, resolved to tagging behind them by a few feet. The first minute or two was silent as they simply took in the slow shifting colors of the trees, the once green leaves starting to take on edges of brown and orange, gold and red. But silence didn't last long; Veyha was the kind of person who didn't seem to enjoy silence.

"Well, Zen, Grayheim may not have overworked you until you couldn't move your wrist anymore, but I doubt he didn't work you at all. And, Mythos, Grayheim would hardly ignore your lateness entirely. He had to have punished you somehow, Zen. Come on- spill you stubborn boy." Her smile and half-giggle made her words seem light.

He pondered for a moment, then answered, "He mostly just told me not to do it again- odd for Grayheim, I know, but I swear I'm being honest."

"Mmm... sure."