Wanderer of the Sky • WonHoon

3

The next week finds snow under his feet, crunching from the solidness of it. He stops, looks up, and exhales.

The base of the mountain is different, yet familiar. There's a new path that had been carved by what must be hikers branching to the left. It's unfortunate, Wonwoo thinks, because if they'd gone right, they might have stumbled upon Jihoon's temple and been offered toast.

Wonwoo humors the thought, and takes the first step up the winding path.

His skin is freshly tanned after another year of journeying across the continent, his body a little stronger, his limbs a little heavier.

The spirit is the same as Wonwoo remembers over three years ago now, small and sporting a lavender hair color, barefoot and pale.

"Good afternoon," he says lightly. "I do hope you have space for visitors."

The spirit smiles warmly, padding across the room.

"Wonwoo," Jihoon muses. "It's been quite a while since you've passed through."

Wonwoo raises an eyebrow. "But a blink in the grand scheme of things."

Jihoon smiles, reminded of their last conversation.

"I did not think you were capable of humor, swordsman. What brings you here?" He asks with a laugh. "Not that it is unwelcome, not at all."

Wonwoo doesn't have an immediate answer, his voice catching. He had no particular goal in mind once he'd done his job, and this had seemed as good a destination as any. If only to quell the wandering thoughts he has of the spirit.

He clears his throat. "I'm making my way to Japan."

Jihoon smiles. "Another restock of supplies?"

Wonwoo sighs. "And to give you thanks for your tool you sent."

"It's the least I could do," Jihoon murmurs. "While you're here, however many days, I will ask you to try some of the tools I've been working on."

Wonwoo nearly smiles, an offhand twitch of the lips, and replies, "I can do that."

—

"How was Germany? If you were there," Jihoon's eyes are wide as he waits for Wonwoo to tell fantastical tales of the countries he went to.

Wonwoo hums, "I did pass through it briefly. I fear I can't give you many tales though— I'm not a sightseeing person."

"That's quite alright," Jihoon replies, "You do not need to visit some grand tourist location to see a country. Actually, your being a traveler is exactly what I mean; I imagine you saw the countryside and the city, the grass hills and the cobblestone streets, even if you didn't mean to."

Wonwoo picks at the food in front of him. He can't stomach large amounts any more. 

"I did," he says, rather lackluster. Jihoon nods. Wonwoo chews at his lip, trying to remember what he saw.

"I found that their currency is different from ours," he says. I had a coin, he thinks, and maybe if I were less selfish, I'd have given it to you.

He sets his spoon down. "I do apologize— I'm terrible at recollecting these things. I'm not quite sure what you'd like to hear."

"Were there people you met?" Jihoon asks suddenly.

"I— yes," Wonwoo answers. "There was a man who took me on the back of his wagon across the farmland of Bangladesh."

"Pulled by horses?"

"No, by mules," he replies. "They were small but diligent. There was another kind woman in— I think it was, at least— Poland. She showed me their coins, and that is how I know."