Howlless

Chapter 7

Winter, 29th day (Hunt) of Gadros, year 1487, 3rd Era.

"... Isn't that just fun, huh?"

The first snow of winter finally started falling, as the kids outside the orphanage all rushed outside to collect them in their mouths.

While inside, peeking from the high windows, the two Hounds sat across each other, while the gentle steam of their teas rose upward ever so slowly.

"Don't mention it... I'm having a headache just thinking about it."
Vishak dropped his head over the soft cushioned chair, as he exhaled the smoke in his lungs.

What an exhausting year that has been, though as his eyes dropped outside the window, he saw Rin playing alone in the snow, away from all the other kids.

Maera, her friend, followed his gaze.

"Haha, we are Hounds after all... You have to do what you have to do. Having said that, what about that little one?"
She pointed both their attention over to that small sethkan child. Possibly even the last remaining ones of its kind.

"Rin? I don't know..."
Vishak admitted, as he just observed her.

That little thing as pale as the snow falling over her, just twirling over herself, trying to catch the little flakes of snow.

"Don't tell me you came to me just to leave her with me. I'd be quite sad if that's the case, mister rule breaker, hahaha."
Maera jested, as she sipped the tea, looking at all the other children under her care. This orphanage, belonging to her.

"No, haha... I just wanted some company I guess. You're also an odd one out... You're possibly the only Hound who managed to make a life amongst them, without raising suspicions... Unlike me, a poor bastard wandering the land one hunt after the other..."
Vishak pulled the pipe over his lips again, filling his lungs with the smoke, trying to drown the numbness in his mind. But his words made Maera roll her eyes.

"Oh, please. You're making it sound as if it's something easy. Do you know how awkward it is when the kids I raised thirty years ago recognize me? I always have to tell I'm just the daughter of the supposed woman that raised them, hahaha."
Both Hound laughed, as they enjoyed their tea and smoke, observing the land around slowly turning white.

"On a serious note, Vishak... Have you thought about Latlir's offer?"
Maera asked with her eyes glued to the outside, knowing well it was a difficult topic for Vishak.

And as expected, Vishak smiled bitterly, before he took a long, deep breath.

"Yes... I have..."
He stopped, without giving any more details.

"And...? Are you going to?"
Maera insisted, breaking Vishak's shallow defense.

"No... I don't think so."
He silenced himself once more.

"I see... It's a shame though. If everything goes well, maybe one day I won't be needed anymore, and all of these kids would have a sane world to grow up in..."
Maera dropped the cup from her hands, and Vishak finally returned his gaze towards her.

"They will. One day. But not with me as a new God. I'm not suited for that role. And more than anything else, I'm not going to become one like that."

Vishak's voice turned stern, though he distended a hand towards her friend, reassuring her – to be a God it means to care, to love, to accept and nurture.

He is not able of all of that; He's a Hound.

A breath born from the Gods who use the world as their playfield; A pawn in their games; A gear in that complex machinery of which he no longer desires to partake.

Even if he was the one in trillion born with that ability, there is no way he'll ever accept that role – not when he's sure the world would burn even more ashened.

"Fiiine, mister rule breaker who suddenly doesn't wanna break any more rules... I have a favor to ask you. Down in the city there's a False Immortal, could you take care of him for me? Next Winday I have a meeting with the count Burogne. You know, the ugly one as you call him. I need to keep my appearances to meet him."
Maera chuckled, as the meeting with the count, if all goes well, would help her immensely aid the children in her orphanage.

"Again? Didn't I help you four years ago? This is your territory, you should be the one to deal with it."
Vishak raised an eyebrow, but Maera frowned pitiably, almost like a beaten pup.

"C'mon, don't be such a meany. Not everyone's a hoarder like you, you know? And it takes a lot of coins to raise these kids. I need to be on the count's good side, pretty please?"
Maera whined, as Vishak cringed to her voice – a grown woman acting in such a manner really sent shivers down his spine.

"Ugh... Please stop that. I'll help, alright? And I'm not a hoarder. I just like to keep some coins for myself with my hunts."
Vishak excused himself, but Maera knew it was a little "hobby" of his, to grab the valuables and coins of all the False Immortals he hunted – a little hobby that isn't allowed, though Vishak continues to do anyway.

In all the millennials of his existence, Maera could guess he had stolen more or less the entire wealth of a sizable kingdom in gold coins – what a lunatic he was.

"Sure, sure. Drop me some coins while you're at it, pretty please?"
Maera used that childish voice again, sending shivers down Vishak's spine.

"Ewegh- Do that one more time and I'm not coming back ever-"
He threatened as the both of them started to laugh once more, while the kids outside still played, and Rin, silently, was looking at them under a tree – they looked close in her eyes; She wanted that thing too.

That image of looking close to someone, and having somewhere to return to...