Brothers.

9

Earth was a perculiar place, but Josh's newly found feelings and, it seemed to him, personality was another story all on its own.

Ever since he had arrived on earth, Josh had been vexed by concerning dreams about death and chaos. He can also feel himself change a bit day by day, only yesterday when Josh looked at himself in the only mirrior they had, he noticed the strange shine he had in his eyes. The gold seemed darker and was swirling around like it was real gold flowing in a circle. But that was not what concerned him, not in the least.

Josh had thought he would be beartbroken by the death of Father and having lost Gabe, he even thought he would be sad about finding out he was a maligan, but he did not feel sad nor did he feel happy. He just felt nothing like he was empty on the inside. Josh had always been over-emotive and now being like this was not right. He had to at least feel guilty or sad.

Fortunately the humans kept him busy enough to prevent him from pondering on his own problems. Margeau was a real doll and if Luciana had not been the love of his life and Margeau had been an angel or even maligan, then Josh would have  shown interest in her. She clearly had her eyes on him as did most of the other woman in Rusk.

Whenever he passed one, she would bat her long eyelashes or just smile alluringly. This was really strange to Josh, since he never got this much positive attention in In Tutum and he didn't really know how to react to it so he mostly just smiled awkwardly and moved along.

The point was actually that Margeau and her oh-so-ever-jovial son, Dimka, were the best of people Josh had ever met. They took in Josh without a single complaint. Even though it was clear he was a suspiscious figure not from around who did not belong here. Yet they took him in and now treated him like a close family member. Dimka absolutely adored him and he would always do his best to look strong and brave in front of Josh.

"So, would you join my friend and I when we go hunting for ice bears tomorrow? It will be magnificent?!"
Dimka looked at him with big eyes as they walked through the small village, both carrying part of the deer they had killed yesterday. It was a law in the village that if someone had killed prey they must give half of it to the chief. Now it was their turn to pay up. Josh looked around him.

The small village consisted of no more than twenty huts made from clay with grassroofs that blended into the forest landscape so perfectly that you wouldn't see the people's homes at first sight. The biggest hut was at the other side of the village where the chief lived. In the centre was a massive bonfire where the villagers sometimes danced around or just feasted. Everything was covered in a fine layer of white snow. Children ran around chasing each other and the adults mostly went about their own bussiness working in and around their homes.

Josh and Dimka would stop once or twice to talk to someone, but never for long and before he knew it, they stood in front of the chief's hut. Josh looked at the boy,
"Uhm, I'll see. Margeau asked me if I would help her tomorrow in the house, but I'll see what I can do."
"No, it's fine. Mother probably needs you more than I do, maybe ne-"

The door to the hut opened and in it stood a plump woman dressed in black furs, her red hair stood in a thousand positions and her blue eyes were dark from exhaustion.
"Dimka! I see you have gone hunting again,"
her eyes landed on Josh and she smiled. Her teeth were white, but crooked and her lips were thick and red,
"Who is this fine young man, Dimka? Not your mother's lost love is he?"
The boy looked down in shame, his father was clearly a touchy subject. Josh held out his hand, "Joshua, I am Margeau's cousin."
She looked at his outstretched hand questionly, but did not take it. Afer a second it got embarrassing standing like that so he dropped his hand to his side again.

"You can give the meat to me, I will call Raspitun to help me with that. Thank you, Dimka,"
she smiled at the boy, her fat cheeks red, but Dimka did not hand her the meat.
"Uhm, can't we bring it in ourselves? I really wanted to introduce Joshua to Glavnyy Vlad..."
"I don't know, he is-"
"Alina! Who are you talking to?" A deep, melodious voice called from within the house. It held authority almost like Micheal's voice once had. Alina looked back into the house,
"It's Dimka, Vlad!"
A laugh of joy traveled to them and Josh smiled, it sounded pure.