[It was later in the afternoon that Shin-Ah decided to make his approach, carefully seeking out Zeno at wherever he might be in town that day and waiting for the crowds to die down so that they could have a few minutes to themselves.
Wherever Zeno might be that day, Shin-Ah would silently make his presence known by peering in from a nearby window-- hiding underneath it as a small child would.
Clutched in his hands was a note that he had found in his favorite fishing spot earlier that day. It seemed important, since it was carefully placed inside a sealed bowl of rice and vegetables that had become lunch for himself and Ao.
Surely, someone hadn't just left it there....had they?]
[Zeno had his sense to locate the other dragons' presences so attuned with the centuries, that the boy hiding a few meters from him was a piece of cake. Fitting, considering it was the bakery. Zeno finishes kneading a ball of bread dough and talks to his boss about taking some fresh air.
Once he's out, one of Snow White's bird friends flies towards him and perches on his shoulder. That happened a lot, and not just the feathery pal variety. It was good it wasn't a squirrel this time; he wouldn't want Ao to be jealous.]
Are you playing hide-and-seek, Shin-Ah? Ready or not, here I come!
[Zeno's discretion in leaving the bakery was appreciated-- it might prevent even more odd looks and the fussing of a certain young lady who seemed to run the business...at least, for now.
Ao peeked her head out of Shin-Ah's headdress when Zeno and his little feathered friend arrived, kyuuing merrily in greeting while Shin-Ah-- his reason for even venturing so far into the city momentarily falling by the wayside when Zeno showed his interest in playing.]
Hide-and-seek?
[He canted his head to the side. Wouldn't Shin-Ah's everything be cheating when anything is supposed to be hidden?]
It did look like great fun-- and Shin-Ah was already eager to see how this game would play out in a larger space. Someday, for sure, they would play hide-and-seek all over the woods and hop all over the trails as if they were woodland creatures themselves.
But, this time Shin-Ah had approached with something specific in mind.]
Ah...
[He delicately held the folded paper up for Zeno.]
This. It has words inside it.
[Words that he couldn't yet read, and he didn't want to bother Yona or Kija while they were busy at their jobs.]
[That's a plan, and one that can be done even daily if the boy so desires. Perks of living outside of the city.]
Hmmm, let me see...
[He's flattered he came to him first. Zeno would think he'd go to Kija or Abi first. A part of him is tempted to read something random instead, but he just can't betray the trust of such a sweet kid.]
It's a letter to someone. Doesn't say to whom it's addressed. Should I read it anyway?
[Definitly a perk of living outside of the city, although with their senses that sort of game wasn't likely to last very long without some modification. Finding eachother would be far too easy.
Shin-Ah nodded seriously at Zeno's question. It was in his fishing spot; he wanted to know. Approaching Kija would have been a possibility if they hadn't made arrangements to be at the spa at different times that week-- to better help Eikichi with the clean up and handling both Jackson and her suitor. Approaching Abi wasn't even a question in Shin-Ah's mind.
Admitting to this particular problem seemed like something that would upset Abi, and Shin-Ah didn't want to see that face crumble over something as little as this.]
[The name wasn't familiar, but the subject was. Sparkles floated around Shin-Ah when he realized what was going on, and he nodded once again-- this time more eagerly.]
Must be that person.
[He shared with Zeno the brief visual he had of the man thanks to their mental conversation across the city. The man seemed rough on the outside...but, so did Shin-Ah.
And, this man was willing and able to understand Shin-Ah's habit of wasting no words. He hadn't pressed for lengthy explanations, and Shin-Ah appreciated that.]
[He hadn't pushed Shin-Ah to speak at all, and accepted his strange explanations without question or comment. Truly, Auron was a good man to stay in touch with.]
[Ao chooses to perch on Zeno's shoulder, intrigued by the smell of flour on him.] You keep stumbling into intimidating men who end up being really nice.
[An innocent question, but Shin-Ah very clearly recalled exactly how his village had regarded him before he set onto the dirt pathways alongside Yona. Their own fear of him was nigh suffocating-- and he was well aware of how his manner of dress made him look to other people.
In the end, though, he simply couldn't let go of his roots. It would mean letting go of the man who raised him...and he wasn't ready to do that yet.]
Are we really intimidating? Ah, since Zeno normally isn't and you guys are cute, I keep forgetting. My first impression of you guys was adorable, but that wouldn't be the case for everyone.
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3/20; Action
Wherever Zeno might be that day, Shin-Ah would silently make his presence known by peering in from a nearby window-- hiding underneath it as a small child would.
Clutched in his hands was a note that he had found in his favorite fishing spot earlier that day. It seemed important, since it was carefully placed inside a sealed bowl of rice and vegetables that had become lunch for himself and Ao.
Surely, someone hadn't just left it there....had they?]
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Once he's out, one of Snow White's bird friends flies towards him and perches on his shoulder. That happened a lot, and not just the feathery pal variety. It was good it wasn't a squirrel this time; he wouldn't want Ao to be jealous.]
Are you playing hide-and-seek, Shin-Ah? Ready or not, here I come!
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even moreodd looks and the fussing of a certain young lady who seemed to run the business...at least, for now.Ao peeked her head out of Shin-Ah's headdress when Zeno and his little feathered friend arrived, kyuuing merrily in greeting while Shin-Ah-- his reason for even venturing so far into the city momentarily falling by the wayside when Zeno showed his interest in playing.]
Hide-and-seek?
[He canted his head to the side. Wouldn't Shin-Ah's everything be cheating when anything is supposed to be hidden?]
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Found you! Okay, that was quick. We can play another time in a larger place, though.
Did you want to talk to Zeno?
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Zeno's hop-hopping was adorable.It did look like great fun-- and Shin-Ah was already eager to see how this game would play out in a larger space. Someday, for sure, they would play hide-and-seek all over the woods and hop all over the trails as if they were woodland creatures themselves.
But, this time Shin-Ah had approached with something specific in mind.]
Ah...
[He delicately held the folded paper up for Zeno.]
This. It has words inside it.
[Words that he couldn't yet read, and he didn't want to bother Yona or Kija while they were busy at their jobs.]
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Hmmm, let me see...
[He's flattered he came to him first. Zeno would think he'd go to Kija or Abi first. A part of him is tempted to read something random instead, but he just can't betray the trust of such a sweet kid.]
It's a letter to someone. Doesn't say to whom it's addressed. Should I read it anyway?
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Shin-Ah nodded seriously at Zeno's question. It was in his fishing spot; he wanted to know. Approaching Kija would have been a possibility if they hadn't made arrangements to be at the spa at different times that week-- to better help Eikichi with the clean up and handling both Jackson and her suitor. Approaching Abi wasn't even a question in Shin-Ah's mind.
Admitting to this particular problem seemed like something that would upset Abi, and Shin-Ah didn't want to see that face crumble over something as little as this.]
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-- You're right. The forests are very quiet and good. Thank you for sharing.
Auron --
That's what it says.
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Must be that person.
[He shared with Zeno the brief visual he had of the man thanks to their mental conversation across the city. The man seemed rough on the outside...but, so did Shin-Ah.
And, this man was willing and able to understand Shin-Ah's habit of wasting no words. He hadn't pressed for lengthy explanations, and Shin-Ah appreciated that.]
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Oh, that's one cool-looking uncle. Must be a warrior type. So you shared the forests with them?
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This place is new to him.
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[And Shin-Ah fully intended to return the bowl to it's rightful owner...after it was cleaned up properly.]
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[He hadn't pushed Shin-Ah to speak at all, and accepted his strange explanations without question or comment. Truly, Auron was a good man to stay in touch with.]
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[An innocent question, but Shin-Ah very clearly recalled exactly how his village had regarded him before he set onto the dirt pathways alongside Yona. Their own fear of him was nigh suffocating-- and he was well aware of how his manner of dress made him look to other people.
In the end, though, he simply couldn't let go of his roots. It would mean letting go of the man who raised him...and he wasn't ready to do that yet.]
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So what did the guy give you to eat?
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...They were good.
[Not as good as Yoon's cooking, but still pretty darn good!]
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