Never look a gift dog in the mouth... (Niko)

[Garran Frostfawn]

Spring 10, 513 AV - late evening Garran sank back into the comfortably overstuffed leather arm chair, propping his bare feet up, ankles crossed, on the raised stone hearth. The chair, he had just come to learn – from his father – had been crafted and constructed by a Frostfawn cousin, made of sturdy pine and covered in tanned elk hides, then stuffed with the puffy down of marsh reeds, which grew by the millions around all the lakes which dotted the northern wastes. That it had been designed and executed by a Frostfawn came as no surprise – they were the Hold that seemed to always have their hands in anything having to do with leather and hide craft. But what had struck Garran as an odd – and, for really no reason, pleasant – coincidence is that his father had let drop the factoid that the elk skin had been procured from Borys Frostfawn. Garran had been sitting his ass down in this same chair for two decades now, so this new knowledge that Ziv’s dad – and Niko’s – had some hand in its making was just…funny. The world was a small place – well, that kind of went without saying in Avanthal. But to have fallen out of touch with the older brother and then to bump into the younger one in such a random way – and then a day or so later to have his dad tell him this…it was just…weird. Wearily, Garran rubbed one hand over his eyes, letting them shut for a few moments, content to just sit and let his feet soak up the warmth of the fire that danced in the grate. He wasn’t cold. He wasn’t even really tired – not in a physical sense. He was just…weary. Lately his dreams had been intense and troublesome, and just a week or so before the turning of the season, he had found that amulet again. It was like a bad penny – or maybe a good one? With a silent sigh, he acknowledged that, like most things in his life, the charm was both – good and bad, dark and light. The memories it held were not ones he’d wish to forget, though in such forgetfulness he might find some peace. It was certainly a conundrum – to keep breathing life into something long since past in the only way he could – by remembering – or to let all of it go, to the place where the ghosts of what once was could finally be laid to rest. With his belly full of his mother’s good cooking, Garran felt his muscles relaxing, the sounds of the rest of his family – really just his parents and two of his tiny nieces at the moment – making a restful backdrop to an evening that would no doubt run like most these days. He was still in possession of a miniscule suite, as it were – part of his family’s allocated space in the vast Frostfawn Hold. It had been given over to him when he had married, some seven years ago. It was only two rooms – the small sitting area where he was now sprawled before the fireplace, and the smaller bedroom beyond – just big enough for the bed which had been a gift from his wife’s parents. It was a beautiful thing, with intricate inlays and carvings – what would you expect from some Skyglows, right? And she had been beautiful too. Beautiful…and sad. And when he had lost her, he had at first thought he’d burn it to ashes. But just like the amulet – he found he hadn’t the heart to destroy that solid proof of what once was. Beyond the open door of his tiny sitting room lay the larger communal family area – a place to eat and sit and enjoy one another’s company. He could hear his mother playing a game with his two nieces, as they waited for his older brother and his wife to return from somewhere, to put the girls to bed. Of course, his mother would do the honors if it grew to be too late. Garran’s older brother and sister-in-law were very sociable and often went around visiting or attending little gatherings, or city-wide events. Garran’s mother would always look at him, one eyebrow raised, and ask in her soft voice if he wasn’t going to go to this party or that dinner or what have you. Garran had to smirk at that thought – she wasn’t likely to give up on him – what mother ever did give up on one day marrying her bachelor sons off? She only had the one left – him – as last year his young brother had married finally. Each time Garran shook his head gently to indicate he would be staying in, his mother didn’t outright sigh and look disappointed – but, he knew that she was. He knew she had his best interest at heart – and to her that meant another wife, and maybe children. Even in the face of all that had happened, she chose to ignore certain truths. Ah well, such is the way of a parent, sometimes… The giggles got louder and the rhyming picked up speed, as the three patted hands faster and faster. They had just apparently messed up the pattern enough that they collapsed into a fit of riotous laughing, when there came a knock on the door that led out into the main hallways of the Hold. Garran heard it and waited, thinking one of them would go to answer it. He was right, for he heard his mother speak the name of his older niece – a girl of about eight – and then he heard her footsteps as she crossed to the door and opened it. He wasn’t particularly listening to hear who it was, for he assumed it was someone wanting to speak to his father – as it usually was. So when he heard his little niece call out his name, he was a bit surprised, and a bit grumpy. He had been feeling so relaxed in his chair. But he hauled himself up, immediately dismissing any thought of pulling his boots back on, saying, “Yep - coming” as he padded barefoot out into the living area,

[Nikomas]

Perhaps the third time will be the charm. Just perhaps, Nikomas thought as he walked along the torch lit path. If not, he would simply take his new four-legged friend home and try again in the morning. "Come on, Dog," he called to the shaggy white pup who seemed, for the most part, to be a pretty decent fellow. So far he had listened to most of the commands the Vantha had uttered as they wandered around Frostfawn Hold, looking for Garran's home. "Your new owner should be around here somewhere. I think. How about...we try...this one?" Stepping up to the third and final door of the evening, he knocked and waited. He knocked again...and waited. Nothing. One more knock for good measure. Nope. No one was home. "Hmm. Okay. Well. You can't say we didn't give this a noble effort, Dog," Nikomas informed his companion as he ruffled the fur atop his head. "I mean, we can't go to every door? Right? That would just be silly. Wouldn't it?" At this point, the dog sat and allowed his tongue to dangle from the side of his mouth as his tail swooshed back and forth. "Are you tired, boy? I know, it's been a long day. I just really wanted to get you to Garran tonight," he informed the pup as if he clearly understood what was being said. "I think you'll like him. His name is Garran, as I've already mentioned. Garran Frostfawn, in full. Got it?" Head tilted, tongue dangling, tail wagging. Yep. It sure seemed like the dog had an excellent grasp of the situation. "Speaking of names, we will have to find you a new one, Dog, because, honestly, just being Dog won't do. Garran deserves better than that and so do you," he noted as he now crouched to be face to face with the pup, which resulted in Dog licking the Vantha's chin...and cheek...and ear. "Did I hear you say Garran? Garran Frostfawn?" an elderly woman asked as she shuffled toward the pair with a cane in one hand and a lantern in the other. "As a matter of fact, I did," Nikomas replied with a gentle smile as he moved to the side so that she could stay on course, wherever it was she was going. "Do you know him?" "I know of him. My son's wife and his mother's sister work in the same basket weaving shop. Why just the other day, I had stopped by to pick up a few items and they were both going on about what a shame it was that he had not found a new companion. After all, he is such a handsome young man. It would be a perfect shame for him to remain single. A perfect shame." "Uh, yeah, such a shame. So...does he live around here?" "I think so," she replied with a slightly confused look on her withered face. However, not a chime passed before she added, "Go down that way, about thirty feet. Make a right, then a quick left. There will be a lamppost on your right and three barrels with silver bands around the middle on your left. Make a right at the post and then go twenty feet more. It should be the second door on the left. It is a charming door with gold and ivory trim..I think." "Oh. Ok. You, uh, seem to know your way around here pretty well," Nikomas remarked, somewhat amazed that she was able to remember so many details at such an advanced age. "Second time out in four seasons," she remarked as she continued on her way, "but things rarely change around here. If ever at all." "Well, Dog, what do you say we give this a go!" he exclaimed with a clap of his hands, which resulted in the dog scrambling to his feet as he emitted several playful yaps. The two made their way as best they could, only getting lost once more. However, twenty chimes later they were standing at a door with gold and ivory trim, just as the woman remembered. "Welcome to your new home, Dog!" Nikomas announced as his hand met the wood of the door. As the Vantha stood and waited, he could hear laughter from within. It sounded like a woman and a young girl or two. This was not the sort of place he expected Garran to reside at. Granted, he knew very little about the man, but still, this didn't seem to fit his rugged exterior. "Hmm, Dog, I don't know...," he began to lament just as the door swung open. "Well, uh, hello, little lady. Does...a...Garran Frostfawn live here by any chance?" he questioned the young girl who stood in the doorway looking up at him with her large eyes, which shifted from a pretty shade of pale blue to a darker shade of purple and back again to the blue when she caught sight of Dog. "Puppy!" she exclaimed. "Garran! There's a puppy at the door! Garran!" she continued to exclaim as she skipped off to find her... Brother? Father? Uncle? Nikomas thought as he waited with Dog who was now sitting rather regally as if he knew this was his moment to shine before the eyes of his new master. "Oh, Dog. You are certainly something else. If Garran decides he doesn't want ya, maybe I'll keep ya for myself."

[Garran Frostfawn]

A puppy, hm? Now what did Lakita mean by that, he wondered, as he crossed the threshold and looked towards the door. He had thought perhaps whoever was seeking him out had an injured animal? Garran certainly wasn’t expecting any ‘deliveries’ of the canine variety. And if it was an animal that needed tending, he wouldn’t really be able to do much, unless it was something like emergency first aid until they could find a proper animal healer. His niece, though, had sounded surprised and excited, in a good way. So… When he saw who was standing there in their front doorway, Garran blinked and his mouth opened in a bemused expression – that might have been slightly comical as well. But within a moment, he was smiling broadly, his gaze going from Nikomas, to the dog, and back again – though clearly he was confused. “Well, well – looks like you’ve found a friend – and the Syliran has lost one. Though I’m sure the dog has gotten the best part of the bargain!” Garran’s tone was warm, and he was moving forward towards his unexpected guest. His mother and his younger niece were still sitting on the floor, on a handsome carpet of caribou hides, the little girl looking in delight at the ivory colored pup. His mother was smiling and looking her usual hospitable self, though there was the smallest crease of puzzlement between her brows, for she wondered who this was coming to see her oft times hermit-like son (at least, that’s how she thought of his reluctance to get out there and mingle). But already, she was getting ready to rise to her feet, no doubt to offer some refreshment and a warm welcome of her own. Garran’s father was leaning forward in a chair not unlike the one Garran had been sprawled in moments before, craning his head around to look at the newcomer. The older girl was stood beside her grandfather’s chair, bouncing up and down excitedly on her toes, her eyes darting from the dog to her uncle then to her grandmother, quite obviously waiting for someone to say if the dog was there to stay or just dropping by for a visit. The man she cast a curious look at, but the dog was clearly center stage with the young ones. Garran was moving towards the visitors and he motioned with his hand. “Come in! Come in!” His eyes dropped to the pup again, as he said, “He’s really quite an attractive boy, isn’t he?” giving the canine a close scrutiny. To his family, Garran said, “This is Nikomas – Borys’ son. You remember Ziv? This is his youngest brother.” His mother and father had both risen now and were coming forward to greet the young man, nodding and smiling. “Of course, I remember Ziv!” his mother exclaimed. “Such a handsome, nice young boy he was. I haven’t seen him for ages, though. Welcome, welcome, Nikomas. Please- come in and sit!” She too gestured with her hands that he should come in and sit with them. Garran’s father extended his hand. “Borys’ son! It’s good to meet you. I remember your brother too. Seemed there was a time he was running in and out here almost as much as Garran was. He was a nice boy.” Was there some infinitesimal pause there, as the older man looked at Niko with a very friendly but wondering look? Maybe not. “This is my mother, Alexia, and my father, Petrys,” Garran said, making the introductions complete. By this time, Dog had relinquished his semi-regal pose to wriggle his hind end and tail with fanning sweeps of his tail, and the two little girls had pressed in to pat and hug him, laughing as he licked at their faces. “And this….I don’t know,” Garran look questioningly at Niko. “This is Niko’s new dog, I suppose. Does he have a name yet?” He really had no idea why Nikomas had shown up - and with the merchant's dog in his possession. But for some reason, the evening seemed to be much the better for it.

[Nikomas]

I smell...so much. Yes, I do. I stink like a thousand rotten tomatoes, left in the sun, on a scorching hot day. I don't blame you for moving on and finding yourself a new thread partner. Not one bit. However, I do hope you still have even just an ounce of interest in continuing with our posts, because I would really like to explore our pcs and their friendship as we discussed. I will do everything in my power to not make you wait more than 3 or 4 days in the future, even if it means retiring one of my other pcs, which I'm seriously considering for several reasons, this being one of them. “Well, well – looks like you’ve found a friend – and the Syliran has lost one. Though I’m sure the dog has gotten the best part of the bargain!” Garran said as he greeted Nikomas at the door, which made the Vantha smile. "Well, time will tell, but, yeah, I think, for the most part, he's in far better hands. Speaking of which...," however, he was unable to finish his statement as he was swiftly ushered inside. “Come in! Come in!” Garran offered as he made a welcoming gesture. “He’s really quite an attractive boy, isn’t he?” "Yeah, he is, and I'm glad to hear you...," however, once more, he was cut short as Garran made a round of introductions, which was the polite and proper thing to do. However, without fail, his older brother Ziv found his way into the conversation, his name tossed about with words such as 'handsome' and 'nice.' Why does this always happen to me? Why can't I just have friends of my own for once? I mean, sure, there's Varik and Falda, but still...this...this always happens, he thought as he listened to everyone go on and on about how wonderful Ziv was. "Uh, yeah, he's...he's a great guy," Nikomas replied, doing his best to flavor his words with an upbeat tone. "It's...it's really nice to meet you both," he added as he shook hands with Garran's father and smiled at his mother, regardless of the fact that there was something in her expression that made the Vantha wonder what she had heard about him. “And this….I don’t know,” Garran interjected. “This is Niko’s new dog, I suppose. Does he have a name yet?” "Well, uh, yes...and no. Right now, it's just Dog, but I think you'll be able to come up with a better one. Actually, I know you will," Nikomas beamed as he watched the little girls hug the pup, which resulted in kisses all around. Big, wet, slobbery kissed. "He's...uh...for you, Garran. I bought him for you." This wasn't exactly how he imagined this going down, but, oh well, it was done. If Garran really wanted the dog, he would be thrilled. If he didn't, well, Nikomas was more than willing to keep the pup for himself. He really was a decent dog so far, from what he could tell, in the limited time they had spent together. So, in his mind, it was a good thing either way. "What...what do you think?" Nikomas asked, unable to read Garran well enough to know if he had done good or really, really bad. "It's my way of saying thank you for helping me at Laria's. You seemed to like him, a lot, so I thought to myself, why not just go for it! What's the worst thing that could happen?"

[Garran Frostfawn]

Whatever nuances there might have been in Nikomas’ expression or tone as his brother’s name was bandied about were lost on Garran, in the midst of the unexpectedness of his visit and the joyous interchange between Dog and his two young nieces. And in the next moment, Garran’s attention was completely distracted further by the astonishing announcement that Nikomas had purchased the dog – for him! His mouth opened slightly and for a moment he looked like a fish, his eyes – alight with surprise, going to stare at the younger Vantha. Nikomas returned the look, though his own was just the smallest iota wavering on the uncertain. ”What...what do you think?...It's my way of saying thank you for helping me at Laria's. You seemed to like him, a lot, so I thought to myself, why not just go for it! What's the worst thing that could happen?" Garran gave Nikomas the oddest look – not an unhappy or hostile one – just greatly…confounded. At least a dozen different thoughts swirled through his mind in that one brief moment, and his eyes were a brilliant golden red, with some intensity of feeling that wasn’t readily clear. The next moment, he seemed to have gathered his thoughts – or maybe reined them in – and he was smiling, hugely. “Honestly? You bought him for me?” he asked, his tone merry and incredulous. Dropping down amongst the already lively push of dog and children, he reached for the canine’s white, fuzzy head, caressing both ears and getting a near lick to his nose in repayment. Garran laughed, a rich, full bell of a sound, his eyes going back up to Nikomas. “This is wonderful! Truly wonderful! What an amazing gift!” “Can we keep him? Can we keep him?” the younger girl asked excitedly, hopping up and down and throwing her arms about Garran’s shoulders, no doubt thinking a hug might clinch the deal. Garran laughed and gently extricated himself from her enthusiastic grasp, standing upright again. “It looks like we shall,” he said with a smile for her too, before returning his look to his young friend, his hand still rubbing affectionately on Dog’s head. “I don’t know what to say, Nikomas. I really don’t – except…thank you!” Garran could feel his mother’s eyes on him as well, though he suspected her good manners would keep her from asking outright what in the world this was all about. His father, however, had no such qualms. “I’ve never seen a dog like this before!” he interjected, moving closer to get a better look at Dog. “Where did he come from?” His curious gaze went from his son to their visitor and back again. It was clear who Garran got his forthright nosiness from. “What’s this about Laria’s?” he added, definitely intrigued by this whole exchange. Garran looked a bit apologetically at Nikomas, as if to say Sorry, mate – family, you know…, before turning to his dad. “Nikomas just recently got hired by Laria Skyglow, to help at her shop. He’s as skilled a leather worker as his folks, it seems. I – I just happened to be there. Put in a plug for him, you know,” he shrugged casually, minimizing his part in the whole thing. Garran knew – it was Laria’s need and Niko’s skill that had made the hire happen, not the fact that he had just been there needing a harness repair done. His gaze turned back to Nikomas. “Certainly nothing worthy of such a magnanimous gift.” His look was pointed, but quite pleased. “And then today there was that merchant here, in the Hold – remember I told you about it at dinner?” And he had, with no details left out, including the bit about the near dog fight. It wasn’t every day foreign travelers came right to their hold to do business. “This is the dog – the one that belongs to the Syliran – well… belonged to, I guess I should say. I guess I said something about it deserving a better master than it had and…well…” Again he gave Nikomas a look. “Here he is.” Garran shook his head, just a tiny shake, of near disbelief, but he was smiling broadly. “You really didn’t have to, you know,” he said, this comment being directed just at Nikomas, his look bemused. His older niece was hugging Dog enthusiastically and asked, “Are you going to give him a name? What are you going to name him? Cam we help you name him? How about…Snowy?” “Fluffy!” the younger girl said with a giggle. “’Cause he is so fluffy!” “Or…Avalanche. Or…Snowflake…Or, or….milky…” the other one ticked off the names rapidly, then paused to draw a breath. “Or…” Alexia intervened, finally putting a gentle hand on each girl’s shoulder. “Girl, girls!” she chided softly. “Your uncle’s guest has hardly gotten through the door. Move out of the way now – shoo! Let the grown ups talk in peace!” She turned her still pretty, smiling face on Nikomas and then Garran. “Why don’t you take your guest to your own sitting room, Garran? Otherwise you’ll not get a second of quiet with those two.” She shook her head apologetically, looking at Nikomas. “They’re just excited, you know. They love animals.” Well, that went without saying – they were Frostfawns after all. Garran shot his mother a quizzical look, and then paused, and then said, almost thinking out loud, “I think…maybe it would be better if we stepped outside.” His gaze went to Nikomas and seemed to implore him to be in agreement. “Right? Let, uh, just – take Dog for a walk. I…want to see how he behaves.” He was highly suspicious of his mother’s motives, and he did truly want to have a word in private with the younger Vantha. Around this place, that pretty much meant – you had to leave and go elsewhere. “That is, unless you’re busy?” he appended, looking at Niko and hoping that wasn’t the case.

[Nikomas]

"Nope. Not at all. I'm all yours," Nikomas replied, a bit too eagerly, which instantly made him second guess his choice of words as he caught a somewhat suspicious look from Garran's mother. "I mean, uh, yeah, a walk would be great. You can get to know Dog better. He's a smart pup. Well, at least from what I was able to glean from our short time together." Returning his full attention to the other occupants of the room, the young Vantha was quick to offer a few kind words of respect as he expressed his sincere pleasure at being able to meet them. Then he bolted out the door. "Phew," he expelled as he jokingly staggered outside, kicking up some snow as he went. "How do you stand all of that noise and attention and...okay...well...love? They love you, don't they? Sort of makes me a little bit jealous that you have such a great family. I mean, sure, I only met them for a chime or two, but, wow, just wow. That place right there is brimming with wholesome goodness and love." Nikomas stood now, in the middle of the walkway, and just looked at Garran's home. It was something out of a fanciful childhood tale. Almost too good to be true. "So where do you keep the crazy aunt or murderous uncle?" he joked. "It doesn't look like there's much of an attic or basement, but you have to be keeping your dark family secrets tucked away somewhere." At this point, Nikomas began to laugh, however, it wasn't for what he had just said, but more so for what was now happening before him. Dog was peeing all over and around Garran's front step! "Well, I guess he agrees with me," Nikomas howled. "Too good to be true. Now it fits in with the rest of the Frostfawns abodes." Sprinting forward, the young Vantha cautiously took Dog by his collar, as he kicked up some snow to soak up the mess. "Are you happy now? Ya marked this place as your own, did ya?" he spoke to the pup as if he could understand Vani. "Maybe you're not as bright as I first thought," he added as he directed Dog toward the path. "Where to?" he then questioned Garran who seemed to be amused by the entire situation.

[Garran Frostfawn]

Garran made his escape from the loving chaos of his family with alacrity, happy that Nikomas had been willing to go along with his suggestion. He certainly toyed with this concept of Niko being “all his” but said nothing of it, for he was quite unsure what to say, if anything would have been…well received. Nikomas was turning out to be something of an enigma to the older Vantha, unless he was willing to throw things that had transpired in a certain light – which he wasn’t, not yet. For the moment, Garran was content just to get outside with man and dog, and take a deep breath of the fresh evening air. Closing the door behind them, to the disappointed looks of his nieces, Garran took a few steps, and paused and chuckled when Niko asked how he could stand to be smothered with all that affection. “Oh, I’m used to it, I guess,” he said with a casual shrug. “I’ve been lucky, to have good parents, and brothers even. And I love kids – especially when I can wind them up and then hand them back to their parents.” He laughed, but the last bit of what Nikomas had said tugged at some inner chord within him. “I am lucky – I know it. Not everyone has the good fortune to fit in, and feel…wanted.” He wasn’t sure what to say, or how to say what he thought to say. Garran knew, from having been friend’s with Ziv, that Niko had always been something of a black sheep. And the day that they had encountered one another at Laria’s shop had clearly emphasized the disconnect the younger guy felt from his own family. Apparently nothing had improved since his youth. Tentatively, Garran put out a hand to gently squeeze Niko’s shoulder. “I think…sometimes…you have to create your own space. Your own…family. And love.” And here was his own sore subject and one he typically tried to ignore. For his family that he was born into was great, but that other family – the one adults typically sought out and created with a partner – it had never materialized for Garran. And it didn’t seem likely that it ever would. Maybe at the end of the day, Nikomas here would succeed in finding and building such a family, and home, where Garran was only able to flounder and wallow in useless memories. Who knew? His hand dropped, and still they stood there, Niko cracking his joke about the loony relatives that Garran must be burdened with, somehow. Garran laughed again. “I have them stashed in the stable, up in the hay loft.” But his remark was interrupted by Dog’s “performance.” “Yep,” he nodded. “Perfect! No Frostfawn home worth its salt would be complete without animal piss all over the doorstep!” He was grinning like a devil and told Niko, “Oh, leave that. It doesn’t matter. I think he’s bright enough – he just told us he likes your plan. Foisting him off on me – gives you an excuse to come visit, right?” Seemed like it was Garran’s turn to be a little cryptic with his word choice there. He called Dog to him and the pup lollopped happily over, as Garran turned and began their walk that was a subterfuge for getting out of the house. Though Garran had to conclude that he was really looking forward to the chance to chat with Niko, in a relaxed and neutral environment. Above them the dark blue-black velvet of the night sky stretched and a thousand pin pricks of twinkling lights played out the timeless dance of the heavens. The air was still, and brisk, and the snow was cold enough to crunch under their boots. They walked a ways without further conversation, and Garran’s feet led them away from the Hold and towards the stables. He certainly spent more than enough time there, every day. But he found the atmosphere of the place restful, always. Rubbing Dog’s ear without hardly having to bend over to do so, Garran finally ventured to ask, “So – how is it working out for you, at Laria’s. Finding things to be all you hoped they might?” If he was referring to that anguished confession given to him when they had left the furrier’s that day – to the effect that the young leather worker was searching for something he’d never found with his own family – well, that was for Niko to nibble on that bait…or not.