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Getting out of the building had proven to be more of an adventure than Tym had ever suspected. He had taken for granted the fact that most of his clients came here of their own will, flying in ships of their own or with people they knew, seeking him out to find whatever it was they needed. He wasn't used to someone who did not know buildings, technology, and most everything this quaint city had to offer. Grekath was looking over everything with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, something that nearly slowed their every step.
He had first outright refused to ride down the elevator, and Tym had to grudgingly consent to hoofing it down seven flights to reach the ground floor, hoping that he could at least convince his brawny charge to ride on the way back up, should they return together. They had again paused at the revolving door, but as it was made to handle carts and luggage as well as people, Tym had managed to convince Grekath to step through alone and wait for him on the other side. After that, it was every street lamp, every parking meter, every lighted sign, and especially every vehicle as they made their way down the street. Tym thought bemusedly that it was like he was leading a child around -- a hefty, survival-hardened, earthborn child that could probably crush him given the chance, he had concluded with a smirk.
They had finally made it to a little outdoor caf�, though, and Tym had grabbed a burger after convincing Grekath to eat a salad, sans dressing, meat, and anything else that just seemed too 'odd.' Grekath, in turn, finally caved and began telling his story, some of it landing home and some of it going right over Tym's head. He understood well enough, though, that Grekath had hardly expected to be welcomed in a human city, after his elder and mentor had scarcely hours ago killed one of their kind, apparently without a second thought. The rest of it, however... well, Tym could only say that he was glad of his own problems, like cranky cabbies and booked hotels, now that he had heard of Grekath's.
"Lemme tell you, dude... you've got a serious stack of bad luck going for you right now."
Grekath let out a short laugh that sounded more like a huff than anything else. "Tell me what I do not know. I cannot return, and yet I do not know what I would find if I did. The elders need at least some involvement to forge the final connection between my spirit and the planet. They should be none too pleased, given what my mentor could spread by the time I find my way back."
Tym's eyes lightly glassed at the spiritual mention, and he shook his head a little, taking a sip of coffee. How Grekath can't stand even the smell of the stuff, he'll never know... "Look, I've got no clue at all about the whole 'incomplete-spirit' deal... not much into religion, and all. But if you want... I think I might know a little something that could help out, if you honestly feel empty from not being able to finish whatever it was you had to finish."
Grekath peered over at Tym, instantly suspicious. This place could have anything to possibly offer him that could replace the fulfillment of a direct link with the planet? He scoffed at the very thought.
Tym set his glass down with a thunk and let out a 'tch.' "Yeah, dead and lifeless planet, I know, don't rub it in. But seriously. You ever thought about a dragon-bond?"
Grekath was taken aback. That was not something that he had been expecting. "A bond to what? A mythical creature that could just as soon devour me whole? Why would I want--"
"No, no, dude." Tym held back a chuckle. "They aren't gonna eat you unless you try some of your fancy magic-stuff on 'em without asking first... and they're babies, not full-grown dragons. They grow with you, they're companions, they aren't just some silly pet, either. That's the reason half the people I know have come to this city -- it draws people in droves."
"You realize, though, that it is likely completely dissimilar to what I wish to achieve? I cannot fathom that a baby creature, dragon though it be, could possibly compare to what my people know and feel."
Tym shook his head, his muss of black hair shifting around in the process. "I'm just trying to help, get it, Grekath? I know you've got all your high expectations, but think about it for a minute, huh? What's the shot you'll ever get back to your home? What's the shot that they'll let you come back if you find it, from what you're tellin' me? What's the shot that when you get back, it'll be the same time and situation that you left it, huh? Heck, if it was some magic portal that got you here, you could show up before you were even born or something!"
Grekath opened his mouth, then closed it again, seriously mulling all that around. It was true... he knew nothing of the means by which he'd come here. He did not even know their planet truly held such powers, though it had long been suspected. He wondered whether Qenacor honestly knew what he was doing, where he was sending Grekath when he tossed away the object his pupil had so rightly earned...
Tym drained his coffee and threw up a hand to summon dessert to their table, letting Grekath think for a few minutes. "Look, you don't have to decide tonight or anything. Sleep on it, I'll let you use my room, even." He paused as the waiter brought their goods, gave a little bow, and left. Tym grinned. "Just try the tiramisu first... promise, it's a lot better than coffee."
***********
Grekath lay awake in the morning hours, staring at the ceiling in the fancy room into which he'd stumbled the day before. The sun was slowly lighting the ceiling, but his thoughts remained dark. This wasn't how it should be... it wasn't. He couldn't shake the fact that it was reality, though, and that he was going to have to deal with it one way or another. Even if he could hardly believe it... his spirit may never be fulfilled in the way he had hoped.
Such thoughts and the threads from the same kept him laying there until Tym gave a stretch and a yawn from the bed, almost not remembering that Grekath was there until he hopped down and nearly tripped over the furry critter, who'd reverted to his badger form before resting, preferring the hard floor to a cushy mattress. "Whoa, dude... sorry."
A blank look from Grekath, a blink from Tym, and they understood each other after another moment, Tym reaching over and arranging the translator on Grekath again. Repeating himself, Tym blinked as Grekath merely gave a somber nod and went back to staring at the ceiling. "Hey, Grek... why the long face? Er... longer than normal, anyway?" Badger... yeah.
Grekath remained as he was for a moment, and Tym shook his head, walking over to the wash basin and freshening up a bit. By the time he'd finished, though, Grekath had stood and was brushing down his robes. He looked up and caught Tym's still-sleepy eyes. "Tym. Let us make for the place of bonding."
Tym blinked, then again, rubbing his eyes a little. "No way... after all that talk about practically blaspheming last night? What changed your mind so quick, you like hanging around me that much?"
Grekath turned up a corner of his mouth in an almost-smirk. "No... well, you are interesting, of course... but what set me to thinking was a dream. A rather disturbing one."
"Interesting, huh... well, thanks. Talk to me, dude." A rustle caught his attention, and he looked over, reaching down for something that was just slid under the door.
Grekath turned, looking out at the still-rising sun. "I had returned to my homeland... not surprising, after having thought of it most of the night. My elder was there, even, and of course he did not look happy... but it was not due to my return. There was an odd look in his eyes, one I had never seen there before."
He shook his head, taking a breath and letting it out. "I walked past him, focused on getting back to our clansmen. He looked after me -- I could feel his eyes upon my back -- and followed, at a distance. I found this odd, but did not stop, until I reached the edge of our village." He turned to look at Tym, who was listening, but at the same time poring over the page in his hands. "There was nothing there. No sign of a fight, no bodies... there was no indication that our clan had ever occupied the area. I could see humans in the distance, in the forest. When I turned to ask my elder what had happened... he was no longer there, as if he too had simply vanished." He gave a pause. "I do not believe I will have a home if I ever return."
Tym looked up, his eyes showing sympathy. "Heavy stuff, my furry man. I'm real sorry you'll never be ... completed, or whatever you were trying to explain to me last night."
Grekath nodded, pausing for a moment more. "This dragon-bond, though. You are sure it is safe?"
Tym gave an immediate nod. "You bet it is. Never heard of anyone going without limbs or losing their soul or getting horribly mutilated or anything." At Grekath's hard stare, Tym's grin slipped a little, but he shook his head and continued. "Seriously, you'll be fine. Might even get a rare one, since you've got a 'need' and all... never know, do you?"
Grekath's mood seemed to lighten a little. "Indeed no... but let us make our way. I wish to fill this hole in my spirit as soon as possible, and this room unsettles me at the moment. As does my empty stomach." He knew he should have eaten more, but that bloody steak the man beside them ordered gave him the heebie-jeebies all night.
"Pah." Tym threw his hand down, a rustle of paper accompanying it. "Not as unsettling as what our concierge just gave me. You realize that stupid mirror's gonna set me back eight hundred smackers? That's a whole night's worth of clients."
Grekath stared at Tym for a moment... then broke into a grin, starting to laugh. Tym glowered for a moment, but then found himself laughing, too. Boy, was it going to be an adventure working with this fellow... and his dragon, should that happen. Hey, he just might have to find a bigger, more permanent place to stay...