Liking Him

BETHESDA, 2420AA, Killion pondered her words. His thoughts going back to what she had gone through and who he felt the Great were as a people. He had many questions of course, but he could not bring himself to pose them. How could he when he did not understand her or the ways of her race? To judge them would be pointless and empathy said that had he been in her shoes, then, he would not have taken those sentiments kindly. Therefore, he refrained from commenting and instead, he focused on what he could do right now, and what it was she need from him.  That had to be protection, right? Not that she was not capable, but in the same way he did not understand her race, he was sure that human world boggled her as well. And to help her, he would need to become an anchor. Killion looked to Havillah. She seemed to be managing fine. He had chosen to walk home even though he could have taken a Chariot. The powered vehicles that were available to the military class and only a few elite. They were comfortable and relatively fast, but how else could he delight himself other than by watching her and the wonderous eyes as they gazed upon the town in the light of the midday? She seemed to be enjoying the bustle of the town, as all around them, the crowds surged.  Fuelled by a common need to meet their quota. To earn their livelihoods and all before the darkness rolled in with the terrors with it. It was the way of this town. The way of his people one that had been ingrained through centuries of doing the same thing. And despite the fact that no terror had been spotted since her arrival there, they still hurried along for that was all they knew to do in this life. "Where are we?" she finally turned to him to inquire about their surroundings. Her eyes were still as wondrous, but with a cautious glint in them that spoke of her apprehension even as she took in the new sites and the new way of life that was happening right there before her. "This is the market square. I took you through the long way around that is normally taken by vehicles." "Vehicles?" Havillah turned to stare at the two wheels and the occasional three wheel contraptions that were drawn by animals. From cattle to horses and even a pack of dogs. But most of all, what astounded her was the four wheel contraption. A weird thing that was drawn by an even weirder looking animal. A horse? She squinted her eyes as if it to confirm. But where fur should have been, the skin on the creature glinted like varnished metals and the eyes were burning like red little crystals. "What is that thing? " she wondered aloud. "That's a chariot. The drawing mechanism is mechanical even though it was created to resemble a real animal." Mechanical? She thought her thoughts going back to all she had seen at the Hub. "They are quite rare and hard to manufacture, but riding one is totally worth it. Anyway, this road leads to the Western District of Bethesda. We could have taken the cobbled pathways through the central District, but why bother when there is not much to see there?" "What about the mansions?" "Sure, but they are mostly derelict or sealed up. Therefore all you will find there is just wild life. Maybe cats, lost pets or even a few stray dogs. What is interesting though, is people. The market bustling with the traders. The buyers, you may even catch an entertainer or two enroute to the ports." "From what you are saying it seems like people watching is a favourite pass time." she smiled. "Guilty as charged. You can catch a lot of things from just observing, especially if the people you are watching are oblivious to it. People do a lot of crazy things when they think no one is watching." "Only that, there is always someone watching." Killion shrugged his shoulders not sure if the girl was referring to him or something else totally different. "Anyway, like i said, this road leads to the Western District. My family has a little cottage there." Havillah nodded and continued to follow him down the street, asking questions whenever she saw it fit and eventually, they made it to the Western District. Unlike the Eastern suburbs, the western district was less populated. The houses were detached. Bungalows and two and three storey cottages with little gardens and white picket fences that added to the aesthetic of it all. It was all so cosy, Havillah had to admit to herself. Tiny in comparison to her home back on the city, but lovely nonetheless. With flowers, vegetables patches and even fruit trees lined up in front of the yards that they had passed along the way. They seemed to have arrived at their destination. Havillah realised as Killion came to stop before a two storey cottage that looked like it had been plucked out of a child's story book. Similar to the ones that Havillah had once read as a child. The similarities were uncanny as the house was a sandstone cottage. It had a lighter coloured roof however. The colour of straw and a white picket fence that had all manner of flowers clinging to it. Climbing ivy, lianas and all manner of beautiful climbing plants also covered its walls, with moderately sized oval windows jutting out on ocassion from behind a wall of stone and flora. The doorway was also curved. With a matching door, half glass and half wood standing at the top of the three steps that led down to the front yard.  A yard that had several vegetable patches covering the entirety of it. In one of the vegetable patches, stood a small woman with a mop of hair that had once been black hair but was now greying. She had on a lime green dress with a floral patterned apron. The yellow gardening gloves and matching mudboots made her seem like one of the flowers and from the little skin that she could see, Havillah realise that she was quite old. Unaware of their presence behind her, the woman bent over and continued gardening. Humming to a tune as she plucked up the weeds that had invaded her precious garden. "Grandmother," Killion called out as they reached the small gate that was the only thing between them and the growing front yard. "Killion?" The little lady turned around. "Killion! " she padded over to her grandson and threw all her weight upon him. Havillah could not help but smile at the open display of affection, even as the two of them hugged it out on the brown cobbled walkway. "You've brought a guest?" The old lady's eyes widenned as she took in the form of Havillah and the clothing on her back. "Nana, this is Havillah." Killion told her and her eyes further widened in surprise. "Havillah! The one and only Havillah?" The old lady's smile could not possibly grow wider after seeing Killion, but in that moment it did. Not used to all the attention she was getting,  Havillah squirmed as she skimmed back behind the bulky form that was Killion. "Why does she say that like she knows me?" she whispered and Killion could not help but laugh in response. "Because she does, my dear Havillah. How could I not tell her of the one that happened to save my life." "Mmh!" Havillah scowled at his back. "What? I didn't tell her what you are!" he answered her with an incredulous look. "What I am?" "Not human." he laughed "And I thought that having someone who was not a brother would be better." she huffed as she mumbled irritably to herself. In the heat of her complaining, Havillah forgot the old lady and , she crept up to her side and surprised her by speaking into her ear. "Is he harassing you? Tell me and I'll pinch off those little ears for you." She removed her gardening gloves as if in preparation. "He used to be like that with little Calla and I believe that is always a sign that a man likes you." Like her? Havillah's brows furrowed in confusion. She was sure that Killion liked her, why else would he agree to their friendship? "He likes me, I am sure and I hope we can continue to like each other." "You like each other eh," the old woman smirked as Havillah nodded with Killion blushing furiously beside her. "I am sure he will continue to like you." The old lady continued undeterred. "Why wouldn't he when you are all so pretty?" "Nana. Its not what you think.  Havillah is a friend to me." He finally found his voice only to stutter. "Oh, is she now?" Killion and Havillah both nodded. "What a shame...?" The old lady turned around and began to hobble back to the house still mumbling to herself. She seemed d disappointed but Havillah could have sworn she saw a glint in those old eyes. What were they on about? What had her seem so disappointed and Killion seem so flustered? Was there more to liking someone? Was that not the prerequisite for being friendly. Yet it seemed like it meant more. Like there was something more in human terms. She turned around to question Killion but the old lady beat her to it. "What are you two waiting for?" She yelled "Or have you changed your minds about all that matter?" "No!" Killion answered as they both scrambled after the woman.