#and there it is...

No words.

“Bar or snacks?”

“As you like.”

Colours. Wood. Paper. Blue.

“Hello Etienne! That your friend?”

“An old friend… Jikhaa. These are friends as well, Xiaohu and Oosra.”

Lights, voices. Descent.

They kiss Him. Only He is left.

“Name’s Vander Thuun, at your service, friend.”

“Vander.”

“Whatever tickles your fancy, Master…?”

Master... 

“Jikhaa.” It’s loud in his head.

“So, how did you two meet, Jikhaa?”

Where is he?

    Etienne.

“Did you put your name in, Jikhaa? There's nothing at all you're curious about?”

No.

“I suppose I'm envious, then... Makes me think there are things I need to handle. Come clean about, mayhap.”

“Mayhap.” Mayhap, Jikhaa.

Azena would like that.

Etienne likes that.

    Blue.

“Sake?”

No.

“I was hoping not to drink alone.”

“Choose then. For me.”

“Airag for Jikhaa, then.”  

Airag on the counter. Airag from a pitcher. Probably cold. Probably not fresh. Probably not airag.

Silent brothers. Not brothers. Strangers.

Etienne seems happy.

Here. Drink in their hand. Heavy?

“Cheers?”

He walks away.

In the dark, he turns around.

“Not too much?”

“It’s one drink, darling. There’s no sheep for me to yell at…”

“I’m not sheep.” Not sheep. No yelling.

“I promise I won’t yell at you either.”

Sip.

“This is my friend Jikhaa. Order as you like - I've got to make up for all that buuz I ate somehow!”

Buuz then.

“We make a pretty good buuz and other…”

He makes it.  

Etienne has food.

“You'll help me eat some of this, won't you?”

It’s for them.

“After you.” It’s for them.

Crab.

Eating. Etienne likes it.

“This is more than I can eat.”

Okay.  

They like it.  

He wants the flower. It reminds him of Azena.

“How is Miss Azena?”

They were listening.

Clients were angry when she told them she would be away. She is back, dancing. Tea. Busy. Maybe Etienne will see her.

Beside Etienne. Someone else.

Someone else. Behind him.

Someone else.

Someone else.

Someone else.

Frost.

Someone else.

He feels numb.

Etienne seems happy. Warm. Reaching. Stealing… It’s Vander.

My Vander.

“I try not to eavesdrop… They’re personal.”

My Vander.

Defrost.

Etienne.

“Safe?”

Confusion. Understanding.

“Yes, safe.”

“--Jikhaa. They'll be safe here, don't you worry.”

Vander doesn’t know what it means.