Felinis: A new chapter you is brought to you by procrastination. Because, while I know I have a shit ton of work to do I can't be bothered to care till the last possible moment
They stayed in Capua Torim almost month. Hanna had been lonely from staying in the ruins of an abandoned town. She needed people and Lowell had agreed. When his wife didn't smile neither did he. It was the longest they ever stayed in a town. And therefore, the most dangerous thing they'd done.
Hanna did her best to hide her face. She couldn't hide her pregnancy though. That much was clear. She had already been a few months along. People noted her and asked about the father. She lied for his sake. Said, they were cousins. They stayed in a room in a rundown inn. Lowell did his best to hide the antennas and large ears that gave himself away. But, it probably was quite noticeable. The innkeeper knew. He kept it a secret and did what he could.
"You won't turn us in?" Hanna had asked him as she helped in the kitchen to help cover their board.
The middle-aged innkeeper should his head. "I only call on real criminals. Lately, the Empire's persecuting Krytians for the sport of it. Just because you did something dumb doesn't mean you should have to die." Hanna had sighed in relief. "Besides, my mother was half-Krytian and I turned out fine."
That month had been pleasant. The two were comfortable in a strange sense. Everything fell apart though when the knights saw them together. They recognized Lowell as a Krytian and tried to arrest him. They ran. Or at least Lowell ran and Hanna was carried on his back. She wasn't much up for running these days. They barely made it out of the city. The two only made it out because some of the few people who knew them helped to sneak them out.
In the few hours that Yuri had been with the Scifos ground rules had to be firmly established. One was no biting. The other was that the two couldn't fight unless it was outside and didn't involve fists. Or biting. They had to establish a lot of rules on that matter. Mostly, because Norien thought that if the children were going to constantly fight they should do so in a civilized manner befitting a gentleman. And because she didn't want them breaking the furniture.
Flynn in the short time had come to understand that Yuri was the most annoying person in the world. Especially, because the halfer would purposely only behave when he knew Norien was looking. It was beyond frustrating. His mother only laughed it off as play, but the two boys knew better. Neither could stand the other so they'd sit across the house and glare at each other. To a child, this was a battle. To an adult, it was amusing.
The affair went on till Norien asked if any of the boys would like to help with dinner. Both rushed to help and she put them to work peeling potatoes. The children kept their feud as they worked. Yuri would peel a potato and Flynn would follow suit. They were so caught up in their fight that they demanded more tasks. In the end, Norien didn't actually have to do any of the actual cooking. And, so the scheming wheels turned as the boys competed to see who could set the table better.
Common sense told her to make sure the two boys sat as far away from each other as possible for a peaceful dinner. But, Norien knew this type of feuding and understood that cure was to tire the two. They sat across from each other and continued their intense staring contest.
Flynn gave a hard kick to Yuri who kept a steady pace as he hit back. Yuri growled as he kept his eyes steady at the blonde. Flynn put his fork down. "Stop growling! It's creepy."
"I always growl! Deal with it." Yuri spat at him as he took another large bite. He kicked Flynn again for good measure. There weren't any rules on kicking.
Flynn kicked back once more and two were now involved in a foot fight under the table.
"Flynn don't call people creepy. That's rude." Yuri chuckled and grin spread on his face. "And, Yuri no growling at the table. It spoils the food."
The smugness from Yuri fell as it was now Flynn's turn to grin excessively before the went back to kicking each other.
Norien rolled her eyes and just went on with her meal. The fight eventually stopped and the children then competed over dirty dishes. With shouts about which was cleaner. With luck, this feud would go on for weeks.
When it came time to sleep, the two eyed each other and the bed. Mostly, Flynn. As an only child who'd never really needed to share the concept was foreign. How was he expected to share anything with someone he hated?
Flynn defended his bed proudly. He stared at Yuri and waited for him to fight back. Yuri always did. To his great surprise, Yuri laid on the hard floor and did his best to get. comfortable. "What are you doing?"
Yuri looked up at the ceiling and wiggled. "You don't want me on your bed, right?"
He had said that. But, Flynn didn't expect Yuri to listen. "You aren't gonna argue?"
"There's no point in arguing over something stupid like this." Yuri sighed and turned on his side. "Besides, I usually sleep on the floor."
"What! Is the orphanage so poor they don't have beds?" The blonde exclaimed.
Yuri sat up and shouted back. "Of course, we have beds, stupid!"
Flynn cocked his head to the side. "So why do you sleep on the floor?"
"I dunno know, why do you not want me on the bed?" Yuri sassed.
It all clicked for the child who admittedly could at times be a little slow. "So, you never used a bed?" Flynn was baffled by this whole realization. "Wow."
"You're really stupid aren't ya?" Yuri said as he rolled his eyes.
Flynn now had an idea forming. "I'll let you sleep on the bed."
Yuri turned to face away from Flynn and flicked something, probably dirt, at his face. "No thanks."
Flynn deflated and let out a whine. "Why not?"
"Because you're weird and stuff. I don't wanna share a bed with you."
Flynn gave up curled on the bed so his back faced Yuri. "Fine." Flynn waited for Yuri to cave and crawl in the bed. He figured the long-haired boy would try, but as sleep took him he was disappointed. He really wanted Yuri to have to owe him.
Yuri lay awake longer and thought over his options. He didn't like homes. Every time he went someone would get scared. Or there wouldn't be food for him. Or something. He was stuck here till they got tired of him. And worse he was stuck with Flynn. Flynn had to be the most annoying person Yuri had ever met. He was an idiot and weird. Plus, he didn't like how Flynn looked at him.
It was like when Norien looked at him. Creepy. Blue eyes were creepy. And then there was the other thing. In the back of his head, Yuri had this feeling he couldn't comprehend. Maybe it had to do with how weird Flynn smelled?
At least Norien was nice. If he put up with Flynn maybe this stay wouldn't be half bad.
She sighed as she ran her hand through her hair. One week and Norien still had nothing. Yuri hadn't had bruises when he came. Or the ones she saw were too faded to be of use. The worst of it all was Yuri denied any prodding to his life at the orphanage. Norien was going to keep trying. For the sake of that child, she needed to keep looking. The real problem now though, was the arguing between the two boys.
"I did it better!"
"No, me!
"You just think you did it better! I'm the one who did the better job!"
"You're completely blind! I did way better!"
"Nu-uh!"
"Ye-ha!"
The two arguing children turned to Norien and she rubbed her temple. "Which one of us did it better?"
"Neither," Norien said frankly as she looked at the room. "There's still dust everywhere and neither one of you properly scrubbed the bathroom. As far as I'm concerned, you're both failures."
"What?" They both called in unison.
"Well, it's his fault!"
"No, it's yours!"
The two now jabbed at each other and were a step away from another fight. Norien coughed and the two children cautiously turned their heads. "If you boys are going to argue of this why don't you strive to compete again. And this time, do it properly."
Both boys stopped their fighting and swallowed.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Okay, Mommy."
Finath could not get back home sooner.