tvpdspnislife: Heh, thanks. And I'm never far away:) I didn't plan on posting anything today, but I'm still feeling a bit guilty for being away for so long, so here's a bit more.

Chapter 2.

Thorstar pressed a hand against his mouth. He had a stomach full of warm elderberry soup and one and a half bottles of brandy on top of that. Apparently those two did not go well together.

Kol read his expression. "If you throw up, you lose, "he said cheerfully, swaying back and forth over the long drop to the cobblestoned street below, not just because he was drunk, but because he knew the movement made Thorstar feel even more queasy.

The had ducked under the barrier and were sitting on the metal railing that circled the top of the tower. Thorstar glanced toward the ground and for a second he felt like it was rushing up to meet him. He quickly looked away as his stomach flipped.

The fall wouldn't kill them, far from, but if they were too drunk to land on their feet, it could do some serious damage. Broken arms and legs took a while to heal, especially for Thorstar, who didn't have the advantage of being an Original.

Kol took a swig from his bottle. "You know, if I'd known you were going to be this boring I would've brought some women for entertainment. Or maybe chickens."

Thorstar took his hand away from his mouth. "What the Hell is fun about chickens?"

"Don't underestimate the entertainment value of chickens. You rip off the head ... "Kol made a sudden movement with his hand. " ... body keeps running. You can make them race."

Thorstar grimaced. The mental image of headless, racing chickens were somehow disconcerting. Especially in his current state.

"Hey, Thorstar, why did the chicken cross the road?"

"I don't know, "he said, swallowing back a wave of nausea. He was a bit taken aback by the odd question as he wasn't familiar with the otherwise common riddle. "Was it looking for its head?"

There was a short silence.

"How did you know?" Kol scratched the back of his head, his hat falling down his forehead to cover his eyes. Then he suddenly stiffened. "They are coming back!"

Thorstar heard the sound of several people running the way up through the tower.

When the Trinitatis Church had emptied earlier, three students had joined them on the top. They had of course tried to convince the two jesters to move back behind the barrier, until Kol had let himself fall backwards over the railing. Then they'd run down screaming, probably expecting to find his broken body on the street below.

Kol had caught himself with one hand, though, and pulled himself back up.

Thorstar frowned. "No, it's not the same people."

It turned out to be two uniformed police officers, who almost fell over each other in their haste. "Are you trying to get yourselves killed?!" one of them bellowed.

Kol shrugged. "It's not our ultimate goal, but it's a distinct possibility."

Thorstar stared at the nightsticks in their hands, appalled. "Are you going to beat us for trying to kill ourselves?"

The officer seemed about to answer, but was suddenly distracted by Kol, who rose to his feet on the narrow railing and jumped tentatively from one foot to the other. "Get down from there!"

"You know, Officer, "Kol said thoughtfully. "I'd like to do what you ask, but unfortunately my obstinate personality does not allow it."

The officer moved over to the barrier. "Look ... " he began, but Kol caught his eyes, making him cut off immediately.

"You will knock out your colleague and then yourself, "Kol compelled calmly.

"What the Hell are you doing?!" the other man was able to get out, before he was all of a sudden laying stretched out on the concrete.

Thorstar snickered at the surprised expression on the police officer's face as he hit himself over the head with his nightstick. Three times, before he finally managed to knock himself out.

"It's really not nice, Kol, "he said, still laughing a bit, though, as he had a very clear dislike of men of the law. "It could've killed them."

"Who cares?" Kol said dismissively. "Not you and definitely not me."

"As always putting your powers to good use, "came a dry voice. "You never cease to amaze me, little brother."

Thorstar saw Kol's eyes widen slightly, then turned his head to take in the sight of the young man standing in the doorway to the observation deck.

He was a bit tall and slender with short, light brown hair and pale blue eyes. He was dressed in gray wollen pants and a double breasted, black coat. He had a brown canvas bag slung over one shoulder.

His most distinct feature was his smile. It was easy and friendly, taking up a clearly familiar place on his face and lighting up his eyes.

But it was also the kind of smile that was quick to disappear.

He was regarding Thorstar with some curiosity.

"Nik!" Kol almost squealed, finally losing his footing and falling backwards over the railing, not catching himself this time.

"I guess, I won, "Thorstar called after him.

They met Kol on the street.

He twisted his left arm back into the shoulder socket, then picked up his hat and dusted it off. "I thought I told you to meet us at Lorry, "he said sourly, still looking a bit dizzy after his 110 feet free fall.

"I had to check out of the hotel before noon, "the young man explained. "I'm not that familiar with this city anymore. The only thing I could find was you."

Kol sighed then made a weak gesture. "Thorstar, my brother Niklaus. Nik, this is Thorstar."

They shook hands.

Thorstar knew they had quite a family, yes, but Kol had always been very vague whenever he spoke of them. Niklaus was the one he had spoken about the most, though, describing him as ruthless and hot-headed much like Kol himself.

But when he spoke of Niklaus as a human, it was as if he was describing a whole other person; someone who was adventurous and impatient, but at the same time compassionate and fiercely loyal to his family. Not one, who would put a brother in a box for eight centuries.

And that was the man Thorstar had always wanted to meet.

"It's amazing, "Niklaus mumbled. "How much you look like your father."

Thorstar squirmed uncomfortably. "You know where he is?"

"Elijah's somewhere in America, "Kol answered almost angrily. "Neither of us know exactly where."

Niklaus' smile disappeared. "We've had a bit of a fallout."

Something told Thorstar that there was more to it than that, but he didn't ask.

"Let me take a photo of the two of you." Niklaus looked through his bag and brought out what looked like a black cardboard box.

Thorstar looked at it curiously.

"It's a Kodak Brownie, "Niklaus told him, smiling once again. He pulled out a trinket and clipped it onto the camera. "And this is a reflecting finder."

"Whatever, "Kol put his arm around Thorstar's shoulders. "Just get it over with."