Gate
"It's just at the edge of the clearing. You should be able to see it soon."
Ahiru still tried squinting as if she could see through the thick gathering of trees, wondering what it was that Fakir wanted to show her so badly as she trotted behind him through the worn down path in the middle of the woods. He wouldn't tell her exactly what it was when she asked; he wanted her to see it first.
Thankfully her patience didn't need to be stretched for long. Another twist and turn, a duck underneath a large old log, and Ahiru suddenly found herself standing in the middle of a large clearing. What immediately captured her attention was the quaint little cottage some distance away, nestled comfortably in the corner. Its architecture was similar to the buildings inside Goldkrone, only much more weather-worn and with vines and other greenery climbing up the walls. A small garden with a variety of flowers decorated the sides, all closed in with a waist-length fence that outlined the premises.
"It's so pretty!" Ahiru exclaimed, turning to Fakir. "Was this what you wanted to show me?"
Fakir nodded, continuing to lead her closer to the cottage. "An old friend of Charon's lives here. Herr Hund – you may have met him once or twice."
To be honest, Ahiru couldn't remember him at all.
When they reached the fence's gate, he went on: "He actually spoke with Charon yesterday. He's leaving to journey across Europe for the next few years, and since he knew of us, said that we were free to live here until he returned. As long as we keep it clean."
Ahiru's eyes widened as she absorbed his words. "Live… live here? As in – as in the both of us? Is that really okay?"
"Just until Herr Hund returns, but hopefully we'd be able to find another place by that time…" Fakir reached up to scratch the back of his neck, casting a sideways glance toward her. "If possible, I'd like to not keep inconveniencing Charon for long."
Ahiru didn't quite agree with that phrasing, as Fakir's father was very kind and accommodating and didn't really seem to mind their presence much at all. But she could see where he was coming from. The idea of having a place… somewhere private, just for the two of them, sounded very appealing. Especially when all they had to do was keep it clean for its original owner.
She beamed, her eyes sparkling. "I'll do my best, then! I've gotten pretty good at mopping floors and washing windows, you know."
Fakir made a noise that wasn't quite a chuckle, his lip quirking. "After all those years arriving late in class, I'd like to hope you would have learned a thing or two."
Before Ahiru could retort at that, he reached inside his pocked and drew out a key, placing it in her small hands. "Here," he said. "Let's take a look around."
Immediately forgetting about her comeback, Ahiru grinned and inserted it in the lock. The gate opened with a long creak, and as they walked in she felt that not only had she opened the physical gate, but also one to a new step in their lives.