"Travels and Troubles"

Chapter 2

Cadenceheart117

"Ahem."

Brandt squinted, shaking his head to clear off sleep. He looked around the small room, fuzzy details of the night before slowly coming back to him. The light filling the room and the low warmth told him that it was about midday, and yet he and Darius were still asleep.

Darius…

Looking down, he smiled slightly as Darius shifted, snuggling closer against his chest for warmth. He and the Umbreon, over a small meal, had very quickly opened up to one another. Both came from troubled pasts, and it made Brandt happy to think that he wasn't alone in his struggles. After a brief confrontation, they had forgiven one another, and now Brandt was looking forward to finding out more about his new friend. Sometime through the night, Brandt's paw had become draped over the smaller Umbreon, and now, as Brandt stretched, he seemed to curl around the paw.

He smiled slightly and leaned down, nosing the Umbreon gently so as not to wake him as he pulled his paw free. 'He's certainly adorable like this… And he isn't hurt anymore.' thought Brandt, studying the Umbreon silently. He wondered how the town might take Darius; one of the reasons he wasn't really friends with most was because of his partial dark typing. What would they think of the Umbreon, being fully dark typed?

"AHEM."

Brandt heard the voice again, turning his head towards the door to find the source. His eyes met Belle's, the human woman grinning at him as her head leaned in from outside the door. He was scared for a moment, his mind running through a million situations at once, but she shook her head, her light chuckle pushing them all away. "'Not my friend', he says." she whispered teasingly. "Now I see why~ He's a little more than a friend, no?"

"I-I..!" he stuttered, trying to figure out what to say. Eventually, he gave up, blushing as he let out a groan of frustration. She giggled again, tilting her head. "Come on downstairs. We'll let him sleep, and then you can give him a tour of the town."

He nodded in agreement, and stepped towards the door silently. At the doorway, he glanced back at the Umbreon, pausing briefly as he watched him breathe in and out slowly. After a moment, he continued, letting the door shut. "His name is Darius." he said simply.

-!-

Downstairs, Brandt sat at a table, a small bowl of water in front of him as well as a bit of meat. Across from him sat Belle, a simple glass of tea in her hands. It was too early for alcohol still. Not that she expected anyone to come in; it was Sunday, so everyone was likely at the church further on up the road.

As she raised the glass to her lips, she sipped gently, eying Brandt. The Luxio had barely touched the food on his plate, and only lapped once or twice at the water. Finally, when Belle had all but drained her glass of tea, she sighed, setting it down hard enough on the table to garner his attention. He met her gaze for a brief moment, a guilty look in his eyes before they darted back down. He was actively trying to avoid speaking to her? This only served to pique Belle's curiosity even more.

"What's eating you?" she prompted, kicking him gently under the table. He jumped slightly, looking back up at her again. Was that… fear in his eyes? She began to grow frustrated when he didn't reply, and kicked him again, harder. "C'mon, Brandt. I'm not going to hurt you. Does this have something to do with Darius?"

He didn't say anything more, but nodded gently, confirming her guess. She settled back, and began to think. He hadn't said much to her about the Umbreon, other than that his name was Darius. At first, she assumed that perhaps he was worried she would be biased against the Umbreon, like the rest of the town. Starr Tavern was pretty much the only establishment that served anyone, regardless of typing. But, that thought was quickly cast aside. If she had just as easily accepted Brandt, what worry would he have that she wouldn't accept Darius? Then she began thinking about what else he might be worried about because of the traditions of the town.

Ah, hell… I think I know what's going on…

Belle nudged him again, reaching a hand out and gently forcing his muzzle up. Slowly his gaze met her own again, reacting to the kindness displayed there. "Brandt. You know I won't judge you for anything but your actions, right?"

Brandt swallowed nervously, but nodded. "You've always said that to me before…" She smiled, nodding. "That still stands. So, I want you to answer me honestly." He began fidgeting as she paused, clearly not wanting what was coming, but continued anyways. "Do you like this Darius?"

He wanted to deny it at first. Every instinct told him he should, and yet… Almost as if a dam were breaking, he nodded, tearing up. "I-I can't help it..!" he almost wailed. "I know I shouldn't, and- and everyone's going to hate me even more! It doesn't help that I just met him, and I can't even tell him! Please don't-" She clamped a hand over his mouth, preventing him from continuing his spill of words and thoughts.

"Slow down." She said, trying to make her voice somewhat soothing. "Explain what's bothering you about this one thought at a time. I promise you, I will listen."

"But what if someone else overhears?" At the question, her eyebrow raised, and she glanced around. "Who in this godforsaken town is going to be around to overhear? Everyone's at church."

He sniffled, but actually smiled slightly, and nodded. Taking a deep breath, he began anew, albeit quieter and more reserved than before. "I do like Darius… I dunno, maybe it's just because we've both been through hell in our own ways. I know I shouldn't like someone I've just met, but he makes it hard for me not to like him. Call me cheesy, or cliché, but I get the feeling I was… meant to meet him."

"You mean like destiny?" she hid the skepticism from her voice as she asked. She had never really understood, or believed in, such a thing. But that might have had something to do with her lack of faith. In her opinion, she made her own path in life, and there wasn't some huge figure in the sky deciding how she lived her life.

"I think destiny, yeah." Brandt said, warming to the idea. "But I'm not as worried about that as much as what he would think… not to mention what everyone else would think."

"They'd skin you both alive, if they didn't run you out of town…" muttered Belle. Brandt shivered, but nodded. "Trying not to think about that." Belle sighed, raising a hand and rubbing her eyes in an effort to help herself think. "Well, if I were you, I wouldn't think about what everyone else thinks. At least on this, anyways. I don't judge, and it's not anyone else's place to. What I would worry about is how Darius is going to take it."

Brandt quite literally yelped, ducking his head again. "I can't talk to him about that! He'd think I'm a creep, or worse, desperate!" The thought of bringing it up certainly bothered him. But Belle was one to speak her mind, and press the issue if she believed she was right. She crossed her arms, tisking at him. "Brandt, you've got to realize that if you want to be happy, you've got to take chances. Maybe not just yet, but you're going to have to bring it up eventually, before he leaves."

He knew she was right, but bringing up interest after all that had happened so far between them just seemed wrong. Not enough time had passed, and while they knew a bit about each other, it just wasn't enough. Belle could see the indecision playing in his mind and grunted. "I'm not going to bring it up right away if I ever talk to him, but how about this: When he wakes up again, you ask him out on a date? I'm sure he'd be flattered regardless of whether he agrees to it or not."

This made sense to Brandt, but there were still a few barriers. "Where would I find time to date? I already work every day. I don't even have a place to stay!" he said, his fur fluffing up. He had actually been living at the tavern, paying "rent" to Belle at the end of every week. It was pricey when added over time, but when there was nowhere else to live in the town, he made it work. And, though she'd never openly admit it, she wouldn't just throw him out on the street. Belle scoffed, grinning at him. "Since you've gotten up this morning, you've done nothing but talk and think about that Umbreon. Trust me, you'll find the time."

Brandt was quiet for a while, thinking. Emotions were playing in a constant stream on his face, showing just how confused he was and felt. Eventually, he spoke again. "Do you really think I might have a chance with him?" he asked quietly. Belle, always honest, shrugged. "I don't know, not for sure. But there's only one way to find out." She inclined her head towards the stairs and winked at him, standing up and heading back towards the bar. She had to clean up.

And he had an Umbreon to talk to.

-!-

Darius yawned, rolling over gently on his cot. Around him was the wool blanket, lying loosely. He was warm, and he was comfortable. He definitely didn't want to move. Still, he was awake now, and with consciousness came his usual flood of thoughts and memories. He instinctively tensed up as he remembered the prior night's events. How he had blacked out in the woods. How he had awoken to a Luxio doing what he could to, of all things, help him. How they had confided in one another their angers, their pains… How they had fallen asleep together…

Looking around the room, he actually began to panic slightly when he couldn't spy Brandt. Had he abandoned him too? Then, as he stepped onto the floor beneath him and the wood creaked, he remembered where Brandt had said he was. Starr Tavern. Maybe Brandt had just gone downstairs to let him sleep? If that was the case, he'd better find him.

Stretching, he turned, crossing the room and nosing his way out of it. The hallway was dark, and he didn't hear anything from the other rooms around him. Perhaps he was alone? For an Umbreon, he had never really liked the night and the dark as much as the day and the light. The moon was nice, but nocturnal nature be damned, it was a lot easier on everyone for him to be up in the morning.

He began to make his way down the stairs, pausing at the bottom when he heard voices. There was Brandt, he could tell from the tone, and a female he didn't recognize. At first, his ears couldn't make out what was said, but then Brandt's voice became clearer. "…Have a chance with him?"

This only confused Darius even more. Chance with who? "I don't know, not for sure. But there's only one way to find out." said the female. It was then that Darius chose to step out, looking over to the table where Brandt sat. He was finishing up the bowl in front of him, a distracted look on his face. A human, probably the female, was busy scrubbing away at the counter with a rag. She looked up as Darius entered the common room, and smiled. "Well, speak of the devil. Didn't think you'd be up for a while yet."

"I uh... got cold…" he said, deflecting the question as he eyed Brandt. The Luxio had looked up, and was watching as he made his way towards his table with embarrassment. Darius ducked his head shyly, climbing up into the seat across from Brandt.

After a moment of silence, he looked up, finding Brandt still watching him. There was a light concern in his eyes, though it made Darius nervous as his yellow eyes searched him. "Are you alright?" asked Brandt, pushing his bowl with a paw towards him. Darius took the offer, smiling briefly before dipping his head and lapping at the water.

"I am, thanks. I was a little disoriented when I woke up, but past that, no problems."

"And your scratches?" pressed Brandt. "Are they bothering you any?" Darius looked down at himself, confused. Sure enough, there were a few scratches on him. One near his left forepaw, and two across his chest.

"I didn't actually realize I was hurt." he said, giggling lightly. "Didn't feel them at all!" Brandt breathed a sigh of relief, smiling with him.

"Then I guess Belle's whiskey treatment worked, if there's no infection."

"Belle?" asked Darius.

"You called?" asked the female, her raised voice coming from behind the bar. She held a bottle of mead in one hand and was in the process of placing it on the shelf behind her. Brandt giggled now, and nodded towards her. "That's Belle. She owns the place, and she actually helped clean you up."

Darius's mouth opened slightly, and he hopped down from the table, walking over to the bar. "Hey, Miss Belle? Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure, if you don't ever call me 'Miss Belle' again." she said, stepping out from behind the bar and crouching down to his level. "What's up?"

Darius didn't say anything, but surprised both Belle and Brandt as he nuzzled against her leg. "Thank you, Belle. I know you don't even know me, but thank you. I could have died if you didn't allow me to stay here." he said, his voice quiet. Belle stuttered, trying desperately to figure out a response to that.

"N-no problem. I think?"

Brandt laughed, hopping down and stopping beside Darius, watching as the Umbreon continued to nuzzle her. "Well, that's a first. I don't think I've ever seen someone leave Belle at a loss for words. Much less get away with touching her!"

At that, Darius sprang back, likely as embarrassed as Belle was red in the face. "OhmyArceusI'msosorryIjust-"

Belle raised a hand, clamping it over his mouth. "Don't worry about it, Darius. It's fine." She shot a dirty look at Brandt, her eyes narrowed even as her blush faded. Though she didn't say it, he could see it in her eyes. She was going to get him back. Darius mmphed into her hand, and as she pulled away, shook, looking down. "I'm serious, Belle. Thank you. I owe you, so… anything I can do around here?"

And again, Belle was bewildered. "I don't think so..? You don't have to do anything for me, Darius. Just stay alive, be a paying customer, and we're good."

But if Darius was anything, he was stubborn.

He shook his head, placing a paw insistently on her leg again. "At least let me do some work for you? Earn my keep? I don't like to go without paying people I owe back."

She began to say no again, but at the sad look in his eyes, she paused. Finally, she acquiesced, running a hand through her hair. "You and Brandt both, I swear… The freaking death of me…"

Hope began to appear in his eyes and his breath paused. "Is that a yes?"

"Yeah, it is. You can work around the bar for room and food. Errands and such too." Darius beamed, letting out a woop and nuzzling her with renewed force. She pushed him away, turning pink as she giggled. "No more of that, too. Are you going to be staying with Brandt, or do you want your own room?"

"Brandt sleeps here too?" asked Darius, turning to look at the male.

He nodded, confirming it. "Belle is a lot sweeter than she wants to appear to be. Same doesn't go for the rest of the town though. When we get you set up, I'll show you around, so you can run those errands."

Ignoring her second look of declared war, he smiled, nosing the Umbreon. "Don't worry Darius. As hard as life might have been for you, things are going to start looking up from here on out, as they have been for me."

That drew a smile out of Darius, and he nodded. Though none of them seemed to notice, his rings were growing brighter and brighter. He wasn't happy, per say, but he was more content than he had been in a long time. Maybe he could even dare to hope that Brandt was right. "So, what happens now?" he asked, looking at both Brandt and Belle in turn. "Where will I stay?"

"Like I said before, you'll sleep in one of the upstairs rooms." answered Belle, wiping her hands on her apron. "There're only six rooms counting my bedroom and the one you will occupy, plus Brandt's room. That leaves three for any visitors or travelers. Not that we get many around here. Question is," she added, "Which one will you be staying in? You can have your own if you want it, or…"

"You could stay in my room with me." finished Brandt. He prayed that the hopeful tone wasn't discernable in his voice; but thankfully, Belle chose that moment to interject herself.

"Right. And if you do that, costs can be split between you two." she said, eying them both. "Would be easier for you two, but less so for me. That is, if you two didn't mind sharing. Brandt clearly doesn't, so it falls on you to decide." She narrowed her gaze, nodding towards the now embarrassed Luxio.

Darius nodded, sitting back to think. His ears twitched gently, rising and falling with the thought of the two options weighing in his head. Finally, he smiled, nosing Brandt gently. "Thank you for the offer, but I think it'd be better if I took my own room. I don't want to bother you with my antics."

Brandt began to blurt out that he didn't mind in the slightest, but stopped himself just short, literally biting his tongue. While he really didn't mind, he was going to follow Belle's advice; no need for Darius to think of him any differently than as a friend. Instead, he smiled, dipping his head. "It's fine, I don't mind. You do what you think is best."

-!-

An hour later, and Darius was all set up in his new room. They had used the same one as the night before, assuming it would be easier for all involved for him to stay where he was most familiar. The ring of wool still lying on the cot worked like a small nest for the Umbreon; it wasn't a burrow, but if he was alone, he'd be warm. Though, the room still seemed bare, unless you counted the candle as decoration. That in mind, Brandt had proposed to him that he use some decoration from Brandt's room, and make the place feel a little more "cozy", as Brandt put it. Like before, Darius just wouldn't have it.

He stared stubbornly back at the Luxio in front of him, matching Brandt's own exasperation. "I said no, Brandt. I'm not going to just keep taking charity here!"

"But why?" pressed Brandt, almost whining. "Don't think of it as charity, think of it as a gift! It's too dangerous for you to be out and about right now anyways!" The fact was true enough in Brandt's eyes. The townspeople didn't like, and certainly didn't trust, dark types.

Darius pointed an accusing glare at him. "You just don't want me to get hurt. I told you Brandt, I'm fine. You don't have to treat me like a kit." he said, leveling his same argument as before. Brandt let out a sigh, dropping his head.

"It's not that, Darius. You're new here. You don't know what it can be like some days, and what it is like others. You're a dark type."

"But so are you, Brandt. What makes you different than me?" asked Darius. He didn't sound as angry as before, but still annoyed. In his eyes, it didn't make sense for Brandt to be out and about, but not him.

"What makes me different is the fact that I'm not fully a dark type. I may have been born with it, but I'm supposed to be an electric type only. They can use me for some things. But I still can't go some places without crap being thrown at me. I don't even think they trust me that much. I'm a paying customer, and that seems all they care about."

Darius appeared shocked, ears twitching nervously at his words. "Even so... I'd still like to be able to go out. If I'm with you, wouldn't that help?"

Brandt seemed to consider it for a moment. The back of his mind nagged at him, pushing the thought that it almost sounded like a date. But he shoved it down, forcing himself to think of the practicality of the idea. It could work... He nodded, repeating his thoughts. "It could work, at least around the edges of town. It's still definitely dangerous, but if we avoided the center..."

"Why the center? What's there?" asked Darius. Brandt appeared disturbed, fur ruffling up as if preparing for a fight. Anxiety came off of him in waves as he looked up to the Umbreon, and Darius could see trepidation and almost outright fear in his eyes. "The church, Darius. A dark type's nightmare."

And a nightmare it was. His fears were correct, as they should be for all dark types. The entire town was religious, but the outside edges, including where Brandt and Darius stayed, was more tolerant. That tolerance faded the closer and closer you grew to the center. The church itself, a high pillared building with an even higher steeple, was dressed in ornate purple and gold filigree. There were ministers that stood in front of the church, night and day, preaching their scriptures, even if no one was around. It was an impressive marvel of engineering, and certainly didn't seem to belong in such a town.

A nod to humbleness that the church leaders themselves didn't have. As impressive as the entire building was, it seemed a beacon of despair to any dark type that so much as passed through. If he or she wasn't covered, or was reported to the authority in the church for so much as looking at a human the wrong way, mob mentality took over. The "demon" would be run out of town, stoned to death, or even worse, burned at the stake in the name of repentance for a crime not committed.

Brandt was right to fear the church. But he paid, and he stayed away from their church, so they didn't bother him. Life had been easier for him when he was a Shinx, and just an electric type. But the moment he evolved, all of his "friends" turned on him.

Darius let out a shiver, looking down. He wasn't sure what was exactly bothering Brandt about a church, of all things. But from the look in his eyes, he didn't want to find out. "Um... The edges it is. When can we go?"

Satisfied but still nervous, Brandt's tail flicked as he thought it over, taking into account the time of day and the day of the week. About noon on Sunday, so if they moved quickly, they could get to a few stalls and grab a blanket and candles for his room before noon services let out. The less people that knew Darius was around, the better. But if he wanted anything more, like food, that would require going a little farther into town.

Something that Brandt would not allow him to do, regardless of whether he went with him or not.

"If we're going to go today, the best time would probably be right now." he said, answering Darius. "But are you absolutely sure you're up for this? I don't want something to happen and me not be able to get you out of there."

The Umbreon let out a sigh, though it wasn't of annoyance. If he was honest, he didn't mind Brandt's concern, and actually found it kind of sweet. "I'm sure, Brandt." he said, reaching out and brushing a paw across Brandt's nose. "If anyone sees me and says something, we can leave. I understand why you're worried, but try not to overthink it."

Though worry still ate at Brandt, he smiled somewhat at Darius's affectionate touch. He straightened up, stretching out and looking around the room. It was a quiet place; dark as well since the only window faced an alley. And its inhabitant would be Darius, an Umbreon. Hmm... Maybe some dark, rich colors...

"Come on," he said, turning and walking towards the door. "I know just the place to go."

-!-

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