Concluding his much needed rinsing, Zeb kept in mind to notify Glass via a note about his soon departure to Janko's residence.
He dries off quick thanks to his short fur, slipping into his vibrant wear, very delighted to feel refreshed inside and out. He is still fairly shook from what possibly happened last night, but well enough to proceed normally.
Zeb puts away his night clothes in a hamper against a wall, looking up and noticing his dark grey straw hat hanging beside it. He uses the hat on overly sunny days, for both fashion and function. It dawns a cream colored stripe with a long feather in the stripe, sticking out from the side, facing back.
He considers putting the cap on, taking a quick look out his window to determine if the sun will blister harshly. "It doesn't seem that bright out," Zeb attentively thought. "Maybe it's not a hat type of day."
His eyes drift down, laying on the resting Sorrova, her fur glistening in the sunshine. Zeb couldn't help but smile at the view.
"She had such a horrible day yesterday. Sure, I'm still very nervous around her, but at the same time, I'm happy she's getting the rest she deserves. Her breathing is steady. Gentle. It's so-"
Zeb shakes his head, shifting thoughts. "I don't have the time to just be standing here. I need to see Janko and ask him if he can help Glass. It's only the right thing to do, after all she did for me."
He put on his boots, grab his keys by their ends, carefully pick up his coin pouch from it's side, and step out of his tenement with confidence. Once his front door is quietly closed and locked, he descends down several flights of stairs, adjusting the items he has on hand.
The bag of coins latches tightly to the front-right side of Zeb's belt, and his keys slide into his left pocket effortlessly.
While heading to the main lobby, bright beams of sunlight blind Zeb, making him put an arm over his forehead so he can better see where he's headed.
"Why do I keep making the worst decisions."
Passing through the tavern on the bottom floor, Zeb arrives at the front desk of the lobby, greeted by a polite, abundantly exhausted Shintuln receptionist.
"Good morning," Zeb said softly with an honest smile, "How are you doing?"
The canid smiles back, appreciating the simple kindness given to her. "Not all bad, thanks for asking! Now, what can I do for you?"
"I would like today's newspaper, a quill, and a small blank paper slip, please."
"Hey, you're in luck! The newspapers just came in before you did! Let me grab all that real quick."
The receptionist hand Zeb his requested goods after a short moment. He reaches for his pouch, but the girl stops him. "There's no need to pay, it's on the house this time."
Zeb thanks her enthusiastically, writing a note for Glass on the blank slip, returning the quill back to the worker after he finished. The note informs that he intends to meet up with his cousin to salvage what's left of his crank engine, and he will most likely will return with Janko before midday. The note also mentions to enjoy the newspaper and snack provided.
Before heading back to his tenement, Zeb enters the tavern again, ordering two apples. As he walks back up the seven flights of stairs, he got an aggressive reminder from the sun to bring his hat before leaving his home again.
With patient and careful movements, the delicate bovani lays out what he got for his snoozing companion nicely beside his bed. He kept an apple for himself, wanting something in his system while he was out.
Setting his hat atop his head, and taking a napkin to keep tidy, he locks the door behind him, off to visit the only person he knows who can help him in the predicament he wound up in.
Walking through Artisan's Ramp, a few crank engines drove by Zeb. He felt nothing but sorrow looking at them, knowing that it may take months before he can fix his beloved vehicle, if he can even find most of it's components.
He takes a big bite out of his apple to make himself feel better. It only helped a little.
Finishing up his fruit, his mood improves as he pressed on. Zeb arrives at his destination much quicker than he thought it would take him. Janko's house was expansive, easily paid off after countless battles in and out of court.
Zeb wipes his mouth with his napkin, throwing away his waste in a nearby trash container, stepping up to his cousin's front door. He takes a deep breath, putting all his good intentions into knocking the door, awaiting a response.
"I really hope he's free...I know he's always willing to be there for me, but he gets so busy most of the time. He's the only person I know who can get me and Glass through all of this madness. Without him, I don't know what I'll do.."
Anxiety swells throughout Zeb again, haunting hypotheticals forming in rapid succession. He is more than understanding if Janko has other obligations to tend to, but he doesn't want to disappoint his friend in desperate need either.
The contorting worries branch out in a moments notice. "Would Janko even believe me? What if he thinks I've lost my mind? And if Janko does trust what I say, do I tell him about what happened last night?"
Before his thoughts worsen, Janko graciously opens the door, greeting his kin with a passionate smile.
"Ah, cousin! What a lovely surprise seeing you so early in the morning! What brings you here at such a time, hm?"
Most of Zeb's troubled imaginations melt away at Janko's energetic greeting. He stands straight, taking a moment to collect himself, a grin growing fast on his muzzle.
"G-Good morning, Janko! To be honest, I have a lot on my mind, and I was wondering if you could help me sort some of it out-if you aren't busy with anything else, of course."
Janko nods instantly, having no doubt in his mind to support his relative then and there. "Why, of course! Please come in, we can discuss what bothers you while I finish preparing my breakfast!"
"Thank you, I really appreciate you being able to help right away," Zeb proclaims with a peace-filled sigh.
"Not a problem at all! You know I care for you any time of day!" Janko pats Zeb's shoulder, doing his best to comfort his orange counterpart.
As Janko completes his meal's creation, Zeb relays all of what happened since he met Glass, omitting any details after initially falling sleep. Janko takes it in at face value, not having any reason to disregard Zeb's word.
"That is a lot for one man to handle," Janko chimed in once Zeb concluded. "Though, I think you are quite noble for going out of your way to look after her, let alone clothe and shelter her in your own home!"
Zeb nods slowly, answering off the top of his head. "It was only fair that I gave her a place to stay after she saved my life."
"Besides...her company is very pleasant," Zeb thought to himself as an addendum, making sure he didn't say it out loud, knowing Janko would tease him for it if he did.
Janko then offers to make a bigger serving of his breakfast so Zeb can eat with him. "Yes please, that would be great," Zeb exclaims with unfiltered glee.
Once the meal was complete, the two Bovanis pray to their respective deities before dining. In the middle of their meal, Zeb shyly asks if Janko would be able to assist retrieving his crank engine remains that lie in the west woods.
Dabbing his mouth with a handkerchief, Janko responds with a chuckle. "I was waiting for that one! Sure, let's head to the workshop right after we're done eating - it's rude to keep a lady waiting, after all~"
"Oh, Shama Lees," Zeb scoffs under his breath, rolling his eyes.
Janko giggles a little more to himself, taking one last bite of his food. "Before we head out, would you mind telling me how much that delivery was supposed to earn you?"
"Hm? Why do you ask?" Zeb asks surprised, not expecting that to be one of Janko's potential questions this morning.
"I know you aren't the wealthiest Siltrian around, so I figured I could hand you the money you were owed from that job!"
Zeb almost couldn't believe the generosity Janko provided. "M-My goodness, I don't even know what to say!"
"How about 'yes?'" Janko says in a playful yet earnest tone, his luscious mustache's ends pointing up high from his grin.
"Okay, then! Yes! Thank you so, so much! I can't even imagine how I'll repay you!"
Picking up their empty plates, Janko shakes his head. "Don't you worry about it one bit. I just like keeping things in order."
Janko sets the plates away to wash later, leaving the room for a couple of minutes to grab his coin pouch and trusty blade. He hands Zeb the offered currency, Zeb thanking him again before heading to the closest workshop.
On their way, Zeb continues to talk about Glass, since she is front and center in his mind. He speaks highly of her, realizing that he is very fond of who she is, odd quirks and all. Before long, they reach the workshop, explaining the situation to the staff.
In no time, some of the workshop employees voyage with the two to the woods in their own crank engines, finding a lot of Zeb's engine parts on the main road. Janko covers the cost of the workers' manual labor, leading Zeb to thank him once more.
"What are you, a Ceveran? No need to thank me at every turn!" Most of the workers laugh at Janko's jab, including a Ceveran. Zeb awkwardly laughs it off, feeling embarrassed by the predicament.
The workers and Bovani duo split ways shortly after. The workshop crew haul back the engine remains to their establishment to start repairing what they retrieved. Zeb and Janko head back to the former's home, scaling up the stories again.
As they draw near the tenement, Zeb's anxiety creeps back, intensifying with each step. He is heavily concerned if Glass and Janko would get along, among the other worries he's been ruminating about at nauseam.
He hides his struggle decently well, not wanting to bother his cousin more than he already had that morning. "I already asked so much from him. I can do this part on my own. I have to," Zeb repeats in his thoughts.
Despite the nerves, Zeb sees a silver lining. He kept Glass's kindness and heroic deeds in mind, knowing that aiding her through her journey is the right thing to do. He can overcome his fears, help her find her friend, and accustom her to life in Siltria.
He can be a friend to her. A real friend. Not just a bystander who put their lives in danger. Not just her roommate who feeds and clothes her. Someone she can rely on. Someone she can be comfortable with. Someone who can make her smile, fangs and all.
Zeb wants to be one of those someones, even if it takes all of his strength.
Confronted with his room's door, he unlocks it with slight hesitation. He takes a deep breath, hand on the handle, preparing himself for what's to come with one final thought.
"Glass...I trust you."