Outsiders -- Rahal / Errol

[clementine]

Errol cast Rahal a bemused glance when the boy finally spoke. "Well, he started, taking a hold of Rahal's hand in the process. "They'll be pleased I think, at least when I introduce you to them. I live alone so taking you into my home really isn't any of their business anyways." Errol didn't want Rahal to think he'd go back on his word just because his family disproved. They wouldn't, of course, but there was really no way he could convince Rahal of such a fact until the meeting actually took place.

"I have two brothers," he added, "both younger than myself. Speaking of, how old are you anyways, Rahal? I'd forgotten to ask before." He'd been too busy kissing the boy senseless, he reminded himself.

[Ephemerality]

Rahal seemed reassured when the other answered him, and even more pleased to hear the other lived alone. He'd just become accustomed to living in a small household, and this way, he didn't have to worry as much about not being liked by the other's family. And hey, that meant he would get Errol to himself more often, didn't it? That was definitely a plus.

"Nineteen, more or less. I'm not exactly sure when I was born. My parents abandoned me shortly after I was born," He explained, in a rather neutral tone. It was just something that he'd spent so much time dwelling on already that it didn't bother him anymore except on rare occasions. "What about you?" He returned the question.

[clementine]

Errol leaned in and nipped the side of Rahal's jaw before soothing the hurt away with a flick of his tongue. He didn't want Rahal to feel badly about anything. "Well, you're apart of my family now. My parents are yours, alright?" He didn't want Rahal to think he'd be excluded or pointed at just because he was different. If anything, Errol's family would smother the boy knowing his past.

"I'm twenty five," Errol replied flippantly once he'd pulled away again. "An old man to you, I guess," he half teased, giving Rahal's hand a squeeze.

((should we time skip to them entering the city for the first time?))

[Ephemerality]

(Yeah, that'd probably be best. I'll go ahead and start the skip in my post~)

"Thanks," He said sincerely at the other's words, leaning in closer so that he was nearly pressed up against the other's side -- just enough so that they could both keep walking without any trouble. But just as soon as the sweetness came, it was followed by a teasing follow up, "Geez, you really are old." He grin, nose wrinkling slightly as he added, "But you look good for your age."

The elder bearer simply hung back a bit from the other two as he followed along, not struggling to keep up but simply wanting to give the two some space. He idly watched as they continued through the forest, glad to see that the albino boy seemed genuinely happy. Such a sight had been far too rare back in the village, and now Rahal had smiled more during this walk than the elder was sure he'd seen him smile his whole life.

Once they finally reached the outskirts of the city, Rah drew closer still to the daemon. His heart was pounding in both nervousness and excitement as he began to see the shapes of the buildings and whatnot. Once they were even closer, he had just about pressed himself entirely into the other's side.

"This is it?" He asked as he exhaled, looking up at Errol.

[clementine]

"Ssh, it's alright," Errol assured, wrapping his arm protectively around Rahal's waist and holding the boy closer still. He pressed his face into Rahal's soft white hair, rubbing his nose in it. "There is nothing to fear from the city." He could practically see Rahal's pulse jumping out against his neck and hoped the reaction wasn't all from fear. "There will defintely be new and exciting things," he added in assurance. "Don't let it get the best of you." It made him wonder if Rahal had ever seen a transport before. How sheltered had the boy been?

Firmly setting his mind to get the worst over with, he started down the short incline that lead down towards the city. He never let go of Rahal, continuing to keep the boy close. Very soon, the buildings started to loom out of the darkness, finally taking shape. It was a nice part of the city at least and thankfully it was quiet. Due to the hour, not many were out and Errol was grateful there was no transport traffic that they'd have to dodge.

He assured Rahal the entire way, also looking behind himself to see that IIija was alright as well as he led them both to his condo.

[Ephemerality]

Rahal was comforted by the other's words, though the thought of the city still made him nervous. But he knew that the daemon wouldn't let anything happen to him. Once they finally made it into the city, the nerves seemed to turn to just.. bewilderment. He'd never even gotten close enough to the end of the forest to begin to see the city. It was just another place he'd had no interest in wandering to before the daemon had come along. But now that he was actually seeing it with his own eyes, he had no idea what to make of it.

"Everything's so.. different," He muttered quietly, looking around. Behind them, Ilija laughed to himself, shaking his head.

"I believe different is putting it lightly," The older bearer mused, seeming to be not nearly as affected by the wonders of the city as the younger boy was. Still, it was hard to tell with that reserved, subdued nature of his.

"Do you live in one of these.. things?" Rahal asked Errol, turning slightly to indicate one of the buildings that looked to be some kind of store, "But it's on the ground.. Isn't that kind of dangerous?"

[clementine]

Errol chuckled, giving Rahal's hand a squeeze. He then reached for IIija's hand as well so they were now all connected. He knew it wasn't his place to try to be there for IIija, but the bearer was alone and it was his duty as a giver to be...well, a giver.

"It's not dangerous living on the ground," he explained as they continued walking. "We have locks on the doors and windows and the walls are nearly impossible to break through. There are no wild creatures here that you have to worry about, only other people like you and I." Smiling warmly at Rahal, he hoped he had soothed some of the boy's worries. "If it makes you feel better though, my home is six stories up."

It wasn't long until they came upon the tall and elaborate condominium. Errol led both bearers inside, nodding to the doorman and ignoring the male's strange look. Not wanting to walk six stories, he let go of IIija's hand to press the button for the elevator. "This is called an elevator and will take us up to my home. It uses a pully system to put it simply. Do you understand?" He asked as they waited for the doors of the elevator to ding open.

[Ephemerality]

Ilija looked a bit surprised by the gesture of reassurance, but his expression softened into quiet gratitude once the initial surprise faded. Rahal turned his head slightly to look at the other bearer, only to smile when he saw that he'd joined the line of hand-holding. They must have looked odd, but the boy still enjoyed it. Who cared how they looked?

"No wild creatures.. I could get used to that," He admitted with a smirk. Even so, the other's comment about living six floors up still set him even more at ease. Perhaps it was just a majikadai thing, but he loved being high up. Wild animals or not, it made him feel safer to be off the ground regardless.

The elevator that they arrived at shortly after, though, was yet another contraption that the boy didn't quite understand at first glance. But he more or less got the idea as Errol explained in, and Ilija was the one to speak up.

"My father brought me to the city once when I was younger. I remember these," He admitted with a bemused smile, eyebrows raising when the elevator dinged softly and opened, "Of course, I was convinced it was magic when I was that age, but pulleys make a lot more sense."

[clementine]

"You've been to the city before?" Errol asked in surprised as he ushered the two bearers into the elevator. Once the door closed, he fell silent for a moment, allowing for them to enjoy the ride up. He hoped the two, Rahal especially, liked his home. It was clean for a bachelor pad and with ample space. He just hoped the adjustment of the tribesmen went smoothly.

"Here we are." The doors dinged open and Errol grinned, leading the way to the only door in the hallway. It was sometimes nice to have a famous scientist father. Fumbling with the keypad by the door, Errol finally punched in the proper number and the door swung inward. The condo was cool and silent for the most part, the whir of the air conditioner the only noise. Sighing at the familiarity of the place, Errol toed off his shoes.

"I hope it's okay," Errol added over his shoulder, grinning at Rahal and IIija.

((lol so how old is IIija?))

[Ephemerality]

(Whoops. Forgot it was my turn. D: But uhm, I envision him somewhere around his late 50's. Maybe 57-ish.)


"Yes, once. My father was a daemon from the city, like yourself," Ilija answered, "Except he chose to live with my mother in the forest in secret. He wanted to return to the city, which was why he brought us, but it didn't settle well with neither me nor my mother."

"You never told me you've been to the city," Rahal muttered, the slightest hint of hurt in his voice at the secret as he stepped inside the elevator. Ilija simply smiled.

"Didn't want to put ideas in your head. The city can be a dangerous place for our kind," He stated, paused, before nodding to Errol, "Without the proper guide, of course."

The white-haired boy seemed to accept the answer, though he was just a tad bit annoyed that the elder hadn't shared the information with him. But he could understand. There had been more than a few occasions where Rah had reached the breaking point and threatened to wander off on his own, only being convinced to stay by the much more rational bearer.

Once they exited the elevator and reached the door, the boy was even more fascinated. What was the other doing, pressing those.. buttons? It all made no sense whatsoever to him, and the door suddenly swinging open made him jump lightly. But just as quickly, he settled, flushing a bit at his own jumpiness.

"It's.. big," Rah commented as he stepped inside, mouth falling open slightly as he looked around. Their own home at the village had, in its entirety, been more cramped than the living room alone.. Talk about overwhelming. He turned, looking back to Errol, "And you live here alone?"

[clementine]

Errol chuckled at Rahal's reaction to all the news things, enjoying the male's inquisitiveness. "It's big enough for three I guess. We can always move later," he assured, following a little behind Rah. Errol was about to explain more about the condo and give the grand tour when an scent that didn't belong in his condo hit his nose. Unable to identify it immediately, Errol bared his teeth and lept in front of Rahal, pushing both him and IIija protectively behind him.

The demon paused for a moment, taking in the darkened living space and searching for any hint or sound of movement. Errol took another deep breath, scenting the air. He tensed at a sudden noise coming from the bathroom and nearly lept on the figure that emerged from it. How he managed to stay where he was and not kill the male on the spot he'd never know.

"Oh, Errol!" Drihan cried in shock. The large giver was wrapped in nothing but a towel as he stood in the doorway of the bathroom, thick rolls of steam gushing out around him. "You told me you wouldn't be back for another month!" The male brushed his thick dreds out of his face and went cautiously over to Errol.

"And that gives you the right to break into my condo," Errol all but shouted. "For zerca's sake Drihan I almost killed you!" Despite his anger, Errol had relaxed obviously, moving out of the way for Rahal and IIija to enter once again.

"Not my fault you're all wound up. Though to be honest, I would be too if I brought home some gorgeous bearers. One not enough for yah," Drihan teased as he inspected the unfamiliar faces. The white haired youth was pretty enough but far to young for him. The elder though, well, he looked to be about Drihan's own age, which was nice. "How'd you get two majikadai to leave their tribesmen?"

"None of your business," Errol groaned, scrubbing his hand across his face. "Rahal, IIija, this pants less idiot is Drihan. He's that majikadai I mentioned before. However now that I think of it, he's not a good role model at all." He punctuated his statement why thwacking the old man across his bare chest.

[Ephemerality]

Rahal didn't quite know how to respond to the other's answer to his amazed questions. The man didn't know if they would be able to fit three people in this place? Hell, Rahal was sure a family of four from his tribe could've lived comfortably in the living room alone. Living space in the canopy hadn't exactly been abundant, anyway.

He opened his mouth to reassure the other that it was more than enough when the demon seemed to suddenly be on edge. The sudden change put the boy instantly on edge himself, his good arm instinctively slipping down to the knife still tucked away on his hip. Ilija also seemed to go rigid at the sudden hint of danger, though he made no move for a weapon. Not that he even carried any, considering he'd never been of the fighting type. Yet as soon as the other majikadai emerged from the bathroom, the tension seemed to dissolve and, slowly, Rah and Ilija both relaxed.

"It's not like that," Rahal began to protest at the new majikadai's teasing of Errol, cheeks becoming lightly flushed at the indirect compliment. Yet the older male beside him only offered a small, amused smile at the boy's protest. When the introductions were made, he was the first to give a nod of recognition and speak.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Ilija said, tone friendly, "And a relief to see that our kind can indeed adapt to the city." He smiled, "Though to be honest, I still have my doubts."

"We'll get used to it, I'm sure," The albino boy stated, paused, then added, "I think so, anyway." He looked between Drihan and Ilija momentarily, before his attention finally settled on the giver, "Like Ilija said, though, it's nice to meet you."

[clementine]

Drihan laughed and shook his damp dreds out. "Isn't it loveling? Nice to meet you both though." He asked Rahal with a wink, only to earn a growl and a shove from Errol.

"Keep your eyes to yourself Drihan and for the gods sake but some damned pants on!" Errol looped a protective arm around Rahal and drew the boy into the curve of his body. He nuzzled against the youth's white air, more to calm himself down than anything else. "Come on, I'll show you two the free bedrooms while SOMEONE gets dressed."

"Yeah, yeah," Drihan scoffed as he walked behind Errol. Out of the male's eyesight, he tossed IIija a smile and made an Errol-is crazy- motion with his hand before he disappeared into one of the guest bedrooms to retrieve his clothes.

"Now that that's over," Errol groaned, "I can finish showing you two around. You coming IIija," he called over his shoulder as he headed further into the condo, intent on showing the two bearers the layout.

[Ephemerality]

Both of the bearers couldn't help but laugh at the show, Rahal stifling it against Errol's side as he was pulled in. As much as the other majikadai seemed to annoy Errol at the moment, he seemed nothing less than charming and amusing to the white-haired boy. And doubly so to the older bearer. As Errol and Rah started off towards the bedrooms, Drihan pulled Ilija's attention away with his subtle teasing, earning a rare grin from the man. It only faded when he seemed to be caught in his dawdling, his head turning to look back to the oher two.

"Of course," He answered, giving the other majikadai one last nod before hurrying after the other two.

Rah watched as he caught up before turning his attention back to Errol, pressing up further against his side as they were led further into the condo, eyes wandering about everywhere. Only in hindsight did something occur to him.

The other had said he'd show them to the bedrooms.. Did that mean he wouldn't be sharing the same room as Errol? Wait, why was he even thiking about such a thing? Of course he would have his own room. The albino boy had only just met the man, and it would've been.. weird to just assume they'd share a bed, no matter how cuddled up they were. But still, the logical side of him wasn't having much luck getting rid of the disappointed feeling settling over him.

"So, um.. I get my own room?" He finally asked, tone surprisingly even.

[clementine]

Errol pointed out the kitchen and living space, followed by the bathrooms then the bedrooms. At Rahal's question, he paused. He hadn't actually thought of that. Yes, there were three bedrooms, however, the thought of giving Rahal his own didn't sit well with him. Not because he would begrudge the boy it, but because he'd imagined having Rahal sleeping in his arms every night. The thought made him flush and he coughed to cover his discomfort.

"I--," he started, groping for an explanation. "Well, it seems Drihan is gonna be staying for a while," he lied, "and that leaves only two rooms. I guess you could sleep with IIija, I mean, sure that's probably better." Errol's face was beat by this point and he'd nearly bitten through his lip. "Though I was kind of thinking you could stay with me. I my bed." He glanced quickly at IIija and then back to Rahal, his face earnest. Oh, to have his mate in his bed! Things wouldn't get any more perfect if that happened.