"Rule Number One; Do not get in anyone's way until you are particularly asked for your assistance."
xxxxIt was a long walk on a bumpy road before any viscets came before him. He was adaptable and brought only the necessities, so any kind of shortage was not on his schedule for today. He walked through the newly discovered town on his own, everyone staring at him. Most of those viscets were older, and it seemed this town was behind with modern technology, unlike the one he came from.
A way to welcome a stranger. He said in his head. He returned the stare trying to gather as much information as he could. It didn't take him a minute to conclude this was not a place for him, and he'd be leaving by next sunrise. They didn't have any hotels, but he found an inn nearby. People still stared at him, but he had better things to do now than to care. He expected to be welcomed with an intense smell of alcohol and stupidly false cheers of joy, but it was a rather clean and organized place. He took a quick look around and came close to the check-in desk.
xxxxBecause of his size, he already looked much older than he actually was. And the glasses added to the effect as well. He had to wear them since childhood. His parents always said he was born with an eye defect, but after doing some research, he found something surprising. He couldn't find any viscling pictures of himself before the point he got them. It always bothered him to have an unsolved mystery on his burden, but he managed to slip it off his mind. The receptionist was a nice lady even though they were forced to be. He spoke in the deeper voice than he usually has and she didn't suspect a thing. He said he wanted a room to overnight and she replied with a smile and some kind comments. Nice lady indeed. The first one in this town that wasn't staring at him strangely.
"And what's your name, sir?"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Your name, sir."
"Ah, it's Or... Pheus. Orpheus."
xxxxHe couldn't let her know his real name. If anyone would come searching for him, they couldn't know. And the name sounded suitable, but he would never turn his head back to the old ways. He chose this new life, and he might as well keep to it.
"That's a nice name. My parents were also crazed about those Greek old names. Pheobe, nice to meet you."
xxxxShe spoke with confidence, and her tone changed as she slipped out of her usual greetings. He was left surprised, as he was not expecting such an answer. She noticed he won't reply and continued the conversation, and Orpheus wasn't stopping her.
"I hate working in this place. And you seem like a great guy so I dunno, if you wanna... Hang out today?"
xxxxHe had an entire day to waste on nothing here, so he chose to rather waste it with someone possibly worth while than rotting away in some crappy old innroom.
"That'd be rather pleasing."
"Great! I'll be free this evening around 8. Meet me around the corner, and don't be late!"
xxxxShe winked and him and gestured at a line of viscets and travelers behind him, waiting to get their rooms. He apologized and rushed for a search of his room. It was on the second floor, the highest this building had. And it was quite decent, passing all his expectations. Something was weird about this place, but he consoled himself with the fact this is his first time in a foreign city. He leaned on the cold wall as he sat on the bed, taking a deep breath and sighing. The scarf around his neck stood as a reminder of the life and people he left behind. His brother found it in some old wardrobe down in the cellar while he was scheming with red and blue markers on a dusty whiteboard next to him. That night Oren concluded having a set of rules that are never to be broken is the best way to keep you stable and consistent at all times. He never got to make the list because Cay got hurt falling from the top shelf. He told him countless times to be careful and not to play with his health, but he ceased to listen. Good thing, he was ok and he found that scarf he kept wearing everywhere. He believed it brought him luck. Orpheus, however, didn't trust that superstition. He believed in love it represented, so he took it that night he escaped to be a constant reminder. It seemed to be working more than fine.
xxxxHe took a nap as he was exhausted from a tiring walk last night. It already felt like it happened years ago, not hours. He stood in front of a mirror already, fixing up his fur. He was excited about this, never before was he asked on a date. He still had some time left until eight, but he decided to get there either way. It can't possibly hurt to come a few minutes early, can it now? He rushed down the stairs to see the reception was closed. She should be there any minute now.
xxxxHe waited for some time leaning on the wall on the white building outside. He was lost in his mind, thinking about what he will do once he gets away from this place.
This is not a date of any kind, just making my time here more bearable. Do not get attached. He repeated in his head pushing some rocks on the ground here and there. A two shady, seemingly older viscets passed by him, heading behind the inn. They were deeply invested in their conversation, and one of them seemed to have dropped something. He took a chance and rushed to pick it up. It was a wallet. The two figures quickly turned as they heard him following.
"Ou, what do you have there, boy?"
xxxxThey didn't seem to happy.
"Oh, no, no. I was just about to return this to you. It fell as you were walking by."
"Is that so?"
xxxxThe other one replied. Orpheus found their faces rather... Disgusting. They came closer to him, not listening to a word he said. One fist flew right in his face, and it was the most hurtful thing he has ever felt in his life. At this point, he didn't bother to listen to them either.
"Take your stupid wallet. With that shade faces and quick temper, I would be surprised if you actually had more than a dollar in it."
xxxxHe threw it behind the two and took the distraction to run away. What a great way to start his journey. He didn't even bother to stay. He went into his room and packed up. Seems like he'd be leaving much sooner than he thought.
