That star is the tear of a warrior...

[jupiterjazzman]

The first thing Gren notices is the warmth. It's not just warm, it's hot, though he couldn't swear to whether or not it really was or if it was just by comparison to his memories of snow, and space. He puts a hand to his ribs but the pain is gone, though the iron taste of blood still clings to the back of his tongue. He turns his head to the

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[silvereyedphage]

He might hear footsteps coming around the corner of the porch, approaching, then pausing a few paces away. If he looks in the direction of those footsteps, he'll catch sight of a tall, slim, pale figure, silvery grey hair framing a narrow face. But the hair is shorter, the fringe covering one grey, reptilian eye peering through rimless eyeglasses. And he's dressed in a white, summer-weight business suit, rather than a long grey jacket.

A flicker of confused recognition and doubt shows in the stranger's one visible eye.

The summer warmth has troubled Muraki's sleep, bringing dreams of the world he left behind, the few trusted people there. The long-suffering Oriya in particular. And he wonders if those dreams have become a reality, and somehow, his protector and confidant has found his way to this place...

[jupiterjazzman]

That makes him pause, he hadn't realized he was being obvious and now that it's been acknowledged he realizes that it's a terrible idea. He can't afford to leave himself open like that again. There's nothing to believe in. Nor is there a reason to believe.

"I should get some rest," he says finally, bypassing the comment entirely. "It's been a ...very long day." And it's true, (nearly?) dying can really take it out of you.

[silvereyedphage]

He looks away, head bowed slightly, contrite. "I'm sorry: I did not mean to come on so strong," he says, apologetically. "Shall I leave you to find your way about this place?" he asks, glancing up. "I wouldn't want to discomfort you further after that gaffe."

[jupiterjazzman]

"I'm not uncomfortable," he lies. Though it isn't really Muraki that makes him uncomfortable, at least not entirely. "I would appreciate it if you could still show me where the rooms are."

[silvereyedphage]

"I promise to do that, without further incident," he says, leading the way up to the third floor. "The second floor is rather occupied, but there's several unoccupied rooms on the third floor."

[jupiterjazzman]

Gren follows him quietly up the stairs. "That's not so bad," he says, "my apartment is a walk-up higher than that." He pauses. "Was an walk-up higher than..." He sighs. "This is very confusing."

[silvereyedphage]

"It can be, the first few days after you've arrived here," he admits, leading the way along the hallway, testing latches. "But in time... it will start to feel like a second home."

[jupiterjazzman]

"I'm sure," he murmurs. It's not really true, but then, it's been a long time, since Titan, since Gren has felt like he's had a home at all.

[silvereyedphage]

A latch finally turns for him, and he looks up. "I think I've found a room awaiting you," he says. "I've found a door that's unlatched, but I shall let you do the honors," he says, stepping back and pointing to it, palm up.

[jupiterjazzman]

Gren takes a deep breath as he takes hold of the handle and slowly opens the door. The room that is revealed is...nice, in a plain, impersonal way. It's certainly in much better condition than his shabby little place back on Callisto, but it's lacking the comfortable, lived-in feeling that his photographs and mementos had given it.

"This'll work," is all he says, though. "Thanks, Muraki."

[silvereyedphage]

He bows his head, gracefully and politely. "It was a pleasure to assist you," he replies, careful to hide the hint of regret he can't help feeling.

[jupiterjazzman]

Gren hesitates in the door before going in, and looks back at Muraki. "How should I find you again, if I need any more help with directions?"

[silvereyedphage]

"There is a library on the ground floor: I'm often to be found there," he says. "And if I'm not there, I have an office in the basement of this house, where I also maintain a small clinic."

He can't help hoping that he might see the newcomer soon...

[jupiterjazzman]

"Shouldn't be too hard to find. Though I hope I won't need to see you in a professional capacity." He smiles. "Thanks for your help. I'll see you around."

[silvereyedphage]

"It was a pleasure to assist you," Muraki replies, bowing his head, politely. "And while I take pride in helping my patients, I wouldn't want you to have need of my skills any time soon."

[jupiterjazzman]

"It had better be the library, then." Especially because he might need to look for sheet music or something. Yep. And it couldn't hurt to just be friends, right? Right. It would be nice to have a friend. He steps through the door. "Goodnight, Muraki."