I slept without dreams. A single blink of black, then I woke, the day fading into view.
Rubbing sleep from my eyes, I yawned and rolled over to face the window.
Sunlight screamed through the curtains and I yanked the blankets over my eyes.
I swore to myself this would be the last time I spent the day sleeping, beneath those blankets. Wounds, bruises, broken bones or no, I would face the day early and bright like I was used to. Life was too short to sleep in.
Steeling myself against the brightness of the day, I slowly pulled the blankets down. Pausing halfway through, I rolled away from the window. The room was small enough for me to reach a hand and close the curtain on the window without turning over.
It was time to get used to this place I found myself in.
The city was large, that much could be assumed. Not only from the trip yesterday, but the way people behaved. Likely some sort of capital or large hub. I had to also assume the weapons were fairly primitive, seeing as the guards or militia we'd seen yesterday carried swords.
The strange fish I'd seen stuck out as an oddity, but I was sure a walk around the city would straighten out what kind of world this was in more detail.
One of the strangest things was this man. This Raven. I would need to keep my guard up, or else find myself in trouble. It would be good to find another house, until I had time to learn what kind of man he was.
I decided I would venture out into the city, gather what information I could from the locals, and look for any sort of lodgings and employment I could.
Reaching a hand behind me a rubbing the sore muscles in my neck, I heard soft footsteps outside my door. The door creaked softly, and I saw a slender hand reach around the door and crack it open.
As Raven realised I had woken up, he pushed it open further.
"Sorry to bother you! I thought you may want to wake up before the sun starts to go down." He gave the closed blinds a quick glance. Walking in, he sat at the end of the bed, somehow making room although it was so small I barely fit. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," I said, coughing. "Although I didn't think I'd need this much sleep."
Raven nodded. "You're body's been through it's own piece of hell. It deserves a bit of rest." He smiled and patted my leg. "Well, what are you up to today? You don't seem like the type to sit around."
"You're right," I admitted. "I think I'll take a walk around the city, breathe the fresh air."
"I assumed as much. The wandering pelican can't be kept in a treasure chest!" Raven paused and shook his head. "I forgot, you wouldn't know that story, this side of the ocean. Remind me to tell you about it another day." Standing and stretching, eyeing me over, Raven said, "Just... be careful. That was one nasty wound, and if it rips open again you may not do as well as the first time."
"Thanks for the concern, but I know how to take care of a wound like this." Seeing he his eyes still filled with concern, I assured him. "I won't over-exert myself, I promise."
"Good! I want you to be able to see us perform at the Sienna tonight. The bassist is a stand-in, but she's still fantastic. It would be a shame for you to miss this one."
"I'll be sure to make it," I said.
Raven walked over to the windows and opened the curtains. My eyes adjusted easier to the sunlight, this time. "I'll let you borrow some of Romeo's clothes. You're a similar size, and I'm sure he won't mind."
"There's really no need - " I began.
"I insist! You're a guest here, and, besides, you're not going to do well walking around the city without proper clothes. I bought most of them anyway. I'm sure he won't mind if you borrow them."
"Thank you," I said softly. "I never expected this sort of kindness."
Raven reached down and helped me to my feet, sheets falling to the ground, as my knees pushed themselves forward. "There's just something about you, Icarus. Something... wholesome. I know you wouldn't take advantage of my hospitality."
"Are you always this trusting?" I asked.
"Not usually. But my gut is rarely wrong." He gave me a smile. "Come on. Thunder's made some soup for a late lunch, and he's dying to feed it to somebody since breakfast."
I leaned on Raven's shoulder for the first few steps, but as my legs stretched their muscles, it became easier to walk. Down the stairs, I let Raven walk ahead and I leaned against the wall.
A warm smell wafted its way up the staircase. There is something about the smell of soup that smells like home. No matter where I wake up, it warms the soul and takes me to a place that is safe from the cold.
As the hallway opened up into the kitchen, I saw a huge figure covering a stove. His head nearly touched the ceiling, blond hair pulled back in a knot at the ponytail of his neck. His arm gently moved, and, getting a better look, I saw him wafting the air above a small pot. Tilting his head slightly, his hands took hold of some spices on the counter and measured them out carefully into one palm before sliding them into the pot below.
"Hello," I said, as Raven watched in amusement.
Startled, the giant of a man turned around. "Oh, sorry! I didn't hear you come in," he said, in a rumbling voice.
"No need to apologise," said Raven, waving his hand in the air. "I see you're still finishing up. Should we leave you a little longer?"
The big man blushed and shook his head. "No, I'm all done, now."
"Good!" Raven said, and clapped his hands. "Icarus, this is my good friend, Thunder. He lives here with me and Romeo, and is undoubtedly the less abrupt of the two." Gesturing to me, Raven said, "Thunder, meet Icarus. He'll be staying with us for the foreseeable future, until he gets back on his feet."
His cheeks still red, Thunder asked, as quietly as he could, which was still a low rumble that seemed to shake the ground, "Would you like some of my soup?"
Before I had the chance to say yes, he continued on, "It's nothing special, I'm pretty new at cooking. But I tried my best and it should be at least okay."
I said, "It smells so good, I don't think I could say no if I tried."
Thunder tried to hide a smile, turning around and ladling the soup into a bowl.
Raven leaned in close and whispered, "Thank you. He's been cooking for a few months, but is terribly insecure, despite his natural talent for it. I think you made his day, if not his week."
Quicker than I had thought possible, Thunder's hands held a full bowl of soup out to me. I took it gratefully. "This looks delicious," I said.
"Save the compliments for later," said Raven. "Could you serve me a bowl as well, Thunder? I'm starving."
"Sorry!" Thunder said, and quickly poured a bowl for Raven as well. Looking at both of us, he mumbled, "You shouldn't need any spoons. It's mostly just broth."
He pulled out a chair for me, and Raven slid in beside me as well.
Holding the soup to my lips, I drank deeply. It had a creamy, nutty flavour underneath what tasted like chicken broth. The blend of ingredients tasted perfect, subtle and interesting.
"This is amazing, Thunder. I haven't tasted anything like it in all my life."
I didn't think his face could turn any redder, but it did. He mumbled something and walked out of the room.
I watched as Raven sipped idly at the bowl of soup, eyes staring at the wall, distant. They twitched slightly, and his lips seemed to move, as if speaking softly to himself. He jerked a little as he noticed me.
"I told you he's talented, didn't I?" he said.
"He is," I agreed. "Shy, though."
Raven's gaze turned dark, tinged with sadness. "He's gotten a lot better than he used to be. It took me a year to get him to say a single word."
Sensing a story, I asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what happened?"
"Something that shouldn't ever happen to a human being." Raven glanced behind me, and his face changed in a flash, putting on the grinning face I was used to. "Ah, Thunder!" he said loudly. "Come sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labour. You most definitely earned it with all that work you've put in this morning."
"It was really nothing," Thunder grumbled. "And... I haven't practised yet today. I really should -"
Raven waved it off. "Nonsense. You have enough talent you don't need to worry." Winking, he said, "It's Romeo we should be worried about. He hasn't come back from last night, and you know he hasn't made it through our set without squeaking."
Thunder surrendered, shoulders slumping. He took a bowl from the cupboard and ladled soup into it, sloshing around. Quietly, he pulled out a chair and sat beside me, eyes down at the table.
The table was silent.
"So..." came Thunder's voice, eyes still down. "How did you sleep, Icarus?"
"Really well, thanks," I said.
More silence.
Raven grinned, enjoying the awkwardness, as we all finished our soup. I eventually excused myself to the bathroom.
When I finished, Raven was waiting outside the door with an armful of clothes. "Why don't you put some of these on?"
I took the pile back into the bathroom and sorted through them. Many of them were over-colourful, flamboyant - not exactly my taste. I supposed they matched that young man from last night's personality, that Romeo. With some dedication, I eventually found a set of plain clothes that would allow me to blend in. A white shirt, a set of brown pants, and subtly patterned suspenders.
When I walked out, Raven eyed me from head to foot. "I think you managed to find the most boring clothes of the lot," he said. "Although, Romeo's sensibilities can be a little 'exciting.'" He straightened my shirt. "This suits the old man named Icarus."
Smiling, Raven said, "I've some business to attend to at our venue tonight. Why don't you come along with me, and I can show you the best parts of this city?"
"That's quite kind of you. However, I haven't spent long in this city, and I'll get a better sense of it if I'm by myself."
I couldn't tell if a flicker of hurt flashed through his eyes. Possibly even anger? But as soon as it appeared, it wiped itself away. "Of course," Raven said, patting me on the shoulder. "Get out there, then! The city's waiting for you."
I took my leave as politely as I could and waved to Thunder and Raven, saying I'd be back for the concert later that night.
Stepping out the door and into the daylight, I stood straight and breathed it in, closing my eyes and letting the sun warm my eyelids. The body I wore ached, but I ignored it. I stretched. I let my muscles tense and relax. They complained, but I let them.
I had work to do today.