We got into the village and Ganak asked me if I was okay to walk on my own, if he wasn't so sincere, the question would have felt like the most insulting thing I have ever been asked. It would have hurt more if I knew I was ready in all honesty as well.
I look around and see a ton of buildings... a ton of people and just a lot of things in general on this mountain. Houses that people live in...sleep in and are safe in, this brings me to my senses and I tell Ganak than I am okay now. He puts me down and I thank him for the help, unable to hide the feelings running around in my head. “You're way too hard on yourself, Anette” he continued after a moment of being quiet. “Listen, believe it or not, I am the same way with water, anything bigger than a small river makes me freeze. I don't really know what happened in your past, and I don't want to pressure you into telling your story to me.” I began to open my mouth to talk, but was cut off one last time, “I am open about this sort of thing, ask if you wish, but I shall not pry for you.”
It took a moment to fully sink in what exactly was happening here, Ganak, a man of half Orc blood, a race known for being barbaric and little else was the most well mannered person I have met in my life, he genuinely cares even if we have known each other for such a short time. I thought to myself for a moment only to chime up, in a much better mood.
“I will tell you when we are not in a crowd, wherever we are staying, we can talk tonight” I said with the most genuine smile I have had in a long time. I have a good friend here and the man knows how to make me smile. “Glad to hear it” he replied with a similarly sized grin.
As we began walking we both saw Chris waving at us, preparing to yell, she called our names and we both began to up the pace before she got louder. We made it to Chris, and not noting the actions Ganak and I were a part of in the last twenty five minutes she simply smiled, turned to her left and said “Anette, welcome to our home for the next few days” with the largest smile I have ever seen her wear on her face. She approached the door, knocked on it and before I could really note the silence the door opened and Chris turned around. “Anette, this is my aunt” as she went for a hug.
