Vyn didn't pay much attention to what was being said, standing next to Jem as the pale creature had been. Patted his shoulder. Runework seemed to be exhausting work. Not that he ever complained – wasn't his way. But he did always come back to camp looking drained.

„Runework is...“ Squinted to the foreign giant. „...well, it's done now. Everyone helps out here and there, but the task is mine.“ Nodded like that answered any of it.

„But I won't turn down company if you're of a mind.“ But that couldn't be all it was. There was a reason people seldom came this way as he worked. Didn't ask, but it hung between them anyway. They needed something.

„Was hoping you'd know where we could bunk Jens for the evening.“ Vyn continued as if nothing had happened. Because nothing had.

„He can take my Wagon. Won't need it tonight.“ Seemed certain.

Vyn whistled. „That work for you, Jens?“
 
It was like he’d never asked a thing. Didn’t earn even deflection just— deafness. But he wouldn’t pry further, just settled to stand on the other side of Jem’s tiny flame. People usually had reasons why they’d play as if they’d not heard things. Wasn’t any of his bloody business now was it, and by the look of that wraith he was better off not making it such either.

His smile remained, with the knowing edge of a man who chose silence over else. Content, if a touch conflicted for how he wasn’t too used to it — holding his tongue that was. Only when directly addressed did he use it again.

“ Of course. “ Shrugged and kept it at that, despite that bit of doubt on his mind. Let his look linger on Jem, rife with wonder. Will any of them big weirdos be bunking there with me or—?

“ And hey, if you do change your mind— “ He added, trying a lighter tone. “ Just banish me to the floor. I don’t mind. “

That’s where I was sleeping tonight originally, anyway.
 
Got a laugh at that, he did. A strange, wheezy thing. Like Jem himself was out of practice. Vyn didn't find it particularly funny, but people were entitled to bad humor.

„Go tend to your hauntling, Vyn“ Jem straightened up slowly with popping knees. Wasn't exactly a smile on his face, but an attempt was made. „Think I've seen her pretending that book wasn't cursed.“

„I'll show him where he gets to put his head down for the night.“ Had to crane his neck to get a proper look at Jens. „And worry not, won't banish him.“

„Right.“ Step, two, three. Tiptoed next to Jens, tapped his cheek. „Remember, don't cause any trouble I don't get to hear about.“

And with that, she'd turn to leave.
 
It was settled then — to finally part. Just for Vyn he’d flash his better, winning smile as she reached up to bid farewell, his hand brushing a touch on her shoulder. That last bit.

“ I’ll be sure to keep loud, then. Just in case being otherwise physically incapable of secrecy isn’t enough. “ There wasn’t really but to be noticed, for the likes of him. Then it was upto who ever noticed to decide whether he was big and scary enough to not be ratted on.

As she went, he lingered. Eyed her wake for an indulgent beat until tearing away and regarding Jem in turn. Change of company, a different sort of twinkle in his eye as he considered the man and his willful secrets. Maybe it was the fire betwixt them, or all that repressed curiousity, laid plain.

Despite himself he’d not urge him on or pry, but gave space. Merely tilted his head and waited.
 
Jem nodded to the other man. Not like he'd be in trouble when pressed – but discretion went a long way. There were some conversations he'd rather never have.

„Come on, then.“ Turned from the fire without extinguishing it. „I'm this way.“

Maybe the curiosity of it all was eaten up by all those looks the stranger saved for Vyn. She did seem to have that effect on people. But best not to chance it:

„Do we need to talk?“ Over his shoulder. Like it wasn't a big deal. And maybe it wasn't.
 
He’d not expected the question, but it fell in the perfectly professional couple steps’ distance betwixt them regardless. Lingered there for a moment as he spun up a thought, trying to make a phrase of it. Truth was, they didn’t really need to talk, to his mind — none had been worried as for what that thing was and he’d fought bigger fuckers in his time. With difficulty, but still —

The afterimage of it remained, the strange sudden sight. This wasn’t about needing to but wanting to, desperately. The pleasant expression fell from his face, transmuting to mellow seriousness as he drew a breath, like bracing for impact.

“ What was that thing? “ He started, careful into the night like mentioning might summon it. Glanced behind them where the flame had been left.

“ By the fire. With you. “

Because that's what it had been, wasn't it? Exchange. Not just any haunting.
 
A long, deep breath. Probably shouldn't have asked a thing. Let the stranger feel strange and uncomfortable, but hospitality had rules. And you didn't let your guests wallow for too long. It wasn't proper.

„Used to be like you, or me.“ Jem scratched behind his horns. „Now...they're something else.“

Perhaps he shouldn't be turning his back to the spooked giant, but the action didn't seem too alarming for the moment.

„Not everyone can see them.“ Yes, suppose that was the best way to put it without explaining. „They help out around the camp and ocassionally spook newcomers. But they're harmless, really.“ Surely the sailor had seen bigger monsters on his travels. And while rumors about Jens had long since made three full circles round the fires, no one could recount if he ever got to shantying the goats.

Visibility fell as they moved behind Wagons and away from the fire. Didn't slow the shorter man down.
 
Like you or me? His brow arched, a gentle incomprehension. Or perhaps it was denial. Still, he hadn’t but to believe what he was told — wanted to, too. Was easier that way.

“ Alright. “ He started, almost sure in the way he said it, despite the glances he’d yet throw for the darkness creeping betwixt the wagons and the trees. “ Nothing to worry about then, got it. “

And he stepped a little longer, keeping close to Jem’s heel. No getting lost now, with one eye in the dark he didn't know.

“ Don’t know how I feel about the ability to see them, though— “ Since some can’t. Not honoured, was for sure. “ Your fife didn’t really curse me, did it? “

Though his curiousity was genuine, he hazarded a smile with it. What the hell had he ever done to deserve seeing the horrors, apart from doing what he’d been instructed to not do. Yet again.
 
That last question made Jem lose count of his steps. Recovery quick, but the rhythm was gone.

„You talk a lot.“ Jem offered. „Must be why Vyn likes you.“ But he never answered the question.

The Wagon before them was no different than the previous three they'd passed, but the shorter man had stopped walking.

„That's my home.“ Pride in his voice. „'S unlocked.“ And quieter, in confidence:

„Should you hear knocking before the dawn, best not to open the door.“
 
He got about as much out of the man as he’d expected. No response, just diversion. As one did when opposed by any old trick, he accepted it in a knowing smile.

“ Oh, you think she likes me? ” He asked cheerfully, head cocking over-confidently as he swept a palm over the wrap like smoothing back hair he didn’t have. Glanced wistfully into where she definitely wasn’t, but could’ve been. “ Man. ”

The play fell off him as fast as it’d appeared, let go like all the questions he’d left. In benefit of the second door his unsuspecting arse had been led to tonight. Unlocked.

“ I see. “ He spoke lower too, as one did to a fellow conspirator. Nod his head and kept a brave face, despite the little chill that’d prickle his shoulders. The imagined knockers.

“ When do you lot usually wake up? What’s the— “ Order felt too military of a word for it. “ Schedule in here? “

Whatever the light permits? In the ships they just rung bells for everything.

“ Would hate to oversleep. " And overstay. Bad impressions.
 
Jem didn't bother turning around. People often thought themselves clever – and sure, some were – but mostly it was all just added effort. Too much interaction simply made a man feel like old soap. Less left with each talk.

Best to save energy for shit that needed washing.

„I will come wake you on the third light of the morning.“

Turned to leave, with a final bit of greeting:

„Blankets are in the cupboard with the busted handle.“ Nodded. „Jens, Remember my words.“
 
Come wake me? He stopped at the door and clapped a hand on his chest, the surprised delight of a swooned noblewoman blooming into his smile.

“ How kind. Answers whatever I was going to ask next— “ No having to share a bed, for one. Or whether he should’ve taken to the floor to begin with. Not bracing for smalltalk he’d fail to make later in the night with the man. Who was so conveniently already turning to leave, not welcoming any more.

“ Suppose you’ll not stay to enlighten me what third light means though, oh Jem? “ He called at his back, not loud enough to actually demand anything. His days for expectation were very well over. Still, he waved and smiled. “ Thank you, anyway! “

For whatever it’s worth. The hand that’d bid him farewell reached for the door handle and wrenched down, opening the way into the dark indoors.
 
Pfft.

If there was a change to Jem's face, it wasn't visible through the back of his head. Clever people, and their clever ways.

The door opened smoothly. Creak worked out by what a discerning nose could recognize for grease of both pork and elbow. The step to help get your foot onto the Wagon was edged in crustedover mud. Might've been messy once, but tonight it only looked like another brown scab on an otherwise brown wood. The shades didn't much like each other.

Corners of the room lit up in small bits of blue spark and flicker, before they stabilized into a weak glow.

Far wall fully surrendered to poorly nailed in wooden shelves, overloaded with books. Some languages Jens could read and some were beyond his understanding.

Other than the cupboards, the floor was bare. Even the small bits of mundane inventory all hung from nails pressed all around the walls. Whether it was a cup, a rag, a knife, or a brush you wanted – it would hang from one of the walls. Might've been his tired eyes playing tricks, but the items never appeared to be in the same place twice.

But most importantly... there was no bed.

There were, however, four horseshoes hanging on the inside of the door. Iron – old and cold.
 
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