Finally Creating Roots
Three knocks on the wooden door interrupted Jabir from his paperwork. It was that time of the month when he had to deal with the bills and the complaints for having such a dangerous magical community living within those walls. He gladly exchanged the dull work for the interruption
"Please come on in. The door is open"
Birvan made his way inside, carrying a small sand coloured baby Mishap. The little snake boy was fast asleep in his arms, tail idly coiled around the left one
"Can you spare me a minute?"
"S... sure"
Jabir wasn't expecing his old friend, much less for him carrying the infant. It was true Birvan's job was to collect the newborn Mishaps before any harm came to them, but he never delivered them to the HQ. Instead they were taken to the shop and put under Maggie's charge
"Why did you brought him here? Is there something wrong?"
He pulled out a chair and sat before replying. "No, nothing wrong Jabir. I just... came to claim his key"
"YOU WHAT?"
A loud crash was heard imediatly after. Jabir had sprung from his chair when Birvan said he was going to claim the key and missed it when he tried to sat down again, landing squarely on the floor, his tail twitching in confusion
"Are you ok?"
He had expected some confusion from Jabir, but not to this point. He tried to get up and help his friend back to his feet, but the noise and the sudden movement only helped to wake up the little baby snake
The little Mishap wailed quietly in protest, a serie of hisses and baby sounds of protest for having his sleep interrupted in such a loud manner
Jabir got up, still confused by the request. He knew better than anyone Birvan was not the type to stay in one place for long, much less to actually settle down and raise a child
Only when he heard the baby's wail he walked around the table and when to have a closer look. It seemed a perfectly healthy Mishap, a snake type like himself, but... he didn't had a voice, not one like most anyway
He could clearly see the young one's tongue was way too thin to allow him to talk. Unless aided by magic he would only be able to hiss and say some minor sounds, maybe words
"You sure about this? I mean it's not like you creating roots. And are you aware of the lil one's situation?"
"Yes, I am. Since the moment I picked Areish before the witch tried to do something to him. It was one of the few occasions I knew why I felt that urge"
Birvan pulled out a strand of his hair to apease the baby, waving in front of his eyes to catch his attention
"And yes, I know of his little problem"
Areish stoped fussing when the lock of shiny silver hair came into view. The way it moved and twiched made him quiet down and try to put it into his mouth. It took him a couple of tries before the strand played between his baby fangs
"You already named him.... you must be really serious then. But why didn't the cat cried? You know the situation must be approved!"
"Because I came directly here. I don't need that cat to tell me I'm Areish's match. I don't need to remind you who's blood was used to make it"
"Yours. But that wasn't the only ingredient. If they find out..."
"If they find out I'm the one who they're going to deal with. But they don't care as long as the papers are filled out and the bonding taken care off. That's why I came to you directly"
Jabir sighed in defeat and went to pick up a file from the archive folders. He knew Birvan was right, the cat was just a scout for any potential guardians
He filled out the information and took the key out the drawer, which had a scarf engraved
"Here. You know by taking this key you are making a vow right? No turning back"
Birvan grabbed the key, storing it on one of his pockets
"If I wasn't sure I wouldn't be here" he grinned and started heading back to the corridor
"Wait. Will you be telling him?"
He had to ask that question. Birvan might hate his past but Areish would have the right to know. Secrets shouldn't be kept between family
Birvan halted as soon as Jabir mentioned it. His confident and calm disposition turned into gloom as he remembered the ghosts of his past
"Perhaps..."
"Please Birvan, don't deny yourself any longer. It's not like anyone here is going to judge you"
"I don't care. They're a symbol of shame. And even here they attract attention!"
"That's why you keep wearing that jacket I gave you, don't you? That spell won't last much longer. It would be better if you..."
"I would be better if I kept things they way they are. I am happy with my current life and I'm not going to change it"
His voice was completely bitter now. Without saying another word he steped out of the office and headed upstairs, to his new home
Jabir looked sadly at the door Birvan just crossed. There was no point in denying one's nature, it would be there no matter what. But he knew it wasn't his place to meddle with such affairs. Birvan had made a decision and he was going to respect it... for old times sake
