Few words were exchanged between us during the short walk to the stone trees-- Aten was...rather quiet most of the time. I had not anything interesting to say anyway, I suppose. Upon arrival, I stood and waited at the ladder (one in good condition, too, which surprised me) for her to ascend. Instead of the expected, she seemed to be waiting on me. A quick glance up to her was answered with a nod. It seemed I was to go first?

I took to the ladder and made my way up, Aten following closely after me. The first floor was quite empty, though it was also pretty late. Looking around the open floor provided little insight to where I had come and I felt a bit uneasy, grabbing at the shoddy cloth I wore.

<"Please go to through the corridor and cross the bridge.">

I could not help but jump hearing a female's voice cut through the silence like that. Either way, I did what was asked and walked carefully to the corridor, looking out and around the opening-- to the sky above, the ground below, and even the bridge itself. I could never trust these things but these were...remarkably well made. I placed one foot in front of me, then the other, and yet it did not seem to break. Truly astonishing. After a few steps on the bridge I felt a shuffle as Aten did the same, waiting on me to keep going all the way to the end. From there we went up another floor to another room.

<"Please wait here.">

A bit less of a jump this time, thankfully, as Aten went up the ladder another floor. I stood in wait and looked around. There was not much for decoration-- some shelving, a rug, a small table; but the inside was well-kept and coated against the elements. Already this place was so different from home. I suppose it was not really home anymore.

It had been so quiet until some footsteps and muffled sounds grew closer to the ladders, and with them came two drones.

<"Hello hello, given you are by yourself, you must be who we were requested to see,"> said one.

He looked a lot older than me, wore fancy clothes, and a pair of glasses sat neatly between his brow scales. He had unusual purple eyes, something I had only seen a few times in my lifetime. In his hand was a tape measure.

<"I am Mir,"> came the older one, <"and that is Luka. He does not talk much, but is quite happy to see you and wishes to do a good job.">

Luka did not say much, but looked quite excited regardless. He was much younger than the other, likely even a bit younger than myself, and wore some kind of loose garments around the waist and upper torso. His eyes were a bright, cheery yellow like the sun; very happy and inquisitive. He carried with him another tape measure.

<"Job?"> I asked.

Luka happily nodded.

<"Given your preference to be covered, Aten thought you may prefer to wear clothes,"> said Mir, <"Could you remove that cloth so we can start?">

Pushing past some hesitation I did as was asked, untying the cloth and handing it to Luka. He folded it neatly and set it aside before both he and Mir advanced toward me with both of their tape measures.

Luka grabbed one of my arms and set it outward; Mir wrapped a tape around my other shoulder. I did not really understand what was going on but went with it anyway, though it was very strange to come into contact with much of anyone, and in such a passive, friendly way. It did not take too long before they were done, with Mir writing down some numbers and stowing them in a pocket.

<"Alright, we are both done here, so could you follow us up the ladder?"> asked Mir.

<"We could not have gone up there before?">

<"Well, Aten requested you take a short break here before going up, said you were quite tired. Plus there are others up there and she did not want to cause a commotion at this time of night. Either way, we will have something for you within the next couple of days.">

They then motioned me to follow them up the ladder, so I did. I followed them across another bridge, too, to a large tree in the center of the territory.

<"You be good, now,"> chuckled Mir as they both ascended another ladder, going out of sight.

I did not see others but I certainly heard them sleeping in a nearby room, so I tried to stay silent.

<"Sagis.">

I jumped and spun around to see Aten, now rid of her day clothing and carrying something on a plate. Was it...food?

<"I could not make much on such short notice, but perhaps this will be to your liking regardless,"> she whispered. <"Do you mind eating out in this room? I will provide you space if needed.">

<"I-I can eat out here,"> I started, sitting down, <"...and I would like you to stay, if that is alright?">

A simple nod of affirmation followed the exchange of a plate into my hands. It was some kind of seared freshwater fish, even seasoned and smelling so nice... It was strange to accept such a thing, at least to me, but Aten seemed intent on my eating something.

Needless to say, it did not last long on the plate. I had not had any food like that before, and thinking about it while I ate made my eyes glossy. From the corner of my eye I could see her with such a slight smile.

<"Are you finished?">

<"Yeah, I...I think so.">

She rose to her feet, took the plate, and started toward a large doorway.

<"Please wait.">

I stood up and watched as she vanished into the room, followed by the sounds of water and clanking of dishes, and finally reappearance.

<"Please follow me, it will be easier.">

I quickly caught up with her as she navigated through a hall to a final room.

<"These are my quarters. Should you not mind, you can sleep in here.">

<"In here? With you?">

<"Yes.">

<"Is that...acceptable?">

The only response I got was a raised eyebrow. I mean, it did not actually answer my question but I guess it would suffice.

Aten stepped forward and lied upon the bed in the middle of the room, motioning with her snout for me to do the same. I did as asked, carefully stepping toward the bed and first sitting, then lying down. It was so comfortable and just... Everything here was so different and it was hard to comprehend it, especially while so tired.

Just so, so tired.

Seconds after lying down my vision darkened and blurred, making out only the shape of a large hand pulling a dark cloth over me, driving away my anxiety.

All I felt now was warmth.

---

music

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