~ The ebony wood rests by his side ~

"You are to wear such rags, hurts my eyes," Xi Ken's monotonous complain rattled my brain for the fifth time, that man was actually saying the same thing on repeat.

"I have no money with me to buy anything for now," I mumbled, like before. "Please be considerate enough to not bring up the same words again and again Zuen Ken."

He hummed, walking ahead of me as we crossed a small bridge running over a narrow stream, the great rain forest lush with green and fallen dew.

My feet were cold from all the walking, hurt from the continuity of it, and were dirty with wet soil. I wanted to really take a shower now, having no such facility since I came here. Even food had been a scarce hunt with those two foolish people who I had left behind.

I watched Xi Ken as his robes dusted the humus rich ground, but not once did I see any dirt on the edges. How was he even handling such heavy set of robes, it was beyond me, since if it had been me, I would have gotten tired by just wearing them.

But I had to say, he was really handsome, and as compared to him, I looked like some street urchin.

"Are you blind?" I asked rudely, the question coming out of empty air, but the curiosity was overwhelming me, I was pretty sure he wasn't blind, because how can he walk with such grace without stopping to poke around at things to avoid bumping in them.

"Why do you ask?"

I frowned, wasn't he going to answer it?

"I am... curious." Maybe I should have been more tactful... I cursed myself in my brain, my social distancing had really made me inconsiderate now.

Otherwise I would have asked him in a more nicer tone, what if he had a bad past, and bringing it up again might also hurt him. "Sorry, I just wanted to know how you are walking even if you have a blindfold on you."

I praised myself for the better explanation. Now maybe he would answer.

"You are to wear such rags, hurts my eyes," he muttered instead.

Glaring at him, I sighed for a long while, almost feeling a headache coming on, the behavior of that man was just pissing me off. "I said I will... no... you know what?" I gave up, "Just buy me the stuff if you have money on you."

I wasn't able to see his reaction but a small nod of his head told me he would consider.

Like I would be jumping with glee if I could wear better version of the cos play set, however, wouldn't his pocket take a hit?

"I will return it to you later, so don't worry."

He did not respond, but the silence that befell us now was more comfortable than previously.

~~

We reached a small town after crossing two more streams and one big forest, the entire time I hadn't seen any animal or bird, so I assumed the forest was just trees and streams.

"This is a very small town," Xi Ken told me, slowing down to walk beside me, "but we might get the food and clothes you require, such consumable goods are readily available here."

"It looks nice," I complimented the visuals I was greeted with, the streets were wide and the small ancient period cottages with slant roof and bordered periphery, were all appearing to be well fitting the valley surrounded by huge hills.

"What do you want to do first, clothes or food?"

I looked down at my feet and sighed at the dirt that was stuck under my heels and on my nails. "Can we find a place to rest first, I really need to wash my foot, it feels gross."

He nodded, his long hair flowing with the strong wind, just like his robes, the major usage of black uncommon in this part of the town, as a lot of people who passed us were very intrigued by his appearance, not even sparing a glance at me.

After a little while, we entered an inn, a fake Tori gate style engraved into the entrance greeting the visitors. Two small jade carvings sitting on the edges of the steps. I couldn't make out the creatures, but they looked exotic, from the wings and the beak they seemed to have.

"Welcome, greetings to you both brothers," A young man around mid 20 welcomed us with a wide smile, "Are you looking for a place to stay or relax?"

I looked at Xi Ken for an answer, even if the staff seemed to be asking me the question instead.

"A place for relaxation would be appreciated, little master," Xi Ken chose, his voice very gentle and soft, inviting even.

And I noticed that The 'little master' addition totally won over the staff, as he blushed and invited us in with warmth.

The inn wasn't really big, only had two storey, and a small sitting space in the front yard rounding around a tall tree. Still, it was cozy and admirable.

"Two hours amounts to 16 grains, and four hours amounts to 32 grains, please pay for it accordingly," the staff told us as we entered the building and stopped at the main counter, the desk decorated with some ink and paper and a small ring bell.

"Apologies," Xi Ken suddenly changed his tone, "for I desire to alter my request, I would like for you to give us a room till tomorrow morning," he spoke with a soft hint of apology in his voice, clearly embarrassed for making a change in his decision so abruptly.

But the staff was only happy to hear that, "No need for any apology brother, please deliver 1 chunk and 32 grains for your room, considering if you take two rooms."

"One room," Xi Ken spoke without hesitation and I felt flustered, was he short on money?

Because staying with a stuck up man like him, for an entire day in the same room would surely be suffocating. I was sure he would make fun of me for every little thing I did.

"O-One room..." the staff looked between us two with slight curiosity but then went back to his business look rather quickly, "That would be 66 grains!"

Xi Ken took out a small black pouch from his sleeves and held it out for the staff to take.

The staff looked pleased with the trust he received, as he opened the knot on the pouch and took out a bunch of small dice-shaped stone pieces, he counted 66 of them, all small sized, like not more than half a centimeter in length.

It was all new to me, and a bit curious, how they used mini cubes of stone as their currency. From what I got, the 'chunk' had a bigger unit then a 'grain' and if my calculations were right, then one chunk must be 100 grains.

Nice, it was interesting, now I had to wait to see what other units they used.

"Thank you for the good exchange, now please follow me upstairs." The staff then left the counter and walked up the narrow stairs with a hurried pace. The wooden interior very considerate and smooth to the eyes.

Reaching upstairs, we followed the staff into a narrow corridor, as various thin sliding doors marked each room entry. There were about five rooms, from what I counted, and all of them seemed to be numbered in some strange language.

"The last one is your room, please ring the bell if you want us to serve you with any facility. The food will be served in another hour."

Xi Ken nodded, dismissing the staff as we entered the last room.

To my horror, there was only one single mattress laid on the floor, and the room was the size of some small store room, like no more than 3 by 3 meter square. The minimum size just for sleeping, eating and resting.

"You aren't satisfied?" Xi Ken asked, as I stood blocking his way, standing right at the entrance.

Embarrassed I quickly moved away, "It's a bit small I guess."

"Indeed, but the travelers who visit this town are either ink masters or chanters, single males who are too eager to strive for higher ranking. So the place of stay is kept to a minimum, surely you won't find it too difficult to adjust?"

I blushed, he was the one paying, and for me to throwing tantrums on size, it was mortifying. "I would be okay, ignore me."

He smiled, making my cheeks redden with the thoughts of how charming the man was, he was an adult but still very young, one wouldn't call him an uncle or dad, he was still passable as a bachelor, and for such a male to smile at me, my heart was pounding too loudly.

And it wasn't about if I was straight or not, the man would have the same effect on the elderly as well, his presence was that prominent. Anyone would feel the same if they were in my place.

I took in the lingering scent of wood on Xi Ken as he went past me, entering the room and going straight towards the corner where they had placed a large flat pan-shaped utensil filled with shallow water. "Wash your feet into this bowl, dry it and then settle on the bed."

I nodded, stepping into the bowl, feeling the water providing me with a fresh cooling sensation riding up the foot.

It felt so relaxing that I soaked a bit too long, watching the dirt dissolving in the water with residuals.

"If you are done playing, please sit with me."

Snapping out of my thoughts I quickly wiped away the excess of water and sat down at the edge of the bedding, keeping a certain distance between me and him.

"What happened, there must be a reason why you booked an inn until tomorrow right?" I asked him curiously. Wanting to know what changed his mind.

He nodded, tapping the bed, "Yes there was, come sit, we are going to re-ink your previous ink, I cannot tolerate feeling its essence on you any longer, it stinks."

I flushed, "I don't stink okay."

"Well that too, you do, but your ink smells even fouler... that sect was really an eye sore."

I didn't know whether to feel offended on his insult for me or feel happy that Xi Ken was bad mouthing those foolish people.

"I will bath first I think, before getting re-inked" I responded sullenly, "I wasn't given a chance in the sect earlier since they found out who I was. Where is the bathing unit?"

"Just ask the staff below, I will prepare for the inking procedure until then."