EJ hated the rain, just as much as a clear night sky… for very different reasons. He sighed as he shook out the hoodie, water droplets twinkling stars. Whenever it rained, he could feel his entire body ache and stiffen. His movements would slow, his hobbling limp even worse. But his mind would still, calm and he could find new breath that expanded his lungs. He understood the human body what made from a bone foundation and that calcium cages contained their breathing lungs and frantic hearts. His body, however, was more metal than bone, more unnatural than natural. Although metal was natural, it had been forced into a shape it would never otherwise take.

It made his body feel… alien.

He rubbed his temple, feeling his mind relax as the silence of his apartment soothed him. The bookstore was a pain in the ass for him. But he’d never sell it or give it away. No, he was a stubborn sort. Human really. He closed his eyes. What he would do to not know of this Otherworld, as he called. What he would do to not know there were beings beside humans, that legends and fairy-tales were real. There were enough monsters in the world in human skin, he didn’t need to think of those without. He could hear Sire busy in the kitchen, no doubt making some sort of stew or soup or something. EJ never really cared, just as long as it was editable.

He was a man who did not ask for much. Just editable food, a comfy couch and for the pain to stop. The last one never really happened. Not without the help of modern pharmaceuticals. He had looked into the natural, the herbs, the plants, leaves and roots, the mushrooms and fungi… but it was all for naught. The pain never lessened, never went away. At least the drugs could trick his mind into believing it had stopped. While a naturally grouchy, grumpy personality, he was able to appreciate the patience Sire had for him. That did not mean, however, he made life easier for the siren. Indeed, EJ had always known his own personality was hard to work with. He was stubborn, an asshole and generally not the best human being out there. Well, he wasn’t shitty, but he didn’t give a shit about others. Frankly, if no one gave a shit about him falling off the roof and outshining Humpty Dumpty… well, why should he give a shit about them? It wasn’t tit for tat or quid pro quo. He just didn’t want to waste the energy he had on people he didn’t care for, know or care about.

EJ closed the bathroom door behind him and leaned over the counter. He stared into his only working eye. If it wasn’t for his hag of a grandmother, he wasn’t sure what would’ve happened to him. She had given a lot of shits about him. She had all but threatened the doctors with their livelihood if he didn’t live. She had given law enforcement a hardy scare. Then again, being extremely rich and incredibly wealthy… was powerful for a reason. She had all but adopted him as her own and kept him as far from the family politics as she could.

But it didn’t matter now. It hadn’t mattered then. Now, all he wanted was to close his eyes and sleep. Fall into a… he shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut. He reached a hand up and placed it on the mirror. Some days, he felt like he was someone else entirely. No doubt it was an effect of one of his many, many pain medications. He was surprised he hadn’t become highly dependent on them. Then again, Sire was helping him manage everything. The day to day stuff – EJ did all the business matters himself.

EJ didn’t like to think how reliant he had become on his employee and roommate. He refused to use the word friend. Friend meant they were close. EJ didn’t want people close to him. He would never admit it. Nope. He would break his bod– waaaait. No, wait, it already happened! Doesn’t count! Doesn’t count– “Oh snipe on a sand-boat! Sire!”

Sire had banged loudly on the door. For such a silent person, he was certainly noisy. “What?!” he yanked the door open. All he saw was the best looking chicken noodle soup nearly shoved into his eyeballs. “Yes, alright. I’m coming to eat. You couldn’t knocked softer.”

Sire sent him a dark look.

“Ah, that in my head then?”

A huff, puff and he turned heel.

“Your shimmery tale is showing!”

EJ chuckled at the dark look that Sire sent him. Of course EJ would be making sparkly mermaid jokes to the shorter man with the bowl of hot liquid. “Alright, alright,” he raised his hands in the air as they sat in their chairs. A comfortable silence surrounded as they ate, settling into an easy rhythm. Rose would’ve joined them for dinner at this point, but she was currently banned after she turned him into a literal woman. All for a D&D [Dungeons and Dragons] game. Well, he probably shouldn’t have eliminated that goblin village but he was the villain of the story. (Their DM’s voice had given out (he was an amazing Dungeon Master) and then everyone just didn’t bother with the rules and voted EJ to be the villain). It turned into this strange contest to see who could be the most ridiculous while still maintaining lore. EJ almost lost until he remembered the heroes had forgotten to steal the godsword and all but used it against them and won. Proving that being hero does not always pay but it was sure damn fun to play the villain.

They had to redo the entire campaign session three days later. From the very beginning. And EJ had returned to being a snarky kitchen gnome assassin who killed with a magical ladle, wore a pot for a helmet and used its cover as a shield. Also, said gnome was a chick. Who had no problem biting people.

… his character had issues. The biting was one of her better traits.

But then, they had a highly intellectual barbarian, an idiotic mage (who blew himself up on more than one occasion) and a cowardly assassin/thief who was afraid of the dark. And small spaces. And chickens. And forks. Oh, they had an epic bard. Psychotic, but epic. And a cleric who didn’t know how to heal people. All in all, EJ and his team were ridiculous, shitty and happy. This was not the team you wanted to back you up on any quest. [Like not even to get milk and eggs from the market.]

Especially with a biting gnome.

He was dragged out of thought when he felt ice cold finger tips pressing against his temples. Sire had always been cold to the touch (but would never call him a cold fish because frankly it was rude). EJ closed his eyes. “So, it all begins then, does it?” For a human, EJ always seemed to know the goings on in the Otherworld. Whether it was because of the eyes or because his anti social personality made people want to tell him everything they could, he didn’t want to know, he had a lot of inside knowledge. Knowledge that he knew better than to share – even with his roommate.

He shook his head. It was not his problem. He really shouldn’t get involved. He tilted his head back and opened his eyes to see Sire staring down at him. There was a bland curiosity in those deep, sea eyes. Siren’s eyes always matched the sea, the different colors, the waves, the calmness, the turbulence. It was just like the oceans. “Even if I tell you,” EJ sighed, “what would be the point? It doesn’t change anything. Why tell them if it doesn’t change anything?” He leaned forward, looking down at his soup. “You saw it today.”

Today many people had wanted the secrets, the information. Many had come into his shop, most had left. The bookshop owner let out a frustrated sound, and covered his eyes. The Old Woman was rising and waking. And once the old hag had fully risen and awoken – they were all fucked. “Finish your dinner, Siren,” he muttered grumpily. God damnit. He knew he couldn’t just sit there and stay silent.

The siren shuffled back into his seat, but didn’t touch his soup. EJ could feel those eyes on him once more. Whether it was the human part him, the ‘I owe people favors and I can pay them back and they’ll owe me a shit ton more,’ or the part that secretly cared about people he liked, EJ would never admit. He would swear, on his deathbed, that it had only been a coincidence and that he, in no way, had given a damn. “We’re not opening the shop tomorrow. Tell Rose that she needs to pay a visit to the Goblin King. He’ll know what it’s about.”

Sire raised an eyebrow.

“Not. Another. Word.”