» Stretched across Nicodemus’ view was tree after tree. He could hear the faint sound of civilisation, but he wasn’t in a rush to get anywhere. His pace was steady but slow, his boots crunching the layer of thick ice and snow under his boot. He had a dark blue cloak wrapped around his shoulders and a grey shirt and long black pants underneath to keep out the chill that pervaded the forest. He had left his two falcons back in the roost with the royal birds, just wanted to make a short journey to get out of the human city. He had set out towards the Grand Library but had changed his decision later into his flight. It had been a great deal of time since he had been to Aelffmenn, and so he had changed his flight path and headed that way.

Now that he was close, he had resumed human form. It was hard to keep hidden with his size anyway, but he didn’t have a horse to travel with and didn’t have a place to keep it. It was just him and his falcons most days. He brought himself out of his thoughts as he stepped into the city. It was just as grandiose as he remembered, not as amazing as the Grand Library but it had hints of that architecture everywhere. Nicodemus’ face was calm and serious as he walked through the city, just blinking at the polite strangers. He was glad to be out of the human city, but he wasn’t joyous about it. Not many day to day things could encourage a smile from him.

As Nicodemus strode across the cobblestone, his boot got caught in a crack and he felt his whole world lurch towards the group, but he flailed his arms and caught himself. He righted himself and shook his head. A light pink flooded his cheeks as he glanced at the people watching him and he tried to straighten himself out. He made a motion as if he was about to take another step, but someone came rushing and they barely missed each other. He blinked a few times, and then replied to the blond man’s apology. “Uh…yeah. No worries.”

»

Nicodemus inclined his head, “I am fine. I am glad we missed eachother.” He glanced sideways, to see that the elves that had previously had been looking at him had disappeared into their houses. He supposed that watching people meet wasn’t as entertaining as someone falling over. His expression didn’t change but he felt a stab of annoyance. Elves weren’t much different from humans, despite all the fuss that they made when they were told this. They didn’t have very different instincts or different thought patterns, which made them similar in his mind. He looked down at his shoes, making sure that they weren’t ruined as he wasn’t sure that after taking a few days off work that he would have enough money for replacements. The tightness in his face relaxed just a little as they appeared just as good as before.

He wasn’t all too surprised when the man in front of him introduced himself and he felt slightly amused by the introduction. Nico had to quickly recall that he was indeed going by his actual name before he spoke. A polite smile reached his lips, and it almost looked real despite the lack of enthusiasm in his eyes. “My name is Nicodemus. I live in the Emberi Kingdom.” He stepped back and bowed his head slightly. He had spent too much time in the castle it seemed, having picked up a few habits from the servants and maids that kept him company after a day of work.

»Nico noted the blush on the other man's face, but dismissed it immediately when his introduction was met with an uncoordinated bow. The elf must not be used to formalities, so Nicodemus had indeed made the situation awkward. He ran a hand through his hair as the elf, Zaos as he had introduced himself, asked him about why he was here. He stopped himself from shrugging nonchalantly, instead he just raised his eyebrows, a small smirk curing a the corner of his mouth. He gestured towards a human looking fellow who was rushing by, “Why are the other humans here? The celebration of course. My king allowed me to take a leave of absence to attend the Memorial of the Ancients.”

What Nico failed to mention was that he was an ancient dragon himself, having known a few of the men and women that the elves were honouring. He was supposed to attend the ceremony as the Eldest Dragon but the thought of doing so made his stomach turn. It would take away from the main event anyway, due to the lack of knowledge that the public had about him. He would be unable to co-exist with the humans as his face and name would be known. Just the thought of his made his mouth taste sour and he shook his head to clear his thoughts.

He folded his arms loosely over his chest, and decided that if the elf wanted to be nosy that Nico had the right to be too. He considered keeping quiet about his questions until later but he pushed on, “What’s the rush all about? I noticed that you seemed quite anxious?”

»Nicodemus waited patient for the man to speak and answer his question. He wouldn't admit it but he was quite surprised that the younger man was willing to talk to him. He supposed it was because he was such a private person, he wouldn't dare dream of telling anyone how he felt or what he was going through so soon after meeting them. He made a non-committal hum of acknowledgement and uncrossed his arms, realising that he wasn't getting the full truth. That was more familiar than the full honesty of a stranger. To be honest, Zaos seemed to remind him so much of Lysander. Not so much of his appearance but with the mannerisms and the like.

He shifted his weight side to side, and the wrapped his left around his waist. "That's unfortunate. Are they due back for the Memorials? Perhaps I could help you look for them?" Nico didn't know where his sister was, he hadn't known for the past few centuries. He had seen her at one of the council meetings but they hadn't had much time to talk before she had to leave. He knew that she had children but he didn't have much of a relationship with him. Just thinking of his family and friends made his heart yearn. He missed them so dearly but he didn't want to burden them with his precense. It had been such a long time, who knew if they even wanted to be his friend any more? Thousands of years was a very long time.