Geurk remembers this feeling for as long as he’s been here. The cold breeze on his face, the distant sounds of voices below him. The warmth of inhaling smoke, it’s all strangely comforting. He sits on his apartment porch, legs hanging off into the air below. He feels like a child, too small for his feet to reach the floor.

But sadly he was a grown man, reaching his thirties at that. Still stuck with a roommate and no comfortable career. Like all in the Housing Progress, he has no set home. He was made to wander an unfamiliar space, full of mysticism and idols. Devout delusional people who still make offerings to statues.

He looks down at them now, below in the allies are a few people. Maybe two. Who wear ornate and detailed colorful robes. Stitched with leaves coming out the sleeves and ropes with tassels around their waists. Barefoot on the gravel ground. Geurk cringes at how that may feel. taking another breath of his cigarette he lets out smoke into the night. Behind he hears the shuffling of a curtain. 

“Man, you’re going to freeze out here,”

Out comes his roommate, he forgets the Lisk's name sometimes. Leto, that’s it.

“It’s nice out, I won’t feel a thing.”

Leto’s freckled face scrunches. He has the crazy brown curls all Lisks have, and his brown eyes squint.

“If you insist, it’s not even Spring yet. You have your feet out and everything. That’s a recipe for a cold.”

He goes back behind the curtains, the motion sending another breeze to Geurk. He huffs. Looking down below again, the alleys now empty and silent. The city's curfew seems so early. Back at Geurks old place in Myoka, before the Housing Progress, nightlife was abundant. In the Blue District, no one ever slept. It took a toll on everyone but it was a nice atmosphere, somehow always hearing voices and music made you feel less alone. The silence was a rare occurrence.

Finishing his cigarette and stubbing it, Geurk stands up. Stretching his arms and rubbing at his neck. Tiredness always caught up to him. He goes past the curtain inside, seeing Leto cooking something. It smelled of sweet spice, almost floral. Steam escapes the kitchen, hovering at the ceiling.

It’s a quaint place, with enough space for a living room with a couch and a fuzzy old TV. Blankets and banners line the walls and floors. Nomad patterns were etched into them, swirling circles and creatures dancing on the fabrics. Radio static and music echo through the apartment, calming classical. With soft drums and sweet strings. 

“Whatcha makin' swirls?” 

Leto Chuckles, sighing.

“Batominh, it’s Lisk.”

“Smells like it, what's in it?”

Leto sets a lid on his pan, fumbling over to see Geurk lazing on the couch. 

“Chicken, ginger, onions.”

Geurk cringes, giving him a look. Leto smiles wide.

“Do you only make these things so I don't eat them?”

“Maybe if you cook once in a while you can make something you like.”

He goes back to his pan, sifting the meal, it hissing and yelping. Geurk closes his eyes and listens to the radio. Nodding his head and humming. Though Leto’s voice rings out again. 

“...the Office called me.”

Geurks eyes go wide, he lays still.

“They, uh, asked about how you were doing.”

“What’d you tell them? That I’m some lazy bird wasting rent?”

“Woah. That’s... Extreme. You haven't been trying to get a job though. It worries me.” 

Getting up, Geurk walks over to Leto. Leaning onto the cluttered counter and looking annoyed. Squinting his eyes and huffing like an annoyed child. Toying with his jacket zipper. He spouts,

“I’ve told you. I’ve been trying. Everyone has been so difficult. I bet it's my dumb pass. Can’t believe I have to wear it. I’m not some criminal.”

“It’s just required, People are understanding Geurk. Where have you been applying?”

The Myokan grumbles. Looking at his jacket sleeve, the stitched BD pass mocking him.

“The laundromat..uh, bar.”

“You’ve been here a few months man. Many people have been trying to help people like you.”

“Like me?” 

Geurk titters,

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“I’m a screw up Leto. I.”

“No. You’re not. We welcome you here to have a new start. Use it.”

Leto emphasizes those last two words. Mixing the Batominh with no care.

 “...fine. I’ll, uh, look. Okay? Any time the Office calls, give the phone to me.”

“So you can lie about progress?”

“Stop man. I get it. I’ll go out tomorrow.”

“Good. Hey… there's no onions in this by the way. I was just being a jerk.”

“Thanks.”

The two sit awkwardly for dinner. Only the sound of the radio battles the silence. Geurk would never say it, but he loved Leto’s cooking. He does remember the Lisk mentioning how his family was very adamant about cooking. He’s been perfecting his recipes for years, sometimes getting expensive ingredients to just create something of quality for himself and others. Geurk is his first roommate, he signed up for the program before others. Having someone in the house would be nice, he’s been alone ever since he got away from his parents.

Afterward, Geurk cleans the kitchen, he owes Leto a few chores. He changes the radio when the Lisk goes to retire in his room. He hums along to the rock music, something that only played late at night. The music being new to the region, time was hard to find for new stations. Maybe Geurk should visit where they broadcast, he knows a thing or two about radios, and he doesn’t worry about being a voice on the air. It might be fun. 

He sets the dishes aside, letting them air dry. Looking behind him he sees a couple of plants sitting happily on the counter. They seem to enjoy the shade, but he’s reminded of the cold as their leaves shiver and jump. 

Settling down he closes the curtains to the porch and sheds his jacket and shirt. Collapsing onto the couch. Face muffled into the cushions, he sniffs. The room was still cold. He piles blankets atop himself, he probably caught a cold.

—----------

Groggily opening his eyes, Geurk’s body aches. He sniffs and hums, his mouth dry. The curtains are open, the morning light hurting his eyes. Leto’s voice is in the background.  

“Yes, I understand. He never told me this.”

Geurk sits up, rubbing at his eyes.

“I’ll talk to him. Thank you. You have a good day too.”

He moved his dark hair to see that the outside was dreary and gray. Though now no wind came in to nip at feet. Voices beside Leto’s mumble down below, bells ring from a nearby market. Announcing the opening of shops and exhibits. Meaning it must still be early morning, something Geurk’s not used to. Then again he did have a nice dinner and was potentially sick. Sleeping early was not his forte.

The telling sound of Leto putting the phone away, him huffing and mumbling, makes Geurk look in his direction. Leto looks off today, not wearing a smile.

“Geurk we need to talk. Put some clothes on.”

“Hm? We heading somewhere?”

“No. Gather your things too.”

Geurk takes a moment to try to discern the Lisk's mood. But he can’t get a whiff of understanding. Stretching, he puts his shirt on and catches him staring.

“Do I have something on me? You wanna confess something?”

“Just get ready.”

Geurk scratches at the stubble on his chin. Gathering what little he has. His small collection of shirts. His bag with essentials and a few keepsakes. He accidentally dropped a small notebook that was nestled inside. Jumping. Scrambling to get it back in. Leto still stands and stares. Finally, he’s all set.

“Ready?”

“I think so? What’s happening? Are we going on a field trip or something?”

“No. The Office called. They told me about your training. Something you have never mentioned to me. Once. I told them that you were struggling to get a job and they said it’s because you’re going to be a lifter.”

Leto hisses the words out, his voice raised. Geurk immediately knew his fate. 

“Do you know what a Lifter is Lough? What they do to people?”

“It’s training Leto. Literally not a job.”

“But you still lied about it. Why? I’ve been worrying about you for months and you said you were trying! I thought all those hours away were job hunting. I should’ve known better.”

“I’ve heard about what the damn job is. This is exactly why I didn’t tell you, man. Because you’d freak out!”

“Freak out?? This is freaking out to you? Oh, you Crow. I’ve been concerned about you! I let you stay in my house!”

“Well, you know now. What are you going to do? Just kick me out to the Office? Didn’t you get me just because you were lonely? Just get another Myokan! Since I’m so bad!”

Leto lets out a sigh and runs a stressed hand through his hair.

“You’re not bad… Geurk. Just. I don’t think I can support the two of us anymore. So. Y-yeah. You can’t stay anymore. And you lied to me from the start. I can’t trust you. Especially if you’re a lifter.”

The bell outside rings again. Geurks face is monotone, emotionless. 

“We can still stay in contact- you’re a good friend. I-“

“No. Fine. I’ll go.”

Geurks mentor did say this, long before he took the apprenticeship. People would hate him, he’d be alienated due to this work. But it’s important. The city needs lifters, Lisko the continent needs them for security. He just thought back then he’d be fine with that. That’s how his whole life was, but maybe he could have a purpose now.

Leto frowns and tries to hold out a hand to Geurk’s shoulder. He walked past and pushed it to the side. He shakes his head.

“You don’t need to call me. I don’t need your pity.”

Closing the front door behind him, he accidentally makes it louder than it needed to be. Reverberating the sound across the entire apartment hallway. Not looking back he goes past all the idol banners. All the shoddy doors and outside into the gray pale day. He thanked whoever for how little he had.

The Office can wait, he needs to go south and find a speakeasy. He needs to forget. He yearns for the numbness and the meaningless mumbles. As he goes down to the border he’s reminded of his days in the Blue district. All the long nights of drinking. With all the stupid things he did when he was younger, he can still feel the raised scars and aches from those escapades. 

Maybe he can relive the glory days for one more night. As a treat, he deserved it.