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The few times that Kang had gone to the Sensoriums and imagined up bits of home, he'd been careful to limit the appearances of anyone he was particularly close to. So far, only Granak and Riel had shown up; the only people he'd expressly banned were his mate and hatchlings. He'd felt that it would be too uncomfortable, too... depressing, seeing them. Nothing could compare to the real thing, after all.

He was in a strange mood that day, though, feeling more homesick than usual. So, after a bit of an internal struggle, he'd made his way to the Sensoriums and recreated a sizable portion of Teyr. He knew the doors didn't lock, and he wanted to lessen the chances of anyone showing up. Throwing a glance over his shoulder to make sure no one else was there, he left the busy main road and turned down a side street, taking the back way to his own home. The many draconians going about their daily lives would help obscure things, too.

Even though he'd already made the decision, the bozak still hesitated at the door before taking a deep breath and opening it. Almost immediately, four hatchlings, scales shining a bright, metallic bronze, horns no more than nubs on the sides of their heads, and stubby little wings buzzing excitedly, swarmed towards him. Their mother followed much more calmly, her own scales not much darker, "It's about time you came home."

Kang felt himself relax almost immediately, allowing himself to indulge in the fantasy as his children attached themselves to his legs and tail. It couldn't hurt to do it just for a while, right?

"I can't stay for long. You know that." They spoke in Nerakese, Stacy's systems unable to completely hide the harsh sounds of the actual words in the background of the translation.

Fonrar knelt down and picked up one of the children, wings rustling slightly. "Yes, I do. It's okay."

He couldn't help a glance around, soaking in the familiarity. His home was (obviously) very medieval in design, sizable, and the furniture was well-crafted, made of wood and stone. There was a shelf above a simple brick fireplace built into one wall with a few carved wooden figurines on it; a small bookcase nearby held a handful of leather-bound books and scrolls. The doorway to a side room was open, and a very large bed covered with furs was visible, as well as a smaller one built much like a nest.

He smiled, and carefully moved to the furs in the middle of the main room, sitting down. The remaining three younglings crawled up on him, competing for the much-desired spot on his shoulders; they loved being up high. The fourth squeaked, reaching arms out towards him and struggling in her mother's arms. Shaking her head, Fonrar sat down next to him and let her join her siblings, "Rough day?"

"No more rough than usual," Kang shrugged and grinned, mindful of Brevo on his shoulders. One of the females yanked on his tail, pulling him down, and claimed his spot with a triumphant hiss. Growling, the little male returned the favor, and the pair ended up brawling, only to be pulled apart moments later by their parents. "Yana, Brevo, no."

"I don't think those two will ever manage to get along for more than ten minutes," Fonrar sighed, watching as the other male took the desired spot. Kali made a disappointed sound, but contented herself with staying in Kang's lap. "At least they don't all get into petty fights at the drop of a silver."

Laughing, Kang leaned over and brushed his chin against the top of his mate's snout, "I'm sure it's just a phase. They're only a month old, after all."

A snort. "I bet you said that about Hanra and Shanra, and they still bicker all the damn time as adults. I don't know how Slith can stand it."

"...point. Let's hope it's just a phase, then."

((Open, but ask first. I'll more than likely say yes. :D))

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"Pardon, sir," Billy greeted, stepping back so he didn't have to crane his neck quite as far up. The height was slightly intimidating, but he'd had to talk to tall crew members before.

"I'm wondering where I might find Kang. He's a friend I'd like to check in with."

The large sivak regarded Billy with a neutral expression for a moment before speaking, also in a neutral tone, "The only Kang I know of in the city is the Governor."

"Yes, that's him," Billy answered less confidently. Crud. Why on earth would a strange human know the governor? "I imagine he's on official duties. I'll take my leave."

And he gulped, starting to do just that.

The human didn't appear to have any weapons on him, or pouches of any sort. The sivak frowned slightly, but turned and motioned for Billy to follow him, "Normally, yes. He's taken the day off today, however. What is your name?"

"Billy Cranston. I'm an engineer from another village," he followed, feeling slightly less afraid. Slightly. Though Sensorium-kills weren't really painful, just the thought of something like death unnerved him.

Should he say more and risk lying, further agitating him? No, it was probably best to follow quietly and speak only if spoken to.

"Picketville?" he asked, assuming that Billy's nervousness was due to his size, and not due to any lies. They made their way through the crowded streets at a steady pace, many of the draconians giving Granak respecful nods as they passed.

Picketville...that was where the goblins lived, right? Billy shook his head. "No, but I've heard of it. I'd like to work there someday. We're in a more remote area."

Much, much more remote. He straightened his posture, walking past the villagers with an attempt at confidence. If he was led to Kang's location, he'd have to be on guard to ensure that he didn't interrupt anything too important.

Granak nodded, and fell silent. He wasn't the sort to ask a lot of questions, unlike other sivaks he knew. After another minute, they stopped in front of a large house; Billy was given a gesture to stay where he was as Granak stepped up to the door and knocked twice, with a pause inbetween.

Billy stayed quietly, unsure of where they were. Was there anything familiar to hear? Should he hide?

It probably wasn't a trap, but he didn't feel entirely comfortable standing there. Still, it was best to keep a stiff upper lip.

Kang opened the door with a confused look on his face, and a very young draconian in his arms, "...is something the matter, Granak?"

Then, he noticed Billy, and straightened up with a rustle of his wings, obviously embarrassed. "Ah, Billy."

"Nothing, Governor. You simply have a visitor," Granak nodded at the human.

Oh, Kang was with a hatchling? Billy had to hide a smile, sensing the governor's embarrassment. So it was a bad time after all.

"I'm sorry, Kang. I see that you're occupied." Fatherhood was very serious, Billy knew. "I'll return to the tavern later."

The reference would have confused Granak, but Billy didn't mind. This was a Sensorium, he wasn't truly in danger.

"Thank you. You can go," Kang said to Granak, adjusting the hatchling and watching as the giant sivak nodded and turned to leave.

Another voice came from behind him, "Who is it?"

He opened the door a bit wider and smiled sheepishly at Billy, showing another draconian a bit shorter and shinier than him, and three more hatchlings on the floor. "It's a friend, from the other place."

Then it was all right? Billy nodded in thanks to Granak, then turned to Kang's family. "I'm Billy, it's nice to meet all of you."

He maintained that ramrod-straight posture on the doorstep, hands folded behind his back. It wouldn't do to look sloppy for polite company. Teyr was a fascinating place, he'd noted on the way, but he really knew so little.

Billy thought a moment more, an odd look coming over his face when he realized what Kang must be doing. Remembering shadows of his family, having them but not quite having them. It was a painful concept for Billy, but if Kang was all right, he'd behave as though everything was normal.

"Is everything all right?"

The female (though Billy wouldn't be able to tell at first, or even second, glance) eyed him for a moment before smiling politely and holding out her hand in greeting, "Fonrar, his mate. Well met, Billy."

Kang simply shrugged, chucking the chin of the youngling when she made a curious-sounding squeak. "Everything's fine. Come in?"

"The same to you," Billy answered in relief, shaking the offered hand carefully.

Ah, that was oddly cute. He allowed the smile to show then. "Yes, thank you," he agreed, slipping through the doorway. "I won't bother you for very long. I've just wanted to catch up with everything---like I've said before, Kang, this is all excellent work."

Admiring it again? You bet.

"I didn't expect anyone to actually look for me in here," Kang's scales clicked quietly as he settled himself on the floor next to the other hatchlings. "You don't have to rush off, though. You can stay a while."

Fonrar joined her mate in a nearby chair, leaning down and scooping up another one of them into her lap, "And relax. There's no need to be so formal."

"When I recognized the place I felt compelled to," he answered, sitting in a chair across from them. "You're always fine, but I just wanted to see it for myself."

Gosh, the hatchlings really were adorable. Not that he would say a word like that aloud, and he recognized that Fonrar was like Kang in at least one way. "It's a habit I fall into from serving people for so long," Billy explained. "Your mate's already scolded me for calling him sir."

Billy watched them on the floor, still smiling. "May I know their names?"

She laughed, "That sounds like him."

All four hatchlings were staring at Billy intently, and the two not in their parents' grasp chirped and started making their way over to the human. They were surprisingly mobile for being so young, already able to walk.

"This one's Kali; she's a little shy. That one's Grosk, and those two--" Kang grinned, resting a hand on his mate's leg briefly to let her know it was safe "--are Yana and Brevo. They're very curious, so watch out for the claws."

Billy wasn't worried. Any injuries from the claws wouldn't be real, and he was sure that any child of Kang's would be well under control.

"It's all right, he told the parents confidently. To the hatchlings, he sat up and smiled, careful not to make any sudden movements. "Hi Brevo, Yana."

...well. Most of the time they were. They had their moments, Yana especially. As soon as Billy acknowledged their presence, they promptly clambered up to get a better look at him, messing with his clothing and poking at him with their claws.

"If they become too much of a hassle just let me know. They're a bit young to understand the concept of personal space," Kang said, shifting Kali in his lap.

"Don't worry about it," Billy waved off the concern easily. "This isn't the first time I've dealt with curious children."

It definitely wasn't a common occurrence for him, though, and it took a bit of conscious effort to remain easygoing and pliant for their poking and prodding pleasure. Small claws dug into his hair, scraping the scalp a little, but that only merited a slight flinch. Their knocking-off of his glasses was a bit more of a concern, but from what he could see it was amusing.

What on earth was the strange squishy human looking through?

"Don't get dizzy," he warned them, shifting his arms up in case one of them wobbled. Billy didn't touch them, not wanting them (or their mother) to feel threatened, but he wouldn't just sit by if they were hurt.

Yana snagged the glasses and peered at them, plopping down in Billy's lap and settling herself in for a while. She tapped at the lenses with a claw and moved the temples back and forth. Luckily for the human, she hadn't decided to try chewing on them. Yet.

Both adult draconians laughed, and Fonrar quirked an eyebrow ridge, "You may have met your match this time. And don't worry; they're not made of glass."

If she did chew them, Billy could always return to the clothing room for a new set, so he wasn't too worried. He'd just have to stumble his way out of here if the damage was permanent.

"I just didn't want to scare them," he explained to Fonrar, slowly lifting his open hands. Billy showed the two that he was doing this, then carefully patted Yana's back (to attempt to get his glasses back soon) and offered the other hand to Brevo. It probably didn't look too useful, as soft and squishy and claw-less as it was, but hey, bendable fingers!

They just don't bend that way---"ouch!" Hopefully the yelp would startle the hatchling into stopping. Still, he had to assure Kang and Fonrar that he was fine.

"I don't know much about children, and even less about yours, but I do know that I was just as bad as a child," he laughed. "My father used to say that scientists are easy to pick out when they're young. We're the ones who get into the most trouble while we figure out cause and effect!"

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