4 Ch.4

Language changes:

"Regular Human English"

"~ParselTongue~."

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Rajah, the tiger, wasn't as bad as Harrison first thought, but he wasn't about to admit that out loud. Valerie would never let him live it down. And he still preferred the snakes more. Rajah was sweet and well trained, if not a little hesitant and suspicious when he got close to her. She wasn't familiar with him, so it was to be expected.

He'd pet the feline as he had agreed to do, just on top of her big head, and he left it at that. He didn't want to rock the boat too much.

Valerie was more vocal with her complaints than Harrison as they arrived at where the snakes were being kept. She touched the head of one with her index finger before jumping back when its' forked tongue darted out against her hand.

She, including the snake handler named Mason, looked like they would have heart attacks when Harrison went over to the boa constrictor's cage and picked it up. The skinny ten-year-old boy with a thirty-pound snake wrapped around him carelessly was a sight to see.

"It's fine," Harrison said when he saw their expressions. Mason, looking panicked, paused in his movements to try and remove the boa from the boy. He wasn't worried about himself, considering that he was used to handling the reptile.

The boa lifted its head and upper body until it rested over Harrison's shoulders and very close to his neck, too close for comfort, for the two watching at least. Harrison didn't seem phased. It hissed, and Harrison turned his head as if listening to it. Like it had spoken to him.

Then Harrison hissed right back. Valerie thought the sounds coming from his lips were scary and creepy, yet it had a lulling feeling. She felt like it should have a much more terrifying edge to it, but it didn't. Not a lot. It was just...unsettling, especially with the soft smile on Harrison's face to contrast it.

Then, it was back to regular speaking. "She said that she wouldn't have attacked because she knows her human-I think she means you, Mr. Mason-wouldn't put her in harms way intentionally," Harrison said. The boa hissed again. "And that she would never harm a 'speaker,' whatever that means."

"You can talk to snakes...?" said Valerie incredulous.

Harrison ducked his head at her words. He'd always been able to speak with snakes, sometimes other reptiles too, like basic garden lizards. This was the first time he'd expressed this phenomenon openly in front of others. It would be seen as freaky, and he knew all too well what his freakiness got him.

He'd gotten ahead of himself. Hesitantly, Harrison nodded. "I've always been able to..."

His face was blank, hiding what he was feeling beneath as he watched their faces closely. What for? Disgust, hostility? Something!

"So...like a snake charmer?" Mason asked after a moment. Harrison shrugged.

"Maybe. I've never seen a snake charmer before. Is it the same then?"

"Well, no, not really, but it's the only thing I can think to call it."

Harrison hummed. That made sense. Valerie and Mason still looked uneasy, but it was better than what he'd initially expected. The boa started hissing in his ear again, close enough that its-her forked tongue brushed against the skin of his ear.

"~I've never come acrosss a human ssspeaker before. Only ssstories. It'sss an honor.~"

"~Ssso I'm correct in always assuming that thisss isn't a common trait?~" Harrison hissed back. He reached up and ran his knuckles along the boa's scaley head in a petting motion. He smiled as she leaned further against him. "~What'sss your name anywaysss?~"

"~I've only heard stories,~" she stated again. "~And I have no ussse for your human tradition of naming things. But my human likesss to adresss me asss Sssiana, if you mussst have a name.~"

Harry blinked, then laughed, nodding. Snakes could be so amusing.

"It's like an entirely different language," Valerie whispered. "Like, I couldn't understand a word of it."

"What does it sound like?" Harrison asked curiously.

"Just a bunch of hissing."

"It sounds like regular English to me," Harrison said. "Hissier, but English still."

"And you've always been able to do this?" Mason asked as he carefully unwrapped Siana from Harrison's form.

Valerie brightened suddenly. "Maybe you're part of some ancient bloodline that was part snake once, and they passed down the ability!"

Harrison raised an eyebrow while Mason just stared at the girl blankly.

"Pretty sure I'd know if I was part snake or not, Val."

"That's why I said an 'ancient bloodline,'" she said.

Harrison rolled his eyes as Siana began hissing again as she was pulled away completely.

"~I like thisss hatchling very much. Pretty and gentle. I do hope you come to speak with me again.~"

The boy flushed red. "~Of course.~"

He looked at Mason. "She wants me to come back and visit if that's okay with you." He hoped the man would allow him. Siana was enjoyable to have around, and maybe she could tell him these stories she spoke of.

"Anytime you'd like," Mason said with a warm smile, taking Harrison by surprise with his excitement. "Maybe you and I can perform together in the future."

He turned with a short wave to take Siana back to her habitat.

"That was so insane," Valerie said, breaking the silence that had fallen on them. "Wait till Simon and Olivia hear about this! How come you never told us?"

Harrison rubbed the back of his neck. He was glad that her tone wasn't accusing. She was just curious. "I forget I can do it myself sometimes. And I didn't want you guys to think I was a freak," he admitted quietly. "I know it's not normal...and I learned a long time ago to keep these sorts of things to myself."

The 'Because of my relatives' was left unspoken.

"Well, we aren't them," Valerie said softly, then she stated it again more firmly. "Besides," she snorted. "Are you forgetting where we are? The people here? We aren't exactly what the rest of society would call 'normal' either."

Valerie threw an arm over Harrison's shoulder with a huff. "Honestly, I think I should be offended by you even thinking that! You're not a freak, Shadow. You just have things that others don't and probably will never bother to understand."

Harrison stared at the girl beside him with a mix of awe and hope. "And the others won't mind?"

"I doubt it," she shrugged. "They'll be shocked, that's for sure. Besides, if anyone has a problem, I'll just punch 'em."

Harrison laughed as he imagined the thirteen-year-old girl swinging wildly at anyone in his defense.

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The meeting had run a bit later than Olivia had thought. She and the other adults and decision-makers were only let out around nine that night. Scratching her head and pulling her hair out of its bun, she entered her tent.

She expected to be greeted by Harrison, sitting on the cot they'd set up for hi, there. Most of the kids didn't have a curfew; it was just up to the child's guardian. As long as they were in the living areas before a particular late hour, not many would be concerned about not seeing their child in their tents.

Little Harrison had stayed out late before, though he usually would be in the tent by the time Olivia returned. Both to make sure she got in safe (his words, not hers) and let her know that he would be out of the tent. What an underweight ten-year-old would possibly do if anything did happen to her, Olivia didn't know. But the sentiment still put a smile on her lips.

Olivia looked around the small but homey area as she stepped further in, but she didn't see Harrison anywhere. She looked at the cot for his sleeping form, but there was no black hair peeking out from beneath the blankets.

Had Harrison finally decided to leave? They weren't forcing him to stay; he had the option to leave whenever he so chose. It was, after all, in his nature. Just like so many runaway and homeless children she'd met over the years, very rarely did they stay in one place for long, no matter if they were welcomed to stay forever or not. Or at least until they were of age.

But that was too much to ask for when it came to most, especially those on the younger side.

Olivia pushed the impending panic and sadness down just as her eyes landed on Harrison's backpack, the same one he'd had with him when they met that night. It was still in its place in the corner, next to his cot. So him leaving wasn't the case here, she realized. He would have taken his stuff.

A breath released itself slowly from her chest, and she went about changing into more comfortable clothing be going out in search of the boy.

She found him in the big tent, which she didn't find surprising. There were a few others there, too, all going about their own business. She smiled and nodded to those that acknowledged her appearance.

Harrison was trying his hand at silks once again, dressed in a pair of dark leggings and an oversized button-down. He'd managed to balance himself in a lying down position, belly up. The strands wrapped around his waist, and he crossed one ankle over his leg that he had stretched out, toes pointed.

His small stature helped, even though he was currently doing one of the more accessible positions. But it was undoubtedly an improvement for him.

She watched him lean his head back, his body relaxing there; a soft smile was on his face.

"Having fun?"

Harrison jolted, then quickly tensed up to keep the balance he'd had. He shot Olivia a lukewarm glare.

"You almost made me fall," he said.

"But you didn't."

Harrison made a face. "I'm getting the hang of it."

"I can see that," Olivia chuckled. "You weren't in the tent, so I got worried."

Harrison blinked owlishly at her before attempting to move himself up. Olivia caught her hand under his upper back and helped push him into the upright position he was aiming for.

He grunted a 'thanks.' "I've been in here for a few hours.".

The two fell silent for a moment until Olivia suddenly nudged his leg. "So, I hear you're a snake charmer." She smirked.

Harrison giggled, poking her back in the side with his foot. "Apparently," he said, shrugging. "We don't have another word for it anyways."

"It truly is something unique," she commented.

"Unique is just a nice way of saying 'weird,'" Harrison snorted.

"Weird, yes. But not bad," Olivia said. "I had thought you had left at first," she admitted quietly.

Harrison stared at her for a moment before dropping down to the floor with a quiet thud. "I wouldn't just leave without saying anything," he mumbled.

Olivia nodded, a bit relieved. Though it was a confirmation of his possible leaving in the future, they wouldn't have to worry about him taking off in the middle of the night. She wondered how slim the possibility for him to stay was.

"Oh yeah, Simon said you wanted to talk to me about something."

"Ah." That was one of the reasons she'd went out looking for him. "Right."

They went over and sat on the empty bottom portion of the bleachers. The silence between them was brief as a nervous and fidgetting Harrison broke it.

"Am I being kicked out?" He blurted out before he could stop himself.

"What?" Olivia looked confused. Then realization. "Oh, no, no. Nobody is kicking you out. They'd have to go through me if they wanted to."

Harrison gave a short smile before it fell again.

"They've decided that we'll be moving on to the next town at the end of this month," she continued.

Harrison turned his eyes forward. "Oh."

"You can travel with us. I would take you in as my word, and you'd fall under my responsibility. Which, you kind of already do; it would just be more official."

"So...like a mother?"

Olivia chuckled as Harrison's face morphed into an expression of embarrassment. She spoke before he could fall into a stuttering rant of apologies.

"If you want to see it like that, then yes," she said, warmth filling her chest. "I don't mind at all. Even if you don't want to stay."

Harrison looked down at his lap, biting his bottom lip. Every nerve in his body was screaming at him to say yes, to accept the gracious offer being presented to him, to agree to stay. He did love it here. The people, the animals, the general environment that had a way of warming you up inside. Valerie and Simon. And Olivia, a total stranger, who had welcomed him with open arms, no real questions asked; and if those 'real' questions were asked, he didn't have to answer if he didn't want to, and Olivia understood and respected that. A true rare trait you hardly found with adults dealing with children.

What reason did he have to say no?

Harrison jumped a bit when a ringed hand suddenly placed itself over his. It was only Olivia, of course.

"I realize this may be a conflicting matter for you," she said gently. "You don't need to answer right now. Take some time to think, as much as you need. I'll support you in whatever you decide."

Harrison gave a weak, kind of watery grin as Olivia patted his hand before rising to her feet. "They should still be serving food outside by the fire. Want anything?"

Harrison shook his head. "No, I'm fine. I'm just going to hang back here for a while longer."

Olivia looked like she wanted to say more, maybe protest, but seemed to change her mind and turn to leave the big tent.

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Another two weeks passed quickly and without Harrison realizing it. Everyone had been kept busy, falling into their typical routines. The almost nightly events and chores were just the added weight to include with his sessions with Olivia and daily visits to Siana.

Siana had told Harrison of the stories she knew, though nothing was helpful as to where the snake language originated. She said that human speakers like him were rare and initially thought of them as stories and fairy tales. Snake fairy tales?

His aerialist skills were getting better with almost every practice, the silks being his favorite. Harrison was even allowed his own little entertainment acts outside. They had a set up made up of metal poles where he could hang his silks, or a hoop (whatever he felt like doing), from the middle. He was situated between one of the commonly rigged game booths and a few feet from a food stand.

The acts themselves were on the simpler side. Nowhere near as extravagant as the types he'd seen Olivia do or the other aerialists. But people seemed to enjoy his, nonetheless.

But Harrison wanted to perform in the big tent, preferably at Olivia's side. But he knew he wasn't ready for it. Not yet, at least. He wondered if he should ask anyways. Olivia could teach him a proper routine instead of him just winging it for the most part.

Harrison was hiding out in the animal area in the early hours of the night while everyone slept. He'd snuck Siana's cage key of Mason's hoop earlier that day, and that's how he was able to have the giant boa wrapped around him once again, half in his lap as he sat in the warm summer air.

"~Do you think staying would be worth it?~" Harrison asked aloud.

Siana, whose head rested on his shoulder, gave a dismissive hiss. "~I don't care what you choose, ssspeaker. Do what you think isss bessst. It affectsss me none asss where you go, I go."

Harrison frowned. "~I told you to stop calling me that. And you can't come with me if I leave, Sssiana; you're Massson's sssnake.~"

"~That may have been true before you came along. Circumstances can change, and they have.~"

"~I'm not stealing you,~" Harrison argued. "~Thessse people have been good to me.~"

"~Who said anything about stealing?~"

Siana spoke no more after that, pointedly ignoring Harrison when he asked her to elaborate. Harrison huffed and rolled his eyes, staring upwards at the bright full moon above. His conflicted feelings about the whole situation made him tense, not dying down one bit, no matter how much he tried.

He'd have to make his decision soon; the end of the month wasn't that far away, and he refused to stray from his promise. He would not leave here without a word. And with the ending of July also came his birthday; this was information he'd kept to himself, however. The Dursleys had never acknowledged the date; it was simply a regular day for them. And if they did, his 'gift' was a beating he'd be healing from for days.

So Harrison never made a big deal about it himself. He would maybe get himself some candy if he had the money to spare, but beyond that, nothing.

A frown fell on his face again, his eyebrows pulling together towards the middle.

What if all of this didn't last? Staying in one place for too long, becoming dependent on another person, trusting...it was just asking for trouble. Not only did he not want to risk it for his own sake, but for the others around him too. What if they decided one day to turn him away?

Harrison didn't think he could take that kind of blow in the long run. Even if it happened now, with him only knowing them a few weeks, it would hurt. But he felt he could get back up and recover from it...right?

If he was honest with himself, Harrison hadn't thought much about what he'd do when inevitably it would be time to move on until Olivia brought it up. Maybe his mind just simply wouldn't let him? Like his mind was allowing him to enjoy the situation without him overthinking like he usually would.

He was being fed and sheltered for practically nothing in return besides the little jobs, which he considered more of an enjoyable task than a chore. Olivia was teaching him her craft, and Mason gave him the opportunity of using his snake speaking ability with no judgments, where others would likely shun him for.

While he wasn't as suspicious of ill intentions or an unknown catch to all of it as he had at first, could he risk it long-term? It wouldn't be the first time he had had to leave a place due to people wanting to take advantage of a homeless child, and there was no doubt in his mind that it would be the last.

Harrison sighed and finally got up to return to the tent once the sky started to lighten. He could sleep for about an hour or so when he was awoken again by a shriek. Bolting up in his cot and looking around frantically for what caused the panic, jade eyes fell on Olivia, who stood feet or two away, hands up, palms facing outward.

He was about to ask what was wrong when he felt something scaly and weighted move against him, then hissing.

"~Your caretaker interrupts my sleep.~"

Siana's head poked up, and Harrison relaxed. "~Looksss like I forgot to return you to your cage.~"

"~I'm glad you didn't. I much prefer thisss.~" As if to emphasize her point, Siana moved to put herself beneath his blanket, still touching his body. Harrison rolled his eyes. Of course, she did.

He got up from the cot, pulling Siana with him despite her protests, wrapping her around his shoulders and waist. "I'm sorry, Olivia. I forgot to put her back before I went to sleep."

Olivia, who looked to be over her initial shock of seeing the small, sleeping boy with a gigantic snake right on top of his chest, shook her head. "I didn't even notice that you left the tent last night."

Harrison shrugged, then looked down at Siana. "You don't think Mason will be mad at me because I took her, do you?"

"I doubt it," Olivia replied as she removed her pink and black hair Bonnett and scratched her head, fingers disappearing within her thick hair. "But you should go return her and don't make a habit of taking her without letting him know. He worries."

"Right, of course." Harrison quickly shoved his shoes onto his feet. He paused when he reached the tent flap, however, looking back. "Oh, Olivia?"

"Hm?" She was sitting on her slightly larger cot with a mirror propped against a box in front of her and a spray bottle in her hand. "What is it?"

"The last night is on the 31st, right?"

"Yes, we should be leaving the next day. Why?"

Harrison shifted on his feet nervously, running a hand along Siana's scales in an attempt to calm himself. "I was wondering-I know that the last night is usually the busiest and hectic and all, but-"

He didn't not Olivia getting up and started when a warm hand brushed against his cheek. He looked up at the amused-looking woman. She wasn't wearing any of her rings.

"Breath," she teased. "Now, what is it?"

"Could I perform in the big tent with you on the 31st?" The question came out in a breathless rush.

Olivia blinked. "You've decided to leave then?" She sounded casual about it, but there was a hint of something else that Harrison couldn't place a finger on.

"No...I mean, I haven't made a sure decision yet," he quickly said. He glanced to the side. "But if I do, I want to perform with you. At least once."

"It would be one of the best ways to spend my birthday," he continued with a murmur. The last sentence sounded manipulative, and he hoped that it didn't sound that way to the woman.

"Ah, I assumed your birthday was around this time," Olivia said. She thought for a moment. "Tell you what, let me talk with my partners and see if we can make some arrangements."

Harrison's smile was like a beacon light. "Okay!"

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"Shadow?"

The boy in question glanced over from his work and blinked in surprise as his eyes fell on Simon. Simon's avoidance of him was still a thing, but it died down at least. He returned to hanging out with them, but he didn't do it if it was just Harrison, which was weird. So, it was unexpected for Simon to approach him now. Valerie had gone with their mother for some shopping.

Harrison straightened up from where he was about to pick up one of the crates near him and set down the bag on his shoulder. "Yeah?"

Simon opened his mouth, then shut it again before sighing. He pointed to the crate. "Need some help with those?"

Harrison nodded almost immediately. He wanted the chance to talk with Simon without his sister around. Maybe he could figure out what his issue was. "If you want," he said, stepping to the side of the second crate there. "It'll save me a second trip."

Simon nodded, picking up the crate, grunting a bit under the weight. Harrison shouldered his bag and picked up his container before starting with Simon following beside him.

"What is all this anyway?" Simon asked, peering down at the wrapped-up items in the crates.

"I think it's the food Mr. Garason ordered," Harrison said.

"And the bag?" Simon gestured with his head towards the bag on Harrison's shoulder curiously.

Jade eyes lit up. "Oh! It's fabric. Olivia is having an outfit made for me for my performance with her on the 31st."

"That's great! I'm happy for you!" Simon wanted to hug him but settled for gentle knocking their crates together. Harrison laughed, hitting back.

"So, does that mean you'll be coming with us?" Simon asked hopefully.

They arrived at Mr. Garason's kitchen set up, which was just a tiny building they'd rented out for the duration of their stay here. Mr. Garason stood in front of the stove. A pot that was on it had its contents threatening to boil over. The man thanked the boys as they set the crates by the cluttered counter.

"I'm not sure yet," Harrison finally answered honestly as they exited back out into the hot summer air again. Despite the usual ease that the summer brought him regarding his survival on the streets, he missed the winter weather now. He was probably only thinking that right then because of the heat, and as soon as the cold weather passed through, he'd be wishing for summer.

"Oh."

Harrison looked at Simon closely. Simon stared straight ahead of where they were walking, though.

"Are you okay?" Harrison asked. "I've meant to talk to you about this. You've been acting weird for a while now."

Simon went quiet for a moment, simply following Harrison to where ever he was heading. To Olivia, he assumed. Or Miss Row. She was usually who people went to for outfits and stuff.

"I would like it if you stayed," Simon admitted. "You haven't been here that long, and it must be better than being on the streets, right?"

Harrison nodded. "It is. Everything here has been amazing. I never thought I'd come across a place like this."

"So why not stay? Now one would have an issue with it."

Harrison kicked at the ground, frowning a bit. He'd asked himself that many times. Who in their right mind-especially someone with a lifelike his-would decide to leave? He couldn't explain it. It was more of a feeling of sorts that he wasn't meant to stay here with these people who had welcomed him with open arms. Not now. Maybe later on in life, when he was older.

Or maybe he just wasn't ready to accept this. He's only really known one way of life, the majority of it negative, and this big of a shift made him feel exposed and vulnerable to the unknown.

"I don't know how to explain it," Harrison said quietly.

"Does Valerie know?" the older boy asked.

"About the show, yes. About me possibly leaving, I don't know. Probably, you can't get anything past her."

"She's probably just giving you space to think so that she won't bring it up," Simon agreed. The boy suddenly reached for the bag on Harrison's shoulder, ignoring the boy's twitch at the sudden contact. "So, what kind of outfit are they planning for?"

Harrison shrugged, letting Simon slide the bag off his arm, and watched as the older boy went through the multiple pieces of fabric inside.

"A lot of greens," Simon commented. "And glitter." There were some other colors too.

Harrison laughed. "I think they're going to match me with whatever Olivia's wearing. We'll see how it'll turn out."

"I think it will look stunning on you," said Simon before his own words could register in his head. His freckled face reddened, and he quickly put the fabrics back into the bag and shoved it back into Harrison's arms. He muttered something unintelligible before speeding off, leaving an equally flushed Harrison behind.

Notes: