☯️~☯️~☯️

"Then we have the Hypnobrai and Anacondrai, the two most dangerous tribes."

Misako took a sip of her milk tea, nodding and pressing her lips together. She rested her chin on her hand while leaning on the dark table of the little café situated in Jamanakai. The woman listened keenly as Garmadon described every tribe of the Serpentine, highlighting important points as if he was teaching a small child.

Misako absentmindedly played with her ballpoint pen, clicking it in and out, her interests more centered around what Garmadon had to say. During a slight pause taken by the male, Misako would always add in her own findings which, to her delight, always seemed to be right.

She sat up straight to cue in just such a fact. "I've read that the Anacondrai are twice as large as the other Serpentine and that they can swallow a human child without a hitch."

"They can," Garmadon nodded, his red eyes wide. They glowed softly in the late afternoon sun that poured in from the high windows, the light streaking across his face and illuminating his features.

After their little run in at the library, the two had exchanged their own reasons for being there. From that, the talk had turned towards Misako's taste in archaeology and how she was still a trainee who would sometimes take shifts at the local history museum for school field trips.

Enrapturing young explorers with captivating legends and taking over history lessons at her old school as an alumni were just some of the things she enjoyed doing apart from burying her nose in dusty old chronicles, archives and exploration journals.

Formal conversations turned into mellow chats that led them to forget about their respective purposes. On Garmadon's proposition, they had shuffled out of the library and down the street to the café where Misako introduced him to scones.

'Funny looking cake things' he had called them before engaging himself in an intriguing discussion with the young bespectacled brunette. Garmadon didn't care if they had just met. He was glad he had finally found someone who didn't flinch at his unsettling red gaze and shared his interests of legends and folklore.

Garmadon pushed the plate of scones towards Misako, gesturing at her to have one. "I've been at every single truce meeting that my father has tried to invigorate between the tribes over the centuries, but they never seem to go a fortnight before slicing each other's throats again."

Misako giggled. "Your father must be pretty fed up with them by now."

Garmadon shrugged, leaning backwards and shifting his chair back and forth on the tips of its legs. "He's more patient than you think. It's unnerving at times. He's still willing to stay awake and devise ways to harmonize the tribes."

"That's very noble of him."

Garmadon shook his head. "It will exhaust him. The Serpentine need to give him a rest. Ninjago belongs to them as much as it belongs to us. The least they can do is try to make things peaceful between them."

Misako smiled, picking up the last scone and taking a bite. "I'm sure they'll end their conflict soon. Both populations are increasing fast and it won't be long before we interact with each other more often than not. They'll have to make adjustments."

"Snakes can't really be trusted," Garmadon replied with a shrug, a bitter edge to his voice.

At that moment, his eyes fell upon the dark wooden clock opposite their table. His relaxed form stiffened as he leaned over to double check the time. It had been an hour since he had left the library with Misako. Wu was probably searching for him in the village, frantic and worried. After all, Garmadon really wasn't the one to get lost in the crowd unless something was terribly wrong.

"What is it?" Misako asked after she took note of Garmadon's frown.

"I have to go," he muttered, standing up quickly. He winced when his chair scratched the floor a little too loudly. "My brother doesn't know I'm here. He must be looking for me."

Misako got to her feet too, nodding understandingly. She moved to open the flap of the satchel that hung from her shoulder but stopped when a fistful of coins came into view. Garmadon took her hand and dropped the lot onto her palm.

"What's this?" the woman asked, almost uncertainly.

"For the scones," Garmadon replied.

Misako shook her head and gestured at her satchel. "Don't worry, I'll pay for them."

Garmadon kept his hands out of reach lest Misako returned the money to him. "We'll split it."

They made their respective contributions and paid for the scones. Soon, they were out in the warm, busy streets of Jamanakai. Garmadon hastily uttered a goodbye and proceeded to choose a direction to walk off in search of Wu.

"Wait, I have a request!" he heard Misako call out from behind.

"A request?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Misako nodded, fiddling with the pen in her hand. "If you don't mind, of course."

"No, I won't mind," Garmadon smiled. "What is it?"

"So," Misako began, pushing up her glasses. "There's this article that I'm writing and it's supposed to be about the Serpentine culture and their origins. Meeting you means like hitting the jackpot to me since you know so much about them and their historical background and I think–"

"You want me to fill you in about what the Serpentine have been up to for the past few centuries," Garmadon completed for her, a playful smile resting on his lips.

Something of a sheepish, innocent expression flickered in Misako's eyes as she looked up at him hopefully. "Yes," she responded quietly. "I was hoping you would help me. It'll save me so much time and spare me all these library raids."

Misako moved her hands a lot when she talked and she stammered and sputtered a few times. Which indicated that her request really was genuine. Garmadon had never met someone who thought so highly of him. Who defined him by his experience and knowledge rather than his uncontrolled actions. After being rejected and shunned, being asked to help someone felt flattering.

"I'll be happy to assist you," he answered without giving it a second thought.

Misako beamed. "Thank you so, so, much! I'll– I'll be grateful."

Garmadon chuckled, a warm, fluttery feeling invading his chest. "We can meet here tomorrow at the same time if that's okay."

"That's perfect!" Misako exclaimed, practically bouncing with joy. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Me too," the brunet said, his smile never wavering.

The two bid each other farewell and made their own ways through the throngs of people. Only Garmadon stopped to look back at the disappearing form of the young woman, wishing tomorrow would hurry up and reunite them once more.

☯️~☯️~☯️

"Father, don't you think Garmadon is acting odd these days?" Wu asked, seating himself down on the dojo's floor.

The First Spinjitzu Master poured out some tea, a string of steam rising lazily from the pot. "What makes you say that, my son?"

"Haven't you noticed?" Wu wondered, moving to pick his cup but retreating when it proved to be too hot. "He's started smiling a lot and isn't particularly grumpy anymore. The other day, I saw him poring over the scrolls regarding the Serpentine and he said that they were very 'interesting' creatures."

His father smiled. "So?"

Wu's eye twitched in annoyance. "He hates the Serpentine! Why is he finding them interesting all of a sudden?"

"Well, isn't this a good thing?" the First Spinjitzu Master inquired, the amusing smile still lingering.

"I'm not saying it's bad," Wu sighed, once more reaching for his cup. "I just think it's unusual. Something in him has changed and I'm sure it does not concern you and me."

"An external stimulus, you mean?" the father guessed, stroking his goatee.

Wu nodded enthusiastically. "It's got to be. I've sensed these changes ever since he came back from our last trip to Jamanakai." He paused to take an eager sip of his tea then continued. "And what's more, he leaves home every afternoon and comes back in the evening without giving a satisfactory reason as to why."

"Yes," the First Spinjitzu Master said. "I've seen him do that a couple of times as well."

"He has to be meeting someone from Jamanakai, I'm sure of it," Wu murmured, glancing down at his reflection in the tea.

"Oh?" the First Spinjitzu Master began, an eyebrow raised curiously. "Has Montgomery ever mentioned a newfound friend?"

"He hasn't mentioned anything! But his behavior says it all."

His father simply sat there, the earlier smile never fading. Rather it grew more as Wu related confusing information about his brother. The blonde knew it was an exceedingly good thing for Garmadon to become less hostile and to spend time with a friend —if that was what compelled him to leave the monastery everyday— but the thing that bothered him was why his brother acted so secretive about it.

The other thing that agitated Wu (and he was ashamed of this) was that he found it very hard not to be jealous of this "external stimulus" that had improved Garmadon's daily mood. What Wu and his father couldn't achieve in centuries, this mysterious something or someone had done it in a matter of days.

Wu still couldn't figure out how his brother had managed to score an acquaintance when he was never a fan of human interaction and generally disliked visits to the village. Wu recalled the day they had arrived at the library. Garmadon's existing displeasure had increased upon meeting the carpenter, Silas. He had wandered off to be alone and that put an end to the possiblity of him speaking to anyone else unless absolutely necessary.

But then again, Garmadon had disappeared from the library and wasn't found until an hour later . . .

"What are you thinking, my son?"

Wu snapped his distant gaze towards his father, instinctively shaking his head. "Nothing," he replied, untruthfully. On the contrary, his mind was whirring. He thought of unravelling this mystery.

It was dangerous for Garmadon to be keeping secrets especially when his fate was already so unpredictable. As he sat there, clutching his warm cup, Wu decided that a little investigation was due.

After all, keeping secrets from others is no different than lying.

☯️~☯️~☯️

"Going out again, I suppose?" Wu asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

Garmadon paused halfway through the door leading outside and spun around. "Uh, yes," he said with a smile which looked more like a grimace. "The weather is great today so I thought I'd get a breath of fresh air. If Father asks, tell him I'll be home in a few hours."

Wu tried his own hand at a fake grin. "Of course."

He waited till Garmadon disappeared out the monastery's main gates before slinking over to his father's bedroom and discreetly peeking inside. He saw the older man sleeping under the covers, curtains drawn and candles extinguished. Wu made to whisper an explanation as a stronghold for later but quickly thought against it.

He quietly snuck outside and stepped on the gates' threshold. Conjuring his dragon, Wu hopped on and followed his brother's trail to Jamanakai.

Late afternoon sunlight melted over the high mountains and flowed into the village as Wu arrived. The streets were overrunning with traders and buyers as usual. The whiff of freshly baked bread mingled with the spicy aroma of noodles while the scent of timbered wood lingered over the florist's potted flowers. It was a general feel of a content civilization with the potential to thrive and Wu wished he was here for reasons other than spying on his brother.

He stopped in front a small group of people gathered by the baker's and caught the attention of a plump man. "Excuse me, have you seen my brother by any chance?"

The man frowned uncertainly. "Brother?"

"Oh, you don't know . . . " Wu was used to the villagers recognizing him and Garmadon at once as they had practically grown up walking the streets of Jamanakai. Wu began making vague gestures, trying to relate what his brother looked like. "He's tall, broad, a bit tan; he's basically a bigger version of me but with dark hair and–"

"Red eyes?" spoke a woman who had been listening.

"Uh, yes, that's right," Wu stuttered, suddenly not feeling good discussing Garmadon's looks in public.

The woman raised a hand and pointed down the lane. "I saw him a few minutes ago, entering the café at the end of the library street."

Wu promptly glanced in the direction the woman was pointing then turned back with a grateful smile. He thanked her (and apologized to the man for the disruption) and made his way towards the library. Wu had never been to the café but he had passed it numerous times so he knew where it was.

Wu didn't need to go over with a fine-tooth comb to locate Garmadon. His brother was seated closest to the big glass window at the café's front. All Wu had to do was duck into hiding and observe through the passing crowds. However, the sight brought forth an explanation Wu never would've thought of even in his wildest dreams.

Garmadon was with a woman.

Wu fought the urge to rub his eyes to check if he was mistaken. Opposite his brother sat a young woman with long braided hair and a set of square framed glasses. There was a satchel on the table between them with parchments and files spilling out of it. The two talked animatedly; Garmadon seemed to be recounting something in a thrilled manner while the woman jotted down in her notebook with equal excitement.

Wu sensed a bond which had long crossed the line of mere acquaintanceship and he hoped it wouldn't amount to anything more than a tight friendship.

The blonde allowed the two to continue and prepared to corner them after they exited the building. Striking up a scene in a busy café was the last thing he wanted right now. He tried to occupy himself by taking a walk around the village but the itching uneasiness at the back of his mind kept nagging him to return.

An hour passed and Wu could no longer keep his feet from wandering back to the café. He waited out in the street while his brother and the woman got up from the table to leave. The little bell rang as the door opened and the two stepped out, still chatting and laughing.

"So this is your breath of fresh air, huh?"

"Wu?" Garmadon's smile dropped immediately as he stopped short.

The blonde stood with his arms folded and eyes narrowed accusingly. He deepened his scowl, shaking his head in disappointment. "For some reason, brother, I feel betrayed. Why did you not feel the need to tell me the truth?"

"Wu, it's not what you think," Garmadon pleaded though the look in his eyes suggested that he might as well punish his brother for following him.

"How long has this been going on?" Wu continued a little louder, causing a few of the passers by to falter in their steady paces.

Garmadon rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to appear too guilty. "Not that long–"

"I noticed something was off ever since that day in the library and that was more than a week ago!"

"Okay, fine! I lied!" Garmadon retorted, clenching his fists. "I lied because I didn't think you and Father would approve."

"Why wouldn't we approve?" the blonde exclaimed, taking a step closer. "Helping you socialize, that's what we want! The only problem with what you did is that you kept me and Father in the dark about it. I don't want you to make it a habit. We're trying to help you. Hiding things won't benefit anyone."

"Uh, I'm extremely sorry but I feel like I'm partially responsible for this," the woman cut in with an apologetic smile, sounding embarrassed.

Garmadon quickly turned to her, waving off what she had just said. "No, it's not your fault. It's mine." He slightly glanced at Wu, his bitterness from days ago returning. "I didn't know keeping secrets was so greatly discouraged in my family."

Wu picked up on the growing tension and so did the woman. Her eyebrows knitted in confusion as she perceived the sudden coldness in Garmadon's tone. Suddenly, the mood shifted and the brunet put on a flicker of smile as if to dismiss the misunderstanding.

"Let's start over." Garmadon gestured at Wu acting like he had just arrived and hadn't been scolding him minutes ago. "Misako, this is Wu, my brother. Wu, this is Misako. I've been helping out with a project of hers."

Wu barely registered what Garmadon had been helping with. He turned to properly look at the young woman and with each passing second, he found himself becoming unable to speak. Misako smiled politely at him— and suddenly Wu forgot how to act. Unaware of the redness of his face, Wu managed to mumble out a few words of greeting.

He was now convinced why his brother, who never enjoyed social company, had taken a liking to this strange girl. Her mere sight had invoked a new sense of ecstacy in Wu and he was sure this is what all those romanticizing poets and philosophers termed as "love". It wasn't as soul-freeing as they had described but it came close.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Wu. Garmadon has been telling me so much about you."

"Huh, what?" Wu shot out of his reverie and realized that Misako had just spoken to him. Ignoring the suspicious glares Garmadon kept giving him, Wu sputtered out a response.

"Yes, you are– I mean, n-nice to meet me too. Uh, you. Nice to meet you too."

Which only increased the scowl.

Misako seemed to be purposefully rendering herself oblivious to Wu's awkward rambling and Garmadon's fluctuating behavior. She simply stated a request to be excused with the same tilt of the lips.

"I must go now but I am looking forward to seeing you again," she said to Wu who only nodded wordlessly. She muttered a friendly goodbye to Garmadon, thanking him for his help and made her way down the street.

The brothers watched her go, standing in silence. Eventually, Garmadon turned to Wu and eyed him with incertitude. "Don't tell Father, I beg of you," he stated, starting to walk in the other direction. "The questions he'll ask will be ceaseless. I'll let him know when I feel like it."

"I won't," Wu mumbled, not sure if Garmadon had caught the words or not. He sighed and glanced in the direction Misako had gone, something of a lovesick smile pulling at his lips.

☯️~☯️~☯️

~ End Of Part One ~