For a house occupied by a giant snake, it was very well maintained. Stepping inside, Nora immediately noticed the size of the room. Despite what she had been told, it didn't feel cramped. This was the living room, and somehow 4 guys were suppose to live here? She remembered her time in collage, how even just Julia and her took up twice this space. Somehow they had managed to pack a TV and table, a full size couch, a recliner, two beanbags, and a smaller couch. And yet it still felt like there might be room left over.

And somehow a basilisk lived here.

Is that the problem? Did he not have enough room? She took another deep breath, trying not to get worked up. Three in, one... two.. three... Four out... one... two... three... four... She felt her arms relax. She was here to help. That worked better if she wasn't stressed herself, right?

You're the guys from the Society, hu? Nora jumped. The thought had popped into her head, but she didn't recognize it as her own. Paul said you were going to help? She heard a strange, almost trilled, hissing. Not sure how you can help. Kile is insistent that I have to leave. Now she was certain it wasn't her.

"Do you want to leave?" Bradly asked to the empty room.

No, but is it really my call? Bradly looked expectantly at Nora. Right, this was suppose to be her conversation. But who was she talking to?

As if to respond, the black beanbag began to move. She hadn't seen anyone sitting in it, so the movement startled her. Looking closer, she realized there wasn't anyone sitting in it. Slowly unfolding, the bag morphed into a giant snake. Simon. He had curled up in just the perfect way so as to appear like the red one. She was completely taken aback.

"Uh... Sorry, didn't see you there." She stammered the words out just as quickly as she could, then paused, repeating her breathing. Three in, one... two.. three.. Four out... one. two three. The panic continued to rise. Something deep insider her began to claw it's way out. Some primal urge. She tried to reason herself out of it. Simon was human, like her. What possible reason would she have to be afraid of him. thump. He was just another person trapped in this shitty situation. thump. All she needed to do was talk to him. thump. thump. What was that damn thumping?! thump. thump. Simon had stopped moving, his green eyes fixated on her. thump. thump. His eyes held her gaze, rooting her in place. Something floated inside them, like a wisp. Or as soul. thump. thump. Time slowed. The stare down seemed to last forever. thump. thump. She kept looking at him. thump. thump. even as he moved away. thump. thump. what... thump. thump. She held still, just staring.

Nora clutched at her chest, falling to the floor. thump thump The beating getting louder with every second. thump thump Cries of pain erupting from her mouth. Thump Thump... Thump Thump Simon had slithered to the other side of the room, his voice echoing in her head. Thump Thump I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me, his distress palpable. Thump Thump I didn't mean to hurt her.

Bradly was standing over her, saying something, but she couldn't hear him over the pounding in her ears. Thump Thump Stars filled her vision. She tried to hold on, refusing to let herself slip. thump, thump... thump, thump. The pounding continued. He said something, and at once the pain quit. A moment after, black.

---

"... that there was a natural conflict. So long as she doesn't learn the truth, it should be resolvable." Bradly was sitting on one of the beanbags. No wait, the only beanbag, she reminded herself. She had been moved to the small couch.

"The truth of what?" She attempted to lift her head, only to be met with argument from it. Whatever had happened had left her reeling.

"Hu? Oh, you're awake. Um... just that..." Bradly began stammering. He hadn't expected her to hear that part.

There are some pests in our neighborhood. Apparently that's what's been driving me crazy. Bradly mentioned you might have been able to fix that if you didn't know about it. Simon had laid himself out in front of the TV, eyes fixated on it. The TV was off.

"Right." He was diverting. Hiding something. She attempted to prop herself up again, to no avail. Clutching her head, she sank back into the soft cushions.

I'm sorry about that. Really. I guess I was startled. Hopefully you can forgive me.

She was more interested in the how than the why. Things like how he managed to give her such a headache, how he was talking to her, or how he didn't immediately turn her to stone. That last question felt like the important one. "Uh... Ugh. Um." She was having trouble getting the right words. "Not that I'm complaining, but don't basilisk petrify people when they look at them?"

Bradly nodded, "A fair question."

Actually, I'd like to know the same. Jeffery was reading the manual yesterday and ask the same question. Is something wrong with me?

Manual? What kind of manual? Was this some pamphlet that Bradly had been giving out? Why didn't she get one? "What manual?" That was all she could get out.

Oh, the Monster Manual. We were playing D&D when it happened.

Right. Bradly had mentioned that.

"Truth is, basilisk don't petrify their victims. They just disable them with psionics. A headache can immobilize someone very quickly, with the added bonus of stopping a spellcaster from getting in an attack." He looked briefly at Simon. "Don't get any ideas."

A knock on the door rattled Nora yet again. It was like the morning after her collage bender. She learned quickly to avoid drinking at parties if she wanted to wake up in the morning. Frank stepped in with a plastic bag. "Got the pain killers." He handed the bottle to Bradly.

"These usually don't work on dragons, but I've never tried with a half-dragon." He handed to two white ovals to Nora. "Simon, can you get us some water?"

Sure. He slithered off. Some clinking in the other room, followed by a crash, and he was back. Nora gratefully took the glass and downed both pills.

"Thank you. Soon as she's better, we can get back to discussing your situation." Nora took that as permission to fall asleep again, and quickly passed out.

---

Nora woke to a smell wafting to her. Earthy, with a hint of lemon. Tea. Bradly must have left it for her. The remnants of her headache were slipping away. What had she done last night? She took a moment before realizing she wasn't home. The sky was dark. Right, she had passed out at Simon's house. How long was she out? She shook her head, clearing the thoughts. It didn't matter, she was here to help. She slowly sat up on the couch. Whatever he had given her, it was working beautifully.

"Awake again?"

She nodded.

"Good. Jeffery should be back any minute now."

He went out to get food. There's a Chinese place around the corner. I don't suppose you have any objections?

Nora shook her head. Food was food. She'd just eat the chicken or beef and give the rest to Bradly.

"You ok?"

She nodded again, then followed up, "Ya."

"Right. So Simon, could you explain what the problem is?"

He looked hesitant, which thinking about it, was quite an expression for a giant snake. It's a lot of thing really. Lost my job, can't easily help around the apartment, taking up too much room. I don't blame them, but it's frustrating to not be able to do anything about it.

Nora thought about it for a moment, then exclaimed "Night Guard!" Both Bradly and Simon looked at her questioningly.

Then Bradly smiled, "Of course! Telepathic communications makes notifying of intruders easy and covert, and being able to literally stare down people would be a plus."

Simon still didn't look on board. Why would anyone hire me?

"Leave that to me."

And the apartment?

Nora sat back, sipping the tea. It was a Jasmin tea with honey and a touch of lemon. Bradly's favorite. "Hmmm..." This was more complicated. Seeing him appear from what she thought was a beanbag ment he didn't take up much room, so that problem seemed silly, but helping out? His tail seemed capable, as he brought the glass of water, but if the crash in the kitchen ment anything, it probably wasn't that dexterous. And she was sure scales were a problem. She had gotten use to having to clean up shed scales from time to time, but that was as easy as picking them up and tossing them. Without hands, this made things more complicated. "I mean, as far as I see it, there really is only the problem of cleaning the scales. Take care of that, and there really isn't an issue, is there?"

Flicking his tongue out, he thought There really isn't enough space here.

"What about earlier, when I got here? You weren't taking up much room then."

No, but... The thought trailed off. Hu, I guess not.

"And now? I see 4 people here, and still plenty of room." She was again reminded of her collage days. How did they take up so much room?

Ya, but... No, I guess you're right. She could feel relief in his thoughts.

Her ears perked. Something delicious was outside, and she could smell it. She was already on her feet when the door opened.

"Foods here!" Finally, she hadn't had anything to eat all day.