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Chapter 2:
"This is it," Oh man I was so nervous. I thought she might want to come with me for protection, but I didn't think she'd actually want to come to my home. I tried to think of something hospitable to do. "Would you like a tour?  There's not much to see, but still." There really wasn't. Aside from this there was just my bedroom and the fire pit where I cook out back.
"What are you talking about? There's plenty to see!" I couldn't help but be surprised. She thought my rinky-dink little home was interesting? I mean, yeah it was nice. Simple. But it certainly wasn't impressive. Not by what she used to tell me about human homes. "And you made all of this yourself?" I inwardly laughed at her question. Had I done the physical labor myself? Yeah. Had I had the idea myself? Certainly not.
"Yeah.  There isn't really anyone else I could ask to help, anyway." After all, there aren't exactly any other giants around here. I looked around a bit before returning my attention to her. I couldn't help thinking she looked kind of cute in my hand. In my hand. Oh! "Oh!  I'm sorry!  You're probably tired of being held all this time!" She had me so relaxed I had forgotten she hadn't had the chance to even move in a couple hours. Hell, she had me right in her personal bubble the whole time! Her response came as a bit of a shock.
She began waving her hands around, "No! It's really okay!  It's…it's not that bad." She looked away from me, or as best she could being in my hand and all. I considered maybe she did like it in my hand, before considering she was probably lying. Afraid I'd be offended if she wanted out of my hand. I thought for a moment about the best place to set her before making my way to the table. I set my hand down and she jumped off.
"So…would you like to do something? I know we just got home, but if you'd like we can go for a hike or something?" I had no idea how to entertain a house guest. I'd only ever had one. I was concerned about how I said it too. I had said we had gotten home. Surely she wouldn't see this place as home, especially not under the same roof as me. She'd last about a day I guessed before she'd decide to leave. I took a seat on the couch and waited for her response.
"Uh…if you don't mind…I just rather kind of stay inside for a while…if that's okay with you!" She paused for a moment, giving me time to process what I'd just heard. She wanted to stay here? Willingly? I allowed myself to be happy for a moment before she continued. "Or, if you really want to go, I suppose that I can't stop you." She was just afraid of offending me still. No, more than that. She was still deathly afraid of me. I couldn't have her thinking I was ever going to force her though. To do anything.
"Oh no!  I'd never force you to do anything!  You're my guest now, so whatever we do is partly up to you too!" I couldn't stand having her think I would hurt her. Then something else she said sunk in. I asked carefully, "So…you'd really want to stay here?"
She shook her head. "Stay here?" I heard her squeak out. I was hoping she'd stay of course, but now I was expecting her to continue with 'Are you kidding?!' or 'Of course not!' Instead... "Well of course…I mean for now. I mean, as long as you don't mind the company!" She was stammering now, obviously still nervous but trying to get her point across. She let out a nervous laugh and I decided to go with it. Humor was the only thing I could think of to ease the tension a bit.
"I don't mind at all.  Thankfully you don't take up too much space!" I laughed a bit, hoping to lighten her spirits. Thankfully she smiled and joined in, too. Once we settled, she looked a bit more serious for a moment. Like she had something on her mind.
"Soo…I'm trying to remember. Did you say you are alone here?" It was an obvious enough question, and thankfully an easy one. She looked worried and I could tell why. She was afraid that some other group of giants would just come storming into my home any moment now, scaring her half to death. I smiled a bit and responded, trying to ease her mind.
"Yeah, I am.  I've never actually known anyone else like me." I leaned back on the couch, thinking of all the time I'd spent here. Then all the memories of all the humans I'd met flooded back. "I've met plenty of humans of course, but…" I trailed off, not able to finish. I continued staring at the ceiling, unable to look at her. I'll say this, she was good at finding exactly what I didn't want to talk about. We sat in silence for a moment before I heard her say something.
"So you go the idea for the furniture here…" She didn't finish and at first I was about to let the comment pass, before I realized she wanted me to tell her.
"Huh? Oh.  A…a friend told me to a long time ago.  She said that it would help humans being in an environment somewhat familiar to them." It must have been helping so some extent. She probably wouldn't be so casual with me if it didn't. Then I began thinking of her, and I smiled. " She was always smart like that." Only a moment after I said it, I realized she probably didn't give two snots about my past. I shot my head up, eager to change the subject. "So, um are you hungry at all?"
I saw her eyes go wide and her whole being just emanated a feeling of curiosity. She wouldn't let this go. I knew she wouldn't. And why would she? Being my guest she had every right to know about her host. "Uh, sure…I could eat.  But can…can I ask you something first?" There it was. I decided to respond calmly, hoping she might be asking something else.
"Yeah, anything.  I'd imagine in your position, you're entitled to a few questions." She was of course. It was only fare.
"Well I'm asking just because I'm genuinely curious.  You said you had a friend…a human friend.  Can I ask…?" She stopped. I saw her shut down for a moment, completely lost in her own thoughts before she shook her head. "What happened to your friend?" She managed to blurt out.  "She…doesn't live here anymore I'm assuming?"
It hurt to remember her. "No.  She uh…she doesn't…" I was nearly lost in memories again before I realized what exactly she was asking. "B-but I didn't do anything to her!  I swear!  I would never…" Brilliant, now she probably thought I ate people or something. Or stepped on them if they got too boring.
"Oh no!" I heard her blurt out. She looked embarrassed. "I mean I didn't think…I mean I hoped that you didn't…but I honestly didn't think you would…" She was rambling now. So at least she didn't think I just went around disposing of humans like some sicko. I was about to be a little happy when... "So you didn't do anything to her.  But if you didn't…do you want to tell me what did happen then?" Dammit. Now she wanted me to recall it? "You know what?" I saw her face palm. It was almost cute at her size. "It doesn't matter.  I mean…you don't even know me and here I am prying into your personal business!"
"No, no! Like I said, you're entitled to questions!" We had been talking so normally earlier. Why were things getting so awkward? She had to understand though, that she could ask whatever she wanted. It was uncomfortable for me, yeah, but still. She deserved a few answers since she'd be living with me. "Alright, I'll tell you whatever you want to know.  Do you mind if I tell you after we eat though?" I wanted to share with her. I really did. I was glad to have someone to get this off my chest with.
She was trying to act nonchalant now. Cute. "I suppose that sounds alright.  But please, only tell me if you want to, okay?" She offered me a smile. I'm glad she was getting to be in better spirits. "And yes, that sounds alright to me.  What are we having?"
That's when it occurred to me, I really didn't know what we would have. I usually just walk around all day, eating whatever fruits I find. Occasionally I'd go hunt for meat, but that wasn't often. I didn't think she'd actually stay for dinner anyway. "I…I don't know.  I could always go pick some fruit, but I'd imagine you'd want something a bit more substantial than that.  I honestly didn't even think I'd get this far," I said, scratching the back of my head.
"Get this far? What are you talking about?" Shoot! Why was I wearing my heart on my sleeve? Did I want her digging into my head? I dropped it and just told her the truth.
"Um…I didn't think you'd stay this long.  I figured you'd suddenly realize you're with a giant and demand to leave any second now." It hurt to say, but often times the truth does. I couldn't look at her anymore. Maybe if I just detached myself now, I wouldn't be hurt when she did decide to leave.
"Really??" She shouted. She paused for a moment before continuing. "I mean yeah…you're huge…but that doesn't mean that I think you're bad or anything…at least from what you've told me so far." She didn't think I was bad? What did that even mean? 'I know you won't step on me, but you're still terrifying.'? "I mean I figured if you wanted to hurt me…you would have done so by now." That was obvious enough. I heard her walking along the table, closer to me. "Hey…I haven't asked to leave yet have I?" That's true. She hadn't. It was probably just out of fear though. I heard her again, this time much more forceful. "Grey…look at me!"
I snapped my head up. I realized I was letting myself get lost in my thoughts and answered her. "Well, yeah.  I'd never do anything to hurt you.  Or any human." The rest of what she said sunk in. Finally. "You really want to stay?" I wasn't sure.
She nodded, smiling. "And that's what I thought! Come on now!  You're really not even that scary!" I wasn't? She really didn't find me scary? "And yes…I really do want to stay. That is, if you'll be able to put up with me, that is."
I could tell she was feeling more confident. I tried to kill my solemn mood with some humor. I put on my best annoyed expression before responding. "I don't know, you're already proving to be a bit of a pain.  I think I can learn to tolerate you for a while though." I glanced back down at her and saw her laugh. Thank goodness.
"Oh am I? Well I hope so…it appears that I don't have many other places to go." She began to laugh again, but was cut off by her growling stomach. "So…dinner? I hate to ask…"
I was about to answer myself when my own stomach did for me. I laughed a bit as I said, "I think that speaks for itself. I actually remember, I have some meat stored away if you'd like." Then it occurred to me. Meat would take a while to cook, and in terms of entertainment I wasn't doing so well. "It'd take a while to cook though, and I don't have much in the way of entertainment…" Oh! Wait a moment, yes I do! That little music device! I was excited I'd finally be able to actually do something for her, and a bit because I'd finally see how it worked. "Wait right here!" I jumped up and headed out the door as quick as I could. I kept all this stuff stored in a hollowed out portion of a tree that I blocked off. I couldn't wait to see what she thought of it. I was extra careful with it, being ridiculously tiny to me. I returned to find her in the same place as before. Carefully, I set the small device by her on the table and took my seat on the couch. Anticipating her question, I began. "See, humans have been here before, and a lot of the time they leave things behind.  I hold on to them in case I ever have a guest…that doesn't happen often…Anyway!  I think that's called an 'em pee three.'  It's supposed to play music, but I have no idea how or what kind." I watched in anticipation as to how she'd react to it.
She bent over to pick it up before smiling. "It's an MP3 player." She placed the ends of the hair thin protrusion into her ears. "And it works!" She smiled for a moment before her face scrunched up in disgust.
"Oh, you don't like it?" I couldn't help asking. I imagine I had other 'MP3 players' stored away, I wasn't sure though. Most human devices were so strangely shaped I couldn't tell if they were the same thing or not.
"Oh no!  It's fine…it's just not my type of music I guess.  But no worries!  These things can hold tons of songs!" I saw her start to play with it a little before her face scrunched up again. It couldn't be that bad. "But ugh…not exactly my type of music.  I'm more a fan of…well it doesn't really matter. I'm just not a fan of country music you know?" She shook her head laughing. "Never mind, you probably have no idea what I'm even talking about, do you?"
I couldn't help it. I was curious. Most music sounded ok, so this couldn't be terrible. I leaned my head in closer so I could try to hear for myself. "It can't be that bad can it?  Let me hear."
After a moment I could hear the volume being turned up and the music reached my ears. "You see what I mean though? Terrible right?" She was half right, it wasn't the best country ever. It certainly wasn't awful though. I figured I might as well be straight forward from now on.
"It's not terrible.  Of course I prefer electro or dubstep mostly…" I pulled my head back, noting her bewildered expression. "I'm sorry.  I'm confusing you now aren't I?"
She seemed completely befuddled, like she couldn't wrap her head around what I'd just said. It was kind of cute. "No, you're not confusing me…it's just….how do you know those types of music?"
I realized again that this question lead back to her. I kept my emotions in check though as I answered. "Well, remember how I said a friend told me about the whole furniture deal?  She also taught me about other human things.  Music was just one thing…I'll elaborate later okay?"
She frowned, obviously not satisfied with my answer. "Yeah that's fine…she just…she really meant a lot to you, didn't she?"
Understatement of the year. I found myself revisiting my last memory of her. "Yeah…she did." I couldn't take it anymore. I did my best to derail the topic, placing my hand by her. "So do you want to get dinner started?"
She jumped back from my hand. I wasn't surprised actually, I was almost surprised she had stayed. She fumbled with her words for a moment. " Uh…yeah…okay." She situated herself in my palm and I brought her up. I saw her expression, but had to keep on topic.
"So, I say we get the meat cooking, and then head out to see if we can get some fruit.  Sound good?" I knew I had to get dinner started now. She clearly wanted answers and I obviously wasn't giving her what she wanted. Thankfully, she complied.
" Yeah." She looked up at me, smiling again. "That sounds good to me."

Chapter 2: End

Description
Chapter 2:
"This is it," Oh man I was so nervous. I thought she might want to come with me for protection, but I didn't think she'd actually want to come to my home. I tried to think of something hospitable to do. "Would you like a tour?  There's not much to see, but still." There really wasn't. Aside from this there was just my bedroom and the fire pit where I cook out back.
"What are you talking about? There's plenty to see!" I couldn't help but be surprised. She thought my rinky-dink little home was interesting? I mean, yeah it was nice. Simple. But it certainly wasn't impressive. Not by what she used to tell me about human homes. "And you made all of this yourself?" I inwardly laughed at her question. Had I done the physical labor myself? Yeah. Had I had the idea myself? Certainly not.
"Yeah.  There isn't really anyone else I could ask to help, anyway." After all, there aren't exactly any other giants around here. I looked around a bit before returning my attention to her. I couldn't help thinking she looked kind of cute in my hand. In my hand. Oh! "Oh!  I'm sorry!  You're probably tired of being held all this time!" She had me so relaxed I had forgotten she hadn't had the chance to even move in a couple hours. Hell, she had me right in her personal bubble the whole time! Her response came as a bit of a shock.
She began waving her hands around, "No! It's really okay!  It's…it's not that bad." She looked away from me, or as best she could being in my hand and all. I considered maybe she did like it in my hand, before considering she was probably lying. Afraid I'd be offended if she wanted out of my hand. I thought for a moment about the best place to set her before making my way to the table. I set my hand down and she jumped off.
"So…would you like to do something? I know we just got home, but if you'd like we can go for a hike or something?" I had no idea how to entertain a house guest. I'd only ever had one. I was concerned about how I said it too. I had said we had gotten home. Surely she wouldn't see this place as home, especially not under the same roof as me. She'd last about a day I guessed before she'd decide to leave. I took a seat on the couch and waited for her response.
"Uh…if you don't mind…I just rather kind of stay inside for a while…if that's okay with you!" She paused for a moment, giving me time to process what I'd just heard. She wanted to stay here? Willingly? I allowed myself to be happy for a moment before she continued. "Or, if you really want to go, I suppose that I can't stop you." She was just afraid of offending me still. No, more than that. She was still deathly afraid of me. I couldn't have her thinking I was ever going to force her though. To do anything.
"Oh no!  I'd never force you to do anything!  You're my guest now, so whatever we do is partly up to you too!" I couldn't stand having her think I would hurt her. Then something else she said sunk in. I asked carefully, "So…you'd really want to stay here?"
She shook her head. "Stay here?" I heard her squeak out. I was hoping she'd stay of course, but now I was expecting her to continue with 'Are you kidding?!' or 'Of course not!' Instead... "Well of course…I mean for now. I mean, as long as you don't mind the company!" She was stammering now, obviously still nervous but trying to get her point across. She let out a nervous laugh and I decided to go with it. Humor was the only thing I could think of to ease the tension a bit.
"I don't mind at all.  Thankfully you don't take up too much space!" I laughed a bit, hoping to lighten her spirits. Thankfully she smiled and joined in, too. Once we settled, she looked a bit more serious for a moment. Like she had something on her mind.
"Soo…I'm trying to remember. Did you say you are alone here?" It was an obvious enough question, and thankfully an easy one. She looked worried and I could tell why. She was afraid that some other group of giants would just come storming into my home any moment now, scaring her half to death. I smiled a bit and responded, trying to ease her mind.
"Yeah, I am.  I've never actually known anyone else like me." I leaned back on the couch, thinking of all the time I'd spent here. Then all the memories of all the humans I'd met flooded back. "I've met plenty of humans of course, but…" I trailed off, not able to finish. I continued staring at the ceiling, unable to look at her. I'll say this, she was good at finding exactly what I didn't want to talk about. We sat in silence for a moment before I heard her say something.
"So you go the idea for the furniture here…" She didn't finish and at first I was about to let the comment pass, before I realized she wanted me to tell her.
"Huh? Oh.  A…a friend told me to a long time ago.  She said that it would help humans being in an environment somewhat familiar to them." It must have been helping so some extent. She probably wouldn't be so casual with me if it didn't. Then I began thinking of her, and I smiled. " She was always smart like that." Only a moment after I said it, I realized she probably didn't give two snots about my past. I shot my head up, eager to change the subject. "So, um are you hungry at all?"
I saw her eyes go wide and her whole being just emanated a feeling of curiosity. She wouldn't let this go. I knew she wouldn't. And why would she? Being my guest she had every right to know about her host. "Uh, sure…I could eat.  But can…can I ask you something first?" There it was. I decided to respond calmly, hoping she might be asking something else.
"Yeah, anything.  I'd imagine in your position, you're entitled to a few questions." She was of course. It was only fare.
"Well I'm asking just because I'm genuinely curious.  You said you had a friend…a human friend.  Can I ask…?" She stopped. I saw her shut down for a moment, completely lost in her own thoughts before she shook her head. "What happened to your friend?" She managed to blurt out.  "She…doesn't live here anymore I'm assuming?"
It hurt to remember her. "No.  She uh…she doesn't…" I was nearly lost in memories again before I realized what exactly she was asking. "B-but I didn't do anything to her!  I swear!  I would never…" Brilliant, now she probably thought I ate people or something. Or stepped on them if they got too boring.
"Oh no!" I heard her blurt out. She looked embarrassed. "I mean I didn't think…I mean I hoped that you didn't…but I honestly didn't think you would…" She was rambling now. So at least she didn't think I just went around disposing of humans like some sicko. I was about to be a little happy when... "So you didn't do anything to her.  But if you didn't…do you want to tell me what did happen then?" Dammit. Now she wanted me to recall it? "You know what?" I saw her face palm. It was almost cute at her size. "It doesn't matter.  I mean…you don't even know me and here I am prying into your personal business!"
"No, no! Like I said, you're entitled to questions!" We had been talking so normally earlier. Why were things getting so awkward? She had to understand though, that she could ask whatever she wanted. It was uncomfortable for me, yeah, but still. She deserved a few answers since she'd be living with me. "Alright, I'll tell you whatever you want to know.  Do you mind if I tell you after we eat though?" I wanted to share with her. I really did. I was glad to have someone to get this off my chest with.
She was trying to act nonchalant now. Cute. "I suppose that sounds alright.  But please, only tell me if you want to, okay?" She offered me a smile. I'm glad she was getting to be in better spirits. "And yes, that sounds alright to me.  What are we having?"
That's when it occurred to me, I really didn't know what we would have. I usually just walk around all day, eating whatever fruits I find. Occasionally I'd go hunt for meat, but that wasn't often. I didn't think she'd actually stay for dinner anyway. "I…I don't know.  I could always go pick some fruit, but I'd imagine you'd want something a bit more substantial than that.  I honestly didn't even think I'd get this far," I said, scratching the back of my head.
"Get this far? What are you talking about?" Shoot! Why was I wearing my heart on my sleeve? Did I want her digging into my head? I dropped it and just told her the truth.
"Um…I didn't think you'd stay this long.  I figured you'd suddenly realize you're with a giant and demand to leave any second now." It hurt to say, but often times the truth does. I couldn't look at her anymore. Maybe if I just detached myself now, I wouldn't be hurt when she did decide to leave.
"Really??" She shouted. She paused for a moment before continuing. "I mean yeah…you're huge…but that doesn't mean that I think you're bad or anything…at least from what you've told me so far." She didn't think I was bad? What did that even mean? 'I know you won't step on me, but you're still terrifying.'? "I mean I figured if you wanted to hurt me…you would have done so by now." That was obvious enough. I heard her walking along the table, closer to me. "Hey…I haven't asked to leave yet have I?" That's true. She hadn't. It was probably just out of fear though. I heard her again, this time much more forceful. "Grey…look at me!"
I snapped my head up. I realized I was letting myself get lost in my thoughts and answered her. "Well, yeah.  I'd never do anything to hurt you.  Or any human." The rest of what she said sunk in. Finally. "You really want to stay?" I wasn't sure.
She nodded, smiling. "And that's what I thought! Come on now!  You're really not even that scary!" I wasn't? She really didn't find me scary? "And yes…I really do want to stay. That is, if you'll be able to put up with me, that is."
I could tell she was feeling more confident. I tried to kill my solemn mood with some humor. I put on my best annoyed expression before responding. "I don't know, you're already proving to be a bit of a pain.  I think I can learn to tolerate you for a while though." I glanced back down at her and saw her laugh. Thank goodness.
"Oh am I? Well I hope so…it appears that I don't have many other places to go." She began to laugh again, but was cut off by her growling stomach. "So…dinner? I hate to ask…"
I was about to answer myself when my own stomach did for me. I laughed a bit as I said, "I think that speaks for itself. I actually remember, I have some meat stored away if you'd like." Then it occurred to me. Meat would take a while to cook, and in terms of entertainment I wasn't doing so well. "It'd take a while to cook though, and I don't have much in the way of entertainment…" Oh! Wait a moment, yes I do! That little music device! I was excited I'd finally be able to actually do something for her, and a bit because I'd finally see how it worked. "Wait right here!" I jumped up and headed out the door as quick as I could. I kept all this stuff stored in a hollowed out portion of a tree that I blocked off. I couldn't wait to see what she thought of it. I was extra careful with it, being ridiculously tiny to me. I returned to find her in the same place as before. Carefully, I set the small device by her on the table and took my seat on the couch. Anticipating her question, I began. "See, humans have been here before, and a lot of the time they leave things behind.  I hold on to them in case I ever have a guest…that doesn't happen often…Anyway!  I think that's called an 'em pee three.'  It's supposed to play music, but I have no idea how or what kind." I watched in anticipation as to how she'd react to it.
She bent over to pick it up before smiling. "It's an MP3 player." She placed the ends of the hair thin protrusion into her ears. "And it works!" She smiled for a moment before her face scrunched up in disgust.
"Oh, you don't like it?" I couldn't help asking. I imagine I had other 'MP3 players' stored away, I wasn't sure though. Most human devices were so strangely shaped I couldn't tell if they were the same thing or not.
"Oh no!  It's fine…it's just not my type of music I guess.  But no worries!  These things can hold tons of songs!" I saw her start to play with it a little before her face scrunched up again. It couldn't be that bad. "But ugh…not exactly my type of music.  I'm more a fan of…well it doesn't really matter. I'm just not a fan of country music you know?" She shook her head laughing. "Never mind, you probably have no idea what I'm even talking about, do you?"
I couldn't help it. I was curious. Most music sounded ok, so this couldn't be terrible. I leaned my head in closer so I could try to hear for myself. "It can't be that bad can it?  Let me hear."
After a moment I could hear the volume being turned up and the music reached my ears. "You see what I mean though? Terrible right?" She was half right, it wasn't the best country ever. It certainly wasn't awful though. I figured I might as well be straight forward from now on.
"It's not terrible.  Of course I prefer electro or dubstep mostly…" I pulled my head back, noting her bewildered expression. "I'm sorry.  I'm confusing you now aren't I?"
She seemed completely befuddled, like she couldn't wrap her head around what I'd just said. It was kind of cute. "No, you're not confusing me…it's just….how do you know those types of music?"
I realized again that this question lead back to her. I kept my emotions in check though as I answered. "Well, remember how I said a friend told me about the whole furniture deal?  She also taught me about other human things.  Music was just one thing…I'll elaborate later okay?"
She frowned, obviously not satisfied with my answer. "Yeah that's fine…she just…she really meant a lot to you, didn't she?"
Understatement of the year. I found myself revisiting my last memory of her. "Yeah…she did." I couldn't take it anymore. I did my best to derail the topic, placing my hand by her. "So do you want to get dinner started?"
She jumped back from my hand. I wasn't surprised actually, I was almost surprised she had stayed. She fumbled with her words for a moment. " Uh…yeah…okay." She situated herself in my palm and I brought her up. I saw her expression, but had to keep on topic.
"So, I say we get the meat cooking, and then head out to see if we can get some fruit.  Sound good?" I knew I had to get dinner started now. She clearly wanted answers and I obviously wasn't giving her what she wanted. Thankfully, she complied.
" Yeah." She looked up at me, smiling again. "That sounds good to me."

Chapter 2: End