Time passed by the glowing warmth of the fire. Hu packed a wooden pipe with tobacco and puffed on it peacefully, blowing the smoke out of a cracked open window. From within the house’s safety, the rain outside sounded pleasant and soothing splattering on the roof.

Charles lay on a recliner. A cat had taken an interest in him, rubbing her side and tail along his leg. Charles dangled a strand from his Aeonian shirt for her, and she pawed at it, catching the cloth with her claw. ...