With the day over and having clocked out, Landis made his way home to his nestled apartment near the heart of the city. It was a much livelier area than most of his mail routes: bright lights filled the sky as they welcomed many patrons to partake in drinking, movie viewing, clubbing or even physical vices. All within reason. The beginning bustle of off the clock citizens was somewhat enjoyable for Landis to watch as he traveled home on the public bus. The overwhelming diversity is what drew Landis to live in the city and yet he couldn’t help but remember his parent’s reaction. They're disapproval was within reason, but it only contributed to his desire to follow through with the idea. 

Landis’ apartment was nothing too special considering it had only one working elevator making him usually opted for the stairs. The results were flattering if he was being viewed from behind though. The fact he could work for the city and afford the one bedroom with in unit appliances and laundry facilities was a humble brag in his opinion. Hanging up his bag and placing his shoes by the door, he made his way into the bathroom to rinse off the remnant sweat from the day. The hot water cascading off his body brought so much relaxation to the tense posture he carried while working. He was careful with the bruise on his right thigh and the still fresh brand under is left bicep as he dried off. The giant didn't have many noticable features while glamoured, but the ones he did have, from birth or man made, he did his best to keep hiden.  His hair was the most difficult aspect to maintain as it took a combination of towel, blow and air drying in order to get all the water out. 

He enjoyed the mane of hair as it was a source of pride for him. Running his hands through his bushy sideburns, before going down and running his finger over his chin to inspect the stubble. It was still much less than the rest of him, but he had enough hair in other places to compensate. Landis looked into the golden eyes of his reflection to give it a proudful smile before exiting the bathroom. Now changed into comfier clothing, he prepared a small bowl of cream in his kitchen and brought it outside onto the balcony that sat next to his living room behind a glass screen door. From here, Landis could sneak a peek at the outline of the city that softly disappeared as the sun set. To his left, as if on schedule, he was greeted by an excited meow followed by a parade of purring. It was his neighbor’s cat Beau. Together, he and the elderly Manx cat developed a routine of going behind their owner’s back to get more food. Landis didn’t like the idea at first, he couldn’t help himself whenever he directly met Beau's globe like eyes. 

As Beau happily licked the bowl, Landis sat on his porch chair, leaned back and grabbed his pipe that sat on the side table. It was polished wood with a signature curve shape except required no physical tobacco. Landis brought the small tip between his lips and inhaled, igniting the larger end causing wisps of dark purple smoke to dance upwards. It smelt of pine, tree sap and salt water. A calmness started forming as he closed his eyes, taking in the scented smoke in puffs with the sounds of Beau’s purring still reaching his ears.

Seconds later his phone started ringing from inside his apartment. He took in a final puff of smoke before retreating inside, leaving the sliding door ajar in case Beau wanted to make themselves more at home. 

“Hello?” 

The voice on the other line was that of his mother. She sounded just as anxious as ever, but it was to be expected since she was living in an empty nest. 

“Helsingen bryd blod,” a common greeting in the giant language when addressing direct family. *Greetings Birth Blood.* “I regret calling you so late, but this couldn’t wait.” 

“Hello Mother, I just got home not too long ago, is everything ok?” Landis speculated what this could be about since it wasn’t the first time she’s called him to express her worry.

“It is your father, he’s found another one.” 

Landis could hear how close she was to the phone now and pictured her body closing up on itself as she spoke. 

“Another one and it was found just outside of the city limits. Please tell me you have not ventured that far out.” 

His father found another lair of corpses littered with evidence of disgraced arcane practices. Landis was young when he first saw something like it with his own eyes and he remembered it clearly because he begged his father to retire from the civilian safety bureau in their town. The husks of bodies he saw were those of giant ancestry with dark pools of dried blood. Blood that was stained with shades of gold and violet. It was the only time he saw them, but it wasn't the last he heard about more bodies being found while growing up. He was beginning to lose count on how many true giants were left other than his parents and him. 

“Landis?” 

“Yes, sorry. I’m still here and no I haven’t gone that far. My job has me sticking close to the city.” He took three silent breaths to not add his anxiety to his mother’s. 

“That…that is reassuring,” she still sounded on edge. “I wish your father could see common sense. He is not who he once was, yet he is determined to place himself directly in the line of fire.” 

“Agreed, but you and I both know he only wants to protect those who can’t fight back.” Taking a seat having a feeling this wouldn’t be a quick call. “He wants to still serve the people despite all the advances made in today’s society, even if he exposes himself as a target.”

“He can’t serve the people if he is dead! He would be contributing to the bigger problem.” 

Landis fell silent trying to not take the out lash personally as she was just scared. 

“I am sorry my dear,” he could hear her sniffle. “My fear grows worse the longer I am alone. Your father rarely comes home and it makes it difficult to stay calm until I see him. Please tell me, when I can tell him where you are?” 

“Mother, I don’t,” he sighed loudly, not wanting to argue, but he wasn’t ready for his father to know the full story of why he moved. “I haven’t made enough progress on my own, you know he’d only get upset. I appreciate you covering for me this long, but its not time yet. I’m sorry.” 

When Landis first expressed interest in moving to the city, his parents were against it due to the sheer fear of what they were dealing with out in the rural part of the world. Landis' direct family lived in the same town and in the same two floored cottage his great great grandparents on his father’s side had built. It felt like a repeating cycle of generations stuck in the past. While his father was technically retired, the alarming number of cases being filed by his department kept him coming back and shaped his opinion on Landis moving out on his own. In an attempt to be useful, Landis feigned a story of moving to the city in order to study politics and find work at one of the council departments. Since his father’s name was decently well known in the smaller defense forces from previous collaborations in city out reaches, Landis believed it would be convincing enough to get his foot in the door. 

In reality it was only about twenty-five percent true. 

"My child, please understand that I can't help you if you are caught. We are a dying race and if your father finds out you will be alone when dealing with him." 

"I understand. I always have, but we couldn't have just continued to live in isolation while the rest of the civilization is at risk." His voice cracked. "If anything this can be an opportunity to reestablish our heritage to the world, why hide when we can offer something?" 

"We only hide because of those your father is after! There are those who only seek power and they've continued these outlawed practices just to grasp it. Those in the city council can't do anything without causing panic!"

Losing his calmness, Landis voice rose. "And if giants were to be wiped out you think these people would just stop? They'd go after the elves, dryads, tieflings, dwarfs, everyone who possesses magical talents!" 

A pause followed. An uncomfortable pause as they stewed in the hard truth. Anyone could be a target, even those who rely on external tools to harness magic. Landis thought of those he's seen on the bus ride to and from work, his coworkers, and the humans who chose to live amongst them. He needed to find out who was behind these killings and why. 

"I'm sorry mother. I'm not angry with you, its just the situation." Turning his attention to the glass door, he spotted Beau as he made his way inside, his paws silently patting against the floor towards him. "If I find anything, I'll contact father right away, but you can be at ease. My runes haven't faltered so I am just an average mailman." 

His mother let out a breath and he felt a lump grow in his throat from guilt. Lowering his free hand, Landis gave Beau a few chin scratches, letting the cat's purrs vibrate on his fingers. 

"You are so much like him," his mother finally replied. "deg paart dun vader." You Honor Your Father 

"I wish you wouldn't say that quite yet," Landis responded with a weak laugh. "but thank you for everything." 

He couldn't tell if the conversation lessened his mother's fears, but the information was important none the less. After exchanging goodbyes, Landis hung up and went back to his porch with Beau closely on his heels. Standing behind the edge with his hands on the railing he peered out into the city's artificially lit outline against the darkened night sky in thought. What would be his next move?