There were many names thrown in Ilonin's direction throughout his life. Disease, freak, monster.

But perhaps that's why his kind blended into society so seamlessly, motivated by fear. Experience. Nagas knew precisely how to act like a nobody.

Your roommate had quirks, sure, but everyone does. It didn't truly bother you. Ilonin kept to himself at night, tidied up, remained quiet. He was an ideal next room neighbor.

Except...for those packages he'd always receive in the mail, with labels on something or another about frozen rodents...and how you'd always find slivers of sheds from his pet snake he refused to show you...and how warm he kept the damn thermostat.

He was ideal, sure. But a bump in the night and a low hiss of a growl you couldn't decipher coming from his bedroom in the middle of the night told you otherwise.