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 Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 7:48 pm
(Glacial by Discord)
Cuzco smiled at his jest and smiled back mischievously with a retort, "Hey don't tempt me, I just might..." He let out a chuckle before returning to the subject."A ship...? You mean like one of those sailing boats? That must be nice..." Cuzco couldn't imagine being part of a crew sailing a ship and going on adventures, let alone owning a boat. He could never be able to afford it. Even if he had the means, he still had his little sisters to worry about. What would they do without him? Cuzco shook his head as their food arrived. It smelled delicious and he couldn't stop himself from digging right in. It tastes great! I don't think I've ever had a meal this big or delicious...
After a few gulps of food and a drink of water, he asked, "Do you... go on adventures and stuff? What's it like?" His curiosity got the better of him. Or perhaps it was jealousy that made him ask? He just wanted to know what it was like to not have to live day by day stealing food for once. Pfft... Like I said, must be nice.
[Cuzco 8]
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 7:49 pm
"Hey, at this rate if that means I get extra food I might consider just letting you get away with it." Teased Ephrym as the smell of food from the kitchens drifted closer towards them as the servers emerged with trays of meat and vegetables. The flat table where they were sitting had little square and round brass crevices built into it where the workers left bundles of heated coals before placing the stone bowls and metal trays on top so that the meat and vegetables continued to sizzle. They also placed down smaller jars of spices and Ephrym found himself picking up some dried peppers and salt to sprinkle over his own serving as it finished cooking in front of him. It was almost too distracting but Ephrym found his attention focused back on Cuzco. "Nice you say?" He mused out loud with a slow grin spreading across his features. Maybe this would be an easy offer for him to make after all then. Who could resist the idea of adventures on the open ocean, right? It was far too exciting an opportunity to pass up!
Flipping some of the meat with a fork, Ephrym continued speaking. "It's very nice indeed. Nothin' beats the feel of the ocean all around ya. There's going to be more adventures soon since the ship is planning on going to Kahikana soon to pick up some goods for the markets back here. You never know what will happen during the journey. There's always the chance of excitin' storms, some unimaginable sea creatures and I'm truly curious about what Kahikana is hidin' all the way over there." He mused with a nod before peeking back up towards Cuzco, that mischievous glint in his gaze once more. "I hear that there's still need for some helping hands around the crew...if someone was interested in doing that instead of running about as a pastry thief? I have some good connections and could see about getting you on board if you'd be interested."
[Ephrym 9]
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 7:49 pm
(Glacial by Discord)
Cuzco was mid drink when the offer was extended to him, but he could scarce believe it. He never dreamed there would be a way out for his way of life, and here it was, held out to him on a silver platter. He almost spit out his water, patting his chest to try to swallow the water down before taking some hefty breaths, allowing himself to breathe once more. "You want... me to be a sailor with you?" Cuzco raised an eyebrow as he seriously contemplated the possibility. What else could he do? If it was going to actually bring him some form of steady income, he could very much quit stealing in the streets just to make ends meet and find food for his sisters.
"I would love to," he started, but then took a brief pause. "But, what of my sisters...?" His hesitation showed through as he leaked the information about his siblings. "There'd be no one to protect them here, to help them get food. I'm not sure if I can accept this offer. I..." He so desperately wanted to leave his life of thievery and take up a real job but he was always the one to put his siblings first. Anything to protect them. Anything.
[Cuzco 9]
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 7:49 pm
"Nah, I want that guy over there." Ephrym nodded his head towards the corner before chuckling. "Of course I'm askin' you!" He started to plate some of the meat while he spoke and shoved it towards Cuzco. "I enjoyed the creativity of the pastry hostages and the fact that you had the nerve to actually follow me here instead of just dartin' away." Others perhaps would have been annoyed at the situation but Ephrym was finding himself warming up towards the younger hybrid. How could he judge someone who was just trying to survive? Surely it had been hard...Ephrym's gaze softened a moment, his mouth tightening into a thoughtful line whenever younger sisters were mentioned.
"Hmm. That is a concern, isn't it?" Ephrym tapped his fingers against the table before grabbing more food onto another plate for himself. "Well if they're too young to be the sea farin' type I do have family nearby in the countryside around the city. My older sister recently married and just had her first child so my mother doesn't have her help on the farm right now. I wouldn't think that they would be against having a pair of extra hands to help out if you think that would be suitable for your sisters?" He visited and wrote to his family often and both his and his sister's old rooms would be empty now....honestly it seemed like a pretty good idea in his opinion. His father would probably be off acting in the upper cities again shortly and his mother could use the company. Ephrym nodded as he continued thinking about it and took a bite of food while he let the idea sink in. "Obviously there's no rush to let me know but the offer is there. If you need time to think about it there's a ship called the Misty Maiden along the southern docks. If you decide to take up my offer you can meet me there within three days and I'll set things up then."
[Ephrym 10]
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:35 am
This opportunity wasn't going to show itself again, and Cuzco wasn't going to let his self doubt hold back his sisters from a much better life. Heavens forbid they got sick or something, they would never be able to afford medicine, and then... No, I won't let hesitation be the reason something like that happens. "There's no need. I'm in. Of course, I'll need a day to prepare and let my sisters know what's going on." Cuzco finished the last of his meal and stood up. He picked up the pastry box and handed it to Ephrym, grabbed the food that was neatly wrapped for him from the restaurant, bowed slightly and ran out the door. Before leaving the establishment, he stopped by the doorway and said, "A deal's a deal. I'll see you tomorrow!" and he ran as fast as his legs could carry him back home to where he and his sisters were living, clutching the food firmly. Excitement brewed in his chest, stomach and lungs, flowing through him like a raging river. He couldn't believe this was happening. I can't wait to tell Veskit and Reiko.
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