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 Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 8:35 am
"Well, don't wait too long, or it'll all melt," Oduin cautioned through a mouthful of ice, grinning as he moved the bird back into his lap so it wouldn't take a facefirst dive into the dessert. He pretended to look horrified as Koray scrunched over the fabric, hiding it from view. "But you're doing it out in the open!" he protested jokingly, before leaning back to rest his weight on one hand against the wall. "Well, alright. I don't have too many wild stories, though, I'll warn you," he said, rubbing his beard in thought as he went through his mind's catalog of fun incidents over the course of his lifetime. "I grew up in Sauti, but our people are largely nomadic, so we moved from settlement to settlement with the seasons, following where the work was. Most of the time, we were in Mez. That's up north, right on the border with Zena. We worked on lumber farms that export to Zena, so... lots of sawing and hauling. Hard work, but honestly really satisfying." At least, physically. It wasn't much for anyone with even a speck of ambition.
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 8:47 am
“If it melts, then I can get another one, you can eat all of that one, it’s for you after all!” The shaved ice was meant as a distraction, more than anything else. “Where else am I gonna do it? You’re a big boy, Mr. Oduin. Go look that way, you won’t be ale to see a thing!” Koray really, really liked this man. He was so funny and nice! He could have been done his little project by now, since what he was doing didn’t take much, but he did want to add something a little special, hence he wanted to hear the story! As Oduin spoke, Koray nodded along, fingers working just as fast as before. Maybe one day he could go back to Sauti. He really did love the land, almost as much as he loved the sea. “It sounds like you had a whole family who moved around with you, huh? What made you want to go beyond Sauti? Why did you come all the way down here? I mean, you said you followed the work, but this is pretty far to come for money.”
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:15 am
"Yea, parents and little brother," he said, nodding. "They're still there, probably doing the same route through Sauti. It's pretty dictated by the seasons so they're not hard to find." Not when he'd spent 18 years of his life traveling with them. "Oh, I just figured it was a good excuse to come and look for some work out here," he said. "Oba's got some massive settlements, and I hadn't been out here before." So far, he wasn't regretting the decision. "Plus, Sauti isn't really the place to be when it comes to... career advancement," he said. "You can work hard and it might not get you anywhere because all you've got are tiny settlements and hardly any people. And you can kind of wreck your opportunities by accident. I did that last year in Kesris. They might still have me on a blacklist."
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 4:34 pm
"I guess they're happy with that simplicity of life. And that's okay! You don't need to always see the whole world to be happy. If the people around you make you happy, and you bring your happiness from being with them, then... It sounds perfect to me!" It was a sweet sentiment, one where he would be happy to live for the rest of his days. Ilkay, his parents... If he could be with them forever, he would. Koray nodded briefly, understanding the need for work. "I think... Personally, I'm happy you made it out here as far as you did. You know, when I was in there, and was hurting and crying, I really wished to have someone find me, and someone who would protect me and help me... And then you showed up. Hehe, I think that means you made my wish come true, Sir Oduin. Thank you." He was still working on the little project in his hands, but he did lean onto his arm, resting his head while finishing up a last few notes. "I wish I made more money, I think I'd be happy to pay you forever to stay with me."
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 6:11 pm
"Well, I'm glad I found you when I did," Oduin said, smiling that warm smile of his, doing his best not to peek at Koray's secret project. "But you know, I didn't really do much. I convinced you to leave that doorway but at the end of the day, you were the one who did that." He took a few more bites of the ice, trying to get through it before it could melt all over his hands. "You know, kids can be mean. Somehow they have this ability for sniffing out your weaknesses and making you believe that they're right. But they're only as right as you decide they are," he said, looking over Koray. "Plus, I think you'll realize one day that you don't really need a bodyguard. You can take care of yourself."
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 6:59 pm
"You came in and helped me up. You did you best to make me smile again. I know I was the one who chose to ultimately leave but... I wouldn't have, if you hadn't come in there and smiled at me and treated me kindly..." It was true, every word. Koray would have remained there, sobbing in the dark and praying for someone to find him for who knows how long. One could only be beaten down so many times before they chose to give up. Today felt like one of those days where he came dangerously close to it. But now here he was, sitting there beside someone who could protect him. Chatting, smiling, enjoying delicious festival food and having a toy all his own! Although the day started rocky, it seemed like it was going to end as one of the best days he had in Oba. "I don't know about that. I think I need someone to be there to be my best self. Cuz there are thing I know I don't know. Like, I don't know how to really dodge a rock well, or I don't know my way around so I can run away if I have to. But if someone else is there to help me stand up for myself, give me confidence that together, I can fight against the things that hurt me, then I'll be happy. Maybe I can take care of myself, but it just feels better and makes me happier to be with someone who I can help take care of, and they can help take care of me." Every word seemed too much for someone his age to think about. It was clear that he gave it all alot of thought, and had decided that his happiness lied with others, not simply being alone. But he didn't seem upset by it, and in the end, he smiled, tying off one final knot before starting to put everything away. "I'm all done!" Koray held up a small handkerchief by the corners, showing off an simple, but intricate design in green and gold. On one corner was neatly stitched a few words. From Koray to Oduin. Thank you for protecting me.. "I was working on this for a while, but wasn't sure what to do with it. And then you... Saved me, honestly! And won't let me keep spending my money, so... Here! I even put your name on it and everything!" MoonRazor Something like this but smaller, actually handkerchief sized xD!
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:47 pm
"You seem like you've spent a good deal of time thinking about these things," Oduin said. Koray was obviously a precocious child, mature in ways that perhaps he didn't deserve to be. It was a sad state of affairs, but at least he seemed to be taking it all in stride. He'd probably turn out okay. As Oduin finished up the ice, he set down the bowl and leaned over to see Koray's handiwork. "Oh wow!" he said, eyes widening as he took in the lovely design. "That's beautiful! Thanks, Koray. This is some really good work." He took the handkerchief and beamed down at it, reading the little message Koray had embroidered. "Well, I'm really glad that I was there to save you! This is really, really nice. I'll hang onto it. Here." He took the Suhurama toy off his head placed it into Koray's hands. "Fair trade."
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 8:06 pm
“I... I’m really glad you like it...” Koray happily took the Suhurama and squeezed it to him. “A fair trade! I am reallly, truly happy you like. I hope you keep it!” Handkerchiefs were meant to be used, and in time, it was likely to be thrown away, but for as long as it lasted, he hoped it would be of use to Oduin. “Sir... I... I do want to hire you... If you need money, I can get it, promise! I don’t want to say goodbye. Can you keep being my guard?” He reached into his bag and pulled out that frog change purse again, offering the entire of thing to the man at his side. “I’ll keep making nice things, and selling them, so I can make sure you stay paid.... So please, stay with me?”
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 8:41 pm
Koray sounded so earnest, Oduin could have almost believed that that might be a good idea. But fun as that might have sounded, it would have been unwise to forget that he was talking to a boy, and now was not the time to give in to his young friend's pleading. "Thanks, Koray, I really appreciate it. But I can't, sadly," he said with a small shake of his head, hoping that the boy wouldn't take it too hard. "I've got a meeting with a settlement guard officer in a couple of days. The goal is to get a posting with them and work my way up for a bit to guard some higher-ups. They'll be able to open some doors if I do a good job." And there were few gigs better than being in the personal guard of some powerful people. So many good things and opportunities came in knowing the right folks, getting the right hookups.
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:08 pm
“.. Oh.” That was it. Just a no. He could feel a strange, uncomfortable tingle shoot through his hands, and every ounce of excitement and hope seemed to leave his body. Ilkay had always said never to beg or plead for everything. And he had already got his wish for the day, it didn’t make sense to want any more. “... I’m sorry, you did tell me you wanted better opportunities than what you had at home. I don’t think you’d get to work your way up with me, cuz I’m only me. I don’t know what I’ll end up like in the future... Maybe... Maybe when I’m bigger and stronger, I’ll be able to give you something more worth staying with me.” But would they even meet again? It already sounded like Oduin had plans to move on from here. Maybe this was why Ilkay tried to hard to check what friends Koray made. Some friendships just end up being hurtful in the end. Koray quickly rubbed his eyes, clearing away his disappointed tears that already welling up. “For now, I should probably go home, huh? ... I should probably try to find my parents... I think... I think I’ll be okay now. If you gotta meet up with the guard soon, you should try to enjoy what time you have left..”
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:33 pm
"Oh, Koray, it's not you that's not worth it, it's just... these plans were already made, and it took a few strings being pulled," he said, realizing Koray must have read into his words some implications that he had certainly not intended to make. "These people are expecting me, and I don't think I can just not show up and put existing plans to rest. Your parents might not be okay with it. They don't know me at all." He ran a hand through his beard, looking a little anxious, hoping that Koray wouldn't take all of this too much to heart. "Plus, you know, hiring someone to work for you is pretty transactional. It's not always easy to keep them as your friend. So maybe just, for now, it's better for us to keep the friend part going," he added. He felt bad. The intention had never been to pick Koray up, only to knock him down again. But there was no good way to say no, and equally no good way to excuse himself from the pending interview with the guard. There was no real win here. "Well, look, maybe I can walk you home too. Just make sure you get there alright."
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:58 pm
“It’s okay, Sir Oduin. You don’t need to make excuses for me. It makes sense though, you can’t just cancel on people, It’ll make people upset.” Logically, he could understand everything. If someone canceled on his mom, or one of his dads for a project mid-way, they’d be upset. Emotionally, he couldn’t shake off the rejection. The little coin purse was put back in his bag, and he hopped down off the wall. “My mom was hired to protect my dads, and they ended up fallin’ in love and having me and my brother, so that’s not true.” He argued, shrugging just a little bit. “Like I said, you don’t need to keep making excuses... It’s just not goin’ to work right now, I’m not gonna blame you for it. I’m sad, and disappointed... But you’re still my friend, so I can’t be mad at you. I would like you to walk me home though. Ma picked a house on the river so that way, If I get lost, I find the river and can follow that home.” It was easier to simply forget about his request, forget about how bad his little heart ached from being told no, and just focus on getting home. And maybe trying to forget meeting Oduin once the day was over. “Do you know where the river is?”
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Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 10:27 pm
"Well, alright," Oduin said, only tentatively sure that Koray was actually going to be alright. He folded up the embroidered handkerchief and tucked it away. Poor kid. This wasn't how he'd envisioned the night ending. Still, he couldn't justify canceling all these plans to make Koray feel better, so he hopped off the wall, feeling like he'd just somehow crushed some dreams without intending to. "The river's that way. Come on," he said, scooping up the bowl for the ice. "We'll have you back in no time."
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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 7:48 am
Koray honestly didn’t want to say anything right now. He just knew his voice would crack if he talked too much, that disappointment he felt still all too fresh. And if he kept talking to Oduin about things, he’d only hurt himself more, since Koray knew he liked him more than he should. Mote than any other friend he managed to make on his own. Even now, as they reached the river, that urge to hold his hand, to find comfort with that and learn more about him was so strong that he had to bite his lip to keep his thoughts and words to himself. There was no hiding his sad, heartbroken staring though, and he fell a few steps back behind Oduin as his vision started to blur more than it had already been. Crying wasn’t useful to anyone, he knew that too! So why couldn’t he stop?”
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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:46 pm
Oduin could Koray was upset, but he wasn't one to let an uncomfortable silence stand between them, so instead of simply leaving the boy to hold back tears in the quiet, he started talking idly about animals in Sauti, the harvest season in Kesris, the pillowy-soft ground in Tale and the lush jungle fruits. He liked to speak with his hands, using big gestures to punctuate his words. By the time they found Koray's house along the river, Oduin had told him a handful of stories, ones that he wasn't totally sure had been heard. But they were out there, should he have chosen to listen. "I guess this is you?" he asked. "Listen, I'm really glad I stumbled across you in that alley today. Thanks for coming to the festival with me."
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