[littl3chocobo]

he didn't have the ability to answer, his mind was still reeling from soft lips and the strong fingers capturing his jaw. it took several more seconds to find his words, "....you are...welcome"

[Poggio]

His mind was still on the excitement of the trip, only then did it dawn on him how big it truly was to be. He knocked his head into the others forehead with a grin and pulled his head back to avoid yawning in the others face. Ree crawled into his bed and absentmindedly pulled the other into his arms like a long lost teddy bear. The goofy grin never left his face.

[littl3chocobo]

he was not given time to regain his senses as he felt a pain in his skull from the other boy's head before quickly being pulled into a hug. he struggled but the other held him still and quickly he gave up and accepted it. he'd let the boy have his joy but only this one time

[Poggio]

It felt like a heavy weight was on his chest. Rees body naturally sprawled out, the other was a log, a giant log that was while, making him warm also constructed his breathing. Red eyes blinked away the haze of sleep only to stare at an alabaster neckline. Ree grunted to himself, he should have slept on the floor. Turning his head he realized most of the little ones were already up and about. Slowly he inched his way off the edge of the bed until he could roll onto the ground. Ree crawled on the floor reaching the door to give himself leverage. He escaped to the lower level of the shack where his mother was baking bread.

[littl3chocobo]

he woke to the sun in his eyes and pulling free from the rough bedding followed his nose towards the smell of fire-toasted bread and cheese

[Poggio]

The elderly woman twisted her head listening to the steps of Kais as he entered. She turned towards him greeting him with a crescent smile. “You are not one of my children.” She hobbled over to the boy and lightly grazed her fingers over his skin. They were fine and smooth lacking the usual calluses that came with work and grit from the street. Her eyes narrowed. “You are a welcome here, guest of my son , but who are you?”

[Poggio]

The elderly woman twisted her head listening to the steps of Kais as he entered. She turned towards him greeting him with a crescent smile. “You are not one of my children.” She hobbled over to the boy and lightly grazed her fingers over his skin. They were fine and smooth lacking the usual calluses that came with work and grit from the street. Her eyes narrowed. “You are a welcome here, guest of my son , but who are you?”

[littl3chocobo]

"oh! i am kais, he is letting me stay just long enough to find a ship, i was here a few days ago as well. how are you this morning ma'am?" he felt uncomfortable under the milky gaze

[Poggio]

She continued to smile pulling Kais into a seat. “I think I recall. The one that lives in a world that is stifling and dull and lonely.” She gestured to her ears. “And who is going to teach Ree how to read.” He abandoned his hand and went to wash hers going back to making her bread. Her all knowing smile never faltered “Yet you are going to find a ship.” She stopped smiling then. “I have had nearly 35 years to trust my hearing, Kais and while I am greatful for what you did for James, I would like to know what you intend to do with Ree.”

[littl3chocobo]

he blanched as he realized she had either heard everything he had said or more likely ree had told her everything. he had to swallow the unpleasant feeling in his gut before answering her. "he was going to be my guard, though in light of what i have just heard from you i think he would not be a very trust-worthy companion. if you do not mind i will take my things and leave now, forgive me for having taken advantage of your hospitality past when i was welcome." with a slight bow he quickly hurried back up to the room for his things

[Poggio]

That made her laugh. She waited for him by the door "Boy calm down, did you not just hear me? or can I assume that all nobles are raised to be impetuous untrustworthy buggers?" She moved from the door frame letting Kais have the option to leave. "You may leave if you wish but you are leaving behind more then just a guard." Shaking her head she walked back to the kitchen. Perhaps it would be better if the noble never saw her boy again.

[littl3chocobo]

he did not look at her when he came back down with his things but with her at the door it was inevitable that there would be a confrontation of some sort. when she began talking he stopped and waited but her words were hypocritical and without worth to him. the thief had deceived him to parrot information back to his 'mother' for reasons unknown to him and such actions coupled with his natural need to steal meant that having him along would almost certainly leave him ransomed or dead with his rings gone. he ignored the pain in his gut and when she moved away he quietly escaped

[Poggio]

Ree had fenced most of the silver, and bought new clothes for himself and Kais, but still had an abundance of it left over. On his way home he saw Kais quietly walking out of the front door. He followed behind him.

[littl3chocobo]

he didn't know how long he had been wandering lost before he found the harbor and had to sit down. already this day that seemed so full of promise last night was turning into a debacle. with a sigh he wrapped his arms around his two bags and rested his face in the folds. he was no longer sure he could do this

[Poggio]

After following Kais all day, Ree was glad when he finally stopped. He was hungry and tired and not sure what upset the boy in the first place. He crept up behind Kais and silently sat beside him. He let his feet fall over the harbors edge as a wave crashed into it. “Did you find a ship?”

[littl3chocobo]

he flinched and quickly looked over "oh! oh go away ree, i don't want your sort around, i am not stupid enough to keep a snitch around, do you take your pay from my father or from someone else? good job with your 'mother' but i am not going to fall for it anymore i got enough of that sort of sneaky backstabbing at home"