[Poggio]

The noble was just adding to what already existed. Ree waited out every punch until the other was breathing heavily beneath him.He focused on the grey eyes. "Kais, listen... mother is blind she has good hearing do not yell." He preferred not to show up at the castle with the prince as a sleeping log. As soon as his hand rose from the others mouth, he heard the hushed demands to be let up from the ground and a surly rebuttal against being called a whore. "Only if you put on all of your clothes." He said back suddenly realizing bath time and normal conversation was an illusion.

[littl3chocobo]

grinding his teeth he stared hard at the other "my clothes are soaked through, they are no good you fool"

[Poggio]

He blinked at the other. "Then you can have mine, though I really do not see anything wrong with them." His hand saw a few dirt smudges on the breeches and he rubbed the fabric trying to get the dirt off.

[littl3chocobo]

the gesture freed his hand and he smacked the rubbing fingers away unhappily. "don't touch me like i were some prostitute for hire, i will wear your clothes. get off of me now"

[Poggio]

He did as commanded but not before his fingers got their revenge by smacking his hand back. Once back in the washing room, Ree tossed his clothes at the other and climbed into the now cold water. He cleaned the evidence of their scuffle off his legs before draining the tub. He dressed quickly and led the other back into the house. Before leaving again, Ree took a few silver, but then gave the rest to Mother promising her it was enough to pay the taxes and by a small store of grain and wood. She was surprised at the weight of the bag, and Ree cut off any question she had. He stuffed his hair into the hat again, before running into Kais. "Lets get you out of my hair." He said leading the other out of the ramshackle and into the streets. Some part of Rees brain recalled that the royal rarely visited the city. "Would you like a tour... see the city for your self before you have to go back to your ivory tower?"

[littl3chocobo]

he had not spoken since he had changed in the bathroom and he had no intention of starting now. he wanted to see the city of his birth but not with this cad. he kept his eyes averted as the question was offered to him


(he is sulking, take him anyway)

[Poggio]

The boy didn't answer, and Ree did not think any more of it, instead he was given a list of things that the hovel needed by one of the elder girls. Many of the little ones were getting sick, and he had to negotiate a labor apprenticeship for one of the kids. Ree grabbed yet another slice of bread before leaving and gestured to his other task that had found himself a quiet place among the hive to hide. He headed towards the harbor, hoping to catch the ships captain before he set sail.

[littl3chocobo]

he almost didn't follow but a twitch of the hand as the other boy passed by brought him reluctantly to his feet all the same. as they passed by all of the dirt and squalor and moved towards the selling districts of the city he felt his spirits lift and the bad taste of that morning fell to the side. soon he could taste salt and he smiled. he had never actually seen the see up close before

[Poggio]

Ree turned to tell the other to hurry but the look on his face paused the words in his throat. He could see the ship he wanted still tethered to its line so he slowed to dawdle a little. “Kais?” He said getting the others attention. His attention was gained by the man exiting the port house. “Kais, I must speak with Captain Garagin before he leaves.” He nodded in the mans direction before pulling the other towards the man. Upon seeing the two, the captain merely laughed and assured Ree he had time before casting off and that they could talk in his private quarters about the young James who was now apart of his crew.

[littl3chocobo]

they were ushered onto the ship and into the captain's quarters and though the tilting of the ship made him queasy the famillier chatter of contracts and dates was familiar and comforting. after listening for a few minutes however he began picking up the words themselves and with an angry flush pushed the thief aside. "that is a ridiculous offer, you are a cheat if you attempt to take that child for that price" without waiting for a reply he picked up a pen and dipping it into the inkwell went to redlining the contract

[Poggio]

Ree opened his mouth to tell the other to hush but Kais could not be stopped. Any amusement had left the captains eyes. The street clothes had fooled him, though he still thought he was dealing with street mongrals he decided to get serious. The only thing Ree could do was stay protectively by Kais with his arm blade ready. He had promised the other until he returned to the castle, the young man would be safe.

[littl3chocobo]

the captain was not happy but it was a fair deal that still cut him more profit than any legitimate contract would have allowed. with a haughty frown he watched as the captain pulled down another strip of cheap parchment and rewrite the revisions out. he felt pleased

[Poggio]

When two copies were made and the ink was dry with both Ree and the captains signature, Ree took some time to say his good byes to James. He realized he owed Kais a great deal of gratitude. Once off the ship, he rolled up the parchment and placed it in his satchel. He turned and faced the boy and bowed mimicking Kais earlier actions from the tub. The words that followed were slow to come out of his mouth. “Kais... thank you, you do not know how much this means to me.” He felt it unfair that he had nothing to pay the noble with. "if there is anything you need I am in your debt."

[littl3chocobo]

he wasn't expecting the words but he tried not to show it, "then we are even for the bed bath and food." he let out a light huff, "what are we doing now ree?"

[Poggio]

Ree's shoulders dropped at the sound of the huff. “I need to get a few things at the market, we are running low on a few things, and some of the other children are sick...” He mirrored the others huff with his own sigh. “I suppose that shall wait until after you return to the castle.” Ree stopped himself from taking hold of the nobles arm and dragging him along. He gestured for the other to follow him. After a few blocks of silence Ree finally spoke up again. “How did you do that to the captain?”

[littl3chocobo]

he tried to tell the other that he wanted to see the market but the other began walking away. walking briskly to keep up he was out of breath and almost missed the words. " ah- well, i don't know, he was just trying to get the child as a near-slave, i simply fixed it so that he was still getting more than he was paying for while getting just enough to make it worth the child's effort as well, when you negotiate you do not make either party happy but equally unhappy"