A week later…
Taylor woke up with jolt, like his body had been waiting for the exact moment morning arrived.
"Huaaa…"
A loud yawn ripped from his mouth, heavy and sleepy.
He blinked.
*Morning alread?*
His eyes drifted to the side of the bed.
Lennie wasn't there as always.
"She's up already…"
He muttered, sitting up slowly.
Taylor got up from bed and fixed everything the way he could.
Blankets, pillows aligned, the room left neat like he hadn't just spent a night with someone.
Then he moved to the bathroom.
The mirror was fogged.
Taylor quickly wiped it down.
At first he didn't recognise himself.
Not because the face was unknown, but he because he'd never actually seen it before.
Jet black hair framed from in a messy, natural fall, strands catching the light like soft ink.
Skin pale—almost porcelain under the room's dim glow—and it made his eyes stand out even more.
His eyes…
Dark hazel brown.
His expression was still his own.
But the details felt sharper, cleaner… like the world had stopped hiding him.
"Mhm…"
He said quietly.
Studying his reflection.
This was the first time seeing himself clearly.
A breath later, he added.
"This is the first time since I got to this world I've seen my face… Definitely different from my old look."
He smiled a little.
"Not bad."
He remarked.
***
Later on the room.
Taylor was putting on his new clothes.
Shorts. A small short—sleeve shirt. And over it all a small black brocade waistcoat.
This was his new uniform.
"Time to work."
He was working on the tarven—mostly running small errands, helping clean up, and making sure the place looked good before the rush.
It's a hard job… at least he couldn't complain when it came with something most people couldn't get enough of.
Free food.
Then he opened a small wooden drawer and pooled out a small pocket watch.
Lennie had given it to him to keep track of the time.
*It worked like the ones in his old world. Even the Callander was similar… Except the fact that there was an extra month, and all of them had different names.*
He slid the watch into his little pocket of his waist coat.
Then he headed down stairs.
The tarven was still empty.
It was still closed.
It opened exactly at [9:00 AM]
The pocket watch read [8:49 AM]
*Eleven more minutes, I suppose.*
"Good morning, sleepy head."
Lennie teased from behind the counter.
Seemingly sipping on warm black coffee.
"Woke up, all by yourself this time, huh?"
"Yep."
He noted, clearing his throat.
"I even got time to fix myself up."
She stepped closer and without asking, adjusted his tie with quick, practiced fingers until it sat straight.
"There you go."
She said.
Her smile was smug in the best way.
"Good thing you woke yourself up today… because it's going to be a busy day."
She handed him a small paper—creased once, then folded neatly again like it was important.
"What's this?"
He asked.
"Those are your errands for today."
She replied.
He unfolded it.
"These are more than usual."
He muttered.
"Yeah, today is a pay day, so it's bound to be packed. If too much for you too handle—"
"No way! This is nothing I can't handle."
"Good."
She said.
"We're about to open."
Taylor checked his pocket watch again.
The second was almost at the edge.
[9:58 AM]
"It's about time. Alright."
He muttered.
Lennie flipped the [Open] sign and yanked the door open with smooth motion.
The tarven's quiet ended instantly.
Morning air and distant voice ps rushed in.
"Well see ya!"
She called.
"Okay, wish me luck."
He replied.
"I'll have your lunch ready for you then."
Lennie added.
Taylor nodded, waving goodbye.
Far enough he pulled out the paper on his pocket.
"Okay now, let's see…"
***
The town's market was awake now.
Stalls stood in careful rows, aligned like a living grid.
Cloth awnings fluttering.
Vendors shouting.
People drifted from one stand to the next with coins jingling in pockets and hunger on their faces.
I read the list again.
*Now where is she again…?*
He thought.
At the first few stalls, people immediately tried to sell him something.
"Hey there young man! Would you like some warm pastries?"
"Sorry."
I said.
"I'm full."
It was a lie. He hadn't even eaten breakfast yet.
Next booth.
"Hey there handsome! I got a mirror here."
"Sorry…"
I trailed off quickly.
"I don't have the money."
The woman immediately lost interest and attended another costumer.
He passed stall after stall.
Until he'd finally found it.
There—an almost empty stand.
And beside it, a woman around Lennie's age.
She had dark hair pulled back neatly, and her cheeks were slightly flushed like she'd been out in the morning air for too long.
Her eyes weren't just pretty—they were sharp, observant, like she could could spot someone's intentions the moment they opened their mouth. Her dress simple but well kept, she carried herself with that calm confidence of someone who didn't need to be shout to be heard.
She looked up as I approached.
"Good morning."
He greeted.
"Ah, Taylor your here. What a delightful surprise."
"Yes. You loos as lovely as ever miss Evangeline."
"Always with the compliments. Who raised you to be such a charmer?"
That had done it, her cheeks warmed more, like she'd bought the compliment hook, line, and sinker.
For a moment she looked flustered in the best way.
To him it was best to do that sometimes. Compliment her looks, put her in a hood spot… and maybe just maybe—just maybe—you'd walk away with what you needed.
"You always know what to say."
"Well, I try…"
"Come now, what brings you here, in this lovely morning?"
"Lennie actually sent me. I'm doing her errands again."
"Oh, a hardworker."
Taylor handed her the list.
"Ooh."
She nodded, scanning the paper.
"Alright then. I'll have them ready for you at the end of the day."
She tapped the list.
"Thank you."
He said, nodding.
Then she reached under the stall and reached out her hand.
Giving him something.
"What's this?"
He asked.
"Let's just say it's a little bonus, for the compliment."
He opened his palm.
Three sliver Valor coins sat inside.
He stared for a second then lowered his upper body.
Straight-backed, carefully, respectfully.
Then spoke.
"Thank you."
"You don't have to do that. Like I said it's nothing, pretty boy."
"But still… Thanks a lot."
He said. Already moving between stalls.
"Now on to ther errands."
He turned away fast—because he didn't want her to see the grin forming on his face.
As he walked towards the next task, he chuckled.
"Haha… easy money."
***
A/N:
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