Feels like my head is being crushed. Aniki offered to pay but I should have stopped sooner…
There's something knocking around on my feet. The light in the windows is so bright, it makes my head pulse…ugh…
"S'time ta' wake up yer lordship, hahaha"
I barely open my eyes, and there's that damn midget kicking at me like I'm a vagrant…
"Shit…either let me sleep or ask Lyria and Ferra to wake me up…"
He jabs my back with his stubby little fingers.
"The girls said ta' letcha sleep, an' I did, but I got shit tha' needs doin', an' since ya' said ya' wanna have a team so bad, may as well put 'The Four Heavenly Kings' ta' work."
A little blanket slides off me when I sit up, Lyria is an angel. The remains of the party are all cleared away. I can hear Trav and Lyria clanging around in the back, but it must be pretty early still since there's no customers.
Gralkus sits at a table and scribbles on some paper scraps.
"You've been around the village a bit now, may as well add you to the rotation for all the shit that needs doin', if you're calling it a team, may as well work in groups."
Climbing up to the table is a pain in the ass, every time I move I feel wobbly and shitty. The chair almost tips over when I slide into it, I can feel everything in my stomach trying to climb its way out.
Lyria pops her head out of the back and brings over a cup of water for me, she gives Gralkus a little pout and he just shrugs with a shit eating grin.
"Here Gōki drink this, don't run out the door too quickly, I know SOME people are in a rush to get everything done, but don't hurt yourself."
Lyria heads back to the kitchen while I gulp down the drink. Gralkus just chuckles and passes me the papers.
Every sheet has some basic little maps and instructions along with a few names.
"That's yer work for tha' week, nothin' too hard, helpin' folks 'round town, dealin' with the wildlife, helpin' some kids, perfect for our local 'heavenly kings' ta' deal with."
I can't tell if he's giving me shit or not about the name, thinking about it hurts ill get on his ass about it later.
Turning away from the windows I can get a good read on the paper without my head throbbing.
Hunt with Aniki, train some local kids with Merrick, help Ferra find a dog and fix a fence, easy money.
"If all this works out, an' ya' wanna keep bein' a team, great. The name was a little conventional but maybe yer just gettin' inta' the Ironcrown spirit. Take today ta' rest, ya' got all week to finish the list, just make sure it gets done if ya' wanna get paid."
My eyes are itchy, and the gravel in his voice makes me wanna throw up.
"…just…ugh…huugghh…I get it, Yea…tomorrow…"
I give lyria a wave and shield my eyes from the sun.
"ahhuu…I'm heading home early, I'll see you later…you too old man…thanks for the work."
The dwarf nods and Lyria waves back with a smile, the sun outside is brighter than hell. Everywhere I look it's like someone shining a flashlight in my face, squinting helps but now it's all blurry…ugh I can taste the puke in my throat this sucks.
Thank god Lirien lives in nice shady woods, the heat is unbearable on the road.
I push through the door and see Lirien putting on boots in the entry, the smell of breakfast is twisting my stomach. He shoots me a pissy look, but I can tell he feels bad for me.
"Drink some water Gōki…I hope you feel better."
He slides past me, yelling goodbye to his mom.
As the door shuts Faela steps into the hall and hands me a cup.
"Don't mind him, he was plenty happy to tell me all about the party you all had when he came home last night with Lyria."
Cold water and warm smiles, good to be home…
"Thanks…I'll be up later if you need me."
She pats me on the back as I move to the stairs. It's tempting to lay down right here, the steps are soft enough…no, I'm not a sloppy drunk coming home from work, shake it off, make it to bed at least!
The bed creaks when I slam into it, I shake my way out of my clothes and the world starts melting away.
"Gōki..."
My head doesn't hurt anymore, but my eyes are so heavy, it feels like they are glued down.
"...Could you lend me a hand Gōki…
"Ugh huh! ahhh? Y-yea…one minute mom…"
"Oh Gōki…"
Shit! I snap upright, of course it's not her, stupid.
"Sorry, I'm just…you know, tired."
My heart is ready to bust out of my chest. I just need to stretch…and yawn…as best as I can, I have to be tired.
Faela stands at the door, I don't want to look at her, fuck this is embarrassing.
"It looks like it might rain, I could use some help bringing in the laundry."
She sets something on the chair near the door.
"A change of clothes for you, they might be a little loose. You get dressed and I'll meet you outside."
Rubbing my face doesn't change how hot my cheeks feel. Dammit…I don't need everyone thinking I'm some big kid who needs his mommy.
Shake it off, gotta get outside.
She wasn't kidding about the clothes being loose, Lirien's dad must have been a sumo wrestler or something. Faela left my belt on the back of the chair and it does the job well enough.
We manage to make it back inside just as the rain starts blasting the house, Faela holds the door open like a war movie while I carry in a big handful of clothes.
Spent the rest of the afternoon helping with little odd jobs around the house while she gets dinner ready, this beats getting my ass kicked in the woods any day.
The food hits the table right as Lirien and his sister walk through the front door, this woman has it down like clockwork.
Looking at Faela, I put a finger to my lips as I creep to the wall, when they're right near the end of the hallI jump out from around the corner with my arms wide.
"Whoooooos–hungry!"
Lyria screams and breaks out laughing at my outfit, Lirien jumps at first but is just staring with a sort of sad look.
Dinner is fantastic, but everyone is so quiet, the girls are watching Lirien, he keeps looking at me, it's putting me on edge.
"Lirien if you need to say something then say it–"
"Where did you get those clothes?"
His voice is snappy and hollow, like he's barely in the room.
Faela puts her hand on his arm.
"I needed help bringing in the laundry before it got wet, so I picked those out."
Lirien stares at his food, he doesn't seem upset, but it's too quiet. I should've just eaten in my underwear if this was gonna happen.
I say thanks to Faela for cooking, goodnight to everyone and head back to the room, Lirien didn't even look at me. He's not the type to get all mopey like this, this must really bug him…I guess I wouldn't like folks wearing my dads clothes either…shit.
Fold up the shirt and pants real careful, I'll just set them in Lirien's room, I didn't stink 'em up too much. Just as I'm closing his door he catches me in the hall in my boxers.
He's shocked, but he's not all sad, this is my chance!
Puff out my chest, march over to him and put my hand on his shoulder.
"Lirien. Your dad must have been pretty great, sorry. For what it's worth, I'm sure he'd be proud of you."
He doesn't say anything, like a dog staring at a headlight, I slap him on the back and tell him goodnight, he nods with the smallest whisper.
"Thanks….Gōki…"
I ain't gonna watch him get all teary, back to the room, there's work to do tomorrow.