Elliot wove between the tables, his hands still drawn in to be careful, but his step more lively than when he first arrived. He had finished all that he had been asked to do today, and no one had been angry with him. He smiled as he went around the end of the counter, approaching the barkeeper in order to say goodbye. The barkeeper stood in front of another of Elliot’s friends, Captain Ridgelen. The Captain had often come to help Elliot when he was in trouble, even before he had been a Captain. Elliot liked Ridgelen, who now let Elliot just call him Captain. Elliot found it funny to say it like he was his pirate leader the bards told of, and he was some crew member.
Elliot walked up, a bit of an exaggerated shift of weight between each foot, as he approached, entering into their conversation. Both men turned and acknowledged him, the barkeep with a bow of his head, Captain Ridgelen with a boisterous, “Eeeeyhhh Elliot!”
Elliot stood straight in his best town guard stance, a stoic expression on his face. “Y-Ye-Yessir, captain!” Then smiled letting his overdrawn breath loose in a chuckle. The captain was here checking out what the barkeep had to offer, a crinkled slip of paper in front of him on the counter. The barkeeper had given a few of these to Elliot to hand out to people Elliot thought would like to spend time at The Crowded Collection. Captain Ridgelen had accepted a “Buy One, Get One” drink from the barkeep, something that was called a “Unique Offer” to city guards who had just finished their rounds.
Elliot nodded, happy that two of his friends had met. He was almost sad that he needed to leave now and go back home, but he would hopefully see them again tomorrow. He waved at the barkeep.
“I-I-ma go now. I’ll b-be here t’marr same t-t-time.”
He turned around to go, nearly knocking the large bag of vegetables that hung off the counter now, barring his way. Elliot turned back around.
“Oh n-n-not t-today. We still g-gots lots of stuffs left. M-Mama had to g-get the neighbors ta help us eat w-what we have before it s-sp-spoils.”
The barkeep nodded. “I wondered what the consumption rate might be of your household Very well I shall give you appropriate coins for your day’s work. He passed his hand over the bar revealing a small pouch that shifted and let out a familiar chink of coins moving past each other. Captain Ridgelen’s eyes widened at the sight of it, looking between it and the two men behind the counter. Elliot stared widely at the pouch, seeing a coin slide free from its loose opening. Elliot looked up at the barkeeper.
“Coins? I can’t take your coins, I don’t have anything proper to give you back.”
The barkeeper continued his ever-present smile.
“This is for you being here today Elliot, I’m giving you what you earned.”
“Elliot shrugged, oh no. I don’t need anything today, I’ll just get my veggies t-t’marr.”
He gave a timid shrug and tried to turn away but both the barkeep and the Captain protested. He looked at them, growing nervous at the attention and their concern.
“Wh-wh-what’s the matter? I-I don’t need anything t-today.” He said quietly.
The other two smiled and the captain shifted, his eyes staring down towards Elliot’s feet as he said “uuuh.” in a drawn-out start of an idea.
Elliot knew he was about to explain something. He had done this several times before and always started out this way. He did a good job explaining things. It still didn’t always make sense, but it still always made Elliot feel better.
“Look, Elliot.” He finally began. ” If you want to work for this man you need to let him give or pay you something each day you come. He has to actually. If he doesn’t give you something he will be in trouble with people like me. It’s a good thing, Elliot, it means he likes you being here and he wants to show you that by giving you something every day. Do you understand?”
Elliot nodded. He was happy that they liked him here. He felt better as soon as he walked in the door every day. The barkeep would always greet him with that smile and quiet words each morning, and Elliot would always immediately feel ready to do anything.
He sniffed his nose a bit, his cheeks aching from holding such a quiet and deep smile. Then he realized a big problem. Turning quickly a way as to not let the others see, he sucked in his belly and pulled out the front of his pants. He held for a moment looking down. He let out a saddened sigh as he turned back. His friends looked at him with strange looks but waited for answers to their questions.
“I can’t take c-c-coins today.” Elliot finally said slowly. “I don’t have on ma-my special m-m-money britches.” Elliot stared at the floor, wondering if he could go home and change clothes so he could sneak the coins back to Mama. She told him he should only take coins to market if he kept them stored in his special britches that hid away coins in a secret pouch his Memaw had sewn into them.
An empty glass gave off a dull thud on the counter as Captain Ridgelen wiped the foam from his upper lip.
“Come on Elliot, I’ll carry it for you and walk you home.” He turned to the barkeep, sliding a few Tellas across the table. “I’ll be back for my free one in a bit.”
Elliot grinned, it was good to have friends.