Tricks of the trade

[Kamui]

Noresh, Place of Light. Though thankfully it did not wholly live up to it's name. Sunlight during the night while trying to sleep would be awfully awkward. He had to wonders why such the valiant struggle between the two people's of the Realm? Was it really such a volatile issue that it needed to break the world in two? Why couldn't people just be....people? Not everyone had to be a crusader championing their cause in everyone else's face. To be so militant towards each other felt.....inefficient.

Kamui stopped at the edge of the town of Anoron. This is where the boy Sidril had directed him to go to... The sun peeking out over some large buildings on top of a hill. Judging by the roads going to and from the structures, and the traffic already on said roads, he figured they were important. In fact the whole city itself seemed to be alive and thriving. A good place for an honest...ok, somewhat honest man to find some work. Earn a bit a money, go on from there. Use the place as a stepping stone to see what lie beyond. Or who knows, maybe fate will smile upon his new life and he will settle down in this town. Only way to know was to give it a shot.

"Hector!! Hector! I've got NO time for your games, boy! Hector!" Kamui glanced around a moment before he saw a large robust woman leaning out of a small shop on the side of the road. She gave up yelling for whoever 'Hector' was and goes back into her shop. He took note of the sign above the doorway "Patsy's Pastries~Delectable Treats". Slowly a few small children made their way to the front of the shop. On their tip toes they managed to look in through the small window. The woman he could only assume was Patsy opened her door again and stuck her head out looking at the children.

"I'm sorry, kiddies. My helper's been gone for a number of days, no where to be found. And Auntie Patsy's fallen behind in her work. You head on back home now, ya'hear?" Dejected, the kids started to walk away. Occasionally looking back at Patsy and hoping, but she sadly shook her head.

Walking up to her, Kamui spoke up. "Excuse me, miss?" Turning around, she puts on a smile looking at him. "Hello sir. And the name's Patsy, no miss or nothing. Ain't a proper Lady of the Realm or anything, just a baker. What can I do for ya?"

((To be continued later when I'm not so dreadfully tired.))

[Kamui]

((And I'm back. Maybe to stay, maybe not. We'll see. Can't hurt to try.))

He can't help but be taken aback by the kindness and warmth of the lady. Smiling akwardly in what he hopes makes him seem like a nice person, and not a random bum off the streets, he gives a small bow and introduces himself. "Hello then Patsy, I'm called René. I find myself in Anoron with no employ. I'm not....skilled per se, but I'm an honest laborer and a quick learner. And...well....I would be deeply in your debt ma'am if you would let me work for you. I couldn't help but overhear outside that..."

"Oh it's ok, dearie! I was actually considering tomorrow going up the street to the Jamesons and asking if their boy Edward was interested in a job. But these boys now a days, off pretending they're hero's. Can't settle down, learn a trade. I tell ya come the next generation this place is going down!" René just smiled and nodded to the woman as she went on her little rant. She paid him little attention as she walked into the back room of her store making a hand motion for him to follow.

"Why I tell ya, just the other day there was a swarm of girls who said they wanted to be like the high and mighty people in Noresh. Saving the world from the dark forces and all that nonsense! All well and good, and I do give my thanks to the dears who protect us, but someone has to run the town! Someone has to mend the clothes, bake the bread, sow the feilds, process the grain. Parents are losing a hold on their kids, letting them dream too much. Need more feet on the ground, lest we all fall down....oh...where was I. René, was it?"

"Oh, yes Patsy."

"Well good then, nice name, though it has a bit of a foreign flavor to it. I like your face though...you seem like a nice enough man. What are you, 27? 26?"

Casting a glance downward he shakes his head. "I can't quite recall. You know how it is, the years just run together in a blur. Didn't have a spectacular childhood, so there was little reason to count the years."

Patsy laughs and takes a bowl with some powdered substance in it, placing it on the table. "And right you are! Hun, to your right there is a pitcher of water. Dip the tip of your finger in to see if it's cool."

Following her instructions as best he could, he looked to his right hand side and saw two pitchers. For a moment he wondered if he was having double vision until he saw that one of them was empty. Obviously not the one she wanted. He took the other one by it's handle and carefully tested the temperature of the water. "Yeah, seems cool to me."

"Well alright then son, bring it on over. This ain't gonna make itself, ya'know."

Blinking sheepishly he walks over to her. "Alright there now René, take this spoon-"as she hands him a large wooden spoon, "and stand right here." She steps to the side and lets him step infront of the bowl. "Right, hun. Now I want you to slowly stir in the water. Add maybe a good cup or two of water, till the mixture is doughy....that's right....ok, stop with the water and just stir it." She put a hand on his back and watched him carefully. "Now I was going to pay the boy a small amount to work in my store, so I can offer you the same. It's not much, but it should help you. Also I can help out with food occasionally. My eldest son Walter is by occasionally and he's a town guard, so there's pretty much always gonna be an eye on you until I'm totally assured of you, hun. That sound good?"

"Yes it does, Patsy. I'd shake your hand, but this dough doesn't feel right, so I'm not sure I'm done yet here."

"Yes indeed, my boy! Cooking takes skill, a feeling, knowing your ingredients and what you're working with. Hopefully I can make a chef out of you yet." Reaching over to a small jar, Patsy pops the lid off an almost instantly a honey scent hits René. Taking a small dab of it, she drops it into the bowl where René quickly mixes it in. "The children will love this."