Following the previous night, Jade was brought back to the lower-class district while Lucian stayed on the ship. Eliot had a sort of silent anger that was unable to be seen so one could only assume that Jade was to be properly talked to about her failure.
Lucian on the other hand said little words after his mother acted as though he didn't exist. Priscilla and Ozzus attempted to console him but only received monotone answers such as "It's okay" or "I'll be fine".
The next mission Lucian would go on or who he'd go with was still to be determined. The fact that Jade hadn't carried out her assigned task properly most likely meant that Lucian would be assigned another Ethereal. Perhaps it would be Aurora or Priscilla that he would go with next.
***
Opening his eyes slowly, Lucian's brow twitched a bit. That certainly wasn't the most comfortable rest I've had.
Trying to lift his arm, Lucian felt an unusual weight holding it down. Turns out, the unconscious boy was holding onto it tightly as he slept peacefully. Lucian had slept sitting upward on one side of the couch so he could stay close to the young boy and monitor his wellbeing, not to be a makeshift teddy bear!
Using his other arm Lucian adjusted his tailcoat and blanket the boy was sleeping under. Once he wakes up, bringing him to an orphanage would be the best way to get rid of the situation entirely. I'll just have to hope that he doesn't draw bad resolution from this. Being labeled as a kidnaper is not on my list of things to do.
After getting his arm out of the boy's grasp, Lucian replaced it with a small pillow and checked his pocket watch. As Lucian got up, he noticed the large book "King of the outside" that he'd purchased the other day.
Lucian sighed through his teeth, "I don't think the library is an available option today.". Apparently on wednesday the library was closed and only the church is allowed to access it if need be so his only valuable options as of today would be to stay inside and monitor the boy or explore more of Novus.
Ozzus and Priscilla should be staying on the ship for today so leaving to explore the city a bit more should be fine for now.
Once out on the deck, Priscilla could be found sitting on a barrel pulling coins out of a cloth pouch. "Still asleep?", asked Priscilla after glancing over at Lucian.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Now that I'm looking at you, it seems that you're the one that needs the sleep that boy's getting.". The bags under Lucian's eyes were quite visible, but his eyes showed a readiness for the day ahead.
Lucian let out a small chuckle, "I guess you're right. By the way, is it alright if I am to leave to explore the city some more? I don't want to leave the kid, but I still need to be productive to some extent."
Flipping a coin Priscilla said, "I was just about to purchase goods from the farmers market taking place in north park, there's a large list so it'd be a big help if you could come along as you traverse Novus."
"Sure, I wouldn't mind that."
"Perfect! Just give me a moment.". Priscilla shoved the pouch into her pocket and swiftly walked to the cabin. "Ozzus, you're in charge of the young lad!"
"For the love of the first star, I don't want to baby sit!", came a yell from Ozzus's room. From the sound of it, the man was half asleep.
"Thank you, you're so kind, goodbyeeee!", Priscilla shut the door.
While making their way off the ship, Lucian spoke, "How much money is in that pouch? You seemed to be checking it quite thoroughly
"Hmmm, I believe it should be a total of 9 shillings and a bit of copper pennies in there to." (Just a little note: 10 copper pennies = 1 shilling, 5 shillings = 1 silver mark, 10 silver marks = 1 gold crown.)
"Got it."
When they stopped at the street Priscilla held up her hand in the air to signal an incoming carriage. "Honestus street please.", she politely handed the coachman a pristine shilling.
After the two entered the coach and started moving, Lucian's train of thought lead him to a couple questions he should have asked a while ago.
"If I may, I would like to ask how you two even managed to save me out there? It was daytime yes, but that storm was as dark as a dungeon and my corpse would have been considerably deep under the water."
The unexpected question snatched Priscilla's attention from the window, "Oh uhhh, He said something about reading your mind and that's how he knew that you were in danger. As for how we actually saved you, we brought the ship in closer, Ozzus attached a rope to his waist, swam down, and got a hold of you."
The latter part of that explanation is most likely true; it's the mind reading part that doesn't make any sense. Ozzus specifically stated that he can only use his telepathic ability on command meaning Priscilla is lying and keeping some sort of secret from me. Best not to pry though.
Lucian brought his hand to his chin and asked in a deep voice, "Alright then, second question. Why inform me about my family? I'm sure it would have unscrewed a few bolts in whatever scheme you guys are planning with me."
A drop of sweat fell down Priscilla's cheek, "W-well, it'd have been wrong if we hadn't. We wanted to establish a tight trust between each other."
What she'd just said was all true but curved. Lucian knew she was keeping a harsher truth from him. Trusting him so quickly and giving him knowledge that's kept from the entirety of the world is not something that just happens.
"Alright, I'm done with my little interrogation.", said Lucian as he leaned against the side of the coach.
"You were so serious, it kind of had me a bit scared."
"Apologies, I tend to be that way when I'm confused or questioning something.". In truth I had only acted that way because I was tired of being kept in the dark.
After a few more minutes of the ride, the carriage finally stopped, "Honestus street!", yelled the coachman.
Getting out of the carriage, Lucian saw that the coach had stopped many yards away from Honestus street's actual stop. On the two sides of the road were engineers and construction workers building some strange contraption within it. "What's going on here?"
Priscilla was also a bit dumbstruck, but of course she knew what was going on. "A new invention for travel has recently been innovated and is currently in the process of being installed all over Novus. It's called a tram I believe."
"I take it that we'll be walking a lot more until this tram system is completed?"
"Looks like it. About a year or so, or at least that's what the daily paper said."
***
North Park wasn't too far. All Lucian and Priscilla had to do was first pass the library, then the Crowe family house, and then Mable's and Priscilla's academy that the two should be going to within the hour.
Passing through a path full of beautiful oak trees, the two finally made it to the farmer's market. All kinds of fruits and vegetables were on display, even ones Lucian had never knew existed. Meats and beverages were stored within cold, open ice boxes permeating the park with a delightful smell.
"While I go get fruits and vegetables, you go get meat and a bottle of beer with the label Winston, I can't purchase the latter because I'm under 21.", said Priscilla as she handed Lucian a couple of shillings.
"Understood, I'll get to it then."
Once they separated, Lucian approached the meats stand. "My finest greetings young lad, how may I help you?", said a man who looked to be in his thirties. His height, however, didn't match his age, the man was a dwarf, not those over used species in fantasy novels, but a very short statured man.
"Good day, I'm looking for something not too expensive, but really hits the spot at the dinner table.". Priscilla never specified the meat he had to get so this was his only option.
"Ah, then I believe you are looking for these tender fellows right here. Mutton from the eastern regions is in high supply right now, what used to be worth three shillings is now only one. If you are looking for something a bit tastier, I have another one right over here. Steak from the west also in high supply, only two shillings as of present times, the cheapest it's ever been! This year has been very productive so the prices here are the best you'll get."
"I see, I think I'll take the steak."
"Perfect, I see you're a man of quick decision.", remarked the kind, small seller while wrapping up the meat.
Handing the man two shillings, Lucian turned to leave. "Just a minute young man, you are my first customer today, so as to show my gratitude, I shall bestow you with some homemade brisket seasoned to perfection."
"It's quite alright, you don't have to-"
The man was already holding out his hand containing wrapped brisket, "Apupupupup, hold your tongue right there, in case you didn't know it's very disrespectful to deny someone's gift in Novus. This brisket is my little gift."
"Oh, forgive me, I'm actually quite new to Novus and all. I appreciate the brisket.", said Lucian as he took the wrapped meat.
"No, worries, it happens to all of us at least once. Have an enlightened day sir."
Lucian gave a slight bow, "You as well."
A couple stalls down was the one containing alcohol; many barrels of wine and beer were held up on wooden stands giving off the impression of fine work.
"Good day sir, how may I help you?"
"Standing behind the counter was the same small man, but this time, his black and curly hair was a bit longer."
"Pardon my asking but are you working two stands by yourself?"
"Hm? Ah, you mean the meat stand. That is my brother William, I am Winston." The man pointed over to William's stall, "William", then pointed back at himself, "Winston".
Lucian adjusted the bag of meat in his hand. Wow, I never would have thought that any of my days would end up like this. "Apologies for the misidentification sir."
"No need to apologize, it's happened more than once, I can tell you that much, Hahaha. So...how may I be of service to you?"
"My friend told me to get a beverage labeled Winston; I assume that it's your creation?"
"Indeed, that is my concoction of a most delightful beer. If you wish to get one, then that'll be three shillings."
It seems that Priscilla has done this before. Thought Lucian as he pulled the coins out of his pocket.
As he took the beer bottle out of a cabinet, Winston spoke, "Before I sell this to you, I must warn you that this beer is quite strong. Hell, I don't even think my brother mad it 5 sips without going completely drunk."
"It's not for me, it's for my.....friend."
The man gave Lucian the bottle, "If you say so, just make sure to help him to a trash can or toilet in case he doesn't survive the hangover."
Lucian chuckled a bit as he said, "Sounds good."
Afterwards, Lucian sat on a bench, taking in the fresh sight of the wonderous park while waiting for Priscilla. The sun rays peaked through the trees and embraced his being, the warmth comforted him as if the sun was his...
"You done daydreaming?", came Priscilla's light voice.
Lucian got up slowly and picked up his bag of meat and beer, "What makes you think I was daydreaming in the first place?"
"That stupid melancholy looks on your face is what makes me think you're daydreaming.", exclaimed Priscilla as they started walking.
Raising one hand Lucian spoke, "Caught me red handed. What'd you get?"
"A couple cabbages, apples, carrots, and star fruits. You made sure to get the beer, right?"
"Of course I did, your shackle doesn't affect my present life, correct?"
"No, it doesn't. You're still a toddler though.", stated Priscilla half jokingly.
"I never knew a toddler could pay for beer."
A few moments of silence passed before both started bursting out laughing making fools of themselves.
***
While strolling the sidewalks of Novus, Lucian noticed something strange. At a large building with many tinted and stained-glass windows stood two men wearing what looked to be religious robes. One held a sign saying, "Archivist position open for hire!" while the other held a cross with, yet another cross attached on the left side of the first.
"Hey Priscilla, would you mind telling me what an Archivist is?", asked Lucian ever so curious.
Looking over, Priscilla's eyes widened with fear and hate. "Don't concern yourself with that, it's a boring job anyway."
"If I am to get a sort of income then It'd be best to jump at the opportunity, no? Aurora said she'd ask her father if he'd let me be a librarian, but who knows how long that might take to get an answer."
"I said don't concern yourself with those bastards."
Dirt bags? Lucian had no idea what she was talking about. The two men in the robes seemed very kind and calm.
Lucian sighed, "I understand....."
A couple minutes later after some silence, the two arrived at the large academy that Priscilla attended occasionally. "I'll be going now, you'll have to go back to the ship alone, but Ozzus should be there when you get back as long as he listened to my orders.", remarked Priscilla as she handed Lucian the small bag of fruits and vegetables.
How has she not been expelled yet? She had to have had many absences before this. Once he was done parting with Priscilla, he quickly turned around and went the other way.