Orio House Kiramman pleased with the oute. He would receive three bronze s and meals for the time spent training with Caitlyn- limited to two or three days a week at most, but still a solid source of ine and survival. As they walked toward the gate, Caitlyn became uedly chatty, her words tumbling out in a cheerful stream.
"We go to the keside, outside of the city, every few days!" She said with a bright smile. "It's really beautiful!"
"Do you think it's more beautiful than the menagerie?" Orion asked casually. Another smile crossed her face as she replied, "Yes. The menagerie is special, but nature's beauty is unique in it's own way. I really like it."
"What's the difference," he asked, keeping the focus on her. She didn't seem to mind, enjoying the opportunity to share.
"The birds, the wildlife, "Caitlyn answered, looking up to the sky as she brimmed with enthusiasm. "The fresh breeze instead of stuffiness, and the feeling of freedom." Orion g her, his eyebrows raised. In such a short time, he discovered a side previously unknown to him.
"It's kind of like Vi's saxophone," he mused, the brief image of it resting on her bed fshing through his mind. His own gaze shifted to the sky as well as they approached the gate.
"I 't wait for you to show me." Orion said, though his words felt hollow. He halted and turo Caitlyn. She looked up to him, brushing her hair aside, clearly unaware of it.
"If you e ba two days, I show you." she said slowly, her tone carrying hope and a tinge of excitement while her eyes searched for an answer. Orion nodded, and her face lit up- until he added, "I'll try. Life in the Uy be uable. There are no guarahat's partly why your mother didn't set specific dates- aside from avoiding your study days."
His blunt response made Caitlyn tense. Her hand raised up to her chest as worry seeped into her voice. "Mother says you have a bright mind. If you joihe academy or the enf-"
"No." Orion cut her off sharply, putting up an invisible wall. Caitlyn flinched, hurt fshing in her eyes as she slouched back. His expression softened as guilt set in, trying to follow up with a quieter too ease the impact. "I'm not ready for that yet."
Caitlyn didn't respond. Her posture stiffened and gaze dropped with the hurt expression. Without a word, she turned abruptly and walked back to the mansion. Orion's gaze followed, his guilt giving way to a hollow, emotionless stare. Moments ter, a servant appeared with the gate keys, allowing Orion to depart.
-----------------------------------
Two silver s glinted greedily oable. Orion stared in disbelief, making no effort to hide his rea as his gaze darted up to the men. Two burly thugs fhe lithe iator, whose posed demeanor and measured gaze revealed his experien haggling aiations.
"Going to pin?" The lithe man asked ftly.
Orion shrugged, "Double."
"Are you smokin' the chemtrails, boy," the iator said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Orion chuckled, his gaze shifting to the sack's tents spread across the table. "Maybe. Security, Ionians, magic- I even got knocked around a little." The iataze remained unsympathetic as Orion tinued.
"These flowers weren't brought in for measly bronze- but for silver old. Your fixer won't receive just flowers- she'll receive the means to grow bushes with a single seed," Orion said, gesturing toward the small pile of seeds. "Exclusive alchemical traits, endless binations, and a monopoly you trol ht. You're not just buying a pnt. You're buying power."
The iator frowned, rubbing his . Slowly, his eyes widened as the potential wealth of the deal dawned on him. He leaned back, breaking into a loud ugh and said, "Damned smart, aren't yah kid? 'C' got lucky- she found herself a rat with just the right mix of chem in its brain."
Reag into his tattered clothes- a stark trast to the wealth on dispy- the iator pulled out three more s and stacked them oable. "Boss said, 'if he has a lick of sereat him right.' sider this just that." With that, he crossed his arms, a nod of approval pin on his face.
Satisfied, Orion scooped up the grand total of five full silver s, slipping them inside his jacket and pant pockets. "I won't have to worry for a while now. Hell, I could almost move to a better pce," he thought happily.
"Don't waste it. Boss said she'll be in touch if you succeeded," the iator cluded, waving a hand dismissively. "Now get lost- I have others to deal with."
Orion nodded and turo leave. A small prig sensation remained in his scious- unease- but it was good money.
He sighed and started his walk back across Entresol, his gaze still adjusting to the familiar toxic smog that g to the streets. "I miss topside already," Orion murmured.
The rest of the evening, Orio crawling through the markets, searg for anything useful. He tried to find a stall selling ammunition that matched his gun but to with no luck.
"I'll probably have to head down to the Bck Lao find some," Orion thought grimly, not looking forward to the trip.
One iment he made, despite having healing magic, was two small portable medical kits for two silvers. He reasoned with himself, "If I end up in another rough spot, I don't want to be starving too. Magic is taxing. It's also forbidden, so I need some sort of guise."
Ravenous hunger had been gnawing at Orion all day, so he spent another silver on a dish filled with plenty of meat. "Food is going to be the biggest expense," he cluded, finally able to enjoy a meal in peace.
