Winter 4th - 514 AVIt probably just turned afternoon, and Percy wasn't eager to help cook, so he thought he'd take the time to sweep the deck and work up an appetite. As typical for a Wintery midday in Zeltiva, the sun flaunted its magnificence in the sky, though in vain behind the dense, swift clouds. Percy had been forced into to his jacket to cope with the weather, and goosebumps accumulated lightly in most places. As the large vessel creaked and turned, the boy took a deep breath to inhale the fresh air that, too, floated above the waters of the Southern Coast. He grabbed at a mop and started moving it around the deck, first around the important places (the kitchens, the captain's area), and then in general just making the whole floor of the ship look that bit tidier.
"Excellent work, Percy, you going to grab some food?" This was the voice of Percy's coordinator and employer, a high ranking sea official, probably next in charge to the Captain. Percy smiled, nodded, and made his way to the kitchen where he found the rest of the shipmates had gathered to tuck in to their lunches.
Although he wasn't particularly hungry, even after the tireless swabbing of the deck, he made a point to fill his stomach with a healthy, wholesome meal.
"So, P.," (P. was Percy's nickname, and it wasn't likely that he'd be addressed otherwise by his friends on deck), "How has your day been?" Gohan asked. Gohan was simple, didn't mind Percy for all his quirks and was a very strong worker.
"There's actually something that I needed to tell you all," Percy almost shuddered as he began, "Do you think we could go to the table?" And with that, the crew all put down their plates and picked up their mugs and headed over to the gambling table. It wasn't often that Donhaeris gambled, but he did try hard to make a good impression by being good at the games they all played.
As dice were rolled, cards shuffled and money swapped, the boy eased himself into a comfortable enough mood to share what he had to say. He picked up his mug, downed the contents of it and then announced clearly,
"You're all my friends, even you, Junhin," He laughed, there was a personal joke involved, "I need to tell you all something, so without postponing any further, I'm leaving." The response was mixed, some laughter and some ignorance came from the rest of the group. "I've come to the decision that I need to see the world, for better or worse reasons than you might think, and I wanted to give you all enough time to prepare for my leave." He explained that his intention was to quit his job within the next few weeks, and that he didn't want to make it difficult for anyone.
Finally, Gohan spoke out, "Well, a motive is one thing, but leaving Zeltiva by yourself is suicide." Percy's eyebrows sank, he knew that it would be difficult. "So, I suppose we're going to have to help you, aren't we?" At first it was Percy's belief that Gohan wanted to come with him - this, of course, was out of the question.
"Look--" He was interupted by Gohan, again.
"Boys, we all love our Percy, am I right? I doubt he'll do very well out there only knowing how to shift barrels!" Hearty laughter built up, now - plenty of alcohol meant a good occasion for Percy to make the most of his leave. A couple of Gohan's closer friends agreed that they'd share their information with the young deck-hand, and soon it was unanimous that the crew would give Percy everything he needed to survive on the way to where ever.
He knew already that Brik had his fair share of experience with the world outside of Zeltiva, and this was his first point of contact. While they gambled they discussed all of the things that Brik had done, and soon it was agreed upon that private tuition from the adventurer would take place as soon as possible. As soon as possible meant the next day, and the afternoon was long and hard before then.
Percy didn't make any money at the table - he didn't lose any either. In fact, nobody was really paying attention to the games properly due to the sheer excitement that they'd gone for so long without. He put his vest on as the sun fell lower and lower in the sky, and as the ship was tied in to the harbour, he started to haul kegs from below deck. This was always tiring work, Percy wasn't cut out for lifting the heavyweight stuff - realistically, Percy was a messenger and a doer of general small things.
That night, thoughts raced through his mind about all of the things that could and would happen. He had no idea that the crew would take so lightly to his leave. After all, it had been almost 10 years since he joined them, and he was looking at a rise in pay in the near future. He hauled his tiring body down to below the deck and removed his favourite book from the shelf. The pictures and cryptic messages quickly put him to sleep, and his dreams were filled with potential snippets from his future, or so he liked to think. His sleep went undisturbed until daylight, as it did for the rest of the crew. |
|