"That's not even proper Common," Aello commented, as they reached the docks, and she began to move away from Bob. She turned right around a pile of wooden crates, which had been haphazardly stacked alongside the edge of the dock, closest to the water. The scent of the sea, and freshly caught fish filled her nostrils, as she maneuvered her way around. Out of the way of those carrying nets or crates, as well as drunken sailors. Those that couldn't be bothered, and those who definitely, should not be bothered with.
After what felt like a long period of searching, Aello stumbled upon a sailor who was busying himself fixing a net. Tying the severed strands together so that not a single decently sized fish could slip through. The sailor seemed approachable enough- with his tanned skin, and simple white outfit. His broad shoulders, and deep blue eyes.
He should do, Aello thought, as she made her way over to him, stopped short. She simply stood there, waiting for a long while, until he looked up. "Want something?" he asked. Aello simply nodded. "What is it?" he asked.
"A fish," Aello replied.
The man smiled. His eyes glimmering. "Then have your mamma buy you one at the market. Can't you see I'm a bit busy?" Aello shook her head. "You can't see this net here. That I'm busy?" Aello shook her head again.
"No, it's not that. It's just... my friend and I need a fish for our stew, and were hoping you could give us one," Aello explained. "We could offer you some when it's done."
The sailor shook his head. "No," he said, as he resumed his work. "Now go."
"Ok," Aello grumbled, as she hung her head and moved away, further down the docks. As she continued moving, she soon came to realize just how many sailors and fishermen left their catch out upon the docks. Caught in their nets. Their tails flapping uselessly as their chests heaved. As they lost air, and continued trying to get away. Trying to inch the net over the edge, and back into the water, where they belonged.
Maybe we could just take one from there, Aello thought, as she stopped alongside one of the filled fish nets. Surely, if only a single fish was taken, the men would not come to know. Not when they have so many. The girl's eyes glimmered mischievously as she looked from left to right, checking if the coast was clear. All of the sailors seemed to be busy going about their work- hauling up their catch, transferring things to and from their boats, shouting orders, and more. It didn't seem as though any of them were paying any attention to Aello.
This is your chance, Aello's mind whispered as she darted forward, towards the nearest net, and stuck her tiny hand through the spaces between the rope knots. She could feel the slimy scales of a dying gray fish beneath her fingers, when a gruff shout came to her ears. "Hey you! Get away from there! Those are our fish!"
Aello gasped as she looked up, to see an angry looking sailor standing not too far away. He was coming closer, and wagging a single finger angrily. Aello retracted her hand instantly, and straightened herself up. Seconds later, she was darting away, weaving her way in and out of the docks. Onto dry land. Away from sailors. Fishermen, watchful eyes. It was only when she figured she was far enough away as to be out of sight of the one who caught her, that she stopped to catch her breath. To look around. She had moved into a section of the docks where fish waste seemed to be kept. Tails, heads, scaled flesh, which was left for the cats and other vermin.
Aello sighed, as she dug through everything, thinking that a tail would do. After a time, she found one. A small gray tail with a small section of red meat. She lifted it away from everything else, brushed away a mewling kitten. This should do, it seems fresh enough, and there is still some fish left, Aello thought, as she moved back through the docks, towards the area where she had left Bob.
"Bob?" Aello called, when she got there. "Bob? Bob? BOB!"
Finally, Aello heard his voice, and made her way over to him. She held her hands out. The fish tail. "Just this," she explained. "There's some meat on the end. We can salvage that... if you learn how to act like a real Zeltivan man, you should be able to clean it off." The girl tilted her head slightly to the side. "But given how you've been acting lately, I've only reason to doubt you."
Aello sighed. Not so sure why she kept him with her. "Come," she insisted, as she turned away from the docks, and began to make her way back to their stew. |