Facade
Just before I entered the orphanage, Julian woke up and tugged on my back and said:
Julian: Master? What is going on? Where are we?
Claudio: We are home Julian, at your new home from now on.
Julian: home? Is this your home master?
Claudio: Julian, let's talk in the morning go back to sleep, do not worry, your sister is okay.
Julian: Yes master, thank you for your kindness.
Ayola: ohhh who is that Claudio? I didn't know you had a son hehehe.
i turned around to face the source of jolly voice, and there she was, Ayola. She was covered in dirt and grime, and she had the biggest grin on her face.
Ayola: Claudio, open your hands I have a gift for you
Please don't be a cockroach or something
Claudio: A gift for me?
i proceeded to open my hand while carefully adjusting Julian without any movement. And Ayola was getting giggly while hiding something behind her back.
Ayola: Here, thank you for taking care of us Claudio.
Before I could check my hands, she already sprinted inside the orphanage. I was honestly both shocked and happy at the same time when I looked at what she gave me. A bronze coin and six iron coins. I was at a loss for words, this act alone made the trouble I went through today worth it.
Okay, today I will make chocolate chip cookies! It is the least I could do to help everyone including the new kids, and who knows, maybe it would heal them physically, just like the cheeseburgers I made helped with Sasha's recovery.
I entered the orphanage finally; I was exhausted from all the walking and from helping near dead slaves back to life. I didn't eat lunch today, all I had was gruel made by violet and a cold coffee on our way back to the city. I offered some to Sasha expecting a funny reaction but she actually liked the drink, I only took a few sips.
Nola was educating the kids on beast folk while Arktos was standing awkwardly in the middle of the stage. Looks like a problem regarding his race already happened. I kicked a zoned out Sasha on her leg and asked about Julian's place of rest, she snapped back to reality instantly and guided me to a well put comfy bed, looks like some sacrificed their blankets for Julian.
I carefully laid him on the bed without waking him up and quietly left the room. I wanted to talk to Nola about the elephant in the room, but it looks like Sasha beat me to it. I was glad honestly, I did not have any energy to speak a foreign language anymore for today.
Violet came by me with her head down, she looked sad for some reason so I asked her:
Claudio: Violet? Are you okay?
Violet: I am sorry Claudio, the lunch today was not as yummy as yesterdays.
I patted her head and told her "that's for me to judge, bring me a bowl I am starving"
Violet hurried to the kitchen to fix me some leftovers from lunch, it looks like everyone already ate dinner judging by the residue of cream stew on Arktos's face. I can't taste anything anyway so I will judge the stew based on the texture. Violet came back with a bowl of watery cream stew, looks like she increased the water portion, it was her first time so I will go easy on her. I broke pieces of the hard black bread and let it soak in the stew.
Claudio: I did not think of that Violet, pretty smart to increase the water in the stew to make it soak up the bread better than yesterday, good job!
Violet's eyes lighted up at my complements and she watched me gulp down a bowl of her stew before I asked for seconds.
After I ate the second serving of the cream stew, Nola came to greet me, and I wanted to ask her the most important question.
Claudio: Good to see you Nola, any luck with selling the ice?
Nola: Good to see you too Claudio, I sold 3 blocks of ice for 55 groshen! I will use it to help pay off the debt we accumulated last two weeks.
Claudio: I am glad, so… about the kids
Nola: Sasha filled me in on everything already, they will not be a burden on anyone believe me, thanks for helping the slaves Claudio.
Claudio: Felt like the right thing to do, I am sorry for dumping my problems on you suddenly; I promise to pay you back when I trade with the merchants' guild.
Nola had a visible nerve showing on her forehead, she replied to me:
Nola: Claudio, you better not. You already did more than enough; do not think of spending an extra groshen to help us, focus on your self please.
I smirked at her serious attitude all of a sudden and said
Claudio: I understand, hope you accept gifts though.
Nola's whole facade crumbled instantly when she heard my words, her face became red and she struggled not to smile, she cleared her throat with a cough and said
Nola: I would not mind an extra chocolate bar if you are feeling generous.
Claudio: I will make something better when I come back from the merchants' guild, tell the kids to prepare themselves for it.
everyone's attention turned towards me when they heard what I said, as if they were listening to us all along. They said "Are you going to make tacos again?!" "TELL US" "WHAT IS IT?!", I simply told them "it is something sweet" and they all cheered loudly, too loud for my liking, Nola struck them down with a thunderous shout "QUIET!" and I am sure people who were on the street followed her order as well.
I checked on Julian one more time and his sister was right beside him. I opened the bandage to change it one last time and the bleeding stopped significantly, I will never be used to this worlds folk, if I had to guess, Julian will make a full recovery in 10 days at this rate, which was anything but normal.
Julian woke up and Mira was very delighted at the moment, she patted him on his head and said "brudder! Master is going to make us something delicious when he comes back! You better be awake or I will eat your portion!"
I was honestly quite irked by the word master, I gathered the two remaining kids and proceeded to burn the contracts in the fire near Julian, all of them were startled by my action. After that I closed my eyes to focus on the small lumps in my "soul", it was honestly bizarre, I never knew the soul existed like that before the lumps, it was as if I never realized that my eyes were constantly looking at my nose but my brain ignores it over time. I put my hypothetical hands on the lumps and destroyed them one by one; the kids sitting opposite of me could also feel what was happening because of the soul contract. I looked at them and said:
Claudio: You are not slaves anymore, I am not your master, call me Claudio. From now on, you are free, and this is your home.
All of them were quiet, no one understood what being free meant, Mira had tears in her eyes, she probably feared that she did something bad, she was the youngest. I looked at Nola and told her "please explain to them" she nodded her head and went to the corner where Julian and the kids were staying.
Now on to the next objective, I went to my backpack and pulled out a soap bar and told Ayola to use it since she was covered in grime. After that, I told Masha to come with me; he was super excited that I needed him again, I told Sasha to check on Julian for me and to help him when he needed her. She was obviously not happy but she did more than enough today.
First thing I need to do now is, visit Viviane for protection, secondly, go to check up on Lady Brenda, after that, I will go to the merchants guild and look for a job there while trading my valuables, Hopefully no more incidents will happen today.
***
We left the orphanage and Masha seemed to be in a good mood, he asked me about what I would make when we got back and I told him it's a surprise.
5 minutes had passed, the sun was about to set, and the glares and verbal abuse that I mentally prepared myself to endure has been reduced by a lot for some reason.
We arrived at the butchers shop and we were greeted by a very jolly Rom. He said, "There he is, the talk of the city. How can I help ya today Claudio?" I stared at him, puzzled, and asked, "Talk of the city? What do you mean?"
Rom: So that wasn't you at the slave market? People were saying the Slave dealers' son broke into a fit of rage when a deal didn't go his way, and he slaughtered the poor slaves, and an angel with black hair and eyes came to save them while everyone watched. You are the only one who fits the description Claudio.
Claudio: Oh that… anyway I wanted to hire Viviane as a guard again, and this time I insist on paying.
Rom put both of his hands on the table and shouted.
Rom: WHAT?! YOU WON'T BE PAYING US A SINGLE GROSHEN YA HEAR?!
I did not back down and said.
Claudio: I insist.
Rom: he insists? *sigh* fine kid, wait here, Viviane will be back any minute now
Claudio: Oh? Where did she go if you don't mind.
Rom: Remember her two friends who got sick with her? She has been visiting them for a while to give them your medicine.
Rom was talking to us while fixing us some juice and cured cuts at the same time.
Claudio: they must be really lucky to have Viviane, I am glad I passed by you before her condition got any worse.
Rom stopped what he was doing and froze for a moment before he continued.
Rom gave us some strange fruit juice that I had never tasted before, it tasted like a mix of guava and watermelon, the meat was seasoned jerky. Just as we finished, Viviane entered the shop and she had what I assumed to be her friends alongside her. They both froze when they saw me and suddenly decided to leave Viviane alone without saying a word; I really didn't have time for more weirdos and cut straight to the chase.
Claudio: Good to see you Viviane, I wanted to hire you as a bodyguard again, and I insist on paying this time.
Viviane: WHAT?! YOU WON'T BE PAYING US A SINGLE GROSHEN YA KNOW?!
Claudio: I insist.
Viviane: *sigh* fine.
Next stop, Lady Brenda, her cough has been bothering me ever since, I hope it is not something serious.
***
We arrived at the shop; Brenda warmly greeted us with her strange accent
Brenda: Lookie here the talk of the town, got a delicious meat pie for me? Ahahaha
Claudio: Good to see you Lady Brenda, I wanted to do a check up on you if that is fine, for free of course
Brenda: Check up? As ya can see I am fine young man, please do not waste your time on me.
Oh stubborn old people, classic. Gathering everything I knew about Brenda, she had a weakness against weaklings. I went down to my knees and grabbed both of her hands and made the saddest expression that I could muster at the moment.
Claudio: Please Nana Brenda! Can't you see we are worried about you? I will not be able to sleep tonight knowing that I could have helped you but I didn't!
Everyone was shocked by my actions; this is a side that I never showed them, all of them had different reactions
Masha said "Oi, stop that, this is creepy Claudi". Viviane turned away and said "how noble…" Brenda had tears and her eyes and said "I am sorry everyone, fine please find out what is wrong with me! I am scared as well"
I deserved an Oscar for my acting performance. Before I pulled out my stethoscope, I asked Brenda about her symptoms and tried to gather as much info before I diagnosed her. She told me she had a sour throat from coughing, and said that she had been feeling extra tired lately, she also said that she coughs out clear yellowish white mucus.
I pulled out my stethoscope and asked Brenda if it was okay for me to put this device on her chest, preferably as exposed as she can allow it, she nodded her head we went inside her little shop than she closed the entrance. I placed the stethoscope on her back and she gave a funny reaction to the cold metal.
After 3 minutes of constant checking on her back and chest I sighed in relieve when I found out it was not pneumonia, she had a mild case of bronchitis, if I had to guess she was standing near the oven and breathed in the constant heat and that caused her bronchial tubes to be inflamed. I told her that I had some good news for her; she opened the shop again and turned to me.
Brenda: did ya say good news? Do tell.
Masha: you found out what was wrong Claudi?
Viviane: as expected from Claudio.
I gathered them all and pulled out my white board from my backpack, I spent 6 minutes carefully drawing the mouth, lungs, and finally bronchial tubes so I could explain it to them better. I showed them what I drew and they all different reactions.
Masha: WHOAA! YOU DID THAT TO OLD BRENDA?
Viviane: wow just like the insides of a horse!
Brenda: Me boobs are not that saggy young man.
Claudio: No Lady Brenda these are your lungs… oh very funny
Brenda burst into a fit of laughter at her silly joke.
Claudio: Do you see those lines? They are called bronchial tubes, and yours are inflamed Lady Brenda, thankfully it was not something worst.
Brenda: You peaked me interest Claudio! How did ya learn so much despite your age?
Claudio: I had good teachers, anyways; I will tell you what caused your problem.
I spent 15 minutes explaining to her that the heat from her oven that she inhaled while making bread was the cause of everything, I told her that she needed some rest, away from the oven, I also told her to boil water and breathe in the steam; it would help her recover significantly. I gave her a small bottle of dry cough syrup and told her to rest or else her condition will worsen.
Brenda: How much for your service Claudio? You really helped this old woman a lot.
Ah there we go, I can't say that it was for free or else I would never leave this stall until tomorrow.
Claudio: Do you have butter on you? I really need some for tonight's recipe
Brenda: I actually do! But I will give it to ya regardless. Now tell me how much for your service?
Claudio: Two loaves of your white bread please.
Brenda: do ya take me for a fool kid? I asked you how much groshen for your service.
Claudio: ten groshen would be more than enough
Brenda narrowed her eyes at me.
Brenda: stubborn little shite, fine.
Masha: OOO DID OLD BRENDA JUST CURSE?
Brenda came from the back of her shop and gave me a pound of butter, 3 loafs of bread, and four silver coins. I obviously freaked out and refused to take any of the items she gave me, it was simply too much. Masha and Viviane looked at me weirdly and Lady Brenda finally told me the truth.
Brenda: Claudio, do ya think I do this for a livin? This is simply me hobby. I have enough groshen to live like a noble for a while.
Both Masha and Viviane looked at me and nodded their heads in the same rhythm.
Claudio: If you don't mind… how exactly did you gain this amount of groshen?
The street became silent; everyone present looked at my direction as if I said some sort of ignorant blasphemy.
Brenda: I suppose ya really don't know me, I am a retired platinum badge owner Claudio, I use to be member of the border dogs group ya know.
I was pissed off by how everyone reacted at my ignorance, I mean since you are so rich why couldn't you get some help with your bronchitis? Nothing makes any sense here, I wasted enough time already so decided to thank Brenda for her generosity and move on to the merchants' guild.
I gave the loaves of bread to Masha and Viviane and they happily accepted it.
***
On our way to the merchants' guild, I wanted to pass by the slave market one more time to check on the slaves, more specifically the three slaves who were in the worst condition after Julian. I was greeted by the same guards; I asked them if it was possible to check on the slaves one more time. They both looked at each other at the same time before one of them went inside the building, presumably to ask for permission.
After 6 minutes, the guard came back with the approval, however the slaves were kept inside their cells this time so I needed to be escorted there, seems shady but I had Viviane with me this time and I was prepared.
Entering the well lit up building; we were guided to the cells in zig zags, again. I closed Masha's eyes so that his brain doesn't get fried by the nude beauties with soulless eyes. Viviane finally snapped and said, "You better stop wasting our time or I will snap your neck like a twig". The guard finally decided to guide us to the injured slaves.
Upon entering the prison, cheerful noises came from the cells as they said, "our angel is back!", "please buy me next master!", "thank you for saving us!" I greeted them back and said, "I don't have all the money in the world, I just came here to check on your injuries one more time", I expected them to curse at me but it was quite the opposite. "Thank you for your kindness mister!", "I will never forget this", "you did more than enough", "thank you for helping the kids!"
After I did a quick check up on everyone, I was left with the three in the worst condition; all of them were unchained and were lying on the ground. One of them was an old dark skinned woman, the other one was a man near my age, the last one was one of the beast woman, she looked very human if not for the fact that she had some long nails and a striped purple tail. I assumed that she was the most expensive one here given her physic and beauty; I wonder how she ended up here.
The old woman weakly opened her eyes and she suddenly regained her strength when she saw me! I was startled by her action and so were the guards and Viviane behind me, She was stabbed in the shoulder and her face was badly bruised.
Old woman: YOUNG MAN! SO GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK HERE, YA MISSED ME?
What the hell is going on here?! she reminded me of Brenda for some reason.
Claudio: Good to see you too, how are you feeling?
Old woman: Never been better! My wounds healed nicely thanks to you!
Claudio: I see… I wanted to replace the bandages on your shoulder if you don't mind
She happily turned her injured side to me and I started awkwardly changing her bandages while she was humming.
Next was the young man, he had a broken collar bone and was stabbed in the abdomen, thankfully the stab missed all of his vital organs. I nudged his side and he opened his eyes
Man: You again, what brought you back here?
Claudio: I came to change your bandages and do a check up to see how are you holding up.
Man: I see, how come you can speak Voratrae more fluently now all of a sudden?
Claudio: turn around and lift up your garments
He was asking too many questions while I was changing his wounds, he asked what my type of woman was, asked where I was from, and also asked if I was a "folsy" which caused everyone to get angry at him, one of the guards wanted to press down on his broken collar bone but I stopped him last second.
Finally, I moved on to the beast woman, she was brutally tortured, her tail was almost pulled off the bone, and she was stabbed 3 times across her body. One time in her upper thigh, nearly splitting her femur in half, and one stab on her lower back, and the last one was aimed at her jugular vein but it nearly missed it. She had her left hand brutally trampled on causing 3 out of 5 fingernails to be peeled off completely.
She went into cardiac arrest and I had to bring her back from the dead with an adrenaline shot, if not for her strong constitution, she would've been long gone. I nudged her awake and she instantly went into a defense stance causing everyone to draw their weapons.
I calmed everyone down and proceeded to face the traumatized beast women.
Claudio: I know you did not see me but I was the one who saved you in the afternoon; you can check my soul to see if I am lying.
She had her guard up, sized me up in down and finally relaxed her shoulders after a while.
Beast woman: It seems that you are telling the truth human, however I still do not trust you. State your true purpose.
Claudio: I came back here to do a check up on you; I need to change your bandages so that it is not infected.
She scowled at me, made a tsk sound and said.
Beast woman: You are telling the truth, but you are still hiding many things human. I will let you treat me if you tell me your name.
The hell is wrong with this bitch?! I was really starting to lose my patience for some reason
Claudio: My name is Claudio and I don't have all the time in the world, please just let me treat you so that I could go on my day.
The beast woman laughed, as if she had an upper hand on me, as if she figured out who I truly really was.
Beast women: Hah! A truth and a lie! You really do not have all the time in the world human! Haha, your condition is worsening by the second, I can see right through your facade human.
Claudio: it seems like you do not need a second checkup, I will be going on my day, good luck.
I got up, turned around and simply walked away from the conversation, whatever; I did more than enough for these useless slaves.
Viviane and Masha were confused by this altercation and quickly followed me out of the building. The guards speed walked behind us and said "Mister! Don't you need us to guide you out of the building?"
I simply replied "I know the way"