Someday I'll Make Something Out of Me

Ruth snorted, Nothin’ nefarious. And I’m not sad. Just recklessly living life. Yes, had she not watched him hurl the little contents of his stomach into the bushes, he’d have appeared the more charming rogue, but alas, she had been offered a peek behind the curtain of stimulants and alcohol.

If he forgoed the lyrium, the drink and saved, his income would provide a comfortable living. Not a wealthy one, but he’d never have to settle in an alienage, rent only a room to bed in, he could have settled long ago, yet wouldn’t, or rather couldn’t. He let his eye wander the cart, idly thinking something like this would work, but then the added up keep of a horse and all complicated it, his feet and the eluvian network hadn’t failed him yet.

He wasn't about to complain as she halved a stack and pushed it back towards him. Chuckling a little, Ruth nodded, dipping into his pocket to fish out the mid-grade stones. Nothin’ exciting, but their colourings are good, be better when they’ve had some repolishin’. Swapping the stones for his returned coin Ruth quietly considered her offer, the slightest of grins tickled at the corners of his mouth.

Sounds a good exchange, not sure my usual ‘Axe’ would be up to sharing mind, but I can sweet talk her into cutting you in sometime. He’d shrug, attempting not to obviously bite at the magic bullet of acquiring a new supplier and reaching with both hands to wrap around hers. Appreciate the easy business, Esme. Next time I shouldn’t be puking, but you can never really tell with hangovers. A squeeze of her palm and one hand slipped the vial out of her grasp, the other taking it’s place to shake on it. Yes Ma’am, outside. Far away from here.

Turning, Ruth checked himself, fixing his cloak and robes, toes and feet wiggled unseen in his loosened boots. It was one thing to head back in the thick of withdrawal but it was another thing entirely if he lost his boots on the way. He liked these boots.

Harlin’s, Starkhaven, the words rolled out of his mouth, head nodding as he reached the cart door, offering a mock bow before he’d leave her. Safe journey, Esme and thanks.

@Esmé Lachance