As all three of us wait outside the hotel on the street I keep getting strange eyes on me every time someone walks by me on the sidewalk. Guess that is to be expected when someone who looks very different is standing in your neighborhood. Not like I am doing anything so they can look as much as they want.
I hear a door clicking from the knob and turn to my right seeing her in a more appropriate attire of a large white hat and the caiman child who is still dirty from getting into the plant. He needs clean clothes later.
"We're ready to move to this town now." she states holding the hand of the kid. Speaking of the kid, never asked for his name.
"Hey, what's the kid's name? It kind of feels off calling him 'the kid' every time."
"Oh, his name is Simba Darsh. Or...Maybe was Darsh if I might be adopting him."
"Simba...Hmmm.....Do you know the origins of the name 'Simba'?
"Uh...I think they named him after a general in Brunich. Think he is still alive. Some say his mane is soft but also imposing as he is a proud lion and strong as one would expect."
Huh...I guess Simba died and became a general. Oh well.
We all gather up and walk to the nearby carriage center to take up back to the Grey District. Once we get there, we can take another carriage to Burmington outside the city's main walls.
*9 minutes later*
As Lara pays for the large carriage heading to the Grey District I check on the kid.
"Hey, Simba, how are you doing?" I ask getting on one knee to be more approachable.
But he just holds Lula's hand and looks at me with his dark brown eyes. Kind of creepy. He hasn't made any noises vocally since I met him. The thing Lula said was him saying "I hear screaming" and that was about it.
I stand back straight and turn to Lula, "Hey uhm, does Simba talk much?"
"He used to until...Until I fled with him to get to the nearest and safest town which had armed personnel nearby. Ever since then, he either says nothing or just says a sentence with less than 10 words every couple of hours."
"Huh...Alright then."
I turn back around and Lara is finishing up the payment and registration of the people taking part.
"Alright, let's head out now. This please is too clean for my liking she says eyeing the structures of the white buildings and street."
*Hours later*
My ass is starting to cramp up or get sore. I always hated sitting in one spot. Unless it is video games then I can sit for 8 hours.
I glass at Lula and Sibma sitting in front of ym on the other side of the carriage and Lula is looking out at the window as trees go by, with Simba leaning into her lap with both arms clenched around her leg.
"seems he is used to you enough to sleep using your leg as a pillow" I state
"He has been around since I was in the household. So I am familiar with him. All the more reason why adopting him might be the best option. I am the only person he is comfortable with."
"Well, that's good you feel much more confident in adopting him than before."
"I have to now. I can't back out of this now."
"Well the people we are sending you with I believe will be very supportive, I should know, they essentially had to raise me. Even though I was not a son by name or by option just a house assistant or something they called me."
"So, you were an orphan then?"
"Basically. I was never formally adopted by anyone. So I am technically an orphan still. But that's behind me on the 'priorities list' so."
"I see. I think they 'unofficially' raised you to be a good person." she comments looking back at the window.
*15 minutes later*
We arrive at the drop-off point of Burmington and it seems there might be some renovations at the moment. Seems the front sign is cleaner or has been replaced by a wooden sign that is painted white and black lettering saying "Welcome to Burmington"
Plus the road seems to be cleaner as well as some buildings look refurbished.
"This place looks very friendly. But looks can be deceiving." Lula says looking around the first few buildings.
"Indeed, but hey there is a saying, 'don't judge a book by its cover' or something like that," I state gesturing for her to follow me.
"Now the town in of itself is unremarkable, but it is not without its ups. Small enough away from the prying eyes, while close enough to New Arcadia for some errands if so be. Plus some kids around as well which seem to be multi-diverse. Meaning I think he can make friends here if he is given the right direction to it."
"Heh...You are starting to sound like a salesman trying to promote a plot of land for my kid. But I guess that is not far off since you are trying to convince me to adopt and raise him temporarily."
"Oh!" Arla's voice behind us both exclaims, "I forgot to mention it to you Coda since it wasn't on my mind. But I was not expecting us to come to Burmington anytime soon. But Ariel is here in Rising Sun working as a waitress.
"OH?!" I yelp but realize I just sounded like an excited child for a brief moment.
"Ahem," I say clearing my throat back to normal.
"How about I give you all a detour before we go to the household and show you the Rising Sun while we are at it."
"I suppose. We have not eaten since this morning. Plus Simba has been eating a plant and dirt so he might want something healthy."
"Sweet"
*9 minutes later*
*Ding-a-ling*
As the door swings open a bell is rung and I breathe in the familiar smells of afternoon smells. Smells like, something...
I hold the door for everyone before me and follow behind them quickly. Quite busy. Which is good. Busy means business is good.
As a bearded man is cleaning glasses and taking orders he notices the group at the door and calls out to us.
"OH! Hello son, you can sit over there I will get someone over to your table when I can!" he says dealing with the orders.
We gather at a large table which can fit 5 people as it is circular so it won't be hard to see the face of someone.
Simba looks around unsure of the environment but doesn't make much of a behavior change. He then saw the fork on the table. He grabs it and I already know what he is about to do. As he moves it to his mouth I snatch it and place it back on the table.
He just looks at me but doesn't do much else.
*2 minutes later*
"Hello sorry to keep you waiting!" a feminine voice calls out. I look over and see a well-dressed blonde-haired woman with a notepad and a pencil. I easily recognize them as Ariel.
*Huff huff huff* "So sorry I-Coda?" she says noticing me on the other side of the table. I give her a nod and a small smile to her in the confirmation
"Hello" I state
"Oh my gosh why didn't you send me a letter you were coming here?!" she says setting the notepad down and moving over to me for a hug.
I get up from my seat and open my arms to her. We both hug it out swinging both ways like we have not met in a long time. Wasn't that long ago for me at least?
"I am so sorry honey but I need to get back to work. So please order whatever you like."
"Sure thing."
*6 minutes later*
"And finally I will have the child's steak for Simba right here" Lula gestures to the kid next to her.
"Alright thank you for all your patience. I have never worked in food service before, to be honest. Most of everything I have done was either church-related or volunteer."
"Speaking of which why are you here working in Burmington? Not that I am judging. Just wondering since I thought you were living in New Arcadia." I ask before she moves away
She stops for a moment and her look of energy and happiness seems to fade a bit. She looks back at Mr. Hazen at the bar and then back at me.
"It was the only safest place I could think of..." she states walking away.
Damn. I guess this issue in Arcadia is a growing problem now. Hope this dies down. Especially since if war does happen I will no doubt be sent at some point. Maybe I can fail the fitness tests and boot camp? No...That would be hard. I am in good shape, I got physical scars which means they will have a hunch I have combat experience. Great...Now I am depressed a bit.
*16 minutes*
"Hey you all go!" she says holding 4 plates, with Lilith behind her holding two more. She gives me a wink and a warming smile.
I bump both of my eyes being suggestive and I get an elbow into my right rib by Lara who scowls at me. Caught in the act.
I reach out as Ariel hands me the food which is a seared steak with potatoes and peas. A true classic for me. I do wish for a burger at times though.
As the food is handed out to everyone we all start smiling and chatting and I wish Lilith and Ariel could join but they have a job to do.
*10 minutes later*
"So," *chews* "how is the food you two?" I ask Lula and Simba
Lula looks at Simba who is still trying to rip apart to 2-pound steak he was given and he might as well be in a stalemate at this point.
"Oh honey please don't do that, you're going to rip it apart and then fall over. Let me cut it up for you," she says pulling on it with a napkin in between. But Simba doesn't let go of it in his mouth and keeps it in his mouth. Lula begins tugging on the steak but Simba pulls his head back.
At this point, this is a tug of war between his adoptive mother and this kid. Very entertaining now.
"Honey let go of it"
He doesn't say anything still and pulls his whole head back in which I notice the meat stretch and then a tear in its form.
It rips apart and he falls off his chair with a chunk of meat in his mouth. He begins to swallow it.
*Sigh* "This is going to be a bigger task than pulling weeds for 6 hours..." she states sitting back in the chair and placing the other half of the steak back on Simba's plate.