Pepper Clouds

Walking along the cobblestones was easier now. The road beneath her changed into regular rain stricken mud by the time she reached the other side of town. Miraye noticed the boss was coming along side to the tavern, he looking grumpy and his eyes sagging under the morning. It was clear to her he wasn’t much of a day person.

“Boss! Hey, boss!” It occurred to her she never asked what his name was.

He looked up and frowned slightly noticing her new clothes, disapproving as though he was her father. He finally reached the tavern door and waited for her. Miraye took as much time as she wanted still feeling fresh and confident and she wanted that emotion to be with her that whole day. She skipped and pranced and just showed off before she finally reached him. She gave him a goofy smile. He stared at her as though she was nuts but he couldn’t hold it and laughed.

“You remind me of someone,” he told her as he opened the door. “Someone I knew long before, two years before you and that boy ever came here.”

Miraye was pulling up the curtains and setting the stools right side up. “Oh, and who would that be? Some mysterious stranger from long since past?”

“No, a pirate.”

“I see no coincidences between a pirate and I, boss. By the way, boss, what name do you go by?”

“Gaston.”

Miraye suppressed a giggle when she heard this but continued to work. She soaked a small towel with water and proceeded to clean the counter tops. “So, what is it about this pirate that you identify me with, Mr. Gaston?” She held back another choked snigger of some kind in her throat. The name was ridiculous in itself.

“Well,” he began, cleaning the mugs. “He was a regular customer of mine. I didn’t know he was a pirate till much later though. He was quiet, reserved but ordered things in a blunt tone. Much like how you came in yesterday. But soon he was making all of us laugh in simple small ways, warming up to everyone.”

“So I socialize with you the same way, I’m guessing?”

“Not to mention both of you had the oddest traits ever seen in this side of the kingdom. He had golden, yellow eyes and dark blue hair which was pretty long but he kept it wrapped in a strand. But he was friendly, yes.”

“Believe me, boss, I’m not as friendly as I seem I am.”

“True, but the both of you were murderers.”

Miraye stopped and felt a cold chill run down her spine. The thought had only come to her that he would find out sooner or later and turn her and Tic in eventually. She looked up at him. “And how did you know that?” she asked slowly, unsure if she should stay here.

“The dress obviously gave it away. First time I saw him, the pirate, he dragged in a sword shining with blood. And those who have unique traits like your scar and his silver piercings only mean a shady history. Don’t worry,” he added. “I won’t turn you in. You can’t always judge a book by its cover.”

“Thank you, boss,” she muttered and turned to wash the table tops. After a few awkward moments another question sprung up in her mind. “So, why is it that you weren’t as friendly as yesterday, boss?”

Mr. Gaston shrugged. “I can’t always trust people at first sight. But I’ll be easier on you and the kid as well.”

“And do you think my new clothes will attract some customers?” she joked, mopping up the floor. “Especially the corset?”

“Obviously. Men are idiots for that kind of thing. Glad to have you on board, kid.”