Completed Dawdling toward the Denvali (Ricky)

[Leila]

Thanks to Ricky's mild explanation, Leila quickly realized just what this place was, and flushed an extremely deep crimson. "I uh... I'm uh... Oh dear... um..." she was struggling to keep her composure and be polite at the same time, "I'm going to... um pass, but thank you. It was certainly interesting to meet you, but we have other errands to run." The woman smiled, "My pleasure, come visit us some other time perhaps?" Leila turned, grabbed Ricky's arm, and couldn't get out fast enough, her eyes wide, hoping no one else had seen her enter or leave. To keep herself from bursting into tears from embarrassment right then and there, she decided to abruptly change the subject, "Is the Denvali Quarter nearby? Papa talked about how he'd gone over to help them when they'd arrive, but mother forbade him from taking me along." She was practically clinging to Ricky's arm now, hoping he didn't think less of her for walking into that... den of... she couldn't even come up with a good word for it. And why would that woman think she'd want another woman in that manner? Did people actually do that? It seemed like such a foreign concept. She'd never though of being intimate with anyone, but if she did, it would be with a man, she was sure of it. She was pulling him further down the street, her pace slightly quicker as she tried to distance herself from Loveless. Even the name seemed wrong. Intimacy should between people who loved each other, not those without love for one another. She continued hold his arm, finding comfort with the Wave Guard, as the two continued their adventure eastward.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky left with Leila with relief to have Loveless at his back, the fact that he was getting looks from one of the escorts made him blush bad enough. He couldn't help but chuckle a little bit though when Leila held his arm tight, he could tell that he at least brought her a sense of security. "Aye, if we continue onward after East Street we'll walk into the Denvali Quarter. Hadn't been there me self yet, but I imagine the Denval refugeed are doin ok."

He wasn't sure what he felt about the Denvali, sure their homes were meant to be temporary while they resided in Zeltiva, but to be honest did the Denvali plan to leave? Were they going to rebuild the home they lost or just keep building plots of buildings like they were now? Zeltiva was a city that didn't need its lands to be built on, not unless it was it civilians anyway. To Ricky it was a situation that was waiting to devolve, as tension already started to develope between the two. "So what all has yer ma and pa allowed for ya? Sounds to me ye've lived a sheltered life ma'am." He kept his humble tone and warm smile, though he kept his looks to the street. One thing he always did nowadays was hardly look at people in the eyes, for reasons that were his own.

Ricky waited and wondered as the two continued on, their comversation would now take an interesting turn as he would learn more about her. to him Leila turned out to be the type that missed much growing up, but it still wasn't too late for her to experience life. Then again he could've been assuming there, and that was never a wise thing to do. Henceforth he would hear what she had to say, and then get his facts straight.

[Leila]

Leila pondered Ricky's question, as they began to enter the Denvali quarter, full of multicolored shacks. "Well, mother never really wanted me to do much, aside from learning how to become a proper lady. She comes from money, a family of merchants, but they're all dead now. But she retains the lifestyle, and had hopes to marry me off to some wealthy suitor. I've never been allowed much freedom. I've never even left the city. Heck, the only times I could leave the house was when I was with one of my parents, or mother was out on an errand." She sighed, hated bringing up her mother in conversation. Continuing, "Pa, on the other hand, tried to give me as much freedom as he could. He used to own a fairly successful herbalism shop. Mother married him, thinking he'd become a wealthy business owner one day. And then the shop failed, and he lost it. From that day one, mother controlled everything in his life, her life, and mine, at least what she could. Pa taught me a few things, like how to somewhat protect myself, and herbalism, and many other actually useful things. But his spirit is broken. The only time I ever saw him stand up to my mother was when I wanted to move out last season. And I've been trying to experience everything the city has to offer." "What's the story about the Denvali? Mother never really told me why they were here"

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky listened to her story with occasional nods and deep thoughts, his mind wondered if his life would've been the same had he a mother of his own. The curiosity of it was what caused him to travel to begin with, which then led to him learning more about himself in the end. The stories he heard of his mother were from his father, and all of them made Ricky dream of having a mom just like the stories. Red hair maiden of the mountain with a passion for adventure. She loved a sailor and the adventure he gave her, but the story never really had much of a happy ending, and his father never mentioned what happened to her or where she was when he asked. That was all in the past now, and Ricky only focused on the present now.

Leila had asked about the Denvali when they entered the Quarter, the multicolored buildings were the sign they had already done so when they grew in numbers. Ricky let out a small sigh as he thought about their history, a shame really how they suffered the loss they had when the storm hit. He could only slightly relate as he lost his house to the storm, but your entire home was another level compared to that. "Well they lived in the city o' Denval until Spring hit, from what I understand they're refugees. Their entire home was destroyed when the Djed Storm hit it, so they're basically rebuildin what they lost." He looked at all the houses and shacks that decorated the Quarter with vibrant color, their culture still somehow lived on in their people even when times were tough. "I can understand they've no where else to be, but in my opinion they're usin' us as a crutch too much. The city isn't entirely big enough for all of us ya know, and while they may be down they're still not out yet. By now they should be lookin for a new place to rebuild, in my opinion anyway. I don't mind sharin my home, but with the way things are lookin they may decide to take it; and that scares me."

He realized then that he was rambling, something rather dangerous when he didn't think beforehand. "Listen to me carry on like a University student," He chuckled a bit, "What do ya think 'bout the Denvali? After hearin the story anyway." He held a warm smile as he waited to hear Leila speak in turn.

[Leila]

She knew something bad had to have happened, but their entire home was destroyed? She tried to imagine what it would be like if she had to leave Zeltiva for some foreign land, uprooted by disaster. It was terrifying. These people really had no place to go, and were they really all that big of a hindrance? "Is accepting help really that bad of a thing though? If us helping them is a crutch, what is you escorting me through the dangerous part of town? If I'd gone alone, what would have happened to me? If we hadn't helped the Denvali, what would have happened to them? The world is a little less scary with friends there by your side. And the reason a crutch is a crutch is to help you get over something painful, until you can walk on your own again. And there is a morbid truth in all of this. We lost a lot of people in the plagues, so if anything, they are filling the gap left by them." She also wondered why they were separated from the rest of the town, instead of being integrated into the society properly. Would they ever become a true part of Zeltiva, or forever doomed to be their own little niche that wasn't truly Zeltivan? "If we make them true members of the city, there's nothing for them to take, for it is already theirs. It seems to be almost criminal to hide them over here as if they are the unwanted turnip in your meal. We should accept them, and they accept us. We're all Zeltivan, that is what matters. Besides, if there were conflict, I'd know Ricky and the Wave Guard would take care of it." She held onto his arm in a comforting manner, silently thanking him for bringing her here. More people who would need her help one day. She would make this city a better place, and she hoped to have plenty of friends standing beside her when she did. At least she had one more now. She looked up at him, "Shall we head back? It's getting late, and if you'd like, I'll make you some dinner?"

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky listened closely to Leila, admittedly what she said made sense for him to agree with. "Ye make a good arguement there, honestly though I think Zeltiva doesn't want to have the Denvali as part of the city just yet. We're happy to help them and provide for them, but the way I see is that they intend to hold onto their culture and their traditions. Some of which the city is likely to disagree with. Still I think it's good to help them out and get them on their feet, but only for that reason after all. One thing people can do is continuously take things given to them, and eventually keep takin cause the giver is unwillin to say when they can't or won't." He rambled on with slight grin, the fact that she felt she could count on him and his fellow guard members meant that he was doing his job. The city was in need of fine protectors, and Ricky wanted to prove himself one of them.

Leila invited him for dinner and Ricky let a modest blush appear on his face. "Well let me think," He teased with a grin as he considered his plans for the rest of the evening. He hadn't anything as far as back.home, and Telion was likely eating out tonight. So he really didn't see the harm in it. "I'd love to share an evenin with ya." He confirmed with a warm grin.

[Leila]

Leila gave a slight tug on Shaco's leash, and turned, guiding Ricky by the arm. She'd never had a man in her house aside from her father, and her stomach was full of butterflies. Thankfully she'd kept her home cleaned at all times. She did have enough food for the two of them and Shaco had eaten before they'd left. But then her mind turned to the man she'd met two days previously, Nost. She'd invited him over for dinner in a few days as well, something her mother would not approve of. She could hear the grating nagging in the back of her mind, 'What sort of strumpet invites not one but two men to her home alone? What would the neighbors think? Why not just go work in a whorehouse?' But Ricky made her feel differently from the way Nost did. Nost was interesting, intelligent, shared some common interests. But Ricky made her feel safe, and he listened really well, and he was a true Zeltivan man. She walked, watching Syna start to set, as they began the return to West Street. She could see the stars beginning to poke through the sky, her small feet tapping lightly over the street. "Does anything scare you Ricky? I know you're a guard, and you keep everyone safe, common people like me that are scared of more things than the stars in the sky. But does anything scare you? Or are you one of those fearless types?" She kept walking while thinking about what she would make for Ricky. She had purchased a couple of cods earlier, as well as breading and other necessities, and some kelp. Perhaps some cod fillets and kelp fritters, he'd like that, hopefully. She was fairly sure she had everything she'd need to make it, when her face was assaulted by a loose piece of paper. She flailed and yelped a bit, snatching at the attacking flier. She looked down at it, and saw that it was an advertisement for a play that was showing later tonight at the Lightshow Theater. If she had paper cones, she might be able to make the food to go, and talk Ricky into going.

[Ricky Maze]

The two were on the road they traveled to reach the Denvali Quarter, Ricky followed Leila's gentle pull as she would guide him along the street to where she lived. He had to admit his patrol was a quiet one today, and the fact he helped a civilian like Leila out filled him with a bit of accomplishment. Another day satisfaction in knowing his home was safe, knowing this allowed Ricky to relax as he heard Leila spoke. She talked about fear and wondered if he was ever afraid, or if he was possibly the fearless type. He chuckled a bit before he gave his answer. "Believe me lass, I'm a god fearin man of the people" He enthused with a warm laugh as he spoke rather truthful, he was just the same as any other person. Even men feared what they didn't know, and that was the same case for Ricky. "Really though I am afraid o' many things more or less, only the foolish fear nothing after all. What does scare me mostly is if I fail to keep the people I care about safe, but I am also afraid that I may die unremembered." He admitted a little more serious now, the idea that everything he was and everything he did would just be forgotten was a scary concept as well.

"With fear though ya find courage, and with courage ya make a stand for what ya believe in." He preeched as he remembered the words his father always reminded him of, a philosophy Ricky did his best to always live by. Leila was suddenly ambushed by a piece of trash from the street, as she struggled with the paper until finally it was off her face. "Ya okay?" He checked with a small grin, a laugh had built in his chest but he kept it contain.

[Leila]

"Yes yes, I'm fine." Leila walked for several chimes in silence, just enjoying Ricky's company, until her flat came into sight. Shaco gave an excited bark and began to lead her a bit more enthusiastically. He went up to her door, sniffed around it, and was satisfied that it was how he left it. Leila unlocked it, and took off Shaco's leash, and he went bounding within. The fire in Leila's hearth was still going, though much dwindled, for it was simply irresponsible to leave a big blaze going. "Come in Ricky, it's not much, but it's my first home on my own." She gestured to one of the two chairs at the table. Her flat really didn't have much in it. To the right of the door, was her neatly made bed sitting in the corner away from the glowing hearth, with a chest at the end of it. On the left of the doorway was the table, two chairs. Atop the table was all of her clean dishes, neatly stacked, and her food and supplies she'd purchased earlier in the day. She walked over to her chest, bent over and undid the chest, rolled up the leash, and neatly placed it inside. Then she moved over to the hearth, and grabbed a skinny log with both hands. Using the log as a makeshift fire poker, she spread out the ashes and burning wood into a flat base. Then she grabbed a few of the thickest logs, having to use both hands to hold just one. She spread them in a triangle, with smaller logs inside, and larger ones outside. Then she stood back up, turning toward the table. "I hope you like cod, I found a couple of beautiful ones at the market." Leila moved over to the fish, getting ready to clean them. She put down several sheets of the paper that came with the paper, placed the first cod upon it, and grabbed her carving knife. She grasped the tail of the cod firmly, then using the blunt edge of the knife, started scraping it back and forth along the length of the fish. Scales started popping off, falling onto the papers. Back and forth she scraped, until that side was clean, then flopped it over and started on the other side. When she finished, she looked at Ricky, "Hopefully you know how to clean one of these, because that one there is yours." She winked at him, then glanced down at the other cod. She then smiled, and stuck the point of the blade into the fish's belly, just behind the gills. She then sliced down the length to the tail, and opened it up. Using the same knife, she began scraping the guts out, "Do you know which organ is which? I've always wondered, but I've never asked before." She dumped them out onto the paper, then continued to scrape out the insides, trying to get all the blood, black and slimy bits. She then wiped her hands on the paper, and grabbed a small pouch from the supplies. It was rock salt, which she poured a healthy amount inside the fish, and began scouring the meat. Black skin came off with the rubbing, and when she'd gotten it all, she dumped it onto the paper. Then holding the knife tight, she began sawing the head off, forcing her way through the bone. She did the same for the tail and fins. She grabbed the gills, and pulled as hard as she could, straining, until finally they gave out, ripping off. Finally, Leila carved a few fillets off the skeleton, but left the skin on it. She set the fillets off to the side, on a separate piece of paper, leaving the skeleton with all the nasty bits. She then balled up the waste in the paper, went over to the window, and dropped it all into the community compost heap. Waiting on Ricky to finish up, since she only had the one good knife, she began prepping the batter. In a bowl, she poured in a premixed pouch of flour, salt, and baking powder, the pouch sold to her by the fish merchant. She then cracked a few eggs, dumping the contents into the bowl, then tossing the shells out into the compost heap. Finally she added some milk from a small skin that she'd been sold, and stirred it vigorously, until it became one good mixture. She left it there to stand, knowing it would take about twenty chimes to get ready. Waiting on that, she grabbed her pan, put some solid lard in it, then took it over to the fire, and set it upon the level triangle she'd made. She watched the lard melt down, happy with the temperature of the blaze. She then grabbed a pouch of kelp from the table, and laid them flat on a paper. She grabbed her eating knife, and sawed the kelp into bite-size chunks. Finishing that, noting that enough time had passed for the batter, she carried the paper with the fish fillets and kelp bites, as well as a pouch of flour, and the bowl of batter over to the fire. "Come sit next to me hun, I'll be here a while. Oh and can you grab that carving fork there on the table?" She knelt down in front of the fire, and put all of her supplies there as well. She then started coating the cod fillets in flower, then dunking them in the batter. Then she set them into the pan, listening to the sizzling oil come to life. She repeated the process for the kelp, until they were all in the pan. Waiting on them to cook, she sat back on her haunches, then scooted over closer to Ricky, "Thanks for helping, Ricky." She leaned against him, laying her head upon his shoulder, slipping her hand into his, the warmth of the fire making her all the more comfortable.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky laughed a bit after Leila assured she was fine, the two continued to West Street and soon he found himself at Leila's flat. He gave thanks to her when she invited him inside, and once he followed her in he couldn't help but admire the cozy feel the place had. Like the gentleman he wanted to be he took a seat at the table, his arms laid crossed as he relaxed on them and watched her. "Cod is good lass, one o' the things I've grown up eatin'." He assured after she spoke, finally he stood up to watch as she scaled and gutted the fish. He actually had admit she was pretty good, only some people could hold a straight face as they cut apart a fish or any other mammal.

When she finally handed him the knife he gave a thanks once again and went in to do his work. He pretty much followed the same method she did; scrape the back of the knife back and forth to remove the scales, cut along the underbelly to the head area, and used a finger to pull out all the innards the cod had. "I don't really know what all the insides are, but I do know some of them can be eaten. I couldn't tell ya which though, never really bothered to try." He mused as he made his inward cut behind the head. He then took the tip of the knife, placed it right next to the spine, and cut the meat of the spine apart. He did so all the way to the fins of the tail, and severed the bit of meat that connected the two with the knife. After a trim of the unwanted fat and a few pickings of bones, the other side came next. Ricky repeated the process just as before with smooth sawing motions as the knife seperated the meat from the spine once more. When he finished the trim and removal of bones, he took a couple pinchs of the salt Leila left on the counter and placed his fillets with her's. 'Still second nature to me, thank Laviku I've not lost it.' He grinned in silence as the thought of him still being a fisherman lingered. He was glad to be a protector to the city, he would definitely have to start fishing again one day. He's spent too long away from the water without a pole, so he definitely planned to find the time to fish when he could.

As Leila grabbed the sheet with the fillets Ricky crumbled his sheet with the undesired leftovers, and began to follow her with the crumbled sheet in hand. When she asked and pointed for him to bring the carving fork over, he grabbed it on his way to the window and dropped his trash in the heap like Leila. When he came to her and took a seat he held the fork out for her to take, a humble grin now formed on his face. "Here ya are, I was glad to help out." He assured her as he relaxed and listened to the sound of sizzles. He remembered the days when his dad used to cook him fish, the same sizzling as the meat cooked in the oil he used with their old hearth. A lot has happened since those days, enough to where Ricky couldn't even think of a beginning.

Leila relaxed her head on his shoulder and Ricky only glanced over to her, his gaze returned to the food as her soft hand slipped into his. 'She must be gettin' comfy.' He didn't know what to think, he didn't reject the hand nor did he really react to it. He honestly didn't want to think about it, after what had been going on for the past few days. He was practically a free man with bo ties as far as he knew, since Hannah decided to just run off without saying a word. Yet he couldn't call upon himself to feel about that way just yet, not when it had only been a few days. 'I don't wanna discomfort or discourage 'er, nor do I wanna let 'er down.' It became a situation for him, the fact that he brought a sense of safety made him feel good. Yet he didn't want to mislead her if she had started to develope feelings. 'I'm probably thinkin' on it too hard, she ain't gonna get those feelin's. She's probably talkin' to someone already.' He mentally shrugged the thoughts away, and admired the smell that started to fill the room. "Smell's good lass." He complimented with a warm chuckle.

OOCTold you Ricky is an idiot when it comes to that kind of stuff.