After taking his paint covered bedsheets off the mattress, Thames moved to his closet.
Looking at the mirror in it, glancing back at the messy bed, he reached for a thin twill short sleeved shirt. After puttin on a white tank top, he quickly buttoned the shirt up, but left the top unbuttoned.
It'll probably be warmer today.. Summers starting.
He looks out the open window, gazing at the robins flying over the green trees blowing in the wind.
This part of Lino had carefully planted trees that provided shade on the street. He saw women dressed in finely crafted dresses, walking further into the city.
Something must be happening today..?
He thinks to himself before heading back to his closet, putting on crème colored shorts and wrapping a belt around his waist, he turns to the door.
His nose twitches a few times as he enters the hallway.
Bacon?
Reaching the kitchen, the scent of bacon heavy in the air, he sees Ode and Lin playing cards at the table.
"Coffees on the stove!"
Ode yells over the sizzling as he flips over a card and slaps it on the table, grunting shortly after.
Lin smirks while turning towards Thames.
"Mornin sleepy head!"
Thames nods slowly while filling a mug up of coffee.
"Sugar?"
"Just ran out!"
Thames' brow furrows as he sits with the two at the table.
"What're you guys playing?"
"War!"
Ode yells as him and Lin both slap down aces. They both stack three cards on the table, then look at each other as they reach for another card from their respective decks.
Ode slaps a three down and yelps.
Lin quickly sets a five down and cheers loudly while collecting all the cards.
"Not very lucky in cards!"
"Whateva!"
A blank look appears on Lin's face as she turns to Thames.
"Play for me! Forgot bout the bacon!"
She quickly gets up and rushes to the stovetop as Thames grabs her deck of cards.
"Y'know how to play?"
Ode asks glumly while fiddling with his thin deck.
"Yeah."
They both slap down cards in unison, Thames with a seven and Ode with a four.
Most of the duels end with Thames winning.
"War!"
Ode yells out as they both throw down jacks.
The two stack three cards on top of the jacks, but are interrupted by Lin.
"Breakfasts done!"
Lin, juggling three plates on one arm, sets a plate in front of each of them. She takes a seat on the left of Thames.
She's served three pieces of bacon and a slice of toast with a nob of butter.
"Thanks Lin."
Ode stacks his bacon on his toast and digs in, Lin does the same, but Thames eats each one individually.
"So.. What are we doing today?"
Thames asks Ode in between bites. Ode, now finished with his breakfast, looks up at the ceiling then at Thames.
"Let's getcha some weapons? Guess we'll stop by Jack's shop.."
Lin finishes her breakfast in a gulp and points at Thames.
"Betcha he'll like something light! I'd say a rapier, but I don't think ya got that long to learn!"
Ode nods as a look of confusion slowly stretches across Thames' face.
"I was thinking of a short sword and a dagger. Could give him a few pointers on the sword, but with the dagger he'll be fine! All ya gotta do with that is swing it wildly and everyone would be scared!"
Ode laughs loudly at his own joke.
"Sorry? What would I need a weapon for..?"
Lin just stares at him then Ode.
"You haven't told him ANYTHING??"
Ode sighs and rolls his eyes.
"We're tracking down rogue magicians! What do ya think? Think you'll see pretty views this way??"
A look of worry replaces Thames' look of confusion.
Is he mad???
Ode notices this and quickly continues.
"It'll mostly be me fightin em! You just gotta remember the sights so you can paint!"
Lin shakes her head while gathering the empty plates.
"This stupid magician.."
She shakes her head while she cleans off the dishes.
"So what would I need a weapon for then?"
"Welllll.. There's the chance they run! Or they got lackeys! Or they summon things! Neva know with rogue magicians."
Thames, now pale, wipes the sweat from his brow as he looks around at the two.
"So we'll leave now! Lindel don't get too lonely without Thames!"
Lin shakes her head as Ode drags Thames out his chair and towards the door.
"You'll probably get 'long with Jack!"
"Who??"
"He's a shopkeeper!"
Ode laughs wildly as the two walk up the street, away from the Lino Market. The weathers clear, but the smell of incoming rain is heavy.
Thames continues to get dragged up the street, the surroundings slowly turning more and more exquisite and more lonely.
This continues until they turn down an alleyway.
It's shaded completely and appears to be used for trash.
I'm dead! He hired me to get my organs harvested!!
Worrisome thoughts creep into his mind as Ode kicks open a metal door, dragging Thames into it.
[A well illuminated room greets the two. The floor is hardwood planks and the walls are made of stone, despite the outside being made of something else.
"Good morning Ode, Thames."
From behind a dark oak countetop, a blueish man with long ears and a flowing tail resembling a tiger, stood smiling at the two.
He wore glasses with rectangular frames, the silver shining under the constant light. His clothes were unfamiliar and like a robe, but clearly fine quality.
Thames looked around for the source of the light, but couldn't find anything.
"Mornin Jack!"
Ode responded cheerfully as he dragged Thames up to the counter.
"I need a weapon for this guy!"
"What type would you like?"
"Well I figured a short sword would be easy to carry 'round!"
Jack nods thoughtfully as a short sword sheathed in a dark leather appeared on the counter.
"Like this?"
Ode nods while handing the sword to Thames.
It was unfamiliar to the man, he had never been trained in the sword, but he unsheathed it. It didn't weigh too much and it appeared to be well crafted.
"Whatcha think, Thames?"
"Uh..? It's good?"
Thames responds, unsure.
"Lemme get a dagger too!"
A pristine dagger appears on the counter and Ode quickly hands it to Thames. Thames, unsure what to do with either weapons, keeps them in his hands.
"So how much are crystals today?"
Ode asks quickly while leaning on the counter.
"Magic crystals? Four gold dollars per pound."
Jack says firmly in response.
"I'll get half a pound then! In a pouch that I can put on my waist!"
A pouch appears on the counter and Ode ties it to his waist.
"Are you magician hunting again, Ode?"
"Mhm! Got Thames to paint everything now!"
Jack's blackish blue eyes gloss over before focusing back on Ode.
"You're total is three gold dollars and two silver dollars."
Ode reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a wad of gold dollars, setting four of them on the countertop. They quickly vanish and are replaced by eight silver dollars.
"Have a good day Ode, Thames."
Jack nods to each of them as Ode spins around and drags Thames out.]
Back in the alleyway, Ode directs Thames onto the street.
"How did he know my name??? Did you tell him about me??"
Ode glances back, but continues walking.
"Oh nah.. That's just one of his tricks! Y'know magic and stuff."
Thames just shakes his head as he continued to follow after Ode.
"Then how did he make these things appear out of thin air?? Magic too??"
Ode lets out a sigh and stops, Thames stopping as well.
"Most things're magic! 'Specially if you're travelin with me! If ya want me to teach ya bout magic I can."
Ode continues to walk back to the house as Thames gets lost in his thoughts.
Magic? Maybe.. Then I could do those things I did in my dreams..
As they reach the house, Thames' mouth opens.
"If I learnt magic.. Would I be able to make my paintings come to life..?"
Ode looks back at him, a grin starting to split his face.
"If ya learnt magic.. Hmm.. I'd say you'd be able to make your paintings true!"