Page 72 of The Toymaker
“I’m hungry,” he said.
Trig smiled at him. “Let’s go eat.”
The sun helped to warm them a little, but Trig still didn’t want to sit outside. Riju had gone with him to the local taverns plenty of times because Trig liked them. He would never compromise on that one thing and agree to eat outside.
Riju hated the smell as soon as they stepped inside one of the smellier ones. The stench of old ale wasn’t pleasant to start with. Cig smoke made a cloud around a few workmen at a table, and while most thought the fruity smell of tobacco was pleasant, he’dnever liked it or understood the appeal. It didn’t help that the smoke grew foul after being trapped in a space for too long, and he was sure the owner never aired out the building.
Combined with old cooking odors and someone they passed who needed a bath as soon as possible, Riju was ready to be done and out by the time Trig picked a table.
The serving woman came to ask what they wanted to drink. How the stench of the place hadn’t driven her up the wall was a mystery to Riju.
He got water, Trig wanted ale, and the tavern was serving chicken stew. The woman walked off to fetch their drinks. The cloud of smoke around the workmen had grown larger. It was a wonder they hadn’t choked themselves yet.
“I’m so glad you don’t smoke,” said Riju.
“I was thinking of taking up cigars. It’s nice to sit by the fire with one after a long day of work.”
Riju stared at him, trying to figure out if he was serious or joking. Elira, would he have to smell smoke every night now?
“I was kidding,” said Trig. “I prefer breathing normal air.
“Good, because I’d never kiss you again.” The very thought of kissing someone after they’d been sucking in burned plant matter made him want to gag.
Thank Elira Trig didn’t want to hang around for long. Once they finished eating, he said it was time for the surprise and wouldn’t even give Riju a hint.
They ended up at the home of one of Trig’s friends. Bob. Or Greg. Riju couldn’t remember his name and hadn’t seen the guy in ages so he simply said hi to him. Somehow, the man remembered his name.
How was it a surprise to see one of Trig’s pals? The guy hadn’t even seemed to like Riju being around the last time he’d come over. Trig and his friend made a bit of small talk about the guy’s oldest daughter who was out with her Mother andbeing measured for her wedding dress. Judging from a couple of things they said, Riju assumed Trig had seen his pal at the tavern the night before.
“Come on.” The man turned to lead them across his sitting room. “Sally’s already talking about what her wedding is going to be like, and I told her, ‘You’re eight and years away from getting married, so stop worrying about how many ruffles your dress is going to have.’ Here, you can climb over the gate, Riju.”
The first open door in the hallway had a little gate blocking it, and Riju went still as he caught sight of what was in the room.
“Go on,” said Trig. “We’re not going to keep one, but I figured you’d like to see them.”
The room was full of kittens. Hell yes, Riju wanted to see them.
“I knew this would get a smile out of you,” Trig said as Riju slung a leg over the gate.
“Thank you.”
“Have fun. Don’t get too attached.”
“You’re not coming?”
“Nah. I don’t feel like having a bunch of fur on me.”
“Be careful with them,” said the guy. “They’re only eight weeks old.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Trig went to sit in the sitting room with his friend as Riju crouched on the floor. The kittens marched over to investigate him, and he let them sniff his hand before he got on his knees to look at two who appeared to be twins. Both were white with pink eyes, and their forked tails were like little noodles. The others were white with brown and black patches. One was all black. He mewed, showing little bitty fangs and a pink tongue, and when Riju gently scratched his back, he arched it and squinted.
A few toys were scattered around the room which looked like something for storage since a few crates were against one side ofthe room. Mummy kitty was in a nest of blankets in a corner, and she curled up as if to say Riju could watch the kids so she could have five minutes of peace.
A couple hid under his cloak, and one attacked the ends of his hair. The black kitten climbed up his back. This was the best surprise ever! He cuddled one and examined his wee toes.
After a bit, he was lying on his back while surrounded by kittens. One curled up on his chest to purr, and another frolicked in his spread-out hair. Riju waved a feather with one hand and held a stick with a strand of yarn in the other so the kittens could attack the toys as they pleased.
