``I cannot believe the string of bad luck we encountered.'' groans Laurie as they moved through a field and pulled a thorn out of her butt, with a pained hiss.
``Yeah... that was a painful experience'' he grunts.
``Tell me about it.'' grunts Laurie and looks at Lennier ``Next time I hear such warning, I heed it.'' As he holds some remaining ice on his chest to ease his chest paint.
``Truly spoken. Truly spoken...'' admits Lennier and shakes his head before looking forward ``And I think I see our next halt.''
Due to an encounter with a boy with the family name Murphy, which are cursed to to live out the consequence of Murphy's Law, Lennier and Laurie lost half of their money, most of the stuff given by the WhiteCloak and the only bridge in a 100 kilometers radius which forces them to go the long route towards their next destination.
Looking forward and they saw a village not far from their current location.
Nodding to the Dorumon Laurie spoke ``You are right. That village looks like we can get some rest there.''
``And hopefully some money... we are really on the last scratch and I think more than one or two nights with a decent meal isn't really possible.'' sighs Lennier after checking their money. Shaking his head he began to move, Laurie not far behind.
It didn't take long to arrive that village in a relative sense but it was late enough that the inn they are going in was quite filled.
Walking up to the barman, Lennier wondered ``Excuse me. Can we have a room and a meal for the night?''
The Flamedramon looked at him after cleaning up one cup and nods ``Yes you can. It all depends if you can afford it.'' and points to a price table for his meals and rooms. Lennier studied for a moment and had a dry gulp as it was more extensive as he thought.
``Well... then a room for two and two meals on the menu of the day.'' stated Lennier while looking around for a free space.
The Flamedramon grunts to that and turns around to inform his kitchen about the order and the Dorumon joined Laurie, who had in the short time Lennier did the talking reserve a place for the two to sit down.
``I have placed the order and the rooms.'' explains Lennier but shook his head ``But after that evening we can only afford a breakfast. After that, we really need to ensure we got some money together. Which won't be easy if the prices here are anything to go by.''
``So even if we manage to strike a deal, we might be stuck here for a while to afford everything we need?'' asks the Renamon and groaned annoyed as the wolf-like Digimon simply nodded as an answer. ``Just great. I hope it isn't going to be too hard.''
``I just hope we are not forced to do something we absolutely don't agree with to reach our goals.'' was the simple wish the Dorumon dares to whisper to himself.
It took a while but once they waited long enough, their meal came to them and they began to eat. After they finished it, they retrieved the key for their room but the Flamedramon stopped them for a moment ``Heard you two need some work.''
``Were you listening to our conversation?'' asks Lennier, not liking that people invade their privacy.
The dragon type Digimon however only shook his head ``Nope. Only one of the guests here told me after he paid. Listen. I don't know why you need money. But I could need two helpers.'' and he looks at the two. Then he points to Laurie ``You could serve my customers here. The usual girl is sick and won't recover for at least one week. And I cannot do everything alone here.'' then he looked at Lennier ``For you, I have also some use. For that village, I am also the post station and I could use one of your statures to deliver the mail that comes daily. Also, you could pick up any letters and packages that will leave the town.''
``It is a nice offer, sir. But given how late it is, we would like to ask to sleep over it and discuss it between the two of us first,'' explained Lennier.
The Flamedramon nodded ``Understandable. Let me know after your breakfast what you will do.'' and went back to his own work.
The two travellers retreat to their room and locked the door behind him. Then Lennier began to think and Laurie said ``I do not think we should trust him. It was way too convenient that he happens to have something that gives us payment.''
``I agree with you on that one Laurie... but given our situation we have not much choice.'' countered Lennier and scratches his chest ``ALL I can think of is that we keep our eyes open and run like hell at the first sight of trouble. Even if it means leaving some of our belongings back.''
``Which is not much since the Murphy incident.'' sighs Laurie and looks at their two bags which are now lying on the ground.
Shaking her head she sighs ``Good. We will do it as you suggested. IF he is honest with us, we got some cash. If not... at least we got a few days with a decent meal before the wilderness is back to haunt us.''
Lennier wanted to say something about that pessimistic side but given their situation, he didn't. As he were more than aware what could happen anytime. Instead he nodded to hear ``I agree... but we should sleep now. Getting up early is our priority for now to keep the jobs we are offered.''
Nodding to him, Laurie laid down on her bed and after turning down the lights, Lennier did the same and crawled into his way to the small bed.. or rather not comfortable build for somebody with Lenniers body type. Then again, in this place, he hasn't seen any Digimon yet in this village that comes even close to his structure or quadrupole legs.
The two slept peacefully in the room until the next morning where they got up early and moves down.
Down there, the Flamedramon was setting up the table and noticed them upon entering ``You're up earlier than I thought.''
``We wanted to talk with you about that job offer.'' informed Lennier and took a seat along with Laurie ``And we come to the decision, that at least until we can effort the supplies for our continued travels, we stay and work for you, as long you can offer us a fair payment.''
``Two meals per day, room to sleep and 50 bucks a day.'' was the Flamedramons reply, `` I think given the circumstances it is fair. Any tips are yours.''
Lennier looked at Laurie and she only shrugs ``Given our past experience, I think that is only a fair exchange.''
Nodding to that, Lennier holds his hand out ``Then we have a deal. I am Lennier. And that is Laurie.''
``Alex. And I am looking forward to that cooperation'' and took the hand and shakes it ``Now have a breakfast. Then I will introduce you to your job.''
The two travellers nodded to that and went to the prepared table to eat.
Alex who watches the two grinned to himself ``Well... that Dorumon might be useful if get around the fact he is able to think for himself. Laurie on the other hand... oh, I am looking forward to the performance.'' and chuckles to himself before heading back to the kitchen to get everything done for those who might need an early drink for one reason or another.
