aterat | Gotta Live Fast

Entry tags:

Gotta Live Fast

Who; Tommy Shepherd, OTA
What; Tommy Adjusting to the town and work
Where; Markets, Hunters Lodge, Residence Square
When; Early to Mid August
Warnings; Tommy is prone to swearing

1. A Taste Of Family | Markets
Some days it was hard not to miss the people you loved. This was something Tommy was more than used to after his time as a captive of the Sphere. Most of the time he didn't know what to do with that tension that bubbled up in him, but today, he had an idea. Which was why Tommy, completely with Speedy's bag over his shoulder, was moving slowly through the markets. Slowly because he didn't really know what all he was going to do about sufficient food. So for now it was about conserving energy, walking the line between too much energy use to stay slow and too much energy use by going fast.

For now he was at a spice merchant, looking over some of their stocks. He needed to find the right spices, but he couldn't always remember the names, which meant a lot of careful sniffing. He had to figure out which ones went into paprikash so he could save up a bit of money and then buy what he'd need. Later. Because he couldn't indulge in spices right now.

"I can't tell if this is normal paprika or hungarian," he sighed as he straightened. This was impossible.

2. Do You Want Fries With That? | Hunter's Lodge
There was a new level of efficiency at meal times at the Hunter's Lodge. A young man with snow white hair and silver googles holding orange tinted lenses on. There would be only the space between a blink between someone settling at a table and Tommy's arrival, unless he was talking to another customer. And at his arrival there was definitely a mug of water set down in front of the person that wouldn't have been in Tommy's hand wherever he was before.

"Hey," he greeted. "Wanna know the specials? Or do you have a specific thing in mind already?"

When he wasn't serving tables he did hover by the kitchen door, though, waiting for new arrivals or people needing assistance, or just food that needed to go out.

3. If I Had A Quarter For Every Time I Counted These Coins... | Residence Square
Money. That really was always the start and stop of all problems wasn't it? Well, he supposed in this case it was less money and the fact that his stomach was... really needy.

These thoughts occurred to Tommy as he sat in one of the chairs that existed in the central courtyard between all of the colored residential buildings. Unloaded into his hand was a pile of coins, which he was counting in frustration not for the first time.

It was like being in high school again, before he stopped going to high school. When there was never enough, no matter how much he wanted there to be enough. He needed something more if he was to sustain himself here. The Sphere had done so much to take care of them...

"Not that I'm very good for being anything other than fast," he lamented to himself out loud. How was he supposed to make this work?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If only it was his family. But hell, he' was going to try.

"Thanks man," Tommy sighed as he started to look at other spices. "Other than the paprikas I only need salt and pepper. he seasoning comes from other stuff. What are the chances someone around here sells chicken stock?"

Fuck, he's going to have to learn how to make chicken stock isn't he?

He smiled. "I'm afraid chicken stock must be home made. However, I do have some of that at the Hunting Lodge if you need some. I do that and beef stock and keep it as long as I can until I have to use it."

Ignis had learned about that one the hard way.

Oh man, he doesn't know how to make stock. Tommy wilts a little. How does he... How does he do this?

"Shit," he sighed at the man's revelation. "I don't know how ot make stock."

Ignis looked at Tommy and smiled. "I can show you at the lodge if you wish to learn." And that would be fun, to teach someone else. None of the lads back home had wished to do so, but it had been a joy to show his fiancée' a thing or two.

"Yeah," Tommy said, sighing, fingers carding through his hair. "But, uh, maybe when I'm working? Because I can't really leave the kid for longer than I told him I would?"

Because he's supposed to be a good parent.

"Of course, whenever you have time will be more than fine." Because teaching someone to cook would need all of their focus and it wouldn't be good to have them distracted with worrying about anything else.

"I'll always have time at work," Tommy answered. "You haven't met me yet, but time is the one thing I have in abundance."

He didn't know how to make people understand without experience.

"Alright." Ignis agreed with a nod. The lad was correct, the two didn't know each other so all the advisor did was smile.

"So are we headed to the farmer or are you alright to do business on your own?"

"Could you show me the farmer? Like, I don't know shit around here."

He was lost, and someone to guide him wasn't a bad idea. Hopefully Ignis would put up with that.

The advisor smiled. He was used to playing tour guide of sorts with the lads back home, though his studies had mainly been to assist the future king of Lucis. Still, making sure the other two didn't get killed in the process so they could help guard that future king hadn't hurt.

So he moved towards the farmer down a little ways. "I'm ready when you are."

Well then, Tommy bundled up his small purchases when they were handed over to him, and he nodded to Ignis.

"Yeah, I guess I'm as ready as I can be. Fuck, managing money is going to be hard here."

"If you receive plenty of tips, I'm sure it can be balanced." Of course Ignis was really looking forward to seeing how this kid did at the tavern tonight. But he knew the struggle too, it was hard on him at times to make sure he had enough to provide for the house plus the upcoming wedding and searching for a home all at the same time.

"It really can't easily be balanced," Tommy said, looking frustrated. He's never had to manage money for more than himself. Not until he was dealing with David and that guy was a genius. This was something new.

"I've never had to take care of people."

Ignis chuckled slightly. "It is a learning process to be certain." And it was quite the precarious balancing act when he found himself travelling roads with three men who seemed to have little regard for gil, especially where Noct's appetite was concerned.

"But I'm certain you'll learn to manage."

Learn to manage. Will he do it in time? There are people depending on him now.

"I guess I don't have a choice but to learn it."

"You will, especially if you've no other choice." Ignis was trying to be reassuring here but wasn't sure he was managing that. However, he did have faith in the lad.

Man, that's more faith him him than Tommy has. HE'd only just started to learn how to adult properly with Wanda. Now? Now he doesn't know what to do.

"Practice and hope I don't starve me and my brother, sounds about right."

"Details can be taken care of as they come about although planning ahead never hurt anyone." Ignis smiled, thinking of Noct. "One thing at a time though."

Planning ahead. Tommy absolutely bursts out laughing. That was so not his normal way of acting in the world.

"The way my brain works, I plan ahead, but it's like, five to ten minutes ahead. I've got hours to do it in. I'm just not your normal person."

Green eyes looked Tommy over as he laughed, wondering what he'd said to cause that kind of a reaction. However, the riddle was soon answered as the other filled him in. So he simply smiled.

"Well let's get going so you can get on with the other things you have to do."

"Yeah, okay," Tommy says, taking a deep breath. He can do this. He will do this. This is a thing that is happening and it's okay and it's good. Yep.

He's not panicking.

"You're welcome to lead. I promise I can keep up."

Ignis smiled and made his way over to the farmer which wasn't far at all, about a two minute walk from where they had been. "Well if it isn't Mister Scientia." the old farmer said with a smile. And somewhere in the back of Ignis' mind, the old man reminded him of Master Cid back home.

"I've brought yet another customer, who would be interested in purchasing your wares." the advisor smiled and moved to the side so that Tommy could conduct his business.

Tommy looked nervous, and it took some doing, but he was finally able to figure out what cuts of chicken he would need and how much it would cost. Then he had another bundle in his arms and looked to Ignis again.

"Flour? I need to make egg noodles to put it over."

Ignis nodded to the farmer and then looked at Tommy. "Flour is back to where the spices are, as there's a little shop tucked in the back. But they're always quite supplied." He knew this for a fact because it seemed as if he was always there.

He wouldn't say it, but this was actually kind of fun. "Do you perhaps need a basket to carry all of your things in?"

Oh come on, he's weaving back and forth and he doesn't like it at all. Tommy sighs.

"I'm just bad at planning out a grocery route when there isn't a proper store. But..."

Yeah, there is a lot in his arms.

"Stay here and hold that thought."

And Tommy was off, gone in a flash of silvery-white light. Not a minute later he was back, wind gusting in behind him, and his arms were empty.

"I put away the things I got already."

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