Even though his rest was plentiful and peaceful, his awakening wasn’t. He wasn’t disturbed by someone or something else, but rather his mind knew that it was time to digest what had happened the day before and woke him up, not giving him a chance to fall asleep again, the bed didn’t feel comfortable anymore and the smallest noises annoyed him.
He was angry and mad at Kupi, but that wasn’t what was eating him from the inside. He felt that he had said so much which was true, and he hadn’t thought of before and made him realize his lack of knowledge on how the world worked. He could theoretically go ask him for more help, but he would rather not.
Gabriel had gotten the room free of charge but that also meant that he could get kicked at any time, so after getting out from the bed and changing his clothes, he decided to go home-searching, although he probably wouldn’t find much as everyone who had lost their homes were searching for a new home as well.
And as expected, he didn’t find any suitable home for him and his sister. There were some places where he could’ve lived alright, although he would have to keep his true identity a secret, but it would be too much effort. And he needed to take care of his sister. Why she couldn’t just take care of herself was something that Gabriel asked himself each passing day more and more often.
But he still roamed around the city, in the hopes to find something and find something he did. He found himself in front of the same garage-looking building where he and Kupi had been captured. This brought some bad memories of the morning, but he also remembered that he met a powerful foe which he perhaps could contact for help… but he was also quite peculiar, and it would be difficult to find some common ground with him. But there may not be another option for him to protect his sister and himself.
Then there was also the problem of how to get into contact with the god’s descendant, which he expected to be difficult, so he would leave it for tomorrow, Gabriel thought to himself as he turned around and saw the man himself right in front of him.
- Uh… hello. – Gabriel greeted him quite anxiously, as he had just thought about him and was caught off-guard by his magical appearance in front of him. – I uh… was walking around and got here coincidentally…
- Hmmm… - The descendant hummed with a neutral tone at first, but then started making wacky poses and changing the pitch of his hum, making him look like a crazy man, but Gabriel managed to keep his composure in front of him.
- But… I find this situation quite… positive, I would say. – Gabriel continued his ramble as if he hadn’t been answered yet. – You see, I’ve lost my home and even though there are some places available, none of them are suited for me and my needs… But I thought that maybe… we could reach some sort of areement which benefits both of us? I know you are interested in me, so maybe I could do something for you, and you give me a place I like…? – Gabriel suggested a trade, but with the stranger behavior that the part thief-god was showcasing he believed that he would be rejected, so he lost initiative throughout his speech, yet to his surprise he was quickly answered.
- Yes, yes, indeed. – Was the reply that came, but Gabriel wasn’t sure what he was affirming.
- … - Gabriel was at a loss for words and just looked at him expectantly.
- Correct! You were correct! I do find you interesting! Hahaha! – He finally finished his sentence and left Gabriel disappointed. – Follow me now. – He commented and took Gabriel off-guard, once again. What did this man want? But if Gabriel wanted to find out he could only follow him. So, he did.
The man and his two bodyguards or comrades or whatever they were guided and misguided Gabriel throughout the city, passing through many streets unknown for the usual passerby and even for many of the thief-gods followers.
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The thing is that this grandson of the thief-god didn’t have a good relationship with the followers of his grandfather. He didn’t even have a good relationship with his grandfather or father either, both of them left before he was conscious of himself and his surroundings.
This naturally cold man was born with power but unlike his father he didn’t feel the need to use it because he was groomed with a relatively good life. Even if he didn’t have his father, his mother took care of him and taught him how he should behave, how he should act, between other things, but before she could finish her teachings, she died from an illness she didn’t have a chance to fight against.
At first, he was very sad at her departure, but when he finally decided to go through her things, he realized that she was afraid of him. And not only her, but everyone was as well. He was shocked at this revelation and something inside his head broke.
His attitude took a quick turn and at first tried to get along with other people but realized that it was too much trouble for him. Then he tried to appear strong as he was, but that only helped make more and more enemies which also turned troublesome.
After years of trying, he found out that appearing like a crazy man to most but being actually sane for the close allies was the best, but at the same time these allies had to be checked and rechecked to make sure they stayed that way.
They reached a building with yellowish walls, a wooden door and two simple windows with a single glass, it seemed just like a drawing. Inside it was also quite poor, with dirt floor and old furniture, but this was a façade.
Almost like in the restaurant of Poco, the trio that had been guiding him started to disappear, but instead of going through the walls, they went through the floor, their feet disappeared first, then their legs until their whole bodies were out of sight.
Gabriel had just stood there shocked, so one of the followers of this grandson of the thief god resurfaced his head and called for him, so he followed. This may be a trap, but right now this was the only place that could help him, and the followers of the thief god didn’t leave a good impression of him, so if this guy had a rivalry with them, he would gladly help. When they finally got to their underground lair, the grandson of the thief god spoke.
- Now we either agree to a deal or I’ll make you forget everything about me which will probably decrease your intelligence as a side effect. – He explained as-a-matter-of-factly. – I’m not going to force you but I’m not going to let you go with critical information which could hinder me and my plans tremendously. – He warned. – I’m going to offer you quite a good deal as well.
He threw a few pages or paper with text written on them. There were the terms of their agreement, and this time Gabriel wasn’t in a rush for time, so he took care and read the document carefully. It was indeed a good deal for him, but with Kupi’s recent advice he decided not to be so trustful immediately.
- This is too good to be truthful to you. – Gabriel began but was quickly cut off by the now sitting descendant of the thief god.
- I know. But you have to consider what happens if you decide to… break the contract. You will be scarred for life with a mark that shows you can’t keep promises and another one which marks you as an enemy of most of society. There is also the factor that I don’t want you to follow another person and be fully loyal to me. – This made sense to Gabriel, but he didn’t want to stay a lackey forever.
- Can’t we reach a different agreement? – He proposed. – I do not want to be under someone else forever, so I propose that I’ll stay fully loyal to you while I stay in Destin and when I leave, I’ll do my best not to interfere with you, so long you stay here as well.
- That is still useful to me, but you must understand that it is too lenient on you if you get the same benefits. There is also the chance that you’ll immediately leave town, so I can’t have that happening either.
In the end they agreed that Gabriel would basically act as this man’s lackey for at least five years and until he left Destin in exchange for a home, with a person that would take care of the building, the food, the cleaning and other aspects while also being sufficiently strong to defeat the average citizen of Destin, in case he got attacked while resting or something else.
Had he agreed on the original contract, he would have received three instead of one and his home would be connected to the other protected buildings of this man’s “gang” for an easy escape and easy support. There were also other economic and knowledge aspects included, but Gabriel believed that he would be able to manage without them and if needed, he could do some special favors to get these resources.