Chapter 14: A Home?

"well I was thinking of finding a place to stay soon." Responded Carman. Since they no longer had an appointment at the courthouse, this meant he could fast track his plans for getting a proper roof over his head.

"How are you planning on paying for that?" Asked Livre, " I know that the amount I've been able to pay you for your help around the shop is nowhere near enough to rent an apartment here in the city, much less buy a house."

"Ah that's where Ryuzu comes in. Every so often she went out in the evening bringing bags of mora, mechanical scraps, and discarded supplies/products back to the place we are currently staying." Said Carman.

Hearing this, Livre raises an eyebrow and looks at Ryuzu, "so she leaves in the evening and comes back with bags full of mora..."

It took Carman a second to realize what Livre was implying, and another few for his brain to reboot. "Archons! No, by Lady Furina's sadistic tests, no. Ryuzu has been raiding criminal bases, like treasure hoarders and drug dealers. Where would you even get that idea."

Glancing over to his side, Carman realized that Ryuzu has disappeared, panicked he looked around and saw her with one of her sythes coming out behind Livre.

"Wait! Ryuzu! I know that what he said was insulting, but please don't kill him!"

Livre felt a cold chill trickle down his back as a cold voice whispered in his ear. "You are lucky... To insinuate that I would sully my body like that and let lowly beings touch me in such a manor... If my mast.. partner was not here, I would have castrated you where you stand. Count your lucky stars that the gears of fate saw fit to have Monsieur Carman look up to you in such high esteem." Said Ryuzu before she stepped back from Livre.

Hearing these words, Livre subconsciously moved his legs closer together, as he shook his head slightly, hoping that he wasnt the only one to hear an erie tune being whistled from one of the dark corners in the workshop.

After regaining his composure, Livre saw Carman reprimanding Ryuzu for going straight for threats of permanent bodily harm.

After a few minutes of recovery, the group continued discussions reguarding finding Carman an official place of residence.

"Carman, I'd love to offer you space in my apartment, but the one I'm able to afford at the moment is too small for more than one person to live in. Heck it's still a bit claustrophobic with only me in there." Said Livre, feeling kind of sheepish now that he relised that he hadn't been prepared very well to take care of Carman.

Carman shook his head, "No worries, I understand starting a business on your own probably took a lot of initial investment. The food, clothes, and payment you have given me over the past few weeks have gone a long way, and it probably wouldn't be wise to live under the same roof as you until I've gotten all my feelings regarding adoption sorted."

"If I may make a suggestion, there are listings for rental properties posted on the newspaper called "The Steambird" they seem to have a section under the real estate portion dedicated to advertising different properties with vacancies. I suggest we refer to this list first, as it will likely have pricings that accommodate our long term interests." Ryuzu said while pulling out the morning edition of the Steambird.

After pouring over the listings, a few places' descriptions drew their attention. Two offered fairly low prices and decent accomodations but were located a ways away from the workshop. The last listing was the most pricey of the three and while the room sizes were slightly smaller, it came with better ratings on security and was closer to the workshop.

"So it seems like we have cheap options that give us more space, but will have a longer commute to the workshop, or a more expensive one that has less space but is closer and has higher security.". Said Carman.

"Perhaps a visit to each of the properties will provide us with insight on what dwelling will be suitable?" Said Ryuzu.

"I can go with that. Livre, since you have more experience in renting places here, mind coming along and giving us some tips?"

I know that he hasn't accepted me adopting him, but is this what a parent feels when their child leaves the nest? He's growing up so fast... Thought Livre. "Yes, of course. I'd love to share what I've learned so far."

"Livre are you alright? There are tears in your eyes." Asked Carman

"-cough cough- yes I'm fine, it seems our gracious Archons, Lady Furina has seen fit to bless me with an overflowing amount of hydro energy" said Livre.

Bull$h!&, there isn't a lick of elemental energy coming from that water. Why are you even crying? Thought Carman as the group made it's way out the door of the workshop and into the afternoon sun to visit the prospective apartments.