When Wilkes Meets A Girl

Another day of separating fish. Wilkes continued to whistle along with Erik as they worked. Barry sorely rubbed his jaw as his pipe fit in a new slot given to him by Rangpar. There were only eight nets to sort today. Less pay for less time worked, but it meant he'd be leaving before dusk.

"So, you lads have any plans?" Barry asked gruffly. He sat leaned back watching them work, in a fairer mood since his attitude being violently readjusted by Rangpar.

"Thinkin' on visitin' the brothel again... not like there's many other places for a lad who ain't a boy but ain't built his own home yet." Erik mused, he tossed a small carp between his hands before putting it in the salting pile. Barry threw an old cork at his head and he moved it to brine.

"You rake! Go meet a proper lady at the festival tonight, not a bedside whore!" Barry's brow furrowed. as he barked angrily

"Oh because you went and did that yourself Barry?" Wilkes teased him and the sailor grumbled but remained seated. He tried to puff his pipe but found nothing to draw from. He grumbled before trudging up the steps. Wilkes worked idly as he let his mind wander.

Finding a wife was of some degree of importance, giving his mom certainty he wouldn't grow old with just Daisy was a priority. But what options did he really have? He racked his brain and could only find some three ideas. None more pleasing than their former or latter.

There was Beatrice, the captains daughter. She was off limits for anyone working on the ship unless they wanted to inherit the stress and get their hours cut. She was a spoiled as they coming being the only child of one of few mercantile families. Tough as nails and twice as stubborn. Not to mention being a half-orc... and her cousin being Rangpar.

There was Alice the baker's daughter. She was sweet yes, but too ditzy for Wilkes's habits of sleeping in. It'd likely be he'd leave in the morning to work the dock and come back to a home ablaze and a wife lost. Not a future he wanted to dawdle on.

Lastly there was Amy. A gnomish woman. Not displeasing in anyway, especially with being as much boob as body. It did feel unfair to think of her body only, but she kept to herself and the library.

"Wilkes!" Erik's voice cut through his thoughts, all the fish were sorted and his friend was half up the stairs. "C'mon man we're cut, let's go."

The two walked off the boat and down the dock. For once, day light still beat down on the sandy beach beneath the dock as they strolled into town. Islanders milled about, some they recognized some they didn't. Children ran about playing games in the late afternoon. At one point a ball sailed wide and nearly slammed into Erik's face. However the half elf managed to header the ball back to the kids. They cheered and chased after the ball launched in a new direction.

"Alright buddy, we gotta be honest with ourselves. As much as we're seen together they might not think we're looking for women at the festival." Erik said dryly. Wilkes quirked an eyebrow.

"We've been best friends since we were kids? And we work together. Why would anyone think we're not looking for women to build a home with?"

"Wilkes, we've spent near every day together since we were old enough to walk the docks. We work the same ship, drink at the same tavern, leave together, arrive together, and neither of us has managed to court a woman longer than a month."

"That just means we're friends. Plus there was when you were with Beatrice for two months."

"Not the point. Besides it means that half the island thinks we're already a couple." Erik said, pointing accusingly at him

Wilkes stopped walking.

The statement hit him with all the grace of a falling anchor.

"What?"

"The other half thinks we're brothers."

"Erik!"

"What? It's true!"

A passing woman overheard them and covered a laugh behind her hand. That did little to help Wilkes's mounting horror.

"We are not a couple."

"I know that. You know that. But old Mrs. Tanner still asks me when we're finally moving into the same house."

Wilkes stared ahead blankly.

"She what?"

"Oh, that's not even the worst one." Erik grinned wickedly. "Remember when we helped repair the chapel roof last summer?"

"Yes."

"The priest asked if we wanted the inside prepared"

Wilkes nearly tripped over his own feet.

"The inside?"

"For our future wedding."

The silence that followed was broken only by Erik's uncontrollable laughter.

"You are making this up." Wilkes rubbed at his temples. "That explains so much."

The pair turned onto the town's main road. Colorful banners had already begun appearing between buildings in preparation for the festival. Islanders climbed ladders, strung lanterns, and carried crates of decorations through the streets.

Erik's laughter finally settled. The half elf wiped a tear from his eye as he settled himself fully. His expression turned serious.

"Look, all I'm saying is maybe we ought to spend part of the festival talking to Women. Separately." There was a pause and Erik began to become exasperated with his best friend. "Separately please?"

"Fine, but if you try and start a game of "guess who was shipwrecked?" to introduce me to any girls friends to do it separately... I might ensure you get shipwrecked." Wilkes threatened him and narrowed his eyes.

"Though I fail to see why you're worried. You're the handsome one." Erik grumbled

Wilkes stopped walking this time. "The handsome one?"

"Sure." Erik said "You've got broad shoulders, gray eyes, and every fisherman's daughter on the island suddenly finds a reason to be near the market whenever you're hauling crates for your mother."

Wilkes blinked.

"No they don't."

Erik gave him a look usually reserved for particularly stubborn mules.

"Wilkes."

"What?"

"The baker's daughter once bought six loaves of bread just to walk past the docks three times."

"That can't be true."

"It is."

"Six loaves?"

"Yes, six."

Wilkes considered this carefully. "But her father's the baker?"

"That is the part you focused on?" Erik threw his hands into the air.

"That's a ridiculous amount of bread anyways."

"Wilkes... you are hopeless." Erik sighed deeply while wandering into the tavern. Alone on the street Wilkes straightened. He rolled his shoulders and glanced at his reflection in a window. Years of work on the ship had done him well, sure he was thin but the corded muscle beneath skin kept him from looking frail. Shaggy black hair gave him a bit of a vagabond look, but it was nice to see. His threadbare toga could use some work, but that'd require more wages.

Ahead of them the festival square was already beginning to fill with merchants and craftsmen setting up stalls. Musical notes drifted through the warm afternoon air as they were tuned up. A soft melody began to play. Wilkes spied his mother barking orders.

Wilkes watched the preparations for a moment before smiling. His smile was promptly wiped away when he heard Mrs. Tanner giggling with her students as they passed him.