[PRP] A Seafarer He's Not {Complete}

[X Purple--Platypus X]

Yes, Oxiin had made his profession rather gory and gross sounding... But surely it didn’t warrant such an extreme reaction? Gagging at the mention of fish guts? What was this guy, a man or a ten year old girl? That was his job that Alfons was heaving at, it wasn’t that bad and the teenager couldn’t help but take a little bit of offence. He folded his arms, fighting back the urge to raise a vexed eyebrow. However, Ezekiel’s early apology whispered in the back of Inge’s mind. Alfons was troublesome. Perhaps not in the same way as Oxiin, but Inge would have to put up with it none the less, best to brush off the overreaction and get on with it – just to the end of this cup of tea.

“Working for the newspaper? You must learn all sorts of interesting things through that.” He forced a smile onto his face as he took another sip; the liquid was piping hot but warmed him to the core – just what he needed after being drenched. “Plus I suppose you get to know all the big stories before the rest of us?” Inge hadn’t ever been an avid reader of newspapers, he never had time to sit down and indulge in the events and stories bouncing around Amies. A quick glance at the headlines was normally enough to satisfy him, but he tried to sound as though he could appreciate Alfons’ work.

Oxiin got the feeling that his guardian was trying to keep him out of the conversation.

After Alfons had revealed his own place of employment the dustling had opened his mouth to add his opinion on the matter, but Inge had surreptitiously given him a soft kick on the shin and on every attempt after that the same had happened until finally the teenager had hissed, “no more from you mister..” Oxiin had sighed deeply at that but rather than protesting he stirred his coffee moodily.

It was no fun when Inge tried to be strict.  

[Snoofington]

“Working for the newspaper? You must learn all sorts of interesting things through that.”

Thump.

Alfons nodded, staring grimly into his mug at the swirling, steaming tea. Raspberry. Even the fruity smell and taste couldn't fully distract him from his previous mental theater, however, and he could still feel the after effects of his nausea. So easily grossed out, not because the profession itself was disgusting or horrid but his mind so easily wove descriptions to be far worse than they actually were.

“Plus I suppose you get to know all the big stories before the rest of us?”

Thump.

"Err, yes... It's fairly interesting..." his leg began to bounce involuntarily, his mind attempting to settle itself by paying attention to something else. It wasn't working very well. An exceptionally long sip was taken before he set the mug back down on the table with a thud, holding onto the sides, "...To be honest, I hate the paper. I also hate my job." Why was he divulging this?

The kid.

He wasn't happy about it but there was some connection between the two of them with how they both reacted toward the bottle. Even if he was sitting there scratching his arm and the flakes were getting on his... shoes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Oxiin open his mouth but was silenced with another dull thump that he hadn't been able to comprehend before. Now he knew what it was.

“no more from you mister..”

His nails came down loudly, clacking against the polished wood in a single rhythm before falling silent once again. Nervously, his eyes drifted back toward Ezekiel who seemed to be enjoying some kind of hot soup. When looking, he could feel the eye contact of the bottle. It was still staring.

"...I should get going." It was still pouring. "Er, we," he pointed back and forth between himself and toward Ezekiel, "We both have work. You know how it is." Frankly, Alfons wasn't sure if either of them really knew but it was an excuse anyway.  

[X Purple--Platypus X]

“...I should get going. Er, we- We both have work. You know how it is."

If that wasn’t a blatant excuse to get away Inge would eat his own foot. Not that teenager really minded. Their meeting had been awkward since the start... At least he had learnt something from the encounter – he needed to install some manners into his little tyke before every tom, d**k and harry called pegged him as a bad parent! He smiled pleasantly at Alfons though, finishing his tea so as to also have a reason to leave, making going their separate ways slightly less awkward – for his own sake rather than the odd man’s.

“Yes. I suppose we better be getting on our way too.” He fought back a grimace as his eyes flicked to the sheets of rain still lashing down outside.

Oxiin sighed, obviously disgruntled that they would have to go home in the midst of the downpour, plus he had about half of his coffee left. However, it seemed best not to raise a fuss; Inge had a new authority in his stature and actions and he only had to looks as though he was going to chip in to warrant a light tap to silence him. The teen couldn’t stop him from saying bye though...

“Bye Alfons... Sleep well.” He smirked, he couldn’t resist it. Despite the fact he was perhaps the only one who comprehended the level of fear the bottle induced.  

[Snoofington]

Meeting new people was never Alfons' strong suit and he always hated doing so, especially when such meetings were sparked from random encounters. Being introduced to co-workers or associates was a different story for him, at least that way he was usually in a setting or with someone that made him slightly more comfortable but nothing about this situation was.

He just wanted to get out of there, leave the presence of the bottle, shedding child, the fisherman and even his own doctor and curl up in bed. But that would be breaking his schedule twice as much.

"It's, ah... been illuminating," this time he tried not to sound terribly detestable, doing the same as Inge and finishing up his tea. He stood, fished through his pocket for some money to pay for his cup and then sidled himself out of the booth. Before fully leaving, he took a moment to straighten his tie, suspenders and make sure he wouldn't be tracking awkward rust dust.

“Bye Alfons... Sleep well.”

He froze, cringed for a split second while making eye contact with the child and then tried to form the most insincere and forced smile anyone had ever seen. The corner of his mouth twitched from the force of it, making him look crazy, no doubt, and then he turned and moved over to Ezekiel.

The walk home would be positively delicious.