I didn't get much sleep last night. I was drafting a plan to solve all my problems in one go.

Today at the tailor shop we got put to work. It wasn't unexpected. From 4 to 8 springs old, children (at least us commoners) are to earn their keep and it is common to have them do menial tasks for the place looking after them.

From 8 to 12 children can become apprentices in various trades to find their calling, usually they end up at one of their parents workplace but can also go for other paths as long as they find a senior willing to teach them. Starting 12 they have to choose a definitive path and are trained in companionshi till 16 springs old, that is this world's adulthood threshold. In fact in Earth time this would be 23 years old, so quite the late bloomers.

The four of us were to help in the great spring cleaning of the shop. In the aftermath of winter's seclusion and the recent burst in activity there was much to dust, organize, sort out, wash and move around. We were the water supply chain for the most part: carrying pails after pails from the nearby fountain that is still two blocks away, back to the workshop.

By break time, I was broken. Despite our daily training I could feel my legs trembling under me and begging for a break, my shoulders were burning and aching with sore muscles and I got some blisters on my hand.

Balout was surprisingly sturdy, even carrying two pails at a time. Melodi's endurance wasn't surprising any more, her powerful body is just a disgusting cheat. I think she could already be on par strenght-wise with the average adult back on Earth.

* * * * * * * * *

After caring for Godzilla back at home, I wait for dinner time to voice my opinion when both my parents are gathered.

After some careful consideration I've narrowed down my options to conform with the new requisites: First it has to be an activity that doesn't tire me out too much, not that I'm lazy but I have a good grasp of my physical condition.

Second it must allow me to earn some food for me and my family, the arrival of a new sibling needs to be addressed.

Third it has to net me some money so I can afford some paper, enough to compile a textbook of knowledges valuable enough to garner Shinpilo's attention.

This leaves me with little options as far as I can think of: Hunting, gathering, herding, fishing are the only occupations filling most conditions.

Herding would be ideal. I could put into use my knowledge to enhance the selection process, take optimal care of the health of the cattle and improve production by implementing modern management. Sole problem being that the cattle herds are outside the city walls, far away in the plain of stumps. I doubt my parents would accept me leaving town and I tend to agree with them. I heard much about the dangers lurking outside and the scar on my grandfather's face reminds me that they aren't just legends and hearsay.

Hunting with grandfather would be the ideal second. Except I already know he deems me too young for this occupation. I might still try my luck: Fortan favors the bolds, but shouldn't expect much of it.

Gathering would be a nice alternative: I could lay some traps along the way, though I would need to find someone to teach me the local botanic and convince my parents to let me follow them into the nearby forest.

Finally there is fishing. It is a tiresome job, yet with long breaks. The river should be less dangerous than sea and fishy enough to make it a worthy occupation. There should be room for improvements using my modern knowledges. I wasn't much of a fisherman but I saw some documentaries on TV, so maybe there is room for something? All I would need would be to find a fisherman that accepts very young apprentices.

That's where I'll need my parents approval and assistance.

At the first break in the conversation I jump in:

“I don't want to keep going to the tailor shop !” This is direct enough to astound my mother, leaving her wordless and catch the attention of the rest.

Dad is the first to react, his panda eyes curious “Is there a problem at the shop? Something with the other kids or the owner? I thought you said she liked him Jo ?”

Mom manages to make it pass her initial stupor “Was it because of today ? Don't worry Tel, such great cleaning work won't occur often. Tomorrow will be less tiresome.” she takes a look at the blisters on my hands.

I shake my head and take a deep breath “No that's not the problem. I don't think I am meant to be a tailor, that's it.” I hope I don't sound rude to her.

“Did you have a fight with Gelcaria or Mel today?” she asks, perplexed.

I shiver at the idea... “No we are doing fine. I just think that it is time for me to bring something back home. I was thinking of accompanying grand pa on his shorter hunting trips.”

My parents answer of one andd the same voice: “No way, Telerios!” At least this is clearly out of question.

“But, I'm sure he would be glad to.” I object without much hope.

My dad gets dead serious “No. You have no idea how much the forest is dangerous. You just aren't old enough to qualify. Plus you would burden him and put all of them in danger. So just no.” I can see in his eyes that there is no room for negotiation left. If a strong man like my father, one that has some chi, is scarred of the forest maybe I was still underestimating the danger.

Not relenting I play down my second card. “What about fishing? I'm sure I could do it, the river shore shouldn't be that dangerous. Don't you know a fisherman looking for an apprentice? We could always use the food.” I know that food is a critical subject especially with my mother's pregnancy, so I'm betting it all on this lure.

As mom is voicing her disapproval, pointing out that Ms Tarina is quite fond of me, Dad interrupts her “Isn't Pete a fisherman? He could take Tel over, at least for a few days to try out. After all, you are watching after his daughter.” he argues.

Mom rebukes “Melodi is in the care of Ms Tarina, not mine. Plus I don't like the idea of Tel going on the river, you know well that it is dangerous on a boat.” she warns the both of us.

My brother sniggers at me, calling me a wuss. My limbs are too short to kick him under the table but I mentally do it nonetheless, conveying my meaning through glare. He isn't much impressed.

The juicy info here is that Mel's dad is the guy I need. Had I known earlier I would have prepared the field with Mel's help.

Much to my surprise dad is siding with me here “It is still worth asking. It would be a nice change of pace for Tel and we could always use the food. You are going to have to eat more in the months to come.” he affectionately pats her belly "And Tel is a serious kid. He'll listen to Pete. I remember he took his daughter once, if she could why couldn't our son?” This wins the heart of mom and she finally relents:

“Fine. We could go discuss it with him tomorrow. We'll walk Melodi back and talk about it with Peterell. He will be the one to have the last say in this. I'm still wary about letting our little Tel take so much risks.” My brother kicks me lightly from under the table, my sister caught the motion and giggles at our bickering.

I'm pleased with the outcome. I need to get out of the tailor shop and start earning some coins.

Goal for tomorrow : cox Melodi into taking my side and help me convince her father.

* * * * * * * * *

During what might very well be my last day at the tailorshop we have to clean the courtyard: weeding it out and scratching the moss from the cobblestone floor. After which the spring sun allows us to have one round of training.

I take care to be especially nice to Melodi. Not that I am usually rude but I'll need her later, rubbing her the right way can't hurt and praises are free. Gelcaria's purple eyes are beaming with jealousy reminding me that I'm treading on a dangerous path here.

When it's time to leave we wait for Melodi's mother: Calido. The rabbit kin and my own mother exchange a few words so my mother can explain my situation. Calido enjoins us to follow them back to her home, her long fluffy ears cutely pricking up in curiosity.

Melodi's house is in every way similar to ours. The builders around our block follow the same pattern. Since Gel couldn't walk back on her own she had to stick along. At least now she starts to understand why I was currying favours with Melodi and her gaze grows more friendlier.

While waiting for Peterell's return mom and Calido share simple talks around a cup of lemon balm like tea talking about clothing, Mel's behaviour at the tailorshop and the latests gossips going around at Calido's Inn: rumours about the blades, skirmishes with monsters and the return of traders as the river got easier to sail upward with Spring settling down.

I spend my time with the girls explaining them my wish. Mel seems pleased at the idea of me working with her father. She holds him in high expectation still in her full Oedipus period. On the other side Gel is disapprovingly gazing at me with her amethysts, no shyness or jealousy is to be found in her stare, only the dissatisfaction about being kept in the dark and the sorrow of betrayal as she feels left behind.

I do feel guilty about it but I can only hope she will understand later that this needs to be done. I can't stay forever at the workshop and it's not like I'm abandoning her. We are neighbours and she can come see me whenever she wants.

Peterell comes back at first evening bell. He doesn't look much like the idea I had of a mariner.

He is suntanned but his long dark hair is tied in a neat bun atop his head, kept still by a nicely crafted bronze needle. He is clean shaved and his face shows very few wrinkles. It is the face of an honest hard worker but not tanned by salt and winds. Which makes sense for a river sailor...

His hands are covered in scars, cuts from lines, wounds from hooks or fish bites ? Are there fish that can make these marks in our river?

He greets us warmly in a gentle voice, miles away from what I was expecting. I remember mariners on Earth to be known for their rowdy songs and the noisy fish auctions.

The man is unfazed as if he isn't surprised by our presence. He puts down a basket full of cockles and small fish-to-fry: tonight's dinner for Melodi.

He takes a sit at the table while his wife pours him a cup of warm tea and casts a glance our way, his eyes flashing with warmth when sighting Melodi, curiosity when crossing mine and some uneasiness when crossing Gel's.

I bet he worships Amidea, the goddess of water, often at strife with Akolaï: the virgin girl vs the lusty chimera.

“Jocriss, to what do we owe the pleasure? Was there a problem with Melodi ?” he says gently. His phrasing is carrying a strange accent. Slow and putting the tonic intonation at the end of his sentences. He is definitively not from the neighbourhood but his looks don't differ much from ours. Maybe this is the accent of the southern free cities?

“No, Mel is a real sweetheart” She smiles at the catgirl that is puffing with pride, pleased to be complimented in front of her daddy. “In fact it is my son: Telerios, who is the reason for our venue. Whatever wind Fortan blew his direction makes him want to learn fishing. So we were wondering if you would be open to take him as an apprentice.”

The man looks at me obviously gauging me. “How old are you boy?” he slowly question, sounding a bit ominous.

“4 springs, same as Melodi. My name is Telerios” I do not like him calling me boy, in this world only the youngest can't claim a name for themselves. I must enforce my maturity.

He nods. “So Telerios, why would you want to learn to fish?” A blunt but simple question, I like him.

“Because I want to eat fish” Best responses for his kind are the simplest and honest ones.

It amuses him and he laughs quietly. Before frowning to a more serious face: “Fishing is tough and dangerous. We start early on, before first bell. It requires patience, stubbornness and concentration, do you have those?” He leans towards me.

If he's trying to impress me, this much isn't going to be enough. I've bandaged wounds on tigers and lions, sutured vessels on rhinoceroses and made casts on gorillas, I'm not that easy to startle. To be honest they were under anaesthetics while I was doing so, but still, I have some pride.

Before I can answer, Melodi comes to my support “He does daddy. He's the one that taught me how to count.” I'm not sure that's the best point to make in my favour but thank you for trying.

This earns me immediate approval. I can see it in the man's green gaze. He nods to his girl and pats her head, caressing her ears as she smiles contentedly. “Fine. If she vouches for you, you can come starting tomorrow, fourth night bell at the eastern moray dock.” Wow, that's some influence Mel's got on him.

My mother is just stunned silly, she was expecting some way to steer me out of the idea, ready to relent at the first refusal. “What ? But ? He is just four. Isn't it a bit too dangerous ? ” she stutters.

Peterell shrugs before pointing at his daughter: “Mel comes with me on her free days. Fish don't discriminate us by our age, they bite whatever line they can.” He stretches the words like fudge.

Before mom can find an angle of counter attack, Gel chimes in: “I'm coming, too.”

The fisherman locks eyes with her, there is a brief staring contest: amehtyst vs peridot, before he abruptly says: “No.”.

Gelcaria is about to add something so I kick her lightly under the table, distracting her and shutting her up with a glare. Melodi takes up her question anyway: “Why not, daddy? Gel is my friend too.” Her ears are flickering in curiousity. Melodi is just so cute when her dad is around, this is so heart warming.

The man calmly answers “I'm already taking the boy, I wont take any more on my boat until I'm sure he knows how to behave.” Pragmatism at its utmost.

Mom finally gets a hold of herself, digesting the idea that I will start tomorrow. She asks the practical questions: where is the meeting point , what must I bring, when and how will I get home etc...

Mel's dad is concise and precise: The moray dock is not far from the archery range, I can easily find it on my own. I just need to bring a coat. He'll take care of my meals “If he can fish it himself.” he adds, his strange accent making me unable to tell if he is joking or not. And he'll drop me on the way back since our house is on his way to the marketplace.

They then exchange some more common talk before we are to make our way home. I wave at Mel and make a slight bow towards Calido and my next tutor: Peterell.

On our way home Gelcaria is sulking at me, refusing to hold hands. I'm kind of glad she was turned down. I believe Ms Tarina will take good care of her and fishing might be awkward in the beginning. Not having her around to make fun of me is for the better. And again it is not like I'm abandoning her either: she will be with Ms Tarina, Melodi and Balout. I make to myself a promise to keep caring for her anyway.

I go to bed early on and my sleep is a light one, reminding me of when I was on emergency duty, always on the alert for a call back in the days at the clinic.

This time I'm on the watch for the chimes of bells, waiting for fourth night bell.