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Kremy was well aware of how Gid was raised.
From how he talked to how he walked, the man was a farmer at heart, born and raised on that little farm with his father. It didn’t take much to figure that much about the guy. His composure and lack of proper manners could be blamed on the other more distasteful parts of his childhood, namely the train of a few things coming to mind.
All that said, he had at least beloved his best friend had even once gone to school, just learned the basics of life even through the strange life he lived thus far. There hadn’t been even a possibility in his head the guy hadn’t gone to some sort of country bum school at some point, learnin’ how to raise cows and how to count to ten, or even just read.
Yet apparently even his perception couldn’t read that far into the guy.
( “Roll for perception?” Nikkie said with a sigh, glancing over to Mace who had an amused smile on his face, watching as Rich rolled a sevan.
“I doubt that’s enough.”
“You don’t notice anything odd about Gideon. Nothing at all.”)
—
Kremy knew the look that Gideon threw to the town they had entered, glancing around in a general checking of the area for any threat of any sort— hobgoblins before seemingly relaxing a little next to Kremy.
The two had been traveling together for nearly a year by this point, over that time, Kremy had learned the easy tells to Gideons mood. Despite the larger man attempting to hide it best he could, the lack of emotional education from an emotionally available parental figure made the man’s tells easy.
Darting eyes, fidgeting with the manacles that wrapped tightly around his wrists, chains loudly clanking against the cold quiet atmosphere. The way they glowed in the dark of the night was also a dead giveaway of the nerves that set the man on edge.
“Gid.” Kremy tugged on the man’s sleeve, which was promptly ignored by the genasi. “ Gideon.” Again he was ignored, the giant man, who seemed more focused on the signs that ran along the train station.
“ Gideon Nathaniel Coal.” He finally grabbed the man’s hand, swiveling him to face Kremy, breaking whatever memory he had been sucked into. “What in hells are ya lookin’ at?” Gideon grimaced, narrowing his eyes at the sign that swung in the breeze just over the entrance to the station.
“Jus’ tha’ sign.” He pointed to the sign with a loud clink! Of his chains, “looks like the sign that the old train stations we would stop at had.”
“ And?” Kremy asked, almost bored at Gideons answer, “it jus’ says ‘ train station.’ Nothin special far as I can tell.”
Gideons face flushed a deeper red then it already was, furrowing his brow as he reread the sign over and over again, as if he couldn't decipher what it truly said in totality. He nodded to Kremy before refocusing on the train in front of them, glowering at the headlights glowing at the front of the train. Kremy sighed, grabbing his hand tightly as he started to make his way up the stairs to the rest of the town, nearly tripping over the stones as he did.
“Keep on the lookout for an inn, maybe even a tavern if were lucky.” Kremy nodded to gideon, ignoring how his heart fluttered as he did, “and the usual places if you could.”
Gideons eyes widened before narrowing at him, “cant ya do that? I ain't no good at findin those places.”
“No, because Im still reading the note we got from the las’ town we were at. Its not hard Gid, just read the god damn signs.” Kremy scanned over the long letter they had received, the long stipulations and instructions from the man who hired them for the con job this time round.
“ Yeah– but–” Gideon tried before giving up, fixating his gaze to the signs hanging around town.
The two walked for nearly five minutes before Kremy realized something was up, Glancing up from his paper to see they were far into the residential part of town rather then the usual busy streets that they should have been on. He shoved his arm in front of Gideon stopping the man in his tracks.
“Gid.”
“Kremy.”
“I though’ I said ta find us the Tavern.”
“Yeah, ya did.” Gideon furrows his brow before he glanced behind them, “I didn't see it.”
“Well no shit ya don't see it righ now. Were in the god damn residential area. We ain't in the streetside no more.” Gideon flushed again, his head bowing in embarrassment. “Gods, what is going on with ya tonight Gid? First the train sign, now these? Are ya kiddin me?”
“I aint good at that stuff boss. I told ya once, Ill tell ya again, I aint good at readin’.” Gideon crossed his arms over his chest, Kremy narrowed his eyes at the nickname but didn't comment, rather pushing the note into Gideons arms and turning the both around, and marching back into the town area.
Within a minute he found the inn, in two he found the tavern, a third passed and he had found everyplace he had originally needed to go to all within a minute of one another. Upon his direction, Gideon followed him into the tavern, shuffling behind him in shame from missing the signs.
“Whatado my name is Kremy Lecroux and do i have a deal for you, One room, two beds thanks.” Kremy tossed a gold coin over to the innkeeper with an annoyed grumble, “How many nigh’ does tha’ cover?”
“Four.” the elven innkeeper twirled the gold between his fingers, “no food included of course. But you sure you both wish for two beds? We have a king bed room for the same price.”
“No thank you, two beds will do.”he gave the two a pair of keys before going back to smoking his cigarette and reading whatever he had been reading at the time.
“Jus’ come back to the desk if you wish for more time.”
“Yes sir.” Kremy salutes to him before grabbing the keys and handing one to gideon and taking one for himself. “Gid lets go.” He pulled at gideons sleeve, receiving no reaction from the man, “ Gid.”
“Huh? Oh yeah, sure. Comin.”
–
Their time in the bar was no better, Gideon asked Kremy what they had all of three times, seeing that they were out of whisky at the time, his best friend had to try and find something new, Which had now left them in the argument they had been having for the past five minutes, Kremy frustrated and gideon getting more and more embarrassed by the second.
“Gid, can ya just read the god damn menu?” Kremy sighed, claws tightly gabbing his own glass as he swirled the liquid inside, resting his head on his hand, “I cant baby ya like this Gid. ya can read, so read the menu.”
Gideon looked down at the table, pushing forward the menu slightly, “I don't want nothin’.”
“God– Gid– awlrigh’ hes jus’ gon’ have a Burbon, my friend lost his here glasses, sorry bout that my friend.” Kremy tossed over a few copper to the woman, who narrowed her eyes at Gideon.
“I dont think your friend can read.” She observed, pouring Gideons drink for him, “Might wanna get that checked if I was you.”
“He can read. Hes jus’--” Kremy cut himself off, looking over to gideon who seemed to be hiding himself in his drink, staring down at the liquid as he swirled it in the glass. “Lets get a table Gid. Maybe they got good food here.”
“Huh? Oh yeah, sounds good.” Gideon nodded, grasping the cup tightly and heading off to a back corner table, “I think this one is good.”
“Yeah, yeah that ones good…” Kremy murmured, picking up the list of food they had, “Ya… can… read righ’?”
“ What?” Gideon choked on his drink, hitting his chest as he struggled to breathe, looking surprised at the sudden question, “Of course I can read– wha’ type’a idiot cant read?”
“Apparently you.” Kremy took a sip of his drink, looking over the rim of the cup as he did such, “Go on, read the menu for me will ya?”
“I dont gotta prove nothin to ya Kremy.” Gideon argued, “I can read jus’ fine.”
“Then prove it.”
“I don't gotta do nothin.”
“Would you kindly read the menu out loud for me?” Kremy put his drink down, leaning his head on the back of both of his hands, watching as Gideons eyes glazed over upon falling for the magic that enveloped him within an instant, before it instantly faded.
“ Kremy what have I told ya abou–” Gideon started, before Kremy quickly shushed him, placing a clawed finger to his best friends lips.
“See now thats the proof I needed, The spell quit since you can't do what was asked. Gid why didn't ya jus’ tell me?” Kremy sighed, placing a hand on his friend's hand, as per usual it was hot to the touch, near burning from his embarrassment and rage at Kremys control over him.
“Ya cant just– do that ta me. Ya swore ya wouldn’t do that shit no more.” Gideon pulled his hand backwords slightly, face neon red with embarrassment, “I can read– your stupid magic jus’ ain't workin.”
“Mhm, Im sure thats the reason.” Kremy said absentmindedly, looking down to the menu, scanning through the entres, “Thats why you always insist I order for ya too righ’? It ain't cause ya like it all, you jus’ don't know what in the hells it says.”
“Im– I can read. ” Gideon defended again, glaring at Kremy, “Its jus’ the writin’, awlrigh’?”
( “roll deception?” Nikkie asked mace, “Rich I need you to roll perception as well.”
“five.” mace shrugged, “stupid dice been terrible today.”
“You can twist it ya know.” Mikey pointed out, sitting back in his chair as he watched alongside Derek and Andy as the scene unfolded, “we got so many.”
“Nah, no need. im not being convincing at all anyways.” Mace laughed, “I don't think tellin Kremy ‘I can read’ is doin’ much for him right now.”
“Oh it was a dirty twenty by the way.”
“Yeah no beating that.” Mace shrugged once again.)
“Nice try Gid.” Kremy sighed, turning to look at the worker who approached the table, “two steaks, Medium rare for both thank ya very much.” the worker blinked at them in confusion but quickly nodded, writing down the order and zipping off. “But i don't fall for things that easy.”
His face fell, but finally nodded in acknowledgement, “Listen, not everyone got no fancy schooling alrigh’? I had my Pa and maybe aunt mae down the road if I was lucky, I didn't have anyone to teach me all this shit.”
“I get tha’” Kremy took another sip of his drink, “but that don't mean ya gotta lie tah me, I don't judge like that, ya know that.”
“Its embarrassan Kremy.”
“Sure is.” Kremy nods, “But we can fix tha’, ill teach ya.”
“ What? Naw– thats even worse– I can learn it on my own, I swear I have been.” Gideon fumbled his words, taking a sip from his drink, “it’s hard ya know? Nearly twenty eight and I can't read. Fucking stupid.”
“Naw its like ya said, You jus’ didn't have the resources to learn it.” Kremy gently placed a hand on gideons hand, “I don’ mind teachin ya, alright? It will take some time but when were back in Agwe we will learn, alrigh’?”
“Yes sir.”
–
The inability to read was certainly a problem, one that unfortunately for Gideon, wasn't rectified even years later. Despite trying on the road, they had found it impossible for him to learn, deciding it was smarter afterall to just head to Agwe. Even had been two years since Kremy first found out, since then they hadn't visited Agwe, rather settling to start a carnival with two new people, being Gricko and Frost.
Once again he was reminded of his lack of use with words as he was handed a small childrens storybook, a pillow, and hootsie. Gricko had very kindly asked him to help get Hootsie to sleep while he and Kremy both worked on whatever they had to this time. Of course he had to leave Gideon with this job. It wasn't like Frost was doing something, the Tabaxi was still doing whatever he did in his own room at the time, nothing important if you asked Gideon.
Hootsie looked up at him with wide eyes, Gideon just stared down at the Book as the letters swam off the page, letters he tried learning making no sense in his eyes. He looked down at his friends daughter, who sat intently, waiting for the story to start.
She wouldn't know if he made some shit up, right?
“Er–” noce onup a mint? Is that what it really said? “Alwrigh, so story starts righ’? Something about mint, but you don't care much about tha’ now do ya?” Hootsie stared blankly at him, cooing at him in effort to push him to start the story.
“So alwrigh’ there was this guy righ’? And he– he grew up with his pa, righ’?” he glanced at the photos, what in hells name was he even talking about? The picture was clearly a girl, that long blonde hair and purple dress was a dead giveaway, right? “I mean– a girl, and she was with her mother. She had this– uh–” he looked closer to the picture, colors were not his strong suit either, god damn it–
“Ya know wha? Yeah, there was a girl who had her ma, and she–” he flipped the page, all words? Was Gricko trying to embarrass him? “No, she uh–” another page, it was just more words. “I though’ this was a children's storybook? Did he give me the wrong book?”
Hootsie looked at him, unimpressed with his words, “So there was a girl and her ma, and they– uh, lived in a– a big town righ’? And in that town they had…. Two puppies?” puppies? There was no way the book actually said that. “And– yeah! They had two puppies, and the puppies helped ‘em herd sheep righ’? And cows and shi– stuff like that.” He flipped through the book, finding the next page of pictures, which was nearly seven pages after that. “Well shit, ain't that a weird picture.”
He glanced at the photo of the girl tying up the man with her hair, a frying pan in hand? He couldn't possibly fathom what in the hells was going on in this stupid book.
“And I guess– they liked tying up… bad guys? Who liked to steal puppies righ’? And this guy liked to take puppies all the time.” he internally cursed Gricko for what he had been handed,
there was no way Hootise understood what he was saying at the moment, so who cared anyways? “
So that guy–” he flipped through the pages until the next photo showed up, “Gods
what is Gricko reading to you?”
“A simple children's tale If im not wrong.” another voice sounded out, a more monotonous voice then Grickos high energy voice, or Kremys low drawl, Frost.
“ Shit! Frost– when did ya get there?” Gideon slammed the book closed, startling Hootsie from her relaxed spot on the ground.
“A few minutes.” The tabaxi responds casually, flipping closed his own book, one that as far as Gideon could tell seemed to have thousands of words per page with how small the writing looked, “I didn't think you would struggle with such a simple task Gideon, seeing you are our engineer for the entire Carnivale.”
“ Yeah? Well– its a weird writin’ it aint normal– it– aw fuck off Frostie. ” Gideon dropped the book to the floor in frustration, standing up from his spot on the ground next to hootsie, “If ya think ya can do better then why don't ya do it.”
“Its a children's book.”
“ And?”
“Its a quite simple read.” Frost sighs, the book lifting itself off the ground with what he assumed to be his mage hand as it floated into Frosts outstretched hands, the tiger opening the book to the first page as he scanned over the words, before looking back up at Gideon.
“You couldn't read– this.”
“Shuddup Frost.” Gideon crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at frost.
“It said once upon a time. Where in the world did you get mint from?” oh hes been here that long, “ there was a princess named rapunzel– gideon are you trying to leave?”
“Huh?” Gideon flushed as he was caught, hand on the doorknob as he attempted to leave the situation before he was embarrassed anymore by Frost, “Naw, ya just seemed to have this under control, so im gonna go work on some rides–”
“No, I would like you to stay and read this story to Hootsie,” Frost glanced down at the book before back up at gideon, motioning for Gideon to take the book, “It was your job after all, was it not?”
“Yeah– but I aint good at these storytime sorta things, you got it handled Frostie!” He said, turning the doorhandle only to find it locked, “if I can jus’ get this stupid thing unstuck– always seems to stick dont it?”
“Mmh, sure it does,” Frost nods, holding his other hand up, the light glow of his magic shining on his hand, “Why don't you sit down and read Hootsie to sleep.”
“Why don’ ya just let me outa ‘ere and do it yourself,” Gideon shot back, “you're the nerd ‘ere, why cant ya just do it?”
“Because Gricko asked you specifically to do this?” Frost replied simply, using his mage hand to deliver the book into Gideons hand, “go for it, Im– were listening.”
“Well shi– awlrigh’ listen, i aint good at this so why don't we just call it ‘ere and I tell ‘er a story without the book, righ’?” Gideon tried, going to place down the book on the chair, “books are dumb anyways.”
“Are they now,” Frost mused, walking to gideons side, and quickly stopping his actions, “You cant read it can you?”
“ I ain't tha’ stupid Frost.”
“I never said you were.”
“Ya implied it. ” Gideon bit back, knocking frosts hand away from his own, and placing down the book on the chair.
“You don't have to be able to read to be smart,” Frost offered kindly, but seeing the monotone voice that spoke said words, he couldn't quite tell if it really was all that kind. “I've met many who couldn't read and were quite smart.”
“Well lucky us tha’ that doesn't apply ‘ere.” Gideon retorted, going for the door once again, “I got shit to do Frost, can we cut the shit and lemme leave?”
“No I don't think so, why don't we get her to bed so we dont… disturb Hootsie with our conversation.” Frosts hand glowed as he lifted hootsie off the ground with his mage hand, placing her gently into her bed, “Sleep well Hootsie, I will send Gricko in later for a story.”
Hootsie hooted softly before setting her head down on her pillow, looking to the both with her big eyes as if understanding, even though he knew that she most likely didn't understand a word they had been saying. Frost gently guided Gideon through the halls, the only reason he didn't leave was because of the idea of Frost spreading the word of it to the other carnival workers, or worse, going into his room to bother him with it. Gods he would rather die then others going in his workshop. (besides Kremy of course, Kremy could go where he wished, he was his boss anyways.)
The two stopped at Frosts door, the door sliding open as the two walked into the room, the bed made and shelves stocked full with books and magical artifacts all the sort. The dark room was lit by a few magic candles that floated around the ceiling of the room, lighting it just enough that the both of them could see their way in the room, adding a certain mood that Gideon couldn't quite place.
“Listen– can we jus’ let it go? It aint tha’ important whatever ya got planned.” Gideon stopped dead in his tracks in the middle of the room, earning a strange look from Frost, whose yellow eyes made direct contact with Gideons before he looked back through his shelves, waving his hand around as the chair in front of his desk was pushed back from its spot.
“Sit.”
“I dont gotta do nothin’ frost. Can I go?” Gideon glanced at where he was searching through, watching as his mage hand and real hands searched through the bookshelves, as if looking for one book or item in specific.
“No.” Frost said in a very final tone, continuing to search through the shelves, “I had read something a while back on how to help those who cant read, If only I could just…”
“ Ok, Lets be clear– I can read. ” Gideon glared at Frosts back, who paid him no mind as he kept searching.
“Time isn't spelled M I N T. you claimed it was something about mint, and then upon seeing how it wasnt all pictures you freaked out, I don't believe anyone who could read would freak out about such texts like Rupunzel.” Frost mused, continuing to search before he finally pulled out a book from the shelf, a short book that was much thinner then even Rapunzel. “Read this to me would you?”
“ Frost.”
“Do it will you?” Frost sighed, turning and leaning against the edge of his book shelving, gesturing to the book that was now sitting on the desk, “It should be an easy read if you were able to do such, If not, then I do have ideas on how to help with this.”
“ Frost this isn't necessary.”
“I do believe it is.” Frost insists, “Go ahead.”
“ I– ” He sighed, his shoulders sinking, he flipped open the book to the first page, only to once again find the words swimming off the page, the letters big across the page yet unrecognizable to him. Its three words right? Its just three words just focus on the words and then this is over.
“Its only four words Gideon.” well shit thats a bad start already. “Unless you want to cut this short and just admit you cannot read then we can move on and–”
“Naw, This is easy, Im insulted ya think i can't,” was that the mint word again? No thats pronounced Time right? It has to be once upon a time again right? “Once upon a time.”
“Wrong.”
“ Excuse me?”
“Wrong,” Frost repeated, “That's not what It says, you can't just repeat those words as the only ones you know. Try again.”
“Are ya tryin’ to humiliate me?” Gideon scowled, glaring up at frost.
“No. we are the only ones here if you would like to look around us. Now try again.”
“You–” that has to be an I right? How did his pa’s stories start? “In the beginning–”
“Three words again. Its four words remember?” Frost sighed, “we can end this now if you would like to admit–”
“ A long time ago–”
“No.”
“In a galaxy far far away?” Gideon could have sworn he heard that one once, Frosts annoyance on his face only seemed to grow with this one, finally pointing to the first letter of the sentence.
“It says learning common for kids. This is a Children's book for learning to read Gideon. ” Frost gently closes the book, “I cannot judge you as to your lack of education, I do apologize if this has lead to frustration on your part, but I am here to help you with learning to read, we can begin with the basics and then–”
“ I don't want your help frostie!” He cut him off, standing from the chair suddenly, the chair tipping down, sounding out a loud crash! From the wooden seat, “I don’ need anyones help awlrigh’? I don't want you, I dont want Kremys help, hell, I don't need Grickos help. So you can take your teacher nonsense over to some other idiot who needs it.”
Gideon stormed out of the door, not bothering to listen to Frosts soft protests of his absence, he didn't need anyones help. Reading was for losers anyways.
–
“Gideon.”
“ What Gricko.” Gideon grumbled, pushing one of the near empty bottles of liquor out of the way as he searched for a more full bottle for himself.
“Ya didn't read Hootsie a bedtime story, she was supposed to be asleep by now. ” Gricko tapped his foot impatiently, glaring up at Gideon, who simply sighed and turned to face Gricko. “Care ta ‘splain why ya didn't?”
“Frost interrupted me.” gideon replied simply, “He annoyed me, and I told ‘im ta leave me alone, he wouldn't so im out ‘ere now.”
“Drinking.”
“What of it? Ya drink jus’ as much as I do.” Gricko glared at him, “I got other things ta do then read awlrigh’? Go ask Frostie to do it.”
“I did. He said you didn't do it because ya cant read. ” Gideons heart dropped at the words, of course Frost ratted on him to Gricko, why wouldn't he have? “And that ya ran out on ‘im when he tried ta teach ya.”
“I have better shit to do then this. If you need me with anything actually important ill be in my workshop, alrigh?” Gideon grasped at one of the bottles, slamming shut the cabinet door as he stormed out of the room, Gricko close behind him, saying things Gideon couldn't care to listen to. Of course people would talk. As if it wasn't embarrassing enough he couldn't read already– they had to go spreading it around like it was everyone's business.
He slid open the door to his workshop, the place littered with mechanical toys and machines he was working on to get the carnival fully started and in working condition. He didn't allow anyone in there besides Kremy, seeing as the man could do whatever he wanted since it was his carnival anyways. Gricko and frost were far from allowed in the room, the worry of someone destroying it to high to risk visits from the other guys.
“ Are you even listening to me?”
“Nope.”
Gideon opened the manual he had off to the side, the instructions clearly drawn as pictures and easy enough for him to understand as he had been following alongside it. Just a few more spare parts from being put together, then the ferris– harris? Wheel would be done.
“Oh so you can read that jus’ fine, but cant read my daughter a bedtime story, thats how it is huh?”
“Its all pictures Gricko.” Gideon hummed, handing the book over his shoulder, “Listen, if ya are jus’ ‘ere to embarrass me more, ya can just leave, but if ya wanna make yourself useful, go grab a god damn wrench and hand it over ta me.” He held his hand out to Gricko, not bothering looking over his shoulder to see if the man was doing anything helpful.
To his surprise, he found a wrench and a silent Gricko behind him, the cold metal hitting his hand as he muttered a short thanks to Gricko. He grabbed some of the pieces he had made from metal off of his shelf, finding it easy to fall back into the thrum of a machine of work, despite his anger, he was calm working on this.
The soft humming of the machine was a familiar sound to him, a sound he had heard for ten years straight, the ten years he would have been going to college, or whatever the sort he could have gone to if he was taught properly. Nothing preparing him for the world besides his own pa’s advice of taking shit from no one.
That was what he knew, not letters and numbers, he knew machines, he knew farming, he knew things most wouldn't learn at school, at least as far as he could tell. He wasn't dumb generally, he was dumb when it came to school and reading, but life skills? He had a good twenty something years worth of that to dish out.
“Gideon.”
“If its about me readin a story to hootsie, save it. ” Gideon tightened the bolt along the top of the machine, he just needed to connect some more wires and then–
“Why didn't ya jus’ tell me ya couldn’t?”
“No need to.” Gideon muttered back, a far difference from his usual loud voice that boomed louder then the rest of peoples did. “Do ya tell everyone your secrets?”
“No.”
“Then why should I tell everyone mine?” he turned to look at the Goblin, blinking back the memory of the hobgoblins that tried to pierce his mind.
“Because…” Gricko tried, before shrinking in on himself, “I wouldn't ‘ave judged.”
“You did, you yelled at me in the kitchen ‘bout it.”
“I– well–”
“Just.. just get out gricko.”
And with a slam of a door, he was alone again.