Chapter Text
Gideon walked alongside Gricko, listening as Gricko rambled on about the last job they had just come back from.
“I’m just sayin’ Big Red those Giant Centipedes should have had more legs.” Gricko explained.
“Look Little Green, I like legs as much as the next guy; but that creature had way to many fuckin legs.” Gideon replied rubbing his shoulder. “And a damn good bite.”
Gideon had met Gricko Grimgrin a couple of years after he escaped the train. They had met at a bar. The two had decided that with Gideon’s strength, and Gricko’s animal handling, they could go into an animal removal service and make a killing. There had been several drinks involved before they made this decision. While Gideon had woken up the next day planning to skip town, Gricko had found him again and had insisted they go through with their business plan.
The two had not made a killing, but Gideon had sticky fingers and Gricko took side jobs where he could do animal handling or play in some bands gig. Gricko apparently also had sticky fingers and had taken an owlbear from one of his carnival jobs and claimed her as his daughter. Named her Hooties. The now three of them had made their way to Agwe and had started up their creature removal business back up and the other side business as well. Which surprisingly had been going well. Agwe was a pretty big city close to the river and swamps, so local critters seem to like to sneak into people’s homes and businesses. And if those places happen to have a few things missing after the animal had been removed then perhaps the creature in question ate or destroyed it.
Gricko laughed. “Since we don’t have another job today, lets go to back to Twig’s! Frosty is looking over her new antiques she got in!”
They didn’t have another removal job today, but they did have plans to break into the place they just help with the centipedes and make off with some valuables Gideon had spotted while fighting those bugs.
“Gods yes, I didn’t even get breakfast this morning since we were out so late, and you know I never turn down Twigsy baking.”
Twig was a brownie from the Feywild who had come to Agwe and set up shop. A inn that doubled as trading shop for rare magical antiques. Gideon and Gricko had met her when they showed for a job removing some rabid raccoons from her attic and stayed the night for free in exchange. Gideon had been won over into doing some maintenance work for some free hot meals and a permanent place to rest their heads. Gricko had recommended his best friend Morning Frost should go and work for Twig, helping her identify her magical items.
Gideon and Gricko made their way to the Inn at the End of the Road, and saw the sign hanging by the door reading. “Now with magical antiques!” With Twigs loopy writing.
Gricko push the door open and let Hooties walk in first as she immediately walk over to where the fire was going a laid down.
“Frosty! Where are ya?” Gricko called out.
“Hello Gricko, Gideon. How was the job? You didn’t come back last night.” Frost said as he moved around some of Twig’s shelfs, placing more items on it.
“I fucking hate anything with more than six legs, and can’t be stomped.” Gideon replied as he took his jacket off.
“Oh you don’t mean that.” Gricko said walking over to where some of the items Frost was looking over laid on a table waiting to be identified and put away. “That beastie was just in the wrong place. It didn’t mean to end up at a those folks home.”
“Easy for you to say, it didn’t take a bite out of you. Where’s Twigsy?” Gideon asked.
Frost paused his work and looked over at Gideon. “Well she had a interesting night last night, but she is probably with the new cook.”
“New cook? When she hire a cook? Why did she hire a cook?” Gideon asked.
Twig was probably Gideon’s closest friend. Sure he like Gricko and Frost and they had become family to him, but they were each others best friends. Twig had worm her way into Gideon’s heart quickly and in a way the other two hadn’t. If she was looking for more help he figure she would have told him first.
“Right. It was a bit of an unexpected hire, but when I came down after meditation this morning she introduced us and has been showing him around.” Frost explained.
Gideon’s frown deepen hearing how apparently Twigsy went out last night while they were away and hire herself a cook for the inn. It wasn’t like Twig need the extra help, she ran a tight ship. So this chef must have impressed her, or they were trying to con sweet Twigsy. And if it was the later Gideon would make sure that there would blood to clean up.
Even though Gideon and Gricko had only been in Agwe for a little over a year or so they both knew that there was plenty of shady people who made it their way with scams and backwards deals in the city. A few had even tried and targeted the inn with a few of Twig’s antiques in mind, but were dissuaded once Gideon had started living there and Frost knowing what items people might want to target in hopes with stealing.
“I’ll be in the kitchen.” Gideon told them as he stepped behind the little bar area where Twig would talk to customers. Going through the swing door that led into the kitchen.
There Twig was leaned over the oven where loafs of bread she used for bread bowls were baking, singing as she went.
“Twigsy! What’s this I hear about you getting a cook?” Gideon asked as he walked over pulling the pan out for her.
“Thanks Gideon, but keep your voice down! He went to go change and put on a apron, he could be back any minute. He’s making us a stew for dinner tonight.” Twig whispered excitedly.
Gideon’s confusion only deepen. “So what your just testing out his cooking experience?” That at least made more sense than her just hiring some guy she met last night to work for her.
Twig’s big eyes looked away and she mumbled. “No, no he belongs here at the inn.”
Gideon was about to ask her to explain when the sound of foot steps and a tapping noise that fell into step along side it came into the room.
Gideon look to the doorway that led out into the stairway and felt his line of questioning disappear.
A very attractive Lizardfolk had walked into the kitchen. Shorter than Gideon, but then again very few weren’t. This man was wearing a white button down that framed his shoulders nicely. Purple pinstripe pants that showed off long legs, and on top of all of it a black apron tied tightly around his tiny waist. Paired with black shiny shoes he was the best dress man in the inn.
“Miss Toadspring while I do appreciate you giving me an apron to work in, I must insist on wearing my own.” The man said looking up at the two of them.
“Oh pardon me, I didn’t realize we had guest. Whaddado, names Kremy Lecroux.” He said with a charming accent similar to the locals Gideon had heard in town.
As he walked further into the kitchen Gideon saw the purple skull attached to the cane Kremy was using that had been making the tapping noise. He placed it against the counter as he made his way over to them.
He smiled up at Gideon and it was the first time he notice the drawn on mustache the man wore. Which should have made him look ridiculous, but Gideon found himself charmed by it.
“Oh, but we could be matching.” Twig whined taking the white and red frilly apron from him.
“Personally, I avoid wearing the color red since it clashes with my coloring. But red does seem to be more appealing after stepping into this room. I didn’t catch your name friend.” Kremy explained looking down at her before looking back at Gideon wait for an answer
Gideon felt himself burn brighter at the attention and unexpected complement from this guy. Why did he have to be so pretty. Gideon had charm to spare when it came to women, but put him in front of an attractive man and he instantly get flustered.
“This here is Gideon Coal. He also lives at the inn with his friend Gricko Grimm, who Frost mention this morning. I’m sure you two will met soon. Gideon’s real handy so if you find any problems in the kitchen or your room just let him know!” Twig said sweetly as she sent a not so subtle wink Gideon’s way.
Twig gave an over dramatic sigh as she made her way to the door leading back toward the inn.
“Which now that I’m thinking about it, I should check in with Frost. Make sure he’s not rearranging my new stuff before I find it a permanent home for it.” Twig slipped through the swinging doors, but not before giving Gideon a knowing look.
“Twigsy!” Gideon called out for her, not wanting to be left alone with this new, good looking cook without a buffer, but she had already slipped out.
“Well that just leaves us two. You hungry?Dinner won’t be ready for a few hours, but I can make make you a nice sandwich for now.” Kremy said as he walked over to the ice fridge.
“Um sure. Twigsy said you’re making stew for dinner?” Gideon ask suddenly feeling too awkward to interrogate this man, especially if he was offering to make him food.
Kremy took out a bunch of ingredients and placed them on the counter and began to roll up his sleeves.
“Now Mr. Coal you insult me, gumbo is more than just stew. You’ll understand that tonight I promise you.” Kremy turned his head to give Gideon a smirk before going back to his task.
Gideon had found himself distracted by the lizardfolk forearms almost missed what Kremy said completely.
“Huh? Oh you don’t have to do the whole Mister thing. I just go by Gideon.” Gideon explained as he tried to drag his eyes off Kremy, so he wouldn’t be caught staring.
Kremy hummed in acknowledgment and allowed silenced to fall over the kitchen. After a few moments Kremy spoke up again.
“Gideon would you mind getting me a plate? I don’t know where they are.” Kremy asked.
“Oh sure. They’re right here. I was blocking them.” Gideon moved quickly happy to have something to do other than stand in silence, stealing looks at Kremy.
Gideon handed over the plate and Kremy placed the sandwich on top of it and handed it back to him.
“Here you are. Let me know what you think. I’m going to go ahead and get things ready for dinner, but you’re more than welcome to keep me company.” Kremy said as he turned away walking back toward the ice fridge, his tail swaying as he walked.
Gideon was tempted, but he knew that asking the questions he wanted answered was not going to happen while he couldn’t hold a conversation. Gricko’s shenanigans might a better way to try and interrogate this guy. And would help distract him from how nice this guy looked in an apron.
“I should go check in with Twigsy, but thanks for the snack.” Gideon said making his way to the front of the inn.
“Oh anytime.” Kremy called back.
As Gideon walked into the dinning area where Frost, Gricko, and Twig were all standing he took a bite of the sandwich.
Fuck it was probably one of the best things he’s ever tasted.