[Askoga]: 89.Snippets.Kiera's Accounts.29Dec08

December 29, 2008

In the morning, I woke to the sounds of people beginning to start their day. I preened myself quickly, knowing that would have to be good enough cleaning for the day, changed into a human, donned my new clothes, and climbed down from the tree. It was a good thing, for me, that my ability came with an absolutely precise memory of previous forms I'd taken, so I looked exactly like the “Cassie” that Jake had hired yesterday.

I hunted up some cheap breakfast, and spent my last two dollars on that. I hummed happily to myself as I walked along eating. I wandered past Jake's shop and saw that it wouldn't open until 11, so I determined to familiarize myself with the city a little better. I noticed there were a lot of strays and a fair number of homeless folk around Jake's shop, but not many at all in different areas of the city. I shared half of my breakfast with one of the homeless men and his dog, and sat with him for a couple of minutes, chatting. I wanted to get a feel for the city. I left him pensive, and wandered farther away.

Later in the morning, I made my way back to Jake's shop. I got there at about 11:30 because I didn't think he'd have much business until then. When I got there, he was working on a car, and already had one other waiting. He waved to me, and I set to work helping him out. We chatted cheerfully as we worked, and when we finished the second car, Jake called a break for lunch.

“My treat, Cassie. You're getting to be pretty good! You stick around, and maybe soon you'll be able to work on a car by yourself. C'mon, whaddaya want for lunch? I'm starving!”

Embarrassed, and unsure of what to ask for, I just shrugged, “Don't really know what's good 'round here.”

“Well...how 'bout chinese? There's a real good takeout place just down the street. Got a menu around here somewhere. You look for it while I call 'em up and order.”

I hunted through his desk and found the menu, looked it over, and decided on the sesame chicken. “This sounds good, Jake.”

“'Kay. Hello, yes, I'd like to order sesame chicken, sweet and sour pork, and that beef fried rice. Yeah, this is Jake. Uh-huh, fifteen minutes? Sounds great! Thanks.”

He hung up the phone and grinned at me, “There we go! Shouldn't be long now. So, you got a place to stay already? I forgot to ask last night.”

I nodded, “Yeah, I'm staying with, um, a friend for now, 'till I can get a place for myself.” The lie didn't come as easily as I'd have liked, but with practice I'd get better. Jake didn't seem to notice. We continued to chat through our lunch break, and I enjoyed the food. I think Jake noticed how quickly I ate, but he didn't say anything.

We got back to work, and had a pretty steady stream of cars. When we finished, Jake grinned at me, “We had a really good day today, I think you're good luck for me! This keeps up, and I may have to hire more help.” He wiped his hands on his apron, then went over to the register and paid me. “There ya go, Cassie! See ya tomorrow?”

“Of course! Bye, Jake.” I smiled at him as I left, headed out for food first, then back to the park, which had a stream running through the middle of it that I could wash my clothes in.