Chapter 286: Interlude - 5: Employment Opportunity
The afternoon was getting late and into a less crowded street the Asobi and Jotou wandered into. A lollipop to each, they stuck together whilst glancing about.
A man with a greying beard and tattered clothes sat under the shade of a roof of an abandoned building. His hat beside him with a few copper pieces within while his eyes sagged, getting sleepier by the second.
As the two passed by, only then did Asobi notice the homeless man. She stopped to her left, pausing Jotou in her steps. Asobi reached into her illusory outfit to fish inside her blazer pocket.
She leaned down to the man with a polite smile and placed the five silver pieces she had into his hat. The homeless man opened his eyes to catch a glimpse before Asobi returned to Jotou.
Just as Asobi began walking forward, Jotou swiftly twirled on her toes back around and leaned to flip an armite into the man’s hat; she twirled all the way back and walked along with Asobi without the magician noticing.
The man blinked a few times and checked his hat... His eyes completely waxed open as he beheld an armite... He smiled, then chuckled in shock.
He rushed onto his feet and shouted over to the two walking away, "THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH!"
Asobi spun her head back and in a pleasant surprise waved back with a bright smile. She looked back ahead, her eyes glittering in white light, "Wish I had more to give. Hopefully that’s enough to get him back up on his feet and try again."
Jotou stared to Asobi with a smile, "I’m sure he’ll be fine." Asobi nodded with a little giggle as both their tails swayed up.
In the near distance Asobi spotted a large train car dismantled and bolted down next to rows of shorter shops. She skipped ahead to take a closer look.
’Hm. I’d normally crunch these by now.’ Jotou popped the red lollipop out of her lips. She shrugged and chomped on the last bit, yanking the lolly stick out as if it were a chicken leg.
"Jotou, Jotou, Jotou!" Asobi hopped and hollered.