[Australia] Finding Work Isn't Easy

[Australia]

James Walker was not someone who scared easily. In fact he proudly stated there was nothing that scared him. He had wrestled with crocodiles (admittedly it wasn’t something he had been supposed to do). He’d cuddled and picked up the most venomous snakes to move them off roads. He’d had a pet tarantula named Judy when he was only five. The only thing that had ever scared him was his nightmares as a child (not that he ever admitted that now).

However, there were things James was… Very wary of. One such thing being incurring the little ankle-biter’s wrath, which he was sure to incur today.

Not that any of it was his fault mind you! James had done exactly what he told her this morning he would do. He had gone out in search for a job so that they could finally stay in one place and cease traveling from place to place. Like they had been doing since James had run away from the burnt out skeleton of a home and found Sydney living in a box because her parents had ditched her. Something James was still inwardly seething about. The Australian had promised his younger cousin when he left the abandoned building they had been squatting in. Had ruffled her hair (to her annoyance) and said he would be back with a job.

He really was not looking forward to facing her. With a sigh he rolled his shoulders, being careful not to disrupt the tiger snake wrapped contently around his shoulders sun bathing. The reason why James was returning empty handed.

What had happened was James had been walking through the city. He’d seen a ‘Help Wanted’ sign in a store window and had just about to go in when something had caught his eye. Or rather a group of boys circled around something. When he saw that they were attempting (like idiots) to harass a snake he had made a beeline for them instead of the store. It had led to an argument, because these kids were dumb. The argument had eventually turned physical and James couldn’t remember who actually threw the first punch – the kids or him. All he did know is he now had a split lip and a bump on the back of his head from where the shop keep had hit him with her broom when she came running out to break them up.

He’d barely had time to scoop up the snake – he was thinking of calling him Jeremy – let alone explaining the situation.

Needless to say he had also been unable to even comment that he wanted to inquire about the ‘Help Wanted’ sign.

With one last dejected sigh he banished the negative feelings. Plastering a grin on his face as he slipped through the gap in the boarded up door. ”Oi! I’m back. You and Bruce still alive?”

Hopefully she wouldn’t kill him for his failure. Tomorrow was another day after all![/size]

[Principality Of Wy]

Sydney eyed the koala with a look of parental annoyance. A large smudge of pink paint covered the koala's side, and up his cheek then tipped his ears. She kept her hands on her hips, taping her foot. "Bruce," she hissed, "ya need a bath, ya dumb oversized squirrel."

Bruce perked his ears, and chewed on his fingers. A nervous reaction, or was it just him being a koala? She sighed, "This is why I told ya to keep out of me paints! I knew ya would get messy! Or worse, eat 'em." The koala said nothing. Well, of course he didn't, he was a koala, but he could at least grunt or something. She couldn't tell if he was listening or not.

She was just tired. Tired of it all. Looking after Bruce while that lazy arse kept failing to find work and traveling all the time was tiring. She quite simply had enough of it, but what else could she do? Leave? There was nowhere to go, seeing as her parents were done with her. And it wasn't like she hated her cousin, though he did annoy the ever loving crap out of her. Regardless, she was stuck with him, and this koala bathed in pink paint.

"Ahhhh, dangit all. Gotta do somethin' afore he gets back. You." She pointed at Bruce. "Stay there while I grab a bucket."

It wasn't that hard to find one. Sure, they didn't live anywhere, but they kept essential supplies around in case of emergencies. A bucket was one of them. Also, a pair of scissors and one bar of soap. Her paints, they couldn't leave those behind. An oversized, scratchy blanket that they were forced to share. One teapot for water, found by Sydney herself when going through some garbage to find flammable things. And a thing of matches, with only a few sticks left. She'd have to start a fire for a rest of the day, just not to waste it. That was how they lived these few months.

She swore right then, if James didn't find a job today, she would kick him where no guy likes to be kicked.

She started up a small bonfire, and put the teapot on the bricks she collected. She didn't let the water boil, she didn't want to burn the koala, and as soon as she poured the steaming water into the bucket, Bruce finally put two and two together.

It was a long chase and struggle, with a few scratches and a lot of hurt feelings, but Sydney managed to capture the stained animal and start to bathe the sucker. That was when James came back.

She eye-rolled at what he said. "Tch! Only barely." She could feel Bruce glare up at her as she washed him, but the paint was not coming off. It had dried before she got to him.

Sydney looked at James. "So, didja get the job? Tell me ya got the job. I'm tired of livin' like this, it sucks an- why do ya have a snake around yer neck?"

[Australia]

Inwardly cringing, James mentally prepared for what was going to happen the moment he explained to Sydney that he had no job. At least she noticed the snake first.

He shrugged, taking Jeremy off his shoulders and setting him down. The snake looked up at him, tongue flicking out lazily. After assessing the area though the snake seemed content, slithering off to curl up in a patch of sunlight. James grinned after his new friend, before looking at Sydney. ”First, he isn’t stayin’. Gonna take him home tomorrow. He wandered into town.”

Because he could just feel the lecture about having another mouth. Even though snakes didn’t really need a lot. Lord knew they encountered enough mice to feed it.

Sydney was still looking at him expectantly and James could feel his stomach knot. He wanted desperately to tell her good news. That he’d gotten a job. Had found them a home. That she didn’t have to live like this anymore. Of course he couldn’t, and just looking at her told him she would really not be pleased. She already looked irritated at him and he hadn’t-

Something tugged at his pant leg. Looking down the Australian stared at the wet mess of fur that was Bruce who’d snuck off when Sydney’s attention turned to James. The koala wasted little time, ignoring the small hiss from James as he climbed up his leg, the torso before perching on top of his head and far away from the evil bathe.

James meanwhile looked up at the creature, eyebrow raised. ”… What’s his problem?”

[Principality Of Wy]

She pursed her lips and make a throaty noise. "He better not, cause we don't have anythin' to offer him. We barely have enough food for the three of us."

She couldn't help but glare at the snake. James was helpless when it came to animals. He loved them too much, he'd adopt every single street animal if he could. But the snake was just another mouth to feed, just another burden to look out for. It was cruel, but true. She sighed to herself, the twelve year old was the adult here.

"Oh, Bruce. The dummy went and got himself covered in my paint. I was tryin' to give him a bath, but he's bein' trouble. S' probably too late to wash it off anyhow," She picked up the pair of scissors. "The only option is a nice haircut." Bruce growled.

She stared at James. He was avoiding the first topic. "So, didja find work?" She crossed her arms and tapped her foot, waiting.

[Australia]

”Again?” James scowled as he looked upwards where the koala was. Reaching up he snatched the squirming furball off his head, ignoring the new scratches he received and marched over to the bucket. Might as well give his own hand at washing Bruce, because the odds are he would get out of a haircut without a couple bald spots was pretty slim. And he really didn’t feel like having a grumpy friend on top of a grumpy cousin. ”Let me give it a try.”

He didn’t wait for the go ahead. Dumping Bruce into the tub and proceeded to scrub. It took a moment, and a good bit of growling, before Bruce seemed to give up. Setting in and gnawing at his fingers again with a look of pure contempt at James. Who seemed completely oblivious to it as he’d returned his attention to Sydney, rolling his eyes. ”Ya do know snakes eat rodents? Plenty of those.”

As if on cue one scampered across the room. James gave the girl a grin, and then looked down at his very irritable best friend. Alright. No avoiding the topic. It would only get worse if he did.

Maybe he should try to climb up one of the rafters first…

”Found a place with a ‘help wanted’ sign… But got into a bit of a fight before I could go in and ask about it.” He braced himself, hoping she didn’t figure out the fight had been about the snake. ”I’m goin’ back in the morning! Swear to God.”

[Principality Of Wy]

She giggled at Bruce, who after getting bathed looked like a large drowned rat. Bruce shot her a disgusted look, flattening his sopping ears against his flat fur.

Her smile didn't last.

"Are you KIDDING?!" she screamed, her nostrils flaring. "A fight? A fight, really! That's your excuse for bein' a complete wuss and bein' completely useless?" She kicked him a few times, while yelling "stupid, stupid, stupid!"

She stamped her foot harshly, clenched her fists, keeping her arms tight at her sides. Her face was a deep red, and began grinding her teeth in fury. For a few seconds she waited for a reply from him; anything, an apology, an excuse. But her anger flared at the possible things he could say. She pounded her temples with her balled fists. "No no, augh, no, I don't want to hear it, I'm done listening to you. Done!"

She turned away from him, stomping her feet. "I'm gonna find my own job! I don't need you and yer ineptitude!" She then broke into a run.

[Australia]

Rolling his eyes James listened to the anticipated screaming. Followed up by the usual remark that he was completely useless, a remark James would never admit stung a lot more then Sydney could ever imagine. Because there was a grain of truth to it. Okay a lot of grains. He really was pretty useless if he couldn’t find a job to support them. The constant reminders weren’t helping his confidence either.

Instead of revealing any of that he snorted. ”Gettin’ into a fight is a bit of the opposite of being a wuss ankle-biter. Plus, you got cotton in your ears? I’m gonna go back first thing in the morning. It’s not like I’m giving up. Sheesh!”

That didn’t help the situation and soon he was rubbing the spot she had kicked. Trying to ignore the constant chant of ‘stupid’. Well yeah. He wasn’t that smart. She didn’t need to remind him every time he messed up.

If she was excepting an apology though (and she probably was) she wasn’t getting one. He was doing his best – whether she believed him or not. So far he’d done everything he could to make things bearable. Had given her his share of food while lying and saying he wasn’t hungry, given her the itchy blanket when the nights were cold, stayed up those nights making sure the fire stayed lit or if they were in a not so safe area to make sure they’d remain safe, always tried to keep an upbeat attitude even when he was ready to tear out his hair. Of course why did it matter? Damn brat didn’t know or didn’t care.

… But of course she didn’t know. She was a kid. She was at her limits and with a sigh he opened his mouth prepared to apologize for the billionth time for his failure.

Only to watch her run off and feel his stomach drop. ”Sydney! Sydney wait!” He was up in a flash, running after her and barely pausing to grab Bruce. [/color]

[Principality Of Wy]

She ignored James' cries for her to stop, content on executing her superior youthful athletics. She was better than James in every way; speed, intelligence, and she was way cuter than him too. She could find a job one hundred percent better than him; all adults must have a part of their brain removed when they grow up, because her parents couldn't find jobs either. All you had to do was go to a business and ask for a job, right? Easy.

She took several short cuts through the city; climbing over fences, jumping, crawling through every nook and cranny. She stopped at the town's largest restaurant/bar as she ran by. A lightbulb turned on in her head. She could be a dishwasher or even a potato peeler or something. Bonus was that she could sneak scraps from the kitchen too. See? Easy. And possibly delicious.

Taking a deep breath, she flung the doors open brazenly, yelling at the top of her lungs, "Hey! I needa job! Who wants t' hire me?!"

Silence greeted her, followed by fast whispers. She folded her arms and stood her ground, she wouldn't wuss out like a certain someone. "I'm awesome at workin'! Can do anythin' I put my mind ta! I dun care what I do, s'long as I'm paid some!"

A young waiter nervously hugged his tray to his chest. He extended one arm toward her, "Uh...kid-"

A husky voice interrupted him from the side. "Don't care what ya do? Even if it's hard work?" Sydney twirled towards the source. A scruffy man with long black pointed whiskers and full beard, wearing a long black cloak sat at a table, bemused at the spectacle. He was smoking a pipe and stared at her with dark grey eyes.

"I dun mind how hard it is, s'long as I'm paid," she said confidently.

He barked a laugh. "Good attitude! What do you say girl, I might have somethin' ta offer ya..."

Sydney smiled. See James?

It was the waiter's turn to pipe up, his alarm bells set off. "Now just hold on a minute sir, I don't know what you are offering her, but she's just a child! There will be no shady business here!"

"Hey, shaddup!" Sydney yelled.

The man in the cloak snorted at the waiter, but briskly got up and walked out of the restaurant. The waiter shook his head, then looked at Sydney sympathetically. "Look kid, I'm sorry, but there just isn't any work for you here, or in this town. You are too young to have a job. Just go home."

That hit her hard. Clenching her fists, she walked up and kicked the waiter in the shins. He yelped, but she didn't care. She immediately ran off, intending to follow the man in the black cloak. He was her ticket to a better life.

[Australia]

He’d lost sight of Sydney. He had lost sight of Sydney. A pool of dread was forming in his stomach as he came to a halt looking this way and that. James had been so sure she had gone this way, but of course she had been taking shot cuts and he may have missed her slipping into one. This was not good at all.

Dragging his hands through his hair he tried to calm his nerves. God, why did he think he could do this? Why did he fool himself into thinking he could support them?

Right. He could save berating himself further once he found her. He had to find her first. Then he could have an internal pity party.

If he was the little ankle-biter and pissed to high heavens at him where would he go? Work. He would look for work to prove... himself... wrong... Pretending to be Sydney really hurt his head.

”I really screwed up.” Bruce patted his head in what the Australian would assume was a comforting manner. Either that or he wanted food, sometimes James couldn’t tell. Nerves slightly eased he broke out into a run again, weaving through the few small patches of crowds.

It was through some stroke of luck he would never question that he spotted her running. Eyes wide he cupped his hands, shouting out for her. ”Sydney! Oi! Wait!” She either didn’t hear him or was ignoring him. Probably the later.

Regardless he ran after her, determined not to lose sight this time. And why in the world was she talking to a man in a black cloak? The pool of dread became an ocean. [/color]

[Principality Of Wy]

The man in the cloak turned slowly to the sound of Sydney yelling for him to stop. His eyes narrowed at her, one eyebrow raised. But then a small grin formed on his face.

"Hey cloak guy," Sydney panted, catching her breath, "I wasn't done talking to ya. Stupid waiter got in my way. So whaddya say? Do ya have any work for me?"

He chuckled. "Hyper, aren't yeh?" He scratched his beard, staring at her. "I do need someone with small hands for work...are yeh any good with machines?"

Her face sank. "Er no...not really."

"Hmm," he made a clicking sound with his mouth. "Reckon it don't matter, easy to learn if yeh watch."

She grinned. "Oh, really? If I can learn it I will! Imma good listener!"

He bellowed a laugh. "Really! Good t' hear, good t' hear. I guess yer perfect for the job. Yeh'll get paid well 'nough, and yeh get yer own place t' live. Hows that sound, girl?"

"Perfect!" she smiled, enthused. Then she remembered James. "Oh yeah. There's a catch. See, I got my cousin t' worry about...he's not real smart but I can't leave him behind, family bonds and all. Maybe he can work for ya to."

His eyebrows raised. "Cousin? Is he strong enough to do weightliftin'?"

"Sure, s'long as he don't hafta use his brain, he's good!"

"Then I can use a guy like him. Yer hired, cousin and all."

She beamed. "Yes!! Thank you!" She imagined James' flabbergasted face when she tells him she got a job super easy and that it was proof that he was dumb as a post. She sure showed him. "So, where're we workin'? In the town?"

"Nope," he smiled, and something about that smile sent shivers down Sydney's spine. "Sky City."

She froze. Sky city? No, no...no. She backed away. Sky City is a pirate city, a city well known for its criminals and shady business. It was dangerous. But it has never been raided by police because it was always moving and never stayed in the same place for long. And if it had been found by police...they never returned, according to the frantic whispers of townsfolk.

"S-sky City? Buh...but that's..." she whimpered, still attempting to back away and break into a run. This guy was definitely one of Sky City's criminals, he worked there for goodness sake! She had to run, had to get away. James....help.

The man smiled again, this smile dirty and gross. "What... yeh backin' out? After all that? Where'd yer determination go, girl?"

"I'm not a criminal, an...an I won't work for one!" She hit a wall. Oh no, oh no...

The man frowned. "Really girl. What choice do yeh have? Yeh'll never find work that ain't run by criminals, the whole worlds a criminal. Better learn that now than later." He began towards her, grinning like a madman. "But I'm a nice guy, won't be as bad as others...I'll take care of yeh." He reached towards her.

"No!" Sydney broke into a run, almost tripping over her own feet. But the man grabbed her shoulder, and picked her up effortlessly. She kicked and screamed, but he covered her mouth with his hand. She bit his finger, but he barely grunted, then, holding her, he raised his other hand and brought it down harshly on her head. The world around her spun, and the corners of her eyes began to black out. The last thing she saw before her world went dark was the figure of James running towards her, and then, nothing but black.