It's Different When It's a Deal
It was a day off, and I was out strolling through the city, when...
Call and response! Got it?!
Yes, ma'am!
Huh?! That all you've got in your lungs?! Is that your idea of full power?!
Again! Got it?!
YES, MA'AM!!
Ha! Now we're getting somewhere.
All together now! Safety!
First! First! First!
Let's get to work!
I walked toward the voice that sounded suspiciously like Marcille's.
Hmm? Cpatain?
What brings you here? Before that, you need to wear safety g—!
Oh, you did.
Hah! Not bad. So, what are you doing here?
...You heard my voice and came to check it out?
...You know, I've been meaning to say.
You ever get told you're a total busybody?
If it were anyone else, I wouldn't care. But it was you, Marcille.
...What?
H-huh?! H-hold up, what's that supposed to mean...?!
Just checking in as your Captain.
O-oh! So that's what you meant?
...You jerk! Don't go saying stuff that messes with people's heads!
...Why am I working on my day off?
I ran out of money for the month. Things are kinda tight.
...Did I blow it all on limited edition tools?
What do you take me for?! Some kinda money-wreck?! No, it's not like that!
I've got my reasons, all right?
...Huh?
You're offering to lend me money if I'm that desperate? Forget it.
I've told you before, I don't need anyone's help.
Foreman! We've started the job!
It's gotta be done today! You know that, right?
Of course I do! I'm on my way!
I'm busy, so I'm heading in. See you later.
...What? You wanna help?
What is with you today? I told you, I don't need it.
Why do you hate being helped?
Why should I accept help in the first place?
I've worked on sites alone since I was a kid. I've handled everything by myself.
Help is for kids. I'm already an adult.
Let me ask you something. Why do you keep trying to help me?
Because I'm your Captain.
...Huh?!
Helping my Journey member is the right thing to do.
Hah! Is that so?
So, is that what this is? Preserve our strength for battle? Or build some warm-and-fuzzy Lavistar dreamland?
Save it. Just get lost.
...What? You won't?
Because you feel like it?
What are you, five?! Quit acting like a kid and get outta here!
Foreman! What are you doing? We've started!
Hey, isn't that him from last time? Looks like a lover's spat! Hahaha!
...Whoa! That kick's got some fire!
Haha. Told you the temp foreman's got a short fuse—ACK!
We'll head in first, foreman! No rush!
Let go! I said let go, you punks! Get back here, now!
Calm down, Marcille...!
Me?! In some sappy d-d-d...
D-d-d-d-d...!
Dating?
Don't finish that sentence, you punk!
Ahh!
Temp foreman! Work's already started. What are you still doing here?
Ah! On it, sir! Be there in a flash!
Oh? Is that someone you know?
Ah, he is...
Good timing! Our temp foreman here almost had to do everything alone!
I'll double your pay! Go help her!
Your help will go a long way right now!
Sir?! Wait, what?!
That's one less thing to worry about! I'll leave it to you, foreman! I've got a lunch appointment!
Sir?! I told you I could do it myself!
I said I don't need help! Hey! What the?! When did he get all the way over there?!
Get back here! Hey, come back here!
...
...This can't be happening.
Honored to be of service.
Wipe that smug grin off your face, punk...!
Fine! Do whatever you want! Just don't get in my way!
Today's the final deadline for this job, got it?!
We're already out of cement.
Well, guess I'll have to mix more—huh?
Huh? What's another batch of cement doing here?
I figured we'd need it, so I prepped it in advance.
Y-you did...?
Hold on! Did you do this nailing job?
This stuff splits easy. You have to be carefu—wait, what?
You actually nailed it perfectly!
You taught me, remember? What's next?
...
Hey! Grab me that box wrench—oh!
...Forget it. No way you'd know what that is.
You mean this? Here.
...What?
How'd you know this was a box wrench? You didn't know anything before.
I remembered what you showed me.
...Ha.
Ha-hah! Not bad! You're picking it up faster than Tanya!
At this pace... we're golden!
Hey, Captain! Hurry up! We're falling behind schedule!
You did hear the deadline's today, right?
No time for breaks! Ha-hah!
And so, by helping Marcille, we finished the building.
Afterward, Marcille came running with her pay envelope, grinning from ear to ear, and we high-fived.
One, two, three, four...
Whew. This'll keep me afloat for the month.
...Do I always struggle with living expenses?
Hmm... well...
I wasn't gonna say anything, but...
You're just gonna keep bugging me unless I explain. So I'll talk.
My family's broke. Like, rock-bottom broke.
...
I've got eight siblings. I'm the eldest, and I'm the only one working outside.
Dad and Mom weave baskets to sell, but it's barely enough to put food on the table.
They take a long time to make, and they're not exactly sold at high prices either.
My parents have never had a proper meal in their lives.
That's why I started working at sites as a kid. I could make money and they'd have one less mouth to feed.
So that's why you started working so young...
What's with that look? Don't pity me.
I made this choice myself. I don't regret a thing.
...Ha-hah! Sure, there were some rough times...
But it's in the past. And sending money home made my family happy.
That's all I need.
But this time, a blizzard hit and wrecked our house.
They said they're fine in the letter, but...
You know how it is. Parents' pride doesn't fool their kids.
I sent all the money I had. That's why I'm broke this month.
...I'm sorry I asked.
Hah! Don't worry about it. It's not like it's a big secret.
Anyway, long story short, I need cash.
I gotta send money home and save up to buy that family farm, too.
There's a hundred holes to plug right now.
Here, take this.
She tossed me something. I caught it.
Carrot juice?
Yeah, it's my favorite.
It's your advance payment.
Advance payment?
Yup. That's right.
I saw you working today, Captain. You're pretty handy.
No one's ever kept pace with me before, not once.
I still hate being helped, but...
A deal's different
Take that juice, and you're officially working with me now. And no take-backs or refunds!
That's Petra Construction policy.
Guess I don't have a choice, then.
Ha-hah! You got that right!
Don't worry. I'll make sure you get paid properly.
Let's do good work together, Captain.
We strolled through the night park, sipping the carrot juice Marcille had given me as an advance payment.