The Crimson King

IX. Ela

January was a smooth transition from "high alert" to "take care of it yourselves" for everyone stationed in Amber. Now it was back to normal, slacking off until something actually happened. Which wasn't too often, despite Amber being a major port city.
It was the middle of February at this point, but it was still cold enough that people still wore their winter coats. Jake was back at work, runny nose since he got a cold just a week before, but as always that didn't matter. No matter the circumstances he always ended up coming to work or school in the past. Though he'd kill to be able to go to college at this time, but he knew that wasn't an option. Sacrifices had to be made to make sure his sisters were able to continue going to school.
Right now Jake was at the cash register while Isen was serving the sandwiches and pastries right next to him. It was Thursday, so a slow day as always. That also meant that the both of them looked tired and bored. They watched the clock on the other side of the room, slowly ticking away, time passing by. The only noise being the fridges and the rain outside, typical for Crimson Valley at this time of the year. More time went by, more boredom for the two in the store.
After what felt like hours the door to the store finally opened. In walked a muscular dark skinned man, it was none other than Andrew.
"Ah! Andrew, what brings you here today?" Isen was ecstatic, his little store was where the Slayers in the city got their supplies, there was also the fact they had a customer.
"I'll have the usual and a coffee."
"Coming right up."
Isen turned on the coffee machine and went to the back. In the meantime Andrew walked over to the counter, Jake was leaning forward on his arm. He was glaring daggers at Andrew, who just laughed it off.
"Hey, hey, hey what are you doing here? This is my territory during the day."
"Yes, but you're on shift and we have some Phantoms gathering around."
Jake slumped down, almost hitting his head on the counter. He was bored, bored enough that he would even listen to one of Isen's stories that made no sense at all. Yes, it got to that point.
"Dammit I want to have fun."
"Cheer up kid, unlike you we don't have the resolve to face off against Gods all the time so we'll take the small fry."
"That doesn't change the fact that I basically just sit around all the time."
"That's completely fine, but how's work going?"
"Slow. Due to heavy rain we don't have any customers and they say it'll only get worse as the day goes on."
Isen returned from the back, a brown paper bag in his hand. He put it down on the counter and got the coffee. In the meantime, the conversation between Jake and Andrew continued.
"You coming to the meeting today?"
"Can't. Have a thing planned."
Andrew leaned on the counter, now intrigued since Jake never said things like that.
"You got a secret date or something?"
"No."
"Tying to avoid her?"
"Oh totally, because I want to lose my head."
At this point even Isen joined in. Whatever Jake was hiding must be juicy, otherwise he wouldn't hide it so hard.
"Don't tell me you're cheating on Snowflake."
"Where the hell do you get off calling her that!? And what kind of person do you think I am!?"
"Then what are you doing?"
Jake slumped his shoulders in defeat. There was no way he was getting out of this. For a man who could bring Gods to their knees, he didn't know how to fight back in situations like this.
"I'm sick and tired of you guys making fun of me for not having a driver's license so I'm finally getting it. Happy?"
"That's it? Why hide it so hard?"
"You know what Ashley's like! She would never let me have the end of it."
"She does have a history of doing something like that, but it's time I leave. Take care kid."
Before Andrew left he ruffled up Jake's hair and pat him on the shoulder. It was an interesting phenomenon with Jake. A lot of older people he interacted with had their parental side drawn out, quite strange.

Once Andrew was gone Isen looked at Jake. He knew there was more to it than Jake just wanting to get his driver's license.
"So what exactly is it little Russell. There's more to this."
Jake leaned against the wall and slid down to the ground. He hugged his knees and hid his face in them.
"Kate wants to go on a road trip in summer if possible."
"And you didn't tell her you don't have your driver's license?"
"Why!?"
"I'm embarrassed."
Isen kneeled down to be at Jake's eye level. He put his hand on his shoulder, in response Jake rose his head, now looking Isen in the eye.
"What's there to be embarrassed about?"
"It's just... I'm supposed to be this independent guy that just gets things done, but I don't have a driver's license? How pathetic is that?"
Isen spoke no words, he just hit Jake over the head. Jake held his head, staring at Isen with tears in the corner of his eyes. Though the older man next to him had no emotion on his face.
"What the hell are you talking about? In the last two years you have been through more than anyone your age. Your dad passing away, moving out, becoming a Slayer and working yourself to the bone just so your sisters had a warm meal and a roof over their heads. You're not pathetic, you're amazing Jake. You were at rock bottom and refused to give up. At the point when most people would have decided to drown themselves in alcohol or some other addiction, you decided to stand tall and let nothing move you. I can tell you right now that Nathan, Ela and I are proud of you more than you can imagine. And I can guarantee that Kate is most likely bragging about the fact that she is dating someone as amazing as you."
"Saying all that is easy, but feeling that way is near impossible."
Isen took a deep breath. He knew damn well how Jake was feeling, not because he experienced that, he knew that deep down under Jake's unyielding resolve that he was full of doubt. The lack of a father figure, his mother never showing any love towards him, only resentment, shaped Jake into being who he is today.
"The path to getting there will be hard, but I can promise you that you will get there. And when you do, that feeling will be amazing."
"Alright, fine. I'll take your word for it."
He finally got back on his feet, running his fingers through his hair, moving it out of his eyes. He was calm, but his face gave away that Jake was feeling down. Though that wasn't something he could help. Jake was still feeling the fatigue of his cold and the thoughts going through his mind didn't help it much either.