Ace of Spades

11: A King and a Jolly Sharing Kept Thoughts

Four days it took to get to the center region of Ukran, where lies the oldest historic depository of all of the Eastern Territory. Their spending dwindled with each day that passed, mon's going to inns and food for both mornings and late evenings plus a single set of clothes to change into until all they had left was enough for one more night and some in-between meals. Their clothes would be washed at a public washboard, all kinds of people gathered around a circular stone as they rubbed their clothes up and down with foam and water going down the center pipe. Later, they would hang them to dry for one to watch over while the other went to go get food, which was usually Katsuki since he was still untrusting with Izuku about expenses.

Usually, it would take a day, maybe a little more with the various added breaks for both person and horse, to get to their destination, but their feet were the fruit of their labor when it came down to it. They had no way of faster transportation and walked for four days, only stopping during the late evenings to find sleep, and eat.

But, all their loitering and semi-aimless walks had paid off when they had finally arrived in the heart of Ukran.

"Ok," Katsuki started as he went ahead to step in front of Izuku, stopping them both in front of a fountain. "What kind of talents do you have?" The blonds question made Izuku's mind stutter from how completely unrelated it seemed to be.

"Uhm, I don't see how that applies to getting to the map.." Izuku trailed off, trying to find Katsukis line of thinking. Talents? Why would such a curious question that carried no ulterior motive slip from the man's lips as if he were actually.. Interested? It's probably a trick question, Izuku thinks, wondering if it was just a ruse to make fun of him. Maybe it was to create more distance between them so the final parting of their journey would be less bitter? No, it couldn't be... even though the thought of needing to split up soon hung heavy in his mind.

I don't want to be alone again...

"Oy-" A flick to his head made Izuku look back up, not realizing that he had gone down to stare at his feet with pulled brows, making them relax as his eyes fixed back on Katsuki with a hum.

"If we want a bed to sleep in and some food in our stomachs, we ought to use our best abilities to earn some honest money." Katsuki reprimanded him with a squint of his eye.

"Oh.." that's why he's asking? He laughed at his presumptuous, depressing, thoughts from before as a hand went to his hair. "Uhm! I can fight quaint well! I draw a little, but I wouldn't call myself an artist per-se. I can cook certain foods and I have immense stamina and durability to take on anything heavy duty! I have a valorous mind, too, if there's a problem that requires yond intellect." Izuku lists with an embarrassing, but proud, smile on his features. Katsuki takes it in thought, Izuku's shoulders shrinking a little at the way his gaze turned to a more judging one. More or less of what he had expected, but it still hurt.

Katsuki shakes his head a little before he looks around as if searching for something as he speaks. "I don't think cooking and being smart is going to help short term here, but the more things you know how to do, the better for us. Now-" He turns to look at Izuku. "The plan now is to find a bulletin or task  board around this city area. It is usually something younger ones take an interest in since the pay is usually too low for an adult, but they can be used by vagabonds and travelers that come from other parts of the world." A sigh. "Since we're both those things, it shouldn't be a problem." Katsuki finishes, Izuku nodding in understanding.

"I understand. But, where would I find a bulletin board? We are in the middle of a big city..." Izuku proves his point to look around himself, people going to and fro from place to place with all kinds of things being carried, may it range from a lover's hand to carts full of wood. Carriages and horses trotted back and forth as well, noticeably coming from higher classes and ranks from how well dressed the people seemed to be and the embroidery and curtains drawn from those carriages. It was loud too, the laughter of peasant children playing and yells of merchants that sold things from their carts and shops. It was overwhelming.