Just Like Old Times

How Many Languages?

Lilly returned to camp around early evening. The wolves still stayed outside the perimeter, of course, but they'd gotten some hunting done today as well. And it was a big kill. Lilly slammed a bison skin down on Pearson's table with a thud. This startled the cook and he gaped at her.

"That should be good money, right?" Lilly asked as she piled on multiple deer skins, some rabbit pelts, and even some boar skins. A bunch of meat and some skinned rabbits accompanied it all as she plopped those down too. "And these?"

Pearson guffawed. "You've been busy, haven't you?"

"Yes. Oh, and uh," Lilly reached into her satchel and pulled out some herbs. "Some oregano, mint, and thyme. For seasoning. I love me some oregano flavored stuff."

Pearson laughed again. "As you wish, Hunter Extraordinaire."

Lilly laughed, gave him a lazy salute, and went over to the collections box. She put in Lilly's debt, then Chick's, then...she went and put her own money in for Mr. Wróbel's debt.

X===================X

Lilly rode up to Painted Sky and sighed. This was going to be difficult. She could tell already. Lilly dismounted, told the wolves to stay, and went and knocked on the door.

The door opened to reveal who she assumed to be the debtee. He smiled. "Cześć. Czy mogę ci pomóc?" [Hi. Can I help you?]

Shit. Polish. Lilly knew she was rusty in that one, so she decided to use short sentences. "Tak, uh..." she cleared her throat. Lilly hated this. "Twój dług musi zostać spłacony. Leopold Strauss?" [Your debt must be paid off.]

"Oh. Um. Przepraszam, panienko. Nie mam tego. Potrzebuję więcej czasu." [I'm sorry, miss. I do not have this. I need more time.]

Great. He didn't have anything. Lilly took a deep breath in. "Alright, um...ile jesteś winien?" Lilly asked. He definitely looked like he had nothing. [How much do you owe?]

"...Um...trzydzieści cztery dolary i dziewięćdziesiąt cztery centy," he replied. [Thirty-four dollars and ninety-four cents.]

Oh. Well, she definitely had that much. Should she pay it for him? Would that be too soft of her? Yes, it would be. "I uh...ahem...może masz przedmioty warte czegoś?" She really hoped he had something of value. [maybe you have items worth something?]

Mr. Wróbel frowned, reached into his pocket, and handed her a pocketwatch. "Um, Warszawa?" [Warsaw?]

Lilly took it from him gently. "Wow. Imponujący. Warszawa. Bardzo trudny do zdobycia. Jak to zdobyłeś?" [Impressive. Warsaw. Very hard to come by. How did you get it?]

"My wife. Present."

"Oh, well...proszę powiedzieć mojej żonie, że przykro mi to brać, proszę pana." Lilly said with a voice full of regret. She knew how important it was to keep things of sentimental value. [Please tell your wife that I'm sorry to take it, sir.]

"...Cannot..." Mr. Wróbel said with his head lowered.

"Why?"