Almost Easy

[Keane]

?Scoundrel!  How dare you corrupt our youth, openly marketing your vile wares??  The she-cat was of an advanced age, wrinkled and shrill; if it weren't for her gown, crafted of lavender silk, and her walking stick, elegantly carved of fine wood, Keane wouldn't have pegged her as one of the upper class. 

The male cleared his throat and smiled politely at the female.  ?Care to buy portion, ma'am??

That's what they were all after, anyway.  Somebeasts just had an interesting way of asking for it. 

The female, hunched over her walking stick but with an air that gave the impression of her back being perfectly straight, huffed.  ?Wicked beast!  I most certainly will not.  What's more, if you don't shut this entire operation down of your own free will, then I'll see to it that my son does so for you.  The town Watch will certainly see things my way; your business is a blemish on this town!?

Keane leaned forward, his facade fraying.  ?Ma'am,? he grit, ?The Watch practically keeps me in business.  Now, you may not approve of my little venture, but my customers certainly do.?  He bit his tongue to keep himself from going further.  No need to offend anybeast more than necessary, after all. 

She gave a sigh of long suffering.  ?Don't be ridiculous.  Can you imagine the ruckus if the Watch refused to do the job?  I think you have fewer friends than you imagine, you cad.  And of course your customers approve of you; half of them don't know any better, and by the time they've figured out your insidious plot, it's too late.  Now, I've tried reasoning with you, but you don't seem willing to see sense, so here's how things stand.  If you haven't cleared out of town and disposed of your... stock... by tomorrow afternoon, then your wares will be confiscated and I'll see you in chains.?  She tapped his chest with her stick.

Keane forced himself to retract his claws.  ?I'll thank you to leave,? he said carefully. 

She turned.  ?Tomorrow afternoon!? she threw over her shoulder, and flounced off. 

The wildcat scowled.  ?Hellgates.?

~

?It's only for a few months, Mum.  The fuss will die down soon enough.?  It always does.  Keane sipped from his teacup, training his eyes away from the ceramic; goodness knew how long it had been since she'd last washed it. 

His mother wrung her paws, her own tea sitting untouched.  ?But what will I do without you?? she worried. 

Keane cleared his throat, swallowing his indignation over the fact that she didn't seem worried for his welfare.  ?I've thought of that,? he explained, reaching into the inner pocket of his coat and extracting the package he'd hidden there.  ?This should tide you over until I'm back.  Make sure you hide it well.? 

Her paws, greedy, snatched it away from him.  ?You always look after me so well,? she sighed.  ?I'll miss you, Keane, dearest.?  She smiled at him.  ?You know I always loved you best.? 

She was lying. 

Her lie made her eyes bright, her smile warm.  Keane knew that she almost believed herself.  They were alike in that sense; they had to believe their lies.  Without them, they were nothing.

And when a lie was half truth, then it wasn't really a lie anymore, was it?  That was what Keane figured, anyway; after all, wasn't it better to make her happy, in her own fashion, than to have to watch her suffer?

The cat shook his head quickly to clear his thoughts and took a quick sip of tea.

?Where do you think you'll go?? She changed the subject. 

The male shrugged.  ?North,? he returned vaguely.  ?There's bound to be somewhere I can wait things out.? 

She nodded.  ?Of course.  You always do well, dear, no matter where you are.? 

Somehow, it was not a compliment.  Keane blinked his eyes.  ?I'd better be off,? he excused himself, setting aside the teacup distastefully.  ?My boat leaves tonight.? 

She didn't rise to walk him to the door.  Keane didn't question her; he'd always known that Balm was her first love. 

~

He had just one last errand before he left town for good, and that's what led him to the nearest tavern, The Rusty Hook.  He'd have a chance to mingle with travelers there, and perhaps rid himself of a last few choice goods.  He'd thrown most of his stock into the sea earlier; he could only carry so much with him without being questioned, and it would likely go bad before he could return.  But surely he couldn't be expected to destroy all of it?  It would be a crime, after he'd invested so much time in creating the stuff. 

A tavern was the best place to pick up new customers, and this particular joint attracted mostly seafarers ? beasts that were here today, gone tomorrow, and few the wiser concerning their business affairs.  Precisely the sort of beast Keane wanted to deal with, at present.

And besides, he needed a drink.  Badly. 

The cat slipped up to the counter, choosing his seat by the look of the neighboring occupants.  ?I'll have a pint of ale,? he informed the bartender and flipped the rat a coin.  The mug arrived promptly, and Keane let the dark brew wash over his tongue.  He smiled, pleased, and twisted to face the beast on his left, a grizzled male ferret. 

?What brings you to town?? he began conversationally.  ?Down on your luck?? 

The ferret nodded without turning his head. "Aye."  He took a drought from his mug and turned reluctantly to the cat.  ?And you??  It was clear he only asked because he thought it was expected of him.

Keane shrugged.  ?I'm leaving, actually.  Things got a bit messy with my... business.?  He took another deep swig. 

There was an awkward silence.  ?Oh?? the ferret cleared his throat.  ?Business messy often?? 

?Rather,? Keane admitted moodily, oblivious to the other beast's discomfort.  ?You think you're friends with all the right beasts, and then before you know it, they've all turned on you.?  He eyed his mug, surprised at how quickly the ale was affecting him.  ?Still,? he added, dragging his gaze back to the ferret's, ?They'll be happy enough to have me back in a few months.?  They always were.  It was just a matter of timing, and Keane was a master. 

Keane sighed and took another sip.  ?What's your name, then??  His eyes meandered across the ferret's face, tracing the numerous scars.  The mustelid was clearly a fighter. 

The ferret hesitated.  ?Rath,? he answered at length. 

The cat grinned.  ?I'm Keane.?  His smile broadened as he mentally sorted through the various concoctions held in his coat's inner pockets; he was fairly certain he had just the thing for a fighting beast - if the ferret was interested, of course.  And he would be. 

First time was free, after all!