The day had come once again for Manzo to remove himself from bed. It was not something he enjoyed doing, mainly because it involved leaving Aleja behind to go do a bit of work for some cash. He of course didn't mind doing the work, he just hadn't gotten used to having someone at home he had to leave behind. The life of solitude was not something he thought would truly ever end. But he was thankful in his heart that it had ended, he truly didn't wish to be alone forever he just didn't think it would stop. So she was a pleasant surprise in his life.

He got up from the bed, giving her a kiss goodbye as she continued to sleep. While he wasn't sure what the status of their relationship was, he knew that he didn't want what they had to end. A return to a life of no sex, no home cooking, no love, no understand, no companionship. What a drag. He couldn't help but want such a thing, humans were after all social creatures. So regardless it was truly in his nature to need someone, or someones in his life to help make it more full and well rounded.

Though at her request he'd start to leave notes around her home so that she would know where he went, or what he was doing. He knew he had the freedom to come and go as he pleased, but he wanted to ensure her that he was indeed coming back. So he would go to her desk in the sitting room and begin to write her a note so that he could ensure her he was coming back, and maybe have a tiny conversation with her on the off chance he took longer than he thought with his job.

He put his pen to paper and began to write out everything he wished to say to her today. "Good morning dear, I hope you slept well. I didn't wake you because I know you've been under a lot of stress lately with your getting out of the knights and trying to control of your family situation. It's complicated I know, so that's why I'm writing you this letter now so that you know I was thinking of you before I left. That I felt bad for going out without you, I'm sappy I know."

He finished the first part of what he wanted to say and put the pen to his lips and thought to himself of what he wanted to say next. He left the note for a minute and grabbed a cigar from the cigar case she had bought for him at the market recently. Taking one from it and putting it to his lips and lighting it with a flip lighter. He took a long drag from it and walked into her kitchen and began to make himself a pot of coffee to wake him up before he left. The combination of stellan coffee and joyan cigars was his new morning routine.

One thing he loved about her was that she didn't constantly stay on him for his smoking habit. Unlike his mistress who was always trying to get him to quit, as well as hiding his cigars at the guild hall. It was something he didn't particularly like. But he knew her intentions were good, so all in all, it was fine, and maybe he should cut Lisa some slack. But would he truly be himself if he did that. Truly, no one knew, not even him. A lot about him was changing.

He hoped those changes were for the better, he didn't like who he used to be, and he felt like the people around him now were spurring him on to be better over all. That kind of devotion to another person was one he still didn't fully comprehend at times. But he could see now just how important it was to find people worth doing that for, it made life much better for everyone involved. So it was admirable to say the least. Now with coffee in hand it was time to finish the letter to Aleja. But then again, he wondered why he had taken such a liking to coffee at this stage in his life.

A cup of coffee on a cold rainy or foggy day was the perfect cure. Even on a hot sunny day, a cup of coffee is what came to his mind. Even if he didn't feel like an ace that day or not, he always felt the need for a cup of coffee. Lately it seemed like every morning he was in a fog until he had one in his hand and was going into his day slowly. Though with the rush of caffeine he felt as though he could tackle the day and any of it's challenges.

Caffeine was addicting and everyone knew that, but it was also at times simply the taste of the coffee that drew him in these days. Staying in the beautiful city of Magnolia for the time being allowed him to explore other kinds of coffee that he didn't have access to in Hargeon, so staying here while Aleja worked through her transition had it's own perks as well. Seeing as there were so many different shops and cafe's around here to pick from.

He took a long sip from his cup and went back to thinking about what else he'd like to tell Aleja throughout the day. He thought for a bit longer before putting his cup down and put his cigar back in his mouth and picked up the pen once more. "Sorry for that delay, I had to make myself some coffee, you know how I am. I wanted to let you know that we need to go to the market soon, you're running low on some core stuff around here. I'd hate for you to go and try to make a meal and not be able to. An empty stomach is often times a worse fate than death ya'know?"

He put the pen down one last time before he took a long draw off of his cigar, letting out a long cloud of smoke in the living room area of her Magnolia home. "Also, sorry for all the cigar smoke in the house, I just like the taste of it and I can't help it. I promise I'll start going outside to smoke, I'd hate to ruin the vibe of your house with my habit. Anyway all that aside I have to do a job today, I think I'm supposed to be guarding some kind of shape in town."

"I'm not entirely sure why they need the Ace of a prominent guild to guard their shop, but I'll bite, money is money right? But anyway, I'll see you later tonight, hopefully I won't be so tired that we can sit down and read together. I found a few new books of haiku's you might enjoy, but we can talk about later tonight." He put the pin down and tore off the note, walking back into Aleja's bedroom and placing it down on her night stand as well as a flower he grew from one his vines right by it.

A purple rose, very uncommon and rare for anyone to have. But he had the ability to grow anything he wished, so he always wanted to share what he could with anyone, and especially someone whose beauty really rivaled any plant he had ever grown, it was something that honestly caught him off guard at times. He didn't know how to speak around her at times but he was able to write to her, and that was something he knew she appreciated about him.

Now that all of that was done, Manzo left out of her home with his coat on his shoulders, and a fresh cigar in his mouth. He would head down the street and stop at the local bagel shop and grab himself something to eat quickly before heading to his designated location to guard. Once there he posted up on the side of the shop, both swords on his hip. His arms crossed, casually greeting the people who would come in and peruse the shop and it's wares. It was an overall easy day except for when he had to escort a few particularly rude customers out of the shop.

"Thank you so much Manzo for coming by today. Here's your pay, and give everyone at the guild our best." The elderly shop keeper handed Manzo his pay and the two exchanged their pleasantries for a while before the two part company. Manzo left the vicinity of the shop before starting the walk back to where he was staying at the time. Longing for a nice hot bath and drink with some bite to it, as well as a hot meal. Over all, today had been a very good day.

1542/1500

WC reduction of 40% due to items.