|
Just at that moment, an audible chuckle was heard outside the door - not a genuine laugh, but rather, a skeptical one. Before anyone could react, the door flung open to reveal a lad with a toothy grin, soot-smeared cheeks and a grimy cap. Filthy rags hung from his lanky frame and he raised a dirty hand in mock salute.
"Sooo... you're looking for fame and fortune, eh?" ~ The voice was uncommonly spritely ~ "Now, don't frown so... " ~ Chewing exaggeratedly on a straw sticking out from the corner of his right lip ~ "... I mean no harm, truly." ~ He shoved both hands into the pockets of his tattered shorts, then giggled as he pulled them out, revealing two torn pockets.
"As you can see, I could do with a little more coin, even at the risk of my pathetic little life." ~ His dark brown eyes caught the light of the crackling fire on the side ~ "What say you? Can I join, huh? Can I?"
There was a mixture of impertinence, childishness and impatience in his voice, as he stood, watching his audience almost as warily as they did, of him.
|