Initial completion: July 27, 2021

The sun had yet to fully creep into the windows of the inn but Silver had already awoken and was getting himself ready. The bed had just been made and the rest of the small room was tidied up. He only needed to grab his hat and coat and he was ready to get going. The thought that perhaps he had enough time to relax a bit before heading out did pass through since he was not in too much of a rush anyway.

Besides, he needed to more properly iron out his plan, even though he'd followed it plenty of times before. But chance never did take his side in these matters, so he put on his coat, grabbed his hat, and headed out into the silent and dark hallway.

Just about everyone was still sleeping in their rooms as it was quite early, but the savory aroma in the air told Silver someone was already up and cooking breakfast. It seemed that no matter how early he readied himself to leave where he was staying there was always someone there to keep him from simply walking out the door. He stealthily moved from the hallway towards the large dining hall while trying to be as quiet as possible as the occasional floorboard creaked under his weight. The room was completely dark other than the beginnings of sunlight starting to peek through the window. No one was in the room and the front door was just across and past some tables, but the chance of easy freedom vanished when he heard some faint footsteps approaching.

He quickly turned around to face them as the doors to the kitchen swung open to reveal the same woman who helped him last night, wielding two handfuls of eating utensils. She stopped walking as she caught his stare. Removing his hat, he quickly put on a smile, "Morning, miss."

She seemed confused about his presence for a bit, but her face soon displayed a look of understanding, "Oh! You must be the cyborg from last night."

Silver nodded, "Aye, and ye be the lovely maid 'at helped me."

She continued through the dining hall and began placing sets of utensils at each seat. "Innkeeper," she corrected, tucking some loose hair behind her ear. He was visibly surprised at her answer but had little time to dwell on it as she continued the conversation. "Did you sleep well?" she asked, turning her head to face him.

He blinked and came back to reality, smiling again, "Like a wee pup."

She smiled as she nodded, turning back to the task at hand.

Stepping closer, Silver moved on to the next phase of his plan, "Well, I be mighty thankful fer yer help, miss." He gave a small bow, though she hardly saw the gesture. "Life's not been too kind to ol' John as of late," he explained, using his first name to keep his sailing life- and therefore, pirate life- more occulted from the common folk. "I know ya need me to pay fer the night stayed," he continued, "... but I've nothin' but th' clothes on me back. As I said last night, I was just on me way to pick up some goods, so if ye could let me-"

His pitiful tale was cut short when a rag was suddenly held up in front of his face. He blinked at the cloth as he instinctively stepped back. The innkeeper gave him a smile, although it wasn't exactly friendly. "Well then, if you can't pay with money you'll pay with work," she said as the sunlight glimmered in her striking blue eyes, "... specifically with the messy kitchen and dishes."

The unexpected turn of events left Silver frozen in place.

Eventually, she simply grabbed his empty hand and placed the rag in it before turning to finish setting the tables. "I tend to get more diners for breakfast so I suggest you prepare yourself," she said as a matter of factly.

Silver found himself stammering over his words, "But… miss, I've got… there's somewhere I-"

He was immediately cut off again as she continued, her voice now more stern, "If I had the money from all the "free nights" that were taken from me I'd have enough to buy the prettiest gown on Montressor. You might seem nice enough, but I can't afford to count on a stranger to leave and come back just to pay me."

Silver remained dumbfounded at this headstrong woman.

She walked towards the front door and unlocked it, glimpsing out the window. "Unless you intend to cause a scene and call the attention of the officers outside you should get started," she said.

That snapped him out of his frozen state as he all but ran towards the door and caught a peek outside. Indeed, several police bots had gathered around the dock, which was in no good condition. And several more were up the road where a vehicle appeared to have crashed. He furrowed his brow and cursed himself under his breath, "Fer pity's sake…"

An unfamiliar voice brought his attention back inside. "Good morning, Sarah," said one guest as they entered the dining hall.

The innkeeper gave a gentle wave in return as she finished with the tables, "Good morning, Alfred."

The guest moved to seat himself at a table when he caught a glimpse of the large and unfamiliar cyborg and gave him a suspicious stare as he sat. Silver internally groaned at the all-too-familiar gesture before he settled his attention back to Sarah, who was now wearing the maid's mob cap he saw her in last night, as she stood near the kitchen doors and held one open.

Her expression had softened a bit but her posture said she expected him to do as he was told. "It would only be for breakfast," she explained. "And you can stay to eat if you like."

Glancing once more at the sneering guest Silver exhaled in defeat. He begrudgingly made his way to the kitchen, whispering to himself, "Seems I might be stayin' longer than that."