Just a reminder that I don't actually own any of Tamora Pierce's characters, or places. However, everything else is of my own imagination. Please do not pilfer it. And of course, review. As my mother always told me, people can't tell what you're thinking, you have to use your words.
~R. Dottsworth
--------------------------------------------------
asked Mouse.
The Boot might be nice, said Mitsy, I love their pretzels!
No, no, no. We'll go to the Broken Egg. That's where we always go, and it's always a good time. Why change a good thing? Fred asked matter of factly. Personally, Gideon didn't care where they went. Every night it was the same old thing. The four friends would go out to a tavern and stay there until they got bored. Mitsy talked to her friends, Mouse played Red Baron, and Fred and Gideon would have something to eat, or just people watch. Sometimes they sat with other acquaintances, sometimes not. Still it was always the same, and Gideon was getting bored. His mood was not improved by the big rain cloud hanging over his head with the job he had just lost.
Gideon's mind wandered back to that night when he returned home, only a little later than usual. His youngest brothers and sister were already asleep, and his other two sisters were up with his mother, sewing. He walked in and hung up his bag and hat and coat, and sat down at the table to help his mother measure out the herbs and spices she needed for the next days work. He had filled two spice bags with an herbal mix for headaches when she spoke.
How was your day? she asked quietly. That was what really set him off because, he knew that she knew already from her tone of voice. He decided not to beat around the bush.
Rotten actually. I got fired again. His sisters looked from him to his mother with surprised and worried looks.
I knew it. I didn't want to believe it, but I knew it. She looked at Gideon in just the way he knew she would. In a way that made him feel completely empty inside.
Ma, it wasn't me who stole those things, you know that right? I would never do something like that. Gideon looked at her turned back pleadingly.
Do I know? How do I know that it wasn't you? For all I know you've been stealing all your life, regardless of what I've taught you. And now you're wasting good time and money because you can't hold onto a job!
But I didn't do it! How could you say that? You know I would never do anything as stupid, not to mention as wrong, as that!? Don't you think you raised me to know better? He was standing now. The room was quiet for a heated minute. Then his mother whispered
If you didn't do it, who did? Gideon laughed at her ignorance.
How do I know, I'm not a detective. I'm just an innocent guy who is being framed for someone else's amusement!
Well why would somebody frame you without having a good reason? She looked at him with eyes like ice.
Are you implying that I deserve what's going on? That I did something to drive someone else to do this to me? He paused and her silence answered his question. Mithros, Mother! How could you think that? We have to stick together, this family can't afford-
WHAT THIS FAMILY CAN'T AFFORD IS A LIAR AND A THIEF! his mother screamed. His sisters ran out of the room, and his mother turned her back to him.
Gideon said quietly, Mother, listen to me. Look at me Ma! He felt a hand on his arm. His sister Gabrielle looked up at him with fear and sadness in her eyes.
Maybe you should go, she said. She handed him his coat and hat, and kissed him on the cheek. I'm so sorry, she said, come back later, it will be easier then and with that Gideon was out the door and into the drizzling rain. Since then he had been sleeping on a mattress on Fred's floor. A voice jolted him out of his reverie.
Goody. I said Goody. What's wrong with him? asked Fred. He tapped him on the cheeks. Gideon, snap out of it!
Oh, sorry he said.
S'alright mate. We're here, let's go in. Fred pushed him inside. Behind him he heard a whisper. For a minute I thought he had fallen asleep an' was just walking along anyway!

Inside, the tavern was bustling and loud. The four friends made their way into a corner and sat down. Mouse whistled and presently, a scantily clad young woman came over.
Hey Mousie, how you doin' t'night? She smiled and winked at the young man. Then she turned to the table. What can I do you for, kids? Fred looked around the table.
The regular, I guess he said.
said Mitsy a few minutes later, There's Tabby. I'll see you lata'. She kissed Fred on the cheek and scooted off her chair and across the room. Fred's eyes followed her.
Boy, ain't she somethin'? he said wistfully.
said Gideon, it's what exactly she is that I'm still trying to figure out. The three of them laughed as their drinks came.
All right. Gin for Mousie, she said ruffling his hair, ale for lover boy over here, and cranberry juice for Gideon Goody Two Shoes. The waitress gave a little curtsy and walked off. Gideon looked across the table at his friends grinning faces. He smiled ruefully.
Why does everyone insist on calling me that? he asked.
Oh lighten up Goody, it ain't no big-
Just because I don't get drunk off my bum and go wandering the streets? Just because I have six little brothers and sisters to look after and set a good example for? Because I can hold a job longer than either of you? Gideon stopped short. His friends looked anxiously at each other, waiting for another angry outburst. He took a deep breath. Well, usually anyway he said. He gave a little chuckle to show them he was feeling better about it. Their mood lightened, and they carried on as usual, laughing, joking, and refusing to lend Mouse any money to gamble with.
About an hour later, a different waitress came over and sat down in Mitsy's empty seat. She heaved an aggravated sigh and flicked her long, silky, black hair over her shoulder.
I hate out of towners she said in response to the men's' questioning glances.
How do you mean? asked Fred.
I mean people who come here and ask for somethin' we ain't got, and then when I say we ain't got it, they try to explain ta me how ta make it so that we do got it! What a load o' work when they coulda' just stayed home.
Oh come on Inez, nobody really does that! said Fred laughing.
I don't think it's that unreasonable said Gideon. I mean, when you are the server, it's your job to serve whatever the customer wants right? I mean, Goddess forbid you would learn something new about another place. Besides, this is the capital of Tortall! People can't help but have to come here sometimes, the least you can do is make them feel at home. Gideon looked at his companions earnestly. Mouse was half passed out over a deck of cards, and Fred was staring at Inez, who was staring at Gideon with her eyes glazed over. Suddenly she snapped back alive.
Like I was sayin', they jus' get on my nerves. Especially the excitable ones. And they do exist she turned to Fred. Like that girl over there, she gestured obviously across the room just to prove that such a person would dare set foot in her tavern. Inez continued to complain into Fred's willing ear, but Gideon stopped listening. Instead he looked around the tavern. All he saw was a sea of familiar faces. Then his eyes stopped on a new one across the room from his table. This must have been the girl Inez was speaking of. She didn't stick out as an outsider. Gideon studied her. She held a book in one hand, unconsciously stirring her glass of tea with the other. Every so often she would sip her tea, or turn a page in her book, or brush a fly away. She sat with one leg tucked underneath her, something Gideon's brother Geoff always did. Gideon drank his juice and watched the girl, trying to ignore Inez. She looked like she was at least a year younger than Gideon, if not two or three. He wondered where she was from. He turned to ask Inez but thought better of it. He faced the girl again. This time, she wasn't reading her book, she was looking straight at him. She smiled and waved. Gideon turned around quickly and tried to pretend he wasn't looking at her. He knew it didn't matter. He decided to at least smile back, he didn't want her to think that he hated newcomers like Inez. He turned to face her again. She was back to reading and stirring.
Oh well,' he thought to himself. He said goodnight to Fred, lay a few coins on the table and walked out the door.