Today Was Bad

Today was not a good day.

"Today's just been absolutely horrible!" he told Gupta, who stayed quiet. Then again at least that was one thing Sadiq knew he could count on. It was comforting, actually. Plus that good-for-nothing Heracles did not seem to be in, so the day was starting to look like it could be going up again. What had gotten into the other this morning? Sure, the other would insult him in whatever way he could, but in Greek?

Heracles only did that when he was really mad. Sadiq knew it well. He had practically raised him after all. 'Practically' because he would hate to admit that he did raise the kid. Especially how everything worked out.

"Elizaveta found me," Sadiq went on to explain, settling down in the chair across from the Egyptian. Finally Gupta looked up and over at him, a confused look on his face. "We used to work together, had a business and all. Sort of fell flat an' she blamed me for it. It's why I can't stay at the inn."

The look on Gupta's face was asking 'so?' and Sadiq continued.

"Yer right, why should that bother me? It's not like she has rights to the town or anything. Acts like she does though. She can be really selfish... drats." Sadiq sighed and stared up at the ceiling. "Not that I don't like spendin' time with you and all, Gupta, but I think I'll be relieved when I'm back in the city and doin' my usual work."

Gupta did not seem offended, simply nodded again. Sadiq studied him for a few moments before deciding that yes, even for Gupta this was being awfully quiet.

"Usually I would have gotten at least one word out of you by this point. Somethin' wrong?"

Gupta shook his head, but Sadiq knew him better than that. He sighed.

"Look, if ya wanna talk, I'm more than happy to listen. And not just because I get to hear the wonderful voice of yours."

The other gave him a weak smile and shook his head.

"Nothin' to talk about? Come on, I know better than that. What's going on?"

Finally, Gupta spoke. "Heracles."

"Did Heracles do somethin'?" Sadiq demanded. Oh, how had he known that Heracles was going to be the one behind this? "You can always kick him out, Gupta, it's your house and he knows it. If you need help removing him I'll do it. But he probably didn't mean it, he's sort of stupid when it comes to you. D'you need my help in fixing the problem?"

Sadiq was not certain what it was he had said, but Gupta looked annoyed.

"What's wrong now?"

Shaking his head, Gupta got up and walked out, leaving Sadiq to stare afterward.

"Gupta? Ah, come on! What's wrong? Was it me?"

The last thing he very much doubted. Between him and Heracles, Heracles was much more likely to have done something wrong. Gupta did say the other man's name after all. So it was something to do with Heracles.

It took him a little while longer to remember that Gupta had never actually said Heracles had done anything wrong, had just simply stated something wrong wrong on the subject of the Grecian. Sadiq groaned and made himself some tea.


Notes:

In being the older one, Sadiq often can catch when he is being stupid about the subject of Heracles. Still, it takes him a while. Just not as long as it takes Heracles about Sadiq. They need a counselor. His name is Gupta.