TRP: Goro and Larkin (Tooth)

JEN

[Setting: Day 457, Freeport(???)]

The sea monster's tooth was as wide as Larkin's forearm, and almost as long. It almost seemed ivory, and Larkin briefly wondered if she should've recovered the monster's corpse herself instead of just selling the location. But it was too late for that now, so she pushed the thought aside and continued polishing the tooth until it gleamed in the sun hitting the airship's deck.

LINA

While Goro was out wandering, he spotted Larkin on deck. He walked up to her. "You gonna kill someone with that thing?"

JEN

"Maybe." She made a vague stabbing motion with it. "But I wanna try giving it to Pa first."

LINA

"Eh? He collect teeth, or some shit?"

JEN

Larkin gave him a look. "Nah. But he got shipwrecked by that thing, too, ya know?"

LINA

"Ohh." Goro nodded. "So it's like, proof it's dead, and shit."

JEN

"I guess."

LINA

He crossed his arms and cocked his head thoughtfully. "When are you gonna see him next?"

JEN

"Tomorrow. I'm gonna spend a couple days."

LINA

Goro chewed his nail and frowned. "D'you think I could come?"

JEN

"Uh. Sure. Why?"

LINA

"Uh." He was oddly reluctant to say. Seemed embarrassing. "I wanna meet my -- my uncle."

JEN

"Oh." Larkin made a surprised face. Hadn't seen that coming. "Alright. That's cool I guess. You'll like him."

LINA

"You sure? 'Cause his siblings fucking suck."

JEN

She gave him an odd smile. "Well. Renar called him a black sheep a lot."

LINA

"Mm." Goro considered that, then nodded in approval.

JEN

"You better don't repeat that opinion to him, though," Larkin said. "Renar was all he had for a long time."

LINA

"Shitty deal, if I'm being honest. But I won't say that."

JEN

"Good."

LINA

"Alright. So. When we going?"

JEN

"I wanted to leave tomorrow morning. Be there for a late breakfast.

LINA

Goro nodded. After a moment he said, "My uncle Val is really cool, so don't take it personally or nothing if your dad ain't my favorite."

JEN

Larkin snorted. "Good to know, I guess? Think think this was a competition."

LINA

He shrugged. "I'm just saying." A pause. "He controls bees."

JEN

"So that's what makes him cool, huh?"

LINA

"It's one of the things."

JEN

Larkin just smiled.

LINA

"What?"

JEN

"Nothing." She wiped the surface of the tooth again where it already shone bright white.

LINA

"Psh." Goro batted a hand at her and turned to wander off.

JEN

Teleportation made travelling a whole fucking lot more comfortable. Larkin didn't care for the sensation a lot but it faded quick enough to be just and annoyance. The sun already stood high enough to drive the chill out of the morning air though a light mist still hung over the port town down at the foot of the hill. Maybe they'd have to wait until it cleared to enjoy breakfast outside.

LINA

"What's your dad up to these days, anyhow?" Goro asked as they walked. "He doing better?"

JEN

"I think so, yeah." She scanned the port and the ships anchored there until she spotted the small vessel. She pointed. "He's started going on boats again. Not often and not far out, but... it makes him happy, I think."

LINA

"Oh. Good." Goro gestured at the monster tooth Larkin had brought along. "Maybe that'll make him feel even better?"

JEN

"I mean... maybe not if I tell him how I got it." She grimaced. "But yeah, I hope it will."

LINA

"You gotta, don't you? Otherwise he won't know it's the same sea beast."

JEN

"Yeah, I'm gonna. Not going to lie to Pa."

LINA

"But I'm supposed to lie about how I feel about Renar. Psh, sure. I see how it is."

JEN

She elbowed him. "Nah. Nah, you're supposed to shut the fuck up about it. That's different."

LINA

Goro shrugged apathetically.

JEN

When they reached the foot of the hill, Larkin led them down the main street, then into an alley that was roofed by cloth lines with fresh laundry drying in the morning breeze, throwing fluttering shades on the cobblestones. She opened a door in the bare brick wall behind which lay a cramped stairwell with wooden steps that seemed almost worn through. Up on the second floor were two more doors, looking almost identical save for the fact that one had a large, new looking lock built into it. Larkin knocked and after a few moments, something rattled on the other side and her father opened the door.

Kheman wore simple, undyed sailor's clothes short enough to bare a large collection of old tattoos, and no shoes despite the chill out. He shot Goro a confused look before being distracted by Larkin greeting with with a hug.

LINA

Goro stood back a couple feet, crossing his arms awkwardly. He squinted at the floor, then the ceiling.

JEN

"It's good to see you," Kheman said, giving Larkin a final squeeze before letting go. "And you, uhm..." He looked at Goro, making a friendly face but looking very lost.

LINA

"I'm Goro," Goro said lamely.

JEN

"Uh..."

"He's your nephew," Larkin explained, and Kheman's eyes went wide. "Oh. Oh! You must be Jazzy's kid then," he said, stepping aside so Goro could enter.

LINA

Goro couldn't help making a face. It was just an involuntary reaction. "Yeah." He stepped inside.

JEN

"I'm sorry, I, uh..." He scratched his neck as he closed the door and led them further into the small flat. "Have we... like... met?"

LINA

"Not really," Goro admitted. "But, um, you know my husband?" Ah, the one who'd tried to eat him. That was awkward.

JEN

"Who?"

"Hansel," Larkin supplied.

Kheman made a surprised little oh and blinked a couple times as if making sure he was awake. "Oh. You married Hansel? And you're my nephew? That's... huh. Uhm." He glanced at Larkin for help.

LINA

Goro crossed his arms and made a face off to one side. "Jasmilia was pretty young when she had me, and all."

JEN

"Huh? Oh! Oh no, that's not what I meant. I just... it's, uhm. A weird coincidence, you know? My nephew marrying my master at arms?"

LINA

"Yeah, it is pretty fuckin' weird," Goro agreed, looking at the floor and rubbing his arm.

JEN

"So, uhm..." Kheman turned between Goro and Larkin but she was busy unpacking her bag on the small table. "So, how is he? Hansel? Haven't seen him in a while."

LINA

"Oh, he's pretty good." Goro scratched his head. "Uh. Got... most of his family living with him in a castle, and shit. Nice life."

JEN

Kheman nodded. "That's.. good. Good to hear. Yeah."

LINA

Goro hugged his arm and resumed looking everywhere in the room except at Kheman. "Anyway, uh. Just thought we should meet." Seemed like a big fucking mistake now. He felt embarrassed just existing.

JEN

"Oh. Well." Kheman looked just as uncomfortable, still shooting hus daughter glances who was taking what seemed like an excessively long time to unpack. "It's good. Good to meet you."

LINA

"You too. Heard a lot about you from Lark and Hansel."

JEN

"Really? Like what?"

LINA

"Uh, you know, just. Stories and shit." Goro shrugged. "Stuff from the Blade."

JEN

Kheman nodded and tentatively started to say more, but Larkin interrupted them. "I got you something, Pa," she said and patted the wrapped up bundle she's sat on the table. "It's a souvenir."

"From where?" He cast Goro a look before turning to join Larkin at the table. He took a corner of the wrapping, lifted it tentatively, then pulled it all the way off. He blinked at the tooth, intrigued but confused.

"It's dead," Larkin said. "We killed it."

Kheman's hand went to his mouth and he sat down heavily, almost missing the chair as he stared at the tooth. He didn't say anything.

LINA

Goro chewed his lip.

JEN

The silence stretched as Kheman continued to fixate the trophy like it was about to spring to life and eat him at any moment. Finally, Larkin started to explain but his hand shot out to grip hers and pull her to him, and she fell silent. "Why'd you do that," he said. "Why'd you... it could've killed you. It could have..."

LINA

"Mishka's idea," Goro said, figuring that might explain it. "He wanted Hansel to feel better."

JEN

Kheman sniffled a bit but when he let go of Larkin his eyes were dry. He took the tooth into both hands to properly examine it while Larkin dragged over a small crate and took a seat. "And you, too. It was still out there and... and we had the chance. It's gone now. Won't sink any ships anymore."

LINA

Goro watched Kheman, not saying anything. He still felt weird about the whole thing, going along with it when Hansel had begged them all not to. But maybe it would help, now. Maybe it'd be alright.

JEN

Kheman nodded, slowly. He didn't look happy about it but he said, "Thank you." The he wrapped the tooth back up and pushed it away.

LINA

Goro looked at Larkin. She knew Kheman way better than he did, presumably. She'd know what to make of it.

JEN

"How's going out to sea going?" Larkin asked.

"Hmm." Kheman studied the bundle a moment longer, then gave his daughter a tired smile. "Better. It's better. And I guess.. it will be good. Knowing it's gone."

LINA

"You and Hansel oughta go out sometime," Goro said. He figured Hansel would like that, at least.

JEN

"He doesn't like the sea anymore," Kheman said. He sounded sad.

LINA

"He does." Goro wanted to offer some kind of proof, but he didn't really have any. He just... knew it. "He does."

JEN

"Hm. Well." He tried for a smile. "Maybe, then. Yeah."

LINA

"He was scared before but he might... be better now." Probably wouldn't happen overnight. But it could start. "The two of you could, y'know. Work together."

JEN

"Would be nice to see him again."

"You should come back to Glimmerton," Larkin offered. "Or to the castle. There's space."

LINA

"Plenty," Goro agreed. "You oughta be part of a family again. Part of a crew."

He didn't really know what he was saying -- just figured Kheman must be like Hansel in some way. Crew was everything for Hansel. Goro called it a gang. Amari just called it a family. The specific word didn't really matter.

JEN

"Uh. Hm." Kheman looked taken aback by that offer, but he did smile a little before hiding it behind his hand, biting the heavy silver ring on his thumb. "Larkin, didn't I tell you why I moved here?"

"Oh, Mask." Larkin rolled her eyes. "Still? It's been months."

LINA

Goro raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

JEN

"Well--"

"Pa's playing teenager," Larkin muttered, getting a look from her father.

"Hey," he said. "I'm allowed a little love in my live, ain't I?"

"Have you even, like, asked her out yet? How many times did you talk to her?"

Kheman laughed. "Kid, your old dad ain't that boring. I asked her out alright, and then--"

 Larkin's eyes went wide and she put her hands to her ears, making an eeehh sound to drown out her dad.

LINA

Goro snorted, then covered his mouth to stifle his snickering. "Who is she?"

JEN

"She's one of the clerics, up in the Sanctuary." Kheman pointed at the ceiling.

LINA

"Yeah? My mom and Luci probably know her. What's her name?"

JEN

"Goro," Larkin said lowly, but Kheman went ahead. "Joanne. Joanne Wedekind. She is one of them that help the townsfolk, you know. Setting bones and mending cuts and stuff."

LINA

"Typical Eldathyn shit," Goro agreed.

JEN

"I think it's nice."

"Yeah, they're extremely nice," Larkin said. "You told her already you're a pirate?"

"Was, Larkin. I was a pirate. I'm an honest man now."

LINA

Goro bit his lip and pretended to be real interested in something on the wall.

JEN

"What've you been doing for money anyway? You never told me."

Kheman was silent for a moment, tapping his calloused knuckles on the table. Then he poked a finger at Larkin's nose, making her flinch and giggle. "Listen, I'm doing what I can, alright? Don't you fucking dare tell her."

LINA

"Eldathyns value honesty," Goro said, all innocent-like.

JEN

Kheman shot him a disgruntled look.

LINA

"Just sayin'. My ma's one, so. I got all the insider info."

JEN

"Your... your ma?"

"Not your sister," Larkin clarified. "The one who raised him."

LINA

Goro couldn't help scowling a little. He crossed his arms again.

JEN

"Oh. Uhm." Kheman winced a bit. "Right. Larkin told me. I, uh... we didn't even know she had children. Renar and I, I mean, else we... uhm... well. Sorry."

LINA

"Yeah, ain't your fault," Goro mumbled.

JEN

"I never would've thought she would even... have children."

LINA

Goro nodded. Wasn't surprising. He remembered Val saying that all Luka could give Jasmilia was a son, and he wasn't sure she'd even wanted that. "She probably.... shouldn't've. But, whatever."

JEN

"You know," Larkin cut in, "if you came back to the castle, we could have a family gathering. With Theo and Bakir."

LINA

"Yeah," Goro agreed. "You ever met them before?"

JEN

"Hmm." Kheman nodded."Larkin brought them over once or twice when I stayed in Glimmerton."

LINA

"Oh." Goro glanced at Larkin. "That go okay?"

JEN

She shrugged.

LINA

Goro shrugged back. He looked at Kheman. "Maybe you could invite your lady friend, too."

JEN

"Oh! Oh, no, that's... " Kheman laughed. "Probably not, uhm... "

"Hey." Larkin gave him a slight nudge. "You're not ashamed of your family are you?"

LINA

"Guess it is kind of a big step, inviting someone home to meet your kid and all..."

JEN

"We've only been, ah... uhm. Well. We've not had... much opportunity to get to know each other... yet." He looked sheepish. Larkin looked horrified.

LINA

Goro snorted and covered his mouth.

JEN

"Well," Larkin said loudly, waving her hand a little. "I ain't hearing a no to visiting us."

Kheman smiled and nodded. "No, it's not a no. I'll come."

LINA

"Maybe in a week or so," Goro offered. "So you got more time to get to know your lady."

JEN

Larkin kicked Goro under the table.

LINA

"What?"

JEN

"There's a teleportation circle in the castle," Larkin told her father, ignoring Goro. "You could live there and still visit here whenever you like. Haeth can use it."

"Hm." Kheman looked doubtful. "I'd need to check in with him every time." He grimaced a little.

LINA

"My friend Ombre can do it, too." Goro stifled another snort. "Just how many times a day do you think you'd be going back and forth?"

JEN

"Oh my god." Larkin hid her face in her hand while Kheman laughed. "Three or four at the most. We're not the youngest anymore."

"Oh my god."

LINA

Goro pulled the front of his robes up to hide his grin. "Oh, yeah, that's uh. That's nothing. Mishka and Ombre would be glad to help."

JEN

"Huh." Kheman looked about to say more but Larkin interrupted him, shoving to her feet. "I'm hungry, Pa. We wanted to have breakfast, remember?"

"Oh. Yeah. Yeah, sure." He looked to Goro. "Do you like seafood? There's a booth down by the water makes a banger stir-fry. The sailors love it."

LINA

Goro stood too. "Yeah, sure thing. Lead the way."

JEN

The little booth at the water front seemed to just be firing up the pans, though it already smelled of hot oil and spices. Kheman greeted the kid behind the stove by name, was asked if they were wanting to have the stir-fry or bringing their own catch, then got told to wait. Kheman haggled a bit with her while she cracked open mussels from a barrel, then handed over a coin which she quickly pocketed, ignoring the small strongbox that seemed to serve as a register.

"What do you like?" Kheman asked Goro and Larkin, grinning. He waved at the pans. "Sue is making us a special batch. Just tell her what you want in it."

LINA

Goro shrugged. "I ain't picky." He held a hand out to Larkin, letting her choose.

JEN

"Can we not have eel?" Larkin made a face. "Tastes like mud."

Sue shrugged, the only sign that she'd heard them at all, and continued chopping garlic.

LINA

"You eat a lot of mud, huh?" Goro asked her.

JEN

"I like to avoid it," she said, eyes narrow. "Shall I show you why?"

LINA

"Hmm." Goro turned to Sue. "Extra eel, please."

JEN

"Fuck off, you had your chance."

LINA

"I dunno, I think we're at Sue's mercy here."

JEN

"Oh, hey," Larkin stepped over, closer to the booth so she could peer at the stockpile in the back. "They got turnips. I love turnips and garlic." She gave Sue a big grin that went largely ignored.

LINA

"Turnips don't go with fuckin' seafood."

JEN

"Turnips go with everything," Sue said flatly. She'd fished a trout out of a barrel and hacked it's head of in one strike.

LINA

"Suddenly I ain't that hungry." Goro stuck his tongue out at Larkin.

JEN

"Ah, come on, kids." Khema cut between them, waving his hands. "No turnips, no eel, alright? Can we do that, Sue?"

Sue shrugged.

LINA

Goro smiled triumphantly at Larkin.

JEN

She glared back.

LINA

"Your daughter's real mean, Kheman," Goro said.

JEN

"Ah... hah." He chuckled a bit, clearly unsure what to say, and Larkin used the moment to cut in. "And your nephew is a real wimp."

LINA

"Am not."

JEN

"Is what a wimp would say."

LINA

"I ain't never been scared of nothing in my life."

JEN

Larkin just snorted.

LINA

Goro jabbed a finger at her. "Name one thing you've seen get me quaking in my boots."

JEN

She opened her mouth but cut short, scowling. "Motherfucker. You know I ain't gonna make jokes with that."

LINA

Goro snorted and snickered. "Chicken."

JEN

"Oh. Oh! Like you at your wedding, right?" She made a clucking sound.

LINA

"Huh?"

JEN

"Oh, you know." She waved a hand in the air as if painting the picture, then turned to her dad. "So picture this. We're all there, right? He's at the altar, barely gets his vows out, looks like he's gonna fucking puke, and the second the deal is sealed he just fucking books it."

LINA

"Hey. Hey." Goro felt himself turning red.

JEN

"Lots of shaking that day, I'm telling ya."

LINA

"I was nervous!"

JEN

She made a pfft sound and patted his head.

LINA

Goro dragged his collar up, but kept his eyes uncovered so he could glare at her.

JEN

"I was scared, too, when I got married," Kheman offered. "I think I did puke."

LINA

"Really?" Goro's eyes widened.

JEN

He nodded. "Well, not in front of everyone, but... ah." He laughed, sheepishly. "I might've had a few before going in- settle the nerves, ya know. Didn't settle my stomach so much."

LINA

"Oh, ah. Mm." Goro nodded like it made sense. "I wasn't drinking or anything, just. Just nervous." He looked away, started lifting his wrist to his mouth to chew his bracelet, then changed his mind.

JEN

"Yeah." Kheman patted him on the back. "I get that. And with that kind of big 'n scary spouse, too, huh?" He winked.

LINA

"Hansel's not scary," Goro said, incredulous. Seemed like Kheman was making a joke, but it was just too weird.

JEN

He pulled his hand away, looking taken aback. "Uhm, well. Uh. I guess not? He just- well, in his pirate days, he was scary, you see. Mostly for others, but... if you didn't know him-"

LINA

Goro snorted. "If you were a wuss."

JEN

"Hey now." Kheman drew himself up, making a talk if not all too imposing figure of himself. "Who you're calling a wuss, kid? I've been boarding ships when you didn't even have teeth yet."

LINA

"Didn't say you were scared of Hansel, did I?" He paused. "Were you?"

JEN

Kheman snorted. "Nah. He wasn't much more than a kid himself when he hired on. Elitash was who made him big 'n strong."

LINA

"Heh." Goro grinned. Wished he could've seen what Hansel was like then. Probably all gangly and dorky. "Well then. You oughta know what I'm getting at."

JEN

"Well, hm." Kheman shrugged, smiling, and didn't seem to have more to add.

LINA

Goro nodded, satisfied. He looked at Larkin. "Don't fucking say embarrassing shit about me anymore."

JEN

She blew him a kiss.

LINA

"I ain't inviting you to any more of my weddings," he threatened.

JEN

"More?" Kheman asked, while Larkin just waved it off. "As if you can stop me coming," she said.

LINA

Goro's eyes narrowed. He wondered if he should start playing real dirty. He raised one eyebrow and half grinned. "When are you tying the knot, huh?"

JEN

That made Kheman perk up and Larkin visibly cringed. "Are you still with that... that tiefling lad? Az...uhm..."

"Azriel," Larkin supplied through her teeth. Then she seemed to regain composure. "When I know it's the right time, cousin. Some people like to lead a relationship for more than a week before they commit."

LINA

Goro's mouth dropped open.

JEN

Larkin grinned.

LINA

"Well," Goro said. He glared. He tried to think of something that was funny but wasn't mean. "Uh. Psh."

JEN

"Hey, uh-" Kheman said, stepping between them and waving them over to the booth. "Let's see if the food's done? Yeah?"

LINA

"Done sooner than your engagement," Goro tried, poking Larkin.

JEN

"Oh!" Larkin tore up her hands. "Ouch. You've wounded me gravely!"

LINA

Goro stuck out his tongue.

JEN

"So, uh, Sue," Kheman leaned on the counter, making a charming face and peering over at the large pans that were now filled with chopped fish, mussels and vegetables, "When do you think we can eat?"

"When it's done."

"Don't worry," Larkin told Goro and reached for his hand to pet it. "One day you'll win one of these."

LINA

"Already won 'cause I'm married and you ain't. Hah."

JEN

"Nobody says hah when they win an argument," Larkin said gently.

LINA

"Yeah huh. I do."

JEN

She nodded, smiling like at a small child.

LINA

He glared.

JEN

"So what are our plans for today?" Kheman had given up trying to tie Sue into smalltalk and come back over. He hung an arm around his daughter's shoulder, giving her a light squeeze. Larkin shrugged. "We didn't plan more than breakfast," she said.

LINA

"You could introduce us to your friend," Goro offered.

JEN

"Uh, I don't think that's... maybe that's not a good idea," Kheman said.

LINA

"Too soon, eh?"

JEN

"Well, I mean... you see, it's, uh-" He drummed his fingers on Larkin's shoulder, other hand vaguely waving through the air. "It's... very... complicated. Yes. And also, I don't just... I mean, I can't just... she's busy, and all. Very busy. Lotsa patients and shit. She can't just come hang out whenever."

LINA

Goro nodded slowly. "Ah, well. Another time."

JEN

"You did tell her you have family, though, did you?" Larkin said, teasing.

"Yeah, I did." He sounded a bit hurt even. "Of course. I told her about you and your adventures. She was there when the Sanctuary got attacked, you know. You guys saved her."

LINA

"Sure you don't wanna invite her to dinner at the castle?"

JEN

"Well, uhm-"

"Hey, have you never heard of the saying?" Larkin made a gesture at Goro. "Never meet your heroes."

LINA

"True, true." Goro nodded wisely. "Good to keep an air of mystery, and all."

JEN

"Yeah. That, too."

LINA

Goro eyed the progress of their breakfast, but it seemed Sue wasn't done yet.

"Got any other haunts around town you'd wanna show us later?" he asked Kheman. "Besides this one."

JEN

"Well, there's the tavern but it's a little early for that."

"Eh, I know that one," Larkin said. "Not really worth the walk."

LINA

"What do you... do all day, exactly?" Goro asked, and he hoped the answer wasn't go to the tavern.

JEN

"Oh, I help out at the docks, mostly." He smiled a little. "Sometimes there's shipments for the Sanctuary and I cart them up the hill."

LINA

"Oh." Goro smiled back. Sounded kinda boring. Nothing wrong with that for a job, but Goro didn't think he'd wanna hang out while Kheman did it all day. "Uh. Sounds like good work."

JEN

"Eh." Kheman shrugged. "I guess. Seafaring was better."

LINA

"Ain't hard to get a job doing that, is it?"

JEN

"As long as there's sea trade there's going to be work to do. One or the other kind." He grinned.

LINA

"Hmm, yeah. Maybe oughta stay close to home, though. For when the grandkids come." He patted Larkin's back.

JEN

She swatted at his hand and Kheman laughed. "Ah, that would be something, hm?" He squeezed Larkin's shoulder again which she endured with a sour face. "Though I'm still hoping I'm gonna go back out someday. It's, uhm... well... uhm." He trailed off, scratching his beard and looking around as if for a distraction.

LINA

"It's what?"

JEN

"You're going out on boats already," Larkin cut in before her father was forced to answer. "That's something. It's gonna get better."

LINA

Goro nodded. "'Specially now that you got that tooth."

JEN

"Yeah," he said. "Yeah, I think you're right."

[END]

Title: Tooth

Summary: Larkin visits her father to bring him the sea monster's tooth and Goro tags along for some uncle-time. Banter and awkward smalltalk.