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Chapter 3 - Third Time's a Charm?

It had taken us some time to get up after our...morning activities. Tin was very convincing when he wanted to be, and honestly, I loved every moment of it. There was something nice about a regular partner, not something I'd really experienced in my life. I was enjoying the permanence of Tin's presence. I think he knew that too. Eventually though, even he couldn't lounge in bed all day, and we got up.

After a nice bath and some grooming, I talked to Tin about what I had found in the paper. Specifically, I told him that Mordecai was spending a lot of money around San Francisco and a nearby church was named in the paper. I wanted to check it out as Lucas had invited me to go with him.

"You sure that's smart?" Tin asked as he fixed his suspenders over his chest. "You know if he's there..."

I shook my head. "I doubt it, he's rich and powerful, and this church is poor. I think he's just putting money there because it gets him good will with the city. Nothing gets him favors quicker than donating to a charitable cause."

I was having trouble with my shirt buttons. Tin came around and reached around me, helping me rebuton it.

"I doubt I could say anything that would convince you not to go, but you need to be careful, Simon."

"Aren't I always careful?" I flashed him a grin.

"Psh, no." The tiger rolled his eyes and I chuckled when I saw it in the reflection in front of me. I liked mirrors. "You tend to leap first before thinking," he added.

"It's a fox thing, you wouldn't understand."

"Well, as I am a lowly tiger, do me and my heart a favor and just be careful." I felt a slap on my ass and jumped dramatically.

"Otherwise I'm going to miss this." Tin ended and leaned over, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

I held up three fingers in the 'scouts' salute I had seen some cubs do in New York. "I promise to protect my ass at all costs!" It got a huff and another eye roll from Tin who headed out.

"I'm helping unload some furniture today, so I'll be around." The tiger turned to look at me. "Please come back for lunch -- Miro and Oro keep trying to corner me."

"I'll see what I can do." And with that, I headed out the door myself. I hummed happily and put my hands in my jacket pockets and decided to go about my day as planned, even if several hours had been spent having sex and napping. Damn stupid sexy tigers.

After going down to the harbor and not having much luck finding a job I went back up into the city and found Lucas by early afternoon. The wolf boy waved at me and jogged right up. "Hi, Mr. Simon!"

"Just... Simon," I said, unable to hide my smile.

"Simon," Lucas repeated and stuck his tongue out. "What brings you around here? It's too early for supper."

Lucas knew I was very taken with Mexican food, even if the spices didn't quite agree with me. The boy's father got a kick at watching me eat something called _hallah-pen-yows_and told me I should have them cooked to cut down on the spice next time. That's the last time I ate a pepper on a dare from a wolf cub.

"Not hungry, but you told me you were going to St. Andrews today. I thought I could tag along?"

Lucas beamed but then smirked. "No clients yet?"

I looked at him warningly. "Lucas..."

The boy raised his hands. "I kid I kid!" Which was punctuated with a giggle and a skip just out of arm's reach. "Sure, you can come!"

Lucas led me through the city that reminded me of my time in London. I had been so good at getting about the city through secret routes and alleys that I could get to where I needed to be faster than anyone. I never picked up the skill in New York, and I almost missed it. I was having some pangs of homesickness for the first time. I wanted to go see what my old home was like, to see if Billy was still there in the area.

Imagining an older Billy meeting Tin made my grin, and I walked right into Lucas, who turned and laughed. "Get your head out of the clouds, Simon. You're gonna walk right into the bay."

Lucas took off an invisible hat and bowed like he was introducing something magnificent. "Here we are! St. Andrews!"

The small church was pretty. But it was nothing like the cathedrals I had seen in London and New York. This place looked worn but also loved. You could see where someone had gone about doing repairs and planted flowers. There was a pile of raked leaves from the tree in the small yard. All in all, you could tell that people put a lot of care into the place.

"We go around back," Lucas took my hand and led me through the courtyard to the back side of the church. There was a community room where people could come and gather and not disturb the people in the front worshiping. When I was very young, I spent a lot of time in the church's community room with the other children, since we were usually too rowdy for the front. I had to stop myself from reminiscing about those old memories. I was growing sentimental in my old age, it seems.

Lucas pushed through the wooden doors and we walked into a room set up for various tasks. Tables were arranged in a small circle in a corner, and some wooden toys were laid out on a blanket. On the wall were some hanging sketches that some cubs had done, as well as the usual religious iconography. You could tell that this room had so many purposes and was used by so many people that it had an air of importance.

There were a few women in the corner speaking a language I had never heard before. Lucas walked up and waved to them, speaking the same language back. They waved and then looked at me. Lucas struggled with what he said next, but they nodded and smiled politely.

Of course, I smiled back. "Good afternoon, madams," I said and took off my cap, letting my accent slip back out and bowing gentlemanly.

It earned me a giggle from a few of them and a snicker from Lucas. "I thought you didn't like speaking that way!"

"It's still charming," I said and put the hat back on, fixing it so my ears rested just right. "What language were you speaking?"

"Chinese," Lucas said. "I only know some words, but this place has a lot of Asian people coming and going, so I try to know the basics."

"Can you tell them who I am?"

"Of course--"

"And not that I'm a whore?"

"...Fiiiiiiiine."

Lucas went on to convey the introduction for me, or at least I hoped he did. I shook hands with them, getting some names that didn't stick. Chinese was such an odd language. I had heard it before but it was so different from English.

"Lucas," a warm male voice said from the back of the room. "You're a bit early for your reading lessons. Would you mind walking these wonderful ladies back home?"

"Yes, sir!" The wolf saluted but stopped, looking up at me.

"Don't..." I warned.

The little devil showed his usual mischievous grin. "Tristan! This is Simon, he's new in town, and he's a well traveled who--"

I grabbed the cub and pulled him close, locking my arm playfully around his neck. "Stop telling people I'm a whore!" I wasn't holding him tightly, and Lucas giggled and played like he was really stuck. He got out of my grip easily.

"I'll be back, Tristan! Bye Simon!" And the wolf cub ran out of the church faster than I had ever seen him. I sighed dramatically.

"Sorry about that," the voice got louder as the person approached, and I saw the speaker for the first time.

It was a fox, but a fox species I had never seen before. He was taller than I was, if only slightly, and a bit broader in shoulders. The man's fur was a combination of blacks and whites and some gray in between. He had what I can only describe as a raccoon mask down his fuzzy cheeks. And he was, admittedly, striking. He was also dressed well in a nice pair of slacks and a vest with a loosened tie around his neck, the top button to his shirt unbuttoned and his sleeves rolled up to above his elbows. He seemed older than I, perhaps because of his attire, but not by much.

"Lucas likes playing practical jokes, but he's very harmless," the man held his hand out to me, which I shook with my own. "I'm Tristan."

"Simon," I returned the introduction. I looked around the room and then back at the uniquely colored vulpine. "And I know Lucas is just playing. He reminds me a lot of...well, me."

"He's got that spirit a lot of men lose when they grow older," Tristan agreed. "But his heart is as big as the state of California. Anyway, what can I do for you, Mr. Simon?"

"Just Simon, please," I corrected. "And I was hoping you could teach me some things. Lucas says you tutor people here?"

"That's right," he said. "I like to give people who come here a chance to make it in the city. Sometimes it's as simple as helping them learn to count, others a trade. Are you lacking in anything specific?"

I shook my head. "No, I mean, I know I'm not well learned or anything, I know how to read and write, but--"

Tristan laughed warmly, his hand coming up and touching my shoulder in a very friendly embrace. "Relax, Simon, this isn't a test. No need to get your tongue tied on my account."

"Sorry," I said with a sheepish grin and rubbed the back of my head. "Just been awhile since I sought out anything educational."

"Oh, but we learn things every day. We just have to be aware of it." The other fox rubbed his chin with a hmm and looked me over from head to toe. "You said you can read and write?"

"Yes, I'm trying to find a job as a laborer or something, but it's not working out. I figured some extra skills can't hurt."

"Well, let's start with the basics. This is Chinatown, and if you want to find work here, you need to at least be able to communicate. How about some language lessons?"

My ears perked. That actually sounded interesting. The cordial smile which this man gave me was also putting me at ease. "That sounds wonderful. You can speak Chinese?"

"I grew up here," Tristan said with a nod and a bit of pride in his voice. "Ever since I was a small kit. When I fell on bad times, the people of this community took me in, so I repay their kindness by giving back. I can also speak Japanese, if you want some lessons there as well."

"Oh...yes!" My tail flicked a bit behind me. "That sounds amazing, actually. How much would it cost?"

"Cost?" The other fox looked confused.

I tilted my head slightly. "You...don't charge?"

"Why would I do that?"

"How do you...you know, make money?"

"I have a job like anyone else, and I give my time here freely as a charity. You don't owe me a thing, but if you feel like some kind of exchange would be important, please donate it to the church. A lot of people depend on the money here for food and supplies, and with the winter coming, any little bit helps."

"That reminds me," I said and perked my ears, "I read in the paper this church got a lot of money from some rich Englishmen?"

Tristan's smile never faltered, but his ears flicked. I knew that sign: dangerous subject. But the fox nevertheless answered my question:

"Yes, and we are so grateful for the generous donation of Mr. Crossbell. But as you can probably imagine, there's always more people to help in this neighborhood than we have supplies for."

"More than you can imagine," I said. I needed to change the topic quickly.

"Oh?" He cocked his ear.

"I grew up poor myself. Orphan. I know what it's like to rely on people to survive. Wasn't an easy life."

Tristan shook his head. "No, it isn't," he said and looked around the community room. "And no one should have to experience something like that. Your experience gives you a perspective a lot of people wouldn't have normally."

I just shrugged my shoulders. "Is it that special?"

The man shrugged. "I don't know about 'special,' but I would say that you have empathy for those less fortunate. I can tell that you have a good heart. Lucas is also a good indicator of people with good hearts -- he takes to them like fish to water."

"I want to give back," I said softly, looking down a little bit, "but I don't know where to begin."

"Forgive the piety, but you have come to the right place, my friend." Tristan put his hand on my back and turned me to face the cross high on the wall. "Here we are all equal in the eyes of God, and here you will find people who are good, honest folk but are in a bad situation. The government would turn their backs on them simply because of where they were born. It is disgusting, truly."

Was that a growl I heard in his voice?

"I'm not very religious," I said, "but I believe in what goes around comes around. If you help me with some language lessons, I promise I'll help out around here, you just give me the word."

That earned me a sincere nod from the other fox. "I can tell you genuinely mean that. You may have some hesitation from others here until they warm up to you -- and I'm afraid that it might take a little while for some people because of the language barrier -- but if you are as genuine as I believe you to be, you'll be loved in a fortnight. We only ask that you work hard when called upon and ask for help when you need it. There is little nobility in suffering alone. We are a community here, Simon."

I nodded. "In that case, what do you need done?"

I found I liked Tristan. He was smart and very kind, and all of his words were genuine. Having lived in the worst slums of London as a kit, I was good at reading people and knowing whether they actually meant what they said or were just saying things to get me to do something for them. Tristan was the former. That day, he had put me to work moving some food supplies from a recent delivery to the yard out back to be distributed. This gave me a lot of time to do what I did best.

Watch.

People slowly came trickling in, mostly Chinese by the way they spoke, but I heard other languages, and English very infrequently. At first the people gave me a wide berth, not sure of what to make of this new black furred fox who was clearly not of Asian birth or origin. More than one had approached and tried to talk to me, but I knew nothing of their languages so I just answered in English.

Most smiled politely, one or two responded in broken English, and one in fluent. They all wanted to know who I was, where I was from, and I told them the truth. I had just arrived from New York City but I used to be a sailor. The few who could understand me seemed surprised, and one man, a kindly looking tan cat, translated for me.

I noticed that my presence was slowly forgotten, or accepted. The people came with some cooked food, others with laundry, some with minor things to be repaired, some with books, women with their children, and it was clear this was a hub of activity.

Food was dispersed, some of the warm soups ladled into bowls...and noodles! Oh, the noodles looked delicious and I felt my mouth water. And they ate their meals with sticks! I was shocked at how dexterous they were, including the children. A little girl came over and handed me a pair and a bowl of some cooked vegetables. I tried to say no thank you, that I already had food and I didn't want to eat theirs, but she insisted. I tried to eat with the sticks, but it just earned me polite laughs.

Another woman came up, took my hand and the sticks, and put them properly in my hand. She showed me how to squeeze them together, and after some trial and error I was able to eat some of the pickled veggies. The woman, the mother of the little girl, clapped her hands gleefully and dramatically. We couldn't speak but she was proud of me. It made me smile from ear to ear.

I caught sight of Tristan, working hard with children at first, teaching them English. Lucas was sitting with a small chalkboard in his lap, and when the children's lesson was over, the adults had theirs. It was much bigger, and taught mostly in Chinese, but Lucas sat for that lesson, too. He was attentive and polite. He never made a snarky joke or comment. He was taking this seriously.

As the night moved on and my chores rotated from unloading to cleaning, I met more and more people from the community. I learned a few names but it was hard to remember the tones and who they belonged to. Lucas told me that it would take time but reassured me that soon I'd know everyone if I kept showing up.

It wasn't until late in the evening when I finally saw Tristan again. He was helping put away chairs and I rubbed my back, popping it in a few places.

"You were pretty popular," Tristan said to me. "Apparently you eat with chopsticks in a very adorable fashion."

I blushed a little when I remembered my clumsy attempts earlier that evening. "I did get a small round of applause when I got that pickle into my muzzle."

Tristan moved to say something but a slow, restrained laughter came from the back room. It crested from struggled reserve to full on belly laughter.

I sighed and flattened my ears. "Lucas!"

"I couldn't help it! I'm sorry!" He still laughed and popped out from the back room. "You know, since you're a --"

"Lucas," Tristan said with a firm voice, but not losing his tender tone. "Simon has told you not to call him that. Respect his wishes."

"Sorry," the pup said as he flattened his ears dramatically. "I won't do it again." The boy wandered out to the yard where there were still a few people mingling.

Tristan smiled at me. "Are you ready for your lesson?"

"Now? You aren't tired?"

"What's the saying... 'I'll sleep when I'm dead'?" He chuckled good-naturedly. In the quiet of the empty room, it occurred to me that this man's voice had a distinctly soft tone to it, and hearing him talk reminded me of listening to a priest's sermon. "Of course now, if you're ready."

I grabbed a chair and sat down in it. I watched the other fox approach and sit himself down in another, holding a small chalkboard.

"And please," he added, "feel free to call me Tri."