Cozy Isekai Craftsman: Lockwood: by Blaise Corvin

Author:Blaise Corvin [Corvin, Blaise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 157174074
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2023-07-11T06:00:00+00:00

FOURTEEN

Joe walked through the nearly empty streets of Lockwood, leaving the locket open for Thomas to take in the sights.

"This place has changed considerably," Thomas remarked.

As they walked down the stony cobblestone street, Joe asked, "Like what?"

Thomas replied, "This wasn't always a port city. In fact, there weren't even docks down here. It was my house and a few other wealthy merchants."

He didn't say anything further, just taking in the sights, showing a disinterest for any more information that Thomas wanted to tell him about his past. For now, Joe was just enjoying the fact that he was able to help someone who had been basically trapped inside of a painting for countless decades. Even Thomas didn't seem to have a good grasp on how much time he had spent inside that painting.

Now that he remembered it, Joe recalled that the painting itself had been full of grime and weathering, and even the colors were aged. But when he had used his power to clean half the room, which included the painting, he wiped off a considerable amount of the excess grime and oxidation from before. He wondered if the degradation of the painting had affected his mind, eroded him somehow, maybe physically or spiritually.

When they reached the Rusty Nail, there was a cacophony of sound from the other side of the door. Joe turned the locket to face Thomas and asked the old man, "Are you okay with this? Are you ready?"

Thomas bunched up his coat, adjusted his collar, and twisted his monocle just to make sure it was clear. He cleared his throat and said, "Ready as ever, boy."

Joe opened the door. It was the same scene that he had seen over the past couple of nights. Every single table was filled with now familiar faces who Joe had recognized but did not know the names of yet. None of the tables were empty.

Ava was busy rushing back and forth, taking orders, cleaning, doing her job. She didn't look as tired as when Joe first met her. Maybe those extra hours each night and sleeping in the morning helped her recover a bit of her vigor and stamina. Caroline waved Thomas over, handing him a plate full of food, a bowl of soup, and a mug of beer.

Joe's stomach rumbled, but he said to Caroline, "Thank you. I'll eat it when I get the chance. Is there any way I could get Ava to come over here?”

Caroline looked at him and teased, "You're going to confess your feelings? You've only known each other for a few days."

There was a cough from the locket. Thankfully, Caroline had clearly meant it as a joke. Joe said, "No, nothing like that. It's something important, and it has to do with their family."

Caroline's expression turned serious, and she asked, "Is Emily hurt?"

Joe shook his head and said, "No, actually. It’s better to show it than trying to explain it." He opened the locket and showed Thomas to Caroline. The woman gasped and almost dropped the mug she was cleaning but set it down carefully.

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