Rick’s stomach reminded him about its inherent anger about being empty, rumbling loudly like a sleeping bear. Rick patted it twice, whispering soundless words of encouragement. That it would soon be okay, that it would soon be sated, that it should stop being such a bother.

Yet, the barking stomach forced him into action, forced him like it did most days, like the most nagging mother. He trekked through the forest, one foot in front of the other, traveling like the most experienced horse. He came out of the forest and out into a flatland that exposed a huge flat rock towering above all men, on it standing guards with weapons made to kill. Rick walked towards and past the walls, mossy and old, into a town of many. Traversing streets well traveled, keeping to the sides, away from people, stopping as he found a spot less dusty than others.

Sitting with his back against a stone wall and a princess on his shoulder, Rick pulled out an old leather bag from his big pack, too small for anything useful, big enough for his needs. He splayed it out in front of him with its content laid bare for anyone walking by, exposing nothing but a singular brass coin, a picture of a womans head printed on it, put out in front of his crossed legs. A posture he had practiced many a times, not practiced for a will to do it, but for a need.

Time passed slowly, people moving past like water in a creek, many glancing down at him, few caring. There were many interesting people walking by, wearing silks of the finest material, wearing potato sacks in an imitation of clothing. Rick did his best to meet every single one's eyes, many avoiding his. Many he recognized, many he recognized recognized him. Yet none would willingly interact with him, something Rick could understand.

A girl passed with a posh lady holding her hand, staring wide eyed at Rick, more wide eyed at the little princess on Rick’s shoulder. A curiosity few held, curiosity belonging only to children, a curiosity so pure that even monsters would use it against them. The girl tugged and pulled, doing her best to get closer to the beautiful princess sitting on the dirty mans shoulder. But alas, old hardened wisdom of the supposed girl's parent was having none of it, the little girl would not sully her new dress for something so useless as a doll. Something that brought tears to the little girl's eyes, bawling with such might that many chose the long way around.

Rick couldn’t see more of the girl as she and her supposed parent passed the corner and out of sight. He wished he hadn’t seen that, for now he knew he would hold pity and sadness in his heart. He would be reminded of the little girl whenever he saw the princess on his shoulder, and it would not be pleasent.

Few people today, few people willing to surrender their hard-earned coins, not enough for a day’s meal. But the day wasn’t over, he still held time, time was something he had plenty of. Or so he thought. Quickly, he was reminded about the cruel laws set in place for people such as him.

“Here again? You know, I’ve been REALLY patient with you this week. Yet everyday you sit here like the sloth you are. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Rick did, he had so much to say for himself. He was being treated unfairly; He was poor; He didn’t have any other choice; He didn’t want to do it. But alas, no such things were said, spoken or uttered. For Rick's mouth, it didn’t work like normal peoples, for his mouth was empty of sound.

The guard sneered at Rick’s silence, thinking it an open provocation, of obvious disobedience, something far from the truth. With one heavy and plated hand, the guard pulled Rick up on his feet, roughly dragging him along as Rick did his best to keep his few coins and belongings within reach.

Dragged to gods know where, the two found themselves within a dark alley. Rick pleading with all his might, no sounds escaping. The guard staring as if looking at a walking corpse. One that Rick eventually started looking like. Bloodied and bruised, left alone by a smiling guard, happy about doing his duty.

Time was slow, especially when one was hurting, when in pain. Rick couldn’t tell how long he lied in the dark alley. He just knew that he eventually gathered enough courage to move out. Once out, he was like a stone falling into the sea, like the snake going through sand as all people moved out of his way. Looking like a god on earth.

He moved and moved, each step laborious and heavy, his breathing feeling louder than his grumbling stomach. His eyes not gathering light properly, stumbling often and frequently. Rick knew what this meant, it meant no money and little faith from others. This day was done for, for Rick. It would not get better, better to just head back and wait for time to heal, to heal all wounds. Food could wait, as it often had too.

Then something tugged at Rick’s pants, something tiny. He turned around, looming out and over the little creature. Seeing a little girl, the same girl from earlier, the girl who had cried for Rick’s precious little princess. He blinked twice; The girl blinked thrice, a smile as bright as the stars at night.

“Hello! Mom said that I should not talk to citizens, but I really like your princess.”

The little girl said, not even the slightest bit perturbed by Rick’s bloody face and dirtied clothes. He blinked twice, the girl thrice. The two sharing a moment of silence, one that was ruined by his infuriating stomach, grumbling loudly, as if declaring itself known and saying “hello”.

“Hahahaha, your stomach sounded like a fart! Mom said that that means someone is hungry, are you hungry? Do you and the princess wanna go eat with me? I know the best place in town! It’s like, super famous for having the best cakes in the WORLD! Did you know that? My mom usually tells me that that isn’t true, but I think mom is wrong sometimes. She won’t admit it but I caught her lying this one time. It was super funny when I told her that. Then I was scolded, and it wasn’t that funny anymore-“

The girl rambled on, Rick dragged on to an unknown adventure, one he didn’t mind. He would listen intently to the little girl, nodding when she seemed to want it, shaking when she seemed to want it. It was very pleasurable, very fun, very enjoyable.

The odd pair walked to a very fancy restaurant. Glances were tossed at the distraught Rick, glances that Rick didn’t feel good about. But the girl didn’t care, she continued prattling, talking as if everything was good in the world. The two making their way to a table, a table that Rick put the little princess on and the girl's eyes opened wide.

“She’s BEUTIFULL! Can I touch her? May I touch you? Oh, my god she can walk- SHE WAVED AT ME! Hello princess, my names is Penel-“

But before she could finish, a waiter of the highest class, wearing pristine and shining clothes, coughed loudly into his gloved hand. Smiling brightly at the little girl, casting a suspicious and angry glance at Rick.

“What would the prin-“

“I want the most expensive cake you have! And I want two, no make it three BIG cakes! Altough, now that I think about it, make the third cake smaller, for the princess, make sure it is in her size!”

The bright girl shouted, energy rivaling any animal Rick had ever seen, pointing vividly at both him and the wooden princess. Rick looked down at the table, his face blank of emotion, yet inside he felt shame, both for where he were and the little girls brazen behavior. Yet, inside good emotions bubbled, simmered like a precious hot bath.

But to Rick’s surprise, the waiter didn’t seem to mind, nor care, as he dutifully nodded and vanished more swiftly than anyone Rick had ever seen move before. His eyes followed the waiter into the dark kitchen, flashes of bright light illuminating it periodically. His eyes going down and looking at the little girl, then down to the wooden princess. Seeing the two of them playing a game of hitting each-other's hands.

Leaning back on his chair, Rick found himself content with looking at the little girl play with the wooden princess. The two sharing a bond he couldn’t put a finger on, literally and figuratively. For he hadn’t seen when the girl had taught the wooden princess those games, nor did he remember showing the wooden princess the expression of sadness when one lost a game. Yet the wooden princess did.

His musing were caught off-guard as the immaculate waiter brought a big cake in front of Rick’s face, staring angrily into his eyes, disgust forming on his lips. When the waiter turned, his face returned to a pristine smile, putting the cake in front of the little girl, then an even littler cake infront of the wooden princess.

Like a ferocious beast, the little girl pounced on the cake, not using the glittering silver cutlery on the sides. The wooden princess staring wide eyed at the little girl, then diving into her own cake, covering her entire body with sugary ointment. Something that drew a bright smile from the little girl, and the tug of a smile on Rick’s. Although it didn’t breach fully and disappeared before it had ever existed.

Rick ate with more finesse, doing his best to fit in, to be a part of the surroundings. But to no avail, angry glares sent from every which way. Making the delicious cake taste not so delicious. Yet, the little girl didn’t seem to mind, playing happily with the wooden princess, the two laughing loudly and cheerfully, one not having a voice, the other having a tiny one.

“Were did you find princess Gloria? I love her, she’s the best, she’s like my best friend. Mom don’t let me have best friends, but I think she would let me be friends with Gloria. I don’t think Gloria is human, is she? Is she a fairy? You have to be, right Gloria? Gloria, the fairy princess. Hehehe. Oh Gloria, I want to see your kingdom, it’s out in the woods right? I’d do anything to see it. Do-“

Two cakes had been eaten, the third splayed out onto the now dirty table. One person had used cutlery, two had used their hands and bodies. He didn’t mind that so much, he would be an hypocrit if he criticised others for their lack of hygien. But what he did mind was that the girl, after finishing her cake, just stood up and started walking away. Rick did his best to gesture back the little girl, trying his best to teach her manners, that one does not just eat and go. But the girl didn’t seem to understand, and instead kept walking, the wooden princess on her side, walking just as happily.

Casting glances around, Rick followed quickly, keenly aware that he would be literal meat if they forced him to pay. But to his big surprise, the waiter seemed to come out of the dark kitchen, bidding farewell, a big smile plastered on his face. When Rick started waving, the waiter immediately stopped, staring suspiciously.

Rick took that as his cue, leaving hastily and stiffly.