Chapter 9

What is your problem? Its normal for a baby to shit themselves, you do it every day so there is no reason for you to give me that look

You do it because you’re a fucking alcoholic! Can you even smell your breath? If I get to close to that mouth of yours then I will get drunk

James was slumped over on one of the corners of the crib since he had passed the time where he could stand on his own. It had been a few days since the battle of Counter Top (James made up the name) and since then he has been perpetually drunk. After He with Mr. Muses help cleared the dead bodies of rats from the battlefield (Counter Top) the bottle of alcohol went with them back upstairs. They both leveled so James was level 3 and Tom 2, Tom’s points went into strength making James remember the average strength of an lv1 adult is 10. James put a point each into Strength, Dexterity and Constitution.

Its special training Tom why can’t you see all of this drinking is really just making me a better fighter?

It was true that all the drinking James had done, a visible amount of the bottle could be seen to be now missing, how come with its own effect.

[Minor Poison Resistance]

When James got that skill he was once again close to death which was coming the usual in his downtime since what he called the historic battle. Waking up in the morning he would drink until the [Poison] effect appeared and he would pass out letting his health slowly recover. Then waking up for snack time of course where the ratio of milk/alcohol mix was shifting in his diet. The [Poison] effect would come back yet again making him pass out until dinner.

Tom’s stress was more than just covering up James alcoholism even if that did require him making a trip downstairs to get a material that would block out the smell coming from his breath. He waddled over to James who barely defended himself as Tom shoved it in his mouth like a toothbrush until he could no longer smell it. The real stress come from the fact that as each day passed he worried more about his mother and wanted to find her.

We have to get out of town and save my mother! Tom pleaded as he grabbed James onesie with both hands

No way, the life I have now is perfect. Every day is just sitting here and drinking my secret stash under my crib and no one give me advice on how to live my life better. Who knows, if I try hard enough maybe this can be some sort of job James spoke from the heart but otherwise lifeless in Tom’s arms.

We need to go into the sewers! Tom finally said after thinking about his plan over the days of doing nothing. Since they were babies they would need some sort of adult to push them in a stroller to the outside. That left going underground to whatever the sewers dumped out at. All this information about how things were and worked just seemed to be there but since this information came from James it was limited to non-magical things and objects.

All you say I have problems, look at my windows where my mom works James annoyed stated while pointing at the window of his room.

What about it? Tom did not understand as usual is line of thinking nowadays

Help me up and I will explain

Tom easily pulled James up but did not let him take any liquor with him as they made their way over to the other side of the crib closet to the window.

There is a heatwave going on that is bad enough for us that just standing in the light becomes too much. What do you expect to happen to babies in a closed space with fumes? James looked at Tom and told him facts while talking down to him that seemed clear like he was a baby

That made Tom pause and look at where he was standing, he had automatically avoided the area of the crib that had direct sunlight and the both of them were sitting in the shade.

Then how do the rats will there and how come they are smart? Tom asked utterly confused about them

They can live down there because they are rats that is just how they are. As for the other thing I just assumed rats were always like that so spot asking me for answers since its stressing me out James started to breath heavy at being stressed out

Sitting down with his legs through the bars of his crib James focused on the problem at hand on what to do about Tom. While the thought of actually putting effort into something seemed horrible he had to think long term. Eventually the liquor he had stashed away would run out and effort to replace it seemed like too much work. That meant if the liquor ran out he could no longer handle Tom’s complaining about his father and mother. In the end this line of thought forced James into deciding to help Tom because his nagging was worse than death.

Alright time to lie to him

James pulled his legs out and faced town looking serious at him and what he guessed was the real image of Tom.

Tom I care about what happens to you so I will hope you will accept my help in preparing for your journey into the sewers with some special training

Far above them in the divine realm the goddess was watching him and when James lied to Tom it made a 20 sided dice that is commonly used in D&D/Pathfinder table top games appear in her hand.

“Well let’s see where it lands” A table that was an exact replica of James dinner room table appeared before her and the painting supplies disappeared in exchange. With a few good shakes after cupping her hands the goddess let the dice drop, and with only a few short bounces a number sat facing her.

“An 11, humm… could be worse I suppose” Then the dice and table become paint supplies with the goddess resuming her work.

Back on the planet the roll of 11 for deception by James was only somewhat successful. While Tom did not completely trust what James had said he was willing to at least act like the believed him and trusted that he would follow through.

If you say so, then what kind of special training do you have in mind? I will let you know now that I refuse to drink Tom actually raised his foot then put it down in further his point

Like I would ever share what I would most important in this world, no any world. Our training will be held in the Great Plains. James planted his fist at his sides

Where are the Great Plains? Tom said utterly dumbfounded about what James was talking about

It’s my living room okay, the Great Plains are my living room between the table and my toys… James felt embarrassed about having to explain what he was talking about with the nickname.

An awkward silence in the crib was now hanging with neither quite sure what to say next. Tom could read the mood and could tell he had to get the conversation moving or else this was just going to get worse.

So um… why are we going to those “Great Plains” got some secret I don’t know about? Tom tried to joke at the end and lightly punched James shoulder.

James reaction just turned to shame in response and all Tom did was make things worse.

Why do you ruin everything James had flatly and did not wait for a response as he made his way to the opening to the crib where they could climb down at.