“It was quite a while ago,” said Riju.
“My point still stands.”
“This isn’t an apprenticeship like a carpenter or a blacksmith. Still, once Kit leaves, I’ll be twenty-seven, and I’ll have been working as your apprentice for longer than the typical seven years. I have enough skills to make what I want and start a toy shop. You still have the money in the account for me, right?”
At the Raven’s Landing bank, Trig had set up an account with both of their names on it. The business wasn’t about to go under anytime soon, so it was intended as a safety net in case anything ever happened. The money would be there if Riju needed it.
“It’s for emergencies,” said Trig.
“But I could use it for the initial expenses along with my savings. I’ll pay it back later, and I might not even need half of it. Also, you did say it was my money.”
“I meant only for emergencies. Nothing else.”
“You didn't say that.”
“Well, I said it was in case you needed it if something happened to me. I think it’s kind of obvious that you can’t use it for anything else.”
“Nothing’s happened to you, and if you let me use it, I could get set up faster. I’m not saying I’d take it all either. I’d also pay it back over time, and with my own shop, you wouldn’t need money set aside for me-”
“It’s only for real emergencies. That’s why I add to it, and we don’t use it for anything including business expenses. Besides, I was planning for us to spend a decent chunk, and when you do that, having extra elsewhere is always a good idea even when your business is doing well.”
“Spend it on what?” asked Riju. Didn’t he just say it was for emergencies?
“Something for us.”
“Okay, but even without the money, I’d still like to move out. You’ve taught me a lot besides how to cut a piece of wood or braid a whip. Or to use the whip.”
“And…?”
“I want to try living on my own,” said Riju. “I’d also like to open my own kind of toy shop to make dolls and such.”
Trig leaned back in his chair. “No.”
“Why not?”
“You should stay and work here. A toy shop for you is just…” Trig rolled his eyes and shook his head like the idea was utterly preposterous.
Riju squinted and hugged Red to his chest. “I have a lot of practice with dolls. I could expand because I know basic wood carving. I can also sew, so I can make soft toys, rocking horses, and-”
“It’s not that you can’t make the merchandise to sell,” said Trig. “When I set you to make an item here, you’re capable. You have the general stuff down. I know you can shape a piece of wood and sand it or make a dress for a doll. There’s more to a business than that.”
“A children’s toy shop would probably do great here,” said Riju. Only two places sold that sort of thing, and one was a pawn shop. The selection was random if they had anything at all, and the toys were usually old and used. A certain general shop in Raven’s Landing also sold toys, but it was only when the owner’s wife felt like making a couple to put out.
“You’re right. There’s no place dedicated to toys here. The problem is I don’t think you’re mature enough to live alone and run your own business. I’m pretty sure most toymakers don’t still play with dolls. You do, and you’ve already got a huge collection.”
Riju glared at him.
“You’d probably keep making them for yourself, and eventually, you’d end up with-” Trig waved a hand. “A few hundred.”
“I will not.”
“Mhm. Besides, what if the business fails? I’d take you back here in a heartbeat, but that’s something you’d have to consider. Plenty of people have started a business, worked hard, and watched it fail. It’s not guaranteed even if there’s not much competition in the area.”
“What if it doesn’t fail?” asked Riju. “You make it sound like I'm doomed, and I haven’t even started.”
“Did you think about us?” Trig gestured between them. “We’ve been together for several years now.”
Yes, Riju had thought about that last night while stroking Kit’s hair. Trig was the first one in life to give him a chance even though he’d been skeletal, dirty, soaked from the rain, and digging through a midden out of desperation. Charity had been scarce lately, and Riju hadn’t eaten in three days. His last meal had been part of a meat skewer he’d found abandoned on the ground. Trig could have kept walking and pretended not to see him. A lot of the citizens in Raven’s Landing had done so.
