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To Willy's surprise, it was Nick who piped up first. "I'll watch Shimshin for you," he answered, a hint of a dimpled grin showing on his face. Nick was finally coming to the conclusion that even though Seamus was a stranger, and one of the Big Folk besides, he was a nice man that could be trusted. This opinion was helped along quite a bit by Shimshin's association with the man.
"Don't worry, we'll make sure he doesn't get into trouble," chipped in Willy, who was nearly as interested in earning some money as spending time with the monkey, unlike Nick who was just young enough yet that the offer of payment had little effect.
"I'm sure you will," said Seamus, smiling. "Now, I really need to go play with the other musicians, okay?"
“Sure,” said Willy.
“Thanks, boys. I really appreciate this,” said Seamus, who, looking much relieved by having someone to watch Shimshin, hurried over to where the musicians were finishing up a rather sad-sounding song.
“Now what?” mused Willy, more to himself than Nick, who was waiting patiently for Willy. He had subconsciously begun to run his hand over Shimshin’s soft fur. He eventually ended up with his hand grasped loosely around the end of his tail, which Shimshin endured without fuss in the way animals have with young children. Willy realized that he was absolutely starving, having eaten nothing since breakfast. There was plenty of food.
“Come on, Nick,” said Willy. “Let’s go get something to eat.” Nick nodded and followed Willy over to the long tables laden with food. They moved along the line, sampling as they went, which was probably not the most polite or proper way to go about doing things. Needless to say, much of what they took was finger-foods. Upon reaching a large plate arranged with a variety of berries and fruits, Shimshin reached out a small hand. Nick grinned, asking, “You like berries, Shimshin?” He grabbed a handful for the monkey, who ate them happily. Willy finished up his ‘lunch’ with a ham and cheese sandwich and decided that he was full enough to last at least until the cake was brought out.
Willy began to wander off, Nick and Shimshin in tow, when he heard something that caught his attention: "The handfasting ceremony will be starting soon..." Willy did not have enough patience to sit through such an ordeal as handfasting (nor was he dressed for it - his coat had been ripped), but he did know that for the most part the ceremony would occupy everyone's attention. He would probably send Nick on, so that Shimshin would not be missed, but for himself he thought that it might be the perfect time to get a sneak peek at the cake, and maybe even a lick of frosting. . .
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