[I have no idea what you're talking about, Voxea], I replied in a mild manner while checking a stall that sold drajules. As a fellow crafter of sorts, I could tell that the specimens for sale were well-made but standard. I imagine he kept the good stuff hidden or in the back...and were probably more costly.
"Are ya buying or what?", the crafter/seller asked in a gruff tone.
"Sure", I said as I pulled out the suls necessary for the purchase. The stall owner had a big grin and asked me to come again after collecting the money.
[See? I'm just a normal shopper, buying things from the market], I told Voxea as I pocketed my new drajule.
Overall, the imperial market was much more impressive than the one at home. Colorful stalls as far as the eye can see, selling everything from knick knacks, unusual snacks and food, binder essentials and all sorts of useful materials. I should come exploring with my friends next time.
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Meanwhile, about ten feet behind her...
"So do you really think she's just here to go shopping or that she bought that just to throw us off?", Albina asked Bori and Savina as the three of them bought something called popcorn from a stall.
"Possibly? Also, make sure to blend in with the crowd's noises. Don't want her hearing us following her", Savina replied while munching.
"This is so good! Can I get another one with extra spice?", Bori said as he gulped down a bag of popcorn and bought another.
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[Uh huh...and the fact that we're in earshot of a bunch of city guards protecting a crime scene has nothing to do with your impromptu walk?], Voxea asked point blank.
[Are we? I didn't notice! How strange! I'm just gonna sit here and listen in then], I replied in a slightly exaggerated manner as I sat on a bench.
[...you are as shameless as me when you want to be], Voxea chided.
[No idea what you're talking about, I need to listen now].
With a deep breath, I began to focus my hearing.
"Fresh fish! Get your fresh fish"!
Ok, that ain't it.
"20 suls for a pot?! Are you insane"?
Ah haggling, one of the oldest traditions in the world.
"Get your honey candy here, fresh honey candy"!
So many tasty snacks, so little time.
"Well this is...".
"Nasty? Bloody? Horrifying"?
"I was going to say messy, but sure".
Found em.
"So, is it the same as the other victims"?
"Large claw marks cutting into the stone, strange looking footprints and a bloody corpse? Yup, but there was one difference this time".
"Oh"?
"We found this weird looking mask in their hands. Looked like they managed to rip it off the attacker when it happened".
"Really? Then maybe we could get a Scholar to-" "LET ME GO, YOU JERKS"!
What the heck?
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"Let me go, what do you want with me?!", Alyra shouted as a large, rotund dirty man with an ugly face was holding her up by her hair. Flanking him were about four other ruffians of varying shapes and sizes.
"Awww, the little rabbit wants to know what we want from her! Isn't that cute?", a small rat faced ruffian laughed as he asked the question aloud. His sarcastic question was met with uproarious laughter from the others, except for the large man who just snickered.
"Don't you know anything about real estate?", asked a man with a long face and crooked teeth, "This is our land, and anyone who sleeps on it has to pay rent".
"Real estate? Rent?! This is just a dirty alleyway and y'all are nothing but gutter rats like me!", Alyra spat while flailing about.
"Kekeke, sounds like she can't pay up boss! But maybe we can find some other use for such a pretty young thing...", a bug-eyed fellow said with a dirty laugh.
Alyra's eyes went wide and her face paled at the statement, a gross feeling began to bubble in her stomach as the gang of thugs began to encroach closer as the big man holding her up switched from her hair to holding her body to the alley wall.
"Please... don't...", Alyra weakly cried. Just as she closed her eyes and felt the cruel hand of fate gripping in on her, a strong voice called out.
"Hey! a*holes"!
The next thing she knew, a fierce looking girl in a pristine uniform landed a flying kick right into the skull of the rotund brute!