"So this is what an actual city looked like?" Fishy said as he spun around looking at every detail taking it all in for his own benefit until he threw up.
"Don't have cities where you are from?" Clara asked as she patted him on the back.
"Not like this,"
The City of Va was a standard example of a fantasy kingdom. The streets were populated with carts and the various creatures that pulled them. From the standard earth horses to giant reptiles that looked hungry for those that walked around unfazed. The buildings were built to hold. Each house was neatly packed in its own space, never intruding and getting in the way. There was no such thing as a front garden or even a back garden. Each house lined up perfectly leading down to the castle that looked as if it was taken from medieval Europe.
Fishy looked around at the people that lived here, not a single demi-human insight. All that populated the streets were humans.
"Wow!" Fishy said as he failed to make sentences that made sense to anyone above the age of 2. "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!"
He ran around and couldn't believe how friendly everyone was. People lugged about boxes of various fruits that were new to him and even offered him some. Coming from a place where everyone keeps to themself and doesn't want anything to do with you, it was a huge change of pace.
"Don't accept," Clara said stopping him.
"Ah, is this one of those things where they steal from me whilst I'm not looking?"
Fishy said getting it right first try. As one would expect from a university graduate who secretly loved to watch tv and films whilst grinding the latest video games whenever he didn't have an exam.
"I'm impressed you knew. Don't trust anyone in a city. If you can't name them then don't talk to them. That's what I say."
Clara's rule stuck in Fishy's head, mainly as he said it to himself multiple times so he wouldn't forget it. Even though he couldn't remember the names of the few people in his own village.
The two of them roamed the city whilst forgetting what they arrived for. They continued to walk around messing about and even splashing some money on themselves.
"How do I look?" Fishy said as he jumped out on Clara from the changing room, showing off the clothes that would make him look straight out of a fantasy world.
It was some very light armour on his arms that was mainly covered by a black cloak that he insisted he had to get. His dirty brown trousers were replaced with slightly darker ones of the same kind. He did, however, keep the same shirt, but instead of a cheap knockoff brand, actually got the real deal.
"It feels so nice," Fishy said. "To think clothes like this existed. Even back home I never had anything like this."
"What about me?" Clara said stepping out.
She spun on the spot as her pink hair tried to keep up. Her once filthy skirt and shirt were replaced by an actual dress that dropped down above her knees and arms that went up to her wrists. She came out in black leggings that she wished she could get but were too expensive for the amount they had.
"I thought about a suit as I'm your secretary but it didn't look good." She said,
"No…" Fishy was still stunned about how different Clara looked. "You look great."
"Thanks!" She said with a contagious smile as she spun again. "I was thinking of this denim jacket as well. Oh and all this stuff."
Clara dashed around the store like stereotypes would suggest. Even Fishy was amazed at the clothes he saw, equally surprised that denim seemed to also exist in this world. It's a shame that neither of them had the money to buy such clothes.
"CLARA I'VE GOT AN IDEA!" Fishy screamed alerting everyone in the shop only to bring Clara closer and whisper it into her ear.
"What is it?"
"When we get the village bigger we can get a seamstress and produce our own clothes from within Fintan village."
Clara's eyes lit up at the idea and began to admire Fishy even more. His future dream was being shared with his secretary slowly as if teasing an animal with bait before finally catching it.
"Brilliant!" She screamed. "Let's get what we came for so we can hurry and go back!"
"Alright…" Fishy said being dragged from the store after paying.
# # #
The city of Va was not far from Fintan village, but it wasn't close. Compared to the size of the world most things would seem close. It just so happened that it wasn't within walking distance.
The villagers of Fintan village got to work hoping to surprise Fishy when he returned from his journey out. They worked hard to harvest all the wood they needed began work on one house. Of course, it was decided that this house would belong to Fishy. Although he may not like this outcome, the villagers were going to convince him with whatever they could.
"It seems we have visitors." The elder said sitting outside his house listening to the sound of the air as horse hooves trampled over it.
He looked over to the source and saw a small bundle of horses run towards them. Atop the horses sat several people, one at the front with two at the sides holding flags that bore a symbol of the hero, Fintan.
The horses galloped but stopped when the elder stood out in front to greet them. He looked up to the horse that towered him and watched the clunky knight climb off in his heavy armour.
"What can we do for you?"
"In the name of his majesty, King Dean, we have come to this area to discuss with the leader of this… village? We wish to purchase this land."
The knight spoke unaware of what was happening. In a village that would have given up many years ago, its citizens all moved as if they were all 18 again.
"Sorry…" The elder spoke with a smirk. "Our leader is currently out. In fact, he is currently in your city visiting."
"What is the name of this leader?" The knight asked.
"That would be Fishy."
"Fishy?" The knight repeated to make sure he heard him right.
"That's correct."
The knight walked back cautious of the words the elder spoke, unsure of if he was senile in his old age. He stood next to the flag bearers with a finger against his head as he began to speak to himself.
"Yes… that's right… Fishy is his name… Understood."
The knight was done and walked back up to the elder who still smiled at the knight.
"Thought communication?" The elder said. "Rather advanced magic."
"Quiet. You are going to tell me what this Fishy person looks like."
# # #
"Man this place is great!" Fishy said eating his third helping of Candy Crabmeat. "I don't even know what a candy crab is but if it's this delicious then we must get one."
"Those are its droppings," Clara said as Fishy quickly disposed of it all. Questioning if he should continue to pick it back up and eat.
"Well, let's move on," Clara said forcing Fishy who was easily getting distracted.
The two walked one step before several guards surrounded them. They trapped them in a circle with their shields all pointing inwards like a bunch of school kids trying to hide a fight from the teacher.
"Is everything ok?" Fishy asked protecting Clara behind him.
"Are you... Fishy?" A voice from outside the circle said rather carefully.
"I am…" He responded not knowing where the voice was coming from until the guards created a gap and an old man walked through.
Fishy looked at him instantly able to tell this man's position. The man stood straight like a piano player that had never bent their spine. His grey hair showed his age, as did his wrinkles. He approached the two of them taking pauses in between each step. Looking down on the two of them.
"It's your lucky day, peasants." The man said to their disapproval. "You have a meeting with the king."