In a city that was still being built, the chances of Robin getting a tour that was worth her time was unlikely. Fishy started his tour at 7 AM when the market was open for business. The market that filled the streets every day was faced with Robin. She stared down the long straight city roads and looked at all the different stalls with their multicoloured fabric roofs. Customers queued for their favourites before going to work and coming back for lunch. It was the city's largest source of income.
"Is there anything you want?" Fishy asked as Robin's mouth was drooling, not that she would admit it. "I'm tired from training so I'll be getting something."
The two of them approached a stool that was run by a random resident. Due to Fishy's popularity, he was known by everyone, and this had its perks. He was handed two free sticks, piled high with giant albatross meat and melting in golden egg yolk. It was small and filling enough for breakfast and the perfect snack for after a workout.
"Here you go." Fishy held one of them out to Robin who declined, leaving Fishy to happily devour the two of them in record time. Once he was done eating, the tour began again.
"Interesting place, right?" Fishy asked as he washed his hands in one of the many outdoor water taps he had Silmor install for public use.
"It certainly is…" Robin's eyes constantly darted around, but as the two of them continued to walk down the somewhat similar streets, she decided to hold onto Fishy's hand. Wrapping her fingers in between Fishy's.
"Everything ok?" He asked, unsure of what to do.
"Are you embarrassed?"
"Not really…" Fishy was slightly embarrassed.
"How did you build this place? How did it grow so quickly?" Asked Robin.
"It was never like this originally. It was a place that was filled with people who had accepted their deaths. They lived above a Destroyer nest and if starvation didn't kill them the destroyer would have."
The tour continued at the edge of the town, with a new district being built. Fishy had to check up on the building progress so it was lucky that he could finish two jobs easily.
"Hey! Silmor!" Fishy screamed up to the top of one of the unfinished roofs, piled high with scaffolding and hanging logs, waving the hand that Robin was still attached to.
"Fishy!" Silmor jumped off the beam he stood on and landed with a thud, kicking up dirt from the filthy construction site. "And if it isn't Miss Robin, I saw your younger sis at Tin's bakery earlier today."
The sandy dwarf approached Robin and instantly noticed their interlocked hands. Silmor wanted to make fun of Fishy but his poker face was too intense. Silmor wasn't sure if Fishy didn't feel any emotions about the situation or if they were suddenly dating.
"Well… what brings you two here?" He said.
"I'm showing Robin around, I also thought that maybe I could do the inspection now to see how it's all going."
"Of course!" Silmor's passion burst through as he took over on the tour. "The school is almost finished. We currently have 4 classrooms and a field for training in both magic and close combat. We worked on the changes you made and have added a swimming pool as well as the addition of dorm rooms for students to stay in. Several blocks located on the other side of the campus."
"Excellent!"
Robin listened as the conversation continued. She held Fishy's hand tightly as if she was a lost child. As she walked through the building, she could see just how bright everyone was. The workers all rested together and drank together. Robin could only watch as they did it, unsure of what compelled them to do so.
"What's wrong?" Fishy said as they started to leave.
"Nothing… Just a bit confused… and I feel bad..."
"Really? What for?"
"Insulting you and this place… you've done nothing but show me and Callie kindness and it's clear this place means a lot to all of you. I just feel like an idiot for saying those things."
"Don't worry about any of that. That's all in the past."
Robin was uneasy about it and let go of Fishy's hand. Regardless, the two had to continue.
"Can I ask you something that could be personal?" Robin spoke up.
"Sure."
"How did you get all those scars on your body. All the ones that climb your arms and chest. They all seem like sword slashes."
"Oh, those, they are all from the same fight. It made me realise just how little I knew about everything and this world. Even now I don't understand it fully or my strength. The scars managed to heal in most places, they are mainly on my chest and upper arms, so clothes hide them now."
"You make it sound like you weren't born here. Where are you from?"
"It's complicated. But I say I'm from this place. My life has been insane since I arrived. This is almost completely different to before, so I guess it's like my second life, so I'm from here."
"I see… what would you say was the most insane part of it all?" Robin asked as her sister's words about Fishy helping them stuck in her mind.
"I guess the celestial. Meeting the annoying giant butterfly and getting involved in everything because of her was the most insane thing."
"You've met a celestial?" Robin stopped walking. Fishy turned around and smiled at Robin's cute shocked face.
"Yup."
"Maybe you can help…" She whispered.
"What was that?" Fishy asked.
"We are heading to Va. We are heading to Va to find our dad." She announced her plans. "Tomorrow morning, we are leaving and continuing our journey to Va."
"I see…" Fishy's face dropped as if he was hoping they'd stay forever. "Well, we can give you horses and I'll go with you-"
"That won't be necessary. We are walking. We enjoy walking and spending time together. And you are not going to join."
Robin's expression dropped. Throughout the day her expression was always rather low, but now her expression became stern. As if no matter what, she couldn't say yes to Fishy's request to join them, even if she wanted to.
"Why not? I've been to Va so I know the way, I don't want you to get lost."
Robin couldn't argue. She didn't want Fishy to get hurt, but she knew that he was stubborn enough to keep arguing. She bit her bottom lip as the wind blew her usually tied long hair in front of her face, covering her shaking lips but ultimately, letting out a shaken sigh.
"Ok…" She said as she turned her back to Fishy, "Tomorrow morning, Me, you and Callie. We will all go to Va together… to find my dad."
"It should be fun! Who knows when I'll see you again, so this can be our last journey before we meet again."
"Stop talking!" Robin screamed as the wind raged, and the streets emptied. "Please just stop talking… I'm just not very good with goodbyes."
Fishy could hear the pain in her voice, even if he didn't understand why. He approached the crying teenager and rested his hand on her smooth dark hair, trying his best to console her.
"It'll be ok… We'll see each other again." He smiled greatly at her tear covered face.
But Fishy didn't know the reason as to why, he once he did, he would understand just what caused Robin to change.