The day was a cloudy but not too much just enough to keep t from being I hot, unfortunately- a perfect day for a picnic.
After this morning's breakfast Ares and Justin left for another inspection. While Lark and I took some time getting ready so we could just go sightseeing.
The market place was the first place we decided to check out and then move on from there depending on our mood. The ride to the market place wasn't very long, we were dropped off at the center. The people already had their stall set up and ready hollering at anyone and everyone who passes, inviting them in, promising them their best purchase of the day. As far as the eye could see it was a sea of people and tents. It was very lively.
"We should have come here for breakfast." I commented as we walked past another tent with some delicious smell coming through.
"Too bad we ate already."
"I can eat some more though..." I countered.
"You're fat as it is You Highness."
"I'm not fat!" I exclaimed gritting my teeth, "I'm perfectly fit and fine." We continued bickering as we looked around the area.
It was around mid-day we were sitting at the center eating some grilled meat on sticks when we heard someone whisper, "-Black Ghost was almost caught yesterday!"
"Shh! Shh! Don't be so loud!!" the other whispered a bit louder. "Who knows he might be listening right now."
"You can't trust anyone these days…" said the person ruefully.
Well this was interesting… I wasn't expecting that.
"Lark how about we divide for a bit?"
'Are you sure…? I don't think that's a good idea." He looked around doubtfully.
"It's fine, it's fine. It's just for a bit. Let's meet up in an hour for lunch… attt… the same diner as yesterday." He looked at me unsurely before reluctantly agreeing. He got up and said, "Don't be impulsive, don't do anything stupid and you see something mildly dangerous walk the other way. Anything you wouldn't want Lady Raven and Lord Ares doing you should not do. Understood?"
"Yes sir." I saluted with a grin.
He still paused for a while, probably thinking about what else he should add, "Go!" I pushed him a bit and added, "I'll be fine."
I stayed seated and watch him slowly disappear in the crowd. I tilted my head upwards and stared at the sky until the sun peeped out from behind the clouds, then I got off the bench dusted my coat a little and walked away.
As I walked on I found the store I was looking for. I entered inside and went straight to the counter when a woman who looked more annoyed to see enter her store than anything else. "I'm looking for some clothes."
"I'm sure you are. This is a store for clothing, I'm pretty sure no one would come n looking for chickens." She replied with a dead stare.
"Uh… I guess?" I chocked out.
Se sighed frustrated and said, "Do you know your size?"
"Uhm… no, not really." She looked at me, her eyes travelling from head to toe before she abruptly turned around and went deeper into the store, returning a few short minutes later with some clothes in hand.
She pushed them on the counter saying, "These should fit you."
"Is there somewhere I can change for a bit?"
She pointed to the side saying, "Over there."
I nodded and went in search; I found a room with a curtain acting as door. Quickly I changed into the clothes given and came out. I went back to the counter asking, "Do you have anything more… cheaper?"
She raised her eyebrows at me and glanced at the clothes she gave as she asked, "It costs just 15 scales."
'So nothing cheaper?" I asked again, she looked at me suspiciously before she went in and out again with some other clothes in hand. "These would cost you 8 scales."
I picked up the clothes and stared at them for a bit, "3 scales."
"NO! That's too less! 7!"
"5 scales. Not a tril more." I bargained.
She huffed annoyed but agreed still. I grinned and grabbed the clothes and changed into them, handing back the other plus the 5 scales. She grabbed the money checking each scale before nodding in approval. I walked out with my original clothes in hand, "Hmm, I need something to carry them in. I remembered seeing a tent nearby that had travel packs for sale so I quickly went in search of it.
I looked around. I'm quite sure it was somewhere around here… I'm not lost, just a little… mispositioned. I know where I am. I think I know whe- Ah! I knew it! I'm not lost. I stood at the entrance of the rebuilt street. I walked over to one of the open stores, "Good afternoon."
"Afternoon! What would you like to buy?" the man behind the counter asked. He was a lean man, dark eyes and dark brown hair and beard that seemed in need a bit of trimming and maybe a comb to tame it.
"Oh no! I'm not here to buy. I was hoping you could help me with some directions."
The man turned his full attention to me saying, "Sure! Where do'ya need to go?"
"I'm looking for where old Man Danny lives."
"Ah ha! You might wanna turn back 'round mister. The Old Man's in he's crazy mood today." He turned around as he finished.
"I'd like to visit him no matter." I pushed still oping he'd tell. The man looked over me once before saying, "You don' seem like family to old Man Danny. What's yar business with 'im?"
I knew it would seem suspicious but there's no other way. I shrugged, "Someone asked me to give him something. I don't know how they are related but, I promised to give it in person and I can't stay here any longer than today."
The man looked over suspiciously before saying, "If you're gonna steal from the man there's nothing there to take.'
I shook my head quickly, waving my hands, "No no! I don't want to steal anything." He finally seemed a little a suspicious still but he gave the directions no matter. I nodded and said my thanks and walked away. I made sure not to walk too fast or seem more suspicious to him.
The directions were a bit confusing, I wondered f I would reach my destination alright without getting lost. According to the directions I should be there right after this corner, it's at the very end bordering the slums I noted. As I stood in front of the door I wondered, should I knock? Would he even answer if I do?
Eh fu- to hell with it, I knocked trice and waited not a moment later I heard a scream inside and somebody shouting to 'go away'. I flinched at that, he was either being murdered or going crazy. Carefully I pushed the door open the room was dark. So much so it was difficult to see inside. Straining my eyes, a bit more I saw a old man hunched and covering in the darkness of the corner of the room. The more I got used to the darkness the little bit clearer I could see. Old Man Danny was shivering as he pulled himself in closer. "Umm, hello? Mr. Danny?"
"GET AWAY!! GO AWAY BLACK GHOST!! GO AWAY!!!"
"Wait wait!!" I placed my way hands in front of me trying to show I meant no harm. Old Man Danny only scram all that more. Maybe everyone was right. I can't get a single coherent word out him. I took a step back; this didn't work out the same way I imagined it too. Old Man Danny kept muttering 'Black Ghost is here' over and over again. Maybe I need to come in on a different day, well I won't be able too. Ares would probably have to investigate it with his people.