Stepping out of my lavish palace is like stepping from heaven into a pile of shit, and this is the nice part of the city, where people get to focus on things like music and art. Not to say that you can't find a musician or puppeteer in the seedier parts of town, just that they probably fund their passions by mugging people or selling haze. I should know, I once had an invigorating dance to the song a young man with a lute was playing while I went to buy said haze. But here, you don't have to worry about any of that. In these parts, the worst that can happen is you don't stop getting harassed by street performers or maybe a homeless person who was kicked out of their home for one reason or another. Either way, I don't really need to worry about someone trying to steal from me or anything here. I walked past a group of musicians who began trying to solicit money out of me, a pointless endeavor as the music was awful, since the instruments where insanely out of tune. If your going to play an instrument, at least tune the damn thing so it doesn't crack glass. When I didn't pay them, the cursed at me. Jokes on them, I can literally ask have the best musicians in all of Archaridia to play at a mere whim and it happens. Nevertheless, I moved on, the market was calling my name.
As much as I despise the lifestyle of those who are forced to live in cities, I can't help but love the chaotic flow of the people around me, their conversations melding together into a melody that never gets old, and there's no better place than the central market to find it. The market is connected to the many ports leading to the Archaridian sea, so the smell of the ocean permeates every breath I take. Merchants from Greater Skya sail here regularly to sell all sorts of goods from all across the entire kingdom, from soft silks to exotic spices. Among these merchants, both local and foreign, I spot an old jeweler with long spindle fingers and sunbaked skin, a horseshoe of white hair atop his head. He was working on something, so I elected not to bother him while browsing his selection. There were many rings, amulets, all well made but none really standing out. Sorting through more of the catalogue, there were a few charms and pendants. Those were truly exceptional but none quite hit the mark. I saw a gorgeous necklace with a river of diamonds but it felt heavy, like it was weighted to exaggerate the price. Still though I kept the piece in mind while I continued browsing. Of all the things I saw, nothing really looked just right, they all felt as though they where missing something. I almost left without buying anything, but just as I was, I saw a wyvern pendant, its wings silver and its body and head gold. This was it, this was what drew me to this vender, or whatever force yanking the strings of my fate. I simply had to have it. I think I'll take the necklace with the diamonds as well, as a gift for Maria.
After paying for the jewelry, I headed further into the city, where there were actually good musicians, the kind that can get right to your soul without a moments hesitation. You can usually spot people who don't live in Archaridia, or at the very least are new in town. You just need to watch them react to the street performers. If they have stars in their eyes, the general consensus is that they are probably fresh from mainland Skya. There were a few of these people, a few of which walked towards the performers I was watching. One of them, a girl with flowers weaved into her green hair and a thick Elonian accent asked me to dance with me. She was pretty so I accepted. She was absolute dog shit at dancing but wasn't the worst I've dealt with. Soon a drummer joined in, but luckily for me, she was getting better by now. The song ended and I didn't even get her name. In all honesty though, I don't know the names of girls I've had far more intimate experiences with girls and didn't learn their names. She ran off with either her friends or family and I decided to pay the musicians.
After about an six hours after I left the parted ways with the girl, I decided to go back to the market. It was just about dusk at the time, and suffice to say the less than savory types come out around this time. Usually when I do this, its to people watch. Its always intriguing to see what people do when they think they are unseen. Usually its just adulators and drunkards, and the occasional whore, but those are usually in the plaza at the center of the city. Here, you can maybe find the odd murderer. I've seen one before, about five years ago. It was just an angry wife who killed her husband, but I guess it still counts. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, the most interesting thing I saw was some middle aged man overdose on haze. It was well past, so I decided to head back to the palace. Who surprised me when I returned but my brother. He had the faint smell of alcohol, but judging by his stance and the fact he wasn't giggling like an idiot. "Father was looking for you" he said, his steady voice confirming his sobriety. " He's probably gonna kill you next time he sees you." he said. "When isn't he on my case Isaac?"
"It's serious this time Ishmael, I think he's stressed about tomorrow."
"Please he'll be celebrating the moment I step foot on that boat, popping champagne and the sort."
"I'm serious man, don't snap at him. You might get away with a slap on the wrist if you do." he said, but this time I think he was being serious. " Brother, you need to lighten up a little." I say, slinking off to my bedroom. I think I'll sleep sober tonight.