I finished the journal chapters, and while I think they served their purpose they were not that great. I think I could have done more with the format of a journal and I also feel I could have done more with a regular style of writing. regardless, the beginning of the yorknew auction arc is beginning and I want to challenge myself to incorporate more au elements and deviations from the original plot. well, If you have any feedback, always let me know in a comment or review as I tend to read those and try to better the future chapters. enjoy-
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"Hm… Well, I had to do this eventually" staring at the small embers that remained of the journal I kept during my apprenticeship. Sure, It was kind of a bummer to get rid of it, but out of respect for my teacher and for my safety the detailed descriptions of Hatsu's, training methods, and what my specializations and skillset were. Even keeping it on my person was a risk I didn't want to take.
*rustle* *click* reaching into my pocket I pulled out a silver pocket watch, a gift from Claire as we parted ways. Reading the hands, I clicked my tongue realizing it was already quite late. Tonight was the first day of the auction and if my memories of the original plot could be trusted I could find Gon, Killua, and Leorio running some sort of scam.
'I guess I'll have to ask around the markets where most of these types of things happen.' quickly stepping onto the main street from the side alley I was in earlier before making my way towards the markets. Thankfully the walk wouldn't be all that long from where I was hanging around. Though as I made my there walking the city streets I kept getting weird looks… Something that I was made painfully aware of when I was getting clothes.
'I mean it was an investment! I had time and money, so commissioning a custom-tailored set of clothes that were made to look like the old set I got on transmigration. Plus, they are quite durable from what I can tell and I have my hat back! Though when the tailor asked/implied that I was a pimp hurt spiritually' chuckling at that strange interaction I rounded the corner of the block, officially entering the markets.
*whistle* even now, after frequenting the bust streets of Yorknew for the last month I was still impressed by the 24/7 crowds of people. Yet, the markets were even busier than the usual city streets, something that I was taking advantage of as I listened to the conversations that cascaded across the sea of people. Whether it was grocers shouting out the ensured quality of their produce, small peddlers harassing younger couples to sell small jewelry, or rumors about the ongoing's of the current auction.
*sigh* "I wanted that diamond…" however what caught my attention was the defeated musings of a voice that belonged to a young woman. Though I could not discern from who it was coming from in the crowd but seeing as how the voice was getting far off and quieter we were moving in opposite directions.
"Well, you should have used your left hand" interrupting my deductions I heard a loud gruff voice reprimanding the young woman.
"True, why didn't you?" and quickly doubling down on the first man's voice was another whose words I could barely decipher by now even when I was listening as closely as possible.
'Well if they were moving towards the entrance of the street that means Gon and the others are further into the street or nearby.' jostling through the crowd with an increased pace I began to hear shouts of excitement and similar conversations regarding a little boy beating anyone in a game of arm wrestling. And as I continued to get closer I heard the all too familiar shouting of Leorio as I neared the crowd of onlookers and participants.
"Sorry folks! But it has been quite the night wouldn't you agree? But we will be retiring for now! But make sure to come back next time and test your strength against my little friend here!" animatedly waving his arms around as he addressed the crowd, Leorio turned around and began to help Killua and Gon break down their stand. Moving through the crowd and towards the three I move behind them before announcing my presence.
"Yo, need any help with that?" spooking Leorio and Gon a bit by the sudden voice they quickly turned around to see me. Giving them a slight wave of my hand, as I walk over to help break down the folding table while they looked confused at what they thought was a stranger helping them.
"Uh… Thank you sir for the kind gesture, but we don't need help with the breakdown." trying to defuse the odd situation, Leorio with an uncomfortable smile on his face tried to politely tell me to 'fuck off'
"Well sorry if I was being nice four eyes… anyways, how were you two doing? I saw you guys were on the high floors in Heaven's arena. It can be pretty tricky if you are uninitiated, though you two look to be alright." Ignoring him and turning my attention to Gon and Killua, the latter of which recognized me and the former a few moments later.
"Ah! Magenta-san what are you doing here? Oh! And you never gave me that information about my dad, you just left out of nowhere!" dropping the small jewelry case in his hands in surprise he rushes up to me and he begins shaking me, almost expecting any information about his dad to fall out of my pockets.
"Oh it's the old man… long time no see." staring at me with a calculating look in his eyes was Killua who seemed somewhat displeased seeing me. Not that I particularly did anything wrong to him that I can think of, though maybe not going to pick him up from his house could be considered rude.
"What it has only been like three months?... no, I suppose that is quite a while. So what exactly are you doing scamming people for jenny? After coming out of Heaven's arena you guys should be loaded." looking down at the respectable wad of cash Leorio was quietly putting away in his suitcase.
"About that…" nervously avoiding eye contact from me, Gon and Killua tried to shuffle away.