By the time I arrived there were colors in the sky. Bright orange hues mixed with pink and red. A bright and beautiful sunset.
An unmarked black red carriage stood outside the store. Two guards stood at either side of the door. One driver at the top. Four black horses with their eyes covered. Pretty standard.
It means the owner is one of four things. A rich commoner. A lower ranked noble that is embarrassed about coming here. A high rank noble pretending to be a lower ranked or commoner. Or someone renting a carriage and they just come unmarked.
Any of these people are demanding. They command respect. They are usual arrogant and rude. Though not always easy to fool. So it's best not to try.
This is far from the first time we've had such visitors so I don't hesitate. I work here after all.
Though before I could get close someone exited. They wore a black cloak with a very low hanging hood. A packed box wrapped in their hands.
Quickly they got into the carriage. One soldier went in with them, the other went up top. Then the carriage was off.
Hm, guess they got what they wanted. Though why were they hiding their face? That's kinda weird.
Though what do I know anyway?
I shrug it off and enter the store. The bell on the door rung signalling my entrance. The smell of old books, strange but valuable nick knack covering every inch of the place. Ah it's always so cozy here.
"Anita! I brought food." I yell into the void of the shop. I walk up to the counter setting the food down.
"Chi Chi one sec." Anita called back threw the void.
I sat on the ground petting Blobbles to pass the time. He sat in my lap rumbling.
"I'm sorry I've just been a bit busy today." She sat as she popped out from one of the shelf's. The burden of today was more than evident thew her posture and mangled blue hair.
I chuckled. "It's no worries. You know I don't mind waiting."
I set Blobbles on his now twelve feet, when did that happen. Ah well no point trying to remember. I stand up straightening my pants.
"We got food we made. Aunties food and," I dramatically open the cake,"Our favorite cake."
She rolled her eyes at my antics. Though smiled at the pleasant aromas. "You're a life saver. Happy Birthday kiddo." She said giving me a big hug.
"Anytime Anita." I say pulling away. "Now I would love to stay but the sun in setting. Grandma doesn't want me out after dark."
I give her a salute as I headed for the door. Getting another much deserved smile and roll of the eye. "Yeah yeah get out of here kid."
I exit with another ring of the bell. I look and see it's much darker that I anticipated. I must have waited longer than I thought.
I walk quickly towards my apartment. The streets trickled down for the night life of the city. Many people headed home. Mostly through walking. Though the occasional hourse and carriage took the people and their newly acquired items home.
The only people staying trickled into the hostels and bars. Honestly most people my age trickled into one of the two.
Though I don't like drinking. None of it tastes good. Though the fuzzy feeling of being tipsy is nice it's just not worth it. So me and Blobbles headed home.
Before long the streets went dark and quiet. The mana stone street lamps, the mana lights in the occasional homes, the moon, and the stars being the only light in the world. The occasional laughter from one home. The yelling and screaming of another.
"Dark and quiet, but never dead will the night be. It will hold secret dangers and secret helpers. So never be fooled by quiet and dark. Or a fool you will be." I murmured under my breath.
It's something I say every now and then when I walk home at night. I don't know if I read it somewhere or just came up with it. Though like tick I say it usually not realizing it.
Before long I reach my very not quiet, very not dark apartment building. I walk in listening to the mixture of sounds as I walk up the stairs.
Yelling, laughter, moaning, slamming, a crash. Shuffling of feet. All the sounds mixed in the staircase in the center of the building. 5 floors I'm on the 4th.
I trail my hand against the wall deciphering where each sound came from. Each step learning something new about my neighbors. I know most people ignore these sounds but I listen. I don't stand and listen, just as I go.
I listen to these little snippets of life. These happy and unhappy people. I just listen. Just curious.
I get the the third floor still trailing my hand walking silently. I can sometimes feel the vibrations of the sounds. Making the building feel alive.
I enter my studio apartment. My tiny home. There is silence above me. Laughter to the left. The sounds of cooking and quiet chatted to the right. Beneath me is two lonely souls coming together threw the act of sex.
I don't need to know that last one but I do. I set into my apartment. I close the door and let Blobbles out of their leash and collar.
"That was a good day. Let's be lazy tomorrow." I say to my dearest of companions. Who only goes and lays down in the center of the bed.
Oh is that how it's gonna be. Okay instant betrayal.
I get changed in my dark apartment. I brush my teeth. After a very long day, I fall asleep not even fighting Blobbles for the covers.