Alix marched through the darkened streets of Pesinwok. She was both in a rush and taking her time. When she was growing up in this city she didn't have any chances to explore at night.
She was too young to.
Now she could see the Lumi crystals begin to activate keeping the city shining even in the darkness. Of course, she also needed to get to the Port of Filth to get some rest for the big day tomorrow so she was still walking briskly.
"I'm not so sure heading towards a place called the, Port of Filth, is such a bright idea." Mo stated with unease.
"We don't have much other choice Mo. All of these inns in the main city are usually too posh to allow monsters to stay. While down by that old port I may even be respected for walking around with monsters at my side." Mo pursed his lips.
"A cute pink fish and a hairy baby pig. Oh yeah, yer gonna be seen as the baddest girl on those docks." Mo's sarcasm was overlooked as he was not inherently wrong.
"You never know. A miracle may happen." Alix increased her pace now racing to her destination. After 45 minutes of posh and clean streets Alix arrived at the Port of Filth and fully understood why it had earned such a name.
In comparison to the nice brightly illuminated city this place was built on an old dock that seemed ready to collapse at any moment. The buildings were made of moldy and splintered wood. There were several openly broken parts of the dock and within seconds of entering the dock Alix could already hear fights breaking out throughout the darkness.
She inhaled nervously. "Okay! We should try to find an inn or something." Mo swallowed anxiously.
"I'm beginning to doubt this plan more and more." Alix didn't respond to Mo. Simply walking slowly across the dock.
She was similarly worried about the stability of her plans framework, but she couldn't say that aloud. Mo would never let her live it down.
Alix's footsteps creaked across the dock. Her eyes squinted in the darkness trying to find any sign of an inn or somewhere that she could possibly stay. She couldn't see much and what she could see didn't seem too...inviting.
"Daryl's Stab and Stay. The Killer Rest. Captain's Guillotine?"
"None of these sound very homey, Lexi." Alix's face twisted uncomfortably.
"I am also beginning to notice that. No one in their right mind would stay the night at an inn with Guillotine in the title."
"Well I don't know about that, lass. The ole Guillotine's beds really loosen the neck." Alix jump in fright at the voice speaking through the darkness.
"Who's there!"
"Woah, calm down. I ain't nothin' scary." The sparks shined in through the darkness as the man seemed to ignite his lighter illuminating his face for Alix to see. Seeing the man's face didn't make her any less surprised. It actually had the opposite effect.
"You barely look older than me? Who are you? What do you want with me?" The man had a nonchalant smile on his face.
"I'm not here for you necessarily. Though I wouldn't mind helping a pretty thing like you." Alix frowned at the man's ill timed attempt of a compliment.
"I am not in need of your assistance. Leave now or face the consequences." The man's eyes widened slightly shaken.
"I'm not sure that's the appropriate response to someone that's trying to help. Ain't you lookin' for somewhere to spend the night?" Alix hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding her head.
"Alright then. I'll take you to one of the nicer rest spots down here. I promise that I'm not up to nothin' sinister." The man spoke in a gently, warm tone trying to lessen the girl's fear.
Unfortunately for him this once again had the opposite effect.
Alix activated her Lis in her legs and leapt at the man. He had no time to react before her knee made contact with his face and sent him sliding across the docks. The man continued to slide for a few seconds with his legs up before slowly stopping. His legs plopping down hard at his complete stop.
Alix stood ready for him to stand.
...
She was ready for action.
...
Ready for the man to get up and launch a counter attack.
...
"I don't think he's gonna get up, Lexi." Alix frowned.
"He sure went down fast for a street thug." Alix analyzed the man's body from a distance. She couldn't quite tell if the man was truly unconscious or if he was trying to get trick her into moving closer so he could surprise her.
"We should go." Mo urged the girl to which she instantly obliged. Alix turned on her heels trying to dash away from the body only to crash into something and fall flat on her ass.
Alix looked at the thing she ran into and shuddered visibly as what she ran into wasn't a wall but a person.
A very large and strong looking person.
"The hell didja do to Kent?" Alix sat eyes wide. She wasn't sure she could get away when this person was so close.
'What do we do Mo?"
'Yer askin' me! How am I supposed to know! Yer the one with legs!"
'You're so useless!!" Alix shouted in her mind. She suddenly felt something grab under her arms. She could only helplessly allow the person to lift her off of the ground and gently stand her up.
"Sorry about that, kid. I'm quite sturdy so people tend to fall pretty hard when they bump into me. You did ram into me pretty good though. Had to catch ma balance else these docks were gonna crumble under the pressure." The person let out a hearty laugh.
Alix was quite confused. "You seem...nicer than I thought you would be."
"What? You thought I was gonna be some brute like those good for nothing pirates. I ain't nothing but a humble business owner on these rickety docks." Alix narrowed her eyes warily.
"Are you attempting to deceive me?" The person before her stood silent before bursting into laughter once more.
"Hahaha! Oh, you'll fit right on in, girly. Come with me, I'll give a space at ma inn free of charge!" Alix was even more surprised by the sudden offer.
"Wait, I am getting very confused. Who are you?" The person wobbled over to Alix's unconscious victim and tossed him over their shoulder before answering Alix.
"I'm Hedgie. Just a humble woman running a tavern in a sea of pirates. Now come on..." Hedgie walked over and placed a hand on Alix's back.
"I bet a girl like you would rather not stay on these bad docks too much longer?" Alix was still cautious but was once again limited in her options. She pondered for a moment before agreeing to go with the woman.
"Then go we shall!"