Throughout the streets of Port Navarig, many civilians of all kinds roam, each person focused on arriving at their specific destination in a timely manner. This controlled chaos is to be expected since everyone just wants to find a way out.
Within the epicenter of this bustling port, Vex stands in front of a service counter with Lily looking around aimlessly by his side. If one were to look closely, a thinly protruding vein in Vex's forehead would be visible. The fox demi-human working at the kiosk, however, can easily discern this situation–though he gives cues to ensure that Vex knows that he couldn't care less.
"2,000 gold coins?!"
"Yes sir, that is what I said. Your human hearing is working quite well, I see. Though you shouldn't forget the crucial detail that is the price per person–children included."
"I'm fully aware of what you said, genius."
"Oops, I couldn't tell. It's better to be safe than to make assumptions."
"But I just want to cross over to Fraus, not take a luxury cruise. How could anyone who isn't wealthy afford that? Are we just landlocked?"
"For your information sir, there is a much cheaper option available for a fourth of the price. Would you like to inquire about it so that you can stop holding up my line?"
"The handful of people behind me can wait. What's the difference between the two options?"
"Well, one option will get you across the Iniku Sea to Fraus in 2 and a half days, whereas the other will take you 5 times as long. I'm sure you are smart enough to distinguish which is which."
"Fine then, I'll book the cheaper ferry ride for two."
"Fantastic, we can get you booked in the next three months."
"What? Three months?!"
Astounded with the information he just heard, Vex yells a sudden outburst that even snapped Lily out of her daydreaming. Given the sheer number of people within the large space, the sound of his outburst was diluted, so no one considered Vex's situation worthy of any attention. No one besides the people directly behind him and Lily, silently judging the lengthy amount of time he is taking up.
"Sir, I'm better off conversing with the little girl accompanying you at this point. Would you happen to be unfamiliar with the process of reservation? Surely you didn't think that you could get a ride on demand, did you? You are very fortunate that this is not a busy season."
Grinding his teeth, Vex prepares to retaliate…but he softly exhales. If the fox demi-human employee were cursed with the ability to understand nonverbal groaning such as this, his face wouldn't remain so smug.
"...how quickly can I book the luxury ride?"
With a knowing smile on his face, the employee plainly retorts.
"We can get you in as soon as eleven hours."
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"...and that's why I am requesting a job from you. Just about any assignment would do, as long as I don't have to murder some innocent person."
"Sorry man, but I have no idea what you want from me–I've got nothing for you."
"Seriously?"
The yellow eyes of a burly, bearded man stare pitifully into a man's amethyst eyes that were filled with desperation. There was no malice or contempt within the vendor at all–just a degree of empathy.
"I've shown you my crest several times already. Here, do you need to see it for just one more time?"
Vex digs his fingers into his eyelids, stretching them wide apart just to ensure that his eyeball could be clearly seen. Such an unsightly gesture predictably made the man wince, a consequence that Vex knew would happen prior. The vendor frantically waves his hands, hoping to convey the message before his mouth does it for him.
"No no, I've seen it enough…"
"Then you know what that means, don't you? The likelihood of a business such as this knowing nothing about Dark Mercenaries is nigh impossible."
"Well, it's not that I don't know about you guys…it's just that I don't have a job specifically for you. I have already hired the services of a few other Dark Mercenaries who came before you. Sorry about that…but I can help you with any of your gear needs!"
"Tch, as if I came here for a sales pitch…"
Dang it, just as I feared–there are too many Dark Mercenaries lingering in this port town! Store after store, business after business, no gigs available. This setback seriously blows a hole in my limited options of earning quick money…but I can't get weary.
I may have no other choice but to–
"Hey kid, don't touch that!"
"?"
Vex's thoughts are interrupted by the abrupt yelling of the store vendor. The target of his yelling is a demi-human girl reaching her hands out towards an item marked with a premium sign that is put on display. The sudden yell makes her tail, ears and fur stand straight up.
"Yeep!"
"Sorry little one, I did not intend to startle you like that. But that particular item can't be so casually touched like that."
"Lily's sorry, it looks so pretty…"
Lily stares at the item longingly, hypnotized by its glamor. Although it is decorative jewelry, its flat shape resembles that of a breastplate suited to be worn as a necklace. To the contrary of Lily's mesmerism, Vex looks indifferent, resisting its captivating charm.
"What's so special about this thing? What even is it?"
"It's equipment that doubles as decorative jewelry! It is made of the finest materials and craftsmanship–I can vouch for the gal who forged it! Interested? My senses tell me that at least one of you is!"
The vendor flashes a hearty smile directly towards Lily, as she leaps up and down in place, unable to contain herself.
"Yes, yes Lily is interested!"
"Heck no. You didn't even explain what it does besides look pretty."
"Right right, I got a little ahead of myself there. Aside from the high quality platinum exterior, this piece of gear seems to be run-of-the-mill, correct?"
"But?"
"But that would be incorrect, my naive customers! If you look closely, you will notice that there is a small opening on the side, a hatch that opens the gear's interior. It's not a pointless feature, it is there to hold whatever material that you want to keep on you or to simply display proudly."
"So that means Lily could put sparkling crystals inside of it?"
"Yeah, exactly! In fact, I'd recommend placing things such as crystals, gemstones, diamonds, pearls, gold, or anything you fancy inside of it. It will enhance the beauty of the gear and the wearer's too. That's my guarantee!"
"A piece of equipment that can fit around the neck and double as a container for crystals…"
That sounds particularly useful. It would be more secure for Lily to hold them inside something like that rather than in her dress pockets all the time. The more we collect, the more unreliable her pockets will become. Besides, if she wears it around her neck, then I can clearly see them at all times and can easily swipe them if necessary.
"Okay, I'll bite. What's your price?"
"It's only for the reasonable price of–"
"If you say any number over 300…"
"...one-thousand and–"
SLAM!
Moving her smaller legs as fast as she could, Lily chases after her partner, who abruptly storms out of the shop.
"Vex, wait! Please wait for Lily!"
"Hey little girl, tell that guy we have custom orders that are 30% cheaper! Please, I was only kidding a tiny bit!"
Click
The sound of the door softly shutting cuts off the vendor's final plea. With only the remaining customers and the employees that accompany them scattered around, he sulks in his loneliness.
"Sigh, and there goes another commission…"
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"Wait! I'm–I'm almost there!"
Venturing through the busy town square in hopes of catching up with someone is a herculean task for most adults–even more so for a small child. Undeterred from taking on such a feat, Lily speed-walks as she navigates around the several bodies ranging from around her size to three times it. Fortunately, Vex's signature purple cloak that he wears consistently makes him easily identifiable.
How can he move so quickly with so many big people around? It's not fair! I bet if I were bigger…much bigger, I could–!
A thought suddenly flashed through Lily's mind. Although it was for but a split second, its aftertaste lingered faintly. In a similar vein to tasting bitter food smacks her mouth with her tongue, shaking her head.
No, not like that! Lily doesn't want to be that kind of big!
THUD
"Oof!"
Distracted by her own thoughts, Lily crashes into the backside of the hooded man in purple. His larger body absorbed most of the impact from the bump, so neither one of them collapsed.
"Jeez, were you running with your eyes closed? If you're going to travel with me, you will have to stay alert and keep up the pace. Come on, we have to keep the traffic moving."
"Vex! Vex, did you hear? That man said that we can get a custom order for 30% less than–"
"Don't care. Still too expensive. You ended up running behind just to tell me that?"
"Aww, Lily really wanted something pretty to hold these crystals…Vex is always so cheap."
His keen hearing picking up Lily's mumbling, Vex comes to a stop.
"You seem rather disappointed. Do you really want that thing so badly?"
"Yes, yes!"
"And here I thought that you would rather have food in your stomach. Oh well, guess you won't need anything to eat for the next month."
Grumble
"!"
Right on cue as though it were protesting, Lily's stomach growls audibly enough for anyone within a short radius of her to hear.
"Never mind