[h2][center][color=0072bc]Markus[/color][/center][/h2]
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It was hardly Markus's first trip to the Royal City. He'd been there a half dozen times, usually on business for this or that or escorting Kryssa to an important meeting. But he'd never once set foot there during the Festival, not until now. And for all intents and purposes, it may as well have been another world entirely. The buildings were in the same place, but festooned with banners and ribbons and illuminated by magical sparkles in the air they transformed into different establishments, to say nothing of the people. Bright and vibrant colors now adorned everybody walking down the streets; from smartly dressed merchants in their coats shouting from their stalls to the revealing dresses and swirling silks of the dancers upon their raised platforms the entire city has been dyed in every shade imaginable, and the streets were absolutely packed from alley to alley. If Markus was being honest, it was all a bit overwhelming. And in the middle of all this, he was expected to magically and mysteriously encounter his soul mate? The odds must have been astronomical! But, Kryssa was convinced it could and would happen, so he would humor her. At least a little, anyway.

"Hoi there, you! The strapping young lad!" 

A sharp cry pulled his attention as Markus felt the energy of a young lady being directed at him. "Yeah, you! With the black hair!"

[color=0072bc]"Can I help you, miss?"[/color] he asked as he pushed his way through the roving throng to reach her. She stood next to an odd little stall, one that was littered with stacks of paper and not much else. 

"That's my line!" she replied, "You looked a little lost and not sure where to begin. First time in the city?"

[color=0072bc]"First time during the Festival, I know the layout pretty well."[/color]

"Oi, that's great! I guess you won't be needing a map then, BUT!" said the girl as she picked through one of the paper stacks on her stall. Finally she pulled a folded piece of parchment out of it, and with a flourish presented it in front of her to him. "Ta-da! One copy of Gillie's Guide, a handmade compilation of all the must-see and must-find places and things at this year's Festival, put together by yours truly!"

Markus bent over a little to get a good look at the parchment. The handwriting was a little haphazard, but it seemed to be exactly as advertised; a list of events and gatherings in the city during the Festival, including what day they were happening and what time of day, along with some opinionated footnotes from Gillie like [i]Get there early, fills up fast![/i] and [i]Only go if Marked, snoozefest otherwise[/i], and most notably one under the name of a bar Markus knew quite well called The Ape & Rapier that read [i]ORDER THE CHOWDER IT'S INCREDIBLE[/i]. 

[color=0072bc]"Well, you've convinced me with that one, Amelia's chowder is absolutely to die for,"[/color] he said with a smile, [color=0072bc]"I think this will prove quite useful, Gillie is it?"[/color]

"Right you are sir! Gillie's the name!"

[color=0072bc]"Very well, how much for one of your guides, miss Gillie?"[/color] he asked as he fished a hand into the pouch at his belt.

"Well, I charge 30 for the map and the guide together, but since you don't need the map... how's about 20 coins?"

[color=0072bc]"I'll make it 25. Tip for good service,"[/color] he said as he deposited the money into a smaller bag and dropped it on the stall. 

"Ah gee, thanks mister! Enjoy the Festival!" Gillie yelled as he began to walk away, rolling up the guide to study later. Now that he thought about it, stopping in at the Ape for some food DID sound like a good idea...

"OI! STOP, THAT'S MINE!!" 

Markus stopped in his tracks and turned at the sound of Gillie yelling. Barreling down the road towards him from the stall, bodily shoving aside anybody in his way, was an unkempt man clutching a familiar money pouch in his hands. People in his path, seeing what became those he decided needed to move, scrambled to get out of his way until the only thing standing between the man and the bustling intersection beyond where he could easily slip out of sight was Markus himself. As the thief came running, he glared and snarled at Markus and made to shoulder tackle him... but as he came closer Markus whirled around with great speed and struck the thief's face with the sole of his boot, sending him sprawling across the pavement with a bloodied nose. Gillie came running up next, short of breath and with a face flushed with anger. 

"That's! What! You! Get!" she yelled as she punctuated each word with a kick of her own to his ribs, then bent down and grabbed the coinpurse from his hands. "Thanks again mister, I owe ya one big time!"

[color=0072bc]"Not a problem, Gillie. Run along now, the guards are on their way."[/color]

And so they were, as two of them came pushing through and began to lift the man off of the floor. "We'll take it from here," one of them said "We've been trying to catch this rat all day! Looks like he finally picked a fight with the wrong people."

[color=0072bc]"Nonsense, I was just passing through and wanted to help. Good day, gentlemen."[/color] Markus said as he continued on his way.

Well, he thought, now some of Amelia's food sounded REALLY good...