[CENTER][h1][color=EB054D][b]RICO[/b][/color][/h1][/center][hr][b]Phoenix Beach, Sunstrider Kingdom, West Blue[/b][hr][COLOR=EB054D]“Later dudes! Thanks for the lift! Sorry about the ship!”[/color] Waving his hand, Rico hopped off the gangplank, onto the docks.

One of the crewmen of the merchant vessel furrowed his brow. “...What he’d do to the ship? Hey, get back here!” But Rico was already lost to the crowds. The midday was rather warm even in this month of May, and Phoenix Beach was a hotbed of tourism. All sorts mulled about: lads and ladies in swimsuits enjoying the sun and breeze, casino hoppers juggling coins between their fingers, families enjoying the lunchtime. Rico was wide eyed, glancing about at the colorful folk and loud signs. [COLOR=EB054D]“Whoa, is there a festival going on?”[/color] Rico lit up.

Shuffling around like gremlin, he happened across a push cart, scent of fried chicken burning at his nose. “Get it before it runs away! Spicy Firebird Popcorn Chicken! Try the Three-nix flavor: three times the spice! It’ll make you rise from the ashes!”

[COLOR=EB054D]“Aw yeah buddy, give me some pops!”[/color] Rico drooled as the clean shave man handed over a carton, toothpick stuck in for prime snaking. Rico popped some into his mouth, smoke coming from his nostrils. [COLOR=EB054D]“Aw yeah I was starving. I can feel it burning my soul!”[/color]

“That’ll be 500 beri.”

Rico swallowed the bite in shock. Wheezing out in pain, he gasped, [COLOR=EB054D]“Wait, it costs money? There wasn’t even any corn!”[/color]

The cartpusher was affronted. “Of course it costs money you little imp!”

Eyes and nose running from the spice, Rico coughed, [COLOR=EB054D]“I don’t have any money!”[/color]

“Burned a hole in your pocket, huh? Don’t give me that you-” Rico took another bite of food, “Don’t eat it if you can’t pay for it!”

[COLOR=EB054D]“It’sh good tho,”[/color] Rico said as he chewed. Swallowing, he admitted, [COLOR=EB054D]“I got allowance like, a whole month ago I think, but I ran out. I bought this coat! It’s really cool. Well actually it’s really warm right now and I should take it off but I don’t have anywhere to put it. Oh, I got it!”[/color] Sticking the toothpick into his mouth, he handed over a few pieces of hard candy. [COLOR=EB054D]“We’re even!”[/color]

The man turned up his nose. “Helios [b]no[/b]! Do you even know what money is for?” Rico’s eyes wandered, his mind as empty as his wallet. “Money can exchanged for goods and services.”

One of Rico’s eyes twitched while the other spun out of place. [COLOR=EB054D]“Oh shit I don’t know of any of either of those things or how they applies to this exact situation.”[/color]

“You want that, right?” he pointed at Rico’s chicken. Rico nodded. “That’s a good. Now exchange money for the good.”

[COLOR=EB054D]“Ooooooh, why didn’t you just say so? It is really good, you’re right, but I’m broke, bloke.”[/color]

“I’m calling the Sootstriders.”

[COLOR=EB054D]“Is ‘soot’ another word for money? Because that’d be a big help, thanks.”[/color] Rico took another bite of chicken as he smiled, satisfied.

The man was no older than thirty, but as he leaned over his cart to Rico, the years crashed down on him. “Look, kid, please, I’m begging you here, just pay me.”

[COLOR=EB054D]“I dunno how? Where can I get some money?”[/color]

“Find some goods or services and exchange them for money! In other words, get a job.”

[COLOR=EB054D]“Ooooh, I dunno if I can do that, but I’ll try!”[/color] With a wave, Rico headed off.

“No! Give back the- oh you little [i]shot[/i].”

A short ways away, there was a call for Rico. "Hey, kid!" called one of two men.

Rico stopped, swallowing his next bite. "You lookin' for work?"

[COLOR=EB054D]“Am I!? Yessir!"[/color]

"Got a question...you ever whacked a guy before?"