Imperial Capital of Arpeggio
Central Marketplace
BGM[A]
In a corner, next to the doorstep of one of Arpeggio's most prestigious inns, a mysterious minstrel wearing their profession's traditional garb and whose face was covered by the shadow cast by brim of a flamboyant feather hat, performed some strings on his lute an ancient and nostalgic melody that few of today even have heard about.
"Down, the River of Time waters go
to the Spirits of Yore we pray
may the darkness stay away
may the darkness stay away
The Goddess has spoken; thy wishes shall be granted
in retribution, Men; to my voice thou shall dance."
What did those words mean? Did they even mean anything? And what about the bard who even was this man, or was he man? All these question filled the minds of those visiting the market, but the only means to find it out were to go there and ask the minstrel. Who would dare to do this?
[B]
Near one of the smaller fountains that serviced the owners of weary pack animals the incoming shadow of the crashing rock caused a generalized chaos. Animals screaming, people running and in the impending chaos a baby cart was abandoned right on the place the rock was most likely going to hit, when the mother was swept away by the crowd.
"Is someone attacking us?"
"During the Liberation Festival? Are they insane?"
"Isn't that a trebuchet bullet? Are we under siege?"
"How come?"
"Oh my God, the baby!"
There was no time for Mary to react accordingly, the only choice was either crush the baby and survive, by calling Tiamat on time, or command the Spirit to take the cart out of the rock's path and endure whatever injuries could happen to her. Such was the price of insanity after all.
Unless, someone else was brave enough to get into the rock's path and save the baby by risking their own lives, but who would be bold (or insane) enough to do that?
* * *
Sienna Aquarian
A few minutes after she had departed from her hideout, Sienna arrived at the Marketplace. There was a serious commotion happening on the nearby plaza, but for sure it was a chance for the thief to snag some breakfast without being bothered by the authorities and that she wouldn't lose.
"Hi there, sir!" Sienna said as she approached the stall of a certain apple vendor with her hood over her head. Nevertheless, the man could see Sienna's features very well and paled when his gaze settled on the dauntless smile of the Icy Thief. He quickly scurried to cover his goods with his arms and shot a dagger sharp gaze at Sienna and Rinco, asking the thief what she wanted.
"Two apples, sir. A candied one for me and a freshly washed one for Rin, the more water on it the best. Plus take this here, for that other day's troubles.""Mmm... mmm, mmm, mmm! Apples are so yum yum~" Rin sang merrily, perched on Aria's shoulder eating her frozen apple as both Thief and Spirit strolled down the side street, lazily wondering what was happening on the other plaza. She wasn't distracted enough to pass the chance of pick-pocketing an Academy Brat that was talking with a lady on a jewelry stall. Don't they know that it's not safe to show so much money on the middle of the market?
"Sorry, my fault!" Sienna said as she deftly brushed against the pink-haired girl, the Icy Thief's hand snaking deftly in search of slit to probe. There was something familiar on her, Sienna couldn't remember why. Nevertheless, any noble brat who stalks jewelry in the open air was bound to be a target of Sienna sooner or later, perhaps this one was a regular?
*: I'll not post with Claudia now because there's no one near her.
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