Post by Flame on Jul 21, 2020 17:08:56 GMT -5
Kanra #1 / Basti #1
The Moonlight Market, a once in a year occurence. In some ways it was a festival, one of the East Blue's largest underworld gathering, the black market that only existed for a week or so at a time. And right under the marine's noses, for how could they know. Even as extensive as they were in this, the East Blue, it could only be blind luck that they would find it. And even more difficult to find it the second time.
Set upon an underwater atoll, the Moonlight Market was raised from beneath by the grace of the world. Only at a certain time of the year did the sea-level in the East Blue fall to a point that the atoll would find its way above water. Then, the market would arrive. On a hundred or more ships from all corners of the blue came together just for this. And for a week, docks would appear, stalls popped up everywhere and the atoll came to life. If there was something that you needed that you couldn't get. This was the place to find it.
"It's amazing maam. Absolutely amazing. An island appearing out of nowhere for such a short time. It's like magic!" The overwhelming awe and wonderment spilled from the tall sky islander standing beside her. He was gazing about across the island still seeming flabbergasted. "Not magic." She responded succinctly. Long threads of black hair flowed down shaking as her head did.
It had been a good idea at the time, right? Her arm swung out, snapping forward her fishing rod went with and so too did her bait flying far away from the miniature-peninsula she stood at the edge of. Coming to this market, hiring the extra help, accepting a request to be a guide. She pinched the bridge of her nose, the first one was definitely fine. The latter two? That was still to be seen. "It's still amazing, a miracle of nature. That so many people have come together for this event. It's like a city built from nothing. Just look around at all the ships, all the stalls that were not even here a week ago."
This man, no wonder her contact had such a smile on their face. Kanra scowled to herself, she should've just relied on her ability to protect herself. The doctor was more than capable of doing so given her powers. But then there was the request that had come in. And given the situation, the guard was called for she supposed. Kanra tilted her head backand glanced towards the tall hire. Basti, so far based on her interactions this man was no guard. But at least he looked the part, til he talked. While she'd thought herself tall, Basti was even larger yet. Probably a head taller than herself, with a large pentagonal shield upon his back and a naginata in hand he definitely looked the part. Though perhaps his longish red hair was a strange addition to it.
He looked like some guard one would find at a palace, not one that'd be for hire through black market contacts. With her fishing rod awaiting first bite she turned her attention to him for the moment. "Basti. If you don't mind. You don't seem the type, to be in this specific line of work. So why?" She asked, maybe she'd find him more intelligent than he seemed. Putting emphasis on specific she made her question clear through implication.
Basti had been taking yet another moment to admire the market that had come out of nothing. He looked about, the pair of them were a bit distanced from the larger festivities of it. Kanra had wanted to do some fishing to cool down. It was his job to protect her so he'd followed without comment. As she spoke to him he turned and glanced at his ward. He tilted his head and smiled. "I've always been in this line of work." The knight smiled, "I'm a knight. Here to protect anyone who is in need." With his free hand he put a fist to his chest.
"It's my pleasure to help."
The fool nodded happily, it was true. If anyone needed help he was more than happy to lend it. It was why his fee was low, no one should be left unguarded if they had the need. So his fee was just enough so that he could live, subsist, and upkeep his gear. And besides, "It's a good thing you hired me though, I needed a bit of extra beri, I lost a bit in a friendly game of poker with my colleagues i think two weks back ..." He said trailing off for a moment. "Don't know why, but I can't seem to win any hands. They do keep inviting me though, they're such good friends!" Basti said happily.
Kanra watched him for a moment before shaking her head. Yeah sounded about right.