Mr. Garnet's Grandiose Grandstanding

[mori]

Skye sighed as she crunched into a perfectly crispy yellow apple, leaning against her high-geared bike and tugging her cap down a bit tighter. It was - as always - a cold misty day in Celtica, and bustling as ever in Claid. The port town was a not-so-quick jaunt from her starting point in Arti and had some of the wealthiest people on the island nation. Merchants, privateers, and proud-bannered ships of all creeds congregated here. She was used to the hubbub by now. Crowded streets, bustling people, and plenty of would-be pickpockets and thugs combing the darker parts of town.

Her job was done... almost. Lots and LOTS of letters and packages came to and left Claid. Communique between stores ordering wares from ships, official documents, leases, and permit submissions. An exceedingly eccentric wealthy patron named George Garnet planned on opening a geology museum in midtown - chock full of rocks and precious stones alike.

The only thing the thin-mustached man needed now was the official word that his little adventure was given the rubber stamp. Not too hard, given his 'persuasion' techniques. Skye should be HONORED to ferry such vital documents to their destinations - she was the best runner on Celtica - but it was often more irritating than anything. Most of the rich didn't bother tipping their mailrunners. Down the core of her juicy snack, Skye accepted her inevitable fate. The devoured fruit was tossed into a nearby bin as she hopped atop her bike, expertly weaving through the streets and rivers of bodies.

The Garnet Museum. Way more people waiting in line for the grand opening than Skye assumed there'd be - just how many folks had an interest in rocks? Georgie himself was standing tall and proud in his crimson-colored suit and dandelion tie, slicked oily black hair, and twizzling mustache, standing out among the crowd. A few bodyguards flanked him, a mix of totally-not-pirates and other ruffians bought by coin.

[ralgazur]

An entire museum dedicated to rocks? What a dream! Mija could hardly believe what she'd heard shortly after she first arrived on the island. She tightly gripped her geology book against her chest as she made her way around the town, already wondering which new rocks she'd get to check off her book just on her first real foray out into the world. Was it possible this museum would have every rock? That would be somewhat anticlimactic, admittedly, as she had promised to return home once every rock in her book had a checkmark next to it, and she had not exactly been away for long, yet... But then again, there were quite a few rare ores her book had stated only existed in speculation. Actually finding physical samples of those couldn't be so easy, right?

Actually finding the museum, though, was proving to be a trying task. Mija had never seen so many buildings and people all at once! Her home village had a population of just over fifty minks like her, but there had to be hundreds of people in this place! And all these buildings, built from rocks themselves... It was a staggering sight, indeed!

"Oh mah stars," she mumbled to herself as she felt her head begin to grow dizzy at the sheer overwhelming presence of such a bustling place. "This here town may be uh bit much for me..." It was just as she was beginning to have her doubts that someone on a strange contraption with two wheels sped right past her, and nearly made her drop her book as she stepped back in surprise. "Whut in thuh world...?" she exclaimed as her large blue eyes took in a glimpse at... Whatever that there device was. It was letting that girl move so fast! How did it work? Mija's tail shot up with excitement as she felt utterly compelled to run after that girl and ask her how the heck that little thing worked.

And so, she did. Mija took off on her own two feet, speeding after that two-wheeled machine with the girl on it with so much gusto, she forgot she was feeling overwhelmed. And, as luck would have it, pursuing that there girl didn't just lead her to discovering a new device... It seemed to have led her to the museum as well! What luck!

By the time she did catch up with the girl, though, Mija was rather out of breath. Finally, she slapped a paw onto the girl on the machine's back and bend over, gasping for breath. "Whut... Device... Ya ridin'... Ma'am...?" was all she could manage to get out in between her breaths. 

[mori]

Skye scowled petulantly, realizing she'd have to shoulder her way to the front of the crowd in order to deliver the letter. She stepped off her bike and was a mere second away from collapsing it when the laborious breaths and weight of a stranger stopped her. She resisted the immediate urge to yank it away, instead whirling around. The redhead blinked, surprised. Minks were known on Celtica, but none naturally lived here and few visited thanks to the damp and depressing conditions.

"This?" What was such a staple for Skye's travel both personal and professional was not necessarily common everywhere else. "It's a bicycle. Specifically one of 'em off-road compact models. Modified a bit for carrying stuff." She'd gently move to remove any grip the stranger had on the bike, detaching the mail carrier box and setting it on the ground. With a few latches, buttons, and locks Skye folded the entire thing in two, lightweight silver-brassy frame overlapping as wheels took up the most space.

"Don't mean to be rude," She'd tip her cap politely. "But I got a job to do. Last one of the day before I'm off." The short lass slung the entire bicycle onto her back, nearly dwarfing Skye's body as she also picked up her box by a sturdy leather strap. "If you're interested in learning more about bikes, we gotta shop down by the waterfront that specializes. And, uh, dunno if you're into it, but behind me is my last customer: that tall well-dressed jobber is opening up some sorta rock display place today."

[ralgazur]

A bicycle? Mija had never heard of such a strange contraption before. The closest thing she could think of that might have been something like it back home were the wheelbarrows the miners used to transport many rocks at a time without needing to carry them all in their hands. This was like... A wheelbarrow a person could ride, too! Mija was about to ask further questions, when the red-haired human suddenly crushed down the bicycle into a smaller, more compact form with ease! Either she had super strength, or this bicycle was designed so as to be foldable like clothes!

"That there's incredible, ma'am!" Mija exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with amazement at the seemingly simple yet extraordinary device. She wanted to try and ride it oh, so badly! But it didn't seem the woman had time to be allowing strangers a chance to ride her bicycle, though. Apparently, she had a job to do.

"Oh, shore thang, ma'am," Mija quickly replied, taking a step back as she apologized. "Don't wanna be gittin' in yer way or anythin', uh course." Still, she couldn't help but be fascinated as the redhead placed the bicycle onto her back, as if it was a sack for her to just carry around, casually. And this was only Mija's first day on another island! Who knew what other crazy things could be waiting for her around the world? And speaking of which, the woman did mention having an entire shop for the bicycles, so Mija, of course, just had to check that out, later. For now, though, the woman also mentioned her primary point of interest for coming around this place.

"Oh, yeah, that's actually thuh main thang Ah've been lookin' for!" Mija explained to her. "Ah'm uh bit of uh geologist, y'see. Rare rocks and ores like that are mah real passion! You uh, wouldn't happen tuh know how long it's gonna be until ah can feast mah eyes on sum'oze rocks, do ya? Ah'd hope Ah don't have to stand here waitin' in anticipation for too long." Mija waited for the woman's response with baited breath, clearly a bit overly eager to take a look at the upcoming exhibition.

[mori]

Incredible? Skye supposed she ought to be grateful Celtica had something like this. Something so vital to her life. "Yep," She agreed with a small smile. "Sure is." Her ride, now devoid of packages, letters, and whatever other nonsense people sent in the mail, sat upon her back. Heavy but not overbearing. The redhead might've been small, but she had a respectable physicality built up over years of hard labor.

"I was mostly jokin' bout that part, fluffy." What a coincidence. "Guess that's good luck on your part, though. Not that it's hard to miss with all th' bread and circuses." Mr. Garnet was some kind of local bigshot: a rich yahoo who was keen on entering local politics. Celtica had an 'arrangment' with the World Government to retain a high level of autonomy, meaning the slimy dickweeds in charge had free reign to do what they wanted. It was a miracle the island hadn't fallen apart under some of them.

"Aye. Garnets waiting on this approval from the commission. Soon as that's proper, he'll cut the ribbon and open the place up. I wouldn't worry bout the crowd too much, most are just interested in what the fuss is." Skye nodded before beelining toward he target, muscling and weaving her way through the mass of bodies. One of the brawny thugs stepped up to stop her from getting any closer: "Oy, shove it. Got Mr. Garnet's rubber stamp letter here." She handed it off to the bald headed brute who summarily passed it along to his boss.

Skye snickered as the man's bluish gray eyes lit up, mustache quivering as he turned to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, with this final well-deserved piece of acknowledgement, it is time! I present to you the Garnet Gallery - a well curated and top notch display of geology. One of my lucky visitors today will even have the chance of winning a special something, so please, step up!"