Misarre

Present

Page 1

Current Outfit

Slap!

The jolt of my head hitting the carriage wall stings, and I instinctively grasp the side of my head in pain.

"Damn it," I mutter, rubbing the sore spot. "If I had known carriages were this uncomfortable, I would have taken a horse."

Turning to glance out the window, the bright sun momentarily blinds me. Through squinted eyes, I observe the bustling activity outside. People stroll by, their laughter and chatter mingling with the sounds of the city. 

"Are you awake, ma'am?" the coachman's voice breaks through my thoughts.

"I am," I reply, straightening up.

"We'll be arriving at the city entrance soon. Any specific destination you'd like to be dropped off at?" he calls out.

"No, the entrance is fine. Thank you," I respond, leaning my head back against the window, readying myself for the next leg of the journey.

After a few minutes of travel, the carriage slows to a halt. Taking it as my cue, I swiftly grab my bag from beside me and swing open the door. With a nod towards the coachman, who gives a brief acknowledgment before continuing on his way, I step out onto the bustling street.

Page 2

Surveying the scene before me, I'm met with the sight of a sprawling bridge teeming with people coming and going. I take a deep breath, a mixture of anxiety and excitement swirling within me.

Navigating my way through the throngs of people, I make my way towards the city gate. As I pass through, my senses are assaulted by a cacophony of smells—aromas ranging from savory foods to fragrant perfumes fill the air.

The variety of attire worn by the passersby catches my eye—some don elegant dresses and sharp suits, while others sport the rugged garb of mercenaries. Ahead lies the bustling market, brimming with an array of tantalizing foods and enticing wares. With each step, I can feel the pulse of the city coursing through me, fueling my anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead.

"Hey! You there!." I hear someone yell out. I don't look to see who and continue walking. Until, again I hear..

"Hey!.. wait...You! Miss in the black cloak!" I hear someone call out again. This time I turn towards the sound to see a boy with dog ears and a tail pointing at me.

Page 3

"Well, I almost thought you were deaf. Glad to see you're not, little lady," he says with emphasis on "little" and a relieved expression.

Deaf? Little lady? This guy looks younger than me...

"Well, don't just stand there with that bewildered look on your face. Come along now," he says, walking ahead of me.

"Uhh... Am I supposed to just follow this guy? Is this how people normally act?"

He turns around again and notices that I'm still not following. With a sigh, he runs up to me and takes my hand. "Come along now... There's much to see and do here in the City of Modegan." He practically drags me along as I struggle to keep up with his pace.

"In the heart of the city, we have the marketplace—the hustle and bustle of people dealing with their daily life problems and engaging in meaningless conversations."

"They are the epitome of having too much time on their hands, if I do say so myself," he remarks, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.

"Here, you'll find everything you need to get by—ranging from daily use items to rare weapons and equipment. If you're feeling hungry, the Gatsup Pub is probably the closest you'll find to tasty food around here."

Page 4

I continue to listen, following along but feeling increasingly confused by the situation unfolding before me. As we walk, we approach a grand fountain adorned with gold finishes.

"Here is the city's prized statue—the Kings Wishing Fountain. But if we're being honest, it's really nothing more than a way to collect extra coins. Every night, the coins in the fountain disappear. Funny how gullible people can be."

I glance at the fountain again, still not quite understanding the point of wasting money. Then, looking ahead, I notice a large set of stairs leading up to a giant white building with gold accents.

"And that building is...?" I inquire, pointing ahead. He follows the direction of my finger with his eyes and bursts into laughter.

"No need to worry about that, little one," he reassures me, his tone laced with a hint of mischief. "The King's Citadel is only for the wealthy and the... ahem, honorable." He quickly covers his smirk, leaving me uncertain as to whom the insult was directed.

Page 5

Ignoring his antics, I stare at him, trying to decipher his intentions.

"Anyways," he continues, regaining his composure, "we should continue on with our tour." With that, he strides off towards the street on the right, and I quickly follow, matching his brisk pace.

"Are people usually as forward as you are?" I inquire, crossing my arms in mild irritation.

"You make it sound like a bad thing, little one," he retorts, feigning shock as he dramatically turns his head.

"Well, it's just... I've never met anyone quite like you," I confess, feeling a twinge of awkwardness. "Honestly, I haven't met many people in general. This is my first time in the capital."

He turns to me, his gaze sweeping over me from head to toe. "Ah... my instincts are never wrong. I can always pick out the folks who haven't a clue of where they are," he remarks, continuing to walk.

"How did you figure that out with me?" I ask, genuinely curious.

Page 6

"Anyone who's been around could spot an eyesore outfit like that. You quite clearly stand out," he replies bluntly, devoid of any remorse.

"Also, the way you looked around at everything like you had never seen it before speaks volumes. So... tell me, little one, where are you from?" he asks politely.

"Cthole," I respond, feeling a tad insecure after his earlier words.

"Oh, Cthole... I see," he says awkwardly. "Well, here's our next stop." He suddenly halts, turning towards me and raising his hand in a grand gesture.

"This is the Information Hub of the city. Here, you can uncover almost anyone's personal secrets and desires, for either a favor or some coin," he explains, placing a hand on my back and guiding me towards the building.

"Shall we?" he asks, and we proceed towards the open doors of the building.

**

Authors Note: There will eventually be a picture I just haven't found what I'm looking for.

**

Page 7

The interior of the building was just as grand as the rest of the city, adorned in opulent shades of white, gold, and blue. Notice boards displaying flyers and informational leaflets dotted the room, while a central circular desk stood prominently, attended by hosts fulfilling people's requests.

"So, I can really find out anything here?" I ask, my tone filled with curiosity.

"Well, it depends on who you ask. The individuals at that desk can provide you with the most general information, but there are also Information Brokers," he explains, leading me towards an empty table.

"Information Brokers?" I inquire, intrigued.

"Yes, individuals who are willing to put in the effort to obtain more... detailed information. People like me." he responds, crossing his legs and resting his chin on his hands.

"You?" I repeat, feeling puzzled. 

"Me," he confirms. We sit in silence for a moment staring into each others eyes.

"You?" I ask again, this time more bluntly. "I'm sorry... How old are you?."

Page 8

He chuckles. "Despite my youthful appearance, I'm actually twenty," he reveals, causing my mouth to fall agape.

"I know my beauty exceeds me," he adds with a wink, eliciting an eye roll and a sigh from me.

"So, if you're an Information Broker, that means you can tell me how to get to Adeunep Academy," I deduce.

"I can, but it's better if I show you. Wouldn't want you to get lost," he says, rising from his seat. "Even though the Academy is part of the city, it is secluded in its own area. We should head out now."

I stand up, walking with him to the front door. As we step back onto the streets of Modegan, someone knocks into my shoulder and swiftly snatches my bag. Instinctively, I turn to grab them, but in an instant, it's as if the broker were a shadow—he has the thief on the ground, his arm stretched behind his back.

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"Now, now, did you really think to try and steal in broad daylight?" The broker chides. The thief struggles against his grip as a crowd gathers, and soon the guards arrive.

"Alright, we'll take it from here," one of the guards says. The broker releases his grip, getting up and tossing my bag back to me. The guards apprehend the thief, leading him away as the crowd begins to disperse.

"Uh, thanks um....I didn't catch your name," I say awkwardly.

"Noro" he replies. "And it's no big deal. Can't have one of my clients getting robbed; how else would you pay me for this tour?" he says with a smile.

I shake my head, deciding to keep a tight grip on my bag until we reach our next destination.

End of Chapter 2