The Market

The stalls were full of all different types of spices and foods Wren had never seen before. In fact, everything except the clothing she saw there was new to her. Fiore glided effortlessly through the crowd, Wren often teleporting to her side. Everyone at the market had bright colored hair, and Wren felt a few stares directed at her dark brown head, "So, why is everyone's hair so colorful?" She whispered in Fiore's ear.

"Well, most everyone has hair like that around here. That's one of the reasons I was so surprised to see yours. People are barely born with that color,"-she gently pulled Wren out of the way of a larger, green haired, man-"most would see it as a waste of money to try and change the color, because any good charm reader, such as myself, could tell it was fake." They veered down a dank alleyway filled with shady storefronts, "Stay close to me." Fiore whispered, trying to look casual. Wren pressed herself up against Fiore, already uncomfortable with the aura of the shops. Different animals were caged in tight spaces, although Wren couldn't recognize any of them, she could tell that they were suffering. As they kept walking, she saw what appeared to be human body parts scattered in jars on the display of a small stall nearby. Wren cringed at the sight of them, "You don't have to look. I can guide you, there's no crowd." Wren nodded her head to signal that she would appreciate it, and Fiore hugged her closer, making sure she didn't trip. Although she was right next to Fiore, Wren felt her chest tighten, as if the amulet were pulling her closer still. She liked the feeling of Fiore's protective arms around her, their warmth reassuring her.

They eventually got to a small shop with miscellaneous items throughout, "Oi, Fiore!" A small man with lavender hair popped out from somewhere within the maze of shelves, "Haven't seen you for a while."

"Yeah, I've been a bit busy. It's good to see you, Laji." He eyed Wren up, stopping at her head.

"Natural brown?"

"Maybe, I found her in- "

Laji cut her off, "How much? I can give you fifty-thou." Wren shivered, hoping Fiore wouldn't agree to that.

"I'm sorry, but she's not for sale. I'm actually here to buy a first-grade summoning stone and a summon paper for beginner spirits for her."

"It was worth a shot,"-the older man shrugged- "back, to your left."

"Gotcha, thanks!" Fiore led Wren to where Laji had pointed, and grabbed a small, orange stone and a small piece of paper placed next to it. She grabbed a silver token from her pocket and handed it to Laji, before leaving, "Keep the change!"

"Thanks! Come back anytime!"

Just as they were about to make it back out onto the main market street, a large, blue haired, man stopped them, "That's a beautiful one." He looked over Wren, "Her hair's pretty rare." Came his raspy voice again, "How much? I can do seventy-thousand."

"I'm sorry, but she's not for sale." Responded Fiore, tensing.

"Everything has a price, and I'm willing to pay, but I can also take." He said threateningly.

"I dare you to try." Trefle arched his back menacingly, and a few sparks shot out of Fiore's palms.

The man chuckled, "Oh, I will." Then he began to strike.