8 ==> The Market

"I have to get heading to the market place to pick up a few things, but that's about it. Why, what's so important? Are you in trouble or something?" Your brows furrowed as your lips curled into a deep frown. It was bluntly obvious that he was desperate for help as he slowly nodded his head to confirm your suspicions, but what was so bad that he couldn't handle all by himself? "This better not be another one of your schemes, because they always end up fucking everyone in the ass! I'm not becoming Debra again."

Sollux raised an eyebrow and had a consorted look on his face, "Who'th Debra?"

Your hand came up and rubbed the base of your temples softly, massaging the area which was giving you a major headache. "Nevermind that, come with me and explain the details. I really want to get this shopping over with."

With a quick agreement and a roll to his eyes, you had a travel companion. At least you dont have to go alone like you've planned on doing in the first place. What worried you was of the yellow-blood's intentions this time. Almost everything the both of you did together was almost practically illegal for trolls to do, and you're afraid sooner or later everything might just catch up on them. You believe Sollux is definitely brewing something among the lines, with the stern and thoughtful complexion, hands casually incased into his pocket thresholds. How are you guys friends to begin with?

Trudging up the elevated hill and following some familiar signs that showcase sales, both of you arrive and are greeted with a striving atmosphere of the market. There were many stands set up in a large area of the tattered streets. Big tents and cloth covered display tables were set out to entice all shoppers and buyers alike, but you've already skimmed the list that was given to you so you weren't distracted. To your surprise, the walk space was busy and filled with trolls of different bloods mingling prices, sniff-testing exotic fruits, and even striking up conversations in native tongue. This has to be the most diversity you have seen in a long time, but of course a traders market would have some interesting individuals taking a stand just for the money.

You nudge Sollux with your elbow and tell him a few things to hunt for, taking in count of dividing the list evenly in half. Obviously you wouldn't trust him with much of the money, so you just gave him some simple spices and an estimated amount to pay for it. This left you by yourself to walk into the thick crowd and collect the rest of some important items. You found some of the stands that sold fruit and vegetables and checked some things off the mental list you've proudly remembered. It's even a miracle you remembered the human terms to most of the odd shaped food, after your dad being strict about teaching you alternian as a young troll. You shook the memory back into the void you call your mind and travel on.

The dense crowd was a little suffocating to you, bumping into your shoulders and making you want to shout some hasty words, but you didn't. Your face would most likely be smashed onto the dirt ground, but what you just saw made you want to do it purposely.

It was Sollux, weaving through trolls with a bag in one hand and a jar in the other. You know exactly what the contents of that jar uphold and you're not really in the mood to give him a tantrum, let alone argue with him in public. The evident smirk was already seen as he made his way to you in a calm manner. "You like what you thee?" He gloated and shoved the yellowish liquid in your face.

You growled lowly and shoved a finger at his chest threateningly, "First of all, fuck you. Second, don't wave that around like a prize! Third, you better have not used my money to buy drugs."

"Chill, chill, Karkat," You could see the rolling of his eyes through his stupid specs. "I bought it with my own thavingth and I figured we'd share later anywayth."

This made you mimic his action, but was looking forward to ease your stress levels for a little while. "Whatever, lets just get out of here before sometroll cuts off our heads for an illegal substance."

"Karkat Vantas, is that really you?" The familiar female voice rung out in a smooth and relaxed tone, often resembling your moirail. This of course when you made eye contact with the older jade-blood individual, it was none other than her older sister. Her tattooed arms were folded neatly on the sales stand that's surrounded by her own designs of clothing and accessories. You couldn't really help yourself at the nervous glance of her bursting chest leaning against the table, 'What a fucking horn-dog'. Your embarrassment is passed on to Captor, which is obviously going to make the most out of this moment.

"Uh, hey Porrim." Sollux spoke up and dragged you along for the closer spectral of this troll girl's jugular jugs. Your face flushed with red as you tried to avoid eye contact with her, 'She's your moirail's blood for fucks sake!'.

Her fangs flashed a bit within the painted smile, "And Sollux? Well isn't this a delinquent reunion, might I add a disgrace of taste in the cloth department yourselves." The smile retorted into a look of disgust more towards Sollux than you, maybe because of his two different shoes. Little does she know, that was all he could afford and find to use.

"We're behaving Mth, I'm justht here to help out an old comrade. Ithn't that right Karkat?" Your friend had given you a hard slap on the back, which launched you forward more than expected from such a lanky troll.

You half-assed a bearable grin and gave a casual elbow shove to the one who needed it. That was more than enough effort to socialize with a female characterized trollian that makes you more than uncomfortable because of her sleazy inflatables that attract unwanted eye wanderers . Why does your moirail have to be a descendant of that? "I'm uh, just picking up a few things for Kankri."

Porrim nodded her head, "Ah, I see the purpose. How is Kanny by the way? I haven't seen him in a while and it's kinda worrying me." Your attention focused on the metal band looping through her lip, her teeth biting and wiggling it around. Why is she doing that while talking about your brother? A weird thought popped into your head that you just couldn't forget, and you regret instantly when it had gotten more awkward for you in general.

"He's been busy with laboring and dealing with some chapel violence, but he's fine I guess." You gave a nonchalant shrug of your shoulders, though still thoroughly embarrassed yourself.

"Hmm, I've heard about that. Isn't it awful what trolls do to our own kind? It's a shame we're too focused on our differences than to fight the real villain here." You nodded in agreement and Sollux gave a subtle 'definitely', though it seemed a bit one sided and full of hate towards humans specifically. A small silence bloomed between the three of you until Porrim decided to move you along, "Alright, I'll see you boys around. You're blocking my sale pitch here."

Thankfully you have an exit and took it with more of a genuine smile than you've started with. Sollux frowned as you said a quick goodbye and practically ripped him away from the female who's definition is sex appeal. You made sure that the both of you were in a safe distance away from the market place and home bound before speaking up to the earlier events, and oh did you want to say a few things to your partner in crime.

Sollux was probably reading your mind when he finally spoke up first from the awkward silence, "Thothe were fucking huge." He had to exaggerate with a hand demonstration, which made you slowly shake your head in disappointment.

"Sollux, for the sake of all that is left of your purity, please shut the hell up because I don't want to hear any comments from you."

A laugh erupted from him, "You're thinking the thame thit, Vantath! Don't act all innothent!"

"Shut the fuck up, Captor."