Arvi Onyavay steps out of one of the few small alleys that can be found in Mid-Town. Arvi looks left and right, and left again and then merges into the walking patterns of those around him.

Arvi, a simple name for a simple appearance. He wore a beige loose fitting long sleeve shirt and had his mangle of black hair held in his courier hat. A brown satchel was wrapped across his chest.

Arvi, wore simple brown slacks held up by equally simple brown suspenders. The pants were loose enough for a person to grow into them. Arvi stood five foot six inches. Not a bad height for a human, but his body still had signs of a young man maturing. He features still had the softness of a young boy with cheeks that were still plump and only slight angles to his face. His voice had yet to truly gain the deep bass or the squelching sound that others of his age group would have. Given the muscle tone that could be seen and his height it just seems like he was a lucky inheritor of some genes and that soon he’d be a towering man. But for not he was just simply Arvi.

Arvi walked around fidgeting on one hand through items in his satchel.

Great everything is here. In case I need to get to work I can hop right to it. With no question.

Arvi kept walking behind groups as he followed the Grand Canal Southward to Low-Town. The area around him was bustling with people and shoppes of all types of artisan goods. If you wanted armor, you could find it. If you wanted a sword. No problem. If it was somewhat exotic foods, meaning those from the capital, you could acquire those for a fairly decent price. The true exotic stuff was mostly sold only in high-town which, as Arvi knew, was strictly a place for nobles.

Those stuck up pricks. A common thought he had when thinking about the divide.

Arvi broke away from behind one of the groups to lean on the rail that protected ongoers from falling in the crowd. He stared out at the water.

So strange. This canal runs directly through high, mid, and low town. Yet we all live such different lives. Here the building are in good repair, money is exchanged regularly, and things generally smell good.

Arvi looks around again. Taking in the stout cobblestone buildings where there glass panes, window boxes, and for the very well off, a small front fenced in patio where they could watch all the festivals.

A couple of young women walk by. Arvi eyes them up and down from the corner of his eye. Their dresser were well taken care of and they wore trinkets of what most likely was steel. Ari made sure not too stare too hard for sake being noticed by them or the guard that was looking his way. This guard wore studded leather, bleached white with a few adornments that matched the cities flag, a leviathan peering over a bridge. The scabbard of his long sword was clearly taken care of and it appeared the hilt of his blade had golden engravings. It would have been hard not to spot him and the force of his presence alone was enough to make one reconsider trying anything.

Or some would think. Arvi gave one more glance. His armor looks so new I doubt he’s had to use it or either not had time to break it in. That scabbard has no marks from usage or movement. He’s probably only draws it to show his friends and on the day he got it. Pathetic. I could probably try to steal something from those girls and I doubt he could catch me if he tried.

Arvi sucks his teeth.

“What a waste …”

Arvi ears go back to the women as giggle back and forth.

“Did you hear Olivia?” Said the blonde with a blue floral print dress on.

“No Jess, do tell me. What have you heard” says the black haired one with a canary yellow dress on.

“Well Olivia, it sounds like the Hali family has made a trip to the capital?” Jess exclaimed.

“Oh? The capital. I’d love to go, but father worries about me. Says there are too many dangers for me to go alone, or even with just one escort. To the capital? Dangerous for me? Can you believe him?” Olivia pouted.

“Well maybe he’s just trying to keep you out of some nobles bed-chambers. I saw how that one looked at you the other day. If you play around you could end up dong with the Hali family is. It sounds like their going to get their oldest daughter married off to a noble.” Jess chortled.

“A noble? Did you say a noble?” Olivia responded with true surprise.

“I did Olivia, I did! Tis true. They’re out there right now with a plan to speak to royalty. Now of course, the word is that it’s an official business trip and that the father of the Hali family is going to provide some economic advise for the king’s future financial endeavor - or, I should say his son, but a part of it is a front to broker a agreement to allow a noble to marry a merchant!” Jess said, with a hand next to her face, as if that would damped the sound or her excitement.

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“Can you believe that!” Olivia response.

“I know right?” Jess stated, nodding her head.

“A merchant marrying a noble is unheard of. They do their best to keep us, lowly merchants away from their pure blood line. In fact, I think they’re just afraid we’d take over because we actually know how to work.” Olivia said, her statement sounding like common place undeniable truth.

“Well I wouldn’t go that far. I’m sure there’s lots of hard work the nobles do. I mean, they’re nobles for a reason.” Jess said in their defense.

“And that’s why our ‘Merchant Princess’ is choosing to marry one. She’s the closets we got to nobility.” Olivia said with such energy you’d think she hop in the air; if she were home she probably would have.

“Why do you say she’s marrying him. It’s like she’s the persuerer.” Jess said thoughtfully.

“Well think of it. For a noble to want us for more than beauty and services… a woman would have to pursue - like poppa and his negotiations. They’d have to research, plan, and then hit when the time is right! Who else would be as apt as our ‘Merhcant Princess”. Coming from the wealthiest family, she’s been groomed her whole life for business and love. I tell you, her only fault in her life was that she was born to merchants like us instead of nobles.” Olivia said with a sigh.

“True. True. And to persue a man like that.” Jess pauses in consideration and attempts then her energy increases “Wow, I’ll have to get her secrets before she’s off in high-town for good”.

Disgusting. Capitalize on someone’s romance? And who’s to say she wants this? Many of a people our day are forced into marriages. I’m not interested. How could they be? Just for a slightly better life?

“So true. So true. How did you even find out about this Jess”

Jess stops in their slow walk and turns to gesture to a number of people wearing nondescript light clothing, running behind other women with equally beautiful dresses as Jess and Olivia.

“One of her servants of course. My servant talks to other servants all the time. I slide her a few extra coin for info and enough to grease some palms and I get to stay in the loop of all the ongoings.”

“No, you didn’t did you jess?”

“Oh Olivia, I sure did. And let me tell you, a basket of food around the holidays and New Years.” Jess shakes her head a smile crossing her face. “Complete undying loyalty. These low-towners will do whatever for friendship with us of mid-town. And girl. If you buy them a nice shirt or dress I’m sure they’d name their first kid after you. Not that you’d want that. Yuck”

Both ladies nod in agreement.

Until this moment Arvi had remained just a shadow in the area. But now he could no longer. His face was cotton candy red, his eyebrows arched, and he whipped around to stare at them.

What vile creatures you two are. How dare you treat and think of people that way. Arvi said in his head, still retaining some level of self control.

Arvi’s sharp facing movement did not go unnoticed. The two women stared at him silently for a moment then got very close to each other and giggle, bringing their hands up as if, once again, it would make it hard for them to be heard.

“Jess, I think he’s looking at you.” Olivia giggles.

“No way. I’m sure he’s looking at you. Why don’t you drop your handkerchief.” Jess prods her with an elbow, half serious.

“Ew. Do you see him? Look how drab he is. He’s just another disgusting low-born-low-towner. I’d never”

“Oh shush Olivia. See this is why you don’t know any secrets. You don’t pay any attention. Look, his clothes are no where as bad as a low-towner. He’s probably a boy from some mid or low class merchant household. If you married him I’m sure he’d work his life away to both keep you and make you proud. They’re good for that. All you’d have to do is keep looking pretty and promise to pop out a child one day. Plus he is kinda cute. Not too burly or anything. You’d probably have beautiful children to boot.”

They both stare at Arvi intently. Arvi stares back, parts of his face a dark crimson. Channeling his energy into his fingers that dance back and forth like playing a piano. All he could do to keep his calm and not look threatening.

“Jess. You’re always on top of these things girl. He is cute. Or cute enough. But, yes no. He’d be a good fall back, you know, fifth place type, I’d give you that. But I’ve got higher goals. I heard the Hali family has a young son. When he comes of age I’m going to swoop in. By that time they all be nobles, and so would I” a wide, predatory grin covers her face.

“Not if I can beat you to it” Jess says, her voice humming on the word it, as if devoidin the presence of the human being that would be involved in it. Regardless, both girls laugh conspiratorially at each other before leaving.

Fucking tramp whore bitches. I hate the fuck faces. Gosh, these simple mind conniving little …

Arvi was about to open his mouth to say something, losing control of his lips. The only thing that saved him was noticing the guard moving in his direction.

Damn it.

Arvi starts to walk pass the women quickly but not enough to seem like he’s necessarily running from the law.

“Olivia. I think you embarrassed him. At least wave at the cutie.”

Olivia raises up a hand gloved in white with silver bells. She gives a little princess wave which makes a jingle sound and she smiles so sweetly Ariv would have thought she wasn’t the creature she was.

Fucking spiders in disguise….

Reluctantly Arvi tips his head in acknowledgement as he walked swiftly pass.

“He actually nodded” Olivia said surprised. “How cute.” The two giggle.

Bitches…

Arvi glances once more over his shoulder, which gives the girls one more chuckle. He noted there was a man, wear a cloak and hood over head, seemingly … watching. Something about his movements seemed out of place. However, A his attention is drawn back to the guard behind him. Still trying to catch up and seemingly unaware of the cloaked man.

“Hey kid stop” the guard yells.

Fuck…