The market was full of wonders. Gideon loved all the various things you could see and buy. Some said the lower sectors weren’t as nice, but they had everything he needed and they were what he knew. Gideon considered what he wanted to look for in the market today. A loud bell began to ring, the clock-tower signaled the top of the hour and was playing its chime. He saw the Apostles of the Church of Yvaxaz, they had all begun prostrating to a small altar. The city allowed them these altars on the edge of market square for their worship at the bell.
This wasn’t the only god worshiped in the lower sectors, but Yvaxaz’s apostles were the most fanatical and numerous. The guards of the city were Yvaxaz’s largest group of worshipers. Gideon didn’t know where he stood on gods. The Old Ones hadn’t been seen in aeons. Then the new gods known as the Great Ones, or The pantheon of Man as others called them, were another tier of gods, one that walked the world. He thought they were likely men and women of great power, not gods. Why would gods serve man? Although there were stories. They say that Nyarlathotep would intervene on behalf of man. He was one of the Old Ones wasn’t he? The final bell rang out from the clock tower and interrupted Gideons internal dialog. Gideon had shown his respects, sort of, but he now had things to do. He quickly moved on from the square.
Gideon continued south through the market toward the docks, his eyes scanned for any opportunity that might present itself. Gideon preferred to beg and use his charm as another way to get by. Using charm was more suited to his personality and physical capabilities. His fingers had proved too clumsy to lend themselves well to being a pick pocket. Captain Daniels frowned upon the practice of thievery with his boys, so Gideon respected the man’s wishes. Besides, he was a worse pick pocket than Raya, and that wasn’t a very high bar. Beggars can’t be choosers, and thieves need to choose wisely. Gideon followed the firm rule that he only stole as a last resort, and then only from travelers coming through the area, hence todays visit to the docks for a potential mark.
The horizon was empty of ship masts however, the fishing barges having went out to see long before he awoke. There weren’t any trade ships docked this morning, so a sea sick and unwitting traveler wasn’t an option either. He took a deep breath, the smell of fish permeated the docks, blending with the smell of the salt from the sea. “Well, charm it is, oh Prince of the Gutters” he said, laughing at his own joke.
He approached the fish merchant Charlie. He was a nice man that like to personify a rough exterior, but Gideon’s charisma had served him well in the past. He waited back away from the stall and watched as the man worked. He wanted to get a feel for Charlie's mood today. Gideon knew if Charlie’s stall was doing well, the man might be in a generous mood. He just had to play his cards right. He quietly watched as Charlie hawked his goods, yelling for anyone willing to listen. “Freshest fish to be had today, trust me, you’ll be having a tasty dinner tonight.” Gideon’s sharp eyes saw that Charlie’s small purse had some bulk to it this afternoon, so it looked like it had been a good day at the market for the fisherman.
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He made his decision and advanced on the fishmonger. “Nobody wants your smelly fish!” Gideon said with a false malice. He smirked and waited for Charlie to see him as he came out of the shadows of another stall. When Charlie looked his way Gideon did the first thing that came to mind; he stuck out his tongue at the man. That will get his attention for sure, he thought. Charlie liked to play the game, liked to pretend to be resisting the boys charm. Gideon was up for a little acting if it meant a meal.
The Hawker looked around, then back to Gideon. “You there, get away from my stall. You’re scaring away me customers with your filth and stench. Go take a bath, you smell worse than this fish!” Charlie shooed at Gideon. “Leave me be.” The man tried to get back about his business, boasting about his fish again. Shouting his mantra over and over again as he attempted to ignore the scamp.
I know he didn’t just compare me to his stinky fish! Gideon put a hurt look on his face, playing on Charlie’s softness. The man didn’t like to offend anyone. He was a pleaser, an easy mark. “My filth, how could you say such a thing to a little boy? You’re scaring your customers away with your bad attitude and that filth in your hand. They know that isn’t fresh mister!” Gideon smiled because he knew he had him. The look on Charlie’s face told him everything he needed to know. He almost felt bad for the man, but continued his tirade. “You know the boats haven’t returned to the docks today, that’s day old fish. The boats aren’t due back until tonight, the docks are empty.”
The fisherman looked his way again and threw the fish at him. “Grrr! You know the names Charlie you little scamp, so stop acting like you don’t know me. Now get before you actually cost me payin’ customers.” The fisherman went along with the routine amicably. His faced twisted a little in an anger that surprised Gideon. “Enough with the little boy routine, you ain’t so little anymore.” Charlie yelled while trying to keep a smile from his face. “Don’t be stirring up more trouble than you can handle. You have a bad habit of it for sure.”
Gideon picked up the fish and nodded Charlie’s way. “Thank you kindly. I do believe I was mistaken, this fish smells plenty fresh and will be fine dining indeed.” Charlie smiled at him and made a shooing motion without another word. Gideon skipped away with a smile on his face and his morning breakfast tucked into his sack. He glided north back through the market, searching for another sympathetic face. The scent of fresh baked bread began to fill his nostrils, drowning out the smell of the ever present fish. “It smells like Mrs. Webster and her cart are somewhere nearby. Maybe she’ll be feeling motherly today and I can get a muffin or a roll.”
He thought back to the fisherman and his kindness. Charlie was married and Gideon believed they had a young whelp or two. When Gideon made extra coin begging or picking pockets, he would sneak a few coins into the mans stall to repay the kindness. The coin never equaled what he owed the man, but it was all the young boy was able to do. While he didn’t know if karma was a real thing or not, he always figured it best to stay on the positive side of the scale. As he looked around the favela it occurred to him that in another life he may not have balanced things out nearly so well.