ooking down on people was pretty fun.
In the literal sense of course. I wasn't a cunt. Individuality was lost in a sea of so many bodies with city life. The foot traffic of civilization acting as a microcosm of culture. Clothes, accents, topics of conversation and the like. Winter was ending, so plenty got back in the comfort of their togas. It was still chilly, the locals just preferred fashion over comfort.
For accents...there weren't that many honestly.
Northerners had variances, but it was mostly the sa. Maybe a quirk of the language? rchants and travelers only deviated a bit after all.
I could've figured that out if I learned the other two predominant dialects of Taiman, but that would've been a waste of ti. The north spoke in Tronin, which was considered the imperial standard. Perks of being an almost-failed colonization project.
There were dozens of tongues floating around because of how many cities or collection of cities used to be their own respective nations. Yesnia and Rodun helped homogonize a culture sowhat as they were the main proponents of the empire's stalled conquests. Though Rodun wouldn't be relevant in the future.
Their pantheon had a bit of a civil war when apocalypse ca. Needless to say, it didn't exactly go great.
I sat cross legged by the edge of a building asuring three stories, knuckles on cheek to complent my contemplations. Argyle was taking long as fuck.
I glanced over to his guard. "You not worried at all? He's taking a bit to climb baby shit like this."
"I find your lack of faith entirely unsurprising," The guard snorted. "My lord is more than capable of eting this challenge. Perhaps if you were more observant and treated him as an equal, then you'd be able to see that."
"The fuck? I treat him like my equal."
"You treat him like a child."
I scrunched my brow. "Where'd you get that impression? Or is this just animosity molding your bias in a direction intended to murder intellect?"
The guard glared.
Unfortunately, whatever asinine point he planned on making was interrupted by the slap of a palm on listone. I looked over my shoulder to witness an exhausted Argyle struggling to roll himself onto the splendid roof, rolling onto his back and panting like a dog in his attempts to catch his breath. I chuckled and looked to the guard with a smug expression.
"More than capable, huh?"
The sound of grit teeth was ever so delightful. Shrimpdick didn't make anything of it though, taking strides to his precious master with a wineskin in hand. Didn't even have to coach Argyle, he guzzled that shit down like a lifeline.
What a baby.
I rolled my eyes and returned to gazing at all the people below, specifically the hagglers. Vendors weren't common outside their designated areas, but they did exist.
Taken from , this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Often more expensive because the only people who bought from them were those too lazy to walk themselves over to the nearest market.
Fiscal responsibility wasn't exactly anything I could lecture anyone on, considering I paid out the ass to stay at the inn because haggling was too much of a chore. Imperial mint wouldn't an shit once the End ca anyway, and finances was a whole new stressor that could fuck right off.
Heard Argyle approaching before he sat himself next to . Courtesy of the heavy breathing. "How—" he sucked in so air. "How aren't you tired?"
"How does soone who exercises and trains regularly not get winded from climbing a three story building?" I said. "Gee, I wonder."
"Alright, no need to be snippy," the boy chuckled.
I rolled my eyes.
With a mirthful grin, but still a roll of the eyes.
"So?" I said, nodding to the sight. "What do you think?"
He gave a grin and looked over. Studious little shit seed eager to analyze all the peasants below. Couldn't lie, that made happy.
"It feels so...reductive."
"Hm?"
"Looking at them like this," he said. "Each has their own life and personality, yet up here they just look like droplets in a flowing river. It's srizing, but I'm not sure if I like it."
I shrugged. "More insightful answer than I was expecting honestly. Only wanted to show you more of the city so your impression wouldn't just be the east and south."
"Thank you."
I scrunched my brow and turned to find him giving a warm smile. "For what?"
"For showing all this," he said, looking down with a light blush. "I...didn't know about any of it, even though it was right here the whole ti. Just...assud that the city worked the way my father described."
"No problem," I snorted. "Still not gonna court ya."
The boy turned beat red and decided to switch his attention back to the populace.
"Stupid fucking elf, just had to ruin the mont," the guard man grumbled.
"Fuck you too, pickle-juice."
Argyle's blush faded and he looked at with confusion, and I got the sa impression from the whispers coming off the guard.
"What? You guys don't know about pickles?"
"I...no offence, but I don't think I've ever heard soone use that as an insult," Argyle said.
"Do not fret, my lord," the guard chuckled. "The idiot is simply mistaking a creative insult for a good one. That she knows nothing of quality is quite telling."
"This idiot is five steps and a kick away from ending your prospects at having children."
The guard barked a laugh so loud that I was genuinely startled. "Too late for that."
Took a mont for that information to click.
"Soone decided to fuck you? What made them that desperate?"
"It was arranged." The guard shrugged. "Though Lin and I have managed to find love despite that. Perhaps you would too if you weren't insane."
"Huh. How old is the kid? Or kids I guess."
"Almost three now!" Argyle chirped.
"He is three actually."
Argyle looked positively mortified, staring at his guard as though he'd committed the pinnacle of betrayal. "You didn't invite to his birthday?!"
The guard looked away.
Oh, this was getting fun. Tea ti drama! Who didn't love tea ti drama?
"My sincerest apologies young master." The guard bowed. "It is just...Lin and I prefer to have the festivities secluded among our fellows. We love your company, but the last two years aristocrats had joined for the sake of currying favour with you and...none of the others feel comfortable in their presence."
"You could've at least told !"
I nodded. "Can't lie, he's got you there."
The guard straightened out and scratched the back of his head, refusing to make eye contact with either of us. "I...you're right. I was being a coward in my choice not to tell you. I apologize, young master."
Argyle slouched and looked down. I could tell he wasn't focused on the people.
Hmm...this was much less fun.
"You know," I said. "I can see why he didn't tell you. That shit can be intimidating when you know you'll hurt soone you care about no matter what, don't think he ant it as anything against you."
Argyle glanced at and returned his gaze below, then let out a sigh.
"You're right," he mumbled.
There was an audible sigh of relief from behind us.
"But don't think I'll let this stand!" Argyle sprung to his feet and turned to face his guard. "We're going down there to buy a present and as soon as we get back to the estate we'll have a party! A secret party!"
The guard looked genuinely off guard (heh).
His surprised morphed into a slight smile and a crinkle of the eyes. "Of course, my lord."
Reviews
All reviews (0)