"Shiny!!"
"Oh? I picked that up in the northern mountains. I hear that the smiths there use steam vents and snow to temper their metal. They don't let jus' anyone see that sort of thing, so of course I can only offer rumors when it comes to process. But as for product, I promise they do for sure have some of the most finely crafted metal-works, particularly tools, in all of Elle. So they're doin' somethin' right." The merchant girl, her spotted ears perked up, pointed at the pail that was held in Sukka's paws."Yah interested?"
"Huh? What? North? Mountains? Smiths?" The fox snapped out of shiny mode and glanced around confused.
"Ahaha, excuse her. She's just a bit drunk. You know how festival season is." Artemus flashed a grin, flipped a coin the girl's way, and wrapped an arm around Sukka. "Come on, dear, let's get going now."
"Dear...? Wait, I'm not drunk!"
"Uhhh... Thanks for your patronage!" The confused street-vendor called after the odd group as they slid back into the crowds.
Actaeon grabbed Mai and tugged her through the afternoon market bustle. "You need to keep quiet and listen until you figure out your surroundings."
"Hey, wasn't me this time!" She added as an afterthought, "Also, you're a moron."
"What? Can't hear you. It's too loud." He dragged her along more roughly, evidence that he could obviously hear her. In fact, his keen wolf ears were twitching in every direction beneath his cloak, involuntarily picking up sounds from all along the market. His ears led him after his brother who was now weaving through the scurry of bodies in the distance.
"Why did you say I was drunk? I wasn't drunk." Her blue eyes looked up at him adamantly. "I didn't drink anything."
The prince smiled at the fox. "You sure?" He leaned down and pressed his nose to her cheek, nuzzling. "Your face seems a bit flushed."
"Flirting?" Actaeon scoffed as he caught up with his twin. They had all ended up in the space between a couple of unbusy carts, finally out of the rush of people. Artemus was leaning casually back against the stone wall that bordered the marketplace. The less easygoing wolf pointed an accusatory finger at his sibling. "This was a bad idea, bringing them to this part of the town when they're like children in our world."
"Oh it's not like we brought them to the slums." Artemus backed off from Suuka's cheek, pulling her hood down a bit as he did so. "They can get away with acting clueless, since they're cute. So just relax, alright? Nobody has said a word to us unless they wanted to sell us someth--"
"Well, hellooo." Everyone's ears twitched at the sound of a catcall whistle from above. "That's an awfully nice bucket you've got there." A young man with no shoes and no shirt hopped the fair distance down from his spot atop the wall. He winked at Sukka, golden eyes glinting. His heavily pierced, big, orange and black ears were somewhat cockeyed, one perked up high, the other slipping a bit down to his left. He ran a set of dirty fingers through his fiery orange hair. "Not to mention a nice face, eh?"
Artemus frowned. "Excuse you...?"
"Hey, I was talking to the lady. Don't be rude, pretty-boy." The tiger's fangs showed with his crooked grin. "That bucket? You get it from a girl with spots and sandy hair and a Plains accent? She back in town?"
"Well, yah, I think that's the girl I got it from..." Sukka tilted her head. "Who exactly are you...?"
"I dunno, foxy. Your love at first sight?" He slid a finger under her chin. "But darling, it's just not fated to be. My heart belongs to another! Don't wait for me..." With a dramatic wince, he pressed a hand over his chest. As he turned to leave, he noticed the second girl and tossed a toothy grin Mai's way, recovering quickly from his moment. "But if you two need a better tour guide, I suppose I could spare a couple of hours... Why you been hiding that sweet face, kitten?"
Actaeon glared at the big cat, a low growl forming in his throat.
"Whoa there! Down, boy. I'm going. And, girls! Feel free to come around and find me when you lose the mutts~!" The striped stranger threw in another wink and slipped away before either one of the wolves could go for his throat.
"Was he blind? 'Sweet face' my butt."
"Know what? Nobody cares what you think." Mai moved to stomp on the guard's toes but he rolled his eyes and stepped aside.
"Okay, enough playing around, you two." Artemus stared at Sukka a moment before rubbing the cloth of his cloak beneath her chin. "You're all contaminated with his gross."
Sukka was slightly blushing again. "Well he was a bit dirty, but I wouldn't say he had gro--"
"And enough flirting, you two. What are we here for again?" Actaeon was currently holding a squirming Mai in a headlock.
"Peaches, stupid!" She elbowed him in the gut and broke free.
"Hey--!" He was slightly hunched, an arm held across his stomach. "Why would you do that, you psycho?!"
"Huh? I can't seem to hear you. It's too loud." The black cat dashed back into the hustle of shoppers, the white wolf chasing after.
"Well then, I guess we're going." Artemus wiped once more for good measure before taking the fox-girl's hand and hurrying back into the scurry.
_______________________________
"Kayah!!"
"No, please no..." Counting goods and messing with some of the wooden and stone beads that were braided into her hair, she refused to turn around, hoping reality would just go away if she ignored it.
It never did, though. "Why didn't you write and tell me you were coming back? Well, aside from the fact I don't have a mailbox..." The tiger scooted around into her field of vision. "Anyway! I saw a fox with a seriously good looking bucket and I knew it had to b--" He was cut off as he noticed the cheetah's death glare.
"A fox, huh? With a nice bucket?"
"No! I mean... Literally. Like, she had a fox tail. And a bucket! In her hand! Like a pail."
"Right..." She was annoyed that she had bothered being annoyed. "Well, what're yah doin' here, then?"
"Of course I wanted to see you." Hiro reached to brush the girl's long sandy hair, but she slapped his hand away and went back to taking inventory of her stock. "Hey, don't be that way. It's been months! Haven't you missed me?"
"I miss the money you owe me." She looked back to him. "Oh, I get it, you're here to pay up?"
"Uhhh... I think I hear my mother calling. Well, see you later!"
She threw her hands up and yelled at him as he disappeared into the market. "You're an orphan!!"
He turned back only to wink at her.
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