"Get Back Here Ya Lil Bastard!"
"Not till ya learn ta help tha needy ya greedy ol bag a russets!"
Just another lively day in the Polund markets. Crowds chatter and families wander trying to pass through the packed area. Meanwhile, a lone boy with thick, puffy, flame red short hair runs across the area with a large box of oiled gizzard in hand weaving through the cramped crowd effortlessly with a silly grin on his oddly feminine face. Meanwhile, a well built middle aged shop-keep tries to chase him down, losing himself to the waves of people long before he can reach the boy.
Grinning wide, the boy turns around fast and waves goodbye. In response the shop-keep flips the boy his middle finger, walking away with a heavy sigh and weak grin. After exiting the market he slows down and starts eating. Despite eating with his bare hands not a drop of grease lands on his white button up shirt or even on the hems of his aged brown leather jacket. Instead, it all lands on his ankle length pants and matching shoes.
After walking through a few alleys and reaching the city outskirts he arrives at his home. A small worn down single story red brick house. The windows hold small flower pots, looking a lot cleaner than the weed filled front yard. Opening the dilapidated front door he sees a familiar face. Keeping the interior clean a man in his early fifties is wiping down the dining room table.
"Nothin like a nice meal ta start tha day. Oh, ya want a bite Tommy?"
"Yup. Now come in and sit. I already have the table prepared, just don't make too much of a mess, okay Crim."
"Thanks."
Together the pair sit. While Crim eats without a care, Tommy eats with grace. Carefully, he makes sure not to get a bit of grease on his brown button up shirt or black dress pants. Unlike Crim, Tommy chooses to eat with a fork and knife. As the two eat Crim glances around the house, noticing it's much cleaner than usual. The brown carpeted floors have been vacuumed, the living room couch has been cleaned off, the t.v in front of it has been wiped clean. The bedrooms have to be clean too with the beds made and Crim's stray clothes put away. Seeing all this he frowns.
"Do we have to move again Tommy?" For a moment he goes silent, glaring at Tommy immediately after. "Just me." The pair go silent for a few moments, Crim's frown growing even heavier. "Will it be long?" Temporarily stopping his cleaning Tommy takes a moment to think.
"No. Maybe a week. Think of it as a break from our combat lessons. I promise to bring something nice back for your sixteenth birthday. We'll probably have to celebrate on the twenty second instead of the fifteenth. How does a nice warm dinner sound? Some hot cao cao should make the winter a bit more bearable on your special day."
Crim responds with annoyed silence, instead choosing to focus on his food. Seeing this Tommy sighs. After eating, the pair move to the front of the house, prepared to say goodbye. "Betta be Inari cao cao. It's my special day afta all." Tommy, with a silly grin nods and gently pats crims head. "Only the best. Just rest at home for now and wait for me. I left some seals in the kitchen so don't go stealing too much, okay?" Crim nods, wondering to himself how he managed to ever get the okay to steal. Maybe Tommy and that vendor have some kind of feud?
Of course the second Crim sees he's home alone he grabs some snacks from the fridge, grabs his pocket radio and headphones, and lazily throws himself onto the couch. Without a care he munches on some frozen chocolate puffs and puts on his favorite channel. Harry´s Happy Hour, a small podcast that only a handful seem to listen to. Despite the name, it runs all day from sunrise to sunset.
Usually he rants about his time on earth. According to him a tear connected his world and ours letting him and six more come over. Crim, if anything is half sure the man is crazy but at least his stories are interesting. Just as he's about to fully relax he turns to harry's station and is instantly surprised by his oddly loud voice.
"Good afternoon people of Valen! More specifically my people from the Abbey republic! I have good news and bad news. Good news is I'll be visiting the town of Luden down by the capital outskirts in three days. Bad news is one of the eight calamities is on its way to your capital. I'd say a day away. Even tier one shifters can't save ya so for all my adoring fans! Book it! Run! Screw the capital, head south. May we meet after!"
"Well I'll be damned, looks like ill be losin anotha home."
Crim lets out a heavy sigh. Still, despite the news he doesn't seem worried. Tommy always finds him no matter where he runs and moving homes has become second nature. Though, it's a shame to lose this one he thinks, after all we put a lot of effort into the decorations. And so until lunch time he lazes around and listens to Harry ramble on
"Speaking of first class shifters, did I ever tell everyone that I actually defeated quite a few? Apparently coming from another world has its perks. I mean, it definitely has downsides but what can ya do. Least I'm still around and lifes going better. Least, compared to the old one…"
So begins the usual rant about earth. Apparently Harry, before the crack opened up, used to be something called a v-tuber. He never succeeded but he had fun. His favorite thing to talk about is games and stories from earth, occasionally ranting about how it's impossible to bring aspects of earth here due to some unknown restrictions. Crim, despite his usual jaded attitude, always liked listening to these stories, his favorite being Harry's rants on something called dark souls.
This world seemed so dull compared to earth. Sure may have no magic, shifters, or calamities but something but the cultures focus on entertainment was leagues ahead of Crim's world. Thinking about it all he decides to turn off the radio, moving to his room to grab an extra large luggage bag to stuff with canned goods from the kitchen. As for clothes he only packs three button ups, three shorts, three pairs of socks, and his kicking boots. Looking at his lovely steel toed boots he can't help but smile.
So, now listening to some music on his pocket radio he starts heading south. As he walks across town he sees nobody panic, just living their lives. A younger him might've tried to warn them but he's learned his lesson. For some reason, Harry can predict a lot. Calamities, the economy, and even the future to an extent. Yet, for some reason he's completely unknown.
I guess this town is destined for death, Oh well! He thought to himself.
For a few minutes Crim wanders, eventually deciding to stop by the market and at least try warning the stall-keep he usually steals from. I owe em at least that, plus I want a few more bites a gizzard before it all goes ta ash. Remembering his morning meal a bright smile plasters his face. So, slightly rushing he eventually arrives at the market.
"Hey, I got money this time. I'll take tha biggest plate ya got a gizzard bites." Throwing a silver seal and two coppers onto the stall Crim orders with as innocent a face he can make. In response the stall-keep gives him a death glare. "...You okay kid? That bastard Tommy head off again?" For a few seconds the pair stare at each other, at least until Crim decides to start staring and drooling at the premade pile of gizzard on the side of the stall.
Sighing the stall-keep takes his money and passes a head sized plate filled to the brim with food to Crim. Smiling, he starts chowing down. Looking at Crim enjoy his food the stall-keep can't help but smile. "So kid, why suddenly give me so much cash. Two coppers enough to get a fillin plate yet here ya are askin for enough to fill six. Somethin make ya need to stay full for a few days?"
"Calamities comin, best ta take a break and 'ead south. Linbourough aught to be good enough."
Silence
Crim, still eating speaks first. "Hey old man, I seriously recommend ya book it. Know ya used ta be a soldier and all but aint no one safe 'ere" Surprisingly enough, the shop-keep takes him seriously, moving to close shop immediately. As he's closing he keeps the conversation going. "So, I guess Harry said somethin." Crim nods in response. Gripping his head, the shop-keep lets out a heavy sigh.
"Alright, well ya never did me wrong before. Besides the occasional theft but thats that. Ah, and kid. Start callin me Will. I'm long tired a bein called an old man when I'm only thirty seven." After a few minutes the pair finish what they're doing. Without a word the pair head over to Will's home.
Unlike Crim's, Will's front yard is well kept, the stone path leading to the front door swept clean and the grass a perfect one inch tall. While Will grabs his stuff Crim waits outside. "Old man really did live alone didn't he." Seeing the large home Crim can't help but feel bad for Will. Though, more than anything Crim is curious what Will intends to take with him. For a little under half an hour Crim wait's choosing to pop on Harry's Happy Hour.
"Now then, where to go where to go. I'm thinking Linbourough? I mean it's in the damage zone but at least I can safely see the calamity in action. If any of my adoring fans happen to live nearby let's do a meetup! I've always wanted to give out autographs so this could be fun. Yup, i've decided Harry's goin for an early meetup then Ill do my real business down in Luden!"
Just like that Crim is determined to go to Linbourough.
"So kid, anyone else we can save." Crim shakes his head, clear disappointment in his eyes. "Only you and me can remember what Harry says. Better to run than waste our time." With a bit of awkwardness Will scratches his head, choosing to follow along. After the pair check their items one last time they start walking.
As if trying their best to remember before it all goes away the pair look around as they walk. The houses are made of red brick with the roofs following a traditional diamond shape with the cobble roads filled with people on the sides, all making sure to avoid the horse drawn carriages as they pass by. The street post shine a weak glimmer, growing brighter as the azure moon starts to rise and bright sun sets. At first Will wants to rent a carriage but Crim argues against it, saying it'd be a waste of money when Lindbourough is only two day's away walking. Thankfully, Will convinces Crim to follow him.
"You owe me two silvers." Crim, sitting in the carriage with Will glares. In response Will shrugs. "Sure thing kid. I'll pay ya back when I can." Frowning Crim glares even harder. For a moment the two stare in silence, Crim's annoyed voice breaking it immediately after. "Ya want me ta call ya Will but ya keep callin me kid. I ain't no kid though. Be hittin sixteen in three days time so I'm practically an adult already."
Will chuckles seeing Crims smug face. Pouting Crim looks down in defeat. "I've been meanin ta ask but why ya let me steal from ya Will?" With a silly smile Will responds. "I know a broke bloke when I see one. Besides, a kid like ya aint gon steal without reason." Suddenly Will clutches his backpack tight. Pretending not to notice Crim lets out a sigh. "Ya right bout that. Hey, I think Imma take a nap 'ere Will. Don't touch my stuff, kay?" Not like the silver was mine Crim thinks to himself before falling asleep peacefully.
Will just sends a thumbs up and closes his eyes too, prepared to join Crim in his nap.