“If I didn’t have to bring you, I wouldn’t.” Pax hissed under his breath. The boy was tired and miserable. He snatched a small loaf of bread off the counter and shoved it into his satchel on top of Smoke, praying no one would catch him.
Astra’s POV
“I’m not wrong!” She twittered again. “He’s a sourpuss.”
"I would be much happier if you didn't." Smoke replied before falling asleep, quickly waking up again when Pax shoved a piece of bread on top of her. She jumped in surprise but shifted so the piece of bread fell to her side.
Faith
Faith shook her head as concern seeped into her expression. "You didn't eat?" she asked Kanaan, "And you were up all night? Kanaan… I'm sorry. The marketplace is open today, should we go?"
Achilles
Achilles, lost in thought, trailed after Max. The crowd parted easily for him, and though people kept their distance, snatches of conversation drifted his way.
"Stay away from the lion, sweetie. I don't want it to bite you."
"No, it's dangerous, don't go near."
"Winona, this way. Let's take the long way around… I don't like the look of that animal."*
He sighed forlornly. Of course.
"If you couldn't afford the bread, you shoulda just said something." Azzy said, not looking up from the bread she was cutting. She ignored Astra for the moment, definitely planning on giving her a piece of bread for that later.
Kanaan
"Please stop apologizing, it's not necessary." He perked up at the mention of the marketplace. "I would love to. People watching is fun, and they have such fun things for sale."
Paxton’s POV
Pax froze, embarrassed at being caught. He took a hesitant step backwards in case the girl decided to call for guards. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He huffed, clearly nervous.
Max's POV
Max quickly snapped out of his thoughts when he heard people whispering about Achilles. "Why is everyone so scared of you? After so many years, I still don't get it."
Smoke's POV
Smoke poked her head up when she thought Pax had been caught, glaring heavily at the girl who he had stolen the bread from.
Azzy rolled her eyes, holding out half of the loaf. "Sure, and I'm the King's daughter." She said sarcastically. "That'll be [insert amount of money from system?], for this half. The other one's on me."
Faith
Faith averted her eyes, rubbing sheepishly at the nape of her neck.
"Let's go, then," she agreed. "You can choose whatever you want, and I'll buy it, whether it's edible or not. As a.. thank-you." And an apology.
Astra’s POV
“Watch it, short stuff!” Astra squawked playfully at Smoke, puffing up her feathers menacingly. She flew back down to the booth, unafraid.
Paxton’s POV
“I… thank you.” He forked over the required coins, placing them gently on the table. “Paxton Gates—er… I am Paxton Gates. You can just call me Pax though.” He offered shyly, his scowl fading like morning mist.
Kanaan
"We should get something special, a treat for you." He suggested. If he had been human, he'd have been smiling.
Azzy
"Call me Luz." Azzy's smile turned a bit more real. "Jeez, Astra, leave the cat alone. I'm not pulling you out of another fight you can't win." She shook her head, tearing a small chunk of bread off the other half of the loaf and waving it around to get Astra's attention.
Faith
A soft smile ghosted over her expression. "Maybe…" she murmured, allowing her eyes to travel back up to his. "Are you ready to go?"
Smoke
Smoke looked very surprise when he didn't get caught and looked at the girl in surprise. "What is the King's Daughter doing here?"
Astra’s POV
“I’d totally win!” Astra complained, but spedwalk on her little talons to get close to the bread. She waddled side to side as she walked, almost like a common street pigeon.
Paxton’s POV
“It’s been a pleasure, Luz.” Pax smiled awkwardly. “Don’t worry about Smoke, she deserves all the teasing she gets.” He sighed at Smoke’s exclaimation. “She’s not the actual King’s daughter, dumbass.” He sighed, rubbing his temples.
Kanaan
"I am, yes. I assume you are too?" He asked, taking a few steps back and trying to control his excitement.
Azzy
Azzy snorted, handing Astra the bread. "Still, somebody here needs to stop getting in fights. That's my thing." She scooped up the coins, dumping them into the pouch tied at her waist.
Faith
Faith's smile grew as she saw how excited her spirit companion seemed to be. "Yes, I'm ready. Do I look presentable?"
Smoke
"Hey! I'm still sleepy!" Smoke defended herself, glaring at Pax.
Kanaan
"You always do." Kanaan replied sweetly, giving up on hiding his excitement. He loved going to the marketplace, and all the different sights and sounds.
Paxton’s POV
“You’re just daft, Smoke.” Pax rolled his eyes in annoyance. He took his time making sure the bread was safely tucked away, unwilling to leave the one spot where he managed to find some hospitality.
Astra’s POV
“Thank you!” Astra cooed, devouring the breath with short, small pecks of her beak. She hopped over to Luz’s hand, affectionately nuzzling it.
"Thank you, I get that a lot." Smoke replied sarcastically, looking around the market.
Faith
"You're adorable," Faith told the creature sweetly, barely sparing her clay-stained hands a single glance. "Alright, off we go."
Azzy
Azzy returned the affection, scratching gently on the back of Astra's neck. "So, you try to steal bread around here often?" She asked, looking amused as she looked back up at Pax.
Kanaan
Kanaan huffed. "I am not adorable." He led the way happily, a slight prance in his step.
Faith
"Of course you are," Faith teased lightly, but when she attempted to keep up with her companion, exhaustion took its toll. Her limbs grew heavier the more they progressed, until eventually, she could barely stand on her own.
Paxton
“Once a week. I try not to take too much.” He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Just enough to keep me going for a little while longer.”
Astra
The little owl cooed peacefully, happy to be with her favorite human.
Kanaan
Kanaan looked back and sighed, turning to come up next to her. "Get on my back. I'll carry you, and you can nap on the way."
Azzy
"Good idea. I'll give you a little bit of information, free of charge." Azzy lowered her voice as she continued to pet Astra, leaning a bit closer to Pax. "The butcher, Nicholas, leaves his booth unattended for ten minutes to take the money he's made to a safe place. Bread won't last you long, so it might help to grab something more filling. Plus, I don't like him."
Faith
The poor girl didn't even have the energy to argue. She merely clambered onto Kanaan's back, leaning heavily against the back of his neck.