Ariqa's quest: Origins of Maria

Chapter 3, part 6

[Sebun Seas's point of view]

Me and my plains crew had packed up rations, potions, and Arbour built a cart to move so he can help us move quicker.

We got to the agreed meeting spot where Alynx was waiting for us with what she called a colour, compact sack called a backpack.

Alynx:" I see you got totally prepared for this."

Alynx got on to the cart with Arbour moving the cart with us as well as occasionally drinking a speed potion.

Throughout the morning of travelling, we told our tall tales with Alynx occasionally questioning and acknowledging us. After we told our tales, she told us her tall tale.

A month ago, she woke up to an apartment where a 19 year old was visiting his father and younger 12 year old sister at the time.

His father, Boris Jension, had taken her to an interrogation room where they confirmed that she had just come from an alternative world that the phoenix order rescued her.

Now, unlike most people, Alynx could only remember her name, but not what her old world was like.

The young man, named Victun Jension (Don't ask me why), who visited his father gave her everything she needed to create a new life in psychic City, and so she was able to have a job for nearly two weeks before she got fired.

She did mention that she had a date with him once and actually has a lot in common. They both didn't remember their old lives back home. They were both in a job that required social media, and they wanted to do good for their goals.

By the time she finished her story, we were outside one of the cable car stations that led to Steamburg and the Lowland kingdom at lunchtime.

We put the wooden cart to a nearby security cave under an iron armoured guard, took the stuff with us, and got the cable car to Steamburg central station, which costs nothing somehow.

Steamburg was a lot richer than what I thought it would be. There were red brick buildings, steam-powered vehicles, and robots that mostly had exposed parts.

[Arbour's point of view]

Steamburg was more old-fashioned than Psychic City, but that didn't stop them from having Victorian clothing, cable car stations every once in a while, and water pipes above us, which made me feel queasy.

One Steamburg marketplace stall owner stopped by and said in an Italian, calming tone:

"Don't worry about the water pipes. Because we here burn the hydrogen gas that power Steamburg and also make clean drinking water in the process. The waste water then goes to the pipes below us to prevent dusease from spreading."

Phew! I didn't feel queasy anymore after hearing that.

I said to him:"Thanks."

The stall keeper:" You're welcome, so you four are trying to get a stall up and running, hey?"

The four of us looked at him. 

Katelin spoke politely:"Of course we can."

The stall keeper:"Well then, best we get you to the marketplace."

At that moment, a steam-powered car that looks like an open-air SUV, steampunked themed, and two light bulbs, one for each eye, arrived.

It was a seven seater, but the two seats were occupied by a compact piano that can simulate speech.

Piano SUV:"We have got some people to show them again, Steven?"

Note: The piano's speech is hard to distinguish.

[Katelin's point of view]

As the piano SUV blows the steam up from the bonnet, I notice how polite, kind, and even serious the people are.

There were people sticking their smallest finger up whilst drinking tea, how they were enjoying (and giving money) to the vocals and moves of a homeless man singing, never gonna give you up, a song from another world. And there were police knights who had dark blue plating arresting the would-be bank robber.

Steven:"Our core values here in Steamburg are the three most important. Being polite by answering questions, help the people feel belonged, but also to have work ethics without cheating. That's how the world works around here."

Sebun:"And that's what it was like working with my guild back home."

Steven:"Well, back home, I used to sell luxury SUVs to the rich and not the poor since they didn't have enough to afford. That is what got me kicked out, got me to reconsider my life choices and got me there."

The three of us were very shocked to his downfall. Only Alynx spoke about that.

Alynx:"Well, in the city where I live, we use electric hatchbacks and motorcycles. Electric SUVs are starting to pop up, though."

Piano SUV:"And we'll be having a rivalry with those giants by then."

Steven:"So you are a psychic city girl then?"

Alynx said proudly:"Yep!"

Steven:" It's a shame that Boris doesn't allow other 'outsiders' to sell 'meaningless junk'."

The Piano SUV got to a road where there was a port and a flurry of stalls.

Steven:"Here we are, the Steamburg marketplace, and port. A place where many ships, shops, stalls, and swift stops to eat."

We got our supplies out of the boot, kept tight to our grip, and said farewell to Steven.

Me:"Thank you for the ride."

Steven:"You're very welcome, madam." Whilst his moustache rustled.

Piano SUV:"There is also a cable car station in the back of the marketplace to head back home once you talk to the manager."

Alynx:"Don't worry, I'll show them the way."

Piano SUV:"Good!"

With that, both Steven and the Piano SUV left the marketplace, so we can get down to some polite business...

Full chapter coming on October 1st, 2024, or 10124.

Hi everyone...

I would like to thank you for getting me to 100 votes and 300 reads for this story...

Now it has been 5 months since starting my Wattpad account and 3 months since I started Ariqa's quest: Origins of Maria...

I am proud of what I came up with for the story, and I am proud of all of you readers, commenters, voters, and followers. Thank you...

Help me get to 500 reads and 200 votes by sharing this story all over social media, I would really appreciate it...

And if this story reaches 10,000 reads and 10,000 votes, I'll start laying the groundwork for a sequel for the Ariqa's quest series, so make sure to share this beautiful story that's yet to go deeper than you really think...

Take care and see you in the full version of chapter 3...

;)