Unexpectedly (EnAli)

1) Arrival

*not really sure when this happens but somewhere during Alibaba's training in Leam*

During Alibaba Saluja's gladiator training days in the Leam Empire, an unexpected visitor came on a business trip. The town was bustling after hearing the news of the future visit of the Kou Empire's General and First Prince, Ren Kouen. On this particular day, Alibaba found himself wandering the streets of Leam, looking for things to spend his rewards as a gladiator on.

"Yo! Alibaba!" Turning around, Alibaba found himself face to face with the local fishmonger, whom he'd become acquainted with after arriving in Leam.

"Ossan! Hey!" The golden-haired boy greeted, waving at the cheerful old man.

"How's the Colosseum been goin' for ya?" The fishmonger asked, wiping his hands on a towel.

"Been great! Came to spend my prize money, actually," Alibaba grinned, slightly blushing.

"Why dontcha take a fish or two off my hands?" The old man waved towards his fish, lain out on the table. "Bring some back for Toto and the rest of 'em,"

"Sure, what's in season? And what's going on today? Why's everyone so chatty?" He placed a few coins in the fishmonger's hand. 

"You didn't hear 'bout it? That big shot from the Kou Empire's comin' today," Walking back to his table of fish, the old man grabbed two fish and put them in a bag.

"The Kou Empire? Who?"

"Ya know, that first son, Ren Kouen," He handed Alibaba the bag. 

"Ren Kouen?! The first general?!" Alibaba exclaimed, taking the fish.

"The one and only, yessir," The fishmonger chuckled. 

"Why's the Kou Empire coming to Leam, though? What are they trying to achieve?" The golden-haired boy asked, frowning.

"Who knows, you'd have to ask them higher ups," The old man shrugged. "Well, I gotta run, say 'hi' to Toto an' them for me, will ya?" 

"Will do, thanks, ossan," Alibaba waved before beginning to walk down the street again. The stores were bustling with talk of the arrival of the Kou Empire, most, wondering what their goals were, coming an enemy empire and all. Alibaba began to recall something he'd been told in the morning before he had left.

"Don't stay out too long, Master says there's something we need to attend to later today," Toto had said as Alibaba reached for the doorknob. "And you'd better not waste all your money, you still have a small debt to pay for the treatment,"

"Sure, sure, I'll be going now, bye!" He had responded, quickly opening and shutting the door behind him, leaving Toto standing angrily.

It wasn't noon yet, so the golden-haired boy decided to stay and wander the streets a bit longer. The Colosseum was also rather close, so he wasn't in too much of a hurry to head back. Looking over at the sea, Alibaba saw a boat approaching and people beginning to gather at the dock.

"Wonder what's going on...I've still got a bit of time to check it out, I guess," He said, turning towards the dock.

"Oi, everyone! The Kou Empire's here!" Someone shouted. The wandering townspeople turned towards to direction of the sea and began to walk over.

"The Kou Empire?"

"They've showed up, have they?"

"Why're they here?"

Caught in the crowds, was Alibaba, who desperately clung to his bag of fish and the rest of his belongings as he was pushed closer to the dock.

"E-Excuse me! Please let me out! Excuse me!!" He cried desperately, waving his hands trying to catch the attention of those pushing him further away from his destination.