The Northern Jewel

Chapter 2: Republic City

It was already nighttime when we arrived, the sound of workers unloading the shipment gave me the signal to get out of the ship. "We're finally here Nuuka, lets go" I held Nuuka's reins in my left hand and started crouching my way towards the lowered platform. As we walked across the metal platform. I checked around the docks and the coast was clear, besides the few men unloading the cargo. I mounted Nuuka and gestured her to start walking.

"Now to find the next ship to the South Pole." I said as I began to look around the docks trying to find a guide, my eyes lit up after spotting a man who looked like he's in charge of something around here. Reaching closer to the man I unmounted Nuuka. " Excuse me sir, do you happen to know when the next ship is departing to the South Pole?" I asked. He looked over to me wearing a questionable look. "The next ship is in 13 days kid." He said. My face went blank. "Thanks..." I replied trying to act as normal as I possibly could, '13 days?! Spirits, where should I go now?' I slapped my palm across my face in absolute defeat.

We walked for what seemed like a couple of minutes, we arrived at a huge bridge with a beautiful sight. The city spread below me, and the world suddenly felt so wide and free that I wanted to jump. Lights glittered everywhere just like stars dropping to the earth, huge and small buildings collided in a mixture of shadow and geometry, tiny Sato-mobiles rushing along tangled lines of streets creating twisting threads of light - they all intertwined together in a magnificent mess of dream.

A breathtaking, marvelous, almost frightened dream that made me feel like some fake, unlucky living thing.

"Woah" I stared at the beautiful night sky in awe. The weather was not as cold as the North Pole, so I figured I should get rid of the cloak and heavy clothes. I placed them all in my backpack, which was enough to store a bunch of clothes, it was tied around Nuuka's side as if she had her own purse. Now wearing my light apparel, I decided to switch it up a little and see if I could find a local market to buy clothes.

The market roared with rage for it now was awake from its peaceful slumber. The shops were stuffed and street vendors made the street extremely narrow forcing people to walk in a straight file like soldiers going to battle.

Shops of all different species stood on either side of the street obediently.

I managed to buy some clothes from one of the shops, it seemed to me everyone generally wears brown or purple. I got a dark blue jacket with high boots and some black pants, fingerless light gloves. I tied my hair like a small ponytail to my right side, it felt good to just do whatever I had in mind, the feeling of freedom! I dressed up and payed for the clothes from the money I had saved up incase my father cuts my allowance. Exiting the shop I thanked the lady at the cashier and continued walking alongside the huge market, the clothes were comfortable and made me feel satisfied. Soon after, I stumbled upon a beauty salon, the place looked very inviting, I couldn't help but stare in absolute awe. "You know Nuuka, a haircut wouldn't hurt" I chuckled looking at the shop. I tied Nuuka's reins next to the shop, upon entering I was greeted with three women, they all had their hands full with either cleaning around or sweeping the hair on the floor, I greeted the lady behind the counter and asked for a haircut, she smiled at me and asked me to sit on one of the chairs then one of the ladies would attend my needs.

(A/N: ill show the outfit below!)

I decided to shave the left side of my head, I thought it was pretty cool, I won't lie it felt new and refreshing. After leaving the beauty shop, I realized staying in the city for a while wouldn't hurt. I didn't have a goal at the moment, so I decided to start exploring the esteemed City.

We made our way towards the huge theater or that's what it seemed like, couldn't help but notice a man, he was chubby, and he wore a lot of jewelry, probably a rich guy I thought, he spotted me staring at him and quickly called out to me.