Distortia is a fanatical world filled to the brim with legendary crafts and mysterious systems with the capital of it in all it's wonderful glory, Psillyia.
Tinkering trinkets, gluttonous gifts, magical machines just to name a few. To be a merchant...
Each cog has its place, maybe - Just maybe - this is yours.
- Master Auric.
Town square seems to be buzzing with excitement as always at this time of month, the polar opposite to what I'm feeling right now : true terror. I mean, come on? Today of all days, the two rambling faeries to set up shop in town, the one day I need to avoid the big boss! Let's face it, I'm a goner.
"Just here, young chap!" One of the brothers perks up to interrupt my train of thought. I heave the parts to our designated area and set up shop, the ugly banner, crooked boxes and rusty till right in front of another, more successful, business selling exactly what we are. I'll say it now, they are way out of their depths.
Group after group, customer after customer, penny after penny, they all drift past us towards other stalls, each taking one long glance at our bizarre clock-ware ( if you can even call it that). With their high fashion coats and fitted boots, I bet that one of them could easily buy the entire stall if they wanted, not even one of them will give a coin of sympathy...
Or will they?
Further out in the crowd, I spot a pick up mech inspecting stalls with gear parts, now's our time to shine! I yell to the mech, "oh good morning, you lookin' for gears? We have all the latest instalments for a homely yet fashionable clock. Absolutely perfect for someone of your prestigious-ness!"
The mech slowly turns to face us, clanking his way through the town, pouch of coins in hand. The brothers notice our possible customer but before they scare it away, I slide been them and the mech, seller's smile prepped for use. "Ah, so you are interested, what are you in need of, sir?"
"Do you have any Reed's industrial strength four way cogs?" His 'voice' is warm and formal, a rich house but one that prefers to not update its items.
"Of course we do sir and half the price of any-"
"But there was one on offer for three silver coins, yours are for four silver coins." He innocently interrupts, I'm surprised he hasn't been thrown away yet. I need the money, if he leaves, this will be a day's worth of work without pay.
"Well, they must be fakes for such an odd price..." I try to sway him, but if he had eyes, they'd be slowly turning towards the other stall and wandering with the crowd. Another loss...
As hope fades into the rushing mass, I take a long sigh and call it a day, "I... Have some things to get on with at home. Sorry."
"Oh, that's alright, young chap! You get home and come bright and early in the morning, we are sure to make a profit tomorrow. " no matter what you say, they're always in their own little world.
I join the flow of people and head towards the slums, hopefully the old geezer upstairs is willing to share a bit of scraps. well, that's what I was thinking until I see death knock at the door. The big boss and his gang heading in my direction at their eerie pace. I'm officially dead, just bury me now!
I try to turn and speed walk against the wave but it's so crowded, I end up getting pushed further towards them, heart racing. What will they do to the others - have done - to them. I picture Maybell strung up like a doll in the black market next to Harriet, Harry in the brothel and mum's dead corpse, left to rot or be devoured by rats. And what of me? Another escape goat for the next robbery? Another victim of slavery? My legs shake under the pressure, reality mixes with truth and I feel like a sailing boat against the tide. I try to call out for the Thompson brothers, but their so caught up in 'business' along with everyone else.
No one cares, no one.
I come back to my senses when I hear the ching of his metal rimmed boots, cane in hand, anger in his eyes.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't kiddie Ryder, enjoying the fair?" His sinister smirk slides across his wrinkled face, freezing me to the core.
"Look, I can explain. The pay hasn't been good and I was at work just now but -"
"But what? " time stands still as I think over what I say next, the second hand chipping away at my time.
"But-"
"But he was just going to repay you, sir... " a monotone buzz echoes from behind me, we all turn to stop and stare at a rogue mech, original series, pouch of coins in hand.
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[Oooooo, this is gonna be good! Finally we're getting to the good bits and I hope we'll continue the drama in the next chapter.
Who's robot is this? Why is he helping? What will become if Ryder? All (should) be revealed in the next chapter, thanks for reading 😊]
