Courageous Compassion | Illinois x Reader |

Arrival

We have walked for a fair amount of time before coming closer and closer to the town.

As we did, my thoughts of it being a mirage went away as I could see and hear people. It was larger than I had expected it to be.

We heard busy voices along with the cheer of children running around. It wasn't like the modern tech we have at home. Some of the shades involved the building of small branches that bundled up.

The buildings were made up of what appears to be dried white clay. I was curious as to where they have found white clay since everything else is a light or dark shade of red. Some logs were built to stabilize the buildings and platforms were on smaller roofs where ladders would be placed to get up on taller building.

To add some decoration instead of being it a dull white place, they added some plotted plants with red clay that were getting much light as needed.

The streets were booming with many people. Men traveled along the streets in clothing fit for this weather. Some women traveled with purses in hand and walked along side where the market was.

It was a cute town that I wouldn't mind living in.

As we walked closer to the town and into the market, people were shouting out what they have in store to encourage us to buy some of their items. But we were in need of water.

[Y/N] You don't seem to have any currency on you, do you?
[Illinois] Not at the moment.

We passed by a cart with fruit and nuts gathered on it. Bundles of fruit were gathered in hand-made woven baskets. Such as mangos, apples, watermelon, and peaches. The nuts contained peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews and many more.

As we passed by, the vendor was busy with someone else, looking the other way. I looked up at Illinois and I saw a spark in his eyes.

[Y/N] Illinois, don't you da-

But I was cut off by him taking two pieces of (fruit mentioned above). He held them in one hand, while he placed his other hand on my back, rushing us to flee the scene.

When we reached a small alley, we took our seats in the shade. He handed me the fruit and I accepted hesitantly.

[Illinois] These kinds of fruits are a great source of, both, liquid AND food.
[Y/N] This all escalated to Aladdin.

Illinois bit into the fruit. The juices it provided ran down his chin and onto his shirt. I looked at my fruit, rubbing it off a little. After staring at it for a while, I took a bite into it.

As I chewed, the sweetness of the fruit gave me memories of home. I remembered when I was little, still living with my parents, I would always looked to fruit. Because 1, my mom said that it's more better and healthier than candy, and 2, I never minded the taste of it.

As soon as I took one bite, I couldn't help myself by munching into the tasteful fruit. I started to eat and eat that fruit like it was the last time.

After I finished, I wiped away the leftover sticky juice on the collar of my shirt and wiped my hands on the sides of my legs.

Illinois was still eating his and I waited for him and by passing the time, I started to doodle on the sand below.

[Y/N] What should we do now?
[Illinois] We can try to ask someone directions. But that'll be hard since people here speak their own language.

Illinois took one last bite and threw it in a nearby trash can.

We both got up, dusted ourselves off, and walked back into the busy street.