Messenger

Chapter 16

 Fukase shoved his way through the crowded market trying to not fall over in the process. It didn't help that Fuka was a certified short person, but today the square was the most packed that he'd ever seen and the fact that half the working class was populating it was just confusing things more. Bits of conversation whipped past but there were too many for him to actually pick up and comprehend and it annoyed him to no end.

Being aware of news was kind of important to Fukase's job and livelihood. Most people are less likely to notice a little trinket getting picked up when they're busy chatting about how oblivious those two school kids are or how the person three houses over lost some chickens and their nowhere to be found. Granted, it sounds boring and meaningless, but that little chit-chat helps Fuka blend in and prompts vendors to turn a blind eye to his interaction with the higher class. Despite what others may think, he wouldn't take from the shopkeeps that didn't do anything to him. Professionals have standards.

Thinking about it, there hasn't been much of a need for Fukase's services as of late, but he still found himself at the square for the heck of it. How could he not? He had some of the most prime information with him even being encouraged to spread it, but now some bigger scoop is taking the spotlight and Fuka was left in the dark.

Nearly every building appeared full, but one location that most parents went out of their way to not pass much to their children's disappointment that Fuka was fairly familiar with; the bakery. The entire gang had been fascinated with the sugary creations there since they were tiny in their own wanderings and when they were together, gawking at the sweets as a pack. With that, it wouldn't be too strange or out of the ordinary for one of them to pop in every once in a while and see how Kaito's doing.

"Hey. Taking shelter from the storm as well?" Fukase greeted.

"Apparently." Kaito was in the middle of midday restocking, but he did take a second to scan the slightly trampled boy in his doorway. "The people have been at it all afternoon. I can't really tell if it's good or bad for business."

Fuka shrugged. "I'm the last person to ask, but do you know what everyone's going off about?" If he had to describe the energy of every person out there, tense would be a serious understatement.

"You don't know? I thought you and Miki had grand palace adventures."

"Well, yeah, but it's not like they were lying out all of their secrets on a silver platter." Although, it did seem like once you were in the castle, there wasn't much to be hidden. It genuinely surprised Fukase how blunt everyone was and he was the very king of oversharing.

Kaito laughed a little. "I thought you'd be the first to know and be out there. You might be losing your edge."

"Just spill."

He raised an eyebrow slightly as Fuka narrowed his eyes.

"Please."

Kaito's giggling continued on. "Well since you twisted my leg and also asked so nicely, one of the people with the lumber had a big drop off at the palace and they noticed that there were some other very big hauls getting delivered as well and that they were some expensive goods."

"It's the freaking castle. What else is new?"

"Yes, but our lovely royals have never been much for the decadence and with a bit of smooth-talking with the thoroughly disinterested workers, the guy found out that the nobles are throwing a big party." Kaito announced in a tone that made the event seem ten times more ominous than it actually would be.

It's a party, fancy people have those all the time and it's not like the likes of them would be getting an invite. Kaito, despite his usual goofy demeanor, was as much of a sucker for drama as Fuka is, so this news was a little lackluster. "Okay? How is that the reason behind the human tornado going on outside?"