"Woah, it's so pretty!!!"
Lily, now sitting on Crim's shoulders looks on in amazement at the passing crowd of Yonda Port town locals. Unlike Lindbourough, the homes have a more round shape, the walls made of stone and roofs made of a kind of thatch. There's also no gravel or stone paths, instead people and carriages alike walk on the dirt. Beyond the town, right next to the sea, is a dock spanning all across the coastline, various trade and travel ships filling it. The people are dressed in more loose clothes, sleeveless shirts and baggy shorts being common with the occasional man or two wearing a loose bandana.
Seeing Lily so excited the passerby smile, some waving to her as they pass by. Meanwhile, the other three of the group look around cautiously. Crim prepares to pull out his sword at any moment, Will guards his backpack with his life, and Charlie sticks as close to Will as he can. Eventually they stop at a restaurant near the docks.
After being seated they order, Lily going first. "I'll 'ave shrimp!" Followed by crim. "I 'll 'ave a plate a fried sea cucumber and coral chips", then Charlie, "Salted cod for me please." and lastly Will decides not to eat knowing they'll have to ride a ship soon. After they order, the waiter charges them one bone shill, converting to half a gold coin. Thankfully, the restaurant accepts Abbey currency. As Crim and Lily eat, Will and Charlie talk with Will going first.
"I'm assuming you don't have any shells shills, bone shills, or sea shills?"
"We can get em through conversion at whateva bank runs 'ere. Might make a bit of a loss but oh well, can't win em all."
Looking at the coins in his pocket Charlie feels a bit of sadness. The Urbi fount runs on a similar system to Abbey with shell, bone, and sea functioning the same as hay coins, silver coins, and gold coins but unfortunately compared to Abbey coins Urbi shill stones have three fourths the value when converted. After the trio eat they move to a nearby bank and trade their coins after waiting a long while in line. Finally, after half a day of walking around they buy some tickets to the main island of the Urbi fount, the Yoli island also known as the center of the four large and sixteen small surrounding islands that make up the Urbi Island Founts. A commercial hub where the three ruling families dominate. A rare place of absolute law and order as well as Crim and Will's first stop.
Stepping onto the ship they move to their cabin and prepare for a week long sail. On day one Crim, Charlie, and Lily are left sea sick and vomiting buckets while Will fishes off the boats side railing, whistling along with the steam engine. Day two passes and the trio are still in hell, meanwhile Will enjoys the food delivered directly to their admittedly small yet cozy cabin right in front of them without a care. Finally, on day three the trio can have a proper conversation.
"So where's exactly we 'eading on Urbi Will?" Crim said while wolfing down a plate of pickled sardines. "We're going to visit my home town. First, let's figure out where our new base of operations is. Charlie?" Surprised to hear his name, Charlie almost jumps out of his bed, nearly dropping his plate of dried bananas. "It's on tha Toli island, a day's carriage ride from the Poli camp." Will nods, taking another bite of his sardines. For a few minutes an awkward silence takes over as the group focuses on their food. Eventually, Crim breaks it.
"So where's exactly ya from Will?"
"It just so happens I'm from the Toli island, albeit from a small nameless town near the pier connecting it and the Yoli island east of it."
Seeing yet another coincidence Crim raises a brow. Curiously, he uses his eyes to try and see if he can find the source. Unfortunately, this time they don't work. No glimmer and no change. I wonder how far this goes back, Crim thinks to himself as he stares at Will. In response, Will shrugs, choosing to obey his master's plans.
"What was it like there?"
Lilly, with her head tilted, looks at Will with eyes full of curiosity. For a second Will smiles, a hint of nostalgia and sadness flickering in his eyes. Taking a moment to think about what he can say, he eventually responds with a rare warmth in his voice.
"It was a small town. We weren't too different from the rest except we chose to believe in Ourus instead of Levia like most others. We even had a dedicated chapel just for us. Anyways, normal people and normal place that I intend to visit when we get there."
"Can we go too mistah Will?"
Hesitating, Will nods. For a few heavy moments an awkward silence fills the room. Thankfully, Crim breaks it with his usual lively talk. "So we definitely gonna go for a drink when we get ta tha docks ain't we? Right? Right?" Lily, hearing the word "drink" gets visibly excited. "I Want Appy Juice!" Seeing her so dead serious about her beloved appy juice everyone can't help but let out a small laugh. Patting her head, Crim wears a wide grin, "Yeah yeah you an me we'll both get our juice." Suddenly, Will and Charlie put on a serious expression. "No drinking in front of her." Will says with Charlie nodding along.
Exaggeratedly, Crim shoots back, an even siller grin appearing on his extra goofy face. "Fine! Fine! Long as I get a shot a ale I'll be 'appy." Getting a bit excited by Crim's over the top reaction Lily moved to him and grabs his hand, shouting, "Gotcha!" with a toothy grin. "Why yes ya did ya lil monster!" Lifting Lily with both arms he gently tickles her before putting her down.
After a few minutes of playing they finally start to have a proper discussion on their plans.
"So then we go from port ta Charlies place then visit ya home Will?" Will nods in response. After taking a moment to think, Crim decides to address the coincidences with Will directly. "Will, be honest with me. How much a this is me followin a plan?" Will shrugs in response, "No idea but I know it's a good idea to follow along." Crim raises a brow at Will's response, clearly unhappy with it. Charlie and Lily, meanwhile, watch on silently as Crim continues the conversation. "The place ya were born just so 'appens ta be where were goin an ya okay with it. Far as ya know ya entire life might've been planned an ya just okay with it?" Will nods, already having a response ready. "I may be okay with following a plan but I never said I was okay with its path or ending."
For a few seconds Crim stares at Will, wondering what's going on through in his head. In the end all he can do is accept it, hoping that Will won't do anything to harm him in his dissatisfaction. "Soon as I can i'm breakin out." Will doesn't respond, instead choosing to lay down and stare at the roof.
And so the days pass in calm. Eventually, the ship arrives at the Yoli docks. Standing on the ship deck, leaning against the side railing, the group watches as they get closer. The sun rises as the glimmer of lamppost and sea side homes bloom into existence. Small ships and big ships alike wade through the waving ocean as commerce thrives. Boxes, people, and small shop stands like the port entrance, hawkers shouting with welcoming smiles at the tourists to come and try their goods.
Right as the ship docks a small bridge wide enough for four to pass side to side drops. The group walks down, Charlie holding Lily on his shoulders while Crim stands next to Will. After making sure nothing was lost Crim immediately drags everyone to the nearest portside pub. The second everyone sees Lily, everything goes quiet.
Unlike Abbey pubs, Urbi pubs have a more rough folksy feel with the various odd stuffed fish and random fishing trophies sprawled across the wall. There's no booths, instead various tables and stools fill the area. It's unusually full, near every stool except for a few up on next to the main bar's counter being empty. There's no band playing music, instead a tv sits in the leftmost corner playing the news. Ignoring it they take a seat, Lily choosing to move onto Crims shoulders this time.
"I'm so tall."
Puffing her chest out with pride Lily looks around curious. A few people choose to wave back and smile but most wonder what failure of a father would bring his daughter to a pub. Pretending to ignore the stares coming towards their group Charlie just repeats the phrase "its for the mission" again and again in his head.
"I'll take a pint a whatever ya locals drink and a banana somethin for tha kid."
The bartender looks at Crim, then at Lily, then decides he's not paid enough to care who brings their kid too a pub. "Sure." As the bartender preps their drinks Lily wonders what a banana is, staring at the bar tender as he works. At first he's a bit sheepish but eventually decides to put on a small show for Lily. After just under five minutes he passes their drinks with Lily's cup being noticeably larger than Crim's.
"Banana shanty for the red head and banana milk for the kid. Welcome to Urbi, hope everyone has a fun time here."