*
"Beatae Mariae. Semper virgini."
**
Noble Bell College
With Group Star...
"'Fieldwork' is just a fancy term for unstructured wandering time. Absolutely terrible for loners," Idia muttered with a deadpanned expression. "Still, it's better than when teachers go, 'Okay, time to make your own groups!' ...but not by much," he continued mumbling to himself before turning over to his group. "Anyway, the Team Star members are..."
"Oui!" Rook exclaimed, scaring the shit out of Idia.
"EEP!" Idia shrieked.
"Greetings, Roi de sa Chambre!" Rook happily greeted. "Team Star consists of yourself, Silver, Ruggie, and moi," he informed.
"Augh, such a bright smile...That sheer extrovert aura is no joke," Idia sweat dropped in panic. "If only Azul were here to balance it out with some shadiness..."
"Oh, you think it's too bright out?" Silver innocently asked, stepping over to Idia and Rook. "I guess the brim of your hat isn't all that wide,"
"That won't do at all," Rook yelped out, widening his eyes in worry. "Would you like to borrow my hat?" he asked.
"Wow, Rook. You're as oblivious as Kalim and Y/n," Ruggie sighed with a deadpanned expression as he walked over to his group as well. "Reminds me of our good ol' Facepalm Brigade...."
"Oh, hey...Ruggie's got some shade going on underneath his athletic exterior..." Idia muttered quietly to himself. "But is it just me, or are we all talking on different wavelengths? What are we, an adventuring party from an isekai transmigration light novel?" he asked with a nervous sweat drop.
"I can't make heads or tails of what you say either, y'know. I've got a feelin' this group's a trainwreck in progress," Ruggie nervously sweat dropped as well.
"Well, what would everyone like to see in the city?" Rook then asked.
"I wanna check out some local handicrafts and specialty goods!" Ruggie grinned excitedly. "After all, we're having a feast (read: free meal) tonight,"
"Are you looking for souvenirs?" Silver asked. "I was hoping to buy one for Lilia, myself,"
"Hm, perusing popular products could provide an insight into Fleur City itself. I like the idea," Rook says.
"Yeah, uh...I'd like to pick up something for Ortho while we're exploring too..." Idia slightly smiled before it turned into a toothy grin. "I wanna get the main quest outta the way fast. That way our job here will basically be done,"
"Uh, our 'job' is attending the social," Ruggie sweat dropped.
"The social's already begun for me..." Idia says. "Sounds like we've got a consensus, so let's get questing. Time to hit the road!" he exclaimed with full determination in his eyes.
*
Fleur City
Upon arriving in the Southern area of Fluer City, Rook looked at the scenery in awe. "Oh, how stunning..." he beamed. "You can just FEEL the history emanating from the city streets. Not to mention there are flowers growing everywhere - how fragrant Fleur City is!"
"EEEP!" Idia shrieked. "Beauty! Flowers! Colors! Light! Festivities! The sheer sparklines is overwhelming...!"
"Yes, it truly puts me in a lively mood," Silver says, agreeing with Idia, obviously dense about Idia's inner and outer turmoil.
"Pretty much everyone around here's dressed like us," Ruggie noticed. "I thought we'd stick out like sore thumbs, but nope. We look right at home," he smiled while observing the scenery.
"I DESPERATELY wanna get this walk over with as fast as humanly possible..." Idia mumbled, having a pout from how nervous he was. If Y/n were in his group, maybe his heart would slow down a bit, BUT SHE WASN'T. He turns his head and widen his eyes upon seeing something familiar. "So, uh, hey...The map says there's a flea market in this area. That could cover all our needs..." he grinned.
"Interesting. We should check it out," Silver says.
Everyone nodded as they begun walking over to the market.
"Ah, what a lovely flea market!" Rook praised. "The splendor of the colorful tents makes my heart go pitter-patter!"
"Aw yeah, wonder what kinda finds I can dig up..." Ruggie says before he noticed something nearby. "Oh hey, someone dropped their hat..." he looked inside before he yelped in surprise. "Whoa!"
"It's filled with coins!" Ruggie exclaimed.
"You're right," Rook observed. "It's an upside-down hat with coins inside,"
"They're in front of every shop," Silver realized.
"Okay, I know what's goin' on here...Someone lost this! Wouldn't it be best if I picked it up?" Ruggie asked with a close-eyed grin.
"Somehow I doubt it'd make it back to its owner, lawl," Idia sighed, looking completely doubfounded.
"Surely you're not thinking of pilfering the contents of that hat," Rollo asked from behind them, having a scowl on his face.
"Ah, bonjour, Roi du Mouchoir - my friend with the ornate handkerchief!" Rook greeted.
"....." Rook's nickname made Rollo speechless from how strange it sounded. "Were you by chance addressing ME with that 'Roi' title?" he asked.
"Oui, but of course!" Rook confirmed.
"He's asking because there's nothing 'of course' about it..." Idia deadpanned.
"Don't worry, we're not trying to steal anything," Silver assured. "Ruggie thought someone lost this and wanted to return it to its owner," he wholesomely thought.
"Yeah, I resent that accusation!" Ruggie sweat dropped nervously.
"Oh, is that so? I beg your pardon, then," Rollo apologized. "No one lost it. People put their money in those hats when making purchases," he informed.
"Huh? Wait, so like...These beaten-up old hats are their cash registers?" Idia asked, sweatdropping in disblief.
"Indeed," Rollo nodded.
"Have these people even HEARD of security?" Idia asked with widen eyes, completely in disblief.
"Pardon?" Rollo frowned. "It's a long-standing Fleur City tradition. There's a saying that if you place a hat upside down and put money in it, the money will find its way back to you in no time if it ever gets lost," he informed.
"And so people just leave hats full of money out in the open?" Idia asked in utter shock, including Ruggie who had his eyes widen in surprise. "I know the shopkeepers can see them, but anybody could swipe one and run,"
"This must be a real safe part of town," Ruggie sighed.
"Indeed it is," Rollo smiled. "We pride outselves on the practice. It's like a symbol of how peaceful we are,"
"The whole place would go bankrupt if someone like Ruggie set up shop here..." Idia stated.
"Shyeheehee, I take that as a compliment," Ruggie snickered.
"Yes, well..." Rollo muttered, covering his mouth with his handkerchief. "Sadly, we still get ill-mannered outsiders visiting our city. Especially around festival time. So the people in town always form a city watch to keep the peace this time of year. See that figure standing under those lights?" he pointed over to someone as everyone's eyes followed. "And the one in front of the building behind us? They're part of it,"
"That way they stand does remind me of guards," Silver says as Ruggie nervously sweatdropped.
"Yikes. Good thing you told me all this now," Ruggie pouted.
"The city watch is made up of volunteers who are inspired by the Righteous Judge," Rollo says. "Takes claim the Righteous Judge was an ardent proponent of improving city security during his time. It's a wonderful thing. We must deter any and all wrongdoings,"
"Agreed," Silver nodded in agreement. "When someone does something wrong, it's important to give them a chance to reflect on their mistakes,"
"Wouldn't it be easier to set up security cams and sensors rather than having people stand guard around town?" Idia asked, having a deadpanned expression. "Seems to me like digital solutions could manage their money and peacekeeping efforts more effectively, while letting everyone rest...*sigh* Then again, I guess you're not supposed to change up traditions. That's like the whole point," he muttered to himself.
"It's simply marvelous how your peaceful city of happy residents instills its citizenry with a sense of diligence and pride!" Rook praised. "Well, let's take a look around at what's for sale, shall we?" he then suggests. He then walked over to a shop owner. "Bonjour, monsieur. What fine weather we're having. A perfect day for treasure hunting, is it not?"
"Bonjour!" The shopkeep greeted with a bright smile. "Yes, I agree absolutely. Have a look at whatever you like, s'il vous plait!" he grinned
"Merci!" Rook thanked brightly.
"Oui!" The shopkeep nods.
"Sooo, uhhhh...Are you from the Shaftlands, Rook?" Idia asked as both he and Ruggie had widen their eyes in surprise.
"Non," Rook shook his head. "My homeland is the Sunset Savana,"
"Then how are you fitting in so well?!" Idia exclaimed.
"Yeah, the way you act, it's like you were born and raised here," Ruggie says.
"You honor me," Rook smiled. "It's because of how bright, friendly, and beautiful the people of this city are. I read up a bit on Fleur City beforehand and found that it's practically bursting with art. One of my favorite plays is set in this very city, in fact. The potential new discoveries I could make set my very soul aflame!" he beamed.
"Too much energy...I can't deal..." Idia stuttered, feeling blinded by the light.
"Ah, and we have stumbled upon some beauteous works already," Rook states, gesturing over to some wooden toys.
"Look at the tiny wooden figures on sale here," Rook pointed. "Are they not delightful?" he asks them.
"Huh, neat. Those are some real old-fashioned toys," Ruggie says.
"...Hm, I see a lot of similar figures at the other stalls as well," Silver noticed, looking around the stall.
"Yes, they're one of our traditional crafts," Rollo revealed. "No one knows their exact origins, but people have made them for a long time. Old wooden figures have been found within our school's bell tower as well. Oftentimes they're sold with miniature wooden houses," he informed.
"Oh, you're right. They are model buildings for sale, too. They're pretty big," Silver says.
"This one is a model of Noble Bell College," Rollo pointed to one. "See the bell tower in it?"
"This one here looks familiar to me. And so does this one..." Rook mumbled, eyeing the wooden models. "Why they're identical to the view we saw from the bell tower! It's a miniaturized version of the entire city. Delightful!" he realized.
"Neat. But they're still just chunks of wood, right?" Ruggie asked, not at all seeing the value. "I mean, kids' toys are usually pretty cheap,"
"NOW JUST WAIT A MINUTE, RUGGIE!" Idia suddenly shouted.
"Whoa, geez!" Ruggie flinched in surprise. "I didn't know you could yell that loud, Idia,"
"Look closer. See the joints?" Idia gestured.
"What's this about joint locks now?" Silver asked with widen eyes.
"The shoulders, elbows, and wrists are all articulated parts designed to be moved," Idia explained.
"Yes, that's a more modern one," Rollo confirmed. "They used to be carved whole from blocks of wood. But one time a demand for greater levels of detail arose, and they began making the parts separately, so I'm told," he briefly explained.
"Both techniques take serious craftsmanship!" Idia grinned proudly. "These figures are incredibly detailed, Ruggie!"
"So?" Ruggie asked, looking confused.
"This isn't some garage kit. It's fully scratched - built from wood. I've never seen ANYTHING like this before!" Idia says.
"...So?" Ruggie asked again, nervously sweatdropping.
"These have to have been made by some famous master craftsman!" Idia exclaimed.
"Don't care," Ruggie pouted. "Wood's still just wood. If it's not valuable, I'm not interested,"
"Hey, don't knock it," Idia sternly says. "A detailed figure like this could fetch hundreds of thaumarks, EZ," he glared at Ruggie.
"Huh?!" Ruggie flinched in surprise from this revelation.
"Well-made figurines aren't just toys. They're works of art," Idia smiled mischievously. "You wouldn't believe the premiums they can go for,"
"These ones here are a few thaumarks each," Ruggie pouted. "Are you saying I could get a hundred times that on resale? Or even more?!" he yelped out before sighing in defeat. "Okay, you've piqued my interest! Tell me all about 'em!"
"Whee hee hee. I'll get some for Ortho, too," Idia chuckled excitedly.
"Oh good, I'm glad Idia's enjoying himself," Silver says. "He's been so quiet, I was worried he might be feeling under the weather. Thank you, Rollo," he was extremely grateful to the student council president.
"Well, that wasn't the point I was trying to make, but still..." Rollo muttered.
~To be Continued~