Well…Kind of.
Communities come some basic forms. Places like these tended to have small markets congregated inside, but not because the space. Because Communities in warehouses or barns tended to attract transportation. Meaning there were no houses, no living quarters, little to no recreation. But there was whole lot of action for those who knew how to see it.
The doorway opened up to a bustle of activity. Tents and stalls were scattered about in rough lines with the openings all facing each other. Smoke and oil and grease and other smells were released into the air, hanging in the upper rafters in a sort of haze, waiting until the small vents at the top could pump it out of the building and into a filter, where it was recycled and pumped back in as fresh air. Anything from food, weapons, armor, junk parts, and creature companions was sold here, an easy place to buy and sell trinkets to those traveling to or from places.
There was a wide walking path around the booths to either side, allowing traffic to flow easily for those that didn’t want to stop. One side went in, while the other side was aimed out. Metal panels line the walls, each hiding a small elevator to take you to a small balcony resting close to the rafters, for those who needed to stay here for a moment but didn’t want the hustle and bustle. More food and drink clinked and rustled and smelled up there, many participants taking consumables up into the rafters to dine while they waited.
Thankfully Rod had picked a place that didn’t seem to attract a more…bloodthirsty crowd. Not that I was particularly soft on humans, but most of the ones captured and sold to bloodsuckers didn’t really seem to deserve it.
I kept a hand on Layla’s shoulder as we walked out into the crowds. There was a house rule about stealing from others here, but idiots who wanted to break house rules were always out and about, and I didn’t want to bring too much attention to our little party. Rod disappeared in the flow of things, because of course he did. He could move faster on his own, though, so I couldn’t blame him too much. The less time he took arranging whatever he brought us here for, the better.
Layla’s head was on a spit, rotating as much as possible. She looked this way and that, mouth open and eyes nearly bulging. She was trying to take all of it at once. I found myself smiling, and led her over to a small section carved out of metal where booths or seats or tables had been placed, usually directly between a set of elevators. These were for visitors like us, usually, those who had a minute to wait or needed to get out of the flow for a few minutes but had no desire to go upstairs.
“This is amazing,” she said. Thankfully the alcoves were designed to enhance the voices of those sitting inside and dim the crowd noise just a bit. A relief for my old ears, even if I knew it was momentary. “I never…What is this place?”
“Told you, a Community. Well, sort of. It’s more like a mini version, only no one actually lives here. It’s just a stop-over for travelers. Sort of like an airport.”
“And…how does it fit?” She stared out at the crowd. “The outside, the warehouse was empty, wasn’t it?”
I nodded. “You feel the little tingle in your stomach when we got about halfway down the hall?”
“Felt more like I got punched by a block of ice.”
“Yeah, that. That’s how it fits. Someone at some point decided this looked like a good spot to lay down some magic. The door is more like a portal, a connection point. All this inside is more like a pocket dimension someone put together to look like the inside of the warehouse but…better.”
“Who?”
I shrugged. “Different people. Creatures. Some aliens, I think, although no one can really prove it. No one really knows who does what, and most of the time these little pockets are found by someone who decides to put the word out. Once that’s done, the type of beings that congregate just…take care of themselves.”
“So…” she finally tore her eyes away from it all to look at me. “...so there’s more of these? Different kinds?”
I nodded, leaning back. This alcove was more like a rounded bench with a small table in the center, several rings of various sizes soaked into the wood. I had to bend my head a little if I wanted to sit up straight, so I slouched a bit. “All different kinds. Although there’s usually several overlapping features; there’s almost always a market of some kind. Usual finds in the markets are food, like you’re smelling, flora and fauna, and magically-inclined pieces. Sometimes it’s wands, sometimes it’s potions, sometimes it’s just knowledge itself.”
“And here? Why did Rod bring us here? You said…it was like an airport? What is that?”
I smiled, rubbing at my temple for a moment. Right. Sheltered. “Nevermind about the airport. You can’t see it from here, but the back of the barn is full of ships. Mostly ships. Some of them are ground travel, busses and things. But a huge place like this? Ships.”
She spun around to stare at me. “Ships? Like…what kind?”
“Refurbished pirates, mostly. Outfitted with ways to fly through the world undetected. Mirrors, magic, tech. You name it, and there’s a pirate that’s adapted it somehow.”
She stared more, almost breathless. Spun around and stood, walking close to the edge. “Pirates? There are…” She hesitated, then spun and sat right back down. “This is…I can’t believe…” She looked back out at the bustle, energy swapping immediately down. “No one ever…Darius never…”
I shrugged. “Onis can be…particular about places like this. Most creatures like me go for more open-air spaces. Less noise and smells to overwhelm the senses. Rather, the same amount but it usually isn’t quite as trapped.”
She kept staring. There was a longing there, a hungry desire to go and explore. Her hands grabbed at the bench under her, body leaning forwards. I hesitated, glancing out. Down. I had no weapons, no belt left. I’d need to restock anyway, but haggling here would be a bitch. I had very little to bargain with. Maybe there were some favors I could sell. I hated it, but such is life.
Well, that wasn’t completely true. I still had one thing I could sell, and it would get me quite an exchange rate. I could sell it for coin here and use that coin later for other purposes. I glanced at the kid. Let out a small sigh. If I did what I was thinking, I wouldn’t need a belt with weapons for a while. But…I’d need coin sooner or later. And it was highly unlikely I’d get a chance to do so while not being under duress.
And this might be a little more fun.
“Hey,” I said, leaning forward. “While we’re waiting…you wanna go explore?”
She swung back around to me, eyes wide. She was doing so good, trying to contain herself up to this point, but she was nearly brimming with a shout. I let out a laugh, then made a serious face. “Alright, rules though.”
She nodded, biting her lip and glancing back out into the crowd. Jostling up and down. Like a kid.
I let out a sigh and stared at her, long enough for her to get the message and calm down. Just a little. I couldn’t blame her, but I needed to make sure she was listening. “I’m about to transform again. I’ll be on four legs, but this time I’ll have wings. And I’ll look a little more like a giant griffon, not a wolf. I’ll have to give you my mask, but you’re job is to hold it. That’s all. Don’t try to haggle once anyone sees you with it. In fact, hide it in your jacket or pants or something so no one sees it until I get to the right booth. I haggle, I trade for coins. You need to stay with me the entire time, so I’m going to allow you to get on my back. Do not get off under any circumstances. Any. Circumstances. And make sure to hold on to your sword at all times.”
She nodded at each instruction. Half-listened. So I made her repeat it back to me. She did, and actually got most of it right.
I took a breath and let it out. Alright…here we go once again.
