At a particular time in the afternoon in New Viridia, the schools let out, and the streets are flooded with a cosmopolitan array of children. Lespar, a goblin, and his best friend Konor usually walked home together as the two lived in the same apartment building on the city's southern end.
"Are you doing anything for your birthday tomorrow, Les?" Konor asked his goblin friend.
"We usually have a picnic on the roof. Ma likes to tell stories about the old city," Lespar answered.
The two made their way to the edge of The Wick, the name given to the district that was fashioned from when an entire city block of Nimblewick, a massive sky city from the goblin homeworld, was transported here accidentally.
It was mostly goblins that lived in The Wick, though other families have moved into the ramshackle buildings that stand as shadows of their former grandeur. Families like Konor's, who were living on the streets before.
The Wick quickly became what the haughty Elven aristocracy referred to as "The Outside." This term originally referred to Goblins as outsiders, but now it's home to things that are "Outside" of traditional Viridian values. Crime, poverty and homeless thrive in The Wick. Little attention is paid to those who can survive in The Wick.
"Do you think I could come over?" Konor asked, eager to spend time with his friend and escape the terror at home. His question was overshadowed by a man who stood on a street corner, yelling at the sky.
"Take me back! Why are you doing this, you wicked witch?!" Old Joe is what the neighborhood called the man; he's been here nearly as long as The Wick itself. He was an old human in his mid-seventies and had unruly black facial hair. He sighed when he got no response from the heavens and turned to the two boys passing by on the street.
"My advice to you boys: if you ever find yourself in bed with someone who can do magic, try not to piss 'em off."
Konor did not know what to say in response to that. The last thing on his mind was kissing anyone, let alone lying with them. Lespar, however, was always cordial with Old Joe.
"Wicked witch got you down again, Joe?" the goblin child said.
"Always."
Lespar reached into his backpack and pulled out a savory pastry. "Take this, my ma made it last night." Old Joe nodded and grabbed the wrapped up goody from the goblin boy.
Konor tried asking his earlier question again, "Do you think I could come over? For your birthday picnic?"
Lespar turned to face Konor with a severe look on his face. "You are always welcome, Konor. You're family, okay?"
Konor fought back the tears. "Cool, 'cause I want to hear more about the City in the Sky."
Lespar smiled, "Ma's got the best stories."
Aww a sweet story