Ma was busy. Dad was allegedly somewhere around the north, but Erik didn't really give that much thought. He was going to pretend that the man simply didn't exist. Erik was his mother's son. That was all that mattered. Dads? Who needed dads. Erik didn't. His shoulders hunched against the idea of it, actually. Head hanging a bit lower than usual, subconsciously covering the crystals that grew from his neck. If they didn't know he was a freak, then they didn't know he was a freak. Safety in anonymity. Safety in being on his own, out here.

On his own only because ma was busy. Fuji was busy. The youngest Archer litter hanging around the Armada, in a holding pattern while Sedna did her work. Something about mom being important. That made sense. Of course she was important. It would also be ridiculous of Erik to assume that there wasn't a bird somewhere up there, keeping an eye on him. No, there would be no crimes today. No funny business. Couldn't stress ma out when she was already doing stressful work.

So the pup wanders the market, eyeing the stalls. Trying to stay focused on himself, centered on himself, despite the dull roar of the markets. How could it be so loud, how could it be so crowded? So many bodies in one place. Overwhelmed already, Erik slunk toward the edges of the crowds. It would be on the fringes he could find a spot to sit and watch the crowds go by. Everyone was doing their last minute preparations for winter today, it seemed. Hell, this might be one of the few nice days left until spring in the north.
     
   

 

The market is busy today as the vendors prep their stalls and sell their wares. Winter is coming which means, some of these vendors will be unable to reach the Armada in the snowy months. For now, they attempting to sell what they have before the cold snap hits and they are forced pack up to return further south. As the only Trader in the Armada, Andy is out in this hustle and bustle, lending a paw where needed and taking stock of everything that is up for sell. She stands in where needed and takes breaks where she can.

Speaking of breaks…

The lavender girl detaches from the stall she has been helping restock, angling for a spot that she knows is quiet. Andy simply wants to sit and drink water, the heat of so many bodies and talking have warmed the girl the thicker coat considerably. With a jug and bowl in tow, the girl maneuvers to the spot she knows and finds, to her great surprise, a pup that she had seen wandering he area. Stopping, she tilts her head at the boy, who seems… overwhelmed and wonders if he is lost. Gently she asks, “You okay buddy?” As she looks at him, horned head tipped to the side as a paw lightly brushes the bowl tied to her other leg.

Andy longs to sit and take a long drink of water. But, if the pup is lost, she will help him first.


"Andromeda Fatalis"