Chapter 178: 178. Performer’s Plaza

There were many mistakes a person could do in life: hang around the wrong crowd, do something stupid to impress someone, gamble on something without any knowledge of what’s involved… Dallion’s mistake was to ask “so what do you want to do now” to a pair of people who’d never seen a city and were only going to remain there for a month.

If Dallion thought that taking them from the inn to the guild was bad, he wasn’t mentally prepared for what followed. Soon enough he found himself pushing through crowds into parts of the city that until then he didn’t know existed. To make matters worse, every few steps Veil or Gloria would stop to examine a shop or stall, sometimes with the intention of buying. It didn’t particularly matter if the item was normal or awakened-made. The haggling seemed to be the focus rather than the end result.

“Prices here are wild,” Veil said on one of the rare occasions they stopped at a city fountain to get some rest.

“Told you,” Dallion grumbled back. “That’s what guilds are for. You can’t get anything on inn pay alone.”

“Yeah. Still nice to get a room and food for free.”

Sometimes I wonder, Dallion thought. “Anyway, we should be heading back now. Shift starts in about an hour and I don’t want Hannah yelling at me on your first day.”

The words were specifically chosen, but if Veil and Gloria caught on, they didn’t show it. Either that, or they didn’t care. It wasn’t them who would get the earful, after all.

“Okay, but there’s one last place I want to see,” Gloria said.

“Again?” She had used the same phrase six times so far.

“The lady at the last stall told me to see the performer’s plaza. We got to talking and when she learned that I had high acrobatics skills, she asked whether I was a dancer.”

Dallion already knew where this was going, so without arguing he just stood up and followed the girl to whatever next part of the city she wanted to go. As they did, he kept a vigilant eye out for mirror pool awakened. Since the Grey Harbor confrontation there hadn’t been any further incidents, but Dallion wasn’t going to bet his life and gear on the word of a syndicate crime boss, or the local equivalent.

If I’d known you’d had such friends, I would have encouraged you to invite them sooner, Nil said in an amused voice. They have achieved what I couldn’t—get you to actually go about the city and not stay locked up in your room all day.

I was going out plenty, Dallion replied.

Technically true. Although, walking about the neighborhood or going to your love interest’s workshop isn’t what I’d call going about. Objectively you have seen more of the city in the last few hours than in the months before that. That has to tell you something.

It tells me I’m not a tourist. Besides, you could have told me about all these places.

Oh, and given you an even better excuse not to go visit them? That would have worked out splendidly, I’m sure.

It took about ten minutes to reach the performer’s plaza. Initially, Dallion thought he’d see a mix between a circus and a renaissance fair. Reality was far stranger and—he had to reluctantly admit—cooler. The entire plaza was set up in such a way as to leave a vast open space in the middle, while the sides were packed with a combination of taverns, performer guild halls, and music shops. Scores of ropes connected the buildings on all sides of the plaza in an intricate game of cat’s cradle. And just as in a game of cat’s cradle, they moved, while awakened walked, danced and jumped along them, as ordinary people walked below. In one section—it was impossible not to notice—the performers were far more scantily dressed, and their performance was much more extravagant than that of their counterparts.

Groups of bards and musicians clustered on the ground, although from what Dallion could see, quite a few of them were awakened.

Nil, what’s up with that? Dallion asked. Why aren’t there any music awakened?

Would you have mages do cheap tricks in the public square? The echo asked indignantly. When I said that music is a rare skill, I meant it in every sense of the word. Only those who’ve started learning their skills are here. The rest come by from time to time, but for the most part they remain with the nobles they are employed with.

Does that mean I’m special?

What it makes you, is especially annoying. Unlike dancers, bards that can’t dance aren’t taken seriously.

Like a fighter without guard skills? Dallion countered.

No, like a fighter with only guard skills.

The remark hit its target. Back when Dallion had awakened, that had been one of his serious problems. Granted, a bit of trickery had let him use it very much to his advantage, but had he skipped taking the attack skill early on, things would have been very different right now. Most likely he would have ended up sealed off like his mother and forced to live the rest of his life with an echo limiter in Dherma.

“Not bad,” Veil said. Both he and Gloria had paused and were silently observing the performers. Dallion could almost hear their inner monologues comparing themselves to what they were seeing. “What do you think?”

“The corner ones are good,” Gloria noted. “Very good. Those in the middle are pretty bad.”

“Sounds about right.”

“The good ones don’t rely on the plaza to make a living,” someone said nearby.

Looking in his direction, Dallion saw a chubby man in a rather expensive silken suit. The hair, the moustache, even the jewelry he was wearing was so cliché that he might as well have put a name tag stating his job as “scummy manager.”

“This is a place for training and fun,” the man said. “The good ones only perform at theatres. No point in displaying their talents for free.”

I thought you said they were working for the nobles? Dallion asked Nil mentally.

What do you think theatres are, dear boy? It’s not something you could enter at present, even if you did have the means for it.

“And how do I get to join a theatre?” Gloria raised her chin slightly.

“Normally it’s a long and bothersome process, but given that the two of you are—” the man’s smile widened “—memorable, I would say something can be arranged. Provided you demonstrate some skills. You’re a duo, I take it?”

“I think you should take a better look at their emblems,” Dallion said. “Let’s go, guys.”

“I have, and that’s precisely why I’m making the offer. Season celebrities are a very big pull, especially during the festival.” The man wasn’t giving up. “You don’t need to give me an answer now. Just think about it. If you decide you know where to find me.”

“How good?” Gloria asked.

Dallion had to admit he was curious as well.

Instead of an answer, the far man clapped his hands. The moment he did, one of the rope dancers leapt off her support, made a triple somersault, and landed a step away from Gloria. Initially, only a few people in the near vicinity took notice. Within moments, though, whispers emerged, spreading like wildfire. There was talk that a pure blonde had made a challenge, which in turn got others awakened interested.

Dallion blinked. Has Gloria just started a dance-off? Given that guild duels were allowed and encouraged, it stood to reason that personal awakened challenges would be as well. The fact that Dallion hadn’t noticed any so far only proved Nil’s point that he needed to get out more.

“Hagel here has been a professional stand-in for several years and even became a double digit a few months ago,” the moustached man introduced her. “That is the level you need to match.”

Gloria looked at opponent from head to toe. Slightly taller, Hagel would have easily passed as a goth back on Earth. Slender, fit—as most acrobatic awakened were—and two shades paler than Gloria. She had finely crafted tattoos along her arms and legs partially covered by a black short-sleeved shirt and the local equivalent of black shorts.

“Any rules I should be aware of?” Gloria ignored the man, asking Hagel directly.

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“Might be better if you remove your shoes,” the goth replied. The trash talking had already begun. “We’ll be dancing up there.”

“Good to know.” Gloria responded with an icy smile. “How much is the ante?”

Uttering the words caused a gasp move throughout the crowd. Dallion swallowed. Unlike his friends, he knew that adding an ante made things all the more personal, and as a result expensive. If there was a chance for this to have been a friendly competition, it was gone now. The other thing Dallion knew was that he’d likely be asked to cover the cost.

“Five gold coins,” Hagel said.

“Why not ten?”

“Ten is fine.” To Dallion’s surprise, the corners of the woman’s mouth curved up in a smile.

Music, he thought.

There was no malice or hatred vibrating in her. Almost everything was deafened by the desire for competition and the glee of finding someone worthwhile to compete against.

“Dal.” Gloria turned to him. “Can you—”

“Is my word good enough?” Dallion asked, taking out his guild emblem. Things had proceeded, just as he had suspected. “I’ll cover the loss.”

“It’s fine.” The goth nodded. “The same goes for me.”

“In that case,” the fat man stepped up to them. “Let’s get this started.” With an oily smile he glanced at each of the competitors, then at the “battlefield” above. “The rules are simple. First to fall loses.”

“That’s all?” Gloria tilted her head in surprise. “Nothing about elegance, style, or performance?”

“You can just stand still for all it matters,” the man laughed. “Of course, there’s the audience as well. If you don’t entertain them, they can throw things to knock you off. And of course, so could your opponent.”

That was interesting—a spectacle in which the audience could participate as well. It also meant that local favorites had a clear advantage. Gloria must have realized this as well, briefly examining the crowd.

“No weapons, of course,” the man was quick to add. “This is just a friendly wager, after all.”

“What about the music?” Dallion asked. “Who gets to play the music?”

“Oh, I think we’ll manage to find someone.” The fat man grinned. “Is that acceptable?”

Dallion looked at Veil who only shrugged as if saying “Hey’ it’s not my pride or money.” A few seconds later, Gloria nodded.

“It’s fine.”

Without hesitation she removed her boots one by one, all the time making a point not to sit on the ground. Once done, she picked them up and was about to shove them to her brother, though after some consideration handed them to Dallion instead.

Once that was over, Gloria jumped up and landed elegantly on the nearest rope between buildings. For a short while she tilted about, getting comfortable with the battlefield, then remained still in anticipation. The very next instant, her opponent joined her on the ropes.

“Do a few jumps,” the goth suggested. “It’s less fun if I beat someone unprepared.”

Bad choice of words, Dallion thought. He could see the determination in Gloria grow stronger, along with the annoyance of being taken lightly. Even so, her exterior remained as cool as ice. With her normal confidant, and slightly snobbish smile, the girl did a few jumps in place, then performed an on-the-spot somersault with such ease that one would think it was part of her daily routine.

The jab was not left unnoticed by Hagel, who performed a corkscrew jump of her own. Two distinctly different styles—one single goal: to prove to the other and everyone else who’s boss. Then the music started. It was just a mandolin at first, letting out a rather intense tune that would be at home during any metal concert. One by one other musicians joined in, creating a spontaneous orchestral performance within the entire plaza. At that point, the challenge began.

Hagel was far more confident at first. Taking advantage of her home terrain, she flipped and spun from rope to rope, as non competing dancers moved off the field of challenge. A sort of acrobatic breakdancing she rhythmically shortened and increased the distance between her and Gloria, taunting her to respond. And Gloria did. Using the same type of acrobatics she did in combat, she flew right at Hagel in a game of dance chicken. Missing her by inches, Gloria then made a back somersault, landing at the precise point at which she started.

“Her perception is crap,” Veil whispered to Dallion. “Reactions are better, though, but that’s not a big deal.”

“You can tell?” Dallion asked, impressed.

“Please. We’ve been fighting guardians for years since you left. I know what I see.”

He’s not wrong, Nil said. I’d say they are quite evenly matched. As much as it pains me, I must admit that the oily abomination of a person has a good eye.

The first audience participation took place in the form of a piece of fruit aimed at Gloria. It was effortlessly avoided, although Hagel took it as an excuse to commence with more direct attempts to get her opponent knocked off. Apparently, as far as the goth was concerned, the kid gloves were off.

Fruit? Dallion asked.

Can’t risk harming the crowd, Nil explained. You never know when things could get out of hand. The city lords are fine with allowing things as long as it doesn’t cause them any personal disturbances, and a crowd in a packed plaza throwing rocks and stones is just that.

Doing a handstand, the goth spun her legs violently around. Gloria could have easily avoided that by jumping back, but she didn’t. Instead, she blocked each attack with her elbows, after which jumped up and spun-kicked several of the crowd’s fruits at Hagel.

The approach was interesting, to say the least. Since she was smaller in frame, and not willing to enter a direct confrontation, relying on crowd projectiles was the same as if she were using projectile weapons herself. Moments later, the crowd caught in.

“Now it gets interesting.” Veil crossed his arms.

The two styles of dance fighting became even more distinct. Hagel kept trying to shorten the distance and do a direct attack, while Gloria refused to let her. The amount of flying fruit increased as the crowd no longer saw it as a means to knock the blonde off, but rather as the means to provide her with ammunition in battle.

Several of the musicians broke off the main melody, starting a tune of their own based on Gloria’s movements. Catching on more did the same until there were three distinct melodies, all merging into one. About ten percent kept paying the main “battle there” as a background score, while the other two groups focused on their respective champions. Melodies faced each other as violently as dance moves.

A minute of fighting became two, then five. Fatigue started seeping in. One didn’t have to be an awakened to see the pressure the two dancers were under. And still none of them could let go. Gloria landed on a rope, remaining there static for over three seconds. At that moment Dallion knew the outcome—he could see it all unfold in his mind, just as he could see the victor.

Unaware, Hagel took this to be a sign of weakness in her opponent, so she dashed forward for the win. That proved to be a costly mistake. The moment the two were in immediate proximity, Gloria—who had only been avoiding audience fruit until now—grabbed hold of the rope with her hands. This was the first time she had done so. The action caused the goth to hesitate. Sensing that she was heading into a trap, she tried to leap back, but it was already too late. Copying the same spin kick that Hagel had started with, Gloria mercilessly attacked her enemy. However, instead of aiming at her upper body, she aimed at the shins.

Unable to evade, the goth tried to block, but the attack proved stronger than she could handle, knocking her straight off the rope and to the crowd below. A moment of complete silence filled the plaza as people stared in disbelief at what had happened, before erupting in a road of applause.

“Told you,” Veil laughed. “Bad perception.”

“Right.” Dallion joined in the clapping. No doubt that was one way of putting it. It also didn’t hurt that Gloria’s dartblades were holstered to her calves.

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