A Complicated Business

[Sans]

“Pleasure to make both of your acquaintance,” said the mayor, shaking both of the newcomer’s hands. He kept a bold smile on his face, one that screamed confidence. It was the smile of a god, so to speak, painted on the lips of an anthropomorphic canine and though despite his stature, the way he stood with his chin high, an assuming look in his eye and his paws behind his back, combined with the guards at his side, all pointed to a mammal who commanded respect and demanded it too.

His citizens watched as the event unfolded in front of them, bloodshot eyes and slasher smiles never wavering as the pleasantries took place. While the visitors were more than likely not amused, if not downright frightened, occurrences like these were merely a day in the life of a mayor. It wasn't like there was much of a difference in behavior between them and his citizens, however. He had met other outsiders before in between the one year it had been since he became the Mayor of Rando Island, and they were always the same somehow. They always reacted the same way to the same things. They found it odd to see a bunch of smiling humans walking around in the rain, smoking the latest in terms of drugs and drinking the latest in terms of drink. And here they were, surrounded by the smiles of all those that stared at the scene. 

He casually lifted his paw, waving off those observing them. Soon, the citizens of Lando were back on to living their daily lives through the fog and rain, leaving the two outsiders to him. The human in front of him, the one that wore a thick trench coat and had called himself Marcus, asked him about how he had first obtained the island. He chuckled, shivering in the rain as it beat down upon them.

“A combination of luck, economics, and excellent policies concocted by yours truly,” he replied almost immediately, snapping his fingers and gesturing for his pipe. His bodyguard let out an exasperated moan as he removed the pipe from his lips, handing it to the fox. “I defeated my political opponent in a landslide victory, and I have been striving to lead my citizens to prosperity ever since.”

He brought out a lighter, applying the flame to the underside of his pipe. The bottom end glowed as brightly as his amber eyes as he inhaled, smoke rising out of his nostrils.

“And I say that we’re getting closer to prosperity each day.”

He looked into the fog, watching his citizens traveling all throughout his city, selling their wares, and smiling to themselves in such a blissful manner. Months of hard work leading up to a resounding success of a city and a population. A happy populace, a stable economy funded by various economic activities, and a leader who oversaw it all and kept the water-wheels turning with every passing day. It was an absolute dream come true.

He turned back to the newcomers, a toothy grin plastered on his face. For all intents and purposes, he looked just like every other citizen within the city. But, unlike all of his loyal subjects, he was different. They only had to look into his eyes. They were not hollow; they held life.

And those eyes were staring at them, studying them. They first settled on Marcus himself. A regular human a good height above him and with a large, black trench coat around his torso and shoulders. He held himself high, his chest out and his arms to the side but clearly at the ready; he carried himself with strength, and maintained an aura of toughness that the fox could easily feel. He quickly adjusted his eyes to the other newcomer. Somehow, the other human, despite being barely taller in length, was far more muscular in build, with the lines of his muscles obvious even underneath the cover of his overcoat. He predicted the man could lift two men with both hands if he truly desired, though whether or not he would want to was a mystery to him. His face possessed no such real emotions. But, like a marksman’s gaze, he was alert, ready for anything.

They could be useful.

“Now, with all pleasantries aside, I’d like to how long you are staying on my island or if you are here to visit. Perhaps you wish to trade your wares? Omni knows we could use some additional supplies thanks to all those pirates.”