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As a merchant, you learn to manage any hurdles thrown your way. Difficult customers, undesirable weather, negotiations that seemed to halt at a dead end. It was one of the major parts of his career, a part that he learned to handle with ease over time, a part which he thrived in. After years of sailing, he was able to predict how people would react to specific words or actions, know what to expect from each situation, and to deal with the unexpected.
Encountering the Avatar of Destiny was not something he had prepared for.
The memory sat fresh in his head from just hours ago. Remanent of cold water pricked at his skin, kimono still damp from the waves amplified by the struggle and chaos. Booms and cracks echoed in his ear like a broken clock despite having left the scene hours ago. Just thinking about it brought a shudder up his spine. It was a miracle him and Jagae made it out of the situation alive, let alone in one piece.
Looking ahead, he felt his chest relax, fear cooling into relief. The sun basked him in a soft glow, stands of hair catching the sunlight. Warm, humid air clung to every inch of his skin like an extra layer of skin. Orders spilled out of his mouth every once in a while despite his mind being only partially in the present. Slowly, the view of the Vanilla Kingdom sharpened into view until the halt of the boat alerted him that they had docked, and only then did he let himself loosen. They'd made it back to land, despite everything.
Before his mind could catch up, his legs were already moving, eyes scanning his surroundings for any scuffs or scratches. His crew were ordered to check the ship and cargo for any irregularities. Between the shouts and waves, he swore he could hear the creak of wood and snaps that sounded too akin to wood splintering. In all honesty, it was most likely the echo of wood smacking against itself, his sandals emitted a distinct sound whenever he stepped. But it was better to be safe rather than sorry and dead, and it would help to settle the feeling of disconcert that had burrowed itself in his chest.
Once they had settled and completed any remaining tasks, he planned to give his crew the rest of the day off. Making them work after all that felt cruel in itself, and even he felt exhausted after the whole mess. All he wanted to do was crawl back into bed and wipe the avatar's face from his memory completely.
He'd rather not remind himself of the event more than necessary.
Which would've been easier if the media hadn't found out about their encounter with the fabled archangel.
Frankly, he wasn't sure why he thought the media wouldn't find out about the encounter. With his crew's lack of volume control when it came to gossip, it was evident that the media were bound to find out. The paparazzi most definitely didn't help either. Which, although he found it strange that he even had paparazzi, it wasn't much of a surprise to him when he first found out. Seeing such a flashy, intimate rivalry between two of the most renowned merchants on Earthbread was bound to draw some attention from the wrong — or rather weird (aka you, you freak) — kind of cookies. It was intriguing to see how far some would go just to capture the two together, crafting rumours about them just for the sake of attention.
He spotted the first one lurking nearby, crouching by a pair of trees nearby. Thinking nothing of it, he turned back, re-immersing himself in documenting the piles of crates that sat in front of him. Yet when he turned back barely 5 minutes later, he spotted the same cookie just meters away, leaning against an opposing brick wall. One thing Manju could make out almost immediately was that they were a horrible actor. Obnoxiously whistling and stealing glances in broad daylight as if it helped them blend into the background any better. To be fair, their bright red hair wasn't helping them at all.
As always, Manju paid no mind to it. Being stalked by paparazzi became part of the normal for him. It didn't change the amusement he felt seeing the lone cookie act so obnoxiously obvious. Despite this, a part of him hoped they wouldn't approach him. After all, the media were like birds, you feed one of them and the rest come following behind, suffocating you until they're left satisfied. And they're always hungry for gossip.
It was unfortunate for him that he had one on his back already. He could already imagine the sort of trivial questions they'd ask.
'What did the Avatar of Destiny look like?'
'Are you in any way associated with the cult?'
'How'd you react to seeing the archangel in person?'
'Is it true you asked your rival for aid to sail past the storm?'
…Maybe it would be best if he moved somewhere else for the meanwhile. Somewhere more private where he wouldn't be bothered by anyone other than his crew.
"Ey, Manju cookie, is it? Have a minute for a few questions?"
So much for not attracting attention towards himself.
The cookie's thick, Cockney accent rung in his ears, eliciting a soft, annoyed groan he prayed the reporter hadn't noticed. Composing himself, he turned to face the sly-faced reporter which now stood slightly too close for comfort. Although he wouldn't go as far to outright refuse him, he was not in the right mood nor state of mind to be answering questions. As far as he could tell just based on looks, they seemed rather respectable. Clean, ironed clothes, the stature of a cookie who seemed to have already decided how this interview was going to run.
A shit-eating grin he recognised simply because it was the same one he adorned whenever he felt on getting on his rival's nerves.
Well, that wasn't the point. Either way, he felt bad letting the reporter down so harshly, even if he was just a measly worker part of some news company he didn't recognise.
"Ah, I must apologise." He chuckled, plastering a friendly grin on his face. "You've caught me at a busy moment, I'm afraid I just don't have the time for your questions at the moment."
"Oi, mate! It will only take a short moment, I promise."
"Yes, yes. But I do still have work at hand so if you will excuse me-"
"Look, if you must, I"m asking for just a moment. Is it really that hard to answer a few of my questions?.
By witches, this cookie couldn't take a hint. Or rather he simply didn't care.
"Very well, I suppose I could give you a minute of my time. Go on, anything in particular you wanted to know?"
With his command, the reporter burst off into a flurry of rapid speech, asking every question they could think off and more. Manju attempted his best to answer them somewhat thoughtfully, but his mind seemed to be somewhere else. Even while responding, he couldn't help but glance over to the other side of the docks.
Jagae's crew had docked right next to his, the two boats combined casting a giant shadow over the edge of the pier. Likewise, her crew were also checking their cargo for any damages. Their guild master, on the other hand, seemed to be in the same situation as him, absentmindedly answering another reporter's questions. With just a glance it was clear to him she'd rather not be answering such trivial questions. He'd worked with many clientele similar to her, and despite how much she tried to hide it, his sharp eyes caught onto a few tell tale signs.
"Uh Sir, could you please answer the question?"
Right, he still had to deal with the reporter in front of him.
"Sorry, if you will excuse me for a moment." He blurted out suddenly, the sound coming out more desperate than he wanted to. With a turn, he started heading over to her direction, idea in mind despite not fully sorting through the consequences it might bring him.
"But Sir, If you could just…" But he'd already strode past him, heading to his esteemed rival. It was stupid, he very much knew that. But it was much more favourable than giving that reporter any more of his time of day. And if the media wanted substance, he'd give them a show to watch.
"Oh Jagae~" He sung out, his overly cheerful demeanour felt fake even to him.
"Funny seeing you here, wouldn't someone who prides herself with hard work and her strength be helping out their crew." Swiftly, he rested his arm lazily on her shoulder, tipping his entire body weight onto her.
"Hey! Get- Get off of me!" Without a second thought, he's shoved backwards by the strike of her arm, just barely steady on his feet. The ache left behind blooms in his chest, and he has to put in physical effort not to wince on camera.
"This is my interview, not yours for witches sake! Don't you have better things to do." Although she has a fair point, Manju would much rather spend her time being a nuance to her rather than doing something productive. Brushing her protests aside, he continues, leaning into the microphone the reporter is holding. Or rather reporters, as another had seemed to scurry in, camera steady behind them.
"Now — if we may continue…" Manju trailed on, feeding on the media's interest. Jagae could only stand aside stunned, hesitant on how to react. One one side, it pained her to see her image being humiliated like this, yet on the contrary she was unwilling to lose her composure in front of a camera that could be broadcasting to hundreds, thousands.
What was his problem anyway? For someone who was pragmatic to the core, his behaviour and actions had certainly been derailing for the past few week. He became bolder, more boisterous with his banter and impertinence towards her. Much more touchy, and as much as she hated to admit it… charming, eugh. What was wrong with her?
To be fair, he'd never crossed any of her boundaries severely. Refraining from going too far with his jabs, always leaving her room to walk away. Their rivalry had changed these past few weeks. A new kind of tension she couldn't name.
Whatever, it wasn't important anyway.
What was, is figuring out why he was acting like a dick. Even he had to admit this was kind of stupid. What was he even planning to get out of this? She stared at Manju from her peripheral vision, blathering on about some story of how he'd navigated his crew through the storm, only slightly scratching the hem of the vessel as if it were an achievement.
"Tsk." She uttered just low enough for Manju to hopefully not notice. How boisterous, she thought, who could run a crew with such a large ego-
…Wait.
She was the one the who navigated his vessel, not him.
And yet here she stood, doing absolutely nothing to defend her name. Lost in her own thoughts while her rival had butted in, taking in the opportunity to gain some influence.
Crumbs, she really needed to pull herself together.
"Yeah yeah, you couldn't even navigate yourself to safety." She butted in, capturing the attention of the small group that had formed. "I must admit, hopping onto another vessel in the middle of a storm does take courage, although it comes of a bit desperate, don't you think?
If he was going to play these kind of games, she might as well fight back.
Manju, taken aback, quickly tried to reroute the conversation. Being caught amidst sharing a sugar-coated truth wasn't the best look on him, especially on cameras.
"Desperate is a strong word, if I must say so myself. I was simply returning a favour. The map, Remember?"
"Right, the chart you insisted I'd take just so you wouldn't have any favours to owe us."
"Oh, stubborn much Jagae? It doesn't hurt to ask for help every once in a while. And if I remember correctly it was you who asked for assistance first."
Crumbs, this darn fox just wouldn't back down! She'd shove him off the docks if she had the chance, such a shame she was being watched. Feeling the multiple pairs of eyes on her, it was clear walking away wasn't an option, at least not for her. It would create good publicity at least, she found that their rivalry brought them much more exposure.
"Gah! Won't it hurt to lower your ego once in a while. The map was meaningless, I would've survived either way."
She stepped in closer. Close enough that the scent of red bean paste assaulted her nose yet far enough that she could shove him and he'd be able to catch himself. Their banter that seemed to go back and forth with no discernible reason had captured the attention of many. Other reporters had started herding around him like a murder of crows. Their insatiable need for content calling them towards the racket initiated by the two.
Somewhere along the way, one of the pair started to get sick of it. Banter that seemed to lead to nowhere, reporters that got pushy and asked one too many questions. Such a waste of time, and for what? For a pragmatic cookie, his foresight was well off.
Well, it was for the best if he set off for now rather than getting roped into this mess even more, despite being the cause of it. But another cookie had different plans.
"Sorry, if you will just excuse me for a second, thanks."
In the blink of an eye, he was yanked aside by his shoulder, being dragged into some alleyway all the while he tried to yank himself free. The passive-aggressiveness of Jagae's tone should've been a sign he wasn't going to be released anytime soon, nor that this would be a civil discussion..
Manju almost lets himself relax the moment he's out of sight, yet that idea is interrupted by Jagae yanking him forwards by the collar of his kimono, practically forcing him to face her.
"Alright look, I have not the slightest clue what you were attempting to do back there but you have to admit that was stupid even for you."
"My, my. I just noticed you over there recounting the events of today and decided adding on my experience to the story wouldn't hurt." His voice came out stronger than he felt. With their faces mere inches apart it was hard to stay focused, especially when the person in front had you locked firmly in their grip.
Although he hated to admit it, she had a point. He was becoming much more careless with his actions, and it always seemed to occur when she was around for a reason he couldn't explain fully yet. Countless times he's tried to excuse it as playful banter when he knows it's something else entirely.
"Oh sure believe that all you want, but there is something going on with you and the fact that you can't go a day without acting like a douche. You and I both know how important our images are, and going out of your way to butt in and start some childish argument on possibly live TV is the dumbest shit I've seen someone do all week. We are rivals but if you're going to try and slander my image you might as well not be dumb enough to hurt your own in the process.
"Right, and pulling me aside into a cramped, closeted alleyway is going to help the rumours about us."
"So if you would just get it into your head- wait what rumours about us."
His face flushed red at the mere question. The words had left his mouth as quick witted banter he hadn't thought over, and now she was glaring at him as if he just told her utter nonsense. Realizing what Jagae was about to catch onto, he quickly attempted to sweep it under the rug.
"Ah… Forget about it. Look, since I'm feeling so generous, how about I leave you alone for the rest of the week, huh? Wouldn't you like that?"
After what felt like forever — but was probably only a moment or so — Manju dropped down to his knees with a thud, finally released from her grasp. A breath he didn't know he was holding escaped from his lips, just relieved to have gained some distance, heart still racing from the proximity.
"Your hopeless." She concluded, halfway through the alleyway already. "But I appreciate the effort."
Taking his sweet time, Manju lifted himself off the ground. An amused, almost mocking sound echoing throughout the enclosed space. She paused, not for his sake but out of sheer curiosity of what he had to say now.
"Oh really?"
"Do not take this as any sort of truce or 'change of heart' on my end. I still dislike you."
She was having none of it, he could spew his bull-crap to whoever cared enough to listen.
"Dislike? Well that's new, last I checked you detested me, no?"
"Ugh! Just shut it, you fox!" And with that, she stormed off into the open air, past the media and back onto her vessel. Presumably to carry on with her prior activities, but with her state of mind at the moment he doubted she'd get anything done, at least efficiently.
Wiping of the grime that had clung onto him, he soon followed in Jagae's footsteps, yet instead of passing through the crowd he chose a quieter approach, not bothering to deal with the mess he left behind. He couldn't help but feel a little bad on the contrary, despite how much he didn't want to. After a long day, he understood her frustration, felt it even. And yet they both left twice as exhausted.
Even then, if he had the opportunity to do so, he'd repeat it all again just to see her boast.