Chapter Text
King Xavier had sent Maya on a recon mission to check out the other side of the creek, now that they had gotten a picture of that 'Craig of the Creek's' map. She was tasked with blending in with the kids there and learning about their society and the places on the map. She would gather intel and take notes on the best places to strike and on which kids had the most power.
Of course she had to go in disguise, since she couldn't have those kids or Omar recognizing her.
So, she did not don her signature hooded shirt and cape. Instead she wore a bland gray hoodie with the hood up and her hair tucked underneath it so it wasn't stuck up in it's signature style. She wore some old rip jeans and glasses with the lenses popped out so she could actually see while wearing them. Xavier had given her the name 'Mallory' to go by if anyone were to ask. It sounded like a weak name but she was supposed to keep away from the attention of others so who cares. It's only temporary anyways. Soon the king and his subjects would invade, stripping the children of their rights and candy.
Maya stood on the sidewalk on the side of a road that was next to the creek. She didn't need to go anywhere near the overpass thanks to the help of the map. From the duckmart she could follow the directions from there right into the heart of the creek, where all the kid landmarks where. Xavier told her she should first check out what was labeled "the trading tree", since it seemed like a big part of their economy.
So when she stepped off the road she followed the path on the picture to head towards the trading tree. She had to cross a running stream by walking on a log, another she had to cross by swinging on a rope, and soon she heard the tell tale noise of children.
She stealthily stalked closer to hide behind a bush to survey the many kids who gathered around a large oak tree. She did a quick survey and thankfully didn't see Craig or any of his little friends there.
It seemed like kids would approach a large ice cooler under the oak tree where a short girl stood on the other side of the cooler.
The approaching person would set something atop the cooler and the girl would either shake her head no or yes. When she nodded her head yes she would either reach to grab a snack or toy and give it to them and took whatever they had set down on the cooler. The kid would then happily leave with their snack.
It seemed like they didn't have ranks here. Anyone could get anything they wanted as long as they apparently traded something of equal value.
After about half an hour of spying Maya decided to leave the bushes, as inconspicuously as possible, and approached the ice cooler with her head down. She got some weird stares but most kids were preoccupied with eating, talking, or playing games.
"We'll hi there mystery kid," the girl behind the cooler greeted when Maya had approached.
"I don't think I've seen you around before," the girl smiled at her brightly. She swore that smile was gonna burn her eyes with how bright it was .
"Sup," Maya said and raised her head alittle so the girl could see her slightly better.
The girl didn't seem scared or intimidated despite Maya's tall stature and mysterious aura. Honestly, she seemed intrigued by it if anything.
"Welcome to the trading tree, new kid! My name's Kit," the girl, Kit, said still smiling and seemed to reach down behind the cooler to get something.
"Here's a choco roll, on the house," Kit said and held out a wrapped package for Maya to take.
"My name's Mallory," Maya lied coolly and took the offered package to inspect it.
"Have you never had a choco roll before?" Kit asked as she saw 'Mallory's' confusion when she looked at the treat.
"No," Maya said and opened up the plastic wrapping.
"Well they're really good, all my regulars love em'" Kit smiled with a wink.
Maya raised an eyebrow and peeled down the wrapper to take a bite from treat.
"Hmm, pretty good," she said after swallowing the choco roll, barley reacting.
"You seem like a tough egg to crack," Kit giggled, "I'll be sure to check in on you, Mallory."
"Sure..." Maya said, kinda confused by the friendly reception but she kept up her cold exterior.
"So this is like... a store?" Maya asked, continuing on her task of gathering information.
"You could say that, but instead of money kids trade me things for other things," Kit explained, "They gotta give me a worthy trade though, I dont take rocks or dirt or anything like that."
Maya nodded in understanding.
"I hope you'll become a regular customer around here," Kit said. "But just cause you're cute doesn't mean you're getting anything free," Kit said nonchalantly and Maya's face immediately heated up and her eyes widened in suprise.
"Hah! I knew that would get you," Kit snickered as she slammed her fist against the cooler in victory.
"Pfft, whatever," Maya scoffed as she put back up her cool, uncaring mask.
"Thanks for the choco roll," Maya nodded and Kit waved goodbye before she headed off back into the woods.
Did all these kids play dirty or was it just that specific girl that acted so bold?
Where she came from, no one dared flirt with her or talk to her with anything but respect.
Unless they wanted to be thrown in the maze, of course.
But she couldn't stop thinking about that Kit and not just because she was angry, but because she felt... flattered? No one ever complimented her unless it was about her fighting skills.
And maybe Kit was a lil cute too... and nice... and charming...
But that didn't matter!
She was here for recon! Not to make friends.