I traverse down the road, my mood light as I whistled merrily.

Cacophonies of sounds drifted to my ears as people went their way. The voices of merchants and vendors advertising their wares echoed in the place.

The sizzling sound of food being cooked in oil enticed me to go buy them. Wiping the drool that had form at the corner of my mouth, I pushed open the door of a familiar tavern.

" – Bah! That is all? When I –"

" – Hahaha! What a tall tale! –"

" – Hey, did you see that woman from earlier –"

" – Boy, did I kicked the living shit out of him –"

The discordant voices of people either eating or drinking in the middle of the day filled the place.

And like usual, the patrons of this particular tavern are rough-looking people. Grotesque muscles that are twice my body build and scars lined up their physiques. Not only are they rough-looking, they also don't have manners and are smelly.

Just my kind of people.

I walked at the rowdy place towards the counter, wherein an old woman – with greying hair – tended to customers.

I picked a chair, and slumped my tiny arms at the counter.

"One stew, Old Baba." I said coolly. But all I got in return was a smack from a wooden spoon. "Aww! What was that for?" I exclaimed while rubbing my hands.

"Manners, boy." The old woman said.

"Manners? Can I eat that?" I queried, earning another smack.

"No manners, no food. Then, surely, manners can be eaten. Since, if you don't have one, you wouldn't be able to eat." She lectured me like a wise sage.

"What are you saying, Old Baba? Have you gone senile?"

Smack –

"Aww!" this time, the wooden spoon found it's way toward my head.

"Tut-tut. Looks like the little goblin still didn't learnt his lessons~." Chimed in a man in his thirties that passed the counter, his black hair neatly combed up, whilst his mustache is well-trimmed.

"I mean, what am I gonna do with manners, Uncle Fred?" I said to Uncle Fred, who's busy moving to and fro in the place, holding a tray full of food and ale.

Uncle Fred is Old Baba's eldest son, and he helps in managing the tavern.

"It would keep you from trouble, little brat. Don't be like those oaf right there. All muscles and no brains." Old Baba remarked, her voice cutting through the noisy crowd.

"Aww. What did we even do, Gran'?" interrupted a man from one of the table. His features are unique amongst the flock of ruffians for he had a fiery red hair. He clutched his chest, where his heart was, and made a heartbroken face.

"Shush! You oaf! I'm talking to the brat!" Snarled Old Baba, eliciting a snicker from the crowd. "And you, brat! If you don't want to be like that forever, then learning manners is a must. It would be your first step into becoming a proper adult." She said, holding up a finger to emphasize her point.

"I understand, Old Baba – I mean, Grandma Baba." I said defeated, but I wasn't done yet. "Then, I guess they are not proper adults, then?" I asked as I pointed at the ruffians.

" – hey! –"

" – hahaha –"

" – why are we gettin' dragged into this! –"

They clamored, but I just snickered at their expense.

"Mhm. You're right. They are not. They are all just bunch of drunkards." came Old Baba's piercing remarks.

"Drunkards that pay!" exclaimed the red haired man, making the already rowdy crowd more boisterous.

"– Right! Right! –"

"– indeed! Hahaha! –"

"– cheers to that! –"

" – Oraaaaaaahhhh! –"

The mass of meatheads became even more louder, their laughs and conversations clamorous, startling even the people passing by the establishment.

Such a lively place.

Hence, I couldn't help but always be happy despite my life on the streets – alone and without a family – for there exist such a place where I felt I belong.

"Go wash yours hands now, boy." Said Old Baba, interrupting my thoughts. "Your stew would soon be up."

"Mhm. Thanks, Old Baba!" I said, hopping off the chair, forgetting to keep my manners, whilst Old Baba just shook her head, watching my small figure depart into the kitchen.

"Oh!" I halted and went back to the counter. "And one milk… please!" I said, this time keeping a bit of manners, whilst I slid another silver coin towards Old Baba.

"Did you guys hear that? The brat said milk! Hahaha!" guffawed the red hair man.

"Shut up, Gerard!" I barked. "I'm still a growing man!"

"Man he said! Hahaha!"

" – go on and drink your milk, baby boy! Hahaha! –"

" – brat! Just go wash your teeny hands before I drink your goo goo milk! Hahaha! –"

'Ugh! These big turds!' – I thought as I scooted into the kitchen, ignoring their remarks, but a bright smile etched itself into my face despite thinking so.

I gently patted my full belly while I walked the streets, the sky now orange mixed with purple and is transitioning into night.

The establishments – both small and large – that lined up the avenue, already have their lights open, their bright glow peeked over the glass windows, illuminating the streets.

One by one, street lamps are being ignited, casting a beautiful yellow to orange and red blaze through out the now darkening city, shining like little stars.

People went here and there – their purpose different from one another. Some went home, some went to their night shift jobs.

Among them, my lone figure strode onward, my little feet carrying me aimlessly as I wandered the city.

I savored the sight before me, tranquility and melancholy filling my entirety.

'I would never get tired of this scenery.' – I thought with serenity.

For a while, I just drifted about, not in any hurry to go home, for there is no one waiting for me.

Before I know it, I was already at the furthest east of the city, where the slums are.

Kids – younger than I am – played around with one another at the dirt road. Their faces beaming with smiles despite being emaciated and hungry. Their parents sat at the side, conversing amongst themselves, talking about juicy gossips.

I picked myself a place and sat down. I just stayed there, idly sitting in a corner, watching them all do their things. After a while, when the sky turned darker, one by one they went into their respective homes, leaving me all alone.

My surroundings became silent, the only sound is the muffled noises coming inside scruffy houses and the sounds of insects.

I looked at those homes with longing and envy, whilst envisioning myself being in one of those homes, happily mingling with my family despite the hardships of life.

"Family, huh?" I whispered.

"Hmm. Must be nice. I wonder how it feel?" I asked to no one. "Are my parents alive, perhaps? Why am I alone?" I went over with the questions once again in a number I couldn't count.

For as long as I can remember, the only recollection I have of my parents are their blurry images, nothing more. "Do I have siblings? It would have been fun playing with them."

"Haa~." I sighed somberly, as I stood up and headed far more into the corner of the city, where the place I call home is.

The silhouette of an abandoned building loomed overhead, it's atmosphere dreary, it's only inhabitants being animals and insects.

My footsteps echoed in the light less place, my feet carrying me upstairs. Arriving at the second floor, the fresh and cold air of the night assailed me in it's entirety 'cause the walls of the building are worn down – some even completely gone.

The view of the city lit up by numerous lights could be seen clearly at my vantage point, giving me such a beautiful view only I could relish.

'Those city folks are missing out.' – I thought while I moved with familiarity in the place, heading into one part of the room. Grabbing the candelabra I place in a box, I lit it up, illuminating the dark room.

"Hmm~." I groaned as I stretched, drowsiness now visiting me, my thatched bed made out of straw and clothes beckoning me to come sleep.

"Ahh~" I moaned aloud, as my back touched my bed. I looked at my open room's wall, my half-closed eyes gazed towards the bedazzling view of the city and the starry sky.

"Dear maker, please look after me as always." I blurted out, a small smile etched my face. "And please give me lots of food."

After that, the sound of my rhythmic breathing filled the room, my snoring flew along, lulling the animals into dreamland, it's melodious tune filling my humble home.