These Streets ( Mirage )

[Aladdin]

The marketplace was bustling with activity as usual, despite the early hour. People bartering goods and haggling over prices, the merchants yelling to get the customers’ attention, the wide array of merchandise from all over the world—all were familiar sights and sounds to Aladdin. After all, he’d lived on these streets for thirteen years. He knew the city inside and out, like the back of his hand. It was his home and he loved it deeply, which was why he’d do anything to protect it whenever some rogue sorcerer or enchantress tried to take over. Not all of his memories of these streets were joyful, but still, he felt so alive here. It was anything from calm or peaceful, but the familiarity brought him a sense of…relaxation. He didn’t know why, but maybe it had something to do with how fast his life had changed.

Just a couple of years ago he was wandering these streets as a simple urchin, a ‘street rat’ as he had often been called ( and was still called ). He’d been all alone, except for his furry simian companion, Abu. If it weren’t for him, he didn’t know where he’d be. The years he’d spent stealing to eat with Abu’s help hadn’t been the best, but the years prior to that were simply awful. He was scorned by the people who now praised him for defeating Jafar, and Mozenrath, and Mirage. He’d had no family, as both his parents had died when he was just a boy. Nor did he have any friends—who would want to be friends with a street rat? The one friend he did have before meeting Abu had disappeared years ago.

And now all of the sudden he was this big hero. He couldn’t fathom how these people could all suddenly like him after hating him all his life. He doubted most of their praises were genuine. Not everyone was like that though—some still blatantly referred to him as ‘the street rat’ or ‘the trash that’s marrying the Princess’. He tried, he really tried to ignore them. After all, Jasmine knew he was more than that. He just kept moving forward, doing everything he could to prove to them that he wasn’t worthless, that he wasn’t a street rat, that he would make a good Sultan someday. Still, that last part I’m not so sure about…

Some people are leaders, and some are followers—Aladdin considered himself neither of the two. He’d never really led anyone before…sure if he and his buddies were in a bind he’d take charge and start throwing out ideas and instructions, but that was nothing like controlling an entire city. People’s lives would be in his hands. He didn’t know if he’d be able to handle such an enormous responsibility. That’s partly why he hadn’t accepted the Sultan’s offer of Jafar’s former post as Grand Vizier. He was certain he’d make a horrible vizier—not in the crazy, psychopath way Jafar was, but having that kind of power, second only to the Sultan—he just couldn’t do it. Nor could he stand being locked up in a palace all day—he wanted to see the world. There was so much more he wanted to do before he settled down. He’d always wanted that, even as a kid, but he’d never had the opportunity or the resources—but with a Genie and a Carpet for best friends, the sky was the limit. He owed much to them as well—they’d both saved his life countless times. Genie was always there when he needed to laugh, and he was also a great listener when he needed someone to talk to. Carpet didn’t talk at all, but he was still loyal and a lot of fun—he couldn’t ask for better friends.

He’d left them, Abu, and Iago at the hovel, not wanting to wake them up. Iago was always difficult in the mornings anyway. Then again, when isn’t he difficult? The fiery-plumed parrot just didn’t know when to shut up, and had an unhealthy obsession with treasure, but as unlikely as it sounded they were still fairly good friends, despite him having been Jafar’s henchman. He’d admit, he hadn’t been too trusting of him at first—even if he’d saved his life, but after he’d helped him defeat Jafar a second time, he didn’t have too much of a problem welcoming him into his circle of friends.

Aladdin continued walking down the dusty road, barefooted as usual. He hadn’t been able to afford shoes for the longest time, and now even though he did own a few pairs, he was just so used to not wearing them that he didn’t. He still wore his favorite purple vest and red fez, along with an unpatched pair of white harem pants—simple garments that a commoner would wear. He’d always consider himself a commoner…even when he did marry Jasmine. First and foremost he was Aladdin, son of a tailor.

He stopped at a food cart, silently browsing over what the merchant had to offer. He’d just come back from a successful treasure hunt, and—as he was sure Iago would resent—he was going to buy Jasmine breakfast. He knew obviously the palace cooks could come up with something far better than he could, but still he wanted to do something nice for her. She’d already done so much for him. Now if only there was something here I could afford… he thought, wincing as he read the prices.

[Mirage]

It was another day of peaceful bliss for the inhabitants of Agrabah, and many of the other desert cities. There were little issues here and there, of course- when weren't there- but those things were petty in comparison to the sort of things that could and had gone on before. All in all, this day-and the past several leading up to it- should have been attributed as paradise to the desert lands. At least, due to the fact they had been entirely ignored by 'evil incarnate' in favor of another poor kingdom in a faraway land across the sea. The feline enchantress had felt a pressing desire to obliterate an entire kingdom, and in light of her last recent failure against the hero of Agrabah- had decided to turn her attention elsewhere...if only for a little while. That destruction had been just what she had needed, too. It had taken a week of careful manipulation and causing horrible circumstances, but in the end, the kingdom she had targeted had crumbled. They were no more now; so many people had died, and the others were lost, hopeless, all their happy little endings ripped right out of their hands. It was glorious.


But..basking in the glow of her own evil was, unfortunately, a short-lived indulgence. Mirage had only a few hours at most, to continue feeling absolutely delighted with herself back in Morbia- before the gleam of her lair's crystal ball had caught her eye and curiosity. At first she had gazed upon the remnants of her recent endeavors, feeling all warm and fuzzy from the sheer levels of anguish and fear; able to feel them strengthening her and what hold she now had on that land. But, her mind had wandered elsewhere- to other civilizations that just begged to feel the full extent of her wrath. Agrabah had been the next image that had been presented to her, and the wicked enchantress found herself unable to contain a disdainful scowl at the 'serenity' she was presented with. The people were going about their daily routine like nothing was wrong! Like she hadn't even been there a few weeks prior, trying to destroy them all. It was intolerable!

In a fit of rage, Mirage flung the crystal ball off its pedestal; watching it shatter into a million pieces with only a minor sense of satisfaction. It was..nice, she supposed, but nowhere near enough. People and cities were what she longed to see fall apart- this was completely hollow, in comparison. Besides, she actually needed that thing, annoying as some of its images were. With a sigh and quick wave of her hand, the shards of glass became illuminated in a bright, green glow; and began to hover, piecing the crystal ball back together until it seemed no damage had been done to it at all. With a snap of her fingers, it was back on the pedestal, focused on Agrabah once more.

"It seems I have been gone for much too long," she hissed under her breath, circling the crystal ball like a predator assessing the best way to attack. "They've forgotten their fears already, and that simply won't do. But how to strike their cowardice this time?"

Mirage narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, and began tapping her clawed fingers against the top of the magical orb. She'd done so many things to that pathetic little desert city already, it was..hard, at the beginning, to think of a decent enough ploy. It needed to strike fear into the hearts of those peasants, but it also needed to be grandiose; enough to shock those insufferable heroes! Particularly that street rat.

"Aladdin," She seethed, wishing he were here right at this very second so that she could strike him down where he stood. Oh, what she wouldn't give for a chance to catch him alone, without that idiotic genie to save him! If she could just do that, then Mirage was certain she could destroy the boy!

Sensing her innermost desire, the image in the crystal ball shifted; moving from a general view of Agrabah and all the citizens mulling about - to that disgustingly noble hero trying to come to a conclusion on just what food to buy. All alone. She didn't notice it at first, too caught up in her inner, hateful tirade on the young man- but when the crystal ball gave an obnoxious glow, as if to capture her interest, she turned her attention back to the images drifting through it, and widened her cruel eyes at what she was seeing.

It only took a few seconds for her lips to part in a wicked grin, and the beginnings of a plan to start formulating. This was perfect! This was how she would break the spirit of Agrabah! She would find a way to destroy Aladdin on his own, and without him....the city would be hopeless.

"I thank you for making this easier on me, dear Aladdin," she purred, poking the crystal ball as she laughed. "This would be so much more difficult if you brought those morons you call friends with you."

In a flash of magic she vanished from Morbia; appearing in the marketplace, though in her human, vendor disguise. There was no sense attracting any unwanted attention to herself. A stall was set before her as well, full of all sorts of wares, marked cheaply- as they always were, whenever she did this ploy. Money was of no concern to her, after all. It was the results she wished to see. Looking over herself once or twice, to make sure nothing was amiss, Mirage wandered through the streets, with little concern if anybody stole from her stall or not. If they did, it was all fine and well. The objects caused any mortal who took them to suffer, so one way or another they would serve their purpose.

She stopped, when she came to where Aladdin was, doing her absolute best to hold in all her disgust and rage. She put on the sweetest smile she could muster, and held herself with the aura of one who was warm and kind.

"Pardon me dear boy, but I could not help noticing you seem...troubled, by the outrageous prices of some of these wares."

She completely ignored the glaring she got, only concerned with the street rat at the moment.

"Forgive Asha for prying...but if it is wonderful trinkets, food, or the like which you seek, I could be persuaded to offer much more reasonable costs."

If he would not take her bait, she would find some other way to get to him. Either way, she couldn't let him return to the palace. Not now.

--

((sorrry this sucks. xD))

[Aladdin]

( OOC: Aw, no it's awesome! Seems like just out of the series )

Aladdin picked up a small bag of rice, debating over whether or not he should buy it. It was the only thing at this cart he could afford, and even so that’d be using his whole coin pouch. He’d found enough treasure on his various escapades across the Seven Deserts to take care of himself. It felt good to be able to earn money by his own hard work as opposed to having to steal. He was proud of his abilities. Still, even with the gratuitous sum he’d acquired, it still wasn’t always enough to buy gifts—or even a decent breakfast for Jasmine. He could deny it all he wanted but it made him feel awfully…inferior in a way to those princes she’d had as suitors. At least they could actually offer her gold and jewels—he knew she didn’t want those sort of things but he at least wanted to be able to have the option of giving them to her. When he’d brought it up with Genie, Iago ( who had of course been listening to their conversation ), suggested that he ask the Sultan for money. But Aladdin didn’t want his money or anyone else’s.

The last thing he wanted people to think was that he was only in this for the money. He hadn’t wanted the kingdom, the throne, the wealth—he’d wanted Jasmine. So many people were convinced that he only wanted her for the power and position that would come with marrying the Princess. If only they knew… He couldn’t honestly say that that wasn’t even near the forefront of his thinking. He hadn’t even realized that this meant he’d become Sultan until the man himself mentioned it to him. And he’d been horrified—as well as terrified. He’d been so scared that he’d lose Jasmine that he was willing to break a promise with Genie. It was one of the biggest mistakes he’d ever made. He’d been so selfish that Jafar had taken over the city—albeit briefly. He was seized by a different fear now…a fear of never gaining the people’s respect. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, he still ended up being despised because of his shady past.

The look Faruk gave him while he was pricing his fruit confirmed that. “Too much for your blood, street rat.” the man sneered. He’d known Faruk for years—he’d seen the man every day. He ran an apple cart, and was obsessively dedicated to making sure thieves got their due: whether man, woman, or child. He was the same man he’d stopped from cutting off Jasmine’s hand the day they met at the marketplace. Aladdin had stolen food from him several times in the past—but that’s just what it was, the past. If he could he’d repay him and all the other merchants whose carts he’d robbed in order to stay alive, he would. The closest he could ever come to doing that was giving his all to protect this city that he loved, regardless of how its citizens felt about him.

"Nah, that’s okay Faruk…looks like you’re having a bit of trouble with the flies anyway.” Aladdin replied nonchalantly with a grin, waving a hand. He tried not to laugh as Faruk hurriedly swatted away the insects from his fruit. The insult had stung, but as he did with all comments like it he ignored it. He was used to it anyway, and he was pretty sure nothing would stop some people from calling him a street rat—like Razoul, for example. The Captain of the Royal Guard hated him with a passion, and the feeling was pretty much mutual. For Razoul had always been the one leading the chase after Aladdin stole a measly piece of bread for his breakfast each morning. The man had been determined to kill him—for a simple piece of bread. What’s more, he brought most of the Sultan’s guards with him. Now Aladdin had been flattered that he was considered such a threat to society, but was bringing half the army really necessary? It’d certainly made things harder for him and Abu, but never once were they able to catch them—until that day Razoul found his hideout, but now he was certain Jafar had tipped him off. After the first bout with Jafar, Razoul had been enraged to hear the Princess was engaged to a ‘street rat’, especially the one whom he’d never brought to justice. He highly doubted he’d ever come around.

On the other hand, there were a few merchants who respected him after all he’d done. Omar, for example, was one of the fruit vendors he’d frequently stolen from. Now he didn’t particularly like him, but he was at least civil, which was more he could say about Faruk at the moment. His eyes scanned the marketplace for his cart—he could probably give him a good deal, at least a better one than Faruk—to no avail. It was still early, so maybe he would set up soon. To pass the time he looked at other carts, still finding their goods quite unaffordable. It’s no wonder these kids have to dig through the trash, just to get a bite to eat… he thought angrily. He remembered one day after a particularly difficult escape from the wrath of Razoul, he’d come across two children in an alleyway, trying to find leftovers in someone’s garbage. He’d taken compassion on them and had given away his loaf of bread he’d worked so hard to get. How could he have done anything else?

Well that’s definitely number one on Things to Do as Sultan. He had to do something to help these kids. It just wasn’t right how much they suffered, and he knew what it was like because he’d been there. After his parents had died he’d been so lost. A kind old beggar had taught him everything he needed to know to survive—including how to steal without getting caught. Not all of this kids had someone to show them the ropes, and even so—they deserved better than a life of crime.

He was still thinking about this as he turned away from yet another cart of expensive food. To his surprise he was met by a woman he’d never seen before. She wasn't here a few minutes ago.... his mind observed all of the sudden, but he reasoned that he simply hadn't been looking and had missed her arrival. He nodded in reply with a sad smile. “Yes…they are a little steep.” Understatement of the year. His face brightened when the merchant, who was named Asha, announced that she had affordable goods. “Well I’m looking to buy some breakfast for my girlfriend. Something simple to make but nice.” He’d never cooked before in his life and so this would be a challenge.