Chapter 143: Downright Embarrassing
“Oi! I’m talking to ya!” yelled the large ruffian. “Got your ears clogged or somethin’?”
“Well, if you want to get technical about it,” said Balthazar, “I don’t even have ears, on account of being, you know… a crab.”
“Smartypants thinks he’s funny,” the goon said, before turning to the cowering man behind him. “This the crab that did it, Georgie?”
The soaked lowlife nodded, his hand still holding his swelling cheek. “Yeah, Brig, that’s the one.”
“Seriously,” Balthazar said, “how many giant talking crabs do you guys get around here that would warrant asking that question?!”
Balthazar looked around, evaluating his situation. Despite being in the middle of a busy street, the passing people seemed determined not to pay any mind to the exchange taking place between the man and the crustacean. The merchant did not yet know how much trouble he was in, or how to tackle the situation, so talking his shell off to buy time was his best bet.
Why did that girl have to leave so soon?! There are more muggers to smash jugs on!
“You got a lot of nerve,” said Brig, strolling forward. “Sticking around after what you did, instead of skipping town. That was your mistake.”
He flexed his fists menacingly as he slowly approached the crab. Druma and Blue stood at the ready behind him, but Balthazar did not wish them to make a scene, at least not yet. He knew they were very far from home, in a city where nobody knew him, and getting into a street fight minutes after arriving was not the best way to make a good first impression.