They spread out around him blocking any chance of escape. Dangerous ruffians, all six of them had a practiced look of gruff. They were probably sent from one of the organized crime lords in this area. They started toying with their weapons, hitting their hands lightly. Were they trying to intimidate him?
Manna was already near the wall but he didn’t back up. He felt no need to hide or run from these creeps. He had put on his gloves while he waited for them to enter the alley. He wore them now; red gloves, the exact color of rust. If the confrontation went the way he thought it would, he would need them.
“We have a message from Bluegill,” the one in the front said.
“Bluegill,” Manna asked, “I paid him off; long time ago.”
The goon shook his head. “This message is for your friend, Guy,” he said smiling. The other goons started grinning. Some of them chuckled a bit and stepped forward when Guy’s name was mentioned.
“I don’t expect to see him for a while,” Manna said scanning their faces. It looked as though they were trying to threaten him. He hoped things would escalate. It would be nice to cut lose after all this time. Of course, to keep his disguise, he would have to wait for them. He would also have to look worried, he succeeded. “I’ll give him the message when I see him though.”
“Tell him ‘Bluegill wants his money,'” the goon continued as he stepped forward.
This was entertaining. Manna’s disguise fooled all kinds of people. With his white robe and peaceful gestures, he tried his best to look and behave as a Green Child. This act usually brought out the best in others. Occasionally, people tried to take advantage of him.
Green Children abhor violence of any kind. They don’t even partake in the fruits of violence. This influenced what he ate, what he wore, and even the job he chose. In the event of violence, a Green Child would rather be hurt or run than cause harm to others.
But of course, it was just a disguise.
These goons obviously didn’t know anything real about Manna. If they did, they would have much more respect. They all stepped forward while toying with their weapons still.
Manna was already near the wall. With the wind blowing, none of the goons saw the slight movements under Manna’s cloak. The movements continued up his sleeves without their knowledge.
“We want to make sure you remember to give him the message,” he said stepping forward.
The three goons to Manna’s right took this as an invitation to start. They rushed in on Manna preparing to strike with their clubs.