(Thanks to the people that told me it was mostly code. I don't know what happened but hopefully it's fixed.)
In a small remote village someways north of Ninjago City sat a tiny community. An odd handful of families, most of them farmers. Everyone knew each other and shared all that they had. It was quiet and peaceful and that's just the way everyone liked it.
In the center of the village were a few small shops and miscellaneous stands. A small fruit and vegetable cart run by the children of the Village Elder, who ran it before them. A small bookstore that doubled as a library. (The owner wasn't too worried about people stealing books. Most thieves turn out to be kids anyway. Trying to create what little mischief they could in such a small village.) A corner store that sold manufactured goods and prepackaged treats. A tool shop run by the village's top and only repair man. At the center of the semicircle sat by far the largest shop.
A kite shop. It was only the largest because it doubled as the owner's house. On the outside it was nothing special, an old but sturdy wooden structure. The door is made from planks with tall glass panels to see out of. Large glass windows were on both sides of the door to give passerby's a little preview. The inside, however, was gorgeous. In a wide array of colors and patterns were many kites. Small and large, built for different conditions. Ones that looked like fearsome legendary dragons. Others that were small dainty birds. Some that looked like the airplanes that passed over on their way to the big city. All hand dyed and stitched. Assembled with pride and care.
At the register sat a child, no older than 9, scribbling away at a pad of paper. Humming along to a small handheld radio on a shelf high above. Next to them is an old graying tomcat curled up for it's mid-morning nap on the counter.
The front door is pushed open and the bell positioned above rang with a sleepy chime. A man in his early 30s emerges from behind a green and black patterned curtain to greet the customer. The man is of an average height, with big but sleepy eyes and long black hair tied back in a high ponytail. He wears what used to be a white apron over simple clothes.
He greets the new customer. Someone obviously from the big city. An older man with a long white beard and a sedge hat. Dressed in white robes with gold trimmings. The man uses his staff like a walking stick of sorts.
The child sitting at the counter immediately starts drawing the stranger. As he begins walking around the store, inspecting the kites. The owner leans against the counter and pats the kid. His kid if it weren't obvious. Which it was, they were the spitting image of their father. Finally the foreign man approaches the counter and gives a curt nod to the kid and their father.
"I'm not sure you have what I'm looking for." He says while stroking his beard. "I've come a rather long way to be disappointed." The corner of the owner's mouth twitches. "I'm sorry. I can do custom orders if you have something in mind." He jots down something a small card and offers it to the bearded man. "My name is Morro by the way. I'm the owner of the shop. I make the kites." The bearded man opens his mouth to reply but the child stops him short as they stand up on the stool. "And my name's Pan and I'm 9 years old. Next week is my 10th birthday." They pick up the old cat who blinks slowly from the disturbance. "This is Rise. He's way old! Older than me, can you believe it?!"
Morro puts a hand on Pan's shoulder and when the kid looks up at him, he gives them a familiar look. "Oh I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to interrupt you." The old man gives the kid a smile. "That's quite alright young one." He reaches out to pet Rise but the cat hisses and jumps from Pan's hold. Pan hops down from the stool to give chase to the old cat.
The old man looks at Morro once more, he isn't smiling anymore. "I'm afraid you can't just make what I'm looking for." Morro is confused but gives a polite smile anyway, "That's too bad."
"Indeed." The old man purses his lips. Morro is suddenly off put by him, his presence makes the air around him tense. He didn't want the man here anymore. Especially not around his kid. "I'm sorry I can't help you." He says tersely, the corners of his mouth twitch.
A strong wind current makes the door swing open by itself. The old man turns around and Morro looks past him. Pan stands between him and the door, holding a now calmed Rise. They frown at the old man. "You're making my daddy upset, can you leave?" They mumble from behind black and gray cat fur. The old man picks up his staff and slowly makes his way towards the door. Stopping just beside Pan to give the kid a once over.
Pan shuffles over to their dad and climbs back on the stool. The old man pushes through the door and leaves. The air inside becomes less tense. "Pan, you can't use your powers infront of strangers like that." Morro kneels beside the stool and looks up at his kid. "But he was making you upset dad. I could feel it." Morro draws his lips into a thin line and adjusts the collar of Pan's shirt.
"I know you could sweetie. He was just a weird old man. It's okay now." He pats Pan's head and stands up again. The kid puts the old cat down and reaches up for their dad. He sighs but smiles picking the kid up. "You're getting too heavy for this. You're growing so fast." He grunts as the kid basically choke holds him. He pats their back and hums along to the radio.
"You're gonna be 10 next week, you're getting so big." Morro sets Pan down on the counter. The kid is all smiles again. "What are we gonna do on my birthday? I wanna go to the city and see a movie! And then go play at an arcade." Morro laughs as the kid swings their feet excitedly.
"We can do that." Pan's excitement courses through the air, the hanging kites jostle slightly. Morro doesn't let his worry pollute the air.