More than a few arguments emerged between them— you could see a fight easily beginning if the wrong words were being said.

Witnessing all of this was a sobering experience, especially after a day of seeing the best places Centria had to offer.

You found that the stench that invaded the air, wrapped together the squalor and lack of general hygiene in everything, gave way to the lingering scents of food and alcohol.

Said smells not only came from the tavern, but from the homes and by the bonfire.

There was no sign of policemen, or really any sort of government. It was a stark contrast to this city's wealthier places.

More than once someone would try to pickpocket you or offer some clearly illegal substance. Of these, you were amused that catnip was considered a hard drug for catgirls (at least, that's what you got from Cattleya's reaction).

While the initial plan was to spread out and look around the place, it was so dangerous at night that it would've been unwise to split up.

"Still better than running around for paperwork." Mel said after another thief was beaten up by Gerty.

"Same here, mate." Cattleya meowed.

"This was the sixth one so far." Herta noted the amount of criminals you were able to catch.

"To think such barbarities would be tolerated in this civilized land." Ruby Rose, being the most disgusted by all the grime and filth, seemed to prefer the monotony of the government buildings to this.

Some more looking around the place didn't bring more positive news. What wasn't riddled with poverty was riddled with crime. And what buildings weren't on the verge of collapse were occupied by squatters or were only half-built.

"Master, I fear we may not be able to gain any rent from these people." Ayane informed you.

Mel identified most people here as being down on their luck, becoming temporary residents that drifted here. Others she found to be much like bandits or like gangs, usually extorting and otherwise causing crimes. Strangely enough, there was no prostitution happening. When you asked about this to your wives, the general explanation was that there were so many women that men didn't really need to pay for intercourse and could just take a woman that was abandoned or otherwise found ruin, and start from there.

Of those that were just trying to survive, a human family being noteworthy, they seemed worried as Gerty introduced you as the future owner of the plaza. But the most interesting residents were a bunch of snakes. Literally a group of snake-people.

Lamia here were considerably more organized and defensive of the area. What bothered you was that they considered this to be 'their territory', despite having already heard about this place being bought out.

You knew that they had some trouble with some gnomes attempting to evict them out, though the details escaped you.