In reality Oak was only slightly better than Dahlia due to the actual firm structure of authority, though still corrupt through-and-through. The towns lord and the guild master of Phantom Lord were supposedly chums, letting the dark guild do as they like though within reason, keeping the peace but letting the streets brew with criminals. People with bounties like Thorn could stroll down the streets unafraid of getting picked up by local authorities because they probably have a higher bounty than you. Underground trade and the black market was actually a town highlight it seemed. Yes, when you heard the words ‘Oak Town’ you usually think of something illegal….
It was both everything Thorn expected, yet at the same time not. The general criminal freedom was nice, Thorn had to be careful even in Dahlia, but it was also so… cheerful. It was like the town was putting extra effort into seeming harmless when it was obviously not. Even in the pub, Thorn was in had a warm cheerful atmosphere that was suited to a cheesy happy place like Magnolia Town, not freaking Oak. Just walking into the Swineherd Pub the Curse Magic user bet her demonic arm that a good half of the people in the building were dark mages themselves, and that’s only with a glance.
Honestly, the town was starting to give her the creeps. And the perfect way to stave such a feeling off? Alcohol and a warm meal. Swishing her ratty cloak behind her and simply not noticing the looks her rag-like clothing (which left very little to the imagination) Thorn sat down at the pubs bar and banged her bandaged hand down on the counter to attract the bartender’s attention. Food and drink were at the forefront of her mind.