The islands skyline was intense to say the least. There were buildings dozen of meters tall, taller than those that were seen even in kingdoms like Arabasta. True to form skyscrapers were erected in the sky, made of Concrete and Steel, brick and mortar.
Signage in Neon and also colored in expert paint and plastic were on many of the street buildings that could be seen even from a distance. Advertisements, advertisements everywhere.
The Ember Blossom used its 'Ember Paddles' like a steamboat to propel its way towards the huge docks. Many of the Ships were in the bay as well, as far out as a mile from the island. All just sitting there.
A Small boat approached the Blossom, it was a white pristine and coated in plastic ship that sped over by a Whale Oil. Whale oil was a one of the major ways that fueled lighting, machines, and the like. Along with Kerosene, which was very valuable as it was produced through crude oil, which was required to be pumped from deep beneath the earth.
"Excuse me! You all must pay the entry fee into Judice if you wish to pay for the Crimson Port up to the Sacred Holy Land of Eden!" A man that wore a finely pressed suit and wore a necklace of both the World Government and the Sigil of the Celestial Dragons asked. He had long mutton chops and slicked back hair with a pair of bifocals
"How much is it?" Leroy stopped kirk from approaching to keep up the disguises. Leroy Wrapped his sash around his face. "It's 50,000 for entry. Per person."
"Thats 450,000 Berry…" Kirk whispered to him. "Fine." Leroy said before turning around and talking "Someone got a box to pack the Berry in?"
It didn't take long to get the money from the vault before packing it into a case and handing it off to the numismatist. They didnt even check if theres was 9 people on board before speeding off in the boat to another ship.
"No wonder people have stories of saving up money only to be turned away…" Raven said beneath her veil. "I can only assume how much it is to go up the Crimson Port…"
Eventually the Blossom was Docked in the Port, and the Crew Departed from the Gang Plank that extended from the side of the Ship. The Docks were solid and sturdy made of Concrete and wood. And already the Skyline loomed above.
"I can't believe I used to wear this shit…" Kirk mumbled to him self as he felt his feet already get pained from the inserts and heels. Scratching at his beard patch and messing with his hair to make sure its covering his fins
"I don't know how I did this either…" Dezzi said with a chuckle "It smells like wet rabbit…" They covered their mask with their paw as they would their mouth as they quietly chuckled.
"Its not the first time I've had to hide. And it won't be the last." Raven said holding a pocket book in front of her with both hands "I must say, the architecture here is astounding!" Eddie said without even moving his mouth.
"Oh this is the first time you've seen modern buildings huh Ed?" Leroy said peaking over his shoulder "yes. It is quite beautiful. Most of the buildings in my time were much smaller, and more compact."
Over a hundred years ago there were plenty of structures like this. Building up was nothing new for humans. But it was the complexity and abundance that was new. Many islands were typically made of materials that were found easily such as wood and brick, or wattle and daub. It wasn't an uncommon sight for some islands to only have hamlets or spread out small settlements. But islands were so disconnected that the terms like Development or Civilized couldn't properly be attached. Some islands lived in huts but were so deeply philosophical that they would dwarf the spiritualism of other Island. And some islands like Louge Existed. Filled with crime and violence despite being so called 'Developed' and 'Civilized'
Then there was of course the Islands that were highly technological beyond others.
In terms of an Average for Technological Development, the world hovered around a place like Judice, and a Place like Louge.
"What are all these buildings for?" Dezzi asked looking up at the sky line. So many buildings went as high as over 100 meters. The streets were cramped and narrow. People coming and going quickly in and out of buildings. The Streets were constantly clean, but it was one fact not even a few meters into the city that surprised the whole crew
A single Lone Fishman sat in coveralls and a hat sweeping incessantly on the street. He looked to be a pufferfish. Face slightly spiky. And a sign above him where he cleaned said–
'Only Human. No Others Allowed.'
Then with a keen eye having seen it. This signage was…Everywhere. There was two tanks of water 100 feet from one another. One looked like a keg with a spigot in it with a sign that said 'Other' and the one down the way said 'Human' above it. And it looked incredible. Clean, porcelain, and water flowed at the press of a button from a tap to be leaned in and drank from.
"God…" Kirk muttered. And Leroy extended a hand of reassurance for the Navigator to hold. And the Koi squeezed in tandem.
The entire City was like this. Segregated all across. Most building didn't allow 'Others' in unless under human supervision. Places had slurs plastered on signs. None like the harshest, but many were old fashioned. 'Finned' 'Deep' 'Selkie' and of course one of the oldest known terms 'Aquarians'. 'Furred' 'Multi-Limb' 'Mutant' 'deviant' Clearly spoke to not only Minks, but also variant human forms and rare 'races'
The crew entered into a building. A shop that was pristine and had rows of products. Another Fishman was disheveled in the corner scrubbing away at the floor.
"Whats with the dude in the corner." Leroy asked to the man behind the counter "Oh the leatherback? Don't mind it. Ain't causing you trouble right?"
"Nah…" Leroy asked. Before suddenly spurring into a ramble "Why do you live here?"
"Why? Thats a weird question…"