[color=D6CC88][b][u]Alley[/u][/b]

The child was troubled to find her path blocked by a fence, and not one that she could climb easily.  At the sound of the man behind her, she whirled around, and Wyth moved in front of her protectively.  But even though she'd stolen from him, the man didn't seem angry.  Once he had his breath back, he smiled and offered to buy her something.  The girl's eyes widened in surprise, and she placed a hand on her cat's shoulder to tell him to stay.  The hunk of bread she'd grabbed was indeed hard, but could she trust this man?  She chewed her lip nervously as she examined him.  His clothes weren't too expensive, just everyday things.  A pack, so maybe he was travelling?  The map certainly would imply such.  His expression was gentle, and his face seemed open.  Her gaze lingered on his hair.  "Ydran..." she murmured.  Her father had told her that the Ydrans had great respect for their Magi.  Certainly more than Murans.  The girl's expression clouded at the memory.  She'd never see him again, never watch him keep a kite aloft on a still day.

She dashed the tears from her eyes and focused on the man in front of her once more.  If he was Ydran, maybe she'd be okay with him, at least for a bit.  And he would give her something to eat, which she needed badly.  The girl used her free hand to brush her bangs out of her eyes and gave him a small, uncertain smile and a nod.  "Heel," she told Wyth, tangling her fingers further in his thick fur and staying right next to the large cat.  He turned his head and butted it against her shoulder, making a soft sound in his throat to reassure her.  She knew he would protect her if anything went wrong.  "Wyth too?" she asked suddenly.  The moorcat couldn't really hunt in a city, and he'd been eating less than he was used to as of late, since he was reluctant to leave her side.[/color]