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The summer heat was delicious.  The rays of sun beat down on her already bronzed skin, causing a sheen of sweat to make her glitter. Despite this heat she had decided to go shopping.  It was of no consequence to her.  She had a chore to get done and she would do it no matter the cost.  The market was fairly deserted for this time of day but she could still get basic necessities. She ultimately preferred the outside stalls where the people of Korven sold their wares as opposed to the staunch groceries.  They were all white and pristine and you couldn't haggle.  She could get a better deal here.  Esperanza wore very little - a wide-brimmed sunhat, absurdly short cloth shorts, and a white tank top that clung to her skin.  The areas where sweat soaked through showed skin and a hint of a white lacy bra.  Her hair was placed in a low, messy bun.  Stray hairs stuck to her neck.

She picked up a large, red apple, turning it over in thin fingers.  It felt strange, perhaps waxy?  The heat made it stick to her fingers a little too.  Using a thumbnail she scraped it across the surface of the apple and a thin layer of a white substance came with it.  The vendor watched her hesitantly.  Esperanza held up the evidence to him.  [color=bc8dbf][b]"What the fuck is this?"[/b][/color] she asked, her voice even and calm.

[color=00aeef][b]"It must just be the heat, causing the outer layer of skin to come off.  I'll give you a special discount, $1.50 per apple,"[/b][/color] he said in a conspiratorial way, leaning closer to Esperanza.  Espie smiled and leaned in as well, placing the apple back into the basket with its brothers.
[color=bc8dbf][b]
"I have been doing the shopping since I was seven years old, puta.  This trick is older than this city. Thirty cents per apple and I don't blow your secret."[/b][/color]  Her tone was sweet and chipper and her face betrayed none of the threat her words held.  The man blanched slightly.

[color=00aeef][b]"At thirty cents I would be taking a loss, my dear girl."[/b][/color]

[color=bc8dbf][b]"At zero cents you would be as well.  You overcharge for apples anyway, good luck." [/b][/color] She straightened and waved a hand before placing it back on her crutch.  She turned, moving the smooth wooden apparatus so that she could hop her way to the next stall.
[b]
[color=00aeef]"Wait!  Forty cents." [/color] [/b]She looked back toward him.

[color=bc8dbf][b]"Thirty five and I will also buy this avocado, but for two thirds full price."[/b][/color]

[color=00aeef][b]"You drive a hard bargain.  Deal." [/b][/color] There was nothing better than winning the battle of wits with these stall vendors.  She knew they lived for it too.  She never asked for less than what she felt the food was worth.  As she placed her apples into her basket and was about to look for the perfect avocado (a rare and very expensive delicacy) she heard a crack that shook the earth.  She almost lost her balance.  The vendor rushed from his stall, past her.

Espie turned and saw a furl of black smoke not too far away.  She dropped her basket, forgetting thoughts of bargains.  She hopped as fast as she could, which was pretty darn quick considering she only had one leg.  People rushed past her.  The smarter ones ran away.  It did not take long before she reached the scene of the fire.  The heat had already been unbearable but the fire overwhelmed.  It threw waves of shimmer across the people.  Some were helping survivors away from the building.  The roof seemed to have fallen in.

Her heart sank.  Life in Korven was tough enough already.  Where were these people to live now?  She heard the screams and sobbing of a child to her right.  Something snapped and she pushed her way through crowds of people until she reached a toddler.  She stood on her own, face blackened from the fire.  Her clothes were in bad shape and she smelled distinctly of burning.

Espie threw down her crutch and knelt before the child.  She removed her hat and shirt.  Using the shirt she wiped the black from the girls face along with tears and snot.  She then placed the hat on the girl's head to keep her safe from the sun.  [color=bc8dbf][b]"Where are your mami and papi,"[/b][/color] she asked gently.  The child seemed to be calming down.

[color=f49ac2][b]"I don't know... I think maybe they are still inside."[/b][/color] She replied through sobs.

[color=bc8dbf][color=bc8dbf]"My name is Espie, what is yours?"[/color][/color]

[color=f49ac2][b]"Anika."
[/b][/color]

[color=bc8dbf][b]"All right Anika.  I'll stay with you until we find them.  Okay?" [/b][/color] The girl nodded and put her arms around Esperanza's neck.  Using the crutch and holding the girl tight, Esperanza clumsily stood.  The child wiped her runny nose on her bare should as tears ran down her back.  Espie did not notice or mind.  She would need to talk to the other members of Our Lady of Solace to see about getting donations.  Perhaps she could convince her boss to set up a donation fund for these people.  Her church could allocate the funds properly.  She would be willing to work extra hard to ensure these people's safety and comfort.  Anything it took.

She watched in horror as the building burned and the people of her community were left in despair.