“Hm. Will hear that story another time then,” Kire said, catching the hint. [i]Envy might be a better storyteller anyway,[/i] she thought, wondering why she still bothered getting a real conversation out of him. She sighed, looking about at how festive the Cordon homes were. It made her feel all the more alone here, in his company, and all the more upset at the stark contrast between the ghetto they had just come from and the barebones dwelling in the mountains, and all this rich life. 

And the smells—despite herself, Kire wished they had time to at least eat some of their food. [i]Gods, Kire, you’re a bottomless pit[/i], she thought, already imagining her cousins ribbing her about her appetite. “Fine. Lumber, no boots. Your feet will be complaining soon, though.” She followed Ruli, quiet, deciding to just leave him to his thoughts, focusing instead on taking in as much of Cordon as she could see while on their errands.

Something about all the colorful trappings reminded her of preparations for festivities. She caught sight of some people only just hanging up ornaments outside their homes, and some taverns and inns cleaning house. [i]Hmm. Curious.[/i] She looked at her companion, saw that he had covered his face. Was he afraid of being recognized, or was it all too much for him? “I don’t suppose you have any idea what they’re getting ready for,” Kire remarked, not expecting an answer. Perhaps they could chat up the person they would be buying from about this. 

For their transactions, Kire decided to let Ruli take the lead. She wasn’t good at haggling, anyway, though she could perhaps offer some rudimentary advice on the lumber they would be purchasing. She wasn’t even sure how, exactly, commerce operated here.