Kire listened to him explain shadow-walking and nodded along. It made sense. It was probably also why she could open portals up in mid-air, while they could not. [i]Focus and strength.[/i] The two methods had their own brand of difficulty. “What would happen if you let go of someone mid-way? Gods.” Kire grimaced at the thought, though she was also morbidly curious. She had wondered that about her own portals, herself, and was thankful she hadn’t yet found out the answer from first-hand experience. 

She glanced at him again, specifically his hands stuck in his pockets. “Hm.” She looked away, her gaze scanning the busy streets, looking for something, making a mental note to pass by this way again later when they return the wagon. “If you find yourself here with spare time, I do suggest you go on sunset. You might like the view,” she said, gesturing at the direction of the ocean behind them. “I know I would. While stuffing my face with festival food.” 

The jovial sounds and heady smells from the festival preparations were muted once they had reached the other side of the wall later. Kire took a few deep breaths, stretched her arms and rolled her shoulders, then proceeded to unload the wagon. “Three trips,” she said, thinking out loud, “at least for my way. After that, I may have to rely on your shadow-walking, but we’ll see. I’m also a little afraid of what happens to these in transit, so first trip’s to test it out.” She was balancing several planks on one shoulder, holding on tight with both arms. After taking a few more deep breaths, Kire disappeared in a blue flash. 

She reappeared several minutes later. “Probably should have picked a more spacious place to pop back into,” she muttered, taking on the next batch and not wanting to explain her rather clumsy re-entry. More prepared for what to expect this time, she was able to transport the other two batches she had earlier calculated. By her third return to the wagon, she was feeling lightheaded but otherwise still able to move. “Can we drive the wagon back down that same street? There’s something I wanted to look at.” 

[i]There it is.[/i] The aroma was unmistakable. Kire practically hopped off the wagon in front of a coffeehouse. “Two mugs, please,” she said to the lady who greeted her, “and if you have it, sugar and cream for the second one. Give the first to my companion over here.” She flashed the coin. “If you’re selling the beans, or could point me in the direction of your merchant, that would be splendid.”