[I]Ohh, she's friendly[/i], Kire thought, putting on a small smile for the woman while Ruli talked to her. She wondered what Ruli had thought of her age; he did seem a bit surprised earlier, based on the look he gave her. [I]Half-breed...[/i] Was Ruli as old as he looked? Likely a question to which she wouldn't get an answer, or not soon, anyway, considering his reluctance. 

And speaking of reluctance, Kire looked at him and noticed him rather ill at ease. She nudged him with her elbow and made a gesture that said [i]What is with that look?[/i]. When the lady returned to speak to them, holding a basket containing pouches of seeds and root crops, Kire smiled at her, letting the woman express her pity for them in between her explanations and recommendations for planting, watering, and harvesting. It was a torrent of information, and Kire was getting lost in parts. She glanced at Ruli sidelong and hoped he understood most of it. 

She heard people enter behind them and turned to see well-dressed men, clearly people of standing. "Are the flowers ready for delivery in two days' time?"
"The lord wants everything perfect for his wedding," another interjected, casting the two the briefest glance. "We'd like to make a final inspection." The tone didn't give the impression of a request.
The woman looked apologetically at Kire and Ruli, muttering a hurried apology before ushering the men to the back door of her shop. 

"Well. That's something." Kire poked around at the basket while they waiting for the botanists to return and attend to them. "Did you catch all that? I lost track at some point."