Ah, so this guy was a Brit! He did seem a little less out of place than she did, but considering she'd traveled all the way from France to get here, and him Great Britain, it didn't seem so odd anymore. She let a small, easy-going smile show as she toyed with the can of chili in her hand, and gave a small laugh at the stranger's question. "Ah, yeah, it's good stuff. Think of it like a meat, bean, and tomato based porridge of sorts. This one isn't spicy at all, but I knew a woman who'd make it so hot your tears drippin' into your bowl was part of the seasoning." Aera saw him digging about his own rucksack, and she let out another laugh at his nickname for her. "Well, Youhei, I'd like to say I'm a bit more red than a carrot. My name's Aera, and we can talk about a price on the way to the local bar. It's the only place that has alcohol and I've been needing a glass for about a week. Better yet, if you've got coin on hand...buy me a drink and i'll give you dinner."

Before she could start bantering with her new acquaintance, a strange man had somehow managed to come before them without her noticing. [i]'Where did this guy come from?'[/i] Youhei seemed to resume his neutral demeanor she'd been welcomed with, and she too kept herself as lax and harmless as possible. People like this one tended to think of the womenfolk as weak, and expected little from them. Some of them even viewed people as property, and she'd even heard whispers that there were thugs kidnapping young kids for some sort of criminal lord who was building his own personal brothel. Sick as it was, she couldn't find herself to be entirely surprised, and she was the one who'd suggested to the Head of Town that the living quarters needed to be guarded at night. Youhei's voice rung out, and she stifled a silly look at the words he'd spoken, though it was a good sign for her to keep her own mouth shut and see what happened.