Training to learn the ways of Genki had proven to be an interesting topic for Janette, one that captured her interest to an extent. Not enough for her to put into practice, she hadn't the time or the focus for that. Magic was a topic she was curious about, but that curiosity was outweighed by caution. The memory of her setting her desk on fire as a child when she attempted to work on an alchemic mixture only to add the wrong ingredient was enough to spook her from trying. If mixing magical dusts and potions had that tiny repercussion from error, the thought of what would go wrong if she tried learning magic with her bare hands sent a nervous shiver crawling up her spine.
No, she was always one who preferred to be cautious.
As she arrived back at her shop, she discovered that the incoming traffic of travelers had already begun. Numerous newcomers were crossing through the Farmer's Den, urging her to set up and open her shop with haste. Although she guessed that she had arrived an hour later from her usual routine, the knowing fact that her workers would arrive soon to help her on this big day put her at ease. This month's earnings has been fairly modest with a few highs and lows on daily profits, and she had hoped that this day would result in the month's highest earning thus far.
It took nearly half an hour to prepare, but she gladly opened the entrance to her shop and waved at the crowd passing by. Many spotted her as she shouted her sales pitch for them to hear, all it took was a few to take enough interest to approach her. Once a spare number of people arrive, they would attract more to take a peak at what she had for sale.
"What'cha sellin?" A half-sized fellow with a hoarse voice asked, his face shrouded and hidden under a hood and a scarf. To some, his very appearance would scare off a damsel who didn't know any better, but Janette recognized him by the gray color of his skin. This fellow comes from a race born underground due to their sensitivity to sunlight, nicknamed as Underlings as a mockery of their short height and origin. Contrary to what the name would imply, their species were often aggressive and independent.
Janette smiled and welcomed him inside, showing the variety of dairy produce her shop had to offer.
First came the Underling, taking with him two pounds of apples and avocados. Next came a half elf woman with whom she guessed was her human husband judging by the intimate hand holding between the two. Just like usual, she found herself pacing from one customer to another, nearly out of breath as she would answer any questions they had, which mostly consisted of bargaining to lower the price or asking about the origins of said produce.
She exhaled and sat down at her table, wiping the layer of sweat accumulating on her shiny forehead as the day grew hot and the shop went quiet. Reaching into her private storage, her hand tapped around until she felt an object in her hand before pulling out an olive glass bottle. She eyed it with contemplation before looking around briefly, only to shake her head and put it away. Back under her table she went in search, this time finding the right bottle in hand before taking a swig of water to cool off. She wiped her mouth and put it down, tapping her hand on the hard wooden surface while her eyes scanned around the shop, darting from one corner to another. Pushing her stool back, she stood up and carefully walked around the corner to the back of her shop, approaching her two horses as they huffed and shook their heads. They knew it was that time of the day, baring their teeth in silly little smiles as they waited for their afternoon feeding. This time, she had brought with her two sacks of oats for them, opening them wide and watching them stick their muzzles inside to dig in one by one.
Janette smiled and gave them each a pat on the head, stroking their fur behind the ears, when something slipped past her in her peripheral vision. She spun around, nearly dropping the sack in her hands before setting it aside. Whatever that was, she followed its direction around the corner with small steps, holding her breath as she did so. Judging by its size, she doubted it was any of her workers as it would be unlike them to sneak in. Both of them were taller than her as well, so that overruled them as a possibility. She sucked in her lips and poked her head out, hoping to catch sight of the mystery figure that slipped past her. She rolled her eyes and sighed, brushing her dress down and fixing her hair. She was being foolish, whatever it was could have been a ball or a toy from a traveler's child. With a huff and a look of determination, she made her way back to the shop's entry to look around.
There were still plenty of new folk crossing through, most of them in large groups of families with the fathers and mothers carrying large packs behind their backs. Odd, it wasn't uncommon for her to spot a few families here and there but this was far more than she was use to.
"Excuse me, excuse me." She called out, failing to catch a few groups before succeeded with an elder pair. "Excuse me, my apologies for stopping you so abruptly, but would you mind sparing me a moment to ask where you lot are coming from? We don't normally see so many together here."
The old woman sighed and shook her head, receiving a few pats on her back by her husband. He raised his slouched figure and looked up at her with a wrinkled, dry face. "Why, most of us come from Rye's Crossing and Green hill Grove."
"Rye's Crossing?" Janette repeated, looking perplexed. "From the western fishing grounds?"
"That's the one!" He shouted, pointing at her with a trembling finger. "There came a terrible onslaught led by goblins and Wild Men, it was so late in the night that we hardly the time to pack. We fled for our lives. When we returned to find that they laid claim and occupied our homes, we sought out to seek refuge in the east. The Duke of Layafette was meant to protect us, but he was nowhere to be found. Now we move onward in the hopes that his majesty, King Ayuder, can save us."
"By the Gods," Janette gasped, recoiling in shock. "Was this an invasion?"
"Haven't a clue, now please let us through. We've a long ways ahead and we haven't the coin to buy whatever you're selling." He said, pushing past her with clumsy steps, heaving a wheeled cart of their belongings behind him while his wife followed closely by his side.
Janette watched them closely, rushing back inside and soon running after them with a small bag in her hand. "Here, something to take with you on your journey." She explained, pushing the wrinkled sack into the lady's withered hands.
She opened the bag and looked through to find a number of bananas, apples, and grapes inside. "Ohh, bless your heart and soul for your kindness, miss."
Janette smiled and waved them off, watching them join the rest of their group to leave the Den. It was then that a sharp hiss followed by a cat's screech caught her attention, the noises coming from inside her shop. She hurried back inside, finding a group of boys huddled around their friend with a hand over his face, groaning in pain.
"What in the name of the Gods is happening here?" She shouted, running in to check the boy on the ground. "You lot shouldn't be back here, what gives?"
The other boys stepped aside, watching with their dirtied faces and stitched clothing as she fell to her knees and plucked the boy's hand away to reveal the claw marks on his face.
"St-stupid little beast!" He shouted, hissing and squirming about. "It cut me!"
"What cut you?" Janette asked, scanning the wound on his cheek. "Don't be such a baby, whatever it was only scratched the skin. You hardly bleeding at all."
She helped him to his feet and spun around, placing her hands on her waist while glaring at the rest of his friends. "Now, would any of you care to explain what you are doing in my shop while we are closed?"
CRASH!
Janette jumped at the sound coming from the back, followed by her horses crying out. She didn't waste any time to check on her stallions, finding her table had been turned over by a little boy holding the sack of oats in his hand. He stuck his tongue out and slipped under the carriage in a hurry.
"Hey!" Janette cried out, running to the other side only to spot the boy disappearing amongst the crowd. "Little thief!"
Her eyes grew twice their size, realizing what might be happening back inside her shop as she ran back inside. Her heart sank when her thoughts were confirmed by the sight of the boys carrying out the crates of fruits she had on display, knocking over tables and scurrying off with as much as they could carry.
"Oh, you conniving little- put that back!" She shouted, managing to grab a crate of grapes from the nearest boy before struggling to yank it away. One of his friends noticed and threw an orange at her head, bouncing off her ear as she yelped in pain and let go. She rubbed her ear, watching the last boy run off with a watermelon in his hands. Defeated, she helped herself back to her feet and gave out a tired sigh, sulking in her stool when someone entered her shop.
Initially, she grinded her teeth and looked up with flaring eyes before realizing that this was a pair of female elves looking around. She looked away, breathing in deep and closing her eyes before combing her fingers through her hair to compose herself.
"Goodness, we saw a flurry of little one's running off with a handful. Are you okay?" One of them asked.
Janette stood up from her table, revealing herself with a smile and a red ear before greeting them. "Caught me when I had my guard down, I'm afraid. How can I help you?"
"Oh." Her companion carefully stepped around a mess of a splattered melon on the ground. "Perhaps it might be better if we see a different shop?"
"That wouldn't be necessary." Janette chuckled, approaching the two elves. "It may not be the best time, but I can still be of service!"
"Well, we were looking to see if you have any peaches." The first elf replied with a small smile.
"Peaches! Yes, of course, only the sweetest around here!" She looked around, her smile dropping when she saw the upturned table where the peaches once were. "Erm, just a moment!"
Fortunately for her, she had a small supply in the back as she dug around before feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Thank the Gods, she thought to herself, carrying out a basket of peaches for the two elves to inspect.
A moment later, she bid the two farewell before placing the coins away and sitting back on her stool, surveying the damages left behind. Her fingers nervously drummed over the table, her eyes scanning from one missing produce to the next, silently counting the amount that was stolen from her. In a moment, she had her notebook out before her while she jotted down the amount that was taken from her, including the broken tables left behind in their escape. She sighed and dropped the quill, rubbing her sore ear as she was looking at the cost needed to manage this mess. Checking the schedule showed that the next shipment of dairy produce won't be for another two weeks.
She groaned and dropped her head on the table, closing her eyes for just a moment while in silence. Thanks to this burglary she was forced to close early, and now she dreaded the cost and time it would take for her to clean up the mess they left behind. Sliding the book aside, she held her head in her hands and breathed in, feeling the stress getting to her.
"Hells." She grumbled, scooting back and reaching for the bottle of wine under her table. She popped the cork off and raised the bottom end up as she helped herself to a swig, greedily gulping down its rich, red contents before pulling away and licking her lips. Placing the bottle on the table, she stared at the label with half open eyes, feeling a tinge of guilt while her fingers tapped around the glass container, her body longing for another helping.
"I shouldn't." She said aloud, convincing herself as she pushed the cork back into the bottleneck, dropping to her knees to stash it back into the bottom shelf when she gasped. A pair of green eyes stared back at her, tucked away behind a few empty green bottles. It was a cat covered in white fur, blinking its eyes back at her.
"Oh my goodness," She smiled, gently reaching out to the little feline. It pulled away from her hand at first, but when Janette brushed its ear, it purred and started to rub its furry head against her hand. It didn't resist when Janette scooped her out from underneath, setting her on her table and stroking its back and ears. "Aren't you the cutest little thing?"
She scratched under the cat's chin, raising her head and inspecting around its neck. "No collar, guessing you have no name either. Not many cats around here, are you lost? Or did you come with the others too?"
She paused and reached down for a bottle of water, pouring some into her hand and offering it to her. The cat tilted its head, watching her before slowly approaching her hand. It's pink tongue flicked across the small handful of water, getting a taste before closing its eyes and licking for more much to Janette's delight.
"I don't have any fish around, and no rodents or shrews around this shop so far. But if I did, it would make for a good reason to keep you around." She smiled and admired the creatures innocent nature, its white furry tail waving back and forth in a slow manner. Once the cat was satisfied, it sat up and watched her as she continued petting its head and rubbing her paws. Janette looked behind it, breathing in before standing up with a stern look. "Well, it's not going to clean itself."
The cat remained on the table, watching Janette as she started to pick up the broken table legs to store them away. Bit by bit, she picked up the broken tables and mopped up the splattered mess of fruit left around. She didn't say a word, pausing every moment to catch her breath before glancing at the cat only to continue again and again. The afternoon turned into night time, and Janette fell across an empty table, laying on her back with her arm across her forehead. A friendly mewl and a lick of her ear reminded her of her newest visitor, giggling at the feeling of her tongue before rewarding her with a bit of petting.
Janette sighed. "Am I so pitiful that you decided to stick around to enjoy the show?"
"Mew?"
She chuckled and shook her head. "No, of course not. Here, you might as well enjoy the last carrot stick I have for the month. Put it to good use."
Janette hummed to herself, cleaning up her belongings while watching the little feline nibble and bite at the carrot stick under her paws. "Poor thing, I promise next time I'll bring you some fish to eat. Assuming you're here, but... you don't have a home, do you?"
It didn't respond. She rolled her eyes, "Goodness, now I'm talking to a cat. Maybe they rattled my head with that blow."
Looking around, she folded her arms and frowned. "And none of those damn employees ever arrived, the scoundrels! I'll be sure to give them an earful tomorrow."
Stuffing her baggage into the carriage, she looked back at the cat as it slowly walked up to her before sitting up and staring. "Why not, come to give a woman some company for the night?"
"Meow."
"Hm," She smiled, reaching out only for the cat to flinch. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."
It turned its head, looking into her eyes almost as if it was contemplating its choice. Once it had decided, the cat walked up to her, allowing Janette to carry her up to the front bench of her carriage. Once the shop was properly closed for the night, Janette set off on her carriage back home, accompanied by a little cat as it curled up on her lap. She smiled and rubbed its belly, looking up into the starry night.
"Well, at least today wasn't all bad." She admitted in a low voice, scratching behind the cat's ear.
Hopefully tomorrow will fair better.
Training to learn the ways of Genki had proven to be an interesting topic for Janette, one that captured her interest to an extent. Not enough for her to put into practice, she hadn't the time or the focus for that. Magic was a topic she was curious about, but that curiosity was outweighed by caution. The memory of her setting her desk on fire as a child when she attempted to work on an alchemic mixture only to add the wrong ingredient was enough to spook her from trying. If mixing magical dusts and potions had that tiny repercussion from error, the thought of what would go wrong if she tried learning magic with her bare hands sent a nervous shiver crawling up her spine.
No, she was always one who preferred to be cautious.
As she arrived back at her shop, she discovered that the incoming traffic of travelers had already begun. Numerous newcomers were crossing through the Farmer's Den, urging her to set up and open her shop with haste. Although she guessed that she had arrived an hour later from her usual routine, the knowing fact that her workers would arrive soon to help her on this big day put her at ease. This month's earnings has been fairly modest with a few highs and lows on daily profits, and she had hoped that this day would result in the month's highest earning thus far.
It took nearly half an hour to prepare, but she gladly opened the entrance to her shop and waved at the crowd passing by. Many spotted her as she shouted her sales pitch for them to hear, all it took was a few to take enough interest to approach her. Once a spare number of people arrive, they would attract more to take a peak at what she had for sale.
"What'cha sellin?" A half-sized fellow with a hoarse voice asked, his face shrouded and hidden under a hood and a scarf. To some, his very appearance would scare off a damsel who didn't know any better, but Janette recognized him by the gray color of his skin. This fellow comes from a race born underground due to their sensitivity to sunlight, nicknamed as Underlings as a mockery of their short height and origin. Contrary to what the name would imply, their species were often aggressive and independent.
Janette smiled and welcomed him inside, showing the variety of dairy produce her shop had to offer.
First came the Underling, taking with him two pounds of apples and avocados. Next came a half elf woman with whom she guessed was her human husband judging by the intimate hand holding between the two. Just like usual, she found herself pacing from one customer to another, nearly out of breath as she would answer any questions they had, which mostly consisted of bargaining to lower the price or asking about the origins of said produce.
She exhaled and sat down at her table, wiping the layer of sweat accumulating on her shiny forehead as the day grew hot and the shop went quiet. Reaching into her private storage, her hand tapped around until she felt an object in her hand before pulling out an olive glass bottle. She eyed it with contemplation before looking around briefly, only to shake her head and put it away. Back under her table she went in search, this time finding the right bottle in hand before taking a swig of water to cool off. She wiped her mouth and put it down, tapping her hand on the hard wooden surface while her eyes scanned around the shop, darting from one corner to another. Pushing her stool back, she stood up and carefully walked around the corner to the back of her shop, approaching her two horses as they huffed and shook their heads. They knew it was that time of the day, baring their teeth in silly little smiles as they waited for their afternoon feeding. This time, she had brought with her two sacks of oats for them, opening them wide and watching them stick their muzzles inside to dig in one by one.
Janette smiled and gave them each a pat on the head, stroking their fur behind the ears, when something slipped past her in her peripheral vision. She spun around, nearly dropping the sack in her hands before setting it aside. Whatever that was, she followed its direction around the corner with small steps, holding her breath as she did so. Judging by its size, she doubted it was any of her workers as it would be unlike them to sneak in. Both of them were taller than her as well, so that overruled them as a possibility. She sucked in her lips and poked her head out, hoping to catch sight of the mystery figure that slipped past her. She rolled her eyes and sighed, brushing her dress down and fixing her hair. She was being foolish, whatever it was could have been a ball or a toy from a traveler's child. With a huff and a look of determination, she made her way back to the shop's entry to look around.
There were still plenty of new folk crossing through, most of them in large groups of families with the fathers and mothers carrying large packs behind their backs. Odd, it wasn't uncommon for her to spot a few families here and there but this was far more than she was use to.
"Excuse me, excuse me." She called out, failing to catch a few groups before succeeded with an elder pair. "Excuse me, my apologies for stopping you so abruptly, but would you mind sparing me a moment to ask where you lot are coming from? We don't normally see so many together here."
The old woman sighed and shook her head, receiving a few pats on her back by her husband. He raised his slouched figure and looked up at her with a wrinkled, dry face. "Why, most of us come from Rye's Crossing and Green hill Grove."
"Rye's Crossing?" Janette repeated, looking perplexed. "From the western fishing grounds?"
"That's the one!" He shouted, pointing at her with a trembling finger. "There came a terrible onslaught led by goblins and Wild Men, it was so late in the night that we hardly the time to pack. We fled for our lives. When we returned to find that they laid claim and occupied our homes, we sought out to seek refuge in the east. The Duke of Layafette was meant to protect us, but he was nowhere to be found. Now we move onward in the hopes that his majesty, King Ayuder, can save us."
"By the Gods," Janette gasped, recoiling in shock. "Was this an invasion?"
"Haven't a clue, now please let us through. We've a long ways ahead and we haven't the coin to buy whatever you're selling." He said, pushing past her with clumsy steps, heaving a wheeled cart of their belongings behind him while his wife followed closely by his side.
Janette watched them closely, rushing back inside and soon running after them with a small bag in her hand. "Here, something to take with you on your journey." She explained, pushing the wrinkled sack into the lady's withered hands.
She opened the bag and looked through to find a number of bananas, apples, and grapes inside. "Ohh, bless your heart and soul for your kindness, miss."
Janette smiled and waved them off, watching them join the rest of their group to leave the Den. It was then that a sharp hiss followed by a cat's screech caught her attention, the noises coming from inside her shop. She hurried back inside, finding a group of boys huddled around their friend with a hand over his face, groaning in pain.
"What in the name of the Gods is happening here?" She shouted, running in to check the boy on the ground. "You lot shouldn't be back here, what gives?"
The other boys stepped aside, watching with their dirtied faces and stitched clothing as she fell to her knees and plucked the boy's hand away to reveal the claw marks on his face.
"St-stupid little beast!" He shouted, hissing and squirming about. "It cut me!"
"What cut you?" Janette asked, scanning the wound on his cheek. "Don't be such a baby, whatever it was only scratched the skin. You hardly bleeding at all."
She helped him to his feet and spun around, placing her hands on her waist while glaring at the rest of his friends. "Now, would any of you care to explain what you are doing in my shop while we are closed?"
CRASH!
Janette jumped at the sound coming from the back, followed by her horses crying out. She didn't waste any time to check on her stallions, finding her table had been turned over by a little boy holding the sack of oats in his hand. He stuck his tongue out and slipped under the carriage in a hurry.
"Hey!" Janette cried out, running to the other side only to spot the boy disappearing amongst the crowd. "Little thief!"
Her eyes grew twice their size, realizing what might be happening back inside her shop as she ran back inside. Her heart sank when her thoughts were confirmed by the sight of the boys carrying out the crates of fruits she had on display, knocking over tables and scurrying off with as much as they could carry.
"Oh, you conniving little- put that back!" She shouted, managing to grab a crate of grapes from the nearest boy before struggling to yank it away. One of his friends noticed and threw an orange at her head, bouncing off her ear as she yelped in pain and let go. She rubbed her ear, watching the last boy run off with a watermelon in his hands. Defeated, she helped herself back to her feet and gave out a tired sigh, sulking in her stool when someone entered her shop.
Initially, she grinded her teeth and looked up with flaring eyes before realizing that this was a pair of female elves looking around. She looked away, breathing in deep and closing her eyes before combing her fingers through her hair to compose herself.
"Goodness, we saw a flurry of little one's running off with a handful. Are you okay?" One of them asked.
Janette stood up from her table, revealing herself with a smile and a red ear before greeting them. "Caught me when I had my guard down, I'm afraid. How can I help you?"
"Oh." Her companion carefully stepped around a mess of a splattered melon on the ground. "Perhaps it might be better if we see a different shop?"
"That wouldn't be necessary." Janette chuckled, approaching the two elves. "It may not be the best time, but I can still be of service!"
"Well, we were looking to see if you have any peaches." The first elf replied with a small smile.
"Peaches! Yes, of course, only the sweetest around here!" She looked around, her smile dropping when she saw the upturned table where the peaches once were. "Erm, just a moment!"
Fortunately for her, she had a small supply in the back as she dug around before feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Thank the Gods, she thought to herself, carrying out a basket of peaches for the two elves to inspect.
A moment later, she bid the two farewell before placing the coins away and sitting back on her stool, surveying the damages left behind. Her fingers nervously drummed over the table, her eyes scanning from one missing produce to the next, silently counting the amount that was stolen from her. In a moment, she had her notebook out before her while she jotted down the amount that was taken from her, including the broken tables left behind in their escape. She sighed and dropped the quill, rubbing her sore ear as she was looking at the cost needed to manage this mess. Checking the schedule showed that the next shipment of dairy produce won't be for another two weeks.
She groaned and dropped her head on the table, closing her eyes for just a moment while in silence. Thanks to this burglary she was forced to close early, and now she dreaded the cost and time it would take for her to clean up the mess they left behind. Sliding the book aside, she held her head in her hands and breathed in, feeling the stress getting to her.
"Hells." She grumbled, scooting back and reaching for the bottle of wine under her table. She popped the cork off and raised the bottom end up as she helped herself to a swig, greedily gulping down its rich, red contents before pulling away and licking her lips. Placing the bottle on the table, she stared at the label with half open eyes, feeling a tinge of guilt while her fingers tapped around the glass container, her body longing for another helping.
"I shouldn't." She said aloud, convincing herself as she pushed the cork back into the bottleneck, dropping to her knees to stash it back into the bottom shelf when she gasped. A pair of green eyes stared back at her, tucked away behind a few empty green bottles. It was a cat covered in white fur, blinking its eyes back at her.
"Oh my goodness," She smiled, gently reaching out to the little feline. It pulled away from her hand at first, but when Janette brushed its ear, it purred and started to rub its furry head against her hand. It didn't resist when Janette scooped her out from underneath, setting her on her table and stroking its back and ears. "Aren't you the cutest little thing?"
She scratched under the cat's chin, raising her head and inspecting around its neck. "No collar, guessing you have no name either. Not many cats around here, are you lost? Or did you come with the others too?"
She paused and reached down for a bottle of water, pouring some into her hand and offering it to her. The cat tilted its head, watching her before slowly approaching her hand. It's pink tongue flicked across the small handful of water, getting a taste before closing its eyes and licking for more much to Janette's delight.
"I don't have any fish around, and no rodents or shrews around this shop so far. But if I did, it would make for a good reason to keep you around." She smiled and admired the creatures innocent nature, its white furry tail waving back and forth in a slow manner. Once the cat was satisfied, it sat up and watched her as she continued petting its head and rubbing her paws. Janette looked behind it, breathing in before standing up with a stern look. "Well, it's not going to clean itself."
The cat remained on the table, watching Janette as she started to pick up the broken table legs to store them away. Bit by bit, she picked up the broken tables and mopped up the splattered mess of fruit left around. She didn't say a word, pausing every moment to catch her breath before glancing at the cat only to continue again and again. The afternoon turned into night time, and Janette fell across an empty table, laying on her back with her arm across her forehead. A friendly mewl and a lick of her ear reminded her of her newest visitor, giggling at the feeling of her tongue before rewarding her with a bit of petting.
Janette sighed. "Am I so pitiful that you decided to stick around to enjoy the show?"
"Mew?"
She chuckled and shook her head. "No, of course not. Here, you might as well enjoy the last carrot stick I have for the month. Put it to good use."
Janette hummed to herself, cleaning up her belongings while watching the little feline nibble and bite at the carrot stick under her paws. "Poor thing, I promise next time I'll bring you some fish to eat. Assuming you're here, but... you don't have a home, do you?"
It didn't respond. She rolled her eyes, "Goodness, now I'm talking to a cat. Maybe they rattled my head with that blow."
Looking around, she folded her arms and frowned. "And none of those damn employees ever arrived, the scoundrels! I'll be sure to give them an earful tomorrow."
Stuffing her baggage into the carriage, she looked back at the cat as it slowly walked up to her before sitting up and staring. "Why not, come to give a woman some company for the night?"
"Meow."
"Hm," She smiled, reaching out only for the cat to flinch. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."
It turned its head, looking into her eyes almost as if it was contemplating its choice. Once it had decided, the cat walked up to her, allowing Janette to carry her up to the front bench of her carriage. Once the shop was properly closed for the night, Janette set off on her carriage back home, accompanied by a little cat as it curled up on her lap. She smiled and rubbed its belly, looking up into the starry night.
"Well, at least today wasn't all bad." She admitted in a low voice, scratching behind the cat's ear.
Hopefully tomorrow will fair better.
