~
Note: this is an incomplete scene that has yet to be attached to/turned into a full chapter. It has also yet to be placed on the book timeline, beyond the vague knowledge of certain events.
~

Reah tossed her arm through mine, our skirts swinging as we strolled along the streets, listening to the bustle of life. The other girls were nearby, all of us chattering as we made our way across the edge of town and to the market. We weren't going to spend our new coins from Presa's purchase, but to display ourselves in hope of getting more.

Our boots splashed in puddles left behind by the rainstorm the day before, glittering in the light of streetlamps as our lazy parade walked along.

With my free hand I tucked a fringe of hair over my face once more, trying to hide the bandage that still covered up my cheek. The wound had stopped bleeding almost instantly, but Mam dorce had fretted over infection, and I was forced to continue use of the wrapping. The cut hadn't been nearly as long or as bad as either of us had thought, as it was simply hidden under the smearing blood that had continued to drip from it as Mam Dorce fixed me up.

Now, I had to do everything possible to keep it hidden. To reveal it was to reveal that I was damaged good, less valuable, less desirable. And to not be desirable was to fail my upbringing in the Hents House.

Reah hummed a light tune, someo f the others picking it up as we walked, but I stayed silent, choosing instead to observe and dwell on the days that had passed by so quickly.

The men from the freighter had seemed nice enough, and interested in us too. From all the attention they had imparted during their visit, I was almost surprised they hadn't visited again. But perhaps they were simply busy. I would be no surprise if that was the case, what with the sudden appearance of rain the day before, which surely would have hindered their capabilities to fully unload their wares.

Or maybe they were taking this time to explore the small spots of enjoyment this city had to offer. They had been cooped up on their freighter for stars know how long, and now they had the freedom of a port city layed out before them. Of course they would rather choose exploration rather than being cooped up in the living room of the Hents House once more.

There was a shout, and Reah pulled me to the side, off the sidewalk as a man went flying through a window, shattered glass spilling out onto the street. Cheers and shouts followed the man, who growled and dived right back into the bar.

Of course, some of them might simply getting drunk out of their minds. I was fairly sure I had recognized that man whispering into Genoria's ear on the night of the gathering. I glanced back, and the queer look on her face was all the evidence I needed to prove that I was right. She looked at Nurwa standing there beside her, and they both burst out laughing, covering their mouths with their hands to muffle the sound of it.

A smile on my lips, I turned back towards Reah. "Thank you."

She shrugged, and we stepped back onto the sidewalk together. "You were off lost in your mind again, Enori. And that's just one of the hazards of cutting along the outskirts of the city. You end up running into some more… unsavory company."

I sighed, fidgeting with the fabric of my skirt. "So long as no one comes at me with a knife today, I will count myself lucky. Very lucky indeed."

Reah pursed her lips, but said nothing, simply falling back into that light tune from before.

I tilted my head at her, studying the expression on her face. "Did you meet somone?"

Her head snapped to look ever at me, eyes wide. "No. Why would you say that?"

I shrugged, stepping closer to her as a hopped lowered itself into the alley we were passing. "No reason, really." I hummed, a tuneless thing as I considered. "No, there are reasons. You seem… lighter? You hum now, and I catch you staring out the windows."

Reah's dark skin flushed, and she ducked her head, her curly hair falling like a curtain to hide her face. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about."

"Oh I'm sure you dont."

We walked in silence a moment more, before I nudged her with my shoulder. "Is he cute?"

She made a small noise at me, then sighed,  pulling herself up into a prim and straight position. "There is no man," she repeated, her voice even toned. "But…"

"But?" I echoed, barely able to control the excitement and curiosity in my voice.

"But if there was a man, hypothetically, he would have short black hair and eyes dark as the night." The red flush to her skin grew darker, and Reah looked over at me, a shy smile on her face. "And he would hold my hand and compare my eyes to the sky, and tell me beautiful things."

"Lf course," I said, my voice matter of fact. "Of course he would would tell you beautiful things. You are a beautiful woman who deserves and beautiful life and a beautiful man." My lips twitched into a smile. "Hypothetically, of course."

"Of course," Reah echoed, that faint smile still on her lips.

"And is he a freighter?" I asked, leaning against her. "Does he only have days to run over and make you his, to sweep you up in a desperate embrace and kiss you passionately?"

Reah squeaked and shoved me away, her face scrunched up. "Enori!" She whisperedz her voice still high as I sidled up beside her once more, chuckling to myself. "You can't just say that."

I shrugged. "And why not? I said it, didn't I?"

She stuck her elbow in my side, a strange look overtaking her face. "Just please, don't." Reah sighed, tucking her hair behind her ears, even though it had already been secured there before we had all left the Hents House. "And the freighters aren't set to leave the port for another four weeks or so. I was talking to one of the men about it the other night."

"One of the men?" I quirked an eyebrow. "So not your mysterious "hypothetical" man? Should I be worried about something, Reah?"

"Of course not." She patted my arm where ours interlocked. "No worries at all." Reah tilted her head forward, that same odd expression still on her face. "Besides, we're here to the edge of the docks now. Let's just go and focus on seeing people."

I smiled at her, but the action felt all wrong as I stared out at the market and dock sprawling out before me. The place was noisy, filled with the chatter of people and rumble of various ships humming about.

A hopper groaned as it crossed over the gap between buildings above us, the light from its underside casting a faint blue-ish glow over the darkness of our surroundings. I looked back down from watching it and blinked, surprised. Reah had slipped away in that moment of time, leaving me to stand alone as people drifted past me into the opening space.

Clutching my skirt in both my hands, I splashed down the sidewalk, trying to catch glimpses of faces I might know in the tightening crowds of people. A voice caught my attention, my name being called out through the din.

"Enori, Enori dear!"

I turned and saw the squash seller standing in her stall, her old, worn face smiling at me as she waved me over.

"Oh, hello Mrs. Kyo. How have you been?" My eyes scanned over the produce, at the color and length of each squash, before flitting back to the little woman.

She patted my hand, that smile still on her face. "Oh, I'm doing just fine dear." She nodded at me, gesturing with one hand towards my attire. "Skirts now, huh? Does that mean you're finally on the market, little one?"

I chuckled, tugging at the cuffs of my blouse. "Yes, yes I suppose it does."

She nodded slowly, a gleam coming into her eyes. "I'll have to send my son over some time. He doesn't believe me when I say an angel child lives in the Hents House, but I'm sure if he saw you himself he would surely come home with a wife that very day, and I would finally have grandchildren before long."

I laughed, though the action felt forced and u couldn't quite find the humor in the situation. "Oh, I'm sure he would like the other girls at the house very much. From what I've heard of him, he would match very nicely with Ashta. She is a wonderfully mature girl, and thoroughly enjoys being with the children in the house. She would be an excellent mother to your future grandkids."

"Ayu, I mean you, child. You and him would make beautiful babies!"

My face flamed and I stepped back from the stall. "I'll be going now, Mrs. Kyo," I said, the words rushed on my tongue. "I have to catch up with the rest of the girls. Some other time, I suppose."

I disappeared into the crowd as quickly as I could, not daring to let out my breath until I could no longer see the stall. The air all came out of me in a dizzying laugh, and I had to curl my fingers into the palms of my hands to ground myself once more.

I needed to regroup with the other girls now, or at least meet them where we were supposed to be headed. I weaved in between clusters and groups of other shoppers as I made my way through the market, keeping an eye out for familiar faces or the glimpse of somone I knew.

Music clattered around on the already chaotic hubbub of sounds, strings and synthetic recordings cutting through voices and talk, filling up in my lungs and lightening my step.

<she finds the girls and they talk with a couple men at the docks>