On The Run

Chapter 5: Carton

Theycan't tell what time it is in the cellar but it seems terriblyearly when Ms. Ringtail wakes them. Twinkaleni must have given herthe mushrooms the girls had gathered in the swamp because the soupshe brings has plenty of them. The motherly Lotarin joins them forbreakfast and encouraged the girls to eat quickly so they can starton their chores before it gets too hot out. During the morning meal,the raccoon woman reveals she had always wanted children but the warhad taken her husband before they could have any, and so isespecially happy to have her three young guests.

After,Ms. Ringtail has Alice and Twinkaleni do a little light gardening forher, which consists mostly of pulling a few pesky weeds. She takespride in telling them of the "secret" techniques she employs todetermine a vegetable's readiness to be picked or pulled up from theground. She also demonstrates by harvesting several crops for theirdinner.

Beforethe sun can reach its strongest, the girls are taken back insidewhere Danahlia has been cleaning. They have a break and are thenfreed to do as they please. Danahlia must stay indoors to ensure alow profile but Twinkaleni and Alice decide to explore the town. Ms.Ringtail gives them a small cask to fill at the well and the girlshead out.

Cartonturns out to be quite lively despite its size. Shops and stallsreplace houses as they near the center and people hustle about theirbusiness as shopkeepers call enticing praises for their wares. Alicezigzags along the street, unable to help looking at all there is atoffer. Fancy fabrics and fully made garments, pots and other earthenwares, fruits and vegetables, cooked and raw meats, and freshly bakedgoods line the streets. She even sees some live chickens in tinycages. She squats before the cages, watching the imprisoned birdsjerking their heads around as if trying to watch everything aroundthem at once while clucking nervously.

Twinkalenihas to back track to find her. When she does, the little Murin tapsher shoulder, "Alice, I believe I have found someone who may beinterested in our remaining core stones."

TheMurin leads her to a stall consisting of several tables, all withelaborate bits of jewelry. A young, dark furred Feladine girl,perhaps of an age with Twinkaleni, though a bit taller, shouts to thepasser-byes while gesturing grandly at the tables, "Best necklaces,rings, and bracelets in all of Arsalia! Jewels and gems from far andwide! Only the best, for the best, all right here!"

Thestall's owner, presumably the younger cat girl's mother, isoccupied by other patrons. The two browse the tables' glitteringwares as they wait, Twinkaleni standing on her tippy-toes to see.

Alicehad never worn jewelry but her mother had had several pieces. Sherecognizes rings and necklaces easily enough, but she wonders howsome of the others would be worn. Some pieces consist of pearl whitecloth with jewels and gold filigree sewn right into the fabric. Shethinks they might look nice wrapped around the arm or even tail.Other pieces look as if they might go over one's ear.

"Ffftffft!" Hisses the younger Feladine, waving Alice and Twinkaleniaway, "Customers only, no gawkers."

"Weare customers. We're waitin' to talk to her,"counters Alice, pointing to the cat woman.

Theyounger Feladine looks to the older then back to Alice, yellow felineeyes narrowing, "My mom's busy and you don't look like you haveany money," the girl then crosses her arms, "And if you don'thave money, you don't have business, and if you don't havebusiness, you don't have no business bein' here," she claims ina way that sounds rehearsed.