The First Book of Adeline: Freedom

Chapter 9: The Great Market

The next day, the three girls swiftly got dressed and started gathering the few things they'd need together as they went job hunting. Marina watched them for a while, then commented, "You know, if you wanted, at the very least Adeline could work here; I was impressed with your work yesterday. You other two girls possibly could, as well, although I'd have to see if you have the necessary skills, first."

Adeline was shocked by the sudden praise, and stood there flabbergasted. Considering the offer, Ophelia grimaced and Isabel shook her head. "I have no skill with sewing, and Ophelia... well, let's just say the attempts she made when she was younger proved... disastrous." Looking at Adeline, Isabel asked, "What about you, though, Adeline?"

Adeline hesitated, thinking about it. After some time, she signed, *I... I don't know. I like it here, but I don't really like sewing...and there's no animals, really..."

Marina nodded. "In that case, feel free to keep looking, but if you don't find anything, you'll certainly be welcome here."

Adeline smiled with relief, and the three girls headed out the door. They decided they would try the other side of Janten that headed northeast.

"Additionally," Isabel advised, "we have vastly different skill sets between the three of us. It might be wise to split up; Adeline would stay with me, allowing me to translate for her if necessary, but you could take the opposite side of the street."

Taking the older girl's advice, Ophelia crossed the street, and both she and Isabel started working their way down the street, going door to door.

"Good morning, sir, my friend and I –" *SLAM*

"Hello! I'm looking for a j-" *click*

"Pardon, madam, I was wondering if you knew of anyone who had need of –"

"Hel... Wait! Don't shut the..." *BAM* "...door."

Several hours later, at the end of the street, the girls huddled together. "I can't even get a word in edgewise!" Ophelia moaned.

Isabel didn't respond, just scowled back down the street. Adeline just barely heard her mutter, "Who knew that wretch inspired so much terror..."

Adeline gave her a confused look, but Isabel seemed lost in her own thoughts. Ophelia sighed. "Maybe we should stop and grab a bite to eat?"

Sending one more withering scowl down the street, Isabel commented, "Yes. May I propose heading to the Great Market? I have no desire to remain on Janten a moment longer than necessary."

Her companions quickly agreed, and they began heading for the docks, where the Great Market was said to take up half the city.

Heading in, it was not long before Adeline's eyes widened in wonder. She had never seen anything like it – colors exploded around her. Jewelers hawked wares under sun-colored canopies, dancers twirled with vivid violet scarves, and fruit vendors offered rarities of every color of the rainbow.

The smells, too, were incredible, although not always as pleasant. A dark-skinned man was selling a strange, spiked fruit that smelled like a sewer, which competed with the scent of a local Eien woman's stall selling sweet, sticky buns just down the way.

"Impressive," Isabel said, looking around. "It actually lives up to the rumors."

Ophelia, like Adeline, had no words to express herself, staring at everything in open wonder, having completely forgotten her frustrations in the excitement surrounding them. She and Adeline raced from stand to stand, trying everything from pork kebabs to fermented tofu to chicken feet. Isabel was a little more reserved, keeping an eye on the crowds, but Ophelia convinced her to try some of the little fried squids.