"Everything will be good."

"Why?"

"Because of the thing!"

"You need more words. We should get some books."

"Books would be good!"

"We should split up so people don't wonder what I was doing in the woods to meet you. If you take that street, it leads down to the market square. I'll find you there."

"Okay." Tarinda follows this instruction.

She draws more than a few looks. Eyes bounce from her hair to her face to her multiplicity of edged weapons and then usually quickly away.

She doesn't want to look threatening, but nor does she want to look like an easy mark. She makes plenty of friendly eye contact.

No one is bored or drunk enough to start trouble at this time of day.

The market square is bustling with stalls and traders. Fish, fruits and vegetables, trinkets, clothing, sundry items.

Tarinda looks at everything for at least a half-second; if she doesn't remember it Page will. Page is working hard enough that Tarinda's body temperature is up a bit. She shucks a layer, once she's sure that will still keep her within the range of clothedness practiced here.

Most people wear some combination of short-sleeved shirt and pants or skirt. Shades of red dominate, with orange and yellow highlights and black accents.

There are a few guards in heavy plate stationed around the edges of the square. People tend to give them a generous amount of personal space.

She skirts them too, imitatively, and looks for Eliko.

She's just turned the corner at the other end of the square.

Tarinda meanders in her direction, looking at everything and attempting not to make an obvious beeline. Page is picking up lots of language around her.

She stops at a fruit stand and buys a pair of oranges, paying with a few small copper coins.

Tarinda inspects the food. Does it look recognizable like humans or not like badgermoles?

Mostly recognizable! A few of the fruits have odd shapes or colorings, and none of the fish on offer exactly resemble any Earthly species.

She edges nearer Eliko as she surveys the wares.

"Want an orange?"

"Okay."

Toss.

Catch. Peel peel.

"There's a bookstore on the next street, if you want to visit."

"Yes!"