"I didn't spot anyone yesterday, but yes, I'm looking for anyone who has papers in their pocket and shoes that cover their heels."

"I think I'll ask about renting a storefront. Where would I find their owners?"

"If it's empty, there will usually be a sign on the door saying where you can go to speak to the owners."

"Sounds good. They say you have to spend money to make money, after all. I'll go after breakfast."

The main market area is pretty crowded, but there are a few empty in side streets (and one that says SOON: GLASSWORKS and is probably not really available). The question is, does she want to optimize for passerby foot traffic or probable rent or noncompetitive neighbors in unrelated industries like pie and flutes?

She has plenty of time to investigate all the options. High foot traffic seems the most important. She wants to avoid that one surgeon's place.

There's a place with good visibility from the main avenue next to an herbseller and a moneylender, and a little hole in the wall that probably used to be half of a full storefront but does have frontage next to the busiest area, wedged in beside a chandler and a greengrocer's.

She tries to locate the owner of the little hole-in-the-wall.

The hole in the wall is apparently owned by someone who lives just upstairs from it, if she's reading the address right! Isn't that convenient?

She walks up the stairs and knocks on the door, and politely informs whoever answers it that she'd like to inquire about renting the storefront.

The lady who answers says that her husband isn't home but he wants a hundred seo a month for the place. And a tidy quiet occupant.

"I intend to make and sell new medicines from a distant land, but I can do it quietly. Would that be tidy and quiet enough?"

"Probably," says the landlord's wife. "As long as you aren't doing surgeries and none of the things you mix explode or catch fire."

It's nearly twice the price, although not quite.

And it's also right next to an herbseller. Who probably would not appreciate the competition very much, if her medicine's effects overlapped. She goes back to the first storefront. Is there a rental contract involved, or is it closer to a good-faith agreement?

First and last months' rent up front, she has to sign a thing saying she's liable for damages that remain when she leaves or that affects the neighbors, and if she abandons the place without telling anyone they can take her stuff and re-rent after one month.

She tries to convince them to add clauses that say they can't kick her out early without refunding her money, unless she was being disruptive or affecting the neighbors.

She can't get a complete refund in case there's disagreement about what constitutes disruption, but they won't make her pay for months she didn't use except insofar as they're holding the last month's rent in case they need to make repairs and she scarpers.

A little after noon, Aya shows up at the store with some more items on the shopping list. There are places to buy paint and iron objects; unfinished wood is harder to come by but someone can direct her to a place a ways out.

"Say, Aya, do you know what the tax system looks like around here? Will I pay property tax, income tax, flat tax, who do I ask if you don't know?"

"I used to do the old lady's taxes but she didn't own a store. Outside of the store there'll be a property tax from the crown if you own land, and an income tax from the duke, how much of each depends on how rich you are - I'd recommend asking at the bank."