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All out on the back, then- was this the right choice? The shirt now tied around your waist covered up your bottom, which you knew for sure people liked, considering how much it got prodded and grabbed over the years. Not that Magnus made any indication of whether he’d be tempted, frustratingly mannered as he was.
Yuliana was made to pay a price that she blinked at herself, but with Magnus watching, she had no choice but to comply with, muttering a curse under her breath. You gave her a sly wink as you handed your jacket to Magnus to hold.
You couldn’t notice if your open back caught his eye or not- but the only regret you had with putting the new shirt around your waist was that the knife and derringer you had to move weren’t as handy to draw out without sleeves to hide them in.
As far as other shopping to be done went, you knew that, much like trying to match her in other aspects, trying to compete directly against Yuliana in cookery would be hopeless. She probably knew something fancy, something perfect- so you’d have to try the imperfect. The common and humble. Something that couldn’t help but be good…even if you’d never actually tried to make it.
Pofesen, Poor Knights, stale bread soaked in a slurry of eggs and milk and fried in butter. Eggs made everything better by your measure. Maybe you’d find a place for rabbit sausage medallions with them. What was better than breakfast after morning?
The stale bread and eggs would be cheap. The rabbit and sugar wouldn’t be. Not your problem, though. This was like picking Yuliana’s pocket with permission. Though the only <span class="mu-i">spices</span> you knew much about were salt and pepper and chilis- maybe you should just get what she got when you reached the food market.
Then you noticed, again, that there were shadows stalking you. People who’d be nondescript if you didn’t keep noticing them, and the covering of their faces inside kerchiefs or low-worn caps. Any doubt was cleared when a man brushed past, and you recognized the black knit long sleeved shirt he wore- one of the Bastards’ Horns from earlier.
You realized with a start, you were somehow suddenly alone. Yuliana and Magnus had been nearby just a moment ago, heading in the same direction to the food market. You’d thought of a good dig against her, and you didn’t want it to slip from your mind. Did she pull him away somewhere? Or…
A woman a bit taller than you walked up from in front, her hands behind her back. Black shiny hair was cut at her chin and tied back at the sides, and tinted glasses only somewhat hid the piercing ice of her stare. Trouble, you could already tell.
“Sergeant Anastasiya Nowicki,” she said, flashing a silver seal from inside a black leather booklet too fast for you to examine in detail, “I am from the Archduchy’s Intelligence Office. Come with me. We need to speak with you about an urgent affair.”
