https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZWd_7Ud-Lc&ab_channel=EroSennin I will be reusing this song often enough to make it feel redundant.There's no need to think about what to do next; what will be, will be. You don't have to worry; you've made a good impression and helped Augustine out when she needed it so, maybe parting on good terms and leaving a final good impression is the best way to settle a blossoming friendship. <span class="mu-i">There's no need to think too hard about it. How can someone learn how to care less about useless emotions?</span>
''Rey?''
''O-oh? Yes?'' <span class="mu-i">No thinking, head empty.</span> Grocery.
''You forgot your hat... here.'' Letting her basket rest on a chair, Augustine held your casual straw piece and walked to put it on your head. ''Hm, one moment.'' One of her hands tickled your head, replaced strands of, huh...
<span class="mu-i">Head empty.</span>
''There we go, nicely hidden.'' She leaves your field of view. ''I know one of the nearby grocers too, she's a bit wary of newcomers and tends to be, ah... penny-pinching but not a bad soul, just a bit prickly.'' Augustine stopped to turn around, looking at you. ''Rey?''
''O-oh yes, sorry.'' Right, you still didn't move. When did she...? Augustine smile is strangely enigmatic.
At first, you braced (or perhaps hoped) for an interruption when you exited the church but nobody came to disrupt your duo. The bishop, Belmont, had disappeared, leaving the acolytes to welcome new arrivals, and once you got outside...
''Nobody?'' Asked the herbalist as you glared at the empty seat.
''Yeah, no worries.'' The men were gone, but you still kept a hand on the handle of your sword. Just in case.
--
You tried your best to internalize <span class="mu-i">your friend</span> presentation of the marketplace but most of it completely flew over your head. Who somebody was, what kind of place this particular building was, learning this bigger wooden structure was a storeroom that only dealt in appointment... Far too much cramming, especially with the afternoon crowd needing you to stay vigilant with your hat. Still, you tried your best.
Grocery itself was surprisingly draining. You knew what you and your parents needed and your mother's coordination was good, but not fully exact, and finding your actual home on a map of Eichenwald you've never seen, well...
The lady grocer, a late middle-aged woman with graying hair and an angry frown strong enough to carve lines on her forehead, did not need to voice questions of your worth as a living thing to make you understand your place. You'd likely have been scammed out of a few more coins, had you been by your lonesome. Thankfully, you had a mediator, and soon enough surprisingly upset pinkish godtouched <span class="mu-i">friend</span> speak on your behalf.
''You've never lived outside any cities, Brienne so by the gods, stop being so dry or I'm taking my friend's business with someone who knows how to live.''
