Shopping

The afternoon sun cast long shadows as Kael and Mira stepped into the bustling market district. The sounds of merchants hawking their goods blended with laughter and the clatter of carts rolling over cobblestones. Colorful stalls lined the streets, bursting with fruits, fabrics, and exotic spices. It was a stark contrast to the broken-down house they’d been living in, but for once, the weight of their worries felt lighter.

Kael adjusted her worn cloak and gave Mira a sideways glance. “I didn’t expect you to actually want to come shopping with me. You usually avoid these kinds of things.”

Mira shrugged, her pale cheeks flushed slightly. “I guess I’m curious. And… it’s better than sitting inside all day. Besides, we need supplies.”

Kael smirked. “Alright, but don’t expect me to go easy on you when it comes to bargaining.”

The two moved through the crowd, their footsteps occasionally bumping against others. Kael’s eyes scanned the stalls for something useful while Mira’s gaze lingered on books and simple trinkets.

After a while, as they paused by a vendor selling woven baskets, Kael glanced over at Mira and spoke quietly. “You’re from the city originally, right?”

Mira nodded. “Yes, but I didn’t have much of a home there. I was always… different. Quiet. People didn’t understand me — not even my own family.”

Kael’s brow furrowed with interest. “How so?”

Mira hesitated for a moment, then said, “I was shy, and I didn’t talk much. My parents thought I was strange, almost like I didn’t belong. I wanted to prove I wasn’t useless. So I decided to become a warrior.”

“That must have been hard,” Kael said softly.

Mira’s eyes flicked down, fingers tracing the edge of a cloth. “It was. But it gave me purpose.”

Kael nodded thoughtfully, then took a deep breath before sharing her own story. “I didn’t grow up poor like you. I was from a rich family, but I hated it there.”

Mira looked at her, curious.

Kael’s voice dropped. “My parents had this plan for me. Marry some rich noble I didn’t know. Be their perfect pawn in their game. I couldn’t stand it. So I ran away. Left all that behind.”

Mira’s eyes widened. “That takes courage.”

Kael scoffed, a bitter smile curling her lips. “Maybe. But it was terrifying. I went from being someone with everything to someone with almost nothing.”

They walked in silence for a moment, the weight of their confessions hanging between them.

“It’s strange,” Mira finally said, “how different our lives have been, and yet, how much we have in common.”

Kael laughed softly. “Yeah. Both running from something. Both trying to find a place where we belong.”

They stopped at a stall selling fresh bread and fruit. The vendor called out friendly greetings, and Kael haggled over the price of some apples while Mira picked up a small loaf of bread.

As they continued shopping, Kael found herself opening up more than usual. She told Mira about the endless dinners and parties she hated, the suffocating expectations, and the loneliness hiding behind the riches.

Mira shared stories of quiet days spent training alone, the cold looks from townsfolk, and the constant need to prove she was more than the shy girl everyone dismissed.

By the time they had gathered enough supplies to last a while, a quiet understanding had grown between them. Neither seemed to mind the noisy crowds or the busy streets anymore. Instead, they leaned on each other’s company.

“Thanks for inviting me,” Mira said softly as they made their way back home. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”

Kael smiled. “Me too. It’s nice to have someone who gets it.”

They walked slower, taking in the city’s evening glow. For a moment, the future didn’t seem so uncertain. Together, they felt a little stronger, a little braver.