Moving Out II

After confirming a date with Kanna, Carolyn couldn't see a way for the night to go wrong. Even after Kanna left, Carolyn maintained a bright smile throughout the dinner.

"Still, I'm a bit surprised. I didn't think she was the type to react so strongly to being called 'big sister'."

While taking a sip of wine out of her own glass cup, Lavender referred to Kanna, one of the only two invited guests that were missing.

"It surprised me at first too."

"You know, you can call me 'big sister', too."

"I'll think about it."

"Stop saying weird stuff before I take back the alcohol, Lav."

"Don't be like that, Mimi. Don't you see I'm on my best behaviour?"

"Hmph. If this is your best, then don't you think you should work on improving yourself?"

"Ah, I get it. You're jealous, aren't you? I'm sorry I didn't notice. Now come on to your Big Sis Lav."

"Shut it!"

It was a fun dinner, and Carolyn wished Kanna had stayed, but she was satisfied with knowing that they had an upcoming outing planned.

With the exception of Carolyn, everybody drank at least one cup of alcohol, but no one ended up drunk, so there was no trouble cleaning up and heading to bed. Once the morning of Evilday arrived, Carolyn left her room with her key and a large leather bag containing all her luggage. She was about to step down the stairs, but then she sensed a gaze at her back and turned around. The usual suspect nearly closed the door in a hurry, but they stopped at the last moment. Carolyn watched the door with the thought that something was about to happen, and indeed, she soon saw a short, pale hand reach out from the room and wave at her.

Even though she couldn't see the face of the one waving, this gesture warmed her heart, so she waved back at them.

"I'll be going now. If the day ever comes, I look forward to seeing you again."

After a few more seconds of waving, Carolyn turned around and went downstairs. The hand that waved at her also stopped and slowly returned inside the room. It would be simple for them to see each other again, but whether or not that would happen was in his hands.

"I'll be going now."

"Okay. See you around."

"Feel free to come back!"

"Mmm."

Once she was downstairs, Carolyn said farewell to the inn family and returned her key. She could feel the tears threatening to run down her eyes, so she didn't dare stay long afterwards. Lavender wasn't home, but they had already spoken at the farewell dinner, so her absence didn't bother Carolyn much. As for Kanna, they would meet in the near future, so there was no need to be sad about parting.

Though it wasn't the closest inn on her list, The Fruity Breeze was just a little over twenty minutes away from the Wild Boar Inn on foot. The two inns had the same number of floors, but The Fruity Breeze was wider by a significant margin and seemed more sophisticated.

"Good morning. Oh, Carol! You're here!"

As soon as Carolyn entered the inn, she was excitedly greeted by the girl at the front desk, which was behind the entrance and to the right of the dining area. Like the Wild Boar Inn, this place was also a family-owned business, with the daughter welcoming customers and assisting her mother in serving and her father in cooking.

"Yes. Good morning to you as well, Anna."

Anna Bridgen was close to Carolyn in age, being 14 years old, but Carolyn found it hard to believe sometimes. Physically there was nothing wrong with her, but her smile exuded an innocence Carolyn believed could only come from children. Even the children of the slums would likely lose to her in childish charm, though it couldn't be helped given their unfortunate circumstance.

"Come with me. I'll show you to your room. Would you like me to take your bag?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks for asking."

"I'm just being a good host. Since you said you would be moving in today, we gave your room a fresh cleaning so you could feel comfortable. I know we already went through it yesterday, but if you have any questions about the rules or the inn itself, then feel free to ask."

"Thank you."

As Anna led her up the stairs, Anna continued to bring up topics for them to engage in. Maybe it was because of the topics she picked, or maybe it was the cute smile she flashed every once in a while, but the time spent climbing the stairs and reaching her room seemed to pass in an instant. Though she didn't believe one was completely superior to another, Carolyn was reminded of the reason why the hospitality of The Fruity Breeze was rated so highly.

Unlike the Wild Boar Inn, The Fruity Breeze only served food to its tenants, but word of its good reputation spread thanks to the owner's connections as a former merchant. Of course, word of mouth was only effective because there was proof to back up the rumours. A night at The Fruity Breeze was a pricey 5 silvers per night, but in exchange one could get three free meals a day, free laundry with some restrictions and access to the inn's toilet and shower.

"And here's your room! If you have any questions, then feel free to ask, okay?"

"Okay, I will. Thank you, Anna."

"I'm just glad to be helpful."

As Anna returned downstairs, Carolyn entered her room. It was nearly twice the size of the room she stayed in at Wild Boar Inn, and in addition to a tidy bed, desk, chair and nightstand, there was also a wardrobe next to the bed. These pieces of furniture came with the room, so she would have to pay for any damages done to them, but there was no extra charge to use them. Carolyn had thought it would be difficult to get a wardrobe considering its size, so she didn't plan on buying one while she was at the Wild Boar Inn, but she was very happy to finally have one again. Given there was still much unused space left in the room, Carolyn imagined bringing Kanna over.

"Maybe I should get my own teaset."

Many ideas for items to purchase came to Carolyn's mind, but she didn't plan to spend all day in her new room. After sorting her clothes and putting them in the wardrobe, Carolyn placed the rest of her luggage underneath the bed with the exception of a small messenger bag. There was less need to worry about break-ins at The Fruity Breeze, but Carolyn still placed paper scraps at the window and door to check if anyone entered the room while she was gone.

Once Carolyn left her room with the messenger bag and went downstairs, she found a drowsy tenant having a meal served to them by Anna.

"You're up pretty early for today, aren't you, Carly?"

"Mhmm, I have a report due on Sunday, so I want to get it over with so I can sleep with an easy mind."

"I see. I wish you all the best then!"

"Thanks, Anna."

Carolyn was tempted to sit down and join the conversation, but she quickly dismissed the idea.

"It's nice meeting you; I'm Carol. I'm a new tenant staying here."

"Uh, huh. I'm Carly."

"Carly, can't you at least pretend to be polite to your new neighbour?"

"Too tired. I'll do it later."

Carly barely glanced at her, but Carolyn didn't mind her attitude.

"It's fine. I'll be heading out now, Anna. I should be back before dinner."

"Okay. Have a nice trip, Carol!"

"Thank you."

After Carolyn left The Fruity Breeze, Carly continued staring at the door.

"Strangely familiar," she muttered before returning her attention to her meal.

Carolyn moved briskly towards the slums district once she left The Fruity Breeze. At first she planned to head straight there, but since it had been almost a week since her last visit, Carolyn took a detour to buy ingredients for stew and some fruits. Even if the children had already bought ingredients for dinner, the ingredients she bought would still be good for a few days.

She didn't encounter any of the slums' children at the food market, but this wasn't the first time she had carried ingredients into the slums district by herself. She would still attract looks of greed and hunger, but now that she was used to the area, she was confident in being able to protect her luggage, though she usually just had to glare at any possible assailants. It wasn't as if Carolyn didn't want to help any of the adults inside the slums, but they were much more guarded and cunning compared to the children, so she could only occasionally provide food to a starving woman or disabled young man if she saw an opportunity.

Shortly after, Carolyn arrived in front of the church without issue.

"Good morning, children."

Usually the children would return casual greetings, but upon noticing the groceries in her hand, many of the original children eagerly approached her.

"Morning, should I carry your bag?"

"Let me help!"

"Are you gonna cook today?"

Although some of the children could cook, Carol's students still had a way to go before reaching her level. The new children looked confused at the scene, as their seniors were normally much more reserved even around each other, much less an adult.

Carolyn smiled at the enthusiastic children and chose two of the older ones to carry the bag of ingredients in.

"Okay, could you carry this into the kitchen for me? I'll meet the Priest and then start cooking."

"Yes!"

"Okay!"