It was the first time that Mira had visited the big city.  She imagined it to be like the fishing village, only bigger.  She couldn't have been more wrong.  The buildings were taller and closer together, the streets bustled with more people she'd ever seen her entire life.  And the ocean.  She knew it wouldn't be here, but still... the lack of water and seagulls made the town seem like a wasteland.

She clutched the wagon tighter.  Just make the delivery and leave.  Remember what your brother said.  Watch your purse at all time.  She dropped her down to her waist to feel for the small leather pouch.  Still there.  Usually her older brother would be the one to be making the delivery in town, but two days ago he hurt his leg climbing up the rocks.  Until he was well again, this would be her route.

It was difficult to pull the wagon through the crowds but eventually she saw the sign.  "The Orange Rose Inn."  A huge, upper-class establishment, painted a beautiful clean white.  This was the place her family sold their fish to.  A couple dressed in fine purple silks left the building, arm in arm.  All of a sudden, Mira felt horribly out of place.  Once more, she reached down to feel for her purse.  She tapped her thigh a few times trying to find it.

Gone.

Mira panicked, looking desperately for it.  Maybe it was on her other side.  Maybe she dropped it just a few steps back.  She clung helplessly to her wagon.  It was really gone.

Suddenly, Mira heard something fall.  She looked back, and between the legs of the crowd, saw her purse.  She dashed towards it, pulling her wagon behind her.  She dove down and scooped the sack up.  She was overwhelmed to find her money was still in it.  What had just happened?  Did the thief have second thoughts.  She looked around, noticing an alleyway not to far away.  She took a long look into it, but it was too dark to see if anybody was inside. 

After that scare, she wasn't brave enough to check it out.  She adjusted the cover on the wagon which had slid off a little, covering the fish once again.  She realised she'd been holding her breath, and finally let it out in a long sigh.  Just deliver the fish and go home.  She once again rolled her wagon up to the Inn.  This time, she pushed the exquisitely engraved door aside and entered the building.

Mira stepped through the large, double wooden doors and into wealth that she'd never seen before.  Everything was so polished and clean.  The furniture was ornate... but Mira couldn't imagine it being entirely practical.  Those tables were much too small.  To the far wall was a desk and a large bookshelf.  An elderly man looked up from the book open on the table as she entered.

"Who are you," he asked peering over his glasses. 

"My name is Mira," she replied, as confidently as she could, wheeling the cart over the fine white tiling all the way up to the front desk.  "I'm Hectar's sister.  I've got your fish."

"Oh the fisher-boy?  Where is he?"

"He's hurt, but he'll be okay soon,"  The man rose from his stool and pulled the covering off the wagon to inspect the stock.

"Very well," he said.  "But next time," he said with a slight sneer, "bring your wagon in through the back entrance."

Mira smiled faintly at the half-dwarf as she obediently pulled her cart into the back room of the inn.  She'd only ever met a dwarf once before - and she couldn't quite remember if he was full blood or half blood.  She was an axe-wielding warrior travelling with a large troupe of men.   At the time Mira was about the same height as her.  She remembered the dwarf with mild amusement.  She'd forgotten exactly how short they were.

Mira returned to the lobby while the chef - a large, round woman with her dark hair tied back in a bun and her assistant - a young boy perhaps not yet in his teens unloaded the cart.  She smiled when she saw that the half-dwarf was still there.

She peered up at the clerk who had returned to his book, intent to ignore his uncouth guests.  Mira approached him, and bowed politely.

"Thanks for that," she said in a hushed voice to not attract the attention of the clerk.  "I'm pretty new to this," she said with a faint smile, before quickly adding.  "I'm Mira."

Xander rested against the bar a slight snore coming from his nose, he snorted and awoke with a start looking around his hazy eyes observing all, he whipped his sleeve over his mouth yawning he made a dry coughing noise as he rubbed his dry tongue.

"eugh ... i need a drink" he murmured, lifting an empty make-shift cup.

He sighed and lay back his head clunking against the bar as he dazily rubbed at his scalp, brushing down his large ears.

"Did I hear someone say something about buying another drink?"  Nin asked.  She had been studying the poor soul slumped over the bar and wondering whether he was simply drunk or actually ill, but upon overhearing Redwick's query her love of money outweighed her worry about possible dead customers.  She traipsed over to where the two were conversing, tucking a stray black curl behind her left ear. 

"Hmm...  You're a new face."  She observed, looking at Mira.  The girl didn't seem to have that much cash on her, but Redwick had offered to pay, and his money was as good as any.

"All right, you.  I'm cutting you off."  Nin said firmly, turning her attention back to the far more inebriated customer.  "Besides..."  She looked him up and down briefly, "I'd be surprised if you even had enough to buy another round."  She set a glass of water on the bar.
"I suggest you start re-hydrating, otherwise come tomorrow you'll be so hungover you'll wish you were dead."  Not that she was expecting him to take her advice.  His type rarely did. 

Of course.  He had to be difficult.  She drew herself up to her full height, which, although it wasn't much, made her seem just a bit more imposing.  Most people didn't want to cross gypsies, even in this day and age.  Too afraid of being cursed or some other such nonsense.

"Only a half, huh?"  She repeated skeptically.  "I see."  She looked him up and down again.  "Well, with your stature, my good sir, a half should be more than enough.  If you want another drink, you'll have to get it from someone other than me."