Raina watched as Aislynn nibbled on her roast bird. Big chunks of poultry and vegetables had been speared on a narrow skewer and then rotated over a fire. It was certainly different, but very tasty. She wasn't sure her brother would deign to eat food off a stick, but she considered it his loss.
"Are you certain you are well?" Raina finally asked, plucking a bit of bright red vegetable off with her fingers. "Meal times have become your favorite, it is strange to see you so quiet..."
"I must be getting used to them." Aislynn managed to smile, even if she still felt a bit uneasy. She was sure that there had been a stall there, and the words of warning from the small statured woman weighed on the edge of her mind.
"Well you seemed to have learned to pace yourself." Raina saw a blush enter Aislynn's face, but left it alone.
"Food doesn't tasted as good coming out as going in," Aislynn mumbled.
Raina giggled at Aislynn's petulant expression, placing the back of her hand over her mouth politely to hide the food in her mouth.
The two girls wandered their way through the crowd toward the northern end of the haven. This section was dominated by games and performers trying to ply on the purses of others. Some were good, and others mediocre, but Aislynn appreciated them all doing their best.
"Ah! Two beautiful ladies!" A man of average height and athletic build skidded to a halt before them, smiling a winner that would be seared in Aislynn's mind for a time to come. She could tell it was charming and charismatic, but there was something... cruel in it.
"Can we help you?" Raina side stepped to put herself between the man and Aislynn. There was a leer to his dark green eyes that she didn't trust.
"Please, my name is Sleazar, and I simply must thank you ladies for brightening the night with your grace and charming smiles," he replied with an overly elaborate bow. Pale brown hair did not even budge since it was slicked so tight to his head it was uncertain even a good blow to the head would tousle it.
Aislynn couldn't stop her embarrassed giggle, try as she might. Zalgus had become exceedingly good at drawing that out of her at the least provocation. However, the only response from Raina was a polite smile. The taller woman maintained her guarding posture.
"That is very kind of you," she said diplomatically.
"Please! You must allow me a moment to entertain," Sleazar continued, stepping around to face both women. He bowed again, holding both arms out, before tilting his head back to flash a boyish grin. "It would be my great honor!"
There was a small crowd gathering to watch by now, curious as to what the bombastic man was shouting about. Some of the people had smug grins on their faces, as if aware of what was going to happen next. Most just observed, wide-eyed and inquisitive. Raina half-stepped to still have a position blocking Aislynn, who felt comforted by the dynamics of crowds and audiences that she recognized.
"You see ladies," Sleazar said, walking around to stir up his crowd and off balance his marks, "I have outstanding powers of observance and intuition."
Aislynn and Raina both snorted behind their hands. Both of them had thought the same thing;
Where was Zalgus when one needed him?
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