Soooo, it's technically not the afternoon anymore but it's five o'clock somewhere but, at least, I got it done today and not three days after I actually said I would! (I've made that mistake one too many times, thank you)
I will have a really busy weekend (track meet on Saturday and then a wedding I won't return from until Sunday afternoon) so I don't know how quickly I'll respond for the next two days.
-=Ic=- Ilya bounded alongside the cart, her long legs loping down the dirt path. She kept up with the two horses galloping beside her easily as they headed south, and didn't seem to tire even as the hours passed. The day had yet to start and the sun had not risen by the time their destination came into view. Ilya's mother, sitting on top of the cart beside Ilya's brother and sister, sighted the city first and pointed it out to her children.
"There it is, children. Feast your eyes on the trading centre of the world." She smiled gently at her two daughters before looking sharply at her son. "Ryu! Get your eyes back on that road, so that you don't lead our cart into a ditch! I'm teaching you to drive us, not kill us, boy!" Ryu guiltily turned his eyes back to the road, and with Ilya's brother successfully focused, they soon arrived at the city. It wasn't long before they had reached the main road and the dirt path turned to cobble and the street filled with all sorts of species. The diversity of the city was astounding, and it always surprised Ilya when she visited to help her mother sell their crops. Ilya was a natural at what she did; years of working gave her strong legs and arms to plow the ground and plant the seeds, and a naturally sunny disposition and mostly friendly demeanor gave her mother comfort that they would always sell most, if not all, of their yields from that year.
"Hey, momma, Ryu and Amari can help you set up the tent, right?"
"Yes... What are you planning to go and be doing now?"
""I just want to explore! And I promise I'll be back to help sell, mmkay?"
Ilya's mother sighed. Once Ilya had it in her head to go 'explore,' there wasn't much anyone could do to keep her from doing so. It had been a long time since Ilya had been prevented from adventuring, and she wasn't going to stop now. Soon, Ilya was wandering through the streets, occasionally peeking into the limited stalls that were open so early in the morning.
As was Ilya's nature, it wasn't long before she had struck up a conversation with one of the early-rising shopkeepers. He was tall, much taller than Ilya, and he had a kind, almost flattering smile that seemed pasted onto his face. For the most part, he wasn't suspicious looking, even though most were who were open this early tended to be rather seedy and sketchy. His fur was dirty and his eyes were tired, but he was cheerful and his clothes were moderate.
"So, how come you're already set up so early?"
"I don't actually know. I suppose I just like getting up in the mornings when no one else is awake. Those quiet hours are very peaceful."
"I suppose. Personally, I think it's more fun to be adventuring and be in danger than to be doing nothing and be peaceful."
"To each his own. By the way, what's your name?"
"Ilya. You?"
"Vallai. So, you say you like adventuring?"
"You kidding? I'd do anything for a good adventure." Ilya paused, ears perked. "Are you saying you have something I could do?"
Vallai hm'ed quietly. "Yes, actually. You see, I'm not actually from here..."
By the time Vallai had finished his proposition, the sun had fully risen, shining light onto shimmering dew and giving prospects of a bright and sunny day. Ilya shook his hand with a beaming smile almost a bright as the newly risen sun. After finishing up details of the trip, she returned to her family to tell her mother about the trip and help sell their crops and various items.
"And you say he's leaving tomorrow?"
"That's right. And he's already gathered some members and he says he'll have a full team assembled by the end of today. I'll meet him in that open square with the fountain of that famous [censored] painter, around rising sun. Okay, mer?"
"I- yes, okay, miyeme. I will see you when you come back, of course?"
"Obviously."
And there the conversation ended, and the two resumed their upkeep of the stall.