At just past midday, the sun was high in the sky as Angelina strolled through the market with Lir at her side. The massive canine was excitedly sniffing the air, tail whipping about and, ears perking every which way with the multitude of sounds filling the air. Birdsong and the caw of ravens from the Falconer's stall, the droning clack-clack-clack of wagon wheels...but the loudest sound of all was perhaps that of various merchants who were sure to make their voices heard above it all.
“Fresh beetroots, still damp from the earth!”
“Cockles, muscles, and herring still bright with salt!”
“You, sir! Can I interest you in silk ribbons for your lady-love?”
“Radishes! As pink and pretty as your wife’s cheeks in the morning!”
Angelina did her very best to take in all the sights around her, including a candlestick maker polishing his wares, the sun reflecting off of his brass tools, uninhibited by clouds. Children ran about, giggling as they weaved through crowds of market goers.
There were some not-so-wonderful things, too. For instance—the stench from the piled gutters where the offal, livestock blood, and the spoiled fruit collects. But the scent of herbs and ripe berries and other delicious foods monopolized her attention. And, apparently Lir's as well. When the smell of a fresh stew, in particular, caught on the wind, the apothecary immediately felt the warm presence beside her leave as the wolfhound trotted over to beg. Laughing softly, with an even subtler shake of her head, she followed suit and greeted the vendor whilst lowering her hood.
"Morning, Alastair. I'll take one," she requested with her best attempt at a friendly smile. It felt so painfully unnatural that she was certain the man picked up on it. She was grateful he paid it no mind, however—no doubt used to the hermit's socially-inept ways in the years she'd occassionally surface from her woods to visit the town's heart.
Choosing to ignore it as well, she focused on the task at hand. Thin fingers rummaged through her belt bag for coins and the young woman cursed quietly when one managed to escape and roll among the foot traffic behind them.
