@alisaie-leveilleur Felurian rushed out the door, licking the last of the strawberry jam off her lips from the toast she had that morning, her carbuncle immediately behind her. She quickly turned the key and heard the reassuring click as the lock turned into place. Shrugging her dark brown overcoat over her shoulders, the Raen made her way to Summerford Farm’s monthly market, where individual vendors from all over Eorzea brought their goods, new and coveted for those looking to discover to what she deemed “the reason to live”. She ignored the wave of panic that moved through her when the thought of being in close contact with strangers flitted across her mind. This was too big of an opportunity to miss! She scooped her moon-white carbuncle into her arms and placed him in her straw basket, not wanting him to get trampled from other excited customers waiting to see the wares. The creature trilled, her excitement bleeding into his own emotions. “Ko, we can even get your favorite prickly pineapples!” Minutes later, she slowed at the market’s entrance, the folds of a pastel purple Ao Dai peaking through between the buttons of her overcoat. The Aura slowed her breath, the crisp air a welcome to the early morning. The sun had just peaked over the hill, its bright rays reflecting on the tousled strands of long, silver hair that had loosed during her brisk run. Vibrant, violet eyes scanned the scene before her: the voices rising and falling like the tides of the ocean, as customers began haggling with merchants; the smell of several crackling fires and baked pastries enveloping her with a sense of comfort; the bright colors of different cloths and accessories that were speckled amongst the green of the grass and the bark-brown of the different stalls. Although small, the markets never failed to uplift Felurian’s spirits. Her scanning eyes finally stopped on a bakery shop-- the familiar Morbol green cloth labeled “Mildreth’s Magnificent Morsels” nailed to the side of the rather small caravan. Fel smiled to herself as she remembered last years batch of sesame cookies, which were surprisingly delicious, although subtle in flavor. A couple of steps in, Fel noticed the crowded back of the wagon, where Mildreth’s daughter, Eada, smiled and exchanged product with currency quickly and efficiency. A quick change of mind caused her to peek around the other side of the caravan, where just a yalm away was a display with multiple samples of this years current food items, ignored by customers who already knew what they wanted to order. Fel’s tail twitched excitedly as she walked over and perused the samples, taking small samples on toothpicks. Each sample met its demise by quivering lips, but her favorite this time were the ginger cookies. She had her doubts-- how could such a pungent root be combined with heavenly sweetness and become this beautiful creation? As the Aura focused on sneaking another sample (hopefully stealthily), a second pale hand met hers at the sample jar. A small gasp escaped her and she looked up, ready to quickly apologize for such a personal touch. But to her surprise... “Alphinaud?”
