THE RUSTLE OF A NEARBY TRASH CAN DRAWS HER ATTENTION. Mari had slowly been adjusting to the ways of this world; the Xianzhou Loufu is hardly anything like her home, but despite its differences, there was something about it that satisfied her inner wanderlust. The days went by achingly, and the teen was making steady progress in her recovery . . . the same could not be said for the search for Ratha or her home planet.
It frustrated Mari, really. Time and time again she practiced and fought until her muscles ached. Night would fall and she'd spend hours writhing in her bed, either from having overexerted herself or from unpleasant dreams. It seemed like a tireless cycle of suffering, but the truth was, she was growing accustomed to it. The pain ached a little less with each morning, and she clung to hope a little tighter as she always had. Maybe she'd come to terms with her fate, or perhaps, she'd begun to believe the efforts of the Cloud Knights each more.
. . . She had to, in order to keep going.
On this particular day, she'd offered herself up to running errands for the General and his retainer. After she'd been taken, Mari felt it was the least she could do. Besides, she ached to get out and see more of the Loufu, and stretch her legs a little.
Thus, a trip to Aurum Alley had been in order. Mari recalled that she never enjoyed the crowded market streets of Lulucion, but at least this place was a bit more tolerable. That's when she heard that trash can.
Another rustle. Mari's gaze finally pinpoints the source of the noise. Did a cat fall in there or something? The thought prompts awkward pause before Mari, concerned for the wellbeing of an unfortunate feline, goes up to investigate. "Hold on, buddy. I gotcha—"
She lifts up the lid and—wait. That's not a cat. That's a human.
@nifhelheim gets a plotted starter for stelle!