It's just a melon, Uncle!

The sun rays were still low in the sky, slowly bathing the fields around Kaifeng in yellow hues. It was one of those calm and cold spring morning, with few clouds and just a breeze, farmers already buzzing like bees. "What a peaceful, pastoral sight!" one could think while admiring the view, with only distant chatters, wood-chopping, birds' cooing... and a loud, rusty and male voice shouting at a running silhouette.

"Bring that back, you damn qióngguāng dàn!(1) Wait until I catch you!*"

Far across the meadows, a broad-shouldered farmer waved his pitchfork angrily, chasing a pregnant woman. As she drew nearer, one could realize she wasn't really a pregnant woman, but a slender figure with a big belly. Wait, it wasn't a belly at all...

"It's just a melon, uncle!" the woman shouted back, fleeing at great strides, each step jingling with out-of-tune guqin strings. "Look! That's my friend!" she added, out of breath, "They are going to pay you! For the jade comb also!"

"Good luck traveler!" she voiced as she sprinted past an unknown person happening to be on the road -leaving them with the furious farmer closing in.

Yuelan, also known as the stranger. Looked shocked but also unsure about how to handle the approaching farmer. Eventually taking a deep breath and made herself seem more guarded. The farmer's pitchfork was held by their side, eventually stopping in front of Yuelan, seeming exhausted from having chased the melon thief.

"Hah… damn brat..." he says, catching his breath. "You there—was that your accomplice?" His voice was a guttural mix of anger and exhaustion, each word edged with frustration as he panted heavily. His tone was sharp yet trembled with fatigue.

Yuelan's gaze was piercing, locking onto him with a fierce intensity that felt almost like a challenge.

"No. No, I am not." Her sharp and commanding. Drawing the attention of anyone nearby with its clarity and gravity.

He would continue to yell and even demand that Yuelan tell them who the woman was or offer up a form of payment. Yuelan was getting visibly frustrated as he continued, not leaving her alone.

Aggressive and angry, the farmer had good reason: not only had the thief stolen a melon -how much was one fruit worth in a whole field?-, but also something far more precious. Something not easily replaceable, not for common folk like him.

From afar, atop a hill, Ye Yu sat on a rock, catching her breath, eyeing the growing crowd around the loud peasant and the unknown traveler: neighbors, workers, bystanders drawn by the commotion. She sliced the fruit and bit hungrily into the red, juicy fresh part. "Aaah... yes. It's even better when it's free" she murmured for herself, retrieving a small jade comb from her pouch, weighing it thoughtfully in her palm. Not the finest quality, probably some old family legacy, yet valuable enough for a farmer, not to mention its possible sentimental worth.

Raising the chunk of melon like a toast, she continued her meal, observing the scene she created.

The crowd was roaring, rallying to support the farmer. Yet, no one came to help the innocent person caught in all of this.

"I told you, I have no part in this!" Yuelan's voice grew louder, but her words were drowned out by the crowd. There seemed to be no end to the chaos. The whispers in her mind began to coalesce, growing more distinct and urgent, weaving together her fears and hopes into a chorus of nonsense.

Ideas of wanting to escape this situation grew as well, but that would only confirm their ongoing accusations. But also staying could lead to something far worse.

Monitoring the situation from her lookout, Ye Yu tried to suppress a growing feeling of guilt. Why were the farmers still gathered around that traveler? By now, they should have realized she'd lied, that this stranger had nothing to do with her! "Why are people so stupid when they group together?" she lamented, cutting another piece of melon. "Well... It's not my problem anymore".

"They will handle this just fine..." she told herself, only half-convinced. "Who cares anyway?". She shrugged off her morals, yet eyed the gathering with a frown. "Definitely not me."

Deciding enough was enough, Yuelan pushed one of the bystanders out of the way.

"Help! She's coming at me!" The bystander yelled for everyone to hear, sparking an uproar from the crowd, which now shouted insults at Yuelan as she made her way down the road, calling for her to come back. Rocks were thrown her direction, one of them hitting the back of her bruised ankles.

Her condition improved slightly the farther she got away, despite the pain from the rock that had hit her ankle. It was a difficult walk. She looked around to see where the melon thief had gone, but there was no sign of them. Deciding it was best to take a break, Yuelan sat down to rest her ankle and calm her mind after all the chaos.

Moment passed, five or ten minutes, before rustling could be heard behind Yuelan. Were the villagers back for more trouble? Was it a bandit preying on a wounded, isolated girl? A wild animal foraging fruits nearby? No, worse. It was all of that in one person: a wild melon thief!

Ye Yu, still wearing her half broken mask, appeared nonchalantly, carrying her 1/4 eaten prize under one arm, another slice in her other hand.

"You should be more careful" she simply said, making a few steps out of the nearby bushes she was coming from. "I've seen a big boar around. And I'm not referring to that farmer... Want some melon?" she asked, extending her arm forward in an invitation to share her meal.

Slightly startled, Yuelan jolted a little. She kept her gaze lowered as she listened to the stranger who had approached her. When she heard the word 'melon' escape their lips, she tilted her head, paused for a moment, and then turned to face them while still sitting on the ground. Giving the half-masked stranger an odd look.

"... what?" She seems utterly confused by the offer, especially after mentioning a big boar is around. Taking her time to process, she realized that this most likely was the same person who got her in trouble—due to them holding 1/4 of an eaten melon, let alone also being offered a piece.

Yuelan would stand up, struggling slightly due to her hurt ankle.

"Wait—hold on," she said, barely able to catch her breath. "Excuse me, you don't happen to have run off with a melon earlier, have you?" Yuelan's eyes were fixed on the broken mask, as if trying to glimpse under any cracks that might be present.

"Ran off? I may have been in a hurry, carrying a freshly harvested meal. Why? Are you working for law enforcement?" she asked, tensing a bit, looking at Yuelan from top to bottom, her eyes lingering on the bruised ankle. "You don't really look like a police officer, nor a bounty hunter" she eventually stated, relaxing, maybe considering the stranger wasn't a threat.

She made a few more steps forward, biting on the offered slice.

"You're missing something, they are incredibly juicy and sweet for the season."

Yuelan's eyes reveal a hint of confusion about this strange person. Wondering if she should take the offered slice.

"I—uhm," Unsure what to say or how to react, she ends up stammering. "Well... You're not wrong.. I suppose?" Her eyebrows raised, eyes slightly narrowed. Her hand reaching out to take the offered slice, just holding it. Unsure if she should even take a bite out of it.

"Mind.. if I ask, I don't know... who you are..?" Words within the sentence were dragged out, out of confusion. Slightly turning her head to the side, but keeping her eyes fixed on the strange melon offering person.

"You're supposed to bite on the red part" the newcomer said, amused.

She joined Yuelan and start unpacking, putting the fruit on the ground between them, sitting on a dry patch of grass, her heavy instruments carefully laying at her side.

"Me? I.......am just a robin, pecking in the fields to feed. But unfortunately, I can't sing right now..." she said, her fingers grazing the guqin's strings, one obviously missing.

"I'm going to Kaifeng to find an instrument dealer, now that I have enough to pay for the repair... And some food supplies. Running after your meal or from people trying to get it from your hands, it's tiring!"

Turning towards Yuelan, she asked : "What about you? Are you lost or just wandering around?"

Yuelan would hold the melon slice, looking kind of lost, whilst Yè Yǔ was unpacking their things.

"A Robin..." The sentence was almost a whisper, rolling off her tongue effortlessly. As Yè Yǔ continued to speak and unpack, she would face Yè Yǔ, but observe the instrument, noticing the missing guqin string as Yè Yǔ grazed her finger over the strings.

Focusing on the instrument, she would snap her head towards Yè Yǔ after being questioned. Briefly pausing before answering, her expression still lost.

"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure where I'm headed..." Her gaze drifted away from Yè Yǔ, but their eyes met again briefly afterward, accompanied by a somewhat awkward, forced smile.

"That makes sense. Kaifeng should have what you need. I can only imagine how tiring it must be to handle all of that..." There was a brief pause. "Do you have anything specific in mind for the supplies?" Her head tilting ever so slightly to the side.

"The most heaviest things to carry aren't always the most obvious ones" she stated, absentmindedly touching her goose-shaped purse before retrieving a small jade comb from it. "First, I need to sell this to someone rich and, if possible, despicable."

She spun the precious brushing tool between her fingers. "Then... I need to repair my guqin, get some spare strings and with the rest, I could get some mantou, dried meat and fruits... Maybe I could even find a place to sleep warm for a night, but Kaifeng must be really expensive. I've never been there. I am not really fond of big cities: too many people, too many talented artists... and high expectations. It is very complicated."

She pulled a few strings, trying a three notes melody, before stretching languidly on her rock, head tilted back to soak up the morning sun.

"If you don't know where you're going, why not wandering there for a bit? Maybe you could find someone to help you with that ankle. You look like a limping doe.

Eyes closed, she smiled and started reciting improvised verses.

"On the road to Kaifeng, I borrowed from an uncle
Some money and a melon, framing an innocent doe.
Yes, I may be a felon, sometimes playing with the law
But trust me, this isn't greed! Merely a forced nudge.
A few coins is all I need to recover from this trudge
And purchase some ginseng for a painful ankle."

A mix of confused 'uhms' filled the air as Yè Yǔ carefully pulled the delicate jade comb from the satchel that also contained her essential goose repellent.

"What, wait... huh," Yuelan mutters under her breath as Yè Yǔ talks about selling the comb. Her gaze alternates between her own satchel and Yè Yǔ as Yè Yǔ keeps talking about the list of things she needs to do. Yuelan is about to speak, but Yè Yǔ cuts her off. Yuelan, rolling her eyes and looking unamused, from being called a limping doe.

Noticing there was an opening to speak, Yuelan cleared her throat. ".. Well, Kaifeng doesn't see—" She was cut off YET again, by Yè Yǔ's improvised verses. Staring at them as they kept on going with their verses.

After finishing the verses, Yuelan took a deep breath and held out her hand, signaling that they should hold whatever they had in mind—if anything was on their mind.

"AS I was going to say," Her tone serious and almost strict. "Big cities like Kaifeng present a lot of opportunities for... well.. a lot of stuff, really." Tilting her head to the side as she thought about the next few words. "I believeeee... You should be able to find the stuff that you need there, you never really know what you'll find there..." Looking away, words fading out as her eyes wandered away from Yè Yǔ for a moment.

"Well, since you need to take care of your 'stuff,' I guess it wouldn't hurt to travel there together…" Yuelan hesitated, gently holding her goose satchel from underneath and rubbing it absentmindedly with her thumb. "If you want, I mean. Just, um, stay away from my satchels if you do." She sounded a bit unsure about the whole thing.

"Why would I want to take a peak into your satchels? Do you have something worth stealing?" she asked with a little mischievous smile on her lips, still enjoying the morning sun, eyes closed.

She continued with her little verses.

"You seem to know Kaifeng very well,
Or at least, more than I can tell.
Would you agree to be my guide?
We could do errands side by side
And if at the end of the day
My money has not run away
I may treat you with a good meal.
Deal?"

Yuelan placed her left hand on her hip, allowing her other arm to sway gently. She listened to what Yè Yǔ was saying in their verse. Afterward, she looked down at her own feet, her eyes reflecting a warm smile.

A slight stammer escaped her lips as she raised her hand to gesture along with her failing sentence."..uh.. yes?" a brief awkward pause, as if she forgot what she was going to say. ".. Who would say no to a potential meal!" Her voice became louder by the end.

She would sit down next Yè Yǔ, moving her feather-like sleeves out of the way of some mud. "What is in my satchel should be none of your concern... little robin." Yuelan seems almost playful with her tone of voice. "Though.. what I do have with me has a lot of value to me." She gently placed her own hand on her own chest, looking at Yè Yǔ with a serious, almost vulnerable expression in her eyes.

Still not looking at Yuelan, sunbathing lazily while half-listening to the rural sounds around -and more especially, to the farmers working in the distance-, she smiled a bit more, replying in more verses.

"Does it shine? Does it gleam?
Half Robin, half Magpie,
Your trust I won't belie
As long as we're a team"

She eventually opened her eyes, straightening up, her hands reaching for her melon, taking another part.

"Yet you should be more careful
Not exposing things too fast
Here roam many vile outcasts
Caution is a common rule"

She added in rhymes, biting her fruit.

"Some more melon before we go? There won't be any left tomorrow."

Observing Yè Yǔ taking another piece of melon, Yuelan would hold the earlier offered piece of melon in front of her, with her right hand. After considering everything for a moment, she lowered her mask with her other hand and took a bite of the melon. It was quite juicy, and a bit of juice dribbled around Yuelan's lips.

"Mmm..." She swallowed the bite she took. "I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to enjoy this while we can." Yuelan seems quite amused by the whole interaction, even though it started with something potentially catastrophic.

As the sun starts to lower in the sky, its soft orange and pink colors gently illuminate Yuelan and Yè Yǔ. The evening light casts a warm glow around them, creating a simple yet pleasant backdrop for their moment together.

"Ooh... Hey, look at you~..."

Ye Yu's voice dropped to a husky murmur, rich as honey. Her gaze lingered heavily on Yuelan's lips as she leaned in close, close enough for her breaths to mingle, slow enough to let anticipate coil between them. The tip of her middle finger traced the plum curve of Yuelan's bottom lip, gathering the glistening melon juice with deliberate, feather-light strokes.

Eyes gleaming with malice, she drew her finger to her own mouth, tongue flicking out to taste the sweet tang—watching Yuelan all the while.

"Careful, hungry doe When you're wearing white clothes Melon juice is your foe Causing stains you will loathe."

Her smile broadened further and, after what felt like an eternity, she broke her gaze, turning away to gather her instruments onto her shoulders.

"Should we go or... Do you want some more? Melon, I mean... "

As Yè Yǔ approached Yuelan, a mix of excitement and nervousness washed over her. Yuelan felt her heart rate quicken, the cold breath blending with the warm breath from Yè Yǔ. A small part of her wanted to step back, to create some space, but she found herself unable to move.

"Wh—" Yuelan started to speak, but the words got stuck in her throat as Yè Yǔ gently traced the outline of her bottom lip. The unexpected touch sent a shiver through her, and instinctively, she ever so slightly bit her bottom lip after Yè Yǔ drew her finger back to her own mouth, caught between surprise and curiosity.

As Yè Yǔ continued to watch Yuelan. Yuelan couldn't help but wonder what was going on, her face reflecting that.

"We.. we could probably.. uhm," she seems almost lost in her own words, her eyes wandering around. "..We could bring it with us—the melon, of course.." She couldn't help but look away, bringing her mask back up, hiding her almost awkward smile.

"Yes, we definitely should not waste it. It would be a pity not to enjoy it to the fullest, it sweetness is pretty addictive when you dig in. But as you saw, it can be pretty... messy. Better not wear any clothes. Hem. Any white clothes."

With a playful smirk, she wrapped the leftover melon in some cloth, checked her belongings then nodded, ready to leave.

"We should... avoid going to Kaifeng through this road, unless we want to do it tiptoed
The villagers won't be very welcoming, after we've been breakfasting
On the fruits of their labor that you stole without honor!
Let's make a little crochet, tell me more about you along the way!
To being a bird I just laid claim… and does the doe have a public name?""

Yuelan would stand up and secure her satchel before readjusting her melon-juice-covered gloves.

"Yeah.. I noticed." She says, her tone unamused over the fact that she had melon juice all over her gloves. Wiping her gloves on the dark parts of her outfit.

After Yè Yǔ's little verse, "First of, yes, it would be better to not use the main road... but second, I never stole it, YOU did." Her eyes rolling along with a pause. "This 'doe' does indeed have a public name, Yuelan."

With most of the juice now spread over her outfit instead, she did some small re-adjustments of her little accessories, making sure everything is in order.

"What about you? I suppose your name isn't 'Little Robin'?" Yuelan says with an almost playful tone.

"Little Robin of the Wood, stealing from the poor, selling to the rich!" she laughed, hands on her hips, assuming the weird reputation she was picturing herself into.

"You Yun. You can call me You Yun for now. Should we go, Yuelan the juicy doe?"

With an amused look, she went first, making ten steps before stopping. "Actually, you should lead the way, you know the area better, do you? Are you from Kaifeng? Or we're you just travelling here? Any business around? Visiting someone?"

Yuelan would place her hand on her hip, looking like an absolute diva, whilst watching Yè Yǔ do her little pose. Only turning her head as Yè Yǔ proceeded to walk ten steps past her.

"To be honest, I am not the best navigator of Kaifeng.. buuuut I do believe I should know SOMEEE ways to get to the city." She says, now fully turning towards Yè Yǔ.

"Short answer, I have had some... unfortunate business as of late around Kaifeng..." Now walking backwards towards a side road, still facing Yè Yǔ.

"Though those questions can be answered later on the road!" Now fully turning around to walk the side path. Gesturing towards Yè Yǔ to follow with her hands.

"For now, I would love to get some more about you! Like why you came me with your juicy melons!" A slight pause was had, she even stopped walking forward waiting for Yè Yǔ.

"I mean... juicy MELON.. not melons, since you only brought one.." Yuelan murmurs, correcting herself.

"Just one for now" Ye Yu corrected Yuelan, raising a finger with a smirk, already predicting to bring them into future problems. "Well... I was hungry and you were there to save the day, that's all! Nothing more, really: you happened to be at the right place, at the right time!" she explained, although right was discutable.

"And to be totally honest, I thought you would... Have dealt with them more quickly and efficiently than... Just taking the blame and leaving. Anyway, it worked for both of us, almost! I had what I needed and you got... Melon. And maybe a free meal! How thankful you should feel!"

She followed her on the side path, her steps light, almost doing small, happy hops here and there despite her instruments and the heavy half melon she was carrying.

"Unfortunate business... What kind of business if I may ask?"

Squeezing her eyes, she observed the girl's frame, trying to guess what activity she could be running.

"Are you a messenger?
Some kind of drugs dealer?
Expert in stealing lives?
Working with small-time thieves?"

"First of... what would you even have me do with the earlier situation?" She paused for a moment. "SECOND," she loudly exclaims, "thank you for the meal, though I prefer if it could have come from others means."

As they kept walking, she would look towards the sunset, her face almost glowing. Listening to her question and letting her finish her little verse.

"No, haha." She chuckled. "I don't engage in such activities. But I did recently claw someone's eye out." She said this teasingly, showcasing her ornamental finger accessories, with each finger adorned by a long claw.

"You mean... Figuratively, right? ... Right?" she asked, slowing down. "Ah... I... Hey, no hard feelings for earlier! I just thought you would... I don't know, get it sorted one way or the other!"

She cleared her throat, waking a bit more stiffed and on the lookout for Yuelan's movements, in case she wanted to get her revenge for the previous "trap" in some nasty ways.

"First, you could have run away
Or thrown out a messy fray
Pretended to chasing me
Vigilante seeking bounty
... But no, you... got stoned instead.
Fortunately, not in the head !"

"Again, sorry for that, but I'll get you some balm once I would have sold that jade! Also, you'll definitely enjoy the next meal, all paid with ... hard earned money?" she grimaced, "Maybe I'll even have enough to buy us some meat... goose meat?" she suggested, looking at a flock crossing the path.

🪿 🪿 🪿 🪿 🪿

She winks at Yè Yǔ with a smirk hiding under her mask after Yè Yǔ last 'right?'. Yuelan can't help but chuckle at Yè Yǔ's little verse.

Yuelan would look at the flock of Geese with a death stare, as if they had insulted her deeply. "There is no need for the balm... but I think some meat would be nice, maybe not from a goose though." She clutched her goose repellent pouch even harder.

"Those foul demons..." She murmurs to herself. It is like she has a vendetta against every goose in existence.

"Goose goose on the loose
Geese geese, release
The fierce white birds
Moving in the fields in herds"

She sang, waiting for the farmer to move his flock. "Everything is fine?" she asked, tilting her head. "Starving, maybe? Please wait just a bit longer and I'll take care of your hunger."

Adjusting her instruments on her back, she walked toward Kaifeng, her eyes captivated by such a view. "Such a big city... so much people!" she said, awe in her voice. "So much... Noise! It's buzzing with life and we're not even in yet!"

Instinctively, she clutched Yuelan's arm. "Don't go too far, I don't want to lose my guide in the crowd... Not... not like I need you or anything but... It's just because I owe you a meal, I don't want you to think I played a new trick on you, that's all! What if you start staining my reputation..."

Yuelan glanced at Yè Yǔ as she held onto Yuelan's arm.

"... Uhm, I— I don't really plan on going anywhere else. I thought I would follow you once we reached the city," she said, her voice plain and natural. "I mean, if you don't 'need' me... then I can just go?" She seemed completely unaware of what was happening around her.

As she gazes at the bustling city, she notices the vibrant tapestry of life: families laughing, friends chatting, couples intertwined, and even chickens scurrying about, adding a quirky charm to the scene.

"There does indeed seem like a lot of life here!" She looks towards Yè Yǔ again. "Where do you want to start first.. I am guessing the comb?" She pauses, "if you want me around still of course."

"I ran into a girl last day
Quite cute, I have to say
Yet she was quite dense at time
Ain't that's not a crime"

Shaking her head, she sang again, pulling Yuelan into the bustling city, her gaze drifting on every stalls around, shops, town criers and everything moving or shining. Trying to hide her mix of overwhelming excitement and anxiety, she looked around, eyes going from sign to sign. "We should look for some pawnbrokers... It would be the easiest way to sell the jade without much questioning. Maybe this way?"

She pulled again her new companion into the first side alley, away from the main, crowded street.

As Yuelan was pulled through the bustling marketplace, she clutched her hat tightly, determined to keep it from flying off her head.

"Hey! Slow down!" She called out, trying to catch her breath. The vibrant stalls filled with colorful wares and tantalizing aromas were too alluring to rush past.

She wanted to soak in the sights: The intricately woven fabrics, the glittering trinkets, and the mouthwatering street food. "Just a moment, please!" she pleaded, pointing toward a stall overflowing with exotic fruits in the distance, towards the main crowded street.

"What? I can't afford buying you anything yet, besides, we already have melon! Unless... unless it's on you? Then... Fine!"

Turning around, she headed back to the main street, already reaching the appetizing stall and picking fruits. "They do smell so good! Look at this one, I've never had to taste that. How much for this one, Auntie?" she inquired while filling a basket. "Yuelan, do you want some of this? Nevermind, I'll take two. Oooh, starfruits, yummy!"

She would look at each fruit being added to the basket. Then all the other fruits, then back to each fruit being placed into the basket again. Having a hard time speaking due to all the chaos around from people walking and talking.

"Hmm.. how much will all of this cost?" She seems afraid that there will be a big number, even though she has more than enough coins.

"I don't know! Oh, look at those ones, I'll take some too! Hey... Remember what I told you with the farmers just a bit ago? Then show me how a good student you've been and follow or let your money goes! Thank you Auntie, she'll pay for this! Have a good day!"

Without waiting for any answer, she quickly disappeared into the crowd with her filled basket, again, leaving Yuelan with the seller, already reaching her hand out. "That will be 25 coins, please!"

Yuelan casually hands over 50 commerce coins. "I am sorry for that, here is fifty for the trouble... and the basket." After giving the woman the money, she would turn around and look for Yè Yǔ in the crowd.

Having a hard time finding them, she would wander aimlessly through the crowd for anyone with half a mask and a hat.

A strong fruity smell would attract her attention, but it would be sudden hands pulling her out of the flow of by-passers that would give Ye Yu's position. She was casually munching on a dragon fruit in the closest alley. With a small pout, she thrown one into Yuelan's hands.

"If you want to make your purse thinner, You should be the one inviting us over for dinner!"

Putting the basket into her hands, she walked away, pointing at a small office with flashy colors. "There, I may be able to sell my jade. Come! I'll need your help."

Without any further explanation, she went into the building.

Yuelan would follow along, thinking about dinner on the way. "I am coming, I am comiiing."

She went into the building, and people were talking about selling their stuff. She was on guard, keeping her belongings closer to herself. Keeping an eye on anyone close to Yè Yǔ, feeling a sense of wanting to make sure she is safe among these people who could potentially scam her.

She later gets close enough to walk directly next to her.

The pawn shop was separated in two parts: the public one, with rich decoration, chairs for waiting customers and even an quite used carpet, then, below an ornate counter, a man was already arguing with Ye Yu over her jade price.

"I should have you know
This was from a lady of renow!
My sister, dancer she was
Nobles and emperors would applause
Alas! Disease took her from us
The last thing I want, it's the price to discuss..."

After her theatrics, she began to slide the comb from the counter back to her with her finger.

"One thousand no less
Or missing such an opportunity you shall stress..."

Noticing Yuelan's entry, she waived at her.

"Take or pass but make your choice,
And you may hear my friend's voice"

"What seems to be the trou—" The man now started to berate Yè Yǔ for their antics, getting more furious by the second.

Yuelan would slam her hand on the counter, shaking any loose items on top of it. Loud enough to get the attention of people close by.

"I am so tired of grumpy old men..." Her voice was clearly annoyed at listening to them berating their new friend. "Now," nodding towards Yè Yǔ. "One thousand, or no jade comb at all."

Her eyes are fixed on the man's eyes as if she were a predator, and he was the prey.

"Hey hey, n-no need to raise your voice... It's bad for business" the man said, muttering in his beard before retrieving the comb with shaking hands he tried to control, avoiding Yuelan's eyes.

Inspecting the accessorie again, he eventually tried to bargain again: "It's not high grade jade... But... Someone famous you say? Mhh... I can give you... Five hundred".

"Seven-fifty," Yuelan says towards the man in a stern voice. As if she were quietly demanding that the man give more money. "I won't ask again.." Her voice still stern, though lowering.

She does not even take the time to look at Yè Yǔ, only coldly staring at the man, hoping that he will listen to Yuelan's demands.

"... Sixty" he replied with a sigh. "I even don't know the owner's name, how do you expect me to give more for it? I have a business to run..." he argued.

"You are threading a really thin line..." Yuelan's white eye twitches, yet she stares the man down.

"Owner of it is Lian Po..." Lian Po is a well-respected evil man from the ghost market; rumor is, he is missing an eye as of late... "Now, seven hundred at the LEAST."

Her last sentence was filled with hints of aggression.

"Lian... Lian Po? From... Why would you have... well... If what you say is true then... I can give you eight hundred. Last offer." He counted the coins and put them on the counter, swiftly collected by Ye Yu.

"Deal! Thank you Uncle" she said, her eyes not leaving him as he left to the back office to store his new possession. When he returned, she added: "Now, maybe you could give a quote for my friend's hat here? It's a special hat, you know, one of its kind!"

And, leaning near Yuelan, she whispered: "Keep him busy for a bit, I'll be right back!" She left the place as the man gestured at Yuelan for her to approach.

"Wait, what?"

Yuelan says, while Yè Yǔ leaves Yuelan with the man, who is now gesturing for her to come closer. Which she ends up doing, though feeling unsure of why—except for maybe a forced 'quote' to her special hat.

"... What is it now?"

Her tone clearly showcases that she is not in the mood for anything stupid. Before they could even start speaking, Yuelan says,

"Is it about the mention of Lian Po?" She pauses briefly to swallow, "... or is it about the dumb quote about my hat?"

Now just staring at the man, waiting for an answer.

"... Dumb? Why is that, you're not interested in selling it? So why did your friend..." he asked, visibly not in the mood for playing games neither. "I don't see anything worth of any value" he declared, in an almost disdainful manner, " unless there is something special about it. Can I see it more closely?" he asked.

"No, I am not interested in selling my hat."

She would sat directly towards the man, as if he should stop talking about it.

"Yes, it may look like a crude hat.. but it very vital for me."

Her voice still direct, but a little less.

"Ohh very vital? Then maybe I can give you a better price for it" he still insisted, leaning a bit to have a better view of Yuelan and her hat. "May I see?"

From the service door behind him, Ye Yu unexpectedly materialized—crawling on all fours, utterly silent, eyes sparkling with devilish glee as they met Yuelan's across the counter. Keep him talking! her wild, silent gestures demanded: frantic waves, bulging eyes, shushing motions. Inch by stealthy inch, she slithered toward the cabinet where the jade comb had just disappeared. Stretching her arm, she fumbled blindly on the drawers, her fingertips ghosting over the handles, easing one slowly, trying not to make a sound.

Yuelan would do a quick glance towards Yè Yǔ, mostly ignoring their little adventure behind the man.

"What part of VERY VITAL tells you I would sell this?"

She sounds like she carries a copy of the company policy, just to highlight what they're doing wrong.

"NO, you may not SEE a closer look of my hat!"

Her head moving away from the man, all of this is causing a commotion. Most likely making Yè Yǔ's little adventure easier.

"Of course, of course, I understand, it is always very difficult to let important belongings go, you're not the first one in this difficult situation..." the man quickly answered with a honey voice, trying to defuse the situation. "Everyone need money... Then, if I cannot see it, then maybe would you tell me more about it, so I can give you an estimation of its value? Has it some... Special property? Unique origin? Knowing how much worth it is may help you to... make up your mind" he asked, looking for more business opportunities.

Meanwhile, Ye Yu's hand was visiting the different drawers, the thief giving Yuelan a thumb up with a large grin. "Keep up the good job!" she seemed to say while pocketing some shiny items, before slowly crawling backward.

"I suppose that would not hurt..."

Yuelan would drag the sentence out as much as she could. Now holding onto her hat, showcasing the Talismans to the man.

"These Talismans keep me alive, keeping what is inside of me from spreading faster and killing me..."

Her voice showed a hint of confidence, but a bit of vulnerability at the same time.

"Anywho, I have had this hat all my life, from when I was a mere teenager. Though, of course, modified it to fit my head as I have grown..."

She would pause, looking down at the ground for a bit. Crowds of onlookers are now invested in hearing what is going on.

"I would estimate the price as 'priceless'," she'd look back at the man, "since there is nothing that I would do to let go of this hat."

"Oh uhh... I... hem... w-we don't deal with such items, unfortunately" he stammered, now unease by the discussion. "Maybe... Maybe you should keep this, I would not want your... hem... disease to spread any further if it is contagious and... Dead people are not really good for business. Do you have anything else worth you want to sell that... don't endanger anyone, something valuable, rare? Otherwise... Can I suggest you to... Hem... Free the counter for other clients?"

He cleared his throat and with a forced smile, turned his gaze away, already gesturing to another person behind Yuelan to approach. Behind him, there was no trace of Ye Yu anymore.

"No... I don't," Yuelan sounded quite reluctant whilst saying that. She did indeed not like this man's service. Having noticed that Yè Yǔ's adventure most likely was done, she'd say finalize by saying:

"Thank you for your service."

Giving the man a rude stare, she then walked out of the other entrance of the building, now looking around for signs of Yè Yǔ again.

Ye Yu was standing across the street, leaning against a street food stall, eating a skewer of sugar coated strawberries. She gestured to Yuelan, already brandishing another one for her.

"Worry not, those ones I paid
With what I earned selling this jade"

She sang, playing with the supposedly sold jade comb.

"You did very well in this pawnshop
You deserve this lollipop!
Maybe we should team up
Imagine all the chests we could clean up..."

She smiled, her eyes going on Yuelan's hat.

"So this story about your hat...
Is it true, or a lie, big and fat?"

As Yuelan approached her, she would not take the offered coated strawberries immediately. Standing in front of Yè Yǔ, she would fold her arms.

"Listen, I don't really do the whole stealing thing... that is more on you."

Her tone is like a stern mother talking to their child.

"And yes, the story is true," she would pause, her eyes wandering up and down Yè Yǔ. "So don't try anything... silly, okay?"

'Silly' in this case refers to her little thieving endeavors.

"Oh, I won't call that stealing!
Merely wealth redistributing
And a poor man may miss his wife's comb
When he'll end work and be back home"

Waving the fruits' skewer under Yuelan's nose, she insisted.

"Money should serve to feed people
Not to sit idle in golden chests
Enjoy this treat coated in treacle
And let's discover Kaifeng's chefs?"

With a wink, she added : "Maybe if you keep me entertained enough with some stories, I will forget to 'borrow' other things!"

A slight bit of hesitation was had, but Yuelan would cave in and grab the offered treat.

"So you are telling me that if I tell you the story behind my hat," she would look up at her hat with her eyes only. "You will not 'borrow' things from people for a while?"

Now folding her arm, holding the treat close to her.

"Exactly! Now, now," she said enthusiastically, intertwining her arm with Yuelan's and pulling her to the main street again. "I am craving to hear that story over a nice meal and a drink! I haven't had so much money to spend since... since... when I 'found' a lost purse."

Gobbling her sweets, she began a wild stroll through the crowded, bustling streets, until the pair arrived at a busy restaurant decorated in red and gold, from which wafted the delicious smell of hot dumpling soups.

"There! Let's have a break here With some soup and a beer?"

"I think I will just stick with the soup for now."

Yuelan had a hard time smelling the delicious food due to her mask, but also due to a lack of senses.

"I can tell you the Origin of my hat, but only when we have found a place to sit down."

She would sound like a mother, the kind who would tell their kid not to run off ahead of them.

The place was crowded with regular customers or curious ones willing to try this famous restaurant. Ye Yu looked around for available seats but found none. She removed her hat and coat, handing them over with Yuelan, then tied her hair into a tight bun.

"Keep that for me, I'm going to find us a table. What with this city, why is there so many people?" she grumbled, grabbing a napkin and a notebook on a nearby unattended counter, before heading towards a couple laughing loudly over their finished meal. "Dear guests, I hope you enjoyed your lunch? Was everything to your taste? No? Wonderful-" she continued without waiting for any answer. "As much as we appreciate your patronage, we do have many other customers waiting. Can we ask you to pay and free the seats? Of course, we are offering you a discount for the inconvenience: it will only be one hundred coins. Yeees, thank you very much" she grinned, all honey, pocketing the coins. "It's a pleasure, come back any time!"

She took the empty plates and casually dropped them on the next occupied table -"Hello dear customers, my colleague is coming to clean all this. Is there anything you miss? More water, of course"-. She sat at her new available table and waved at Yuelan.

"Found a place!"

At first, Yuelan couldn't help but just watch Yè Yǔ. Seeming stunned with how it all went so... well. She would slowly walk over to the table that Yè Yǔ managed to find for them, now standing behind one of the empty chairs, opposite of Yè Yǔ.

"You're quite... the charmer."

Yuelan said slowly, unsure how to compliment her. The chair would be pulled back to allow herself to sit down, which she did. Now just waiting for them to sit down, whilst her eyes wandered away towards the other customers.

"Ah, the secret is being overly confident" she shared in a whisper, leaning over the table. "People never ask questions when they are talking to someone assured, but if you start showing doubts, then they will start having too and you will weaken your credibility. Yet... I was expecting to be thrown away by the staff at any moment!" she laughed.

"Fortunately, in crowded places like that, waiters are so busy they won't notice you unless you actively call them. Hey!" she shouted, gesturing for someone to bring them the menu. "We've been waiting for half an hour already, without anything to drink nor snack on, and no menu? I am sooo going to tell my friend, the Governor's wife, how this place is badly overrated" she complained.

"We're deeply sorry Xiaojie, here, please, the menu. We would recommend you our special soup, crab with swallow nest." The poor man hastily left, returning with two cocktails and some olives. "Xiaojie, some complimentary drinks for your friend and you. I will come back in a few minutes to take your order". He bowed and left, other customers calling him already.

"See? Confidence. Unless your bluff is too obvious, people are usually very oblivious. Also, they are not going to take any risk that could damage the place's reputation or have them lose their job. Two drinks? It's nothing for them compared to bad publicity."

She looked around, watching all the seated people, their manners, their fine clothes...

"In some way, I prefer small inns to places like this. Here, it feels... like a permanent play. But enough, Yuelan! I still know so few things about you. I kept my part of our deal, it is your turn, if you don't want me to steal!"

"Right... I mean, I suppose that makes sense."

Yuelan says that before she was asked about keeping up her part of the 'deal'.

"Hmm, where do I really even start?"

She would look at the cocktail that was presented in front of her. Wishing it were a full gourd of wine instead.

"Well... for starters, I have had this hat with me ever since I was a teen. It has been modified to fit my head as I have grown, though these Talismans," She would rustle a few of the talismans hanging from her hat. "Have always been with me, ever since I got them..."

Her eyes now wandering off to the side, where the big festival can be seen in the distance—though the lights are off, due to the festival not being active.

"Got to know a bit more of myself as of late as well..."

Her eyes still fixed on the festival location, before turning to Yè Yǔ.

"But that is a story for some other time really. How about you, Why are you out 'borrowing' melons and overpriced combs?"

"I... Don't understand... Why would you have this hat modified, has it a sentimental value? Is it the whole thing which is vital for you ; or just the talismans, those few, floating around like leaves being bound?"

She blinked, not expecting to learn so little about her conversation partner.

"Hey hey, not so quick, you little chick My story will come later, tell me more about those papers?"

She took her drink and started sipping on it, clearly indicating she was now the listener.

Yuelan's attempts at changing the subject went quite poorly.

"Fine, fine."

Sighing before continuing.

"They are there to keep me safe, the hat honestly could have been replaced. But I like it!"

She would take off her mask and place it on her lap.

"I have something within, that is REALLY begging to come out," She'd pause. "Well maybe not COME OUT, but something. I don't know, actually..."

Her eyes now fixed on the cocktail, if she should take a sip or not herself.

"Besides the point. These Talismans were given to me by some exorcists and I have had them wrapped to this hat ever since. Though a few has been replaced due to rain, which is why I keep extra Talismans with me."

"Something within you begging to come out?
Something you need to shout?
Something like a dry a cough?
Are you going to pop off?
... Or is it like... a baby?
Are you someone's lady?
... As for not having your Talismans soiled
Consider having them dipped in oil?"

Yuelan would take a sip of the cocktail, not really enjoying the taste of olives, but she still forced herself to 'enjoy' it.

"No, no, no!" She would exclaim.

"I am not sure if talking about my 'condition' is a good idea, yet.." Her voice trailing off, as if she has more to say.

"Though I should let you know that if you hear anything regarding," she would lean in and whisper. "Lian Po," then now sit down properly again. "Then please, be aware to not talk of me."

Her expression seemed really serious about it.

"But no, I believe oil could ruin the effects of them." She would continue, her expression now back to her normal self.

"Is is something secret, to be kept away from prying ears?
Should we find somewhere opposite to noisy bars?
Even if, you can trust me,
Safest place are the ones very busy"

She would take an olive, gobbling it and coughing, momentarily choking on the core.

"Lian *cough* Po?
I remember that name, you pronounced it a few moments ago
To that man at the pawn shop
Who is he? The boss of a powerful mob?"

"I indeed did."

Yuelan would look down at her glass, the expression on her face showing some form of regret for having said 'Lian Po' earlier to the man earlier.

"Just don't go near any business with him..."

She would say, as she traced the glass. Small vibrations in the class, creating small ripples in the cocktail.

"Okay?"

She said bluntly, now looking at Yè Yǔ with a serious look in her eyes.

"You're not my mother..." she would mumbled at first, before laughing.

"Is he so terrifying, for you to warn me to stay away?
It actually makes him more intriguing. About him, I wonder what people have to say~"

She put down her glass as the waiter approached the table to take their order.

"We'll have two of your special soup, please.
Or do you prefer peas?"

"None for me."

Yuelan says with almost precise precision towards the Waiter. She would wait for the waiter to move away before continuing.

"I am being serious."

She'd say, now giving Yè Yǔ a cold stare, showing her seriousness.

"And I am being careless
Unless you tell me why
That man, the idea to mess... With
I should rather be shy?"

Yuelan would sigh and fold her arms as she leaned back.

"It is a man from the 'Ghost Market'," She'd give a quick glance around before continuing. "And he is a dangerous man that I thought I could trust at first."

Yuelan now grasped her throat with one hand, as if she was adjusting it.

"And... well, I got to know his true nature."

She'd un-grasp her throat and readjust herself on the seat.

"That is all that I will say for now, so please."

Her voice seemed more vulnerable, as if she really did not want him to go anywhere near Yè Yǔ.

"The ghost market? What a scary name!
To not explore that place, that would be a shame
Yet... I'm not into troubles, trust me!
Even if it's not really what you may see..."

She clapped her hands when the waiter brought her her soup, and happily dig into.

"I promise I won't try to find this man for now and that I'll think four times about what you told me if I ever meet them accidentally. In fact, why would I want to find him? I already have you unveil all your secrets first, like... Where were you coming from, when we first met? And what were you doing in the fields? Were you also looking for a meal? "

Yuelan would watch them as they dug into their food for a bit, before answering.

"Actually that is a good question..." She would mutter to herself. What was she doing on the roads?

"I suppose the simple answer would be traveling, really." She would briefly pause, before continuing.

"One of my friends happened to help me after a 'Certain someone' attacked me. Stayed in one of their private chambers for a while before continuing out onto the road."

As Yuelan was speaking, she would gesture using her hands. Nearly acting everything out.

The place was getting more and more crowded by the minute.

"I am guessing we are just going leave..." She takes a look at Yè Yǔ eating their food, probably soon done. "Once you're done of course. 'Borrowing' the food, as you would say."

"Wait, you've been assaulted? Oh my!
Are you fine, did your assailant die?
Have you been robbed?
It's okay to sob!
I may not look like a mercenary
But if you want to, I can show no mercy!" she sang, alarmed, giving her phrasing quite a weird impression, between taking the news lightly or instead, chanting something very dark on a light tone.

She finished gulping her soup then examined her guest, perplexed.

"You haven't had anything, is there something on your mind?
Did you lost appetite, or something appealing on the menu, you could not find?"

She looked around, noticing the crowd and the surrounding hubbub growing louder and louder.

"I'll have you know, you little sparrow, that I do will pay!"

With a flourish, she put some coins freshly stolen to the previously customers on the table.

"I am inviting you! No need to thank, it's important to me ...Mostly because you hadn't had anything, really.."

"It is quite sweet of you, but I am in no need of any of... this." Yuelan would gesture to the surrounding food.

"Besides, I only really wanted the fruits from earlier." Her tone was calm and collected.

"And yes," She says, now looking at Yè Yǔ again. "I am fine." The eyes that were fixed on Yè Yǔ were now rolling before making eye contact again.

"As I said, just stay out of his way."

One of the people in line is complaining that their reserved spots should have been given to them a while ago. Making them frustrated with the waiters who are just trying to do their job.

"Okay, okaaay...." she sighed, raising her hands in sign of resignation. "And I think you're right, we should get going. I can't even hear you really, I was pretending listening to you for the last minutes but I was only guessing by reading on your lips. You talked about someone? I even don't remember hearing a name. See?"

She tried a faint, apologizing smile and stood up, feeling another strange guilty feeling growing. Did she stepped on a touchy topic? she wondered, leaving the restaurant to return to the less busy street thanks to the late hour. Crossing the road, she leaned on a wall, counting the pieces in her now more plumped up goose purse, waiting for Yuelan, still wondering why she was caring so much. She had a tasty meal, like she hadn't ate for weeks, she got enough money to travel without worries for the same duration and yet... yet...

"What's wrong with me?" she whispered. "Maybe... Maybe I'm getting sick."

She would sit for a moment longer, watching Yè Yǔ leave them. Giving Yuelan the same feeling that someone would have after a failed date—even though it wasn't one. Feeling a bit of stress from the people around and the topic of Lian Po, she would stand up and excuse herself as she bumped into someone with her hat.

As Yuelan was walking over to where Yè Yǔ was, her mind would raise even more questions. Was she too harsh about it? She knows what Lian Po is like and that they are most likely hunting her down. Having someone else be a part of that problem would certainly cause more guilt. Is this new friend of hers trying to help her out here, or just get information and leave her?

She sighed as she got closer to Yè Yǔ, leaning up against the wall—potentially uncomfortably close to Yè Yǔ as well.

"You doing alright...?" Yuelan's tone is soft, caring, and calming. Her eyes caught the attention of Yè Yǔ counting her coins.

"... Yeah, probably" she answered more coldly than she wanted, a bit surprised by her own harsh tone. Was she mad? Vexed? Clearing her throat, she tried to sing a few sentences, her voice more hoarse than usual.

"Maybe it's just tiredness, the people, the day, the stress
The sun's already set and the meal over...
I guess I should return and give their jade to that farmer
With interests for the inconvenience, hopefully it will awake his lenience."

She closed her purse and grab the packed melon left-overs she was still carrying, handing them to Yuelan.

"You mentioned willing melon. Or... I think you did. So... Keep it and try not to stain your clothes with the juice..."

She avoided looking at her, feeling her heart tight. "What is that, I feel weird. I definitely need to see a doctor..." she thought.

Yuelan would drop the melon that was handed to her as she held onto Yè Yǔ's shoulders.

"Hey, hey, hey." She says rapidly, seeming really worried for Yè Yǔ current state. Now examining Yè Yǔ posture, her skin, the way she breathes and so on.

"Ignore the melon and that dumb farmer," was said as she leaned her head down to take a look at her face. "Tell me, how do you feel??"

Her voice still carries worry for her friend.

Ye Yu opened her eyes widely, shocked. Half from the loss of her melon, now splashed in the fabric at their feet, but also by being grabbed so suddenly by Yuelan. She looked at her for a few seconds, caught by surprise, before looking away, feeling her heart hammering louder and faster than usual, and a very new burning sensation in her cheeks.

"I... may have caught something. I'm... not feeling in my usual state. Maybe the soup wasn't that great?" she supposed, still not really understanding what she was trying to avoid. "I really don't want to contaminate you, it may be contagious...?"

Yuelan would place her fingers under Yè Yǔ's chin, and lift her head up slightly so Yuelan didn't have to tilt her head over to look at her.

"Don't worry about me, darling," Her eyes squinting, as if examining her eyes. "I've got a mask." She would add.

Using her fingers that are placed under Yè Yǔ's chin, she would move Yè Yǔ's head left and right. So she could examine her warm cheeks, using the backside of her other hand to feel for the temperature.

"Oh, you may want to get this checked out... you're getting a fever..." Her voice still calming, but lowering.

"..." was Ye Yu's only answer. Frozen like a statue, she eventually decided to start nose bleeding on Yuelan's fingers.

"... Oh! Oh snap, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed after realizing she was staining her hand and her white clothes with something way more difficult to clean than melon juice. She hastily placed her hands on her face, moving aside and tripping on her own feet, ending up on the ground with some off-tuned guqin notes reverberating in the street.

"Outch!---- I'm fine, it's okay, don't worry!" she babbled, trying to recover her stance, blood smeared all over half of her face.

Noticing the amount of blood smeared across Yè Yǔ's face. Yuelan's first instinct was to use her feather-like sleeves to start wiping the blood. Disregarding the fact that her clothes are primarily white.

She would bend down next to hear and start cleaning, but also making sure her instrument isn't in the way of anything.

"Oh you sweet summer child..." She says as she gently wipes Yè Yǔ's face.

"I think you most definitely need to see a clinic..." Her voice sounded more focused due to her concentration.

"Also, you are more than fine," She pauses for a moment to examine her face, seeing if there is more blood she could transfer onto her clothes instead. "Though I should probably find some new clothes, later..."

Looking at Yuelan, she couldn't help but bite her lower lip, half in guilt, half in... Something else. For a brief moment, all she was earing was her heartbeat drumming to her ears, slowly fueling the red flow. There was something with this cute, caring gaze hidden behind a curtain of talismans and voiles, that was hypnotic. She looked at her, absentmindlessly for some more seconds before she jumped, getting back to her senses.

"Iiii- I'll definitely go to a clinic. I feel very weird as of now, I should... I'll go in the next few days. For now... Maybe... Maybe I should find an inn and get some rest."

She slowly stood up, back on her feet, a hand blocking her running nostril, the other dusting away her clothes.

"I'll repay you. For the clothes. And I... I did told you I would pay you a good meal and you hadn't eaten a thing. Maybe... Maybe we can meet again tomorrow?" "Also, you are more than fine," She pauses for a moment to examine her face, seeing if there is more blood she could transfer onto her clothes instead. "Though I should probably find some new clothes, later..."

Yuelan would watch as Yè Yǔ fumbled her words. She would think to herself, 'Is this lady okay?' whilst not really paying attention to what Yè Yǔ was saying.

"The clothes... the clothes I can pay myself?" She looks at Yè Yǔ as if she were confused but also dumbfounded by the idea that they would have to repay her, just for accidentally staining her clothes. Out of instinct, she would come closer and help dust off some dirt that was on her arm—the one Yè Yǔ was using to dust herself with.

"Do... you need me to follow you to a clinic, an inn?" She'd ask, after stepping away when she was done dusting Yè Yǔ off.

Ye Yu's heart jumped around in her chest, all excited. More time together! Meanwhile, her mind was all perplexed: why was she so happy about hearing such suggestion from Yuelan? It wasn't the first time she met someone during her journey, sharing small talks for a few hours or even walking together for a day before parting ways. She already did that. Sometimes, she even managed to get a free meal -offered or not-. It wasn't supposed to be different today. She was just a traveler she'd played a trick on. She was supposed to leave, to forget everything about her under a week or so.

"...I...'d like to. Just in case... just in case I pass out, I would not want someone to rob me... yes. Maybe... you could help me find a place to rest this night? Where are you going to spend the night, also? Do you have any plans?"

"I suppose I should get new clothes... so I could accompany you to an inn for now."

Yuelan would take a moment to look around, seeing if she could see any nearby inns. She only knows of one that is close to the south gate of city.

"Hmmm... there should be one, way over there." She says, whilst pointing towards where she remembered the inn was.

"Alright, then let's way no time
Night is coming and so does crime
Like sharks attracted by blood scent
We should go before suffering awful torments~"

Checking the ground for any lost item, she made a few steps in the given direction, her hand still pressed on her nose to stop it from bleeding.

"So... your hat is vital for you, but... what about your mask?" she asked, trying to make small talk on the way. "Is it also something to keep you safe too, is it cosmetic... ?"

"The mask?" She paused as she started to walk towards the inn. "The mask is merely there for anonymity, really."

Yuelan would keep her focus on the crowd ahead of her, making sure not to bump into anyone.

"Your nose... doing alright?"

She asked, still focused on the path ahead of her.

"Mhhh.... Yes, sure... You won't be easily recognisable at all if you are always wearing that hat with many Talismans hanging from it..." she gently mocked." Furthermore... Why do you need to remain... anonymous, if you're not outside the laws? Or are you? This or you're someone really famous. A famous outlaw, maybe? That would be pretty exciting! I could get some fresh stories to tale!"

Hearing her last question, she slightly removed her finger from her nose, wiping the last warm drops of blood still dripping.

"Thanks, I think it stopped. I'm sorry, it never happened before, like that. I'm sure some rest will do be a world of good. But..."

As she was following Yuelan, her eyes lingered on her stained clothes.

"It is getting late now... I would suggest that we rent a room for the night and, tomorrow morning, before... we part, I'll have your clothes cleaned or changed... What do you think?"