29th of Winter, 520 AV
"Aren't you going?"
The merchant's voice seemed absolutely shocked, as did her frozen posture. Baiya, on the other hand, was unperturbed. Sure, she had heard the rumors of the shooting stars and their beauty, but it simply didn't seem to be important enough to cancel her night of relaxation.
"Well, I don't know. I'm usually rather tired after work and-"
"Oh, you must go!" The woman leaned back dramatically, holding the purchase just out of Baiya's reach. This might have been taken for an absent-minded mistake had the merchant not pointedly avoided Baiya's glare.
"It will be so beautiful." She lectured, "And it's important to honor the Gods when they provide us with this beauty you know. Zintila gives us this gift of a show and you say, oh, I would rather be at home? For shame!"
"Yeah, I suppose. May I have those now?" Baiya pointed to the toasted chestnuts she had been planning on enjoying at home in her pajamas.
Unabashed, the merchant pressed the bag into Baiya's hand and looked directly into her eyes. "I'll see you there."
Without responding, Baiya took her purchase and scurried away from the stall as quickly as she could, disappearing into the evening rush of the Azure Market. And though the merchant was soon out of sight, the encounter did not escape her memory so quickly.
---
By the time the 19th bell had tolled, Baiya begrudgingly found herself at the steps to Iraltu's Observatory in her pajamas clutching her bag of chestnuts. Ignoring even the most blatant of stares, Baiya made her way past the clumps of people and into the first floor of the building.
Inside, she sat herself down at one of the wooden desks skirting the room. The people on the first floor were chattering excitedly while passing off skyglass scopes to one another. They took turns going up into the second floor to view the skies under the careful watch of several employed astronomers.
Baiya, on the other hand, simply crossed her legs beneath herself and opened her bag of treats. The merchant may have ruined her plans to have a relaxing evening at home, but she'd be damned if she wouldn't have a nice, relaxing evening at the observatory. And when that old crow finally stopped by, well then they could see each other there and Baiya could finally go home.
Ledger- 1 Kina for half pound of toasted chestnuts
Wordcount395