Spring, day 86, Year 521
She hesitated at the wooden steps that led up, up, and up the side of the stilted mercantile, the palm leaves layered on the roof whispering with the ever-present breeze that punctuated the heat. Grimacing at the novelty of trembling cowardice, she rolled the sleeves up to the crease of her elbows and placed her boot on the first step. It was just a matter of cooking supplies, after all. It wasn't like she was running willfully unto death by glassbeak. Mind washing around, she tugged hard on the list she'd mentally prepared, only needing the bare necessities at the moment.
The panels creaked as she moved, her gaze wandering around the open space that had no door, let alone a lock and key. She was comforted, then, living in the tent as she was. At least as far the human denizens went. Animals were a different story. And insects. She shivered, scratching at her arm as though something had been crawling towards the marks hidden beneath her sleeve, its little, disgusting legs touching her skin. Thankfully, the store seemed well stocked for the small population. She was relieved by it.
"Good afternoon," a pleasant voice said to her right, and she turned to take in the clerk ambling towards her. Slight, though not much younger than she, Juli seemed to radiate an ease of self that she coveted. The islander offered a hand, her brows rising in confusion when Rhiva didn't immediately respond.
She lifted her own and grasped the gift of welcome only to shake once, releasing far too quickly, then dumped a lame, "Hello," as she fidgeted.
"You're the new girl," Juli said, sucking in her cheeks as though she was trying not to laugh, "Rhiva, right?"
She hesitated, then, "I am. You're Juli?" She could have jumped over the banister and landed on her fat head for all the dignity and fortitude she was exuding. She knew that she oozed discomfort, unconfident as she'd never felt before. She stood a little taller, as if it would change the bleak introduction. She was sure every person on the settlement had already heard of her hard crossing, and she'd yet to even step toe to water for how ill she'd been.
Juli nodded with a quirked smile, probably reminded of Rhiva's arrival as well. However, instead of reminiscing, she crossed her arms and leaned back onto her heels, seemingly reining in her desire of asking what she really wanted to know, "How can I help you today?"
Rhiva could have thanked her, keeping her shoulders from sagging by sheer force of will as she adjusted the nearly empty pack that laid over her shoulders, "I was hoping you'd have a few things in stock. Nothing more than staples, really."
"As a matter of fact," she said, turning abruptly and waving for Rhiva to follow, "I do. What, exactly, are you looking for?"
She hesitated to follow, but did so, her heavy boots clunking across the wooden floor, "A small cook pot, not too big, if you have one. Flour, salt, and yeast."
A black, 2-quart pot was plopped onto the counter that Rhiva approached, then a packet of what looked to be 2 ounces of salt. Her head craned to look around. Everything was neat, tidy linens folded, shiny boots ordered by size, barrels of this or that with not a speck of dust despite the lack of walls. Her eyes caught on a machete that gleamed wickedly from its stand. She smiled despite herself, laughing silently at the idea of ever wielding something such as that. She couldn't hold a conversation let along trudge into the jungle, less forbidding than it had been when she'd first arrived. She still slept with her tent closed tight, no matter the ease she was beginning to feel in her new surroundings. It may have only kept the shadows at bay, but it certainly helped her to sleep a bit more.
"Wheat or Barley?"
"What?" She asked, pulled from her inspection.
Juli turned, concern etching her features as she spoke, her voice slow and careful, "Wheat flour, or Barley?"
"Oh," She said, stupidly, then, "Wheat. Three pounds, if you've got it."
She was indulged with another gentle smile, the price tallied and given. She handed over ten gold mizas, feeling for all the world a fool, wondering with self-loathing if the town was looking for a particular someone to fill the position of village idiot. She was certainly becoming a wonderful sort of entertainment. First it was puking the entire three days it took to arrive, now it was choking over the smallest of conversations. What was next? She'd stumble into the fire? Knock down a stilted building? Get dragged off into the jungle by some indeterminate beast?
Rather than embarrass herself further, she bowed her head gently in silent thanks, and packed her new belongings. The bag was heavy, the weight proving a bit of comfort as she slung it back over her shoulder.
Juli, decent person that she was, said, "See you soon!" to which Rhiva nodded, her cheeks pink as she descended the stairs.
WC: 862