Tales of the Jewel

"Go that way, Ide-sama," said the teamster, "past three streets on the left, and look for the taller building with the purple door. Open hand on it, like on Ide-sama's clothes." The teamster pointed in the direction, adding "And begging Ide-sama's pardon, but this'n's gotta get to work an' all."

Rettousei nodded his head in reply, saying "Thanks" in the Mekhem his sensei had told him was the local language, and in which he'd studied but still needed to get practice. "Carry the Fortunes," he added as he made his way towards the indicated place.

Slowly.

Does that count as a street or an alley?

Or is that just a sewer? Whew!

A woman walked about looking around sort of lost. I thought this was the way to the Bazaar...or was it... I should have turned left instead of right. She tried to find her bearings and found none. The woman whispered in Mekhem. "By the Godess...I am lost again..." Meresanhk sighted.

A group of chatting people pressed ahead unheeding, and Rettousei stepped back to avoid them--almost bumping into someone, himself.

"Oh! My 'pologies!" he exclaimed in accented Mekhem. "So many people here!"

He turns and bows. "Didn't get you, did I?"

"Huh..." Meresanhk as she glared at the Rokugani. "not to worry... I was distracted." The young woman dusted off. "Salam..." She smiled. "I am Mereasanhk of the Senpet."

Rettousei makes another bow. "Ide Rettousei," he says, by way of introduction. "Pleasure to meet you."

He glances around a moment, then adds "Is it always so busy here?"

"Yes...more so that the weather is better in the day. It is wise to take advantage of the sun when it is up as the nights become freezing cold." The lady explained. "Winter is fast approaching and maybe storms will come."

"So, where are the--Senpet, you said?" Rettousei asks. "Are there many of your people here?"

Meresanhk chuckled. " Many will be at the Bazaar and the residential area for our delegates is right..." She tried and look around to find her bearings. "Around here somewhere... I know I can get there... it will take me some time... I am not really good at directions." The girl admitted. "I was trying to get to the Bazaar and I ended up here..."

"I don't think I can help you with that," Rettousei says. "I only just got here, myself. First time in this city."

He looks around again. "I didn't know cities could be like this, really. Everything is so..."

Rettousei trails off, not really having the vocabulary in Mekhem to put his thoughts into words.

The Senpet smiled and chuckled. "I know I will arrive there eventually." She looked around and looked at the foreigner. Meresanhk place a finger on her lower lip. "Exotic..."