Plate full of food, Finklehead came to join Marley and Cosaria at their table. Cosaria was in an odd sort of mood as she picked at her food in a melancholy way.
Looking around, Finklehead said, "Where's Tilda?"
Marley said, "Yeah, Ofelia is showing her around. You know, something about an ancient monster arena."
Finklehead said, "You didn't go with them?"
"We'll meet up with them later," Marley said but she wasn't sure they would. Cosaria had been dragging her feet and acting like she didn't want to go sightseeing again.
Cosaria said, "Well, I thought it would be best if I didn't go. I don't feel good about going to a place like that. I don't know how Tilda can stand it."
It made Cosaria shudder to think about the gruesome historical battles and horrible violence that must have gone on in such a despicable place.
༻✧༺
Meanwhile, Felux, Ofelia, and Tilda stood in the ruins of a giant stone coliseum. Ofelia pointed to the arena in the middle, saying, "It's said they filled the arena with water fer battles against sea monsters."
Tilda gawked, "That is incredible!"
༻✧༺
Back in the dining hall, Cosaria continued to push her food around in proper homesick fashion.
Finklehead rolled her eyes.
"Lady Finklehead," Marley said. She swallowed while frowning. "Do you have any advice for visiting Ragdorians like Lady Cosaria and I?"
Cosaria perked up, saying, "What a good idea! I don't want to offend anyone while I'm here."
Finklehead mumbled, "It would be good to learn how not to take offense as well."
Marley said, "What?"
Finklehead changed the subject, saying, "Firstly, mealtimes. Meals are for conversation, not to show off how well-mannered you are."
Cosaria daintily dabbed her face with her napkin while Finklehead put a bite of food in her mouth. Talking with her mouth full, Finklehead said, "When you eat, you talk, and if you don't talk and participate, it's seen as being rude."
Cosaria gasped, "Have I been seen as being rude?"
Finklehead said, "The Lothar's are used to Ragdorians, so no. but if you ever eat at a table with other Centralists, you'll need to learn to eat and talk."
"Eat and talk at the same time?" Cosaria lowered her voice, "That's just so unsightly."
Finklehead said, "Again, it's just a difference in priorities. Ragdorians prioritize image, Centralists prioritize interaction."
Looking around, Marley said, "We can practice right now."
Cosaria nodded in agreement.
As both Marley and Cosaria took a bite, Cosaria said, "How mare ywo twodway?"
Marley flinched as a piece of food from Cosaria's mouth flew onto her face.
Pretending not to be absolutely disgusted, Marley said, "Gwood."
Finklehead covered a smile. She was too stoic to show her laughter.
After Cosaria finished chewing and swallowing, she said, "How was that?"
Finklehead grunted down her chuckle, saying, "Great. That was great."
Cosaria said, "Perfect, I'll do that next mealtime."
Wiping her face, Marley said, "Uh, you know, I don't think that's a good idea, Lady Cosaria."
Ignoring Marley, Cosaria said, "What's next?"
Finklehead said, "When you've finished eating, don't expect someone to take your plate away. You have to take care of it yourself, so just toss it in the trash bin."
Looking at the leftover chicken on her plate, Cosaria asked, "What about the excess? Doesn't it go to the servants?"
That's was how it worked in the Ragdor kingdom. The nobles were fed first with the freshest, finest dishes, and anything they didn't eat went to the rest of the castle. The knights ate next, then the commoners. Cosaria always ate light, so that the servants would have plenty of leftovers. It was her little way of giving back.
"No," Finklehead said, "The servants get a portion for themselves, they don't need the leftovers."
Marley said, "Then the leftovers just get thrown away?"
Confused, Cosaria said, "That seems like such a waste."
Finklehead shrugged while Cosaria mourned the fate of the leftover chicken on her plate.
Finklehead said, "Some people give the leftovers to pigs or chickens if they have them."
Cosaria shook her head and said, "So odd."
Marley said, "I'll take your plate, Lady Cosaria."
"Thank you, Lady Marley."
Marley took the plates to the bin while Finklehead frowned. These two clearly did not understand the lesson of independence. It was expected that one would take care of themselves. Not constantly cater to another. Or be catered to. Would these two ever learn that lesson?
Finklehead said, "Last thing you need to know about mealtime; Centralists like to drink. The Providences have bars and pubs like how the Ragdor kingdom has churches. Now, just because that's the expectation, that doesn't mean it's true for every Centralist. Ofelia and Rayn don't drink."
Marley said, "I don't think I've ever seen Felux take a drink either."
"It's up to individual preference, but on the whole, it's customary to offer at least a small quantity of liquor at each mealtime. Dinner especially, should be furnished for drinking."
Cosaria said, "Oh, I'm familiar with that. My father had a drink at every meal."
Marley said, "Sounds like he would have fit right in here, you know."
"Oh, I don't think so. He never saw all humans as being equal. Some just weren't worthy."
Marley frowned while Finklehead furrowed her brow in confusion.
Finklehead said, "How were you not influenced by his ideology? I myself have had a lot of prejudices to overcome."
Cosaria said, "I suppose that's because I was one of the ones he didn't consider worthy to be equal."
The air in the room turned stale as silence dominated the moment.
Having finally understood why Cosaria did not want to attend the funeral, Marley changed the subject, and said, "Shall we go explore the market now?"
༻✧༺
The market was a bustling place full of compact stalls leading into different shops. It was called 'the mall'. Everything was close by and competition was high.
Finklehead pointed to the open atmosphere and said, "Centralists love to haggle. You'll often hear them bragging about who got what at the lowest price."
"How odd," Cosaria said. "I often heard Brutis bragging about how expensive the items he bought were."
Finklehead said, "Being thrifty is seen as a virtue."
Marley asked, "What does thrifty mean?"
Finklehead was not impressed. She said, "It means to use your money with great care."
Marley glanced at Cosaria to see if she could further explain. Cosaria shrugged. She also had no idea what being 'thrifty' was.
Finklehead said, "If you're planning on buying anything here, you're going to need to learn how to work their system. I'll give you an example."
Finklehead went over to a nearby shop, picked out a bracelet and began a conversation with the shopkeeper. She pointed to the listed price, then said, "You say it's worth twenty. I'll give you 10."
"10! Naw," The shopkeeper said, "You'll see the chain, it's nice. You'll see? The jewels? Aye, very nice. 18."
"15, I have much better pieces at home."
"Mmm, hmm, 17.50."
Finklehead put her finger on her chin. With a click of the tongue, she said, "How about 16.93?"
"Deal!"
The shopkeeper shook Finklehead's hand as they exchanged coins.
Showing off her bracelet, Finklehead said, "See easy."
Cosaria swallowed hard.
Finklehead said, "Now you give it a try. It's best if the final number you give out is a very specific number."
Cosaria said, "I don't know if I could. Marley, won't you go first?"
"Oh, uh, yeah, um, sure. I'll, you know. I'll do that."
Marley walked over to the shop and took only a moment until she spotted some earrings that were to her liking.
The shopkeeper approached her and asked, "Ye lot from Ragdor?"
Marley said, "Oh man. Yeah, it's our first time in the area."
"Welcome! It's good to be having ye. Ye find something to yer likin?"
"Well, yeah, actually," Marley said as she picked up the earrings. "These are very nice."
The shopkeeper could tell these were newbies and wanted to make it easy for the group. The shopkeeper started the exchange, saying, "How about 20 for it?"
"20?! The tag says 18."
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Then you'll take it fer 18?"
Marley said, "I'll take it for 9. Maybe."
"16"
"13"
"15.50"
"13.25"
The shopkeeper said, "14.50"
Marley stared. Hard.
"14.25, and I'll throw in this beaded ring," The shopkeeper said.
Marley said, "That's a deal."
"You drive a hard bargain."
Both the shopkeeper and Marley broke out into grins. After exchanging currency, Marley shook the shopkeeper's hand vigorously.
Wearing her new beaded ring, Marley approached her companions and said, "That was so fun! Go on Lady Cosaria, you have to try it."
Finklehead frowned. It was not supposed to be that easy. Especially for someone like Marley.
Nodding, Cosaria said, "Yes, I'll try to be bold."
Cosaria bravely stepped forward. She took more time looking through the wares than Finklehead or Marley. She just wanted to make sure the thing she got was perfect. Finally, she spied a watch. She mumbled, "This would look so good on Delrik."
The shopkeeper, who was expert in customer relations, said, "A lover perhaps?"
"Oh no," Cosaria blushed. "We're not like that. I mean, we are married but, really, we're just friends."
"How can ye be married and 'just friends'. That doesn't work."
Cosaria said, "Well, it's… complicated. That's all.'
"Aye, must be." The shopkeeper pointed to the watch and said, "Yer eye's taken a fancy to it?"
"I think maybe yes. I would like to buy it."
Giving Cosaria a chance to make the first offer, the shopkeeper said, "How much'd you like fer it?"
Hesitantly, Cosaria said, "Well, the tag says 50, so I was thinking, 45?"
The shopkeeper's eyebrows went up. They were not expecting such a high offer.
Cosaria misread the shopkeeper and started to panic, thinking she had offended them. She said, "Is that too low, I'm so sorry. 47 is better, isn't it? No? 48 then? Yes 48."
Cosaria reached into her purse then paused. She said, "Wait, but you didn't agree to it. I'm so sorry, I should just pay 50. No? Then 55, yes?"
"Stop, stop, stop," The shopkeeper said, "Before ye go charging yerself more than the listed price."
"Oh…" Cosaria said.
"I'll agree to yer 45."
"You will?" Cosaria sighed in relief. "Oh good."
The shopkeeper would have taken 25 for the simple accessory, but with how much this poor girl was panicking, she felt it necessary to end the exchange as fast as possible and give her some kind of a win.
The shopkeeper said, "Next time, don't be afraid to start yer offer lower. The lower ye start, the better deal ye'll get."
Cosaria said, "How low do I start?"
"Traditionally, it's just over half the listed price but it can be dependent on the item and where yer shoppin."
"Oh. Thank you."
As Cosaria took the watch and walked away, the shopkeeper said, "Best of luck to ye." Cosaria smiled and waved.
Cosaria was practically jumping up and down when she told Finklehead and Marley, "I got this watch for 45! I actually did it. I haggled. Did you see me, Lady Marley? I was so bold!"
"Ah. Yeah." Marley said.
Finklehead mumbled, "Barely."
This time, Marley heard Finklehead, and she glared at her. While Marley would also not describe Cosaria's actions as being 'bold', she didn't want to ruin Cosaria's hard won 'victory'. And no matter the reason, Marley did not approve of the way Finklehead treated Cosaria.
Ignorant of any ill will, Cosaria said, "I can't wait to tell Tilda. That shopkeeper was so nice. I'm so glad we decided to stay with Lady Finklehead. I think this has been most beneficial. Thank you so much Lady Finklehead for teaching us about the Central Provinces of Galtrum."
Finklehead rolled her eyes and said flatly, "Of course. It's my duty."
Cosaria said, "I liked being bold. I'm going to work hard so that I can become bolder. Then maybe I'll have the courage to…" She stopped talking.
Marley asked, "To what?"
Cosaria blushed red. She said, "To tell Delrik how I feel."
Marley gasped with a huge smile. She said, "Oh man, that's a great idea! And, you know, I'm going to help you in any way I can!"
Watching the two interact, Finklehead said, This ought to be interesting.
༻✧༺
While everyone was busy, Beniter was enjoying his time training and exploring with his new friends, Gareth and Reed. They were sitting at a table outside the knight's mess hall discussing the upcoming events.
Reed was asking Beniter, "Ye donna ken what a tourni be?"
"No," Beniter said, guessing at the meaning, "I don't know."
Reed said, "A tourni is short fer tournament. Knights from all over the region fight in a huge battle and compete fer the title of tourni champion. The winner'd be the one who captures the most knights. Many knights come sponsored by different clans. Oftentimes, knights'll form an army under the same clan crest. See, ye can't capture a knight if he's one in yer army. Bein in an army'll increase yer chances but decrease yer spoils. Yer expected to share yer haul. Often knights'll try fer small armies. Gareth's joinin the Lothar army fer this tourni, ain't ye Gareth?"
Gareth said, "Aye, it'll be my first tourni."
Beniter asked, "Are you going to participate Reed?"
Reed said, "Naw, not I. I'd get pummeled and squashed in the first minute, I ken."
Gareth said, "Failin means yer playin."
"Not if I'm dead!"
"Yer a long time dead anyway."
Reed said, "Get a load of this guy. Tryin to get me to the graveyard faster than my last burd."
Beniter smiled. He could sense the atmosphere was light and joking but he was thinking, I have no idea what they're talking about.
CPG slang was not his specialty.
Reed turned to Beniter and asked, "What about ye?"
Beniter said, "I can't participate, can I? I'm a foreigner."
Gareth said, "Doesn't matter."
Reed said, "Delrik, he and Felux'd been a team, they took champion every tourni they entered. Delrik's a Ragdorian, you see."
"Yeah," Beniter said, "I know Delrik, -er Lord Delrik."
Reed said, "Ye don't need titles here."
Gareth said, "We're a Jock Tamson's bairns."
Reed continued, "If yer wanting to enter ye'd ask Lurois Lothar. He'd get ye in without trouble."
"He's looking fer young blood like us." Gareth taunted Reed, saying, "Ain't that right?"
"Haud yer weesht."
Beniter smiled. Again, he had no idea what they were saying, but he did understand one thing; He could join a tourni.
༻✧༺
On the top floor of one of Lurois's skyscraper building, there was a large room with a huge window overlooking the city. The group had reconvened and Ofelia was showing Cosaria and Marley the view, pointing out different locations in the city. Marley was ecstatic while Cosaria couldn't quite get over the worry of how the building's structure slightly swayed.
Tilda sat on the couch with Felux. He had accompanied Tilda and Ofelia the entire day, like a ghost hanging around in the background. At first, he had tried to tell stories about the places they toured, but Ofelia's overwhelming personality didn't leave much room for Felux to add. Eventually, he didn't have much to say and he even fell asleep at the evening play they attended.
Tilda said, "I'm sorry it was so boring today."
Felux said, "I'm glad you'd fun. It's good you're bonding with Ofelia. She's been wantin a sister forever."
"But you looked so bored."
Felux shrugged, saying, "I was, but that's that."
Tilda said, "Sounds like you need something to pass the time."
"That's likely."
Beniter entered the room being escorted by one of the Knights. He went straight to Felux and asked, "Felux, do you have a moment?"
"Aye," Felux said as he got up off the couch. Then he and Beniter went to the corner of the room to convene.
Beniter said, "I'd like to enter the upcoming tourni."
"Do you, now?"
"I heard that there's an army forming under Lurois Lothar."
"Aye," Felux said. He had heard mention that his father was planning on sponsoring an army.
"I know I'm not a Lord like Lord Delrik but, do you think I could enter? Or, if I even should?"
"That's an idea," Felux said, tapping his chin. "Let's do it." Felux turned to Tilda and said, "Tilda?"
"Yes?"
Smiling, Felux said, "I found my way fer passin time."