Rosemarie walked ahead of Vritra, keeping a careful gap between them as they navigated the winding streets of the lower city.
The air was thick with the smell of unwashed bodies, sewage, and the dry dust carried by the Red Desert winds. The harsh sunlight beat down on them, but it was nowhere near as overwhelming as the feeling of poverty that seemed to press in from all sides.
Vritra walked casually behind her with his hands clasped behind his back as he glanced around with mild interest. The smirk that usually sat on his face had faded into a more thoughtful expression.
They walked past a group of children playing in the dirt.
Their clothes were ripped and dirty.
One of the kids stopped for a moment.
… Hm?
He stared at the odd pair. His eyes lingered on Vritra's dark, stylish outfit, which stood out sharply against the shabby rags everyone else wore.
The child waved excitedly at the beautiful nun.
