The celebration was on roll.
From dancing couples, running children, teenagers or siblings on a walk, old men and women. Everyone frolicking around.
A few screams were heard, but it was all included in the fun.
Doctor Sue and Liz, hadn't gone far yet, they were looking through fringes of the street for a place to stay and not the main street.
It wasn't nice to mingle with people who doesn't want to sleep with people who want one.
So, they scoured the streets for a place to stay.
Dilapidated walls, attached broken wooden doors and creaking wooden floors. The place was damp and warmed by a fireplace near a large metal basin.
Liz peered at it and it was simply disgusting. The water from the bucket was filled with all kinds of things but, the owner argued that it moistens the place. To which, Liz rolled her eyes at that sweet, honey, iced tea. Dead flies were swimming in that water, furthermore it was murky and green.
Simply put, it hadn't been changed for days but the doctor was adamant about staying here and although, she didn't mind. The hygiene was pushing it and the other options was around the radius, it wasn't good for self- control.
Liz simply averted her gaze from the window that had the view of the main street after a few more streets away. She raised her eyes and her eyes went wandering to the doctor who is in a heated exchange against an old man. A man, who looked like he is just one foot from keeling over, observable from his body which is a polite difference from a twig or two pieces of chopstick still joined together with one on its last leg.
Liz mouth twitched, her polite composure faltering as she overheard the negotiations ongoing just a few meters from her.
Doctor Sue simply wasn't the old man's match. One of the things , he simply wasn't good at or didn't have. Just like his taste, when he decided to sleep here.
"Are you staying or not?" Harped the old man with a raise of his brows. Bald with silver hair in the sides of his large head and bones sticking to his skin armed by a walking stick, you could still see the vigor in him.
Pressing his temples, " It is too much, Sir."
Doctor Sue replied with a helpless exclamation. Catching the attention of Liz who was lost in thought and up until now still minded the strange vat in the living room.
" What did he say?", Liz asked, coming over.
"5 large bronze for a stay", Doctor Sue replied at Liz who gaped at the price.
Looking down at her pouch, Liz wished she could still carry herself with boldness and pride. She remembered striding through upscale boutiques, draped in designer clothes, effortlessly commanding attention.
Pointing to this to that---
"I'll take them all in every color,"
she had once said to the clerk, tossing her hair back with a carefree laugh. A smug and confident look plastered on her.
Now, as she faced the lightness of her pouch, her smirk faltered. A faint smile crept onto her lips, a reluctant acknowledgment to the humility her current reality forced upon her, an undeniable truth of how far she had fallen from that carefree confidence.
Facing the seasoned elder, she could only purse her lips and smile apologetically.
"Mister, we would be staying for this long, how about this?-- if we stay for more than 3 weeks we will be paying 5 large bronze per stay but if we stayed more than that you have to normalize the price"
Liz spoke steadily and calmly , stating the price she wanted and the condition she thought was good and smiled mirthlessly. Her face unfazed yet inside she had already released a series of provoking profanities from her meager dictionary. With the price your asking, you might as well had built an inn in the main street!
The old man blinked his eyes at the serious looking lady. Yet, he remained unmoved. He might be smiling but it looked anything but kind and harmless.
"Oho! That's true--but, you need a place to stay right and this is the only place available, look at you. What would happen to you? You should pay my price, just pity this old man , will you?"
Why would I need to lower the price, when I could get the same and higher! In any case, It's my house!
And, clearly, he is lying. There are actually other places to stay but because we've already met you. No other Non-trouble seeking INN owners would be taking us in anymore. Liz knew this, she had observed the people while the Doctor had been talking with the old man. Liz grinded her teeth secretly while blaming Doctor Sue who had long averted his gaze from her. Right now, he simply thought the broken chandelier in the ceiling looked very interesting!
" But, Mister, staying in such place could be bad for my body. I mean- look at my body, what if my brother help you around and add a few more customers for you, I'll pinch in!"
Her eyes sparkled, trying hard to win this.
Old man don't drown your luck! Your using your age then look at mine! Staying at your place look like we'd be spending the night at an apothecary!
Even the Doctor Sue tried his best to show off his medical skills but the old man dismissed him. Trying to help out by fixing out , Doctor Sue was dismayed, that he simply went silent. But, the old man was simply scrooge through and through.
"It's alright, it's alright, when I have the money? I'd make sure to treat you the guests you are! Little princess don't worry about such things, just pay the price!" The old man grinned like a truly worried elder patting the head of Liz who smiled super politely at him. She even clasped her two hands behind her back tightly in simmering frustration. Afraid that one wrong move and they'll be getting three meals a day and that's as companions behind bars. This world are very particular about their rules after all very different from her world.
Behind, Doctor Sue's eyes burned red in chagrin. Without a word, Liz took Doctor Sue's hand, led him to the entrance with her small stature and they left the place together.