Welcome to Gaia! ::

Earendil noticed that Lin was looking at the signs, and he smiled at her.

"They have a different rune system than we have," he murmured. "Different from any I've seen, actually, though I did learn it when I was young."

Amalirahc looked perfectly at ease, but River seemed a bit agitated.

"Where is everyone?" she asked quietly. "I don't see anyone ... the sun's been up for an hour already, where are they?"

"They're probably still in bed," Amalirahc spoke up with the authority of one who had been there before. "The last time we were here, they didn't open their shops until well over an hour past sunrise! What a waste of a day, don't you think?"

"Yes," River decided. "I would not want to sleep when it's light outside, that's a waste of time."

Earendil chuckled softly. "Remember, they're different from us," he reminded them. "Their customs will be different as well - but that doesn't mean that we can disrespect them."

"Regardless, people are people, whatever their race," Earendil said again. "To them, we're the odd ones."

"I know," Amalirahc said cheerfully. "They're not very nice about it, but you just have to ignore that. They don't like people who are different very much."

"Well, I don't know that they're afraid," Amalirahc smiled at Lin. "They just like to make rude comments. I don't let it bother me."

They reached the end of the residential sector. There was a wide open area with a paved ground, and in the center of it was a water fountain with water running through it. All around the open area was a circle of stores, a bit like Caras Galadhon's design.

"Look!" Amalirahc pointed across the square at one of the shops. "There's an open shop!"

"Bakery, looks like," Earendil commented. "And it looks quite decent."

The shop was well kept, especially compared to the first bakery they'd seen. It was built from yellow bricks, the front window was spotless, the sign mounted neatly above the door and clearly painted.

"Second breakfast!" Amalirahc said gleefully, one hand wrapped tightly around the purse of coins his mother had given him.

River blinked at him. "But we just had breakfast!" she protested. "How could you still be hungry?"

"I'm always hungry," Amalirahc grinned. "I'm a growing boy, after all!"

Earendil chuckled. "Well, this early they may not have anything ready anyways," he reminded the boy. "But we'll check it out."

In Lin's arms, Andarien was sucking on his fist and looking around, his eyes wide. This was all new to him - he hadn't yet been in a town (other than a brief stint in Ethuil but it had been so long ago and so brief that he didn't even have the faintest memory of it).

"I don't know," Amalirahc grinned at Miyuki. "But Mama says when kids are that hungry that they're always eating, it means their body is trying to grow. So that's what I say. I'm a growing boy, so I need more food."

Earendil laughed. "Well, it's your money, if you want to buy something to eat, that's fine. Just make sure it's something small so you're hungry again at lunch."

"I will be!" Amalirahc promised.

Andarien by this time was well able to recognize the voices of his parents, and he looked up at Lin when she spoke to him. "Jza!" he said, holding his drooly hand up to her.

"It does smell good," River agreed brightly.

Amalirahc didn't say anything, but simply kept smelling the air, his eyes glazing over slightly. It seemed he really was hungry.

Earendil chuckled and opened the door for the children. "Go ahead," he grinned.

Andarien smiled and giggled at Lin.