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The shop was a multi-level general store, with areas above it that were clearly living spaces, and various goods on display. A sweet smell, of thick cream and sugar and other mouth watering but nameless baking smells. The canvas that served as a door was attached to a bone chime that rang merrily as it was moved away, echoing in the store that was, as yet, empty...

~~~

Chandaki, or Shandi as she liked to be called, was bored out of her skull. Their shop and home was located on a road, so, typically, it was not a lonely place. People, strangers and regulars alike, often came by, bringing news and goods to trade for their confections and food and, for some, a safe place to sleep that was not a damp tree branch.

But the past few days had been bare of travellers, and this just would not do for the energetic little busybody. The worst part was that she had been managing things alone since yesterday – her father had gone into Sol to pick up some new supplies from a friend there, and had left her to do things like sell items, prepare caramels, and generally.... well... stuff.

It wasn't that Shandi could do it, it was just that it was boring. Horribly boring. And unlike her father – who she loved very much – she just could not do boring.

So when the little bone door chime rang, she leapt up out of her crouch in front of the fire, dropping her beading – for belts – immediately. “Coming!” she called, running towards the front as fast as her little preteen Shifter legs could take her.

Shandi popped around the corner, her copious momentum carrying her even though she wanted to pause and assess.

There was an Alkidike standing there. An Alkidike. A freaking giant green woman Alkdike.

Shandi managed to make it to the front. Hey, that was fine, there'd been Alkidike customers in before – though they were rare -and they'd been... well enough, if a bit rude. Free samples of her fathers special caramel usually calmed them down, though.

“Hiii!” she said, perkily. She couldn't be afraid of the Alkdike. For one thing, Shandi had no fear – barely any at all anyway – and for another thing, hadn't she been praying for an end to her boredom?

An Alkidike would serve that purpose just fine.

Shandi looked up and up and up – dang the woman was tall. “How can I help a traveller today?” she chirped, squinting.

Something about the Alkidike seemed familiar, very familiar. Was it the bald head? Was it the... “Oh! You have a kinfa!” she squealed, noticing the baby bird on the womans back, “It's so cute! Can I pet it? What does it eat? I bet we have it, whatever it is!” she bubbled, gesturing for the woman to come further inside.

She really did look familiar, and Shandi didn't know many Alkidikes... Maybe two who were around the area and dropped by, and a few transient travellers, and...

Didn't she know someone else? She was sure she did.

“We have lots of things to sell or trade! Anything a traveller might want, so my Pappa says!” she continued, beaming, “So if you're looking for it, I probably have it somewhere!”

Little did she know.

Awwww! It – She? Was so cute!

Shandi pet the little bird lightly on the head. “She's soft!” Shandi exclaimed, delighted. Having an idea, she moved quickly, grabbing a cusion – stars only knew why they had them – and gently lifted the kinfa onto it.

So cute! She wanted to hug it, but she didn't want to hurt its fluffy body or upset the alkidike, so she settled for snuggling at the downy feathers. “And she's so cute! I want one... where did you get her?”

Ah, wait, customer! “Be right back!” she said, seeming to bounce up from her joyful cuddling position to an equally joyful standing position, “We have real food! We have lots of things! I'll go get something!” she chimed, darting to the back of the store to grab a plate and one of the veggie-and-meat kebabs that she'd been roasting – because of the dearth of customers, that had been all she'd been eating, so it would be nice to have one less kebab to put away in storage or eat.

She put on a clump of steamed grains from the big cooking pot and grabbed some bread to eat it with, tottering out with the whole plate mess and putting it on the counter with some relief. “I think that will do!” she said proudly, regarding her handiwork. “Oh!” she said, remembering the kinfa. She grabbed a pouch of large tree seeds and offered it one. “Here you go! Yummy yummy nuts.” she cooed at the birdie, adoring it suitably, before looking up at the alkidike.

She looked really familiar. Really really familiar. She'd definitely seen her before.

Maybe she was older now, with more muscles and swords? thought Shandi, her heart beginning – more than usual – to race within the confines of her chest, Maybe she wasn't lying down, making her twisting markings into square waves among the smooth curves of the bedsheets? The pieces started to come together and Shandi could feel her excitement hitting a whole new level.

Was it her, she wondered, the unconcious alkidike that she had seen receive a gift from a Shifter back at the tournament? Was it?

Shandi wondered if she had been alone in this house too long, with nothing to do. Surely that single alkidike – and the accompanying story of what had to be tragedy and love and loss and other delicious tidbits – wouldn't simply walk into her pappa's store. No, such a juicy oppurtunity for information and stories was something you had to follow through the woods for days... right?

”What do you think?” she asked, ”I've got other things back there, if you want them.”

”Oh!” she exclaimed. Yes, right, price. Papa would be pissed if she didn't charge, and he was a pain to deal with when he was in a bad mood, and she needed him proud and pliable so that she could have him get that hair barette next time he was in Sol... She stated the usual price for the meal and the nuts, took the money, and gave the Alkidike – who was very polite and still very familiar in a way that Chandraki still couldn't place (or didn't dare to place) – a cup of fresh, tart juice. ”... for free.” she said, cheerfully, her youthful eyes glittering. Hopefully, that would butter up the alkidike into telling her what she was doing so far from Alkidike lands.
Shandi bet that it was probably an exciting story, full of adventure and intrigue and... oooo, maybe love and tragedy and all that delicious stuff. She had to wait for the Alkidike to take the bait, though, so she didn't bid farewell to her burden just yet.
”We have rooms – safe and clean and comfortable, up in the tree, you know? – if you want to stay the day or the night or whatever, 'cause you look tired and all.” she chattered, grinning eagerly, ”They've got pillows.” she added, as a deal-sweetening afterthought, ”and they're dry. So if you want one, just let me know and I'll set it up for you.” She hopped from foot to foot, trying to keep her excitement as subtle as she could (and failing).
”I mean, you look like you've come a long way” this part of Jahuar was not close to Alkidike lands, after all, ”And you probably have a long way to go too. Where are you going, anyway?” she chirped, ”Ast?” She patted herself on the back mentally for her 'subtle' question.

Oo, a person? Chandraki gave up on not hopping and instead plopped on the floor to pet the kinfa.

She wondered why the Alkidike was looking for a person, but of course, being Shandi, her mind supplied a thousand possibilities. Maybe she was looking for a sister who had gotten lost during the war. Maybe she was looking for a sister's lover who had gotten lost during the war? That was more interesting.

Or, even better, she was looking for her sister's earthling lover who had betrayed her for another person. Oooo! that would be so interesting and exciting and full of drama and romance and vengeance and all of that good stuff.

The only way it could be a better story would be if it was the alkidike's lover, and Chandraki didn't know how close she'd come to the mark with that thought.

Chandraki wanted to blurt out her half-thought questions at the Alkidike and see what she got, but she knew better now. Cool down, Shandi... her father's voice echoed in her mind, Let them tell the story, not you. The reality is much better, especially when they don't want to wring your neck.

Daddy had a point.

”Who are you looking for?” asked Chandraki, feeding another few nuts to the kinfa ”Maybe I know them? Lotsa people pass through here, and I hear things too, so if I don't know them, maybe I know of them.”

The kinfa was adorable and fluffy and any other time Shandi would be adoring it completely and fully.

The Alkidike's answer, however, took all of her attention. ”Hijil?!” she exclaimed, gaping at the woman, ”Did you say...”

And then she knew where she had seen that shaved head before. It was so obvious! How could she have missed it!

”Stars and moon! It's you!” she gasped, her hands going to her mouth.

How had she failed to recognize her, when all she had done, for weeks, was think about the two of them and their tragic tale of love and suffering?

”You're the Alkidike in the tent!” she blurted out, ”With the little wooden thing and... and...” she blushed, ”Oh my gosh...”

In her own defense, Chandraki hadn't expected to return to this story again. After she had followed Hijil to the coast and had gotten the lady to spill all the lovely emotional details, and after Hijil had dumped her off back here, at home, Shandi had thought that the story was closed.

Now, though, here was the sequel, and she was so unexpectedly excited.

”I know her!” Shandi blurted out, her eyes wide and shining, ”I know where she lives!”

The alkidike's reaction was perfect. It was exactly as it should be. Oh, Shandi could only imagine what she must be feeling.

She remembered when she had first tracked down Hijil and gotten her to tell her about the alkidike woman. It had taken wheedling and a nice pouch of good caramel, but she had gotten enough to sustain her through her boredom.

But if this was Bhima... Hijil had said she was dangerous. Not for Hijil, no, of course not. But for Shandi?

Nah. Shandi wasn't scared.

“She is alive!” she confirmed, grinning happily. Hijil had said that Bhima thought she was dead. “She lives in a pretty place by the coast. Its about a day away!” she chirped.

She smiled mischeviously. “I'll take you there. For free.”

But Shandi... said the small, responsible part of her mind, you should stay. Take care of the shop...
Nah

”Finish your kebab and we can go!”

Shandi grinned – she thought it was sort of cute how the Alkidike finished her food so quickly. “Chandaki – Shandi is what everybody calls me, though.” she said, “And I'll be right back!” She skipped up into the rooms to pick up her travel things and pack them with her own supplies, just in case she needed them. Always be prepared her brother had said. Of course, her papa preferred she stay near to home, but Shandi went where the story went.

Ahhh, she was so excited! Today, a story had found her: What a change from the painful boredom that had plagued her! She came down the stairs with her bags. “And something sweet... yes! Right! She really liked the caramels I gave her before...” That I bribed her with she thought, “I'll go grab a bunch!”

She contemplated stuffing them into her own pouch belt, but realized it was probably better if Bhima had them... being the long lost lover and all. “Here!” she said, handing the caramels to her. She took a look around the shop – one last look-over.

You shouldn't be doing this Shandi reminded her conscience.

Bro can deal with it. she retorted.

You're going to be in soooo much trouble...

Too bad. she retorted.

”Okay!” she said, opening the clothen door for the Alkidike in a childish, overenthusiastic parody of politeness, ”Lets go, then!”