A bell jingled nearby, indicating that a new patron had entered the store. Alys ignored it; whatever that person needed or wanted was none of her concern, and she had no interest in socializing just for the sake of it. Besides, the market was crowded and busy today, with the Flowerbirth Ball looming right around the corner, and whoever it was was probably just as intent on their own hunt for clothes or fabric or jewelry or whatever it was that they would have no interest in Alys.
So she wasn't expecting the stranger to appear at her side or to speak to her, and when he did both, she jumped in surprise. It was a man, a bit older and quite a bit taller than her, and he was complimenting her choice of fabric. She stared at him, unsure how to respond to a stranger offering advice on her wardrobe. On the one hand, it was quite odd. But on the other, she didn't have much fashion sense, and having even a perfect stranger offer praise for her choice was reassuring for the young woman.
In the end, she simply said, "Thanks?" and left it at that. Perhaps, if she left it at that, he would go on his way and leave her be.
So she wasn't expecting the stranger to appear at her side or to speak to her, and when he did both, she jumped in surprise. It was a man, a bit older and quite a bit taller than her, and he was complimenting her choice of fabric. She stared at him, unsure how to respond to a stranger offering advice on her wardrobe. On the one hand, it was quite odd. But on the other, she didn't have much fashion sense, and having even a perfect stranger offer praise for her choice was reassuring for the young woman.
In the end, she simply said, "Thanks?" and left it at that. Perhaps, if she left it at that, he would go on his way and leave her be.
alys glasse
waiting for the right mind to drive insane
