I c'n, but na' as fast as I could out there.I c'n, but na' as fast as I could out there." "Oh," Kitty said. "At least ye' needn't fear getting wi' child, lass. That donna happen in Backwater. One o' Shardik's rules, he says. There's been some talk o' moving backwater to a new world, where his rules donna reach, but thas' been shelved. Rule makes sense, I says. Aside's sometimes people come in, an' they's changed. And sometime, the children's just the ref's NPDs." "NPDs?" Kitty asked. "Non-Player Droids." Alfar had trouble maintaining his accent while discussing game mechanics. Kitty nodded. She thanked Alfar for the meal and asked for a key to her room. "You be goin' up now?" "No, but when I come back..." "I'll be here, lassie. You go on... we han't got no real keys, not round these parts." Kitty wandered out into the city, looking around for a merchant where she could buy some things she now wanted. There was nothing of the sort to be found immediately; she walked back towards the gate and asked one of the guards. He directed back towards to right, towards the bazaar. The bazaar was a riot of colors, smells and sounds, densely packed with people jostling each other; from far ahead of her came the sounds of swords, and of cheering. She found several clothes merchants, and stopped at one. A Mephit, dressed in a shockingly tacky silver-lame kilt and leather vest, turned to her and "Yes? Kin I help yu?" Kitty stifled a laugh. The accent was outrageous; all the words were crammed together, they came out as one phrase: "KinIhelpyu?" She pointed to a heavy, padded coat and a large muffler and paid for both. The Mephit looked at her as they exchanged coins and said "It is not winter. Why do you need these clothes?" Kitty shot him a dirty look, and he backed off momentarily. |