i felt the earth beneath my feet (Ashe)

The afternoon seemed to drag on. People in the marketplace were starting to return to their farms and homes, leaving the usually crowded streets rather bare for a week day. The usual stands she did her business with were closed for the day, and Slebi was lugging around her wicker basket of goods with a frown on her lips. She needed to get rid of some of these things, and in doing so, return home with a good amount of goods for her family. Her mother especially needed some honey or beeswax. Preferably honey, since beeswax was rather bitter and icky to swallow for sore throats. But you had to deal with what you were able to get.

Cream. What she wouldn't give for fresh cream right about now. Goat's milk wasn't a particular favorite of Selbi's, but anything thick and soothing (and hopefully cold) would be a Godsend about now. Selbi decided to make one last effort to sell her goods to the last open stand, before giving up and heaving her grains and vegetables back home. She hadn't to think of the disappointment on her father's face. But it just wasn't the right season to be selling. At least, not for her.

She waddled slowly over to the last stand, thoughts of cold cream or fruits causing her mouth to moisten in anticipation. But she wasn't going to buy anything extra. She never did, she had too many people back home counting on her to bring them things they desperately needed, not spend what little she had on herself. But Selbi wasn't going to get very far anyways. As she approached the stand she noticed the small group of Peacekeepers that had entered the square. They were dressed all in white, as usual, and sent a shiver down her spine. She had never found peacekeepers to be very friendly people. Rather, they just stared at you from behind their masks, and ordered you to do more. Harvest more. Work more. Give more. Selfish, angry, things.

Selbi opted to duck into the nearest alley, to wait for them to pass by before she tried to trade anything else. She could try to sell to them, but more then likely they'd make her give over what she had and send her home with nothing but shaken nerves. She leaned against the side of the building, thanking it for offering her shade, and trying to seem as small as possible to the outside world. And just as the Peacekeepers passed by the opening of the alley, she heard it. Or him, since the voice was a bit deeper then a female's or an it's. With perked ears she stood up straight, staring down the alley way with squinted eyes. It wasn't necessarily dark, but Selbi was having a hard time seeing lately, either from exhaustion or old age she couldn't tell.

"Hello?" She tossed her wicker basket over her shoulder, keeping the items locked securely inside, and took a few steps farther in. Just a couple yards ahead of her, she spotted him. A boy about her age, with brilliant blond hair sat on the ground, something dripping down his arm. It took Selbi a few moments to figure out just what it was, before she gasped and rushed over to him. Bending over, she inspected his wound without getting terribly close to his face. "Are you alright?" Her voice was calm, although her insides were reeling at the sight, she wasn't much for blood.