Serenity got off the wagon, but not before putting the hood on her head. She stood there for a moment and examined the streets, smelled the air and noticed things like the people walking about and the lit window spaces in the homes.
It was as if she stepped on unfamiliar ground even though this place had been her home for the majority of her life. For the second time she would be stepping on the lowest plane of Highever, having never gone lower than to the middle markets where James's family lived. There she would be headed, but before she would walk on that street she needed to see an old acquaintance, a friend she could trust.
Serenity walked up the hills towards the lower markets, passing by sleeping homes and a few stands that were still open this late at night, though Serenity wasn't exactly sure of the time of day. From a distance she could hear the cheers and boom of the arena, where they held entertainment on a regular basis, usually magic duels.
She made her way to the lower market where she knew one store in particular would be open, and within an array of peculiar items, but it was something enchanted she searched for.
The wooden building was single story, and the front seemed harmless, "Bobbles and Things," she used to laugh at the name before. She walked in and removed her hood when she saw that no one else was inside at the moment.
A young, elfish looking man in a stylish vest and glasses walked in from the back, holding a box. When he saw Serenity he dropped the box and stammered.
"Hush, not so loud!" she wasn't sure why she felt the need to say that given they were alone. She sighed when she realized this and walked up to the elf.
"How are you Gregory?"
She couldn't think of anything else to say short of getting to the point of her visit, but Serenity hadn't seen him in years and he reasonably would have hundreds of questions she couldn't answer right this moment.
"I came to see James' family: his mother, brother, sister, and uncle. Are they alright? Did the Justice send out a search warrant for me, for James?"
She kept turning back towards the door to see if anyone was coming in this evening, "I'm sorry to ask, but could you lock up for the moment? I feel like I can't risk being seen, or at least talk in your back room?"
Gregory sighed and went to the door, starting to lock up the door.
Yes, yes...I was locking up anyway. They did send out a warrant, for you and James. His family is.... He paused, locking down the windows.
Concerned. They will be happy to see you, though it won't prove James' innocence. They looked around for you here, for the longest time. They have a magical beacon...I'm not sure if it's worn off by now, but if you go around in the daytime they will be looking for you.
Serenity looked down a little confused, or at least surprised.
"They actually put up a search warrant for me?"
My own father didn't mind allowing the order? Regardless of how embarrassing it would be to our family?
Serenity hadn't given her father much thought in recent times, though they never agreed when it came to James, she still very much loved him, and he her...or so she hoped.
Even if my heart felt it was right to leave, I surely broken his in the process...
Serenity looked back up to Gregory, trying to hide her guilt.
"So it will be difficult to freely walk the streets then...Well what about James' family, where are they, are they alright? I've only come to see them and then leave quickly."
They're fine. They're uptown, still in their old house. Your father is...resigned to what happened. He sighed, leaning against the counter and rubbing his forehead.
And yes, it will be hard to walk around during the day. You can't go out in that cloak, you'll stick out like a sore thumb. He looked down.
Serenity sighed with great relief, "Oh thank the gods, forever I thought they had been sent to prison. Oh I'd see them now but its near curfew I take it..."
She noticed Gregory studying her through the corner of her eye and she turned her head to see him better, "What are you doing cheeky Elf? Just because we haven't seen each other in ages doesn't mean I won't hesitate to slap you again like I used to."
Madam, you wound me. Besides, you know which way I swing. He went into his back room and started to look for something.
Yes, the curfew's in effect. You could probably leave early tomorrow evening before it goes into effect again. You might need something to disguise yourself if something goes wrong, though.
"Yes, that's what I wanted to ask you about, a disguise."
She wanted to travel during the evening where it would be easier to sneak through the streets without being noticed perhaps, but she would need something more if she was forced to go out during the day.
She walked a little after him when he walked to the back room and stopped just behind the counter, "What did you have in mind?"
He pulled out a necklace, and showed it to her. It was very plain, a circle with a green gem.
This is the only thing I have right now. It's mostly used as...a practical joke or a prank. When you put on, you will... He seemed reluctant. He cleared his throat.
There was a silence, enough so that one could easily pick up the sound of crickets, the wind blowing, the wind blowing stronger, the wind blowing even stronger, and then it finally stopped.
Serenity cracked a smile before putting a hand on the Elf's shoulder, "What else do you have?"
This is...the only thing I have. You could go through the sewers, or try and make it through the city without someone noticing you. He balled up the necklace in his hand and shrugged.
Serenity sighed, feeling like this was just a big joke now as it may well be since Gregory wouldn't have a problem hitting on her now, seriously. At the moment, she doubted that was on the Elf's mind.
"Very well then..." she reluctantly took the necklace and shoved it into her pocket, "Could I spend the night here then, or is my face not terribly recognizable? I hardly came down to this part of the city. They didn't post my portrait did they?"