12| Lori II

From that very moment, Mel’s calm morning spiralled into a pit of bottomless excitement, with Lori taking the lead. Eustace had sent Lori to take Mel around the vicinity of Grime. While Eustace had made sure Mel got acquainted with Bjorn’s house, the old mother-in-law didn’t have the strength to take Mel around the settlement.

Despite Mel’s attempts of disguising herself, blending in into the simple streets had turned out to be futile. She had the stature of a young teenager in Grime, but the fact that Lori was taking her around the streets didn’t go unnoticed by the residents of the large settlement. And those who had seen her arrive at the shop earlier with Eustace could already tell what the young woman looked like.

“Don’t worry, no one will disturb you,” Lori comforted Mel, taking hold of her hand and guiding her out of the markets and into a more secluded street. Mel tried her best not to wobble, her legs weak from walking here and there. Soft pants exited her mouth and beads of sweat dotted her forehead despite the weather. The curious stares lessened and they became the least of her problems when she realized how tired she was from Lori dragging her around. The cool breeze ruffled strands of Mel’s hair out of place and she looked up at the sky, unable to tell if it was morning, afternoon, or evening.

“It’s early afternoon,” Lori said softly, noticing Mel’s attention to the sky, and presumably the time. She then perked up. “I have an idea, let’s—”

“Please. I would like to sit down,” Mel whispered hoarsely, fed up. “I am tired.”

Lori froze, her eyes widening with alarm as she stared down at Mel. “I—I am very sorry… I have no—here, let’s get you rested!”

They found a bench beneath the awning of a silverware shop and Mel rushed to it, nearly collapsing on the wooden seat. The owners of the shop gleefully crept out to meet Mel and give their greetings, offering her and Lori refreshments, some of which Lori refused.

"Kindly forgive me," Lori said once more, downcast. "I go ahead of myself on occasion. Even my husband complains about this a number of times," she finished with a chuckle and then looked off into the distance, a vast field in front of them that started from the boundary of the cobbled-stoned ground.

"It's alright. You don't need to keep apologising." Mel looked away. "You just have so much energy…"

Lori shyly tugged at one of her braids. "Yes. I did not stop to consider how different you would be… No, not in a mean way. Like—" She smacked her cheeks with both hands and moaned. "Here I am embarrassing myself."

Mel paused. From what she had noticed, Lori had been too chatty for her liking and she honestly hadn't been able to keep up with the Grime woman. Not once did she stop to consider that Lori might have been just as nervous as she was.

"I guess I hadn't thought of that," Mel whispered absentmindedly.

"What?"

"No. I was just talking to myself." A soft smile dotted Mel's lips.

"Oh, I see." Lori's lips spread in a sheepish smile and she fiddled with her fingers on her lap.

They sat in silence, the gentle breeze slaying across their skin and toying with Mel's hair. Lori's beaded braids were too heavy to be lifted by the soft wind, and so they twinkled instead, guided by the slight motions of Lori's head as she gazed upon the scenery before them, a relaxed smile on her face.

Mel stared in awe. The smile had been different from the numerous ones Lori directed at her earlier during the day. The woman beside her now seemed to be at peace, and now that Mel paid more attention to her escorts, Lori appeared to have a certain beauty Mel hadn't seen on any other woman in Grime.

She had flawless skin with light freckles on the bridge of her pointed nose. Coupled with caramel eyes that matched her brown hair, it produced a pleasant combination that Mel couldn't take her eyes away. From Lori's dressing, the woman seemed to be well endowed too.

Mel glanced at her chest, nearly flat in comparison to Lori's. She had never bothered about her features since she had what she considered "enough". But that might not matter now that she was in a different land.

Her mind went to Bjorn and her heart skipped a beat. She had been so enamored with him that she hadn't considered his own feelings in the matter. She blushed, embarrassed. She had remained mute and Eustace had to whisk her away.

"Is something the matter?" Lori questioned.

Mel snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Lori. She folded her lips inward and averted her eyes before looking back at the woman.

"Nothing much…" Mel rubbed her thigh. "Well… I want to ask. What is your relationship with the clan head?"