Timestamp: 63rd day of Summer. It had been a week since Kikue last went through the gates of Wind Reach. Each time she shudderd. Each time she felt confined again. But she had to go to the kitchens to get her weekly supply of rations again. It couldn't be helped and she just had to put up with it. Each time she had to walk through Wind Reach, she saw the dek. And each time again she got mad about the treatment they were receiving. *I wish I could do something for them. Most of them could do a decent job, if they were given the chance and a proper master.*, she thought, *I'll be leaving here next season though. I should try to not let it get to me.* Kikue just had to deliver the game she had managed to catch and then go to the kitchens for food. But it was unusually busy on the streets. It was obvious in her eyes as to why it was so busy. She never returned at noon and she knew that it was the busiest time of all. It was the time where most of the workers would have their lunch. All sorts of vendors were shouting to promote their wares. Kikue was getting a headache from all the noise. It was really difficult for her to handle right now. Especially since she hadn't slept last night, just to get back sooner. She quickened her pace to get out of this busy place. *Peching crowd. I can't even get through here normally. And it especially doesn't help that I'm so peching small.* If there was one thing that could get Kikue more miffed then the crowd, it would be her size. She hated to be so small. It made it difficult for her to move through crowds, or get noticed. As a result, she was knocked over often and she cursed the one that did it in her thoughts, but she didn't let it out. It was usually someone from a lower kaste, but Kikue hated to use hers to punish the one that bumped into her. She could always understand why they did it. But it never made it even a little bit easier for her. She took a breather at the fountain. At this rate it would take her at least 2 more bells to reach the kitchens. *Aargh, isn't there an easier way to get there?*, she thought to herself. Kikue sat on the edge of the fountain, with her hands in her hair. It caused them to stand up rather ridiculous. Not that Kikue cared about that, unless someone would mock her for it. |