• People were dense and abundant in the marketplace. All of them were present for the soon to be thickening lunch rush. Kitchens were started up, the restaurants eager to get ahead on their workload; the smells of which mixed together to create a mouth watering aroma.
    By now Travis was pretty much immune to the marketplace lunch rush cycle, including the delectable smells. However, he constantly had to keep making sure that Mira was following him every step. Unlike himself, she was easily distracted from tasks at hand, even to simple things like groceries. He was almost ready to hold her hand like he had when she was younger.
    It was almost unusual for Travis to be seen so attached to someone, normally he was stoic, bold, and a figure of strength. Mira was certainly an exception. Knowing her for several years possibly just increased his liking to her. That isn't to say there isn't anything special about her. Travis could never quite put his finger on it but he knew there definitely was.
    People amongst the markets still whispered whenever they were about together. This caring side of Travis was a rare site to see. Of course it hadn't come to Mira so easy.
    Mira was dropped into the care Charwik, their organization's leader, when she was very young. 7-111 was a defensive organization, responsible to protect their sector of the town. It wasn't a place for children. Many of the organization members were apprehensive, Travis especially.
    He was young and ambitious, a born a fighter. He could already see a child in his future would just be a hindrance.
    However, Mira was there to stay. Charwik was a good friend of her mother, whoever it was, and refused her presence to bother him. By the time a year had passed, most had come accustomed to her, all but Travis of course. He took a couple more years to take a liking to her.
    "Get the bread and meet me by the fountain before noon." Travis said handing her a ticket of money and a handful of time. He quite expected the organization's preferred bakery would be busy.
    "Rye and kaiser. I know." She replied, half heading in the direction of the bakery.
    Travis grabbed a hold of her shoulder. "Remember, noon." He said clearly and stiffly.
    Mira halfheartedly smiled. She knew that if she was one minute late Travis would assume the worse and come hunting for her. No time to really explore today. Again. "Yes, I know." She sighed.
    Travis dropped his hand, and Mira pushed her way through people to get to the other side of the market. She was used to the crowds, sounds and aromas, she could never get enough of it. Mira loved the city, people and adventure. She was a constant case of restless feet.
    She had promised herself that one day she would go out and see the other towns. But as long as she was in Charwik's care her dreams would have to wait.
    Mira grumbled once she saw the line for the bakery. She would be there for hours, and she didn't really have that time to spare.
    "Next!" The baker's daughter cried ringing a large gold bell. People swarmed up to her, attempting to shove money and their orders at her.
    "Hey, hey. People! Please make an orderly line and we'll get to you as soon as possibe!" She barked, the crowd however, having a mind of its own continued wildly pushing.
    "Mira, Mira." A little voice rang, along with a tug on Mira's dress.
    She looked down at the little girl, the baker's youngest daughter. "Oh Hannah," Mira said, unexpectedly. "shouldn't you be helping Leah and your dad with the customers?"
    Hannah pouted and crossed her little arms. "But I am helping! Papa told me to watch for you."
    "Oh he did now..." Mira said while being lead with an iron grip to the side of the bakery stall. Hannah must have gotten it from kneading bread with her father.
    "Leah, Leah!" Hannah cried, marching into the small army of bakers. She returned not long after with her sister in her iron grip.
    "Mira!" Leah smiled happily. "It's been a while since I've seen you."
    Mira laughed. "I can see why." She gestured towards the busy bakery.
    "Yeah, we've been overworked lately. But anyways, father prepared your bread for you already, but with this rush I think he might have sold it already. I'll make you some more fresh, if you dont mind waiting." Leah offered, Mira shook her head.
    "No I don't mind."
    "Good." Leah smiled. "Hannah go help father. Bring the bread out to Mira when it's done." She ordered her smaller sister. Hannah ran excitedly back into the bustling chaos.
    "Well you can certainly tell who'll be taking over the business." said Mira.
    "Oh defiantly. My older sisters won't, and as soon as I have enough money I'm going to the Anthoise Academy." Leah said bitterly.
    "A dark arts school?" Questioned Mira. Leah hadn't come from a line of magicians, or a special race in particular. Everyone knew you could only gain these abilities through inheritance. Otherwise training would have to start at a young age.
    "Yep." Replied Leah reaching into her side satchel. She pulled out a handful of shimmering red dust, and with a flick of her wrist, sent it sprawled out into the open air. She in took a large amount of air and when she exhaled, fire erupted from the red dust.
    Mira stood back a little from the intensity of Leah's display. "Impressive." said Mira, inwardly wishing she could do anything special.
    Leah laughed off the compliment. "It's how we bake bread faster. Tastes better too."
    "Leah! Get back in here!" Came a loud, rumbling voice from the kitchen.
    "Oops, better get back." Leah said, clapping away the excess dust from her flour covered hands. "The bread will be ready in a bit. Just watch for Hannah." Leah glanced back once more at Mira before returning to work.
    Mira sighed. She had a small bit of time and wanted to find something interesting to do, which would be like finding a needle in a haystack.