Though she had intended to drag Marie as soon as she'd received the letter, Marie had insisted on better clothing fit for dingo-hunting out in town. What was wrong with what she was wearing, the to-be Letter Bee wondered. Well, whatever makes her happy. Thus, Mercy ended up swapping clothes for a simple black-brown dress with thick dark stockings. Adding a brown jacket, as well a hat and scarf, she found Marie again for her approval before finally heading out to find that long-awaited dingo...
~o~
She knew Marie was on edge, if her nervous fidgeting and tugging on her sleeve was any indication. But Mercy was adamant. That beautiful beastie in the cage was hers! Except, it was more than the two women could afford combined. Therefore Mercy attempted haggling. But Mercy isn't known for her smarts or for being very persuasive, so you can just imagine the big, scary beast-tamer's non-plussed reaction in comparison to Mercy's frustrated, flushing face.
"For the last time, misseh. No. Unless you have something else to offer than that meagre amount, no sale." He crossed his arms and his eyes bore into the two petite women.
"Mercy... let it go." Marie whispered to her. "We don't want to aggravate him and cause trouble."
Glancing at Marie hesitantly, Mercy reluctantly obliged. "Fine. It'd probably die or turn tail at the sight of a Gaichuu, anyway. I need a stronger, smarter dingo for a Letter Bee." Crinkling her nose derisively at the man and the beast, she left with her friend.
As they walked briskly--strolling or being leisurely might point you out as a target--through the marketplace with arms looped in each other's, Mercy glumly sulked over the lack of luck so far. The bag on her drooping shoulder slid down in tandem with her spirits as she muttered aloud, "Marie, what am I going to do? If I'm going to be a Letter Bee, I need a dingo. At this point, I'm starting to think anything would do, as long as they're willing to face the danger."
"It will be okay. Don't give up yet... We'll find you a trustworthy dingo!" Marie smiled, trying to encourage her. "There's still time left in this day."
"I want to be a Bee but..."
Then they hit a thicker part of the crowd, and her words were forgotten in favour of pulling Marie to a sparser section of the street. Her eyes passed over a kid her own age, though more ragged than her own figure, notable of a street urchin. It was quite common in this day and age, however. She didn't think much of it as they made their way.
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