now that we are here

 Oh, ChaCha could feel the excitement as soon as they got through the gates. It was so thrilling to actually be out and about. People buying vegetables and wares in the market. It had been forever since she'd been in a crowd. She even felt happiness in her step as she was eager to see what was for sale. But of course, Milo put his hand out in front of her.

"What are you doing?" His voice was stern. She didn't remember him so firm. She could not move. ChaCha sighed back.

"I..I only want to look," she said and she noticed how his smile curved.

"Of course, you do." His sigh was a hint that they didn't have the money to just buy anything.

"Let's find a place to eat," War said as if that was the thing to do so they followed him down the path of the market people until they found a tavern.

Milo turned to ChaCha, as if she better let him do the talking.

"What?" She festered a frown.

"You're to keep quiet." He told her. She nodded as if she knew she was supposed to go along with this, but it had been so long, couldn't he see she yearned to live in the village. She wanted to shop. She needed to shop. She showed him her shoes then.

"Don't you think I need new ones?"

"They aren't that bad." Milo was his solemn self. War only smiled.

"We'll look for some after we eat," War told her. Of course, her stomach grumbled as if asking where was the food. ChaCha gave him a nod as she followed both of them to the table they were taken to on the second floor of the bustling establishment.

Just as she was seated, she saw him across the busy room. For a moment, she couldn't take her eyes off of the stranger. He was so decorated that it made ChaCha smile without hesitation.

"Don't look at him," Milo informed her. "Look away."

"But why?" She whispered back.

"He's an imposter," he told her.

"He can't be." She squinted with delight. "He looks so important."

"I don't think he is." Milo frowned. ChaCha rolled her eyes at that. Really, she couldn't help but wonder if she was supposed to know him. After all, she was a princess. She was still a princess, wasn't she?

Milo took her hand. "Stop watching him, it will do neither of us any good."

She sucked in a breath. The rice wine was brought in bowls. Of course, she was the first to drink it.