Her lips pressed into a thin line, betraying neither frustration nor ease, but that quiet, familiar confusion she wore whenever the modern world asked too much of her.
"Hey! Hey!" the shopkeeper waved at Frieren from the entrance of the shop. The shopkeeper's voice carried a thread of excitement, beckoning her forward.
Frieren stood straight, stepping toward the shopkeeper. I hope she will help me get that brimmed hat, she thought.
Frieren's steps were precise, each one a careful measure of intent.
The faint jingle of the shop door echoed in the quiet street.
Her fingers tightened around the folds of her cloak, betraying a hint of anticipation, though her face remained composed.
Once she reached the shopkeeper, she simply said, "Greetings." Frieren placed a hand over her chest; her voice was calm yet deliberate.
The shopkeeper's face warmed as she grasped Frieren's hand; she was taken aback by the stranger's presence. "Hello! How can I help you, beauty?!" she said.
Frieren observed the flush on the shopkeeper's cheeks with slight curiosity, tilting her head subtly.
The shopkeeper said, "My name is Lucy. Nice to meet you… you look messy, don't you?"
"F… it's Frieren," she said softly.
"Oh, Frieren! Pretty name... still, never heard it in my life," the girl said with a laugh.
I can barely catch a word from her mouth, Frieren thought, her ears twitching slightly as she tried to follow the rapid speech.
The thing I've noticed in this new world… yes… humans' language is… unusual, Frieren thought.
She kept staring at the smiling Lucy, who had no trouble speaking.
Lucy, huh? Those names are still used… she let out a faint smile, almost to herself.
Frieren's fingers tightened around her cloak for grounding, a reflexive measure against her rising confusion.
She glanced down at the brimmed hat in the display, refocusing her attention on the task.
Her ears flicked at each syllable, trying to catch the cadence, the rhythm of words so foreign to her.
"Can I have that hat?" Frieren asked, voice soft, measured, almost testing the words as her finger jabbed toward the mannequin.
"Hey, hey there! Why so hurried? You look messy… are you a stray?" the shopkeeper said.
The woman placed her hands over Frieren's shoulders, eyes directed at her, waiting for an answer.
Frieren's head tilted slightly, one ear angled toward Lucy as if listening to a subtle spell she could not see.
Too many questions… Frieren thought. A small sigh escaped her lips as she blinked, trying to gather focus amid the barrage of inquiries.
The scent of baked goods and coffee lingered between them, oddly grounding her.
Frieren's lips pressed together, her fingers tightening slightly at her cloak as she tried to steady herself.
Frieren exhaled softly through her nose, trying to ground herself before speaking. The words slipped out, quiet but firm: "I want that hat." Her gaze clung to the brimmed hat, a tiny anchor in the swirl of noise and chatter.
"Lucy! Stop confusing the customers!" a voice called from the shop entrance.
Lucy's father stepped out of the shop, a tall, muscular man with broad shoulders.
The man's shadow fell over Lucy, a protective yet intimidating presence.
"D… Dad! I'm not… confusing her! I'm convening her! " Lucy said. Lucy's fingers trembled as she clasped them together, eyes darting toward Frieren.
"Yes, you are, since you stepped out of the store," the man said, placing a hand gently over her temple while his other hand rested on his hip.
"That's not convincing, Lucy! You're scaring the clients every time you encounter someone." The man's voice softened slightly as he spoke, careful not to startle her further.
Frieren's eyes narrowed subtly, observing the human dynamic.
The man's gaze shifted toward Frieren, lingering on her with a faint crease in his brow; concern plain in his posture.
"Lady? Are you okay? You seem… exhausted. I'm sorry for my daughter's attitude!" He clasped his hands together, eyes briefly scanning Frieren's almost worn-out cloak.
Frieren's ears twitched faintly; her gaze held steady, cataloging each subtle movement like a living observation.
"Please, come inside!" the man said, his tone warm and welcoming.
The soft jingle of the shop door followed them inside, sealing out the street's distant noise.
"Y… yes! Please come, you will, right? You need that hat anyway!" Lucy's grip on her hand was firm but reassuring, anchoring Frieren in the human moment.
The three of them stepped into the shop.
Outside, somewhere in the city, police cars continued their patrol, lights flashing silently as they checked every corner for her.