Year of the Boar, Eighth Month, Day 24.

When I went downstairs for breakfast this morning, the innkeeper told me that it was market day in the town and that if I wished to buy something pretty for my hair or some fabric for new silks or even books, today would be the day to do it. I snorted inwardly at the idea of buying something pretty for my hair... as if I have enough hair to put pins it! My clothes however, are another matter entirely, and I thought it would make a pleasant change to wander around the town and shop. 

I must admit that I was completely unprepared for the number of people who would be out on the roads.  I felt overwhelmed to be in the middle of such a crowd and yet at the same time, strangely exhilarated. The atmosphere was marvellous. There was a buzz of anticipation in the air and almost everyone seemed jovial and glad to be out in the sunshine. I cannot think that the walk to the market on a rainy day is anything like as fun but I enjoyed the exercise. To think I had been concerned about how to find the town! There was not a person out on the roads who was not headed for the market; women carried huge wicker baskets to fill with the produce they would buy, children carried small cloth bags and even the men carried sticks with bundles tied to the ends.   By the time I arrived at the market, the hems of my clothes were covered in dry, clay-coloured dust from the roads and my hair was plastered to my forehead with sweat but I did not care how I looked; I was far too excited. I say I did not care; it was not until someone took pity on me and handed me  a square of damp cloth that I even realised that I looked a state! Then of course, I cared...

I returned the cloth to the woman who had given it to me with a wry smile and complemented her on the silks she wore; a sort of burnt orange coloured sash covered a silver kimono and I thought that orange might become me very well. The woman gave me the name of her seamstress but of course it meant nothing to me; I could barely see any of the permanent shops because of the sprawl of market stalls in any case. 

It is impossible to say what the town looks like usually; it was impossible to see much of it at all. The streets were lined with makeshift wooden stalls and there were even more people in the town already than there had been on the road into town. I could barely move let alone see what each stall had to sell. On the edge of the town I saw a small, upturned barrel next to a dilapidated sign on which the lettering was so faded, it could have been anybody's guess as to what was on offer but the smell of warm citrus gave it away as a juice merchant. A cup of juice would be just the thing, I thought to myself and made my way over to buy some; as I sat by the edge of the street drinking from a wooden cup that looked like it had been fashioned a good century ago, I watched hustle and bustle of those out for market swarm around me.

I could harldly tell one person from the next since there were so many but I thought it would probably work to  my advantage since if there had been anyone to recognise me, they would not likely do so in the midst of such a throng. I cannot say how much time passed while I sat there watching people go about their business but it occurred to me that although the idea of shopping had been an extrememly pleasant fiction, it was precisely that. I have only limited coin and no way of knowing how long the House intends to be. For all I know, Yuika may have decided to sojourn somewhere on her way back... If I spend everything I have now and gamble on the fact that she will return within the next few days, I may deeply regret it. When the next bird arrives, I will send it back with the message that I urgently need funds; I do not imagine that a bird can carry coin so it will mean giving detailed instructions as to my whereabouts and remaining there until someone can come and find me. It is not an option I particuarly relish but at this moment in time, I cannot see that I have much choice at all. 

I decided that it was worth spending a small amount on some fabric since I can no longer keep up the ruse of being a servant on the look-out for work and even if I could, the clothes I have are all but beyond saving. During a brief lull in the crowd, I managed to find a cloth merchant and acquired a piece of the dark orange linen I had seen and some navy to go with it; I hope there will be enough to make a kimono and a sash out of each. I was also able to find some plain white cotton so I shall be able to replace my underwear as well. The innkeeper has told me that she knows someone reliable by which I take to mean an unlicensed seamstress but I do not intend to ask too many questions since I simply want my new clothes as cheaply as I can get them. I am hopeful that I shall be suitably attired before the end of the week and that by then, I will have formed a firm plan concerning my next move.