Over the next few days, Hannah spent her hours at the library, copying (secretly) the precious mapbook in Magda's library, learning the roads and blocks at night in bed.

Eventually, she felt confident enough to try walking around their part of the city on her own. She did it one morning after breakfast, going up and down the nearby streets. Being alone in the midst of all that noise and nastiness was frightening at first, but she learned ways around that. She learnt it was better to take a long loop around than to walk against a crowd, and she learned that the slowest, most peaceful walking is done at the sides of the road.

Merchants greeted her, children gave her smiles, and she found herself encouraged. Perhaps Dalen could find a way to accept her.

But as it turned out, finding hire was a far greater challenge than she'd thought. She understood now why her mother had entered into someone's service. No one wanted to hire an unskilled, unimpressive village girl, no matter how she vowed that she was strong and hardworking. One stallholder gave her a swift, passing look and muttered, 'Best you return to the farms where you came from, girl'.

Afterwards, Hannah went back to Magda's, sitting alone and upset at the garden bench. She would have to keep trying, she knew that. She couldn't have expected it would be easy. But it hurt, feeling like a failure, especially when she compared how easy it had been for Rio. Was it because he was a boy? Or was he just better than her?

The sun began to dip, casting a gray pall on the ocean, tucking mist around ship masts and creeping rowboats.

She got up, meaning to go inside, but stopped when she saw someone coming out from the church – someone distinctly familiar. Oh no.

Immediately, Hannah sank down, hiding behind the stony safety of the bench. That long, gold hair, the cloak – oh, she recognized him, alright. Captain Droy, who she'd hoped had faded away and forgotten all about her. But no, he was still showing up at Magda's. "Curse that man," she hissed to herself. How was she going to have any peace of mind, knowing that he could come here at any time, searching for her?

She waited until she thought enough time had gone by, then inched up, checking the road. Yes, he was riding away. Nothing more than a black-and-white blur by now. She sighed thankfully, slipping indoors.

All the more reason now to get away from Magda's and find somewhere else to spend her days. But where?

The idea only came to her the next morning.

Jono's. Ah, that horrible place. How she hated it. And yet, at least she knew for certain that they were in need of hands. And mostly the work was serving and cleaning. Easy for someone like her. But what about that unseemly crowd? Could she get past that? She wasn't sure.

She deliberated over it all through breakfast. She ate with Shelby and her friends, but never raised the idea even though she wanted to. Of course they wouldn't approve of it. They couldn't possibly understand. And besides, this was a choice she had to make for herself.

She went afterwards, in the afternoon, taking the way her brother had shown her to the Corona. This was a lovely street. She liked the liveliness of it, the busy blur of people. She started walking, casually, in the direction of Jono's. There was a different girl outside, bowing and crowing to passers-by (men). She had high honey hair and too-red lips. Hannah wondered if Rio would have liked her. She came close, and the girl blinked at her. The two of them traded a stare, like two battlers eyeing each other before a fight.

Suddenly, Ginia emerged, mumbling something to her friend. When she saw Hannah, she surprisingly perked up, recognizing her. "Oh, hello there! I remember you – the girl and her brother?"

"Uh," Hannah cleared her throat. "Yes. Without the brother today."

"Have you come for a meal?" she asked, and the other girl gave Hannah a puzzled look. That would look strange, for a young girl to be coming to a place like Jono's – alone.

"Oh, no, actually … " She hesitated, aware of the two of them waiting for her. "I was wondering if you're still in need of hands?"

Ginia did a little gasp. "Oh, you've changed your mind?"

"Well, I – yes."

"Oh, wonderful! Jono will be pleased."

"Jono," she repeated.

"Come, come. Isn't this great, Sora? Come on in then."

Hannah nodded awkwardly, making her way in. The girl named Sora kept her post, still eyeing Hannah as she brushed past.

Inside, Jono's was as it had ever been. Not a thing had changed. Even the crowd looked somewhat identical, just in different seats and clothes. Ginia patted her shoulder, already like a friend. "I am glad you've decided to join us. You'll like it here. It's great fun."

"Eh – fun?"

"Jono!" Ginia hollered, dragging Hannah towards the bar. A man turned at the call, no doubt the owner of the place. Jono himself. He was a thin, stern-looking man, with intense eyes and a faint, cloudy beard.

He leaned a hand on the counter, squinting as they came up. "What's this about?" his voice was low but clear.

Ginia nodded at Hannah, and she realized she was supposed to speak up for herself.

"Um, hello, sir," she greeted softly. She didn't like the awkward feeling this man gave her. After all, Jono's was but a crummy place. She had to be able to recommend herself. "I was hoping you might have some work for me?"

Jono tilted his head, blinking over her. He said nothing for a long moment, that Hannah started shifting uncomfortably. "Any experience at all?"

"Um, no. No, sir."

"I thought so. I'm not for someone so green, but – we're struggling as it is. No sense being choosy, I suppose." He shifted, coughing a breath that smelled of coffee. "Alright, here it is. I need you to be in every day, early morning, to get ready for the lunch crowd. You can go home at dark, and the pay's one-fifty a month. No advances."

"We get free meals," Ginia added, more positively.

"Are you agreeable?"

"Oh … well, it does sound fair." She couldn't help thinking over the pay – one hundred and fifty gold. That was half what her brother made.

"Fair? That's not an answer. Are you to join or aren't you?"

"Yes," she made herself say, and Ginia clapped, like it was such great news.

"Excellent, Hannah. When can you start?"

"Um – "

"How's tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Well, yes. I assumed you were keen to work here."

"I am."

"Then I will see you tomorrow. Come early." He turned away, retreating past a door that presumably led into the kitchen.

"Well, then," Ginia piped up. "Welcome to Jono's, Hannah, on behalf of the all girls. There's no time now, so I'll introduce everyone to you tomorrow. Do be sure to wear something nice, yes?"

"Nice?"

"Well, you know." She gestured at her own dress, tight in the middle, low in front, with cheap ribbons trailing from her elbows and back and everywhere. She was like a walking maypole.

"I don't really have anything … like that."

"Oh. Perhaps you can buy some?"

"I don't have the money."

"Oh, I see. It's alright then. I have quite a few. I could lend them to you."

"Really?"

She smiled. "No trouble at all."

"You still here?" they suddenly heard Jono's voice. "Ginia, enough chatting. Get to work."

"Sorry." They turned away, the other girl giving Hannah a small wave. "Tomorrow then."

Hannah nodded and hurriedly left, wondering if she'd just made a horrible mistake.