The boat ride to Tella’s picture card, the next clue was a daily long boat ride for the sole purpose of seeing the scenery. Some scenes were beautiful, like the circular canals filled with freshwater that animals would drink out of, and the lantern -lit streets with people pubbing and smoking and enjoying their time.

Others were more morbid, like the commotion of a woman getting dragged out from a shop, forcibly. The woman screamed and cried as a crowd, one that was seperate from the enjoyers, tried to maintain and contain the woman so she wasn’t kicking and thrashing around her limbs. It was all part of the show for people to watch.

Julian helped you out of the boat when you and him finally reached shore, and he took you beyond the hourglasses, the path on their right led up into a series of golden terraces, The path straight ahead fed into a massive courtyard, swarming with color and sound and people. A banyan tree grew in the heart of it. A motley collection of gazebos and tents surrounded the tree, music dancing out of some, while laughter tripped out of others, while laughter tripped out of others, like the jade-green tent selling kisses.

He grinned as he watched your eyes stay glued onto the tent selling kisses for a price a kiss shouldn’t be worth. “Does that strike your fancy? No need to be embarrassed,” he said as he drew out his words with a throaty rasp. “Although if you need some practice before your wedding, I’m more than willing to help for free.” he offered with a grin. his smile turned seductive, all shameless curves and immoral promises. An invitation to places that proper young ladies didn’t think about, let alone visit.