Vhalar 18, 720
Ezner woke up this morning, his face still somewhat swollen, particularly around the lips and eyes, and he still had a throbbing headache after the fight he'd been in the other trial. The Order of Adunih clinic had done a good job, and Mrs. Dey footed the bill, still, Ezner was very much feeling as though he'd paid the price.
Still, he had an appointment today at Sarah's Silks. Mrs. Dey had made him the appointment before her and the family had left on vacation. What Ezner didn't know was that she sent a runner with a note to Elisabeth, asking for her to accompany Ezner at the shop for his appointment.
Ezner could tell he still had a few breaks until he needed to leave. He fixed up his bed, and then knelt down on the bare wooden boards. He pressed his hands against the floor, then lifted his body up into a planking position. He raised his head and looked forward at the box that was used to house the clothing he was allowed to use. Then he lowered himself down to the ground, slowly. His scarred back flexed as he did the first slow push up, and he began thinking about how he was going to continue this venture with the flashnip.
He had a name now. Peony "Dot" Heschrue. She was the woman who had been so chatty and full of song that night at the tavern with Mr. Dey. She had access to flashnip. But all he had was a name, he didn't know much else about her. She loved plants, and was somehow known by the Institute. He would just have to ask around. He didn't know any other way to find her. He mulled his options as he continued to do his push ups, over and over. He focused on his breathing, listening to his heartbeat. He lowered himself on the breath in, raised himself on the breath out. His back and arms were tiring, but now that Elisabeth had negotiated more food on his behalf, he had the energy to begin working out like this. And he would need to do so. He wouldn't waste the food given to him. He would get stronger.
When he was done, he washed himself in the servant's basin, then dressed. He ate a pear, some dried fish, and bread with butter. He even poured himself a glass of milk that had arrived this morning. He was truly loving meals now, especially breakfast. He always got up before the rest of the servants, to have this time alone, just for himself. It was quiet and peaceful.
After resting for a bit, he got up, and left the house. He followed the directions toward Sarah's Silks, not having ever been there. He was a bit slower finding it, having accidentally passed it since he couldn't read the sign. But after asking a nice woman working a fruit stall, she pointed it out to him. He walked back over and opened the door, stepping into the shop.
