On entering Erion city, introverted and mildly afraid, Rai Zanshin found his only consolation in his internal monologue; the steady narration behind his 3 year journey. Shyly he regarded the onlookers passing by, whilst leaning heavily against a wall. He saw in particular their regarding him, and the thorough look of condemnation they seemed to gain as the eyes slid half heartedly over his shabby facade. 'Always so quick to judge' the internal monologue flared up heatedly '…it's never about the full story; they'll create one for me and barely realise they're doing it. Lazy, dumb, beggar man; only a half thought that ebbs away the further they get…people don't change from place to place- it's always about clothes…" As he watched a less than slender middle aged woman wearing a garish peacock kimono and an expression that communicated her very low opinion of all around he thought somewhat maliciously; "then again at least my clothes fit me" When she passed Rai her eyebrows raised and she covered her nose with an equally gaudy silk handkerchief 'Looks like an embroidered turkey' he thought irritably. Despite the fact he felt like sitting right then and there to save his blistering feet, he couldn't quite bring himself to earn the same old layabout reputation, in the town he'd sought out to redeem himself. Slowly he walked about town, the monologue throwing up the same old name, his mind returning to it again and again, a puzzle unresolved, where all his hopes were pinned, his biggest fear of disappointment…Hakumei.
