***The 'Snowed' Inn ***

[VanimaEdhel]

Baranîn tipped her mug and finished her mug of hot chocolate. She looked at Hamanullas and smiled at the girl. The seventeen-year old felt young once again. Hamanullas was looked at her with amusement glittering in her young eyes.

"Do you want another hot chocolate?" Baranîn asked Hamanullas, rising to get herself more. The girl nodded, continuing to sit.

Baranîn walked up to the bar and ordered two more hot chocolates. She looked back at Hamanullas. The girl was looking around the bar, animatedly swinging her legs, as they did not quite yet reach the floor when she sat in the chair.

Baranîn returned with the drinks and smiled at young Hamanullas, who tried to take a drink of the hot chocolate.

"Agh!" Hamanullas exclaimed, quickly putting the mug down as her hands as well as her mouth burned on the hot chocolate.

"Careful!" Baranîn said, laughing in spite of herself. Hamanullas pouted a bit, then joined in laughing with Baranîn.

"Who do you suppose they are?" Hamanullas asked, pointing around the room at the various people engaged in discussion and business.

"Don't point!" Baranîn said good-naturedly, pulling the girl's hand down. "And it is none of our business who they are."

Hamanullas looked at Baranîn mischievously, as though contemplating doing something to disturb the other people, but then thought better of it. She blew on her hot chocolate and took a tentative sip, smiling once she discovered that it cooled some.