Both of them lit up at the mention of Retiro, Mira primarily at the market and Trill at both.  "Oh excellent," Mira said.  "I absolutely love the market.  So many things to look at, and never all the same as last time."  Trill joined in when Esme started whistling, easily picking up the melody and then improvising harmonies.  He half-wished he'd bright his harp, but he didn't imagine that Mira would let him settle on a corner for more than a few minutes, and his like wood flute would more than suffice for that, without the bulk.

The healer never tired of watching the tall ships on the river.  Before Meridell, she'd never imagined so much water.  There was a lake a few days' ride from where she'd grown up, but the ocean and its constant motion seemed so much larger.  She stopped to watch them for a moment as they crossed the bridge, the wind off the sea whipping her hair back from her face.

Retiro was lively as always, a cheerful riot of colors, sounds, and smells.  Trill soaked it all in.  He was most at home in a crowd like this, the ebb and flow of the people around him somehow calming in its very chaos.  He knew about the /other/ peninsula too, of course, and he'd ventured there as well on his wanders.  Rich or poor, everyone loved a good tune, and he didn't care too my about maximizing his earnings, as long as he averaged a decent amount.  Retito and its market made that easy.  "There was this one stall I found last time I was here that had some of the best dumplings I've had the pleasure of eating," he commented to the ladies.  "I do hope they're here again today.  You two should try them."

He might have said more, but an exuberant voice calling Esme's name interrupted them, and he turned to see a broad a shouldered, mustachioed lord coming towards them.  He recognized Lord Edward, had even seen the man stopnto listen to a song once when he was passing, but he doubted the lord remembered a random street performer.

Mira had no clue who the man was, but he greeted Esme as a friend, so she wasn't more than a little intimidated by his obvious wealth.  She did turn her head subtly so that her scarred cheek was further away, but that was something she did as often as not around new people.  She was was more than a little startled to learn his identity.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Edward," Trill said with a small bow.  Beside him, Mira quickly bobbed an awkward curtsey and said something polite but ultimately meaningless.  She had never rweally interacted with nobility, and was at a loss for anything meaningful to say.  Trill easily stepped into the gap.

"I have to admit, the news of increased monster sightings near town is concerning, but I think the increased guard you offered to fund will help everyone feel safe."  The bard smiled.  "I know a number of the guards, and certainly they are glad of the bonus.  Both in pay and in support.  They had feared they might be in for another time like that summer when they had to deal with that fleet of shipwrecked maurauders, but their tone changed overnight."