Next chapter on the 10th of January.
It's not easy for four random people to find shelter or a place to live anywhere when they don't have money.
It's obvious in retrospect but also not something they've had to deal with so much so far, most people having an ulterior motive to letting them live in a place or else owing that witch something. Still- this world is one of the more challenging that they have faced.
Inhospitable from the outset they are turned away by everyone without a second glance.
They spend a few nights in abandoned buildings but Sakura's state quickly begins to worsen into fevers and the edges of hallucination and even if they can't get medication for her they need more food than they're able to steal.
Fai thinks about the idea of him eating as little as he can though hunger and thirst war, gnawing a pit in his stomach.
There's an itch of something every time he looks at that man or his thoughts turn to him or whenever the slight scent he has invades Fai's nostrils, far more noticeable now than before.
Fai ignores it as well as he can, pushing down on it and burying himself in concern for Sakura.
They hadn't been able to do anything about finding a feather or the missing Syaoran yet, though the princess has demanded it in her more lucid moments, too swept up in trying to survive so that they can search.
It was only the third day they'd been there when posters went up, somehow eye-catching despite being just as washed out, grey and crumbling as everything else in this world.
That man notices them, brings one to where Fai is waiting with Sakura, torn at the edges and slightly wet from rain which has soaked Syaoran and himself.
"The kid said we can win money through fighting to find a place to stay while we search. Might have good connections too- big prize is a wish of some kind apparently. Don't know how that works." He says, staring down at the princess as if challenging her to say no, to disregard him and to Syaoran who is standing by his side and looking away, knowing how she feels about him.
She ignores Syaoran just as he ignores the unquenchable dryness of his throat.
The princess is quiet, wheezing slightly as she thinks for a long moment, frowning. She stares at that man, eyes unwavering as she does.
"Yes. That sounds like a good plan." She says, taking hold of the group, understanding that it's her place now to lead them.
"I'll go and find out how it works." Syaoran says, Mokona quiet on his shoulder, solemn.
Sakura doesn't address him or even make an acknowledgement of the fact that he's there and has spoken.
Still Syaoran turns to leave, trying to hold his head high, determined to help just as much as the other one.
Kurogane glares at Sakura in response.
"You know- he's trying to help you." He says, waiting for a recognition which the princess won't give.
That man huffs, turning around and following after Syaoran, eyes flickering briefly to Fai before he stomps off.