The friend from a new town

After spending multiple days on the ship again, Minna and Max finally reach their first actual destination.
It's a real town, just like harbor town, not just such a small dirty village.

But the recent days with Max have been... difficult, one could say.
Minna really needs some distance from Max today.
So Minna approaches Max.

Hey, we're going to explore this town today, right?

Oh, uhm..., sure. I have some friends here, so...

Would it be okay if I go out on my own today?

Sure, just spend your time here however you want.
That's part of what a journey like this is about.

Max sighs in relief.

Yeah, it's about freedom, right?

Exactly!

Max doesn't sound convincing.

But still, be back before it gets dark.
This town should be a safe place, but... you know...

Minna is glad to see how concerned Max is about her.

Sure, I'll be back in time!

After leaving the ship together and enter the town, they separate.

Now Minna is walking along the streets on her own.
It's just as nice as the last town at the ocean. Maybe even better.
She definitely likes it here.

It's especially nice how there is a long promenade along the beach again, just like in harbor town.
And on the other side there's the town with large houses and real streets, where she is currently walking.

Many people are selling their stuff everywhere.
Delicious food and souvenirs.
There even is some kind of festival. A lot of people are standing on some large square with a bunch of booths.
But sadly Minna has no money with her to buy something herself.

She still enters the square and walks around to see what's going on there.
The booths aren't just selling something, at some of them you can participate in games instead.

At one of the booths, Minna notices a group of girls.
They seem to have fun throwing arrows at balloons.
So Minna watches them.

Some of them notice her. Their looks seem dismissive.
Minna looks somewhere else, so it's not that obvious, but it's probably too late already.
One of the girls just keeps looking at her.

She's standing a little away from the group, so Minna decides to approach her.
As she's getting closer, the girl already yells at her.

Hey, do you need something?

Not exactly. You just seemed to have fun.
And I was hoping to get to know someone.

So you're new to this place?
I think I've never seen you before.
And when looking at your clothing style...

Yeah, I'm on a journey with... a friend.

Oh, cool. That probably means you won't stay for long, right?

Yeah, you're right, we'll probably leave soon.
Sorry...

That's no problem. You wouldn't be my first friend, who doesn't live close.

Minna gets excited. Does she really view her as a potential friend already.

Not sure if you could call someone a friend, if you never meet.

We usually call each other once in a while. Don't you have a mobile phone?

What's that?

You don't know what a mobile phone is? Where are you from?

Uhm...

It's a device you can use to talk with anyone around the world.

Oh, something like that exists?
Does this mean I could just talk to my mom if I had one?

Sure, if she has a phone...

In that case I guess I can't...

Minna gives a shy smile.

I'd recommend you to buy one anyway. They aren't expensive.

But how would I talk to you then?

You just need to enter the town name, my name and my ID. Oh, and my ID is 387.

I can probably find out about the name of this town myself, but what's your name?

Oh, I didn't even introduce myself to you.
It's Jonra.

I'm Minna.

Nice name. I've never heard that before. You surely aren't from here.

Yeah, I came here with a ship. My friend has one.

Oh, cool. So he must already be a little older?

Yeah, he has been a childhood friend of my mom.
He's way younger than her, but she already knew him well before I was even born.

Minna would like to tell her more about her journey, but she doesn't want to tell her about their kind of relationship, so there's not much she can tell her.

But I guess I should go now. My friends must be...

Jonra looks around but she can't see her friends anymore.

They just left without me...

Oh...

I guess, I'll stay with you then.

Sure. That would be cool!

Minna can't hold back a smile of joy.

Would you like me to show you around?

Yeah, sounds fun. And then I'll show you the ship.

You would do that?

Of course! It's not too special.
But it's where I live now. It's my home.
So if you are going to visit me, that's the place to go.

Oh, I get it. Can we also go there right now?

Sure. You can also show me around later.
I'm just not sure how to get there from here...
I'll definitely find it, but it might take a while.

Don't worry. I know how to get to the harbor.

Oh, nice! So then you will show me, where I live.

Minna laughs.

Yeah!

So Jonra walks ahead toward the harbor and Minna follows her.
Minna is happy to have found a new friend.