Maggie was just hefting the pack over her shoulder, when Opalescenda, her awkward spren who looked suspiciously like a fairy, came flitting up to her.
"Heya! Where are you going dressed like that?" The little spren asked.
Maggie glanced down at her yoga pants and T-shirt. "What's wrong with eight-bit Szeth?"
Opal rolled her eyes. "Not that, your shoes. You aren't wearing any."
"Shoes are for the weak. Let's go."
Maggie started walking down the winding road leading away from Keep Awkward. Opal zipped along right behind her."But what about all the rocks there are to trip on? All those people down in the city! You shouldn't even be going down to Guildonia City at all! You have books to read! Character flavored cookies to bake! Left handed gloves to sew!"
Maggie struggled to control her breathing."It-it should be fine. I'll just go down to the Dark Alley, give them some Marsh bookies as a sign of my goodwill, then check up on the AlleyWatcher division of the Knights to make sure that they're staying awkward. And there shouldn't be too many people out, this early in the morning, right?"
She promptly tripped and started rolling down the hill. Opal was right. I really should have worn shoes.