The adults spoke of things that Nini and the others could only half-understand. For their age, these topics were a bit too advanced; they were far more interested in other things.
Through the crowded throng, four men wearing masks pushed a vendor cart in their direction. Clad in clown costumes, they looked rather ridiculous, waving jellies in their hands as they hawked their wares to the surrounding crowd.
Behind the cart's glass window, jellies made from fish scales shimmered, dotted with chunks of colorful fruit. They looked so appealing that they were absolutely irresistible to children.
"How much is it?" Nini asked, digging a coin stamped with Charles's face out of her pocket.
"Not expensive, not expensive! Only ten Core!"
Hearing the clown's reply, Nini looked troubled and put the coin back. That was way too pricey. After all, the new currency, the Core, was worth more than the old Echo Coins—ten Core was enough to buy three fish at the pier.
