Orane and Kasha travel together. Orane meets Ulla on the train and they fall in lurve.

They travel in a first class sleeping car, and Ulla is in second class because his finances are more limited, and he does a lot more traveling than either of them. Kasha was born in City A and has basically never been outside it in his life.

Orane's most important item is her hatbox. Kasha brings his wood etching knives. Ulla brings crocheting needles and skeins of green and red silk.