It wasn't that Shara misunderstood how books were purchased, she just didn't understand how human interaction worked. Apparently. Because how could someone see another person who was clearly in a bad way and not help somehow?
"And it's a very nice face." Shara told him assuringly because it was true! Even if he was contorting it in a rather unflattering way at her, "My name is Shara, not lady. Respect your elders." The admonishment came easily, just like she would have given to her little cousins.
Shara munched away on a biscuit as she considered her response and his clear determination that he wasn't in A Mood. Was it denial to both of them or only to her? That was ever the question with any Species, really, "No one should carry as much sour tension as you do, why, my stomach is churning just thinking about it."
At least the New York question was easier to answer, though she waited until she had a sip of tea to calm her down and prevent a rant. She was quite good at those, but the tea usually helped cut them short. It forced her to approach things in a calm, measured manner, "No, there wasn't enough of a sense of community where people care about one another."