A gift for Caraf

[Elliot L'Envers]

I couldn't do anything, my mind wandering over the three days I was going to spend with Caraf. I spent the day wandering, looking for something when I noticed a shop. Something peeked my interest and I entered.

[Mirsada Anezka]

The ever faithful bell over the door chimed as someone entered. I straightened up from behind the counter where I had been unwrapping some new items. My mind quickly flipped through the nobles and settled upon a good guess as to who this customer was.

"Welcome to Anezka Collections," I said, approaching him and curtseying. "I am Mirsada Anezka."

[Elliot L'Envers]

I smiled.
"Good day," I said making a slight bow. "I'm looking for a gift, a special gift." I said looking around the store. "Perhaps one of Akkadian design?"

[Mirsada Anezka]

"Ah, my Akkadian items have been very popular lately. I have a few items still on the shelves and a new shipment has just arrived. Were you looking for a particular sort of gift? Jewelry? Clothing? Statuary?" I asked, thinking of all the items that should be in the crates in the storeroom.

[Elliot L'Envers]

I shrugged. "I want something...special. You wouldn't have anything with cannaries on it would you, or song birds?"

[Mirsada Anezka]

"I think I may have some items that have birds on them, they are still in the store room. If you would excuse me for just a moment I will bring them out," I told him, smiling.

I went back into the storeroom, knowing exactly which crate I was looking for. I grabbed an empty basket on the way to carry the items in. Once I had everything in the basket I returned to the store.

"Here you are," I said, laying the items out on the counter.

There were a couple of vases with colorful song birds and flora painted on them, a bracelet made of interlocking wooden beads carved in the shape of nightingales, a scarf decorated with tiny jeweled flowers and finches, and a pair of hair combs made of silver with canaries carved into the tops.

[Elliot L'Envers]

I nodded and waited for her to return, I had brought a large purse with me and was willing to pay what ever I had to to buy the perfect gift for Caraf. When she brought out the items I looked at them quickly but found my eyes gazing to the silver combs.

"They're beautiful." I said reaching for the right way.

[Mirsada Anezka]

I smiled when he reached for the combs, they were very beautiful.

"They are quite lovely, the only pair like that I have had for years. There are not many Akkadian items that have canaries on them," I told him, not trying to drive up the price but letting him know they were special.

[Elliot L'Envers]

I nodded. "I'll take them, what ever they cost I'll pay." I said handing them back to her.

[Mirsada Anezka]

"They are thirty ducets," I told him. That was the price, no matter who the buyer was, I did not trade on a person's desire for an item.

"You said this was a gift, would you like me to put them in a box with ribbon?" I asked as I began to fill out the sales slip.

[Elliot L'Envers]

I nodded pulling 30 ducats from my purse and smiling. "Yes, please, a yellow ribbon if you have one." I said putting the coins down. "Is that extra?"

[Mirsada Anezka]

"Not at all," I said, smiling and handing him the slip. I took the coins and placed them in the till.

"I will be right back with these all wrapped," I said, returning to the storage room.

I found a box that was just the right size and place a square of yellow velvet inside to cushion the combs. I nestled them in the box, and tied a matching yellow ribbon around it after affixing the lid. The whole thing looked wonderfully cheerful.

"Here you are," I said, returning to the counter and handing him the box.

[Elliot L'Envers]

I took the box and smiled. "Thank you very much." I said making another bow and turning. I was far too excited to just go home, I wanted to see Caraf, I wanted to take her away. I had so many plans and everything, I couldn't wait. I left the store and headed home.

[Mirsada Anezka]

I watched him leave, pleased to have had something he was so happy with. I hoped the woman who was the recipient of his gift was suitably appreciative. He seemed a nice enough man.

I knelt back down and returned to my uncrating.