Marquings and celebrations

[Shona Tertignan]

"Well, that's a shame," I replied, my mind racing in amusement. "Perhaps if you show me your skill, I will tell you Terre d'Ange's best kept secret in the realm of clothiers.... aside from Eglantine, of course - but then again, your house is no secret."

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

She was Bryony to the bone, always looking for a game to play. "You know a clothier that would be able to do justice to my marque?" I asked, teasing lilt to my voice. Part of my wasn't though. If I was going, I wanted to look fantastic.

[Shona Tertignan]

"Oh, but I do," I replied cockily. I took a sip of my drink, and looked her in the eye, "And seeing as you might be a bit broke from your marquing, he may even give you a good discount.... if you sing a song here, for our benefit to us all." Would she do it? I wondered. For myself, I was more than willing to take her to Andrew's place. He always enjoyed a new customer.

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

"So what you're saying is that I sing for you, and then you bargain for my gown?" This was quite amusing. I was more than willing, if that was the deal.

[Shona Tertignan]

"I had a hunch you were of the intellectual kind," I replied with a cheeky grin. "And I get you the best clothier in town, as a bonus. Consider it... a present of congratulations on completing your marque."

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

"Deal." I asnwered her cheeky grin with one of my own. And then I broke out into song.

It was a song from the harvest festival, full of fun and laughter after a summer's worth of work. I didn't stand, but my voice was pitched to be heard through the tavern, and I could feel the heads turn and eyes train on me. And Shona. Well, if she didn't like the attention, that was just too bad. But I had a feeling she did.

[Shona Tertignan]

I smiled brightly when Keaira took the bait and sang out a playful thing in the tavern. For a moment, all eyes were on her, and mine not the least heedful. The girl could sing. Oh, I was getting a good bargain for an introduction to the McDermott's. He would have given her the discount for the pleasure of dressing her, I told myself wrily.

When Keaira was done with her song, I gave her a heartfelt clap, and it was followed by the other patrons. One man whispered to me, "see, this is why I love this place. We just got a free song, and a few days ago a beautiful couple gave us a tuneless dance lesson." I gave him a look of weirdness, and turned my attention to Keaira.

"That was lovely, you are definitely getting the dress of your dreams, sweets."

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

Yes I was showing off. So what? I was in much too good spirits to feel bad about it. I smiled at those clapping, before turning into a grin for Shona. "Well thank you." I responded happily, finding I didn't mind the nickname from her.

[Shona Tertignan]

Keaira's smile was pretty, and lit up her face in ways I hadn't imagined. I warmly smiled. "So, did you have anything particular in mind for your outfit?" I was already thinking of Anna's expert eyes. She would have a ball with the exotic adept.

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

"I want to show off my marque, but other than that, I hadn't really thought about it." I admitted before continuing after a moment of thought. "Though something sleek and sensuous."

[Shona Tertignan]

I smiled contentedly. That would be easy. It was Anna's trademark.

"Don't even worry about it. You will look better than your Eglantine mind can imagine. When would you like to go?"

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

"After another drink? If not, then soon. I always feel bad for the clothiers in the weeks before a big fete like this." I looked across at the beauty, satisfied grin on her face.

[Shona Tertignan]

I pointed to my plate. "I prefer not to go on an empty stomach. Let me finish this and we'll be up to the clothier's district."

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

"But of course." I replied, taking a long sip of my drink. "So, now that it has been firmly established that I'm taking courts by storm, what are you up to now that you're free to choose?"

[Shona Tertignan]

“Just some more games,” I replied. “I have a few little ventures of my own, but I’m still waiting for the big project to hit,” I added mysteriously. “I teach at Bryony in the meantime. It’s fun, I’ll admit.”

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

"What do you teach?" I asked, curious to learn.

[Shona Tertignan]

"I'm Bryony," I replied, as though that would explain everything, then realized maybe it didnt'.

"I'm sorry. You may not know all this. I teach bookkeeping and administration, and I help design new games. Not very glamorous, compared to the songbird here," I said with a suggestive look.

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

"If you'd like to think my life is all glamour, go right ahead." I told her with a little wink.

[Shona Tertignan]

"Bah. I'm happy doing what I do." I took a sip of my drink, and looked at Keaira from over it. "It has some pleasant quirks, you would be surprised to know! So how is it to live a glamorous life, then ?"

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

I laughed. "I wouldn't call six hours of rehersal every day very glamorous. Even though I made my marque, there is still so much to learn. There is a bard here from Illyria, staying for a couple of weeks. I've been studying with him."

[Shona Tertignan]

"It sounds.... grueling" I said as I took another bite of the gratin. I realized I wasn't all that hungry. The food was good, but my appetite was decreasing. I wiped my lips and put down the cutlery. "I'm done. For some reason I have had enough." I shrugged. "We can go when you want, Keaira."

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

"Sorry to usher in reality." I replied with a slight smile. I drank the last of the wine, and rose. "So, where are we going?."

[Shona Tertignan]

"Clothier's district," I replied, rising from my chair. "Let's get going, I'll tell you more about them on the way."

[Keaira nó Eglantine]

I nodded and we headed out to find a truly marvelous gown.