Friends in Low Places

[Naia Shahrizai]

Ah, the Gauche. I had been here several times since the night with Gadleon, and now that I had been seen with him, no one cared to bother me. I'm not sure if that was a good thing or not, since it also hampered my ability to get drunk and find someone to warm my bed. Still, this was Terre d'Ange, it wasn't hard to find a man when felt the desire.

I swirled the wine, or swill, as it were, in my cup. One thing about spending time with Balta, I had learned the difference between good wine and bad, and it just made the bad that much worse. Still, that was why I came here: for the bad wine and worse company.

I sighed, thinking about Sarielle and the way I was spending more and more time away from home. Things seemed to be really heating up between her and Gadleon, and it galled me. I was beginning to think that it might be time for me to find my own place to live here in the City, and I was wondering how I would approach that with her. It was bound to be an argument, and if I were honest, I was beginning to tire of fighting with her.

I turned on my barstool to survey the crowd. Well, what there was of one. The place was unusually slow tonight, only a few bruisers and one barmaid, and I use the term loosely. Tossing my dark curls over one shoulder, I returned to nursing my drink. What I really needed, I decided, was friends. Jean, Pascal, and Alyss might have been below me in station, and irritating at times, but they had been a constant in my life. They were people that I could always go to when I felt this way, and they were always willing to oblige. Of course, our friendship was based on drunken revelry and sex, but that was just fine with me.

I looked around the room again with a heavier sigh. It didn't look like I was going to find a friend in this dive. Although, truth be told, someone who was comfortable here would be right up my alley. Well, the night was young, mayhap tonight would be my night?

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

I did not frequent bars often, especially not on Night’s Door Step and especially because I was not one who normally drinks. Usually my spiced candies were enough to keep me from being down, but I always found myself in the strangest situations thanks to my mischief and normally I asked for it with my actions. I had been chased a couple of blocks and burst in, catching my heaving breath and stumbled my way towards one of the barstools next to a rather pretty woman. I was surrounded by pretty women in the Court, so it wasn’t like that had influenced my choice. Had I not been consistently looking over my shoulder to make sure I was not being followed, rather than right at her, I would have chosen to sit anywhere else.

I hated Shahrizai.

Then again, I hated a lot of things and there was an exception to every rule, just like I was an exception to the Valerian House’s canon, “I Yield.” I was in an abnormally good mood, if only because I had escaped with a horridly good prank and the smile, the after math of it was still written over my face as I surveyed her. It was a fine night tonight and I wasn’t looking for any more trouble, but knowing myself, I attracted it like a magnet. I unfolded a kerchief that carried my newest batch of hard, spiced candies and popped one in my mouth, humming a little as the flavor buzzed in my head, causing sparks beneath my eyes. It was wonderful that a mere treat could do that and it was the epitome of what it truly was to be a Valerian.

“Want one?” I offered. She looked bored and while I normally didn’t share, I knew I would probably not have to surrender more than one since most men could barely handle a couple of seconds with it. “You probably couldn’t handle it though, it’s too strong,” I challenged her and I knew that she looked like one who would take the bait. At least this way, I already warned her and she could not hurt me for having offered in the first place.

[Naia Shahrizai]

As if someone up there were listening in on my rambling thoughts, within moments a young man had stumbled in and practically landed on the stool next to me. I looked at him first out of the corner of my eye. Handsome, of course, and looking slightly the worse for wear.

He popped something into his mouth and then turned and offered one to me. I wasn't much of a candy eater, though I did like sweets. I preferred things like cake and such to hard candies. But then he said something that was designed to get a rise out of me. Since coming to the City, my ability to read the faultlines and designs of others was getting better. Unfortunately, that didn't stop it from working.

I turned on my stool to face him, looking down at the innocent seeming candy. What could possibly be so strong about it?

"I'm sure I'll be fine, but thank you for your concern." I reached over and plucked a candy from the kerchief, then popped it into my mouth. I was expecting it to be a mint of some sort, since he had said it was 'strong,' so I was entirely unprepared for the taste that filled my mouth.

It was like no food I'd ever tasted before, in fact it was like I'd eaten a wasp! My eyes began to water immediately, but of course being the fool I am, I tried to pretend that it wasn't bothering me. This lasted all of ten seconds and I couldn't take it anymore. I spit the candy out onto the bar, gasping and draining my glass of wine.

"What is that?" I said, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth, which was still burning.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

I saw her calculating eyes move towards me, as if deciding whether or not I was truly worth her time or what game I was playing at. I would not have been so eager to share had I not just bought a fresh batch, for I hoarded them greedily, even from myself. They were expensive enough and their taste caused my toes to curl and my eyelids flutter in pleasure and along with that, they were a good prank when I could spare one or two. It was the perfect sweet for me. I couldn't help but let the smirk of mischief creep in the corners of my mouth when she finally popped it in her mouth and the corners of her eyes began to water.

She was trying to hold it in, pretend that it wasn't bothering her in the least and that was what made it so humorous. She hated it. It was written all over her face, though I was surprised she had actually held it in for ten seconds before spitting it out. I let out a low, short chuckle when she asked me what it was and drained that glass of wine of hers. At least it had looked like a cheap drink.

"Mm... they call it Kushiel's Apple at the store where I get it from. Delicious and feisty little things, aren't they?" After the initial burning sensation, there was a sweet, cinnamon flavor that seemed to overwhelm and dull the pain. Now that she had spit it out, I had no doubt that she was regretting it. That pleasure after pain was sweet and the candy allowed even the ordinary person feel what it was like to be a member of Valerian House.

"You looked like you needed it. Nobody goes to the bar without an agenda and you looked bored," I said simply, getting a glass of water just to abate my thirst that was welled within my throat now that the adrenaline had stopped surging through my veins.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I was only half-listening to him as a new sensation flooded my mouth, one that was sweet and ... well, it was hard to describe. I looked at the candy on the bar speculatively.

"Kushiel's apple, you say? Interesting." Part of me wanted to try again; now that the candy was out of my mouth, it seemed as if it couldn't be that bad. I was considering how dirty the bar here was like to be, and if it would seem terribly ridiculous to pop the little candy back into my mouth after watching it stick to the bar.

I was saved by the decision by focusing on his next words, which made me smile slightly. Apparently it wasn't just Shahrizai that could read others so accurately.

"Well, that is true, there is only so much excitement one can find at the bottom of a glass of wine." Or a barrel. I turned to the barkeep and ordered another glass of wine, then turned back to my new companion.

"Naia Shahrizai." I said, inclining my head in greeting. "And you are?"

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

That was the fun of the candy. When it was in your mouth, you wanted it out and when it was out, you wanted nothing more than to have it back in again. It was a sweet that was terribly hard to describe but accompanied right after the blistering pain, it was like the joy of taking a bath after a hard day's work when one's muscles were straining and aching. It was bliss. I saw her eyes dart to the candy on the bar and I would have considered giving her another one (though if I really would was another thing entirely) and a smirk crossed my features.

Oh Kushiel, your genius knew no end.

I was starting to think that I liked the spunk in this girl just a little. Enough to tolerate, maybe not enough to make a friend out of, that is, until she told me her name and my eyes darkened, narrowed and an instant dislike swept my features that I tried to bite back. Shahrizai. Was it just me, or did I honestly attract them every which way I went?

"Sinclair. Sin, for short." I tossed in my nickname to distract her from the fact that I did not give her a surname. That was one thing I really didn't need right now, someone else harassing me. " Well, I guess I'm going to go... it's all dead here. Going to try to find something exciting to do, or I'll make it exciting," I remarked and stood, though really I wanted nothing more than to get away from her. It was only a matter of time before my curses starting spewing out of my mouth and my hatred ballad for the Shahrizai was sung.

"Nice meeting you, I guess, Naia." The contempt and irritation in my voice was impossible to mask as I turned to leave.

[Naia Shahrizai]

You could have knocked me over with a feather when Sinclair, or Sin, rose to leave. I think this is a record, Naia. I thought, wryly. I either attracted a man and couldn't shake him, or I repelled him. In this case, Sin seemed ready to run out the door. I was a bit bemused, and maybe a little put out. After all, he was the most interesting person to walk into this place since Gadleon, and I had been thinking that tonight wouldn't be a total loss after all.

When he said his goodbyes, I was surprised again. He really did seem to dislike me, and so quickly! Even I had never driven someone away this quickly, and I found it damnably odd.

"Somehow I get the feeling you aren't being sincere, Sinclair." I said wryly, raising a brow at him. "Tell me, did I forget to bathe or some such?"

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

Some did not care enough if I made a hasty exit, but unfortunately, Naia Shahrizai was not one of them and quickly caught me for my lie. I pondered my options -- cursing her out or simply continue walking away, but I wasn't one to merely run away from my problems and even I would hesitate to say foul words a Shahrizai. Say it to one, you say it to all and I wasn't looking to start a little cat fight with the family, though I did not realize that in the days to come, merely befriending a Shahrizai would be enough. In my mind, they were off limits and I knew why for so many reasons, but even I couldn't obey my own rules.

It was all in this rebellious nature that flooded my veins.

"Sin. Just Sin," I said trying to stall when she called me Sinclair. I didn't want to seem like I didn't know what to say but I was really trying to choose my words wisely. I chose truthfulness with omission. She didn't need to know what House I hailed from, but she could certainly know the gist of it.

"You're a Shahrizai and we wouldn't get along. Call it prejudice at its finest, but I choose to personally stray away from your kind whenever possible."

It was a pity. She seemed like she would have been a fun little dame for tonight.

[Naia Shahrizai]

Again, that was off-putting, but not altogether new to me. Well, it was the first time someone had outright not wanted to associate with me because of my family name, but not the first time I had faced preconceived notions.

"Fair enough, Sin, though I suppose you wouldn't believe me if I told you we weren't all alike? Consider that I didn't even get angry when you gave me that rather painful little candy." I smiled and tucked an errant curl behind one ear. If he was going to leave, so be it, but I was finding him more intriguing by the moment.

"Would it be terribly rude of me to ask if you've had unpleasant run-ins with 'my kind'?" I was stalling, really, hoping to keep him talking long enough that I might change his mind about leaving entirely. It might be a long shot, but it wasn't as if I had other plans.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

"Oh no," I retorted sarcastically, "I just build my prejudices on speculations, on assumptions, on rumors..." Ugh. Did she think I was that empty headed to have never met a Shahrizai before and yet come to the conclusions that I did? It was absolutely annoying! I glowered at her and my jaw tightened. She liked the spiced candy, I gave her that much and I wish I had more data on it to see what kind of person that made her, but I had only ever given it to myself, Anixiel and her, really and actually stuck around to watch.

"We're nothing alike," I growled and rolled my eyes. "You're a Shahrizai... and I..." My voice tightened before I said it, it always did, my pride beating on me furiously to say nothing. "I am an adept of Valerian House. It should make us mesh well, but I refuse to subject myself to the ways of your family that seem to be bred in every child that is popped out of your bloodline."

[Naia Shahrizai]

My eyes narrowed at his sarcastic tone, but I refused to allow myself to become annoyed.

"Trust me, if that were the case, you wouldn't be the first." I reached for my wineglass and then remembered that I'd emptied it and frowned. This conversation would be ever so much less fun sober. I pushed the empty glass back toward the barkeep for a refill before turning my attention back to Sin, who dropped a bombshell I hadn't expected in the least.

"You? A Valerian?" I supposed the disbelief in my tone might be offensive, but he was unlike any Valerian I had ever met, though that was an admittedly low number. It did give some insight into his vitriolic response to my family name, however.

"The ways of my family?" I chuckled at that. "Well, I suppose to one of your kind, we might seem rather harsh. But come now, you have nothing to fear from me, I'm practically a child, and only interested in some company. I promise, I haven't even one implement of torture on my person." I grinned at him, and added, "You can check if you like."

He had begun to intrigue me even more, this Valerian who was not, and I felt a certain commonality with him, as I was so much less a predator than others of my family. In fact, it was an inadequacy I had begun to feel keenly, here in the City. Perhaps Sin and I had more in common than he might think.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

Her retort when I told her was a Valerian made me fold my arms over my chest. "See, exactly." I know I was not a typical Valerian, but I was always given a higher deal of respect until those words left my lips. I suppose it was a combination of disbelief that I could truly belong to such a house, but Trinette knew how to pick out characteristics well. She had made no mistake.

She was practically a child. I eyed her up and down, thinking, but entirely cautious. "You may be a child but even the cub turns into a lion," I said in disgust and really, my eyes did roam to see if she had some sort of toy on her, even though I knew it was ridiculous. "You may not have it on your person but I am sure you're schooled in them thoroughly."

I sighed loudly, "Besides, how do I know you're not lying to me?" She could just be like any Shahrizai and merely going by a different manner to play this little game with me. Even if she was truthful, that would certainly make at least ONE Shahrizai angry. Maybe not all, but I knew at least one there would not approve. It was mischievous and dangerous and stepping over lines...

Then maybe I should do it.

[Naia Shahrizai]

My lips curled up into a self-mocking smile at his words. Schooled in them? Not I, the forgotten child of a drunken fool. It came to me that in repudiating Sarielle and what she might teach me, I had also put myself in the position of being practically ignorant of the things that Sin spoke of. Still, why should he believe that?

His next words echoed my thoughts and I had to smile. "True, I suppose I could be spinning tales simply to lure you to my dungeon, but you'll never if you don't take a chance." Perhaps, like myself, Sin couldn't resist a challenge.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

I'd never know. I tended to be quite cautious around Shahrizai for a multiple of good reasons. However, I have also been known to be the kind that walk the line, that ever cautious dance of not stepping out of balance on either side, but living for that exhilaration. She was baiting me, and I knew that for a fact, but I knew very well how to live with my guard up and I would be damned if I were the one who shied away, scared of a challenge that a Shahrizai offered. My head told me I was a fool, my pride told me to take it... and that was what ruled me.

"Fine, then Naia," I said calmly, watching her through half lidded eyes, making sure to measure her up as if I were trying to figure out where she kept those internal weapons of hers. "What did you have in mind for tonight?"

I'd show this Shahrizai that she had another thing coming.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I couldn't help grinning triumphantly when Sin decided to stay, but I tried to keep that to a minimum, having the feeling he wouldn't appreciate it.

"Well, I hadn't any firm plans, but why don't we start with some drinking?" My glass had been refilled and I looked to the bartender. "A drink for my friend here." I patted the seat next to me that he had recently vacated.

"Sit, have a drink, and tell me some more about those fascinating candies. Kushiel's Apple indeed." I had the sudden image of giving one to my sister and a wicked grin crossed my lips at the very thought.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

Stubbornly, I decided to sit in the chair on the opposite side of her, the place she did not pat. Even if I had just recently vacated the chair, I wanted to show her I was no little lap dog to sit at any place she told me to. It was irrational to some degree, but I didn't care. I crossed my legs and got the drink, nothing more than one shot as I did not want to get intoxicated when I needed to have my wits about me.

"It's from the sweet shops near Night's Doorstep. For such an establishment, their sweets are high priced but I know many a noble who go there to purchase their... strange flavors. That's how I found out about them in the first place." A gift from a patron and initially, I had wanted to kill her for such a prank, but I ended up enjoying it as one of the finer things in my life. I shrugged my shoulders a little. "It's the sweet after taste that makes people want more. If it was in a normal candy without the painful spice in the beginning, it would be too much to handle... kind of... like how you would heat water to be able to forcefully stir more sugar into it than it normally could take."

I wasn't sure if she understood where I was coming from. It was a paradox of a candy, just like a Valerian.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I raised a brow as he took the seat on the other side of me, wondering if my similar antics around my sister were this amusing to her. That was a souring thought, as the point was to irk her, not amuse her. Something to think about, I supposed.

"Interesting," I remarked, as he spoke of the candy. It was, truly, and I was already planning to spend a bit of my hard earned gold on some of that candy for myself. Perhaps with practice, I'd be able to leave it in my mouth for more than ten seconds. It was proving fortuitous that I'd taken a job, considering how much money I liked to spend.

"Do they have other flavors?" Not that I personally could taste any flavor, per se, just the burning, stinging feeling. Well, until afterward, anyway.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

"No, not really," I remarked with a shrug of my shoulders. "It's an acquired taste as it is... and they don't make too many. Not many people favor it, so no use in making more than one flavor and I think cinnamon apple best suits the name, don't you?" I asked, cocking my head to the side as I looked her over, a smirk spreading across my features. I eyed her and let out a low breath.

"So, Shahrizai... what are you doing here other than mingling with a Valerian?"

[Naia Shahrizai]

I laughed softly, nodding. "Yes, the name is quite apt, actually. Very clever." I took another long drink of the swill they called wine here, then pondered his next question. A seemingly simple one, but with an answer that was not nearly so easy uncomplicated.

Of course, I had no intention of spilling my guts to a stranger, even one as intriguing as Sin. Instead, I simply shrugged, smiling idly. "Boredom makes strange bedfellows, it seems." Although Shahrizai and Valerian oft went together like peaches with cream, I sensed that Sin was to his House as I was to my family, and in that we were strange bedfellows indeed.

I gestured around the dismal room, then grinned, adding, "How could I resist the atmosphere of this place? And you, what brings you to a place like this?"

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

I shrugged my shoulders. Boredom. It did not seem quite to fit with someone like Naia, but I let it be, after all, I was not one to care whether or not she decided she wanted to lie to me. She was a one day companion and not a very good choice at that, had I had my pick it certainly would not have been with a Shahrizai.

"I was escaping some... mischief," I said as got myself one of the cheaper ones here. Seeing as this place was grungy as it was, their cheap wines could have probably been called spoiled grape juice, but it would be something to do. I swirled it around in my cup and looked her. Would she appreciate it? "I pulled a prank on some guards, that's all, nothing big... but they entirely deserved it."

I let out a light chuckle. She was a different Shahrizai, not that that made me trust her any more.

[Naia Shahrizai]

Mischief? Well, I certainly liked the idea of that, and Sin went up a notch in my esteem.

"A prank? Do tell, and spare no details." I grinned and turned slightly on my stool so that I was facing him. I found the idea of pranks amusing, and I suppose some of the things I did to my sister could be considered in the same vein. Did sleeping with her lover count as a prank?

At any rate, I was interested in hearing Sin's prank, and living a bit vicariously through him, since things had been very tame on my end the past few weeks. Perhaps that lack of excitement was what had me her, crawling out of my skin.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

What was I doing spilling my guts to a Shahrizai? A look of disgust passed my face when she told me to tell all and not skimp on the details. If I didn't know any better, she may have looked genuinely interested but I was not a fool to fall for her, no matter how sweet. I pursed my lips in obvious distaste. "I had them thinking a nobleman's son was pelting them with apples, but it was me. They chased the boy for a ten minutes before their dad found them and the son proclaimed his innocence along with a good alibi from his own personal servant he was with."

That had taken some good planning on my part and a very large amount of accuracy from the rather difficult vantage point from where I had been throwing. "The nobleman's son recognized me just as I was climbing out of my hiding space and they chased me. I lost them in Night's Doorstep. It's easy." I shrugged my shoulders a little and gave her a look. I was trying desperately to read her, to find the falseness in her features and where the chips in her painted mask were that revealed her as a true Shahrizai.

"What do you care, anyway?" It was probably small compared to what most Shahrizai dealt with and my nose wrinkled in distaste.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I listened with a smile as Sin described his prank, chuckling at the mental images he provided. When he was finished however, he questioned my interest suspiciously.

I wondered at that, his suspicion and obvious loathing of all things Shahrizai. Being a Valerian, I could well imagine the types of things he'd suffered at the hands of my kin, but didn't Valerians like that sort of thing? I realized that my knowledge of Valerians was seriously lacking, especially for a Shahrizai.

"I've been known to play a prank or two," I said in response to his question, smiling at him and attempting to make him feel more comfortable. "I was hoping perhaps to get some new ideas. I'm fresh out." Although those little candies had given me a few ideas!

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

"If it were me, I'd give those candies to a few more Shahrizai," I said, more to myself than to her and my eyes narrowed. Playing a prank or two still didn't make me buy it and I could not help but continue my suspicions, however wrong they were with the young woman. Prideful little twits the majority of Shahrizai were and I was sure they'd have a hell of a time trying to keep Kushiel's Apple in their mouth whilst their eyes watered and bubbled over in the sheer pain and pleasure of it. It was a rather interesting and amusing mental image, especially since it was almost like taking the role of a Valerian, albeit however temporary.

"Not that you'd do it. You're a Shahrizai and I am not looking for a death wish." Even I did not have the guts to pull a stunt like that, but oh... if I did. It would surely be the highlight of the year.

[Naia Shahrizai]

It was as if he'd read my devious little mind.

"Oh, you underestimate me, Sin." I grinned and ran the tip of my index finger around the rim of my glass. "There is one particular Shahrizai whom I cannot wait to give a taste of Kushiel's Apple." And maybe a few others, besides.

I took another sip of my 'wine' and then looked over at him again. "It's a lot safer for me to do it than anyone else, you are right about that." I imagined that even my fairly even tempered sister would not appreciate the gesture - especially from a Valerian.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

I smirked at her, "You mean to tell me that you actually mean to pull the prank?" I asked with a raised brow. I honestly could not believe it. She almost seemed to have something against the Shahrizai as I did. Even if it was nothing compared to mine, it was something and I leaned against my hand with a grin. "Shahrizai against Shahrizai, hm? Never thought I'd see the day." I laughed a little bit and got up, "Look, let's go pick up some of the Kushiel's Apples."

Then we could call it a day.

[Naia Shahrizai]

"Why not?" I shrugged and grinned. "We Shahrizai defend each other to outsiders, but that doesn't mean we don't give each other a hard time. Someone's got to do it." I slid off of my barstool with a grin, pausing to down the rest of my wine. I thought I spied something floating in the glass, but I pretended not to.

"Besides, it's a specific Shahrizai I have in mind." I grinned wickedly, imagining my sister's reaction to the spiced candy. It might cost me a week's wages, but it would be well worth it! "I'm ready when you are."

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

Someone had to do it indeed.

I suppose that that was what attracted me most to Naia, if everything else turned me off. She had that same itching desire to lay some mischief down on the Shahrizai, even if they were her own people and I suppose, it helped that I could not do it on my own unless I wanted a thrashing and while I did enjoy pain, the outcome of it all I was unsure of. If I couldn't do it, maybe this bright eyed Shahrizai could and like moments before, she had lived through my mischief, I could only hope that in this one act, I could live through hers.

I topped off my drink and led the way to the very edge of Night's Doorstep. It was a very narrow shop that looked like it would be more suited as an outhouse with its size than a candy shop, but there was a small sign that indicated what it was and I pushed the door open. The crooked eyed Tsigano woman let out a heart filled laugh when she saw me. "Back for more, my favorite masochist? And ah, a lady friend." She pointed at Naia and smiled, "You didn't seem the type to travel in crowds."

I waved her off a little as I opened with practiced ease, the small cookie jar that contained Kushiel's Apples. "It's a special occasion and they're not for me." My mouth watered a little at seeing so many and for such a small shop, she sure had a driving price, but it was not like I could argue. She was the only one who sold it and could sell it for what she willed.

[Naia Shahrizai]

I was content to let Sin lead the way as we threaded our way through Night's Doorstep, finally arriving at the shop in question. It was tiny, and definitely not what I imagined a candy shop to look like. It was run by a Tsingano woman who seemed to know Sin well. I was a bit discomfited when the woman pointed at me, but Sin took it all in stride. It was quite obvious that he frequented this place.

I watched as he procured the candies, feeling the Tsingano woman's eyes on me. "Not for you?" She said, looking at me even more boldly than before. "I wouldn't have suspected someone of your ... coloring ... to enjoy such things." Ah, the way of the world, it seemed... one look at my blue-black locks and my deep blue eyes and everyone thought they knew so much about me. It was becoming tiresome, to be honest.

"You know what they say, never judge a book by it's cover." I was amused by the thought of letting her believe that they were indeed for me, if only to poke a hole in the stereotypes of my family. She was sharper than that, however.

"Hmmph."

I thought she might say more, but she held her tongue, for which I was grateful. I moved closer to Sin's side, peering at the candies he held. "I'm afraid to ask what this is going to cost me." I said under my breath, though in truth I would pay whatever it took just to see Sarielle's face after giving her one.

[Sinclair nó Valerian]

The price for about a dozen were indeed around a normal man's week of wages. Her prices were ridiculous, but she knew well that anyone who frequented her shop and tried her rarities would be forced to come back for more, despite the prices. Even if they were nothing more than a seasonal treat, there always seemed to be something that left a person wanting more. I knew that well, unfortunately, for I had been snared by her will and she always seemed to be able to merely look at someone and find the perfect sweet for them.

I hand chose a good half dozen for Naia, making sure they were the larger ones so at least it was slightly more worth her while and handed it to the Tsigano woman to pack up. Had I been more of a gentleman, I may have offered to pay, but as it was, I was already having difficulty paying for my marque without charity to a rich family so I stood back to make sure Naia knew I would not take the bill. The old woman pulled out a box with black-blue hues like Naia's hair and tied it with a red ribbon as soon as she deposited the candies in. Even for a small, run down shop like this, she had the quality that the money deserved.

"Ah, one more thing... free of charge," she said and reached down into her counter to pull out a small case that looked like a miniature purse that could fit in one's hand, a deep blue reflecting in Naia's eyes. "This is for you, my dear, since you do not seem to be purchasing these for yourself. Here is the sweet that will flame your desires...made just for you. Kusheth's Gem, in case you decide you'd like to come back for more." She gave a knowing smile and turned back to me, "No more mischief Valerian... and I would think you of all people would know to stay away from... them."

I was a bit taken back by her words, "I'm merely bringing you business," was all I said trying not to be shaken by what she said. I knew how she was charitable with her candies, but always at a price. If it was as she said, Naia's candy, she would come back for more.