A return visit

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I had just come from the marquists shop, after taking my earnings from the Cruarch's fete, and was gladly sporting a new section on my marque. It was about half finished now, and I was feeling fairly happy, despite the twinges of pain in my back. For that reason, I had decided to make a little sidetrip, to pay a visit to Baltasar's wine shop. I was glad he'd invited me to come back, and this was the perfect opportunity to stop in and say hello.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

It was not a busy day, by any means, but customers had been trickling in and purchasing at a slow, steady pace. The midwinter weather made sure that people locked themselves indoors, or so it seemed, as much as possible. I had just wrapped a bottle in brown paper and handed it to the customer when the bell rang and the front door opened, letting teh chill air inside. The fire was burning bright, but it always seemed that no matter how high I stoked it, once that door opened the chill would enter and make itself be known.

I turned to face the newcomer with a smile, and smiled wider as I recognized who it was. Tsura. I had met her some time ago and invited her to come to my shoppe, and it seemed, perchance, that she had taken me up on that offer.

"Tsura!" I called out in a booming voice, friendly and welcoming. "Wel met!"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I moved a little stiffly, trying to not use my back anymore than absolutely necessary. This meant that I was slow, and although I hurried to get the door closed behind me, there were several seconds when it hung open, letting in the chill air. Once it was closed, I turned back to smile at Baltasar, glad for his greeting.
As I crossed to the counter, a smile crept across my face, despite my pain. "Hello again, Baltasar."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I smiled as she greeted me, though she did move a little... awkwardly. I tilted my head to the side.

"Are you alright, Tsura? If memory serves well, and it usually does, you normally move with the grace of the finest dancer," I grinned. "Is all well?"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I nodded, then placed my hands flat on the counter in front of me, and took a deep breath. After a long moment I smiled again and looked up at Baltasar. "I'm just coming from the marquist's shop. I was able to add another section to my marque, thanks to a patron gift I received."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I beamed at her news as she placed her hands on the counter, possibly steadying herself.

"That is great news!" I exclaimed. "Is a congratulatory drink in order? Or... will that make the bleeding worse?" I asked, scrunching my nose a bit, wondering at the discomfort.

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I started to laugh, but had to stop when a twinge went through my back. As proud as I was of adding to my marque, I was no Valerian, to enjoy pain. But I nodded, and my smile widened, "That's just why I stopped here. Well, that, and to see you again, handsome." I grinned and winked at him.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I laughed, full bodied like my favourite wine, and shook my head.

"And you are as beautiful as ever, even if a bit stiff," I said, returning her wink with one of my own. "So what will you be having, red, white, sherry, brandy or a blush?"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I had to think about that for a moment, then I smiled, "A nice full red would be good. Something sweet." I turned to look around for a moment, then looked back, "And maybe a bit of cheese?"

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I laughed softly., spreading my hands magnanimously.

"Anything for you, Tsura," I said wtih a smile as I turned my back and grabbed a stemmed wineglass, with a bit of a flourish, and an ever present smile, and I reached underneath the top of the bar, grabbing a bottle of red, without looking, knowing perfectly well which it was. It was a sweet one, full bodied, but without the strong stainy aftertaste. It was a strong wine, though. I popped the cork, filling her glass halfway, before I grabbed a glass for myself and did the same.

"And as for the cheese," I said with a grin, turning to walk through the door that lead to the kitchen, raising one finger to let her know I would be but a second, I went to the icebox, taking out an aged cheese, sharp cheddar, and unwrapped the maslin from around it before slicing a few pieces, putting it back, and taking some crusty bread from one of teh cupboards, made the evening before. I sliced a few pieces of that as well and returned to the store front with a small platter.

"Et voila," I exclaimed, setting it down , trading it in for my wine glass. I raised it. "Do you wish to make a toast?"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I grinned as I watched him pour the wine, then waited while he went to the kitchen to slice the cheese and some bread. When he brought it back out, I grinned, "Oh, you are a wonder, Baltasar." I almost laughed again when he raised his glass, but my back reminded me of itself, so I raised my own glass instead. "A toast, to future sucesses, and continuing friendships." I smiled, and secretly hoped it might go deeper than a mere platonic friendship.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

"To both!" I exclaimed before letting my glass clink lightly against hers, and then I took a sip, a deep one, letting the liquid fill my mouth, and then I swallowed it, feeling the strong grape adn elderberry flavouring course over my tongue and down my throat.

""So, have you any interesting news?" I asked her, leaning on the bar, looking up at her.

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I smiled when I heard his toast, and I clinked my glass against his, then took a swallow of my wine. It was a good one, just what I'd asked for. I took another smaller sip before putting my glass down, then I nodded. "Besides adding to my marque? Yes, actually. I was contracted for the Shahrizai fete!" I grinned happily, I was rather excited about this because I was the only Eglantine to get a contract for the Lady Shahrizai's natale.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

She set her glass down and told me her news, at which I raised both brows, then one brows, trying to figure out what use a Shahrizai had for an Eglantine adept, but knowing the part she spoke of, I knew that Naia was... varried... in her tastes.

"The Shahrizai fete, the one for Naia right?" I asked, laughing. "Ah Naia, what will she do next," I murmured, more to myself than to Tsura. "If you do not mind me asking, but... why? Do you moonlight as a Valerian?" I asked with a soft chuckle.

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I nodded again, my excitement growing. "Yes, it's for Lady Naia's natale." I had to laugh again when he asked about my being a Valerian, but that choked off when I had to fight back a muscle spasm. "Please don't make me laugh.." I grinned, "I think I will mostly be there just to dance."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I raised a brow. "Very interesting," I murmured, wondering what she might perform. "I have been invited... afterall, I am her employer," I said with a laugh, "so perhaps I will see you there, though I have yet to find Naia a present. I like ot give things that are... not expected. Something more out of the ordinary. And I can guess she will be getting necklaces and braceletes abounds, and probably gags and whips as well," I chuckled. "Have you any suggestions?"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

Well, I hadn't known that Lady Naia worked here. I had to think about his question for a minute or two, but in the end, I could only shrug. "I don't know what she likes, beyond the obvious," I smirked, "I'm sorry."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I laughed softly after taking a sip of whine. "Well yes I know but... women in general. If you were having a natale... and everyone was getting you jewelry, what would you prefer instead?"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I thought about that one for a second, then nodded. "You have a point, I suppose. Do you know if she has any hobbies, like gardening, or painting, anything like that?"

[Baltasar de Cordova]

My eyes brightened as she helped me, yet again, just like she had the day we met, giving me the idea for another type of wine beverage.

"Why you're right! She does! She likes to draw... I can get her an easle and some supplies. What do you think? Good idea for someone who likes art?"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I grinned back, glad that I was able to help. Nodding, I took another drink of my wine, "That sounds like an excellent idea. I have a few friends at Eglantine house who are artists, and they always enjoy getting new supplies."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I smiled. "Well of course, that is what they love to do, right? I wonder, what would a danceer, such as yourself, find to be a good present?" I asked, wondering idly, sipping from my glass. "Or would you prefer something not to do with yoru trade?"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I tilted my head and looked at him, "Another excellent question," I thought about it for a moment, "Well, as a dancer, I would have to say, either now shoes... or a fan. I like to use a fan when I dance Flamenco." I grinned, and would have done a few steps right there, if not for the other customers, and my back.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

"Ah, and you are going to dance flamenco at the fete? I should like to see that, I have not seen you dance, as yet. Do you dance any other dances?" I asked with a smile, wondering for a moment if Azabelle had ever seen a flamenco dancer before.

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I smiled happily, and nodded. "Yes, probably. And I'd like to show you a dance... But not today, I'm afraid." I chuckled, then sighed, But I think you'll see it for sure during the fete."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I smiled, and whinced at the pain she was probably feeling.

"I will be looking out for it," I said wtih a smile. Then, wondering abotu her back, I continued. "So... how long does it take to do? However much you did today, that is," I asked.

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

I blinked, and had to change my train of thought from dancing to my marque. It took me a moment, and I sipped my wine again before I answered. "It can take years. I've heard of some adepts that never finish their marque. That's rare, though. Mine has taken," I did a quick mental tally, "Almost 4 years, and it's only half done."

[Baltasar de Cordova]

"Ah," I said chuckling, "that was my next question. I meant this... installment. How long were you on the marquists table, and how much did you add to your marque?"

[Tsura Kirchner nó Eglantine(I)]

"Oh, heh," I smiled at my confusion. "This time.... I think I was on the table for about 3 hours. It's still just simple, but.. I can't show you." That's not something that was done, baring a marque in public before it was finished.

[Baltasar de Cordova]

I raised my hands shaking my head, showing her I was not looking for anything of the sort. "Oh, no no, I know the rules," I teased with a wink, "I was just wondering is all. Three hours! That must have been taxing. Does it truly hurt overmuch?" I asked. It looked like it did from the way she had to carry herself to ensure that she did not inflict pain on herself.