Setting: Common Room: Flaming Arrow Inn, Tar Valon

Players:
Addie - Child of All Work
Sydnia - Lady Sydnia Saldrian of House Rhinoth
Jhyn'na - Altaran Healer
Bronwyn - Pottery Maker
Arkham - Warrior
Quim - Scholar
Renimar - Lieutenant Lord

Non-player Characters:
Cabral - A portly toymaker of Tar Valon
Alerya - The toymaker's wife

Jhyn'na saunters into the room, casting a bright-eyed glance about despite the hour of night. Her ever-present basket is held to one hip as she offers a greeting smile to the other patrons.

Sydnia smiles at Addie. "You shouldn't have to work. You should play more. Everyone should play sometimes."

Bronwyn looks down at the table for a moment, "How long do you think it will be? Before you begin training?"

Addie smiles at seeing Jhyn'na. "Hello!" She shakes her head to Sydnia. "But you still have to work, if you're not rich."

Arkham taps his chin, "Most likely a few weeks, nearly a month..."

Sydnia smiles at her. "Perhaps I shall buy you a doll, then. Would you like a doll?"

"Addie," Jhyn'na's face adopts a pleased expression at sighting the girl, "It's been quite some time since I saw you last." To Sydnia, "M'lady. I see you've become acquainted with this charming young lady." Familiar with those two, her steps naturally pull her in that direction.

Addie blinks. A doll. A doll? She considers it, and the politeness of accepting or refusing, and all sorts of things. "Am I too old for a doll?" Asking both their advice, it seems.

Bronwyn smiles, "That long!?" She tries not to look too happy about that, "What are you going to do until then?"

Sydnia nods slightly to Jhyn'na. "Addie was telling me that she never gets to play."

Arkham grins slightly, "Spend as much time with you as possible."

Arkham chuckles, his chest rumbling deeply.

Jhyn'na frowns slightly at the news "Well, that's not right my dear. And no, I don't think...well how old are you?"

Addie says, "I didn't say that, exactly, quite...I'm eight." Nodding.

Bronwyn laughs, "I am glad to hear that. You are my only friend here."

Arkham says "Aye, it's the same with me."

Jhyn'na inclines her head towards the girl, catching laughter at the other side of the room and glancing that way curiously. A smile and she returns to her conversation "Well, that's certainly not too old to play. Might I suggest Master Cabral's shop? His wife makes the most darling dolls. Or had you elsewhere in mind, m'lady?"

Quim comes down the wooden stairs from the second floor.

Addie smiles. "What do they look like?"

Sydnia smiles. 'I shall buy you a doll dressed in a fine dress. And then I'll have a matching dress made for you." She speaks with the tone of someone for whom money is no object.

Quim makes his way down smiling, and whistling an absent tune, he spots Addie, and waves "Hey there little one." He grins on seeing Jhyn, offering up a smile in greeting.

Bronwyn smiles, "Whatever will I do when you begin training? I will never have anyone to talk to."

Addie blinks and looks uncertain, in the face of such decision. Not that she _objects_, mind you, just...uncertain.

"Oh all kinds, with dark hair, and light hair, in any kind of dresses you might want," Jhyn'na nods to Sydnia "Even fine dresses." at Quim's greeting, she responds with a matching smile "Good eve, Master Quim, I hope you are faring well?"

Quim goes of to a corner of the room and watches quietly, after lighting a pipe, his face soon becoming wreathed in bluish smoke.

Arkham rests his arms on the table, "Well, I will only be in training when Kale is around, if he does decide to accept me in any case."

Addie smiles at Quim, realizing he's greeted her. "Hello." And then turns thoughtful. Dolls and dresses...

Sydnia looks at Jhyn'na. "Why don't you show us the way to the dollmaker's?" She looks at Addie, the older girl having found herself a living doll.

Quim sounds around his pipe stem "Well? I suppose so, just woke up actually, it takes me a bit to get my bearings."

Bronwyn sighs, "And you'll find someone else to by you Aes Sedai and I really will never see you again."

Arkham looks incredulious, "Never see me again? You'll have a hard enough time getting rid of me!"

Arkham chuckles.

Addie looks startled. "Right now?"

Quim says to Addie 'You be careful hear."

Addie smiles at Quim. What's to be careful of? But she nods agreeably. "I am."

Bronwyn shakes her head, "No you won't. You heard all that those Accepted were saying last night....dedication and loyalty and all that. You will have no room for friends and family remember?"

Jhyn'na chuckles at Quim, shaking her head in teasing admonishment "Do you really think that anything would happen to her? At least not if I can help it." Her hand strays to the knife at her waist, with a wink for those she converses with.

Arkham shrugs slightly, "I doubt I will have to sever all ties, even if in the future _years_ I become Gaidin, most of them are not bonded."

Sydnia looks at Quim. "I travel with an escort always. THere is nothing that can happen to the girl."

Quim chuckles "I see she is in good hands, but it is always good advice. You never know who you can trust these days, who is who, we all wear masks."

Quim shrugs "Such overconfidence will be her downfall."

Bronwyn looks serious, "But that's what you want isn't? To be bonded? That is why you are here?"

Addie thinks she sees a criticism in there. "I'm not over..confident." Automatically. Afterwards, she stops to evaluate the concept.

Jhyn'na eyes Quim a bit askance at his general views, but maintains her smile "I suppose..." she begins, then finds she has nothing to add to that and merely shifts her basket to the other hip.

Arkham says "Bronwyn, my reason for becoming a warder is not solely becomming bonded, and when I do, it could be years from now, perhaps ten, or longer."

Quim grins "I wasn't speaking of you dear, but of the noble lady."

Sydnia looks to Quim, a snide smile on her face. "Never show fear, and none will suspect you are afraid."

Quim shrugs "Never show fear and none will suspect your human."

Jhyn'na watches the exchange with faint amusement, and perhaps a little incomprehension, but she shrugs it off and turns to Addie. "Don't tell me you haven't visited Master Cabral yet?"

Sydnia looks to Jhyn'na again. "Shall we go, then?" She smiles at Addie.

Addie watches them, a little bit nervous, frowning slightly. "Visited...?"

Bronwyn waves a hand in the air, "Whatever you say. We will find out who is right and who is wrong in a few months or so won't we?" She smiles to show that she is only joking.

Arkham grins slightly, "I'm never wrong."

Jhyn'na chuckles indulgently "The toymaker? I told you, you were invited to his story times." she offers as a jog to the girl's memory.

Arkham winks.

Addie says, "Oh! Oh, it was...things happened." She nods. "I remember." Still a bit worried about Quim and the lady. She doesn't answer Sydnia's question, because she assumes it's directed to Jhyn'na.

Bronwyn sits up straighter, looking proud and determined, "And neither am I."

Arkham leans forward on the table, "Uh huh..." while grinning slightly.

Jhyn'na turns her attention back to Sydnia's suggestion, inclining acquiescence. "Would you like to come as well, Master Quim?"

Bronwyn raises an eyebrow, "You doubt?"

Addie smiles. Yes. That's better. She nods to Quim.

Arkham says "A friendly wager?"

Quim grins "I would be a fool not to."

Quim shrugs 'Who knows, I may even get a doll for myself."

Quim assumes that is where they are going.

Bronwyn leans forward, "What's you price?"

Renimar comes into the common room from the stable yard outside.

Addie giggles, to herself.

Arkham scratches his chin, "Well, I haven't much... Hmm, I can offer my shirt, and what of you?"

Bronwyn laughs loudly, "Your shirt!"

Quim nods to Addie "And then our dolls can have tea parties." Said deadpan, quite seriously.

Sydnia waves and a small number of large liveried men jump to attention.

Arkham winks, saying "Or a kiss. I'm poor as can be. And not many would kiss this ugly mug so a shirt it is"

Jhyn'na is talking with Quim, Addie and Sydnia, apparently preparing to leave with them.

Addie grins. "Would your doll have tea or ale?"

Bronwyn makes a bit of a face, "A kiss!? I think I would rather have your shirt! Not that you are bad looking or anything."

Jhyn'na has to stifle a giggle at Quim's suggestion, then at Addie's marvelous return.

Renimar enters the establishment quietly, taking in the patrons with a quick look, spotting and picking out the familiar faces in a glance.

Quim hrms "A good question, I think tea with brandy."

Arkham says "Am too ugly!"

Bronwyn shakes her head, getting defensive, "I didn't say that!"

Addie nods, happily. "That would still look Nice."

Sydnia smiles to herself. "Well, lets move along then."

Arkham chuckles.

Bronwyn sighs, "A kiss isn't much of a reward....what else do you got?"

Arkham laughs heartily.

Jhyn'na's back is to the door for the moment, waiting for Sydnia and her entourage to lead the way out.

Quim nods "It would be the talk of the town no doubt.' he glances at the women and says "Upon your pleasure ladies."

Arkham says "You obviously haven't been kissed by me, but lets see..."

Sydnia moves out with hher escort in tow, the others behind her.

Sydnia opens the door to the stable yard and heads outside.

It is to Jhyn'na, Addie, Quim and a woman with a number of footmen that Renimar goes. He approaches the young Wisdom and touches her shoulder.

Addie smiles at Renimar, as she's starting to move toward the door. And stops.

Arkham looks down at his old clothing.

Sydnia comes into the common room from the stable yard outside.

Arkham lights up.

Arkham says "One week of free guard duty."

Sydnia impatiently walks back in. "Well?"

Jhyn'na turns, of course, a faint start of surprise giving way to a dimpled smile "Renimar, now why didn't I see you even walk in? We're about to go to Master Cabral's"

Addie informs Sydnia, "He's her friend." So she wouldn't want to just go past him, see? Addie stands, contentedly, just by the door.

Bronwyn looks skeptical about the whole kiss business. She nods, "That's considering I do get the shop opened."

Sydnia nods. "I see." She still looks very impatient.

Arkham says "Well, how could such an impressive person as you not?"

Renimar gives the young Addie a smile and a respectful nod to Quim. To Jhyn'na, he gives a warmer smile and replies, "You never hear me come in, it seems. You are all going to the toymaker?"

Arkham muffles a yawn behind his hand and stretches.

Quim walks over and leans down He mutters to Addie, "... you... with..."

Addie looks up to Quim. She mutters to Quim, "... met, just... really."

Jhyn'na smiles apologetically towards Sydnia, then looks between Renimar and her "You've not met?"

Sydnia shakes her head slightly. "No, I am not quainted with this gentleman." She eyes Renimar appraisingly.

Renimar half-turns to face the impatient woman. With a shallow bow and a polite smile, he introduces himself. "We have not met, no. I am Lieutenant Lord Renimar of House Hune. The honour is mine."

Bronwyn smiles, "Ok, I get a week of guard duty, what do you get.....if by some strange occurence I am wrong. Which won't happen, but just in case."

Arkham shrugs slightly, "You're choice, madam"

Sydnia nods slightly to Renimar. "Lady Sydnia Saldrian of House RHinorth." She smiles. "Will you also be accompanying us to the toymaker?"

Bronwyn thinks for a moment, "What would you want? Anything?"

Addie blinks. Those are a lot of titles.

Arkham says "Something, I've just no clue what."

Arkham chuckles.

Renimar eyes the small group and shrugs careless. "Why not? I've nothing better to do at the moment. Anything is better than watching some new recruits murder bales of hay with arrows. And missing."

Quim nods to Renimar "Good, you can buy a doll with me, something to practice your wooing technique on."

Jhyn'na giggles "You should have Father help train them. He's no novice at the bow."

Bronwyn thinks for a moment, "No, you have to come up with something. Or you get nothing."

Arkham says "I think not, I picked what your reward is, you pick mine. 'tis only fair."

Renimar looks at Quim mildly. "I didn't think I was so out of practice with my wooing..." To Jhyn'na, he grins back. "Oh, he has been. If next you see him and he's a little balder, that's why."

Bronwyn sighs, "Well, I do not know what you would want. A new sword?" She laughs and points at the previously offered shirt, "A new shirt?"

Sydnia taps a small foot impatiently. "We must be going now. Mistress Jhyn'na, lead the way, please, as you know the route."

Arkham laughs softly, "Did I hear you say a new sword?"

Jhyn'na hides a snicker behind a slender hand, but she motions towards the door, giving Sydnia another apologetic smile

Bronwyn nods, "If that is what you want."

Addie turns to follow.

Arkham says "Well, that is a bit much..."

[Traveling scene to Alindaer Drive: Tar Valon, Tar Valon]

Lilith grins.

Jhyn'na emerges with a group of people from the inn, at a fairly slow pace to allow conversation.

Quim walks out on various people's coattails, well not literally.

Addie follows the crowd of adults, cheerfully, glowing with anticipation of a Consumer Experience.

Lilith is sneaking around trying not to be seen.

Sydnia smiles at Addie, mostly, her guards following the group.

Jhyn'na is engaged in her conversation, chattering happily at whomever in the party will listen. Apparently about some hapless boy getting into trouble for overfeeding the family dogs.

"Here we are," Jhyn'na calls out liltingly, upon coming to a stout wooden door set in quite a drab, dark looking house with a brightly coloured sign of a wooden doll. The lettering shows that this is indeed Master Cabral's Toyshop, despite its outward appearances.

Addie looks up, eagerly, and steps back, the better to see the doll-picture.

Quim looks to Addie "So what did you do to deserve all this?

Sydnia smiles, looking pleased. "Where is Master Cabral, now?" Renimar stolls along the side of the group, quietly listening to the group, enjoying that his trip through the city is not, for once, work-related. "Did you win another footrace, Addie?"

Addie looks up and grins at Renimar. "No. I didn't do anything special."

Jhyn'na steps quickly up the few steps to open the door with a slight grunt at its sheer inertia. But it moves open on smoothly oiled hinges to reveal a glimpse of a well-lit and strangely small front room. Despite it's size, various toy displays are strewn about, almost haphazardly "Likely inside," she answers Sydnia just before stepping through.

Sydnia follows Jhyn'na into the little store, looking around, smiling.

Addie hurries in, slipping between adults. Oooh....

With a smile, Renimar takes the rear position and follows everyone in, knowing that the marvels inside will be a treat for young Addie, and perhaps for the adults who haven't seen the toymaker's shop yet.

A large man, with a shock of unruly red hair bustles in from a much larger room, farther in the shop. He moves nimbly among his own displays, despite his bulk, calling out a cheery hello to the sudden mob of visitors. "Mistress Jhyn'na, I see you've brought me some guests," He beams at the child's form scuttling in "Some very special ones, from the looks of it." Backing into the other room, he beckons with a meaty hand, "Please, come in and make yourself at home. There's more to look at in here, little miss." to Addie, of course.

Addie looks around, eyes eager, hands reaching, over and over again, but pulling back before they touch. She grins a little wildly at the man and follows the beckoning hand.

Quim sighs and just shakes his head "And I thought I was spoiled." he mummurs.

Sydnia looks about at all the toys. Had she been but a few years younger, she might have been picking things out for herself. She smiles.

The next room seems as haphazard as the first, one corner reserved as open space it seems, with a large, comfortable and brightly coloured rug providing incentive to sink down there. The rest of the room is filled with shelves and tables and even piles of wooden creations, some dolls, moving banks, figures of every creature imaginable; even a small section of books. Cabral continues to pick his way around the room, "Please feel free to examine what you find interesting. After all, you can't decide what you like until you try it, hmm?"

Quim walks over and picks up a toy sword, fingering its dull edge, he glances around and sees no one is looking and begins to fence with an invisible enemy.

Addie walks around, not touching anything for a full circuit of the room. Then she fingers a doll's dress, a puppet-soldier's helmet, stops to watch one of the banks perform.

Jhyn'na gives in to the invitation of the rug and settles herself at a likely corner, spreading her skirts about carefully with her feet tucked neatly under her. The basket is to her side as she dimples up at the massive toymaker "How fare you and Mistress Alerya? I hope your business fares well?"

Renimar meanders slowly about the work tables, casting a careful eye over many of the creations, though he touches only a very few, instead, keeping one hand behind his back, the other clutching the hilt of his blade, to make sure it does not knock anything, or anybody, over.

Sydnia carefully examines a variety of different wonders, looking very happy.

Addie glances over at Quim and grins. "Are you really going to have a doll?"

Quim tosses a sword at Renimar "Are you man enough to face me?" He says, he has managed to scrounge up an eye patch, and bandanna, and looks like one of the infamous sea marauders of the southwest.

Cabral chuckles almost thunderously, the sound more comforting than frightening "As well as can be, Mistress. Your cakes are always a favourite at story times." Almost casually he picks up one of the moving banks, this one depicting the scene of a child drawing water at a well. As the bucket seemingly descends, the wooden child bends over to watch its path. That movement is certainly demonstrated, a beam for Addie, then towards the rest of the adults. "You can never be too old for toys, you know." he offers with a wink.

Quim turns to Addie, squinting at her from his uncovered eye "I might at that, and then I'll make her walk the plank, or hold her for ransom, what do you think of that."

Addie laughs at Quim's eye patch. "That wouldn't be nice, when you just met her." Then her eyes catch on the bank, and she watches in fascination.

Renimar turns around in time to snatch a wooden sword out of the air, even as he gives Quim a look in askance at his outfit. "A pirate, in Tar Valon?" he mock cries, taking the role. "Not while I'm guarding these docks! En garde!"

Sydnia looks at Cabral with a grin. "I want to get her a doll. And an Addie-sized dress to match her doll's."

A much smaller woman emerges from a seemingly hidden entrance, stopping short as she sees the people perusing the merchandise. Quick brown eyes, light up as she moves forward to her husband's side, looking quite dwarfed by him. "Ahh, some new guests Cabral?" Primly she folds her hands in front of her worn apron.

Addie brightens. A doll. She walks to look at dolls, now, considering their faces.

Quim turns around as the lady appears and decides he better stop before he breaks something, running amuck in her shop, the nerve. He lifts the patch, slipping the sword behind his back, nodding "Good day mistress.'

Sydnia smiles at the toymaker and his wife. "Any doll she'd like."

Jhyn'na claps her hands in delight at the play between Renimar and Quim, her childlike features displaying her amusement to her advantage. Having been to this shop any number of times, she merely contents herself with lounging at the story mat, offering a greeting towards Alerya as well. "Good even, Mistress. I told them they would be quite welcome in your shop."

Quim grins and says to all "I must be off I am afraid, the open seas wait and many a damsel to ravage and a ship to plunder."

Addie looks sadly at Quim. "You don't have a doll yet!" Looking up from some candidates.

Alerya smiles, her manner much more quiet than her husband's, "Of course," She turns to Addie, continuing in her low voice "Just choose which sort of doll you'd like." A small hand waves towards the variety of soft dolls with little rosebud mouths and bright cheeks in all manner of hair colour and dress.

Quim tosses her a gold piece "Why don't you pick me out one, the best of course, and keep the change."

Addie blinks at the gold. Twice. And a few more times for good measure. Looking up, "All right..."

Jhyn'na echoes Addie's protest, then smiles as the coin flips through the air towards the girl. "Perhaps a pirate doll then." She does wave though

Sydnia looks to Alerya. "You will make Addie a dress to match whatever doll she chooses?" She smiles.

At the appearance of the small woman, Renimar puts up his sword and walks over to where it was taken from and replaces it. "Perhaps another time, ye scurvy dog," he grins to Quim.

Quim chuckles at Renimar "Aye." He begins to make his way towards the door, humming.

Addie calls to Quim, "Good night." And looks to the dolls.

Cabral wraps an arm about te petite shoulders of his diminutive wife, answering for her "Aye m'lady." for lady she must be with that entourage of hers. "Her hands are still nimble for all she protests her age." With an affectionate squeeze, he maneuvers his bulk to the story mat to take a seat next to the Wisdom, chatting easily

Addie picks up a doll, black-haired and neatly and sensibly gowned in navy blue, and studies her face.

Renimar steps up quietly to the doll-maker and offers her a smile. "Mistress Alerya, I wonder if it would be possible to commission a doll."

Sydnia watches Addie with a smile.

The toymaker's wife turns towards Renimar with an accomodating smile. She murmurs "Of course, you only need describe what you want to see on the doll. You see the varieties here." A slender arm, encompasses the shelf Addie is already perusing. "Some take longer than others, depending on your request."

Jhyn'na giggles every so often, joined by the large man's deeper rumble, apparently deep in one of her favourite pastimes - sharing local stories. She's relaying the overfeeding dog mishap of earlier it seems to the amusement of the red-headed giant at her side.

Renimar nods patiently and motions to the other dolls with his head. "I had the chance to look over what there is here, but none were quite what I was looking for. I wanted one that looked a good bit like a particular dog. Perhaps if I brought sketches?" He actually hadn't really thought of it, until he got here, but the idea was there now.

"Oh I see," Alerya murmurs - her common voice tones, it seems "Yes, sketches would be quite helpful."

Addie places the doll carefully in the crook of her arm, as if they're already travelling together, and keeps looking down the shelf. She stops in front of a doll with golden brown hair and a more humorous face, rigged up in fancy green with pink trimming - a dance dress, perhaps. "That'd be good for him..."

Jhyn'na has her basket on her lap now, extracting a small, wrapped sweet which she pops in her mouth quite contentedly and moving into another tale of hilarity.

Renimar smiles, looking pleased. "Excellent. I shall bring them tomorrow evening, then, when I have a chance to sketch them." He glances over to Addie as she browsses the shelves for dolls.

Sydnia looks at Addie with a smile, then looks up at Alerya. "You will make a dress to match the navy one there. You will also make dresses, one for the doll and one for Addie, in the style of an Andoran noblewoman, as Addie tells me she is originally from Andor." One of the guardsmen hands Sydnia a small purse from which she draws several gold coins and hands them to the woman.

Addie blinks. Noblewoman? Oh, my... She looks down at the dark-haired doll, trying to imagine her in such finery.

Alerya glances towards the girl, keeping a watch on her progress through her choices. To Renimar, she offers her shy smile, then asks of Sydnia "Might you know who makes her dresses already? It's easier to get measurements from her dressmaker." The order is dutifully jotted down on a conveniently placed paper, a separate one for Renimar's. Her quiet smile is turned to the lady now as the coin is accepted, the amount jotted down as well.

Sydnia shakes her head slightly. "Addie, who is your dressmaker?"

Addie looks up from a fog of thought. "Um..." She looks at Jhyn'na, uncertainly.

Renimar muses at the order that Sydnia is placing. "I can't recall the last time I had to get something other than a uniform tailored."

Jhyn'na is engaged at conversation with Cabral; Alerya's question had gone unnoticed due to the volume. Perhaps her recent fatigue is also catching up with her for she is now leaning companionably on the toymaker's arm, listening to his tale of the last story time.

Sydnia smiles at Renimar. "I often have dresses made." She looks at Jhyn'na. "Do you know the name of Addie's dressmaker?"

Addie looks uncomfortable. "A lady's making me some dresses..." Clearly she distinguishes this concept from 'her dressmaker'.

Renimar inclines his head to Sydnia. "Oh, I once had more made for me, but my duties since I took them on, have prevented all but the most important social functions. Hm. As I recall, the last function I went to was a dinner at the Andoran Embassy some seven or eight months ago..."

In glancing about during the tale, Jhyn'na manages to catch Sydnia's question and Addie's added comment. Motioning an excuse towards Cabral for her interruption, she volunteers "Oh, Mistress Eraine has some dresses ready for her. I can run those by, if you like."

Addie brightens, even brighter than she is already. They're ready? Addie's worldly goods are multiplying by leaps and bounds.

Sydnia nods. "I understand, Lieutenant Renimar. It is not often that a man in military service requires any more than his uniform, even for a formal occasion." She looks to Jhyn'na and smiles. "Very good." She looks down at Addie. "I can't wait to see you all dressed up, but for now, I have a dinner to attend, unfortuneately."

Renimar chuckles wryly and nods. "Indeed. I should find some time to remedy that. Enjoy your party, my Lady."

Alerya nods faintly, smiling warmly at the woman on her husband's arm. Clearly a comfortable relationship to her mind "If it's not too much trouble. I know how busy you can get Jhyn'na." At Sydnia's announcement of departure, she murmurs "I shall send word when your request has been fulfilled m'lady."

Addie grins at Sydnia. "Thank you, for everything. I hope it's a nice dinner."

Jhyn'na smiles a farewell at Sydnia, nodding towards Alerya while Cabral waits patiently to continue his story.

Sydnia nods, smiling. 'Thank you,' she says to Alerya. She smiles at Jhyn'na, nods to Renimar, and grins at Addie. "Have fun, Addie." She adds, "If there is any change left from the gold I gave you, allow her to pick out any toys she likes."

Addie blinks at the thought of more toys, and says a word or two to the doll settled in her arm.

Renimar eyes the youthful noblewoman leave with a touch of a wryness on his lips. He turns to the Wisdom and moves towards here, bending down and crouching on one knee easily on the carpet. "You're looking tired, Jhyn'na. Perhaps you should be taking that tea I was taking?" he offers, looking mildly ocncerned.

Jhyn'na chuckles at the scene in front of her, or perhaps its at the toymaker's tale. It is quite clear though that her daily exertions have begun to take its toll, grey eyes half-lidded as she settles more comfortably. She gives a half-start at Renimar's approach, beaming up at him "Oh, but Master Cabral was just telling the most lovely tale." She tugs faintly at the sleeve in her grasp "Weren't you?"

Addie turns from the dolls to watch Jhyn'na and Renimar. They look nice together... she yawns, herself, at seeing Jhyn'na's sleepy eyes.

Alerya smiles to the child, that same quiet smile, nodding towards the doll in her arms "Has she a name yet, miss?"

Addie smiles and looks down. "I don't know, yet. Something nice and neat - not very long."

"What's your name, miss?" the small woman continues quietly. The doll's name is purely up to the girl. "She looks like she's very neat, doesn't she?"

Addie nods. "She is. I'm Addie." Smiling.

Alerya returns the smile, then turns back to her small pad of notes "What colour dress would you prefer for her formal gown. And yours too, of course."

Addie looks down at the doll, and lifts her to study her coloring. "Maybe green...no. Yellow?"

"Yellow it is," A bit of scratching amidst the quieting talk from the other corner and the woman looks up again to offer a smile "I hope you like her."

Renimar chuckles and nods. "I'm sure he was. But the way you're blinking, one might htink Master Cabral's tale was boring you, the way you're falling asleep." His eyes twinkle with mirth at his teasing.

Addie smiles. "I like her very much. Doesn't she look like a sensible person to talk to?" Holding her up. "But nice, too."

The normally booming voice of the toymaker's has indeed quieted down to something more manageable for sleepy conversation, though he does chuckle, looking between Renimar and the young woman nearly asleep by him. "Hush," he reprimands good-naturedly "Who says my tales are that interesting to begin with?"

Alerya smiles, "Yes, she does at that. It reminds me of my younger sister's favourite doll. She's quite grown now, of course, but she still has Treat around her home. Says she gives the best advice still." A moment's pause as she places the orders neatly in a book and she motions towards the story mat "Would you like to have a seat. I've some apple cider all warmed up in the back."

Grinning at the large man, Renimar juts his chin to Jhyn'na. "Well, she must find them interesting, for she tells me of them all the time." So what if he just contradicted himself?

Addie smiles. "Yes, thank you." Very politely. Oh! "Do you think this one is good for Quim?" Gesturing at the brown-haired doll.

Alerya shakes her head faintly, not knowing who Quim might be. "A friend of yours?" She pauses just as she is about to disappear towards a door almost hidden by a small hallway.

Addie nods. "He was the one playing with the sword, who left. He said he'd get a doll and I should get it for him."

Cabral smiles indulgently down at the Wisdom, definitely dozing now. "Aye, Mistress Jhyn'na does have a knack for finding the tales about the town. And might -you- find them interesting?"

Chuckling softly in her way, Alerya nods in understanding, then examines the doll in question, eyeing the party dress with favour "Now, will this one be friends with yours?"

Addie nods. "I think. When she's not being kidnapped or walking planks."

Renimar gives Jhyn'na a small smile, though his look is fond; or perhaps more. "Oh, always, Master Cabral. Believe me, once you've heard one soldier's story, you've heard them all."

When the small woman laughs, it is almost soundless, though her features shed years in the process. "Aye, then I think your choice is most suitable Miss Addie. Even sensible ones like friends who can tell them a bit of adventures."

Addie nods, smiling. She extracts the gold coin and offers it to the lady. "He said to buy his with this."

Peaceful and even more youthful seeming in repose, Jhyn'na's breath rises softly as she dozes amidst the conversation. One hand previous on her basket falls limply away to rest by her side.

"Ahh yes." Alerya takes the coin to their cash box and removes the change in silver. "You'll be sure to take care of this won't you now?" The other gold coins for Addie's doll and future dresses are wrapped in a pouch for later calculation.

Addie nods, and puts the silver away very carefully. "I will." And she tentatively picks up the other doll. "I'll keep her until I see him?"

Cabral smiles, settling a bit himself. "That I'd not know meself, sir. But I'll take your word for it. Tell you what, we can trade such tales and I'll let you know if I've heard them."

Alerya nods, "Why of course. She can keep your doll company whilst you find him." Still no name attached, she settles for the generic. "Now go have a seat and make yourself comfortable, miss. I'll be right back with the cider. Would you mind asking the others if they'd like some too?"

Renimar inclines shis head to the toymaker. "P'rhaps tomorrow evening, when I bring some sketches for the doll I commissioned. Mind, I haven't heard any recently, so busy have I been."

Addie smiles happily. "All right. Thank you." She starts toward the other three.

As promised Alerya disappears behind the almost-hidden door even as Cabral answers Renimar. "Aye, I'll be looking forward to that," Addies approach doesn't go unnoticed and he pats a comfortable cushion nearby "Ah, the young miss comes to join us. Well come."

Addie smiles and perches on the cushions, with a doll on each knee. "She'd like to know if you'd like cider?"

Renimar remains half-crouched on one knee, looking perfect comfortable holding the position. "I think that would be delightful. So Addie, you must've done something special to earn yourself a doll and another dress."

Cabral chuckles as softly as he can, loathe to disturb the sleeping form leaning on him "Aye, of course. The little mother's cider is not to be missed. Enough to rouse our friend here, do you think?"

Addie smiles. "I didn't really do anything. She just said a doll." And Addie's not examining it too closely.

Renimar chuckles, nodding. "Ah, a noblewoman's whims, 'twould seem. Lucky for you, though, you're getting something out of it for being at the right place."

Cabral rumbles approval at the comment "And given us the opportunity to meet you, miss. I wonder that I've not seen your face here before?"

Addie smiles, then looks a little guiltily at Cabral. "She said come, Jhyn'na said, but Things were happening, and then I forgot."

The toymaker chuckles again, "Ahh, so I see. Well, when you've not Things happening, we'd love to have you come visit again. The next week, I believe Master Lewan's to be spinning his tales. Newly joined the guild so he tells me." A clank of crockery is the only signal of his wife's return, bearing a largish tray with several mugs on it. "How many should I have brought out, Miss Addie?" Alerya calls out before her.

Addie smiles. "Thank you." Oh. How many? She looks at the others. Surely Jhyn'na will want some? "Um. Everybody."

Renimar looks up with a smile and nods to the dollmaker. "Yes, I believe everyone will have a mug. Master Cabral assures us that our trip would not be complete without sampling your excellent cider."

"Should we rouse her?" Cabral asks of anyone in general "She's been getting so little sleep of late, I hate to disrupt what she can get." Too late though, his movement to accept a mug from his wife wakes the somnolent Wisdom. Jhyn'na blinks several times at her surroundings, automatically raising a hand to move a chestnut lock from her face. "Oh dear...."

Addie asks very softly, "Why is she not getting sleep?" No doubt audible to Jhyn'na, though.

"She needs an assistant." Renimar asserts, looking over to the disoriented Jhyn'na. "Or, she must cut back on her patients, but she seems unwilling to do that."

Addie says "Oh. Does she even have somebody to watch 'em at night?"

Alerya smiles shyly again, handing out the mugs with a 'Careful, it's still quite warm' warning. "I could hardly serve otherwise sir."

Jhyn'na, still fighting her way back to consciousness merely peers at the others mutely. She does manages to accept a mug of the cider without dropping it, from which she sips gratefully.

Renimar takes the mug with a nod, breathing in the aroma, letting it tingle his nose before he takes a careful drink from it. "No, Addie, she handles them all through the night, as well, but usually they're sleeping like everyone else." He doesn't quite say how he knows that.

Addie nods. "It sounds like a lot of work." She gets the dolls balanced safely before she reaches for her mug. "Thank you."

Frowns on both the toy couple's faces evidence their concern "Aye, little miss," Cabral pipes up after Renimar's assertion "You can't afford such nights and mornings as Yvren described us." He nods emphatically to Jhyn'na's wide-eyed half denial.

"It's just that lately, it's gotten so busy. A passing phase. Things will settle into a normal workload, I'm sure of it." Jhyn'na adds quickly as protest.

Addie asks, "Can't you hire Just Somebody?"

Alerya continues to stand, hands folded primly in front of her. Her expression mirrors her husband's though she offers no more words on the matter, smiling at Addie instead with "You're welcome" before picking up her own mug.

Renimar hrms softly into his mug, an expression of doubt. "An apprentice. She could start by handling all the things that just are time consuming for you, and learn just by watching you."

Jhyn'na sighs looking around at the faintly lecturing tone the conversation has taken against her. To Addie's suggestion "well, I was considering hiring a clerk to help me with keeping track of my records." And to Renimar's suggestion, "But I don't know that I can teach. I mean, Mother Sephrana and Mother Mitarra had been doing it -ages- before I came along to learn."

With barely a noise, Alerya excuses herself from the gathering and disappears again towards the back. Likely some other tasks.

Renimar rebuttles, "Yes, but perhaps they didn't have nearly so many many patients as you do now... or perhaps they just thought it was time to pass on their knowledge?"

Cabral busies himself with partaking of his cider, nodding his support for whatever seems beneficial to his friend.

Addie says, "But maybe just somebody who could bring 'em water at night and make their beds and do the linen and sweep the floors and feed them porridge. Even if you didn't teach. Just Somebody."

Jhyn'na sighs again, partly from shaking the cobwebs of sleepiness still clinging to her mind. A half-defeated smile and she consents, but only as far as "Well, I suppose I could look around. I can't think of anyone off hand who might be interested." Surprising, considering the people she knows; perhaps it's the fatigue.

"If not in the city, some of the nearby villages might well offer some girls wanting to learn of your arts, my dear" Cabral offers between sips. "You occasionally make trips there."

Addie nods and drinks more cider.

Renimar gulps some cider and licks his lips. "You're right, Master Cabral, this really is quite good cider."

"I'll look around," Jhyn'na responds, far more petulantly than is her wont, then almost sullenly concentrates on finishing her cider. "Speaking of work, I should be getting back."

Cabral beams approval "You'll have more of the like when you come back for those stories you promised."

Addie puts her mug down and blinks at Jhyn'na. She's mad? "I'm sorry..."

Jhyn'na blinks at Addie "For what, dear?"

Addie shrugs a bit. "You're mad..."

"Must you already? You don't even give yourself a chance to rest," Cabral frowns over his mug.

Renimar smiles at Cabral. "I look forward to the stories and the cider. Perhaps I will bring some of my sketches for you. Who knows, you may even get an idea or two from them."

Addie's declaration extracts a smile from Jhyn'na, if a wan one "No, dear I'm not mad. Just still a bit tired."

Addie nods, slightly worried.

"and I -do- have to get back. there's roots to prepare. I've left them almost too long for their true potency." the Wisdom adds, already moving her basket aside in preparation to rise.

Cabral assist Jhyn'na as he can, nodding pleasantly at Renimar "Aye, I might at that. It's quite challenging to keep the little ones amused, you know." to Jhyn'na "Will you be all right?"

Renimar drains the rest of his cider and stands easily, a practiced move. "I'll see you back, then. Master Cabral, thank you greatly for your hospitality and cider. I look forward to tomorrow evening."

Addie looks befuddled. Roots. Potency. She yawns and stands too, though.

Cabral looks disappointed at the mass exodus, but makes no move to stand. There isn't room for his bulk in the immediate vicinity yet. "You're welcome to visit at any time, you know." He beams, despite a puzzled glance at the suddenly abrupt Wisdom.

Jhyn'na nods to the toymaker "I'll be fine," her tone insisting on the very idea. The basket is fetched and she waits for the others. "Shall we see you home, Addie?"

Addie smiles at Cabral. "Good night..." She shakes her head to Jhyn'na, with another friendly smile at her and Renimar. "I can get there all right."

"Remember, Master Lewan, next story time, Addie." Cabral reminds "And be careful getting yourself home."

Renimar has to ask Addie, just because it his nature. "Are you certain?"

Jhyn'na nods faintly towards the girl, hearing the massive man beat her to her usual warning for the girl. "As you wish, Addie. And tell Master Quim I hope he enjoys his doll, when you see him."

Addie nods cheerfully. "I will. Thank you. Good night...." She looks up at Renimar and nods, reassuringly. "It's an easy walk." A grin at Jhyn'na. "I will...goodnight." And she wanders to the door.