To Borkins please," she said, as she climbed into the carriage. Then she moved to sit opposite Nevin, her posture awkward but still baring the decorum of the afternoon's duties. With her hands clasped on her lap she looked at him for a short while before breathing in slow and straightening her back.
"It is pleasant to see you again," she spoke quietly. "Welcome to Beinost. Your journey was good?"
“It was decent enough. The ship was a bit cramped though, a freight ship that I managed to snag accommodation upon. They were the only ones coming this way in anything like an acceptable time frame.”
Stare blinked a couple of times and then inclined her beak. “The freight trading vessels are the most regular. We are a harbour city after all.” Taking a pause she felt the urge to go and grab this human by the arms and drag him into a hug. But how he had come back into her life, how he was here and catching her in these clothes, in this part of the city … Stare hardly knew how to react in a way that was not proper.
“I uh … I am glad your journey was pleasant. The weather here has been disastrous.” And now she was talking to him about the frigging weather. “You are well?”
She looked utterly confused, Nevin thought. At a loss for words, which he found adorable. It seems that his arrival here had completely thrown her off of her balance, and it didn't help that she had to remain prim and proper. He grinned widely as she stared down at her hands for a moment.
“The weather was abysmal on the sea. I realize now why I detested the idea of going to Radasanth in the first place - I do not do well on ships. Had to dose myself to the brim. I'm recovering from that actually. So, dear, you work as manager for a couple shops it seems? Are they all as…. Posh as that one?” He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, propping his chin upon his clasped hands. This brought the fact that he wasn't wearing gloves into clear view.
In that moment Stare was utterly thankful that she was a kenku. For feathers covered up the chagrin that she felt rising to her face as her cheeks went hot. Suddenly he was closer and she was caught off guard with his questions of what she did.
“What? I'm general manager for all of the stores of Sir Elssmith. The Fine City Tailors, the Bakery and the Fabric Emporium. As well as a couple of others, including the house itself.” She paused, trying to keep up appearances. One never knew who they passed by, who might see the kenku of Beinost from outside. “I'm his steward, that is my official title here. In the city. I …” she paused and looked out as they rounded a corner. Raising a hand she pointed to a vast long building appearing in the distance with a single tall chimney. “That's the bakery. We have had good profits this year.”
It took her a moment to respond, a second of hesitation that made Nevin tilt his head to one side and grin. He wasn't used to his friend being hesitant about something - even when they had been prisoners, her actions had been sure and swift. He unfolded his index fingers and tapped them against his lips as his eyes followed her gesture.
“Profits tend to be useful. I've managed to squirrel away a tidy sum for myself - Oh. I don't remember if I told you, but I did get a second shop opened up. I travel between Stonevale and Radasanth now, and Ezra is usually the one selling in Stonevale. Sometime soon I'll hopefully have her learning enough to make simple potions. So. A tailor, a bakery, I know of the brewery. You're a woman of many talents, on top of your personal ones.” A talented and vicious fighter, with unique magical abilities. He was extremely thankful that he had decided top open up to her that night when she saw…. Well, what she saw.
She shrugged a little. “I had to learn the skills for my official position here. I know the bakery business well anyway, so all I had to do was transfer those skills to a wider base. Each store has its own manager, I just govern the over-”
The carriage suddenly jolted to a halt. Caught off guard Stare stopped mid word. Looking out she saw the elegant front of a proud tea house with the notice of “Borkins” plastered in bold lettering. A verandah stood on the street front with small table and chair sets also taking up room.
“Ah,” Stare nodded and opened the door.
With a glance back to Nevin she gestured for him to follow her. She waited for him to get out, passing an undisclosed amount up to the driver. Once the human had joined her she continued wordlessly inside, going into a very fine tea house decorated in light flowery wallpaper. Taking a sharp right she led Nevin over to a small booth, with its own door.
It was only there that she paused, then sat.
And visibly relaxed.
“Right,” she said. “Now we can talk easier.”
Nevin closed the door firmly behind him after he had stepped inside. He could see the way she relaxed, the stiffness to her posture melting away as his friend sank down onto the cushion. He let her breathe for a few moments before moving over to stand beside the table. He leaned his hip against it as he chuckled and shook his head.
“Quite the reversal of your role, isn't it? Out there you're whatever you want to be, or what he needs you to be, but here, here you have to wear those clothes and don that mask of propriety. Come here then.” Nevin straightened up and stepped back slightly, and opened his arms in an invitation. It was a drastic change from how he used to be he thought - and not one that he had had much chance to inform her of last time they met. Truth be told he had been jealous when Hyperion hugged Stare, not that he would very admit it to anyone. But now, he was far more comfortable with contact.
