((This thread has been pre-arranged, to a degree. No mod service necessary in the beginning, but we'll see what happens!))

Nora had been nearly in hiding since the morning of the 25th. She had kept her business to the outer regions of town, trying to avoid the Seventen. She had stuck around because she knew business would improve, she practically had an appointment this very day, and the Seventen would soon become busy with Clock's Eve preparations. Today, when the posters had gone up announcing the big event, Nora had decided to try Crosstown Court one more time before visiting in with Khymarah. So far, things had been better. The mood of the town had been much improved since her arrival. Her morning was going quite well. She had sold several figurines and pendants, and was just wrapping up a game of cups with a gentleman. As the man went away a few tallies less in his purse, Nora began calling for further business.

"Any gentlemen fancy a game of cups! Push your luck! Win! Can your eyes beat my hands? Come on, any takers?"

Seth had awoken early in the morning. A bit before Minke, but he'd slep hard through the night, and woke up well-rested. He'd taken a bath while waiting for her to wake up- locking the door this time- and then had waited patiently for her to bathe, and for breakfast to finish cooking, absently petting Rita as he did so. Then they'd eaten and were off.

Seth had been thinking about many things during their walk, also picking the occasional Galdor pocket, their likely-small loss, his great profit. He'd almost gotten caught at one point, but managed to disappear into the crowd. Now he was keeping his hands to himself, trying to keep a low profile. It was good he had Minke with him- he didn't look entirely crazy when he'd speck to Rita, because people would assume he was talking to the Wick at his side.

When he chanced upon the wick woman advertising her cups game, he gently pulled at Minke's hand- holding hands had become a habit of theirs- and lead her to the woman. "Hello, miss..?" He smiled at her, pulling at the drawstrings of one of his pouches and pouring a small amount of coin into his hand.

Nora looked up at the newcomer. The coin in his hand interested her, but didn't stop her from sizing the boy up. He seemed a little worse for wear, though clean. His vibrant hair was nothing new to the wick, though his scar indicated him as a bit of a troublemaker. She grinned as she saw his cat, "Nora. Do you and your cat fancy a game?" she asked, reaching to give the tabby a scritch, and continuing, "Or perhaps something pretty for your lady-friend, there?" She gestured at her pendants with one hand and at the wick at his side with the other. "You won't find any other finer on the court today- glittering things or games!"

While Seth talked to the merchant she pondered this morning. Bathing had gone much better, and there were no awkward walk-ins. It was nice not to walk in on Seth doing something. First it was him stealing in Brunnhold and then there was yesterday morning. It broke their record. Well, there was that mishap later on when Seth decided it'd be a good idea to pick an angry galdor's pocket. Luckily, Minke had learned that it's harder to catch two targets moving in different directions than two running together and it wasn't hard to lose him. She thought they had better watch out just in case any Seventen were alerted.



Minke came back to the present with the mention of herself and pretty things. Although she dressed quite boyish at times, she was marveled at all the beautiful pendants Nora had.

Seth blushed at the mention of his 'lady-friend.' He'd already been looking over the trinkets, wondering which Minke would like most. "Umm..." Suddenly, Rita stirred on his shoulder, her eyes glued to a small movement on Nora's head. Curious, Seth followed her gaze, and saw a little hingle stirring from a nap. He felt Rita's muscles bunch on his shoulder and then caught her mid-spring, holding the struggling cat to his chest, "No!" Her struggling didn't stop. He hissed at her, and then she calmed down a little, her ears back in annoyance as she looked up at him. Sometimes if he couldn't reach her in his language, he had to reach her in her own. "No," He repeated, "Hingles are friends, not food." She glared at him, but settled down, climbing back up to his shoulder- deliberately clawing him a few times in the process- and curled back around his neck, her eyes glued to the hingle, but not showing any signs of springing again.

Seth winced at being clawed, then looked back at Nora, "Sorry about that, Nora. She shouldn't do it again..." He gave Rita a few quick strokes on the head, and she let out a low growl, as if to say 'apology not accepted.' "Heh, she'll get over it, later." He withdrew his hand before she could claw him again, "Now, as you were saying about the, erm... trinkets..." He glanced at Minke, "Would you like one?" He bent to pick up the coins which had spilled from his hands during his scruff with Rita.

Minke couldn't stop herself from blushing. "Well, yes but I don't have any money on me. I left it at the house and it wouldn't be right for you to buy it for me. Not that I would expect you to, because it's not like we are dating or anything. And even if you were I wouldn't expect you to get me things. But I mean if you want-no, no never mind. It's not right. You don't owe me anything. Did Rita hurt you? Maybe you should go see a doctor. But it's not like I want you to leave. I'm not clingy either, just concerned. But not overly concerned, right? Oh my, I'm rambling aren't I? Gosh, I'm so sorry. You both must think I'm moony. I'll shut it now."

Well that went well she thought to herself.

"Eh...." He'd not understood half of that. He glanced at Nora, as if she could help de-code all of the rambling, then his eyes shifted to the glass work behind her. "Here, I'll pick for you." His eyes scanned the pendants, until he found one that was intricately designed, hanging from a glass-beaded necklace, and tinted purple- almost the color of Minkes hair. He smiled, carefully picking it up and holding it to Minke's throat. "It's very pretty... I thik we'll take this one." He smiled, shuffling through the coins in his hand, "How much does it cost?"

Nora had pulled her hat over the hingle. Vrunta, everything's going after Pat these days... The cat calmed down rather quickly, and true to his word it didn't come after her head again. "Heh, thanks."



Nora grinned at the wick. She definitely liked the boy. She flicked her eyes between them, knowingly. The two kept bumping into one another, apologizing quietly, brushing hands, looking nervously back and forth at one another. The usual early-relationship actions.
Frankly, it was adorable.



She had seen his coin already, and wouldn't let the opportunity slip by. He would haggle, she knew, but he already had butterflies and might let it go for more than he usually would, "A shill an' three tallies. But for you, a shill and one." She picked up a small pebble-shaped piece with a small design on it, a pretty little something she could make in a few minutes, "An' I'll even toss in a good luck charm. How's'at, eh?"

"Eh, how about eight tallies?" He countered, clearing his throat. Eight should be enough. More than enough. Normally, he'd go to about half of the original offer, and this was a little more than half. He could probably have waited for this woman to be distracted with another customer and stole the trinket, but he didn't think a stolen gift would be very... generous. Not really nice at all. He smiled nervously.

"Make it nine and she's yours," Nora said with finality. She held the baubles up enticingly before the girl's eyes. Nora knew boys were like puppies: they would follow you everywhere. You just had to lead them where you wanted them to go. As an added bonus, this wick girl was this boy's leash.

Seth contemplated this for a brief moment, then nodded. "Nine it is, then." He shuffled through the coins in his hand, counting the exact amount and dropping it into her cupped hands. He grinned at Minke, and before she could say anything, was behind her, his nimble fingers fastening the pendant around her neck, then he slid back around the front to appraise her. He smirked. "Very lovely."

Minke had to disagree. Pretty was an understatement. The pendant was beautiful. She wasn't sure whether she actually believed it was beautiful or just thought more of it because Seth was offering it to her. She was sure it was a bit of both.



Minke couldn't believe how easy the clasp had seemed to him. It was embarrassing to think of how long it would have taken her to actually fasten it herself. She believed now that he was a thief. That kind of skill came from picking locks and lots of them.


Minke could feel her face flush and she shuffled her feet nervously. "Thank you" she said looking up at him. She wanted to say more to thank him but nothing came to mind. She could just smile to herself at how nice he was.

"Not a problem," Seth said, blushing lightly, a satisfied grin on his face. He turned back to Nora, looking over her wares. "You do have a very nice collection. You make all this yourself?"

Nora looked proudly at her glasswares, "Indeed! Pendants, talismans, lucky charms, figurines, and recently, wind chimes!" She indicated a piece hanging from the eaves of her cart. It was indeed a wind chime, and its notes twinkled in the air. The glass rods that made the music hung from a ring upon which two transparent ostas draped lazily, looping over one another. "I worked the last two days on that one. Though it's not for sale, I must say. I've reserved it as a gift for a friend. She helped me out of a spot of trouble the other day, and this is just a little thank you. I'm visiting her this afternoon, you see. She said she didn't want any repayment, but I ent gonna let her go with just a word of thanks. I like to show it, you know?" She gave the boy a wink.

"Now, I don't think I caught your names?"

"Oh, this is Minke Labres," He said, gesturing to Minke, "I am Seth Richards, and you already met Rita." He gave Rita a good scratch behind the ears. She didn't protest, so it was safe to say she'd forgiven his interruption of her would-be tasty meal. "We're relatively new here. Just got in very early yesterday morning. Do you know of any interesting places to visit? Or, possibly more helpful, any places to avoid?"

"Nice to meet you," Nora held out her hand in greeting, "Oes, oes. I come through this area all the time. This court here is pretty nice in general. If you've got enough ging you can spend all day here. Nice cuppa tea over at that cafe, down there. If you're here for sights you could check out the Aeterna Theatre, but, uh... watch out fer them tsuter brigk. You can't see any shows there, being what you are, but it's still a sight.

"If you're looking for drinks, the Paper Tiger is probably the best. I heard there was a kov down there t'other night singin' drinkin' songs, so maybe the joint's loosened up a bit since the last time I was there. But if yer lookin' for something cheaper, or yer in for a show, hit up the Toy Lantern. Usually good for a show, if the drink's not as good. The ol' B 'n B is pretty good too. Just be careful of yer complaining. They won't toss ya out or anything, but they might stab the one yer complaining about!!"



She gave a crystal laugh, "But seriously. Keep out of the dives fer the most part. Avoid the Basin, unless yer looking for a fight. Heh, you'll get one whether you like it or not! And definitely stay away from Cook's Place," she pointed to Seth, "You'd probably end up with something you couldn't get rid of," she pointed to to Minke, "And as fer you, they'd probably try to buy what you ent selling. Just watch yer back. Them brigk are getting busier with that ball of theirs, but that doesn't mean they won't find you worth their time." She gave a little shudder and a glance around the Court.

Khymarah walked Narrell casually through the painted ladies down to Crosstown Court. She wasn't quite ready to go home yet, and after her big morning at Fion's, she was more than starving. Suddenly a familar sight came into view. It was Nora's caravan, trinkets out on clear display. She had two customers, Good start to the morning, Khymarah thought. She walked the white moa over to the caravan.

"Good morning Nora, what a pleasant surprise!" She beamed at the caravan owner, then turned her smile to the customers, not wanting to be rude.

"Khymarah!" Nora exclaimed, "I was going to come by your place this afternoon! And it's funny, I was just talking about you. These two are Minke and Seth, and that's Rita," She smiled at the two beside her, "They were just asking about things to do around town. I only come here on business, but I know the major points, but maybe you know some insider's exclusives for them to check out."

She suddenly realized that she hadn't turned the introductions the other direction, "Oh, and, er, Minke, Seth, this is Khymarah. A good friend and the best galdor you could ever hope to meet."

Seth almost smirked to himself at that one, but kept his expression neutral. They would have to go there, if they were to join the resistance. He wasn't entirely sure what sort of business Cook's offered, but remembered Minke had said it was an 'interesting place' and the way she had reacted, even though it was subtle, he figured she didn't like it, but hadn't pushed her on the subject.



When the beautiful galdor had first appeared, acting all friendly with them, Seth's whole body had gone rigid. He'd tensed, ready incase her personality suddenly chanded, and she'd decided to cause trouble for the nice wick. But when he'd realized that she and Nora were friends, he'd calmed down a great deal, smiled, and held out his hand in both greeting, and apology, hoping she hadn't noticed his first reaction to her, "Hello, Khymarah, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Minke shuddered at the thought. The place had felt dirty at the very least. She was hoping their visit would be short and sweet but accepted that it probably wouldn't be. Maybe they'd be brought to a cleaner room.




Minke felt a ping of jealousy. She knew she shouldn't care and that Seth was just being polite but Khymarah was stunning. Who wouldn't feel plain standing next to her? She shook whatever jealousy she had out of her mind.

"It's very nice to meet you." Minke smiled extending a hand to Khymarah.

Khymarah shook hands with Seth, he seemed a little stiff before, but now he was all smiles. His cat was rather sweet looking.

Turning to Minke, she shook her hand as well. The woman was very pretty, and her unusual hairstyle complimented her eyes.

"Hello there, pleased to meet you. Interesting places to see in Vienda? Well, I personally find Kingsway Market to be a wonderful place to spend the day browsing peoples wares. And then there is the bakery, oh my, best buns you will ever have. The Toy Lantern is interesting, but I always get dizzy there. It's all the weird smoke they have in there." She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"Erm, that's all I can think of really." She grinned apologetically. Turning to Nora, she put a hand on her arm.

"Nora, I must tell you, Tickler is doing very well. He and Shartruth have been inseparable since he came with us. Now, I am not making any promises, but if they have a litter at all, would you like a kitten?"

"A little Tickletruth?" Nora giggled, "Of course! Now, I was going to stop by yer place this afternoon to visit, but perhaps you would like a bite to eat? I'll just lock up shop for an hour and we can get better acquainted."

Nora continued her conversation with Khymarah, seemingly oblivious to Seth and Minke. But she was sure she could get a game of cups out of the fellow yet, and so she kept Seth just in the corner of her eye.

Khymarah couldn't help it, she laughed.

"Tickletruth, that's the funniest thing I've heard." Her stomach growled loudly and she blushed.

"Oh please, could we? I haven't eaten since last night and I am starving!" She looked at Minke and Seth, wondering if Nora was including them in the plans.

((Whoops... I'll edit.))