Unsettled indeed. Mel's laughed at what she considered to be an understatement - perhaps things were only starting to shift out of place, but she could practically smell the storm that was coming. Even all the way down here, the distinctive reek of trouble could be picked out by even the most naive nose.
At Jigano's invitation she gave a wistful sigh, turning to him to meet his gaze, her attention drifting to the extended arm. She reached out after some time, curling her hand around his bicep as they began up the stairs. "Unfortunately, Jigano, with the crown's interest in guild activity, I'll have to decline. You have done for me many favors. If there are any that I might return to you and yours... I will do my best." The bard had a way with the witch, his altruism earning him allowances and favors that she did not otherwise give out so easily.
She gave his arm a gentle squeeze, a gesture of reassurance. "Perhaps once I have found my feet we can revisit it. I will have to start earning my keep around here sooner rather than later." The stinging memory of her conversation with Are and the admission of her own uselessness smarted still. She had yet a few silver buttons to trade for goods. "It will be good to do so on my own, however. I've relied on charity long enough. I'll read your books, tell you what I find regarding any mention of the Blight, and if you ever need a tailor-" She smoothed a hand down her belly, gesturing to her own smartly fitted outfit. "I can also do repairs - embroidery?" Mel laughed at her brightly enthusiastic shill for pretty stitching given the circumstances. "Think of it as preservation of good fashion and high utility."
"Yes, the self-styled 'crown's' interest in the guilds is another reason I'd encourage you to take your time coming to a decision," he agreed, lips twitching in something between a grin and a grimace. "The Loreseekers may not be as visible for a while as we have been until now... but if we survive this upheaval intact, the offer will still stand." He walked slowly and steadily, matching his pace to her own wounded one as they made their way up the stairs, Isuma trailing at their heels.
"Get yourself settled first," he agreed, this time with an easier smile. "I will look forward to seeing what business you go into. Tailoring and clothing repair may well be a good place to start, and I will absolutely give custom to such a shop." He winked, giving his long, silky hair a gentle toss. "I've been told I'm a bit of a peacock," he confided, as if it were a great secret - though his eyes twinkled merrily. "And therefore have a reputation for sartorial elegance to maintain. I would be glad to add you to my list of tailors!" If nothing else, having several friends who sewed for a living helped to keep his wardrobe fresh!
"You don't say, from one peacock to another, then-" Snickering, she bobbed her head in a mock bow. "I would be glad to have you. I was thinking of getting into dye, actually, maybe even pulling my own thread. You wouldn't happen to know where I might find raw fiber when I'm walking properly? I don't mind a challenge, don't be afraid to send me trekking all across the Hallowed Grounds." Paying him a winsome smile they approached the door, and so their time together drew short. Surely she would be weary by the time she arrived home with her precious cargo of tomes - just popping back with follow up questions simply wasn't an answer.
Mel shuffled through her thoughts for anything she might have missed, anything she might want to ask before departing, though the only thing she could dredge up besides the desire for thread was the strangely intrusive query the Are had stirred up only days prior. It came to her lips just as readily as it came to mind, casual and light. "Oh, I meant to ask - what is it that you care about?" Not Blight, not maps, not secrets of adapting from a money-based society to bartering. Whether Jigano saw it as intrusive or philosophical banter, it had been abrupt, perhaps appearing to be asked out of impulse and a lack of tact by the unobservant. The way she had turned to look at him, however - studying his reaction in a curious, othering way - might have suggested to others that she had not made a mistake in the slightest.
"Ah, I know just the herbal for helping you find local plants for dyes," he suggested, eyes brightening. "I'm afraid I don't know much about fiber for thread though... Goats and sheep, those I can get you set up with, if you want to harvest their fur for spinning," he amended with a chuckle. "But perhaps the dyer's herbal may have something in it about local fiber plants and where to find them." He genteely escorted her to the door before she brought them to a pause, and he raised a querying brow at her sudden stop.
The question was unexpected, and for a moment he just blinked at her, tilting his head as if trying to decide how deep she meant the question to be. "Care...? Ah. A great many more things than I used to," he said, his smile softening. "And a great many more people. I used to think that I was better off if I closed my heart to the world around me and simply endured with a smile, focusing only on learning, gathering knowledge and lore, because that would never betray me. But... I was wrong." Simple words, but powerful ones from a man who slipped over the line into arrogance semi-regularly. He disengaged his arm when he was sure she was balanced and ready to head out on her own, offering her a courtly bow. "I look forward to seeing how you will answer that question after a few seasons here," he promised with a smile., by way of farewell. "And whether it will have changed from how you would have answered it today."
This was acceptable as far as answers went, it appeared. Mel nodded, her scrutiny of the bard softening as she turned her focus again on departure. "We'll have to see, won't we?" She hoped he wasn't holding his breath for any sort of poetic or heart felt answer like those she had received so far. She did not choose to linger in the silence that followed, instead straightening her posture, folding the books to her chest and bending in a shallow bow of farewell.
"Before then, however, I'll come see you about that herbalist and some wool - I'm sure you might have a suggestion or two." In the Atheneum her voice dropped to a respectful hush, softer than the conversational tone from before. "Do take care, Jigano. We'll speak soon."
With remarkable grace (all things cons0idered), she turned on heel and headed toward the streets, back under the blazing Longheat sun.
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