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."
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."
