[PQ] Setting Up Properly

CAISIDE Caiside had to stifle a soft giggle as Jigano was struck by the flung paintbrush, though his expression quickly sobered when a swarm of bats was rushed out of the second floor by a tremendous lion. ”I can certainly see that.” He murmured in response to the silver haired man, wincing bodily every time the weakened beam supporting the stairs creaked under the lions weight. This was the first he had seen another person actually shift into an animal form, and he was nothing if not curious about it. This was not the time to be standing around gaping though. Once the stairs were vacated, Caiside returned to what he had been doing, and crouched the examine the bent support. His brow furrowed, this wasn’t something he could exactly fix, but it was something he could support well enough that it wouldn’t be a danger until it could be fixed. The pieces of a broken  shelf were put to use, Caiside looking around for a way to lash the makeshift wooden supports around the beam. Nairi caught his attention with her sign, his brows lifting in surprise. And she had tried to pass the painting onto him. He turned to Jigano and Samuel, wanting to hear their opinions, and was just in time to actually catch Sams words. A chuckle and a nod followed Jiganos suggestion before Caiside pursed his lips and thought back to his preferred reading nooks. ”There should be lots of comfortable seating as well. It does no good to read while you’re uncomfortable.” In his minds eye he saw a room lined with plush pillows and mats, though he assumed the reality would be a bit duller. what was said in the woods

Samuel He stumbled into faith and thought God, this is all there is? Remi was doing what he had been asked, so Sam couldn't resent him too much for it, but he still made a noise not unlike a squeak as bats scurried around him and out of the shop (and nodded at Jigano's comment about consequences). As soon as they were all gone (and he checked around the room and looked up into the attic to be sure) he thanked the birds who had come to help then made sure Remi had come back in before he closed all openings to the outside world. "Now the fire can warm up the room. Th-thank you, Remi. And thank you, Jigano for making it work." He said, unable to feel any of the cold himself, but sure it was chilly inside. Only Jigano and Caiside gave him suggestions for the room upstairs, but it was enough to give him an idea. Candles, maybe another fire (if such a thing could be done) and comfortable seating. He had visions of a cute little reading nook, two large armchairs surrounding a magically contained fire with lanterns and decorative candles lighting the whole place. He would have to force himself to give it to customers and not just use it himself. He turned to see what Caiside had done with the stairs. It wasn't exactly pretty, but it definitely looked more sturdy. Sam nodded his approval, going to wiggle the stair railing with his hand to see if it still shook with quite such vigour; finding that it didn't he beamed at Caiside. "Thank you. Th..that is good." Finally he looked at Nairi 's sign, which she had been showing to Jigano but he figured he was allowed to look as it was his name. It was perfect; the strokes were better than he could do with his often shaking hands (when he was working on books he had to make small marks so he would not go off line) and the open book next to it was sweet. "That is beautiful. Thank you a-as well." With all of his thanks given, he supposed it was time for the rewards he promised. "Please, everybody. F-finish if you need to, then let's have some tea. And..." Sam walked to the door, where a little bag lay resting against the wall. From this, he pulled out four beautiful notebooks, bound in leather with marbled page-edges and golden stitching. Each was a different colour - forest green, navy blue, faded purple or a calm grey. "I made these. F-for whoever would help. Please, pick one." ----- Last round of the PQ! This one is a short one, haha. No posting order. :)

Remi Abruzzo
& all we are is skin and bone trained to get along

Had Remi known that the others who had gathered were Attuned as well, he likely would have remained as a hawk. Though he wouldn't be able to speak to Sam, it was a bit of an effort shifting back and forth indoors. But as he did not, Remi rather awkwardly shifted from bird to man, rising from a rather inelegant heap on the floor and giving his friend a sunny smile.

Listening as the man indicated the books he'd made for them, a warm and genuinely touched smile crinkled Remi's lips, but rather than letting his eyes fall onto the journals, he instead gazed at Sam. He couldn't remember the last time anyone had gifted him something, especially as an act of appreciation. Remi was a creature of servitude and not only did he expect nothing in return for his acts of assistance, rarely if ever did he actually get them.

"You did not need to do that Sam.." He said in a low voice, the smile colouring his already accented words. Even so, Remi stepped back slightly nodding at the trio. He'd not select first, or even second. The gesture meant more to him than any colour could. Remi would simply take what was left.

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He had no problem with Nairi retrieving her brush, but he flinched back a little from her attempt to touch his face in such a familiar manner. He managed a startled, automatic smile but tried to gently catch her wrist and interrupt the contact. ”It’s alright, Nairi,” he said, voice kind as he saw her genuine regret and apology. ”No harm done, truly.” He left her to her painting, sharing a grin with Caiside as the two of them turned to their own tasks, and soon the little shop was humming with activity.

Once the doors and windows were closed the little shop began to warm up with all of them working and bustling about. Before long Sam called a halt to check on their progress and Jigano dusted his hands off, pleased with how the shelves were starting to fill in. They could make little placards to denote which genre or topic of books were on which shelves, perhaps, but in the meantime he turned to check on the others.

The sign Nairi displayed had come out quite well, in fact, and Jigano smiled back at her beaming face. ”Lovely! The book is a nice touch, and well-wrought.” the bard praised, turning his grin on Samuel as his friend also found the work more than acceptable. Caiside had managed to stabilize the staircase with a deft ingenuity that the bard found didn’t surprise him in the least, and he smiled ruefully at Remi as the Attuned rejoined them after their adventures – and noted how his gaze lingered on Sam.

”Tea sounds wonderful,” he agreed, tucking his amusement away and turning to examine the journals. ”And Sam, these are masterfully made! I’d been meaning to ask you for one anyways but this… this is very kind.” He flashed his friend a grin of gratitude and pleasure, reaching out to run his fingers over the green one for a moment. ”They’re all so beautiful…” he murmured, then glanced to Nairi and Caiside for permission before gathering the grey one close with a smile. ”This one, I think, suits me best.” He was curious to see what the others chose, raising a brow at Remi’s demure holding back, but with his new journal tucked into his pack he was free to help Sam make and serve the tea and settle in for a little bit of relaxation and conversation after a good morning’s work.

Nairi Not all those who wander are lost. If it was possible for Nairi's beaming smile to get any bigger, it did. She was incredibly proud of herself that both Jigano and Samuel loved her work. This meant a lot to her as she was by no means a professional painter, or one who even did painting often. She loved seeing the joy and delight on people's faces and there was one of the main reasons she loved helping others out. With the design approved, she went to paint on the finishing touches, before she set the signboard on a table somewhere safe to let the paint dry. Once it dried, Sam would have a fantastic sign to attract customers to his new shop. The mention of tea brought yet another smile to her face. She loved tea! And now there was tea! Especially when there were stuff to go along with it. Her jaw dropped when Samuel revealed a reward he'd planned to give to them for helping him out at his shop today. She gazed at each and everyone in the shop that would meet her gaze, her mouth still open in shock. Those books were beautiful. Could she really take one? Nairi watched as Jigano picked out the grey one for himself. She didn't exactly know which one exactly she wanted to pick. She moved to the books and her hand constantly hovered over the forest green and the navy blue, unable to decide on a choice. Several mind numbing moments later, she made her decision and grabbed the navy blue book. "Thank you so much Sam! I've never owned a more beautifully made book!"

CAISIDE Caiside was the first to admit that his repair wasn’t the best he’d made in his life, but it was serviceable, and Sam seemed to approve of it as well. A warm smile spread over his face as the nervous man approached, Caiside tipping his head in a silent acknowledgment. ”If you like, we can make arrangements to sort out something more appealing, but this will hold it.” With his task completed, Caiside stepped after Sam, looking at the work the others had finished. It really was impressive what could be done with a little good company. Caiside wasn’t ashamed to admit he perked up at the mention of a reward. The work had been so distracting, he had nearly forgotten why  he had even decided to help. He needed a journal.  Samuel somehow seemed to have read his mind though, as he pulled out four beautiful journals. His eye was immediately drawn to the green one, it’s deep colour drawing himin. Jigano stepped forward first, taking the grey one, then Nairi. Caiside was too polite to step out ahead of her, but hoped she wouldn’t take the green one. To his utter delight, it was left, and with a quick glance at Remi to make sure he wasn’t going to meet any ppposition, he reached out and grabbed the green one, pulling it in close to his chest. ”This is beautiful.” He breathed, squeezing the soft leather tightly.Thank you. It was finer than he had thought could be found in a place like this, and Caiside intended to cherish it like the treasure it was. He watched Remi out of the corner of his eye, curiousnabout how he feel about what was left for him. what was said in the woods

Remi Abruzzo
& all we are is skin and bone trained to get along

That just left the faded purple.

With a jubilant smile directed towards Sam, the alchemist reached out to gently take the volume into his hands. The weight felt good beneath his fingers, and he could tell instinctively by how tightly bound the pages were that the craftsmanship was impeccable. Raising it to his nose, Remi ruffled through the pages, breathing in the subtle smells that were trapped within. A secretive and soft smile pulsed on his lips, gradually pressing against his cheeks and finally alighting his gaze.

"Thank you Sam. I have never been given anything like this before." He said softly, eyes only for the red-head, despite this rather private bit of trivia before two strangers and Jigano.

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