> Relieved that Shawnee and the baby were both going to be fine, the elderly
> tailor took the kids off to school and then went to open his shop. 
> 
> If the others of the Warren had noticed he was opening late today, no one
> said anything to him, just came in with smiles and picked up their finished
> wares or stood around until he had the time to take orders for others.
> 
> It was at times like this that he really missed Shawnee's help around here.
> She'd been such a help to him and he missed her skill, as well as the talks
> they used to have while working.
> 
> The door opened and the young lady from yesterday came in. He looked up and
> smiled as she made her way inside.
> 
> "Ashelle isn't it," he greeted her. "I have your things all ready for you my
> dear."

  Nodding softly, Ashelle smiled.  "I'm Ashelle, yes, Sir.  I'm glad you
remembered me."
 
> "All ready?" she asked with a shocked grin. "I know they told me you did
> quick work... but with everyone I saw in here yesterday I didn't think you'd
> have my things ready for a day or two at the most."
> 
> He nearly laughed when she had finished. Who'd have thought the quiet girl
> from yesterday would turn out to be such a chatter box today.
> 
> "Well to tell you the truth," he winked and then went on. "It's a lot more
> fun to work for a pretty young girls then some of those stuffy dragonriders."
> 
> He saw her blushing as she smiled shyly back at him. 
> 
> "That's what I like to see. A pretty smile. It does much to warm this old
> man's heart, I tell you," he said kindly and moved over to where he'd placed
> her things on a shelf behind his work table. After he'd retrieved it he
> turned back to hand it to her. "Now I made those changes we talked about,
> but I also added a few pretty things I thought you could use when you sing
> for us at night. I know how you young girls like to look your best in front
> of a crowd."

  Ashelle blinked, shocked.  She was getting more than she'd asked for?
But...she checked her small cache of coins, and sighed, feeling very
self-conscious.  She hadn't made enough her last time singing at the
tavern to pay for extras!
 
> "Oh but I couldn't take them!" Ashelle told him. "I don't have enough marks
> to pay you for them."
> 
> "Sure you can dear," he told her and pushed the package back across the
> counter to her. "Just make me proud when you get up there and sing. Hearing
> your lovely voice will be payment enough for these old ears....now go on
> with ya. I've a ton of work to get through today."
> 
> His crinkled face was smiling as he watched her go... his mind already thing
> of that young dragon rider who'd been in here the other day... maybe he
> could introduce them... they'd make a cute pair...Well he hadn't done so bad
> getting that rogue Saul and his beautiful Shawnee together...

  Stopping outside, Ashelle thought for a moment, and her curiosity got
the best of her.  She turned, and went back inside, and as she did, she
also got an idea.

  "Excuse me, Barry, is it, Sir?  I was wondering...well, the Warren is
sort of tense, people are really, well, almost angry about something.  Can
you maybe tell me what's going on?  Is it something I should worry about?"

  She stopped to take a breath, talking fast as she did when she got
nervous.

  "Umm..I was wondering...since I can't pay you for the extras that you so
nicely gave me, maybe, well...can I help you here with things until the
extra amount is paid off?  I work hard, and I'm quiet, I won't bother your
customers, honest..."


[Tag:  Barbara! ]

-----------------

Jeanette
Ashelle/Oaklah-to-Be * Whiteriver