Cyna takes what she's found to Sienna. "They'll need some alterations but I think it'll look great on you when she's finished."
Sienna pulls out a platinum piece and hands it to Asha. "This should about cover it. I can wait on the pants, though. Now that that's settled, let's go find a gift."
Asha takes the platinum and the pants. "They should be ready tomorrow."
The girls depart from the clothing store.
***
Marie takes the basket of clothes to her room and sets them down. "I suppose everyone is still at the beach, Arista. Why don't we head over there?"
"To the general store then?"
With Corda's help, Alethiro finds the final items he needs. After putting them all in one of his pouches, the Elf headed back to his room.
"Sure, sounds like a plan. So do we even have a general idea of what to look for?"
"Not as such. No. I got Clara and Sadhana something practical. Weapon and a Spellbook. 'Bout the only thing that comes to mind would be some fancy holy symbols." Cyna says.
"Well, what about something normal? You know, they're not going to adventure forever," Ylrhea says. "Maybe some nice pots and pans. In case they get a house someday and don't feel like eating at Hadrinn's and the Old Fish."
"I suppose that makes sense, I knew you could help!" Cyna says giving Ylrhea a quick hug.
Cyna shakes her head. "Normal stuff. Normal, I can probably manage that. Right?"
"Of course you can," Sienna chimes in. "There's something to life besides putting arrows in creepy old men and monsters, right? Just think of that!"
Halfpocket watches the two tieflings and the gnome walk into his shop. "Let me guess...last minute wedding gifts?"
Arista looks at Marie and smiles, "Sure, lets go down there and see what they're up to." Arista and Marie head down to the beach to find the others.
Arista and Marie head to the beach to find Lucco and Andres sitting in the sand while Wilk and Nerah run toward and away from the lapping tide. Lucco waves the girls over. "Nice day, isn't it? The kids haven't seen the ocean before, so it's a real treat for them."
"I'm sure it is." Elsa remarked as walked up to Arista, her dress sparkling in the sun. "I hear you've been looking for me?"
Slighty blushing Arista smiles at Elsa while shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight with one of her hands.
"Hey there Elsa, how are you today? I was thinking about asking you something, but I figured you were busy and I didn't want to bother you. It's okay though because I figured it out, with a little help." She looks over at Marie.
Looking back at Elsa she smiles sheepishly, "I was having trouble figuring out what to get for Alethiro as a wedding gift, but I think we finally came up with the perfect thing. How about you, were you able to find who you were looking for the other day?"
Arista lets her gaze shift over to where the kids are playing near the surf, her memories of earlier times and her own childhood days coming back to her again. She smiles as she looks back at Elsa again.
Harakhty considers the implications of the mother's visit. "How cordial do you expect to be with her? If you'd have words with her, perhaps you could pass me off as a primitive. I've used the expectations people have of my appearance to keep them comfortable while I posed as, say, a servant in the past. You'd be surprised what they say around those who wait on them."
Wheile the ploy wasn't necessarily a bad one, it probably wouldn't work in thei case. "From what we know of her so far, if she's coming here it's to cause pain and suffering just for the sake of doing it. Seems like she's the most sadistic of the necromancers so far other than Ixen."
Sādhanā replies shaking her head. "She's not rational like Straub was, at least there was a logic to what led him down his path. Speaking of which, the mask you picked up when we took down Ixen. Do you still have it?"
"I did actually, one of my Uncle's. I've been staying with him and resuming my lessons."
After a moment, Elsa asked, "Just out of curiousity, what did you get my brother?"
Arista looks around to make sure there is no sign of Alethiro anywhere near where they are standing. She knows how well his ears work and doesn't want him knowing what she got for him. Once satisfied she looks back at Elsa, "Okay, I'll tell you...but, you have to keep it quiet. I want it to be a total surprise...I just hope he likes it." She takes a slow deep breath to calm herself before continuing, "I got him a book of Elven poetry and stories. I thought it would be nice to have something to remind him of home. I know how much he misses his homeland and family and I just wanted to show him how much I love him and appreciate him for who he is...on the inside. Does that sound silly?" She smiles...but, her expression and body language scream how nervous she really is.
Halfpocket watches the two tieflings and the gnome walk into his shop. "Let me guess...last minute wedding gifts?"
"We're not the first to stop by then? I was thinking of getting a nice blanket or a quilt. Do you have anything like that?" Cyna says.
"Not at all, as a matter of fact, I think it's very thoughtful. You're going to make an excellent addition to our family."
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"No, you aren't the first," Halfpocket says as he quickly goes to the back of his store and drags a large box. "These are some ready-made quilts of various designs...and..."
He departs and he returns with another large box. "Winter blankets, made with wolf fur."
"As you wish." She would know the situation better than he. If that was her appraisal of the scenario, he would accept it.
At the abrupt questioning of the mask, Harakhty hesitates a moment. She has a good head about her. "I do - not on hand though."
At Elsa's statement, Arista's entire body seems to relax and she seems a bit more at ease. Her smile seems to light up her eyes as she absentmindedly touches the pendant she always wears at her neck. Her eyes seem to shine as they become a little moist, blinking back tears she smiles softly, "Thank you Elsa, that means so much to me coming from you." She steps forward to Elsa and embraces her in a light hug before letting her go. "I....should probably let you get back to your studies. I'm sure you have plenty to do since you just got here, and I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time if you're busy. I'm just happy that you're here and that you were able to find more of your family and that they are safe." She looks over to her own family and smiles as the kids splash in the surf. She looks back at Elsa, "With everything going on I can't remember if we told you or not, but the ceremony is tonight. It'll be about two hours after sunset if you and your uncle would like to come. I know it would make Alethiro very happy to see you both there. Speaking of family....I should get back to the kids." She blushes a little, "I was going to play with them for a while before getting ready for tonight. Once they go home, I don't know when I'll get to see all of them again, so I want to cherish the time I have with them now. Family is everything to me, and I'll do my best to make yours proud."
Michael walks across the sand toward the aasimar and half-elf. "Good day, all. Ah, Elsa? Your uncle Fawthel sent me to meet with you, he said you would be out and about."
Elsa raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And what does Uncle you and I to discuss?"
"Your uncle has expressed an interest in continuing your magical education. Since he has no magical aptitude, he came to me to ask that I take you as a student. I am aware that you are a spontaneous caster, but the fundamentals are the same," Michael answers. "There is no pressure, of course, but Fawthel believes you can benefit from my tutelage."
"I don't know much about your order, other than your god is referred to as the god of secrets and magic. I can only imagine how strong the appeal of something like the mask." Sādhanā says looking into the vanara's eyes.
"But those masks are how the necromancers came into power, and they are still tied to the sleeping dragon. It needs to be destroyed. Every day that it exists here is a day we risk it falling into the wrong hands and creating another of what we're working so hard to remove. If you will bring it with you when we meed tomorrow, I can take it somewhere outside of town and destroy it for the sake of everyone's safety. I understand the call of knowledge, but this time it simply isn't worth the risk."
Clara waited silently as her wife and Harakhty spoke. She thought back to Elder Sister's brevity. I think I understand now...
"Well, if the cold weather's coming, we should get them one of the winter blankets. Mmm, I might like one," Sienna says, going through the box on the floor. She rubs one against her face. "Soft and fuzzy."
"What do you say, Captain? I can pay for them," Ylrhea offers, trying not to laugh at the tiefling on the floor.
Turning to Clara with a smile, Sādhanā sighs. "So would you like to finally get some breakfast love?"
"That would be much appreciated," Clara says.
Cyna chuckles at Sienna's antics. "I was resisting the urge to do just that, we are definitely taking some for ourselves. How much are they?" she asks.
"Five silver a blanket," Halfpocket answers.
Slipping an arm around her wife's waist, Sādhanā leads on towards Hadrinn's.
"I love you," Clara says instinctively. "Do you think he'll give up the mask?"
"I love you too sweetheart," Sādhanā says happily. "I'd like to believe he will, but those masks obviously have a draw to some people. It's whether his hunger for secret knowledge is stronger than his desire to make the land safe for his people. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt,but if not,...... I guess we'll see if it comes to that." she says solemnly.
"I'll take three then. One for Alethiro and Arista, one for Ylrhea and one for us." Cyna says digging for her coin.
Clara nods, equally solemn. "Let's try and leave that for another day. I'm sure Arista doesn't need the added stress."
She walks into Hadrinn's and sits at one of the smaller tables. "I hope Hadrinn still has breakfast. It's almost midday."
Ylrhea digs out eight silver pieces quickly. "I'll get part of it, Captain."
"I hope so too. His breakfast stuff is amazing, and I'm starving."
Sādhanā says with a laugh.
"Thank you." Cyna says.
"Just how soft are they?"
"You...must...feel!" Sienna exclaims, brushing the soft wolf fur against Cyna's cheek.
Hadrinn appears from the back, his rosy cheeks covered in flour. "Getting a late start, aren't you?"
He approaches Sādhanā and Clara with a bright smile on his face. "So what can I get you?"
"Oh, eggs, bread and some tea will be fine," Clara replies. "Maybe some fruit."
Cyna sighs into the blanket, it was the She wills herself from the enticing fur. "Is just this enough? We did get Clara and Sadhana each a gift." Cyna asks.
"True. Do you have some nice cookware, good sir halfling?" the sorceress asks giddily. "I'm sorry. I'm just in love with this blanket."