Village of Maya

It was a rare day, indeed, when her aging mistress did not need her every time Rainne turned around. Why, the master even shooed the young miss from the house so she could have a few hours to herself... The miss was very devoted and worked harder than most, she deserved an outing! Before she even left the manor belonging to only the most successful (and never retiring) merchant in the entire village, if not Swavia, he gruffly muttered, "Here, lass, ye bring back a trinket fer me love and spend some on yerself."

Of course, not all of his servants were treated as kind as she... None held a grudge, she did work herself to the bone even if it was to help another servant... She was not trying to advance or uproot others, and her affection for the mistress was quite genuine. It was almost as if the girl was the grand daughter of the couple, but their only child was too focused on his scientific studies to have given them a grandchild. She had never even met the man!

Rainne shook her head once she was in the fresh air, sunlight dappled upon the cobbles as fluffy clouds gently rolled overhead. The scent of the sea, briny and sweet, wafted into the Miss' nostrils as she meandered through the Silver District, pausing at various stalls to admire this thing or that. The village was seemingly in a lazy state for the moment, it wasn't even of the noon hour and respite season still had a few more weeks before it arrived. She decided that this outing would be as enjoyable as she could make it before she gave in to the urge to go back to her duties.

She made her way to the square, where prices seemed to be easier to haggle without having her master nearby. She started to shell out coin for things, mostly for the woman who she spent most of her time with, some for the Master, and some for others. As she was about to start heading home to deposit the goods with one of the other servants, a bolt of the prettiest blue fabric caught her gaze; a fabric she had never seen the likes of in her short life, a fabric so blue that it reminded her of the night sky. When it was shifted by the merchant, it had a purple sheen, and she noticed the tiny crystal beads already sewn onto the pretty fabric.

"Oh!" She approached the stall, and then greeted the familiar merchant, "How much for that blue fabric..?" Her face fell as soon as he named the steep price... She almost walked away, when he told her he'd sell it to her on credit, and she could pay her debt by making a fine gown from a velvet fabric he had stashed away for his wife. She eagerly agreed, and was soon laden with so many parcels that she could hardly see above them.

Rainne made her way toward the manor, trying to crane her head above the pile in her arms...

She was struggling to keep a grip on her items, inwardly cursing her foolishness for not bringing horse and cart. Rainne sighed as the objects tumbled from her grasp, and she quickly chased after that which rolled. Just as a stranger started asking questions, a stray apple possibly bumped agaisnst the back of his shoe. "Ohh, my pardon, sir," said the flushed looking young lass. She was clearly an upper servant, dressed in plin, but not shabby, garb.

"I would check with the tavern. Tis where my master and other merchants do their business after hours." She said, having heard him, but she was busy scrambling to get the things she dropped, so he probably would not be able to get a good look at her face at first.

She finally managed to tuck certain items away before walking toward the Silver district by the docks.

She deposited the items back at the manor, and was shooed back out when she tried to give leftover coin to the steward, "Tis yers, girl, so said the Master affore he left fer th' tavern." What in the? This never happened. She sighed and left again to go eat at the Inn. Proper young women most certainly did not go to the tavern to eat.

Speaking of the tavern, the stranger was met by a flock of cooing doxies. No, really! He was a fine piece, they agreed collectively. They all reached out to touch his arms and purr out pitches to try and sell their flesh. If he but ignored them, they'd leave him be and settle for the sailors who were filling the place up.

A rather ancient looking feller was sitting at the most crowded table, cracked and wrinkled lips puckered about the mouthpiece of a lit pipe, he drawled out with his rough sounding bass, "We're free merchants, all. But you still have to obtain a permit to sell your wares." The old man snaked his arm around a rather chunky doxie, who giggled with false delight.

"There is coin for you if you fetch Rainne for me." He produced a few, stuffing them into the deep cleavage, before she nodded and took off. "My wife's servant is out and about today, and I am in a generous mood." The old man explained to one of his companions, "Such a comely and obedient girl. She takes good care of Eva for me. Pity I'm passed my prime... But my son, now... Perhaps she'd draw him away from his blasted dungeon and from his experiments."

"Hah! That boy would rather see a plant than a lass. She be pretty enough, though."

Before she had a chance to make it to the Inn, she was fetched and brought to the old man, who looked at her through hooded eyes. "I know that I asked you to enjoy your day, but I need you to take a document to Colter." He hels the scroll to her and she took it. Rainne, whose face was red at just being in the building, ducked her head and gave a curtsy. As she turned to leave to do as she was bid, document under her arm, she nearly plowed into the man who she was clumsy with already. "Goodness! Pardon, Sir!" She didn't realize it was the same man, but he would get a better look at her flushed face.

"I am Jove Tarak, and I'm the man to speak to." He seemed to lean back in his chair and casually puff on his pipe. He made no efforts to hide the way his eyes stayed upon the young woman who just bumped into Mazzini.

That one gave only a slight, but genuine smile, "I sometimes get into a rush and not watch where I am going." A warm chuckle found her, and her eyes twinkled. "Like now, I've an errand to run for my Master," she said, bobbing a curtsy, eyes darting, and face reddening further at the unsavory sights of certain unsavory activities. "If you'll please excuse me," she sighed clearly uncomfortable y said activity, which was an indication that she was a maiden.

The woman headed toward the door, though paused and sent another, slight smile his way, before disappearing through that portal. If he decided to stay, he would be ignored by the old man unless he spoke more, for he was engaged in important business with the group at his table... And by serious, it was some serious meddling involving said young lady. It seemed the ancient one had his heart set on matching his son, who was probably old too, with the young miss.

If he chose to follow the girl this time, she did not go far. She went into the open cellar door of a cottage, and emerged moments later without the scroll. Apparently the son didn't care. She seemed to slow her pace once her task was done and headed for the inn again, which was not far either.

She glanced toward him, but she did not cease walking until in front of the inn, seeming to try to figure out what he was asking. Rainne then blinked a few times, brows raising, "Do you ask if I have a husband or ever did? Not I... I've been too busy with my Mistress to consider such an option." She was not sure what he asked, still, as she turned toward the front portal of the inn, pausing to ponder more at the question, "My name is Rainne, and I suppose I would be a signorina... if that is what a maiden is to you." She started to go in, holding the door open long enough for him to follow, should he wish.

Then she sat at a table in the middle of the common room, smoothing the light fabric of what looked to be a nicer peasant gown. She ordered some food and flattened her palms against the rough hewn planks of the table. If he followed, and if he sat with her, she would continue, "Who might you be?" The young woman finally took the time to take in the sight of his face. The gaze lacked the lusty glaze he'd probably seen in the eyes of the harlots; he was met with curiosity instead. When she sat still, he'd finally be able to survey her in turn. She was girl-next-door pretty, not typical beauty.

As far as how he looked to her? Handsome, she supposed, but probably leaving town like most, eventually. Any interest outside of her curiosity went only as far as wondering at his origins and perhaps what he was doing in town. The lady's maid was not about to go out of her way to vie for his attentions in any case... She had not lied about being too busy for such nonsense. He'd most certainly learn later on that she was quite the elusive dove and had many male admirers who's feelings were unrequited. Not that she'd noticed any of that. She'd have to stop rushing about to notice such attentions.

"I've already stated that I've not married," she didn't say that rudely, just in an amused way, "I am and perhaps always will be Miss." Her food arrived in short order and she paid the gold straight away, nibbled on a piece of soft bread, and kept her eyes dowm so as not to stare as she nommed. When she gave pause, the peculiar young woman eyed him for a moment, taking in the question he asked that seemed to answer one of many questions... So... He planned to stay.

"My master is the one to talk to, but he is best caught before he starts enjoying his libations." She was not going to elaborate one that one, for her intent was not to gossip. It was well known to the whole town that the old man was very much into his cups, but he was not a bad person either way. "You could come in the morning to talk to him, he handles the licenses and such. You have to acquire one to build a home, you know? I think you would need to speak to him about carpenters and masons, as well. I am not sure of any since I rarely spend time away from the lady of his household."

She nibbled at her bread and rolled her eyes as a couple of teenagers strolled passed, giggling to each other as they oggled the "fresh meat" that he was. She shook her head and muttered under her breath, "Every time." And then out loud she asked, "You plan on settling here, then?" Rainne was sounding somewhat standoffish by that point and her eyes moved with the duo who started to whisper and point to the two of them. "Just be wary of the gaggle of young ladies fresh from the school yard..." She said loud enough they'd hear, "They like to see things differently than they are and tell people their version." With that, she popped a grape into her mouth and returned her attention to him. "The gentry and the noble do like to come here, yes. The population swells quickly."

"Master Jove is my employer," she replied before taking a dainty nibble of fish skin. She grabbed for her drink and sipped, but nearly choked on it from laughing at his implications. The girls all huffed and glared, "She's so rude!" "He is too!" They all fluttered away indignantly. "They are the daughters of some of the merchants and some of the genteel." Not that he'd asked. but he should probably know who he helped to piss off.

She cheerfully nibbled upon the fish again for a moment while he talked. Then she replied, "You will find it is rather easy to obtain permits, being an ambitious man. I hope to obtain licenses when I'm no longer serving my Mistress. I fear that I will not get them because I am a woman, but I am also not ignorant to my Master's desires to wed me to his son. I do not desire such a union, but it matters naught because he does not notice me. I know that would be the way to get my dress shop going but it seems not worth it." She gave a shrug at the candid remark.

"I think you would do well here. What do you plan on selling?"

She pushed her trencher away a touch, gesturing for him to take some should he desire. It was seafood, what looked to be sea bass and flounder, some prawns, and some soft shell crabs. There were mild vegetables and tangy fruits like lemon to go with it, leafy greens and crusty bread. She shrugged, replying, "My master is considered the leader of this town, though there are no official mayors at this point... This town was built on the backs of merchants, sailors, and whores. I sincerely doubt the empire cares about a bunch of peasants enough to send or appoint a mayor, especially when our population is well below 500. As long as we do not anger the nobles or try to act high and mighty... I have no ambitions to do so, I've worries enough trying to keep my Mistress happy in her final days." She sighed, "Truth is, I'd have to marry one of the many merchants here, or Master's son, to even be able to sell my work. You, on the other hand, will still be of much better luck than I even just selling bull-shit, as you say, to those who wish to hear it. I am sure the drunkards would eat it up."

Rainne finished the lackluster ale she had bought for herself, then pushed herself away from the table a touch, feeling depressed by the conversation. Not because of him, but just wanting to do more in her life than wiping wrinkled asses and emptying stinky chamber pots. She contemplated walking away from the inn to go hole up in her attic chamber to work on the creation she was currently almost finished with, but it had been months since she'd been rewarded with an outing.

"I want to be a seamstress," she corrected, "But I haven't got the time to ply my trade right now. My Mistress is not much longer for this world. Add to that, women do not get permits like men do. That is all there is to it. Really, the only day I will be able to show off one of my gowns is during the spring festival. I make my own costumes each year." Rainne shrugged, "I adore madam, but I've never had the stomach to clean up turd. I do it, mind you, and aside from right now, I've not said a word of it." A tired smile appeared on her lips, "Really, I suppose I've said too much, but you are easy to speak with."

There was a pause as she allowed him to keep speaking, then she replied, "I live close." Close enough she did not need an escort, but she was not going to be an asshole by telling him not to be a gentleman. She stood after he finished his ale, then led him toward the manor...

It was the richest looking building in town, certainly the biggest. She passed through the gate and assumed he would follow suit. "My employers live here. "