“Free samples still, you think?”
“Yes, let’s see about repeat customers, first.” Her expression waxed briefly wicked. “Hook them and see if they stay on the line.”
“Never was any good at fishing.”
“You’re in a river town, now. You’ll learn.”
Viv hoped she was right.
10
Therewererepeat customers, although Viv supposed “customer” might be too strong a word while the drinks were free. When they opened, the washerwoman and the rattkin were back. The woman had a friend in tow, and there were four others behind them.
The rattkin scurried inside first, wafting a cloud of flour, and pointed wordlessly at the latte on the menu. Tandri brewed for the first rush of customers, while Viv watched the street, nodding to herself as a few stragglers joined the short line.
Business stayed reasonably steady, too, with only a few gaps where one or the other of them wasn’t pulling a fresh shot.
“Seems like the fishing is good,” murmured Tandri as she passed by with emptied mugs in hand.
“You’re the angler,” said Viv, smiling. “I guess you’d know.” She leaned out to peer into the dining area, where a scattering of sleepy folk murmured in tentative conversation.
She glanced behind her and found that Tandri was up on a footstool with chalk in hand, adding a new line to the bottom of the slate menu.
Free Samples Today Only!
When she stepped down, she caught Viv’s questioning gaze and said, “Let’s see if the hook is really set.”
* * *
They were still doingslow business as the morning crept toward noon when the Ackers student from the previous day reappeared. He stepped smartly inside, registered surprise at the people sipping their drinks in the dining area and, with only a distracted glance at Viv and Tandri, hurried to a spot in a vacant booth. He unloaded his book satchel again and resumed his scribbling and the cryptic consultation of his palm.
For the next hour, the man did nothing but avail himself of the seating, and Viv grew increasingly irritated. “What is he doing?” she asked Tandri in a loud whisper.
She shrugged. “Coursework? Research? Although why he’s doing ithere, I have no idea.”
“Yesterday, I was almost happy to have him, just to fill a seat, but… if he’s only going to take up room.”
“Easy enough to find out,” said Tandri, as she rounded the counter.
He gave her a distracted glance as she approached, clenching his hand closed. “Can I help you?” he asked, a bit waspishly.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” said Tandri. “Thanks so much for visiting, and two days in a row. I’m just checking to see if you’d like a sample. I assume that’s why you’re here?”
Viv had drifted across the room to overhear.
“A sample?” His eyes flicked between her horns and tail, and he seemed puzzled, as though he hadn’t been asked the same question the previous day.
“Coffee? A latte? You’re aware this is a shop that serves drinks?”
“Oh!” He seemed to recover. “Yes, well, there’s no need.” He smiled as though conferring a favor. “I’ll be just fine without!”
Tandri’s polite smile thinned away, but then she deliberately appeared to apply a new one, at a significantly higher wattage. Viv got the distinct impression that Tandri was unveiling the barest edge of something she normally kept cloaked. With a subtle purr, she asked, “Can I ask what you’re doing, Mister.…?”
“Uh. Er. Hemington,” he stammered. “I, um. Well, I would love to, but it’s allverytechnical.” He attempted to look apologetic.
“I’m very interested in technical matters,” said Tandri. “I’ve sat in on a few classes at Ackers. Try me, maybe?”
“You have?” Hemington blinked. “Ah! Well, er, it’s to do with ley lines, you see.” He warmed to his subject as Tandri slid into the booth across from him and rested her chin on interlaced fingers. “They crisscross Thune, and Thaumic Thread Theory is preoccupied with the radiant effects on the material realm. That’s a fascinating intersection withmyarea of study.”
