Thimble squeaked for emphasis, pointing at a woodcut print in the gnomish catalog Viv had spread on the counter top. The rattkin stood on a stool to get a proper view.
The stove depicted in the advertisement was twice as wide as theirs, with dual extra-large ovens and fireboxes and a back panel with temperature control gauges and knobs. Viv found it difficult to make out much detail from the woodcut, but the look was very modern, and the listed features set Thimble’s eyes sparkling with longing.
“You’re sure?” She raised her eyebrows at the price.
She’d come to Thune with a nice nest-egg, but renovations, equipment costs, and specialty food orders had whittled it down. The beans she regularly ordered from Azimuth came dearly, too. A new stove would nearly wipe out her remaining funds, although she was pretty sure they’d recover it in a few months, given the popularity of Thimble’s baked goods.
The rattkin nodded decisively, but at her expression, he hesitated, and then reluctantly indicated a less expensive model further down the page.
“No, Thimble,” she said, pointing at him. “The best deserve the best, and that’s you. I’ll have Cal make sure we can install it, and I’ll put in an order.”
Her gaze snapped up when she heard a familiar voice speaking to Tandri.
“Here for this week’s delivery. And… let me see, one of the lattes please, my dear.” Lack stood opposite, humming as he stared at the menu board.
While Tandri brewed his drink, Viv retrieved the reserved sack of rolls from underneath the counter and, after a moment’s thought, added two of Thimble’s crescents, as well. She gave the man a slight nod as she passed the bag over. “Let me know what the Madrigal thinks of this week’s tribute.”
“I’ll do so.” Lack returned the nod, accepted his drink, and went quietly on his way.
* * *
“Is… will there be music today?”
The girl was young and looked a little breathless and windblown.
“We’re never sure,” said Viv with a shrug. “Pendry comes and goes.”
“Oh.” The girl seemed disappointed, but covered it quickly.
“Anything I can get you?”
“Er, no, thank you. So… you don’t know when he might be back?”
Viv thought she was trying—pretty unsuccessfully—to downplay her interest in the answer to that question. “Afraid not.”
After the girl left, Tandri arched a brow. “That’s the third one this week.”
Viv gazed thoughtfully after Pendry’s admirer. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”
“You pin him down. I’ll make the sign.”
* * *
The next timePendry darkened the doorstep, Viv thought his bearing was a little more assured. He nodded cheerfully, comfortable enough to head to his impromptu stage without permission.
“Hey, Pendry,” she said, catching him before he disappeared around the corner. “Got a second?”
“Uh… sure.”
The old worry started to creep back into his expression, so Viv forged ahead. “You still don’t have your hat out for coin, do you?”
“Well… no. I just… just like to play. It feels sort of like… begging? To ask? If my da ever heard tell of me–” He broke off, grimacing hugely.
“What if I paid you? More like a wage, maybe.”
He looked surprised. “But… why would you? I… I… already….”
“Well, I’d need you to be a little more regular, of course.”
