Welcome to Gaia! ::

"It's ... tough to classify them," Amora said hesitantly, fingering her scarf. "I mean ... they're larger than life, not smaller ... still, they are very beautiful."

She turned down a sidestreet, leading Lin down the dusty road.

Amora giggled. "Not long," she winked, flicking her curls away from her face as she brought them to the second building on the street. There was a sign above the door in Common Elvish naming the shop, and in the front display window was a row of finger-length glass figures that looked real and at the same time surreal: dragonflies and butterflies and all manner of insects, including several unique to that world.

Inside the shop were rows upon rows upon shelves upon shelves of glass figures of all sorts, in every possible imaginable shape. None were bigger than a hand's breadth, but some of the insect figures were so tiny that they rivaled their true forms. Yet even on these smallest ones, the details were perfect. The large storefront window let the light in at just such an angle as the rays of the afternoon desert sun shone through the glass figures, sprinkling rainbows of light on the far wall.

"He is the best I have ever heard of in his field," Amora said softly, motioning for Lin to look around. "Even the man that we have at the palace sometimes cannot rival his work. But we hire him for windows, not figurines."

From the back of the room, there were soft footsteps, barely audible as per elves, and then a soft, warm, male voice asked, "Can I help you ladies with anything?"

It was a young man, perhaps in his mid- to late-teens, with a kind smile and warm eyes. One eye was brown, the other a vivid green. His hair was just as odd - if not more so: streaks of pitch black and pale blond made it look as if something had been spilled throug it, but upon closer inspection it was clear that it was quite natural.

Amora touched Lin's shoulder lightly. "This is Lienne," she introduced the young man. "His father, Renne, is the glass master I told you about."

The young man bowed his head respectfully back at Lin, and when he straightened once more, his smile was even wider.

"A pleasure to meet you as well," he beamed. "Princess Amora, you are always welcome here, and you honour us by bringing your friend. Would you like to see my father? Or are you simply looking around today?"

Amora smiled back. "I am but an escort today," she replied, a bit odd perhaps seeing as they were still being followed by Sir Gilead. "What we shall do is up to Lin."

She glanced at Lin to see if she had any requests.

Lienne smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling brightly. "As you wish," he bowed, seemingly pleased by her response.

"If you will wait but a moment, I will bring him here," he promised, bowing his head again. "Excuse me for just one moment." And he disappeared through the door again.

Amora turned to Lin and smiled. "They're very friendly people," she said softly. "Always eager to please everyone."

Amora thought about that for a moment. "Mostly by reputation," she admitted, "but I've interacted with them enough to know what they're like firsthand. Every time I'm here, I see everything their reputation promises: kindness, cheerfulness, high quality work ... they're very well spoken of."

She wished she could come and visit more often, but honestly there was always so much for her to do at home, and especially with a new brother to help take care of ...