Welcome to Gaia! ::

Just then, they were interrupted by the return of Lienne, along with a tall, black-haired man that had to be his father. His hair was thin and straight, and went down to his elbows, but it was tied back in a loose ponytail. His skin was a dark tan, and his face and arms were sprinkled with soot.

"I am honoured that you think so," he said warmly, his voice just as kind as his son's, bowing deeply at Lin. He straightened again and smiled. "And Princess Amora. It is an honour for you to grace my shop yet again. You are most welcome."

Amora smiled and put one hand on Lin's shoulder. "This is a friend of our family, Lin Winters," she introduced her. "She is visiting us here for the first time. Lin, this is Renne."

Renne smiled widely and bowed deeply once again. "It is a great honour to make your acquaintance," he said sincerely; and as he straightened up once more he held one hand out to Lin.

Renne looked around the shop, a warm and proud smile on his handsome face.

"I do not make these by my own design," he confided in Lin. "It is my wife who comes up with the designs, I am merely her outlet. Her skill is in drawing, but she has no desire to market that. Drawings are so carelessly destroyed or set aside ... but to have her designs in glass, that makes her happy."

He smiled warmly, his love for his wife evident in his eyes and in the way he spoke of her.

"I could ask for no better life," Renne smiled warmly at Lin. "I feel very blessed indeed."

He adjusted the bandanna around his neck, then smiled at Lin again. "Do you have any questions for me?" he asked kindly, tilting his head slightly.

Renne smiled warmly. "To be honest, the method is rather simple to understand ... it is just difficult to make use of it. Glass is the result of three ingredients - sand, ash and lime - melted together and then cooled. The ratio of ingredients defines what kind of glass you have, and of course, when it is hot, you can mold it to any shape you like. That of course being the most difficult part."

He headed to one of the shelves and plucked a small flower figurine, then returned to Lin and held it out in the palm of his open hand.

"Many people would use molds and simply pour the liquid glass in, allowing it to cool and take shape like that," he explained, "but then there are often times lips along the center, where the two halves of the mold don't quite fit together. But you can see here ... my works do not have any of that. Please do not think that I am boasting when I say this, but my works are flawless. It is a simple fact. There are no lips, no distortions ... everything is exactly as it is designed to be. I do not use molds."

Renne thought carefully for a moment before answering. "... in a manner of speaking, yes. But that is my trade secret." He moved to replace the flower on the shelf, then turned back to Lin once more. "While I do allow, at times, people to watch me work ... I never let anyone watch while I make my best works. The ones that my wife designs. If others know how I make them, then I will not be worth so much, yes?"

He smiled easily. "But if you ever have the time, you are welcome to watch me for a while," he invited.

Renne grinned and bowed low. "I thank you," he said warmly. "It is always a pleasure when someone else is interested in my craft. I look forward to showing you someday, then."

Amora smiled and stepped forward, interrupting their little chat. "Forgive me, Renne, but Lin and I must continue on ... many places to see, and only a short time to do so."

Renne smiled at the girl. "Of course, Princess," he said warmly, bowing again. "Thank you for taking the time to visit. I look forward to seeing you again."

Renne smiled warmly back at Lin. "Until we meet again," he said warmly, bowing once more before returning to the back of his shop.

Amora smiled and waved at Renne and Lienne before turning back to Lin and leading her towards the door.

"So where else did you want to visit?" she asked as Sir Gilead held the door open for them to go out before following after them.

Amora smiled and nodded. "Just up the street," she pointed as they exited the glass shop. "Rather a bigger shop, all of the work is don there, just like the glass shop, except that Renne does his work underground."

She smiled up at Sir Gilead, who smiled back. "Bet Sir Gilead's glad you chose to go there," she grinned.

Sir Gilead chuckled softly. "Indeed, my lady," he agreed. "It is rare that I get to see my family, and any opportunity is welcome."