Welcome to Gaia! ::

She noticed the avoidance of the topic, though didn't pry any further. What was said was over for now at least, and she certainly wasn't going to be rude to her guest. Rosalie managed to regain her composure after the tea went down quite the wrong way, as did the conversation.

"I suppose I could....Though I wouldn't want to disregard my father's final request...." She mumbled. "I've tried courting, I really have. Even a noble tried for my hand, but none was meant to be. Marrying could mean losing my job here. And I'm not quite sure I'd be mother material...." She mumbled, fussing with her teacup for the moment, nervous. "And I like to keep my promises...This life means the world to me...I'd hate to let it go." She looked down, letting out a deep and heavy sigh. She too had helped out a number of orphans, never one to let a child go by without being fed. She liked kids. But they tended not to like her.

At the mention of an inn, she paused, trying to think of one place that did allow guardians within their buildings. "I don't know of any, unfortunately. But I do have a spare bed. I'm not sure how comfortable you'd be with spending the night here, but the offer is open. I'd take the spare, of course. I end up there often enough."

"It's quite alright. There's just not many who have enjoyed....courting me so to say." Love That wasn't anything she had considered for herself. Nonetheless, she could tell it definitely was not Eaton who was this 'true love' he spoke of. Yes, he was certainly good looking, kind, talented, the like, but he was not one she'd want to hold close every night. A friend. A good friend. That was what she'd keep him as. And if love or heartbreak ever did come her way again, she'd speak to him about it.

"Stay as long as you like. And if travel brings you to the city again, please feel free to stop by and stay again. I don't often get visitors." She nodded, and guided him upstairs. She hadn't been kidding about the library. Shelves of books lined the walls, all looking at least recently read within the past month or so. And there was still space for more, he saw. A mattress lay between to shelves, a few blankets on it, though the bed was where she gestured for him to take. It was nice enough, with warm wool blankets upon it, though the home barely needed them. She gave him enough privacy to prepare for bed, locking up the shop and the windows as night fell. The glow of the forge continued, poking up from between the boards of the upper floor in an almost magical way, though the two let sleep fall upon them...


((And FIN!))