Daithi hummed to himself as he brought Lop back some more water and some fresh grass in her feed bag. Taking the "Closed, back in a bit" sign off his desk, he settled back into his foldable chair and started messing with his current project.
Hester leaned over the fountain, inspecting her reflection in the rippling water. She had a very ragged look compared to earlier that day. Her brown mane of hair was tangled and decorated liberally with dust and cobwebs. There were dirt smudges smeared over her cheeks, which were glowing with a sense of accomplishment. After managing to clean up that inn room, she was wholly prepared to self-indulge. But as she looked around the milling streets, her high spirits began to fade a little. It was still confusing despite her time here. Hazarding a guess, she ducked into the crowd, making her way towards where she hoped the stalls lay.
Therefore it was surprising when she actually happened upon one, a tent. She almost had second thoughts, but was somewhat drawn by the atmosphere; maybe it was the location of the place, or the friendly-looking mule, or the man himself, but she found herself interested in spite of herself. Noticing the tinkerer was busy, she hesitantly approached Daithi's desk. "Hello...?"
Daithi blinked and looked up, then smiled at the girl. "Why hello yourself, lass, and what might I be doing for you today?" he asked genially, setting the object aside. "M'name's Daithi. Anything special y'might be looking for at my humble tinkerer's shop?"
"Nothin' in particular, no." She returned the smile, suddenly aware of how she must look; humble shop indeed, but a palace for her, just another victim of poor, spider infested lodgings. The mental image widened it. "Could I just have a look 'round, if you don't mind? I'm not too well-versed in what a tinkerer does. Metal things, right? Like clocks?"
"Aye, I work with metal and clockwork and all sorts of things. Here's something you might enjoy," he said, rummaging about on the table before drawing out a little bird with wheels instead of feet. He wound it up and it rolled about the table, flapping its wings and opening and shutting its beak.
Hester watched it thoughtfully a moment, suddenly glad she had decided to come here. Something like that little toy had never even crossed her mind, but it was much more charming than the necklaces and cloth sold elsewhere. It may not be as useful, but still...a lovely piece of work.
"It's wonderful." she commented, admiringly. A sudden idea struck her. "D'you have any more? Maybe a rabbit, or something of the sort?" Even without, she'd probably settle for anything.
"Perhaps, perhaps," he said, pondering to himself. "Yes, I think I do." He ducked into the little tent behind his desk, clattering about as he searched through several drawers of odds and ends before coming back triumphant. "Here we go, several varieties," he said, smiling cheerily. He wound several of them up and they set to hopping about the table or wiggling their ears, or doing other various things.
Hester couldn't help but try and take a tiny peek into the tent, a bit bemused at the thought of how much could be stored in it and how many more there actually were. The minature show drew her attention away, and when the last rabbit fell still, she grinned, nodding to him. "And there's prob'ly a camel, two fish, and a turtle just in one of these drawers. I wouldn't be surprised."
She glanced to Daithi for permission, hand hovering close to the animal troupe. "May I try?"
Daithi grinned at her - he was quite proud of his work and the interest she was showing flattered him like nothing else. "Oh, of course. And lions and tigers and bears, too, don't forget," he said, winking mischievously. "Mind the dragons though, they bite." He opened the tent's flap, tying it back and giving her a little bow, offering her entry.
Hester gently scooped up one of the rabbits, figuring its movement and crafting would make the metal delicate, but it the cold metal felt strong enough in her hands. She patted its head with a finger. "I'll keep that in mind." she said seriously, though a smile found its way to her eyes as she did.
"The dragons don't fly, do they?" Placing a hand on the tied flap, she peered into the still, shadowed interior of the tent, then glanced back at Daithi. "It'd be just the thing to find one pouncing from some hidden corner."
Daithi shook his head. "I'm still working out a way to get them to fly on their own, but some of them do flap their wings. That's all though."
"Ah." She nodded. "Well, you'll prolly get it eventually. For now I'm just glad I'm safe." With that she peeked in again, stepping into the tent and looking around at the various signs of workmanship, the tools and creations scattered about. 'I wonder how people with this manage to get around...it must be very slow going.' Then again, there was the mule...
"Ah, I only ever leave the safe ones wound up, and usually not even them," Daithi said, shrugging. "And I appreciate the faith in me," he said, grinning slightly. "Maybe one day the silly things *will* fly. But not today. If you have any questions, though, feel free to ask."
"That's good to hear." Hester glanced down at the metal rabbit thoughtfully. "Questions...I've lots right now." she admitted sheepishly. "If one would be int'rested in buying one, how much would you be asking?" She was curious about Daithi's business in general, especially the traveling part, but wanted to get this part done and over with. Bartering wasn't one of her strong points.
"Well I can see my way to giving you a couple, seeing as you like them so much.. Might you be willing to do an old codger a favor though?" he asked, smiling at her innocently.
Her eyes widened. "But..." This was so unexpected. But even though she felt like it was only right to pay, something felt wrong in refusing a kindness, so with that single word hanging she gave a quick nod, looking as though she'd do anything at the moment. "Of course!"
"You're too kind, lass," he said, pressing another windup rabbit into her hands. "And maybe you'll want a few more for your trouble? See, a tinkerer isn't much good without something to tinker with, right? If you'd be willing to wander about and get some things for me, I'd be much obliged. Mostly what I'm looking for are things from other tinkerers and perhaps someone selling tin or other metals. Interested in looking for me, perhaps? Or, if you'd prefer, you could stay here with Lop whilst I go about and look.. less wear on your long legs then, eh, and I'm sure Lop wouldn't mind a change of company?" He smiled winsomely, the corners of his eyes crinkling up.
Hester wrapped her fingers around the rabbit, listening to his proposition with attentive interest. She cast a considering look back into the tent, but shook her head, already taken by being allowed to keep one. "I'd hate to take them all away, though I wouldn't protest too much if you made me. They'd get lonely." Lop, she supposed, was the name of the mule. "I'd love to get 'quainted with Lop. She looks like good company." A quick smile flashed apologetically over her face. "Not saying you aren't, of course!"
"She's good company alright, and has been so for quite a while," he said, rubbing her muzzle affectionately. "And I'm just an old bag anyway, I don't blame you for wanting to hang around Lop." Lop snurfled her agreement, chewing on a mouthful of grass, and Daithi tugged her ear in mock outrage. "Ah ye old bag of bones, you watch your mouth or you'll be chewing dry leaves tonight!" She just snurfled again and shook her head, and he laughed and scrubbed at her scruffy excuse of a mane.
Hester stifled a chuckle behind a hand, unable to help it. Her former reservation was completely gone. Nevermind that one of them was human and one wasn't, the two looked almost like an old couple bickering with one another. It was, in a way. "Now, comments like that don't help. I can't guarantee I'll stay if you don't behave." she told Lop sternly. "How am I to know you haven't picked up any of his negativity?"
Lop just shook her head again and nudged her with her soft nose. "Aw, she likes you," Daithi said, grinning at her. Lop just snorted at him and went on munching her grass. "So ye don't mind watching the shop with her for a bit? I promise not to be gone too long," he added to Hester, smiling.
"She does?" Hester smiled at the mule. She hesitantly reached out and gave Lop a pat on the head, fluffing her straggly mane a little to give it a perkier look. Feeling nervous, as she didn't really know if it would bother Lop, she withdrew it rather quickly afterwards. "Neh, that'd be fine. Take as long as you want." she replied.
"Well then I'll thank you kindly for watching out for my old shop and my even older mule-" Lop snurfed at him and made as if to bite him, but he just offered her more grass which she accepted "while I go look about the fair." He smiled at her most genially, and bowed as he left.
"My pleasure!" Hester waved until he was out of sight, then turned to find some place to settle. She chose a patch of ground by the tent, careful to keep both mule and desk in sight while she examined her catch, winding it up a few times. The rabbit kicked futilely in midair. "I bet there's an entire desk dedicated to you." she mused, glancing over at Lop. "Eating ones, lounging ones...biting ones, too."
It wasn't the best of days for the spiders, but had turned out very well for their replacement. She leaned back against the tent and waited, dozing slightly under the warm midday sun.
---
Later that afternoon Daithi returned, his pockets bulging with acquired toys, gadgets, and gizmos. "Looks like Lop's just as entertaining as I am," he said, smiling at the dozy girl. "Thank you again for minding my shop, twas really quite nice of you," he told her, pressing a few coins into her hands. "Tis only fair to pay you for your service, after all," he added when she might have protested.
She had certaintly been about to, though diverted her words into a weary sigh. "I don't know whether to feel flattered or guilty." she admitted as she got to her feet. "Giving tours, rabbits, and now payment for falling asleep!" Hester grinned, looking slightly embarrassed. The guilty side seemed to be winning over. "You really don't have to. Lop could've..." What? Meandered away? Horrors!
Hester wrinkled her nose at her conscience. "...gotten lonely." she finally finished. It sounded just as stupid.
"Well it may seem silly, but you'd be surprised how many idgit thieves are scared off just by the presence of somebody, sleeping or no. After all, there's always the chance you're secretly a mage with an illusion of sleep on, spying, waiting to pounce on any rule-breakers you see and turning them into toads!" he said dramatically. "All rubbish, of course, but usually if you're petty enough to steal from a tinker, you're stupid enough to believe it. And I wouldn't worry about Lop getting lonely, she just likes having people around. Half the time she ignores me anyway," he added, laughing. True to form, Lop had merely chewed on her hay and grass mix complacently this whole time, and hadn't even reacted when Daithi left or returned.
"Or that Lop's a killer unicorn, acting like her world is food, which it is...but prepared to attack at any moment!" Hester added helpfully, getting the gist of what he meant. Someone would have to be very dull to not take the scruffy mule for what she was, but being lucky wasn't a reason to complain! "Think of it as being so close you don't need to notice each other. I can't imagine such a social girl would ignore anyone, especially you." She tried to sound shocked; a hard feat when she could barely keep her face straight.
"Oh aye, a regular butterfly of sociableness," Daithi said gravely, working (and failing) to keep from chuckling into his hand. Lop merely snorted at the two, flopping her ears about as she shook her head, then returned to her food. Daithi grinned at Hester, and gave her a wink.
"Well lass, tis been a fair pleasure talking with you, but I daresay tis getting a bit late in the afternoon - ye might be wanting to get on home to do whatever I've kept ye from. 'Course, if you've a mind to stay, I wouldn't say no. However, things are about to get fairly boring - I've picked up a few new toys and I'm likely going to spend the rest of the day messing about with them."
He nodded as if mostly to himself, extracting one from his pocket as he sat down, and began meticulously dismantling it.
"I suppose," Hester agreed, though with more than a touch of regret. Time flew far too quickly. At least there would be a clean room to greet her and things to dwell on there...she wouldn't mind staying, but it might be better to leave Daithi to his work.
She dipped her head in a slight curtsy. "Thank you both very much." she said politely. It felt a bit too solemn, so she added, "Especially Lop, who was kind enough not to leave," with a grin for the mule, "and you for the afternoon. Good luck on the dragons-if they end up flying, make sure to put a warning sign up!"
Giving a final wave, she turned and headed into the crowd, looking much more sure of the way than she had that morning. But the difficult part remained...getting back!
Back, safe and sound
Isn't it funny where wandering takes you? This afternoon, for instance. I never expected to end up in a shop like the one I found. The owner's name was Daithi. He's a tinkerer. His shop was full of the most interesting things, like the clockworks. He probably has more in there than his mule can carry. Jewelry and clothes aren't very interesting when you think about it, but little creations like this rabbit here are in their own way.
Oh! And speaking of it, I still feel pretty badly over the rabbit and the coins. It's wonderful to meet generosity; watching Lop - that's the mule - was the least I could do. Falling asleep wasn't. Thankfully nothing happened, like a thief coming along, or Lop running away, but Daithi's reason seemed perfectly fine. Lop would make a much more convincing unicorn than I would a mage, though.
It's wonderful to have a clean room. The spiders moved out, (forcefully) and we've moved in. Pretty fair trade.
~Hester Lawley
Reply
