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Despite still being winter, it was a nice enough day that Pasha and Vi were outside the shop rather than in. The doors and windows of their thrift shop, Second chances, were wide open...trying to coax the little bit of sun indoors. In better weather, Melisande was almost always in the doorway. People tended to notice fashions more when someone was wearing them.

Today she was showing off something that had just been donated. It was a long grey jacket with a double peplum, adding a second layer of ruffle that made the otherwise heavy coat delightfully feminine. Melisande had worn her hair up in a mess of pearl headed pins and blossoms to keep it away from the coat and show off the garment to its max advantage.

"Hey girl, look! A little one!" Vi motioned across the street with a lift of her coffee, gesturing to a Frei sedately following a young man. Vi was also showing off some new donations, namely an oversized cashmere scarf in pale blue and white plaid which only had a single cigarette burn on it. The shop owner had been running cold ever since she'd chopped off her dreads. Vi still wasn't used to her hair being curly and pixie short. She burrowed into the scarf until only her green eyes and freckled nose were visible.

Melisande brightened. She didn't recognize the Frei, but she was lovely, even from a distance. "Hello miss!" She called, just loud enough to be heard across the street. Pasha waved, hoping the other would be interested enough to introduce herself. If not, hopefully she would at least get a wave in return.

The moment they approached, it was like a weight lifted from Melisande. They were calm and well mannered. No one was eyeing her, judging her, or asking for kisses. As much as she loved to meet the occasional new Frei, there were some things the Muse had started to dread.

None of that had stopped her from waving, though, and Pasha was certainly glad she had. Despite the unique look of the girl's eyes, the Sigel had no idea there was anything unique about Ethiriel's senses. When she greeted the pair, it was with the same honest, euphonic tones that gave Melisande's voice so much life. If one truly listened, every pause and lift of her sweet voice gave more insight into Pasha than any confession or expression.

"A pleasure to meet you both, as well!" She returned the mid air curtsy as it was second nature. She'd never seen another Raevan make the gesture! Pasha's smile dimpled, and she settled a hand lightly on Vi's shoulder.

"This is my friend, Viola. Vi." She corrected, after a petulant glance from the other woman. "Second Chances is her store!" The sign for the thrift shop swung almost silently overhead, and brightly dressed mannequins posed in the wide bay windows over the Sigel's shoulder.

Melisande's eyes fell naturally to what the Frei was wearing, and she brightened as she took in the unusual physicality. "If I may ask, did you alter your clothes yourself, Ethiriel? I've only made changes for…"

"Fauna." Vi supplied helpfully as Melisande paused, still burrowed into her scarf. Viola shot Leo a look, and her eyes crunched warmly with a wry smile. Raevans, right?!

"…fauna based wings! I would love to share ideas, sometime, if you sew?" Pasha had no idea how long the pair had, and she didn't wish to keep them if they were busy, so she got right to the point. Her interest shone in her words, earnest and warm.

"Thanks!" Vi said brightly to Leo's compliment. "Feel free to come in and check it out!"

Pasha shot her friend an amused look. Even with such a small store, Viola was ever the businesswoman. "If you'd like a break from the cold," the Sigel clarified, Please feel free to come in. We have hot water for tea or cocoa if you'd like!"

Vi had the grace to blush, and glanced back to the shop. "I'll get some cups ready." She wiggled her fingers at Leo again, unrepentantly friendly, before making her way back inside the thrift shop.

Melisande smiled fondly after her friend before turning her attention back to Ethiriel and Leo. "If you're not much for fineries, what do you enjoy, Ethiriel? If I may ask." She wondered for a moment if the Frei's pale eyes were part of the reason for her demurring, but didn't dwell on the thought. It wasn't her place to assume or question.

The Muse took a moment to push a few windows shut after Leo and Ethiriel entered, making sure the shop would be warm enough for the pair. Vi had already filled four mugs with hot water, and set them steaming next to the basket of tea and cocoa packets. "Help yourself! Pasha, you want Lady Grey? How about you two? Here's what we got."

"Yes, please!" Melisande smiled and unbuttoned her coat, revealing the cobalt wrap blouse she wore underneath. It was wonderful to see Viola so enthused. Before Pasha arrived, the store had been dark and crowded. Flowers, tea, and a little elbow grease had transformed it into something beautiful, and the pride showed on Vi's face.

Pasha's own face lit up when the Frei mentioned her favorite activities. "I think we have a common interest. Singing is...in my nature. I'd love to listen, any time you'd like an audience. Perhaps we could even sing together someday if you'd like!" Melisande made the offer gracefully, trying to settle how excited she was at the prospect. "Do you live near?"

Melisande was a little taken aback at Ethiriel's swift refusal. She opened her mouth, and closed it again without responding. What could she say? She didn't know the girl well enough to encourage her without feeling like she was pushing.

"Hey, can I take your jackets? Pasha, that one is yours." Vi chimed in, holding her arms open to Leo after nodding to the steaming cup of Lady Grey on the counter.

Melisande accepted it with murmured thanks, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. "Oh? How is your search going so far?" Pasha inquired of Leo, her enthusiasm a little more subdued. She mulled over Ethiriel's preferred food source, taking another glance at the Frei. Silver? How unique!

In response to the other Raevan's question, Pasha tilted her head. "I do stay here, sometimes. I have a more proper residence, but…it's not exactly home, either. I…" The Muse trailed off for a moment, and met Viola's eyes. There was the sort of slow honesty in Pasha's voice that revealed the edge of feelings that had never quite healed.The woman nodded, silently supportive.

"My guardian and I parted ways, a few years back. I'm still trying to find something that feels like home."

Viola shrugged at Leo, and went back to making her own cup of cocoa. She understood being on a schedule. "You sure you don't want a cup, hon?" Vi asked over her shoulder, towards Ethiriel. "It will warm you up!"

Pasha looked back at Ethiriel as the Frei studied her, wondering again if the girl was blind. It wasn't her assumption to make, but then, the Sigel didn't wish to ask her about it. Surely it was a question the girl was tired of answering, and such a thing didn't define her. "It was unfortunate. Thank you. Right now, Rivener and Zul's place feels more like home than anywhere else! Have you met either of them? Sigels, both, like me?"

If they didn't have any interests that they could share, perhaps they had acquaintances in common. Melisande took a sip of her tea and shot Vi a grateful smile.

Melisande lit back up at Ethiriel's revelation, putting aside the earlier awkwardness. It was also warming to hear such a compliment from the Frei. "Would you like to join us some evening at their loft? I have a trivia game that is a lot of fun, and we could listen to some music?" Again, the Muse didn't wish to push, but if she knew and liked both Rivener and Zul there was no reason they couldn't all make a day of it.

Vi brought over the hot water, settling one hand over Ethiriel's before passing it gently. Pasha was surprised. The way Viola did it seemed very natural, but the Muse herself would have been too reserved to just reach out and touch someone she barely knew like that. It was one of the nice things about the shop owner…she was good at breaking the ice.

"And you're welcome to take me out for a drink while the kids play. You know, if you'd like." Viola offered rather magnanimously to Leo, green eyes bright over her grin. Wouldn't do to have him feel left out!