Chapter 159

Jay and Norri sat quietly as they waited for either M'redith to return or their waitress to arrive, whichever happened first. While they waited Jay decided to go through his bag as he hadn't done so in quite a while.

Normally when a person looks in a bag they open the bag and look inside. As a Traveler however Jay could also bring up a notification window with a grid, each square in the grid represented a slot that could hold an item. His bag had most of the slots filled.

One slot held his Toy Chest which he hadn't used in quite some time. The little icon for it looked just like the Toy Chest itself. Another slot held a writing kit that he had purchased at a flea market with M'redith and Aiden in what seemed like a lifetime ago.

He wasn't sure what he was even looking for but he knew it when he saw it.

Little Book of Unique Professions

“Uh oh.” Jay said out loud and Norri looked over in interest.

“What's the matter?” Norri asked with a slight smile.

“We, or I, forgot something.” Jay said as he pulled out the little book and waved it towards her.

“Hey! Isn't that the Higgler book?” Norri asked as she recognized the book from a past dungeon run.

Jay laughed, “Higgler book? Sure, let's go with that. The higgler book – or the book we all turned down and decided to auction off. We...or I, was supposed to sell it and split the money between us and Glenda. It's been a bit and we...again, I, still haven't sold it. I owe her money for her share of the title we sold to the Redguard as well.”

“Why didn't you do it already?” Norri asked.

“Busy I guess. Plus – I forgot. With everything going on I'm surprised I hadn't forgotten something else too.” Jay admitted with a shake of his head.

“Well no worries. I'm sure that Glenda will be thrilled when we show up with a bunch of money for her!” Norri encouraged him enthusiastically.

“Yes, people tend to be excited when you show up unexpectedly and hand them stacks of money.” Jay agreed with a crooked smile. “It's been a bit but hopefully she won't be angry that it took so long. Maybe we can get it taken care of tonight. We can ask M'redith if she knows where an auction house is, preferably one owned by Constance.” Jay said as he rubbed his head with one hand.

“Who is Constance again? I have trouble keeping track of everyone you meet!” Norri admitted with a smile.

“Remember when we found that signet ring along the shore of K'tharkle lake and I had someone hand deliver it? She was who I had it delivered to. Head of her house? Strange? Stirge? Stringe? Something like that I think.” Jay said with a frown when he couldn't remember the exact name.

Norri's face brightened as she remembered, “Oh yeah! Wasn't she the one that offered you a case of upgrade stones?”

Jay sighed and nodded. “I turned them down. I did get Boland instead though, and that has turned out to be probably one of the best decisions I've made since I've arrived on Eden.”

Jay felt Norri stir next to him and he looked up and dismissed the notification screen that displayed his bag's contents. M'redith had returned.

She sat down in her chair without any explanation and Jay and Norri shared a concerned look. M'redith's face appeared a bit red but other than that it was impossible to tell that she had been crying.

“Hey M'redith. How you feeling?” Norri asked a bit artlessly but with enough genuine concern that M'redith was forced to smile in response.

“Better, thank you.” M'redith said simply as if that would be enough explanation.

Norri continued to stare at her as if to say keep talking.

M'redith let out a sigh. “We're not supposed to discuss our families, our homes, our lives, outside of the Guild. I'll just say that things at home aren't all roses and rainbows for me. Graduation for me means having to face my family. I'd really rather not talk about it any more.” M'redith sat with her arms folded in front of her and gave the impression that she was done explaining herself.

Norri and Jay shared another look before M'redith snapped at them. “And stop doing that! I can see both of you!”

Jay grinned while Norri looked chastised.

“Ok. We'll stop!” Norri insisted.

“Hey,” Jay said as he tried valiantly to change the topic of conversation without it seeming awkward, “remember that family of auctioneers?”

Jay had been about to continue with further description but M'redith interrupted him as she had already arrived at a name.

“The Stringe family. You met their family head, Constance.” M'redith said as if it had happened just yesterday.

“Right!” Jay said as he remembered that was the correct name, Stringe. “Well do you also remember the Little Book of Unique Professions?”

“Sure. You were supposed to sell it. I'm guessing you forgot?” M'redith asked in an accusing tone. Jay smiled, he was happy to see her return to her usual self. A crying M'redith was a frightening sight to see.

“That's the one. I forgot.” Jay admitted with downcast eyes. “Do you think we could visit one of their auction houses tonight?”

“I don't see why not, but don't expect to have money tonight. Auctions take time. And that is if they even are willing to take on the book.” M'redith said as she pointed at the book.

“What's wrong with the book?” Norri asked in confusion.

“Wrong? Nothing! It's amazing! But if they don't have an auction coming up with bidders that could afford the book then they won't accept it. You have to match the items up for bid with the right bidders or you end up with auctions full of items that no one can afford to bid on. That isn't good for business, that isn't good for anyone.” M'redith patiently explained.

“Let's do that then.” Jay said with a nod.

Norri grinned, “AFTER we eat. I'm still starving.”

As if he had heard her a man wearing a white button up shirt and black pants approached their table and spoke in an upbeat cheerful manner.

“Good evening everyone! Wonderful to have you back with us. What can I get you tonight?” the man asked as he handed each of them a small paper menu. He had a pencil mustache that Jay found as distracting as it was unappealing.

Still staring at the mustache Jay felt a nudge in his ribs as M'redith poked him. “Stop staring!” she hissed in a voice that barely rose above a whisper.

Jay shook himself out of his trance and smiled, “I'll have the meatball sub. Large, sliced in half, toasted, and with extra provolone cheese.”

Norri's stomach rumbled loudly and M'redith and Jay grinned as Norri blushed.

“And for your side, sir?” the waiter asked.

Jay reread the menu. String beans. Mashed potatoes and gravy. French fries.

“Oh definitely french fries. Can I have a side of vinegar to dip them in too please?” Jay asked politely.

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The waiter nodded, “And your beverage?”

Jay didn't even have to think about it. “Do you have ginger-ale?”

The waiter nodded and smiled, “Of course sir. And for you?”

M'redith was still inspecting her menu but Norri was practically begging to put in her order.

“Can I have the same thing but with mashed potatoes? No gravy but with butter on the side? Same drink too please.” Norri asked excitedly. She had to stop herself from clapping she had so much nervous energy.

“And for the lady?” the waiter inquired as he turned and faced M'redith.

“I'll have the Miso soup with the Shiitake mushrooms with a side of sticky rice. What wine would you recommend?” M'redith asked in a kind tone.

The waiter didn't even have to think about it, “Something light and sweet. Perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay. Perhaps something white with notes of crisp apple, pineapple, and citrus?”

M'redith smiled. “That sounds lovely. I'll have that please.”

The waiter nodded but did not leave. “Will there be anything else?” he asked everyone at the table.

No one answered so Jay spoke up, “That is all, thank you.”

The waiter smiled and nodded before he turned and gracefully walked off towards the kitchens.

“Ok now I'm REALLY hungry!” Norri complained as her stomach made another loud growling noise.

Jay and M'redith shared a smile but sat quietly. The three friends enjoyed the sights in the ocean room and Jay noticed Norri eyeing the basking pool in the center of the room.

“You know you can go pet the fish if you really want to. We're not going anywhere for a bit.” Jay suggested helpfully.

Norri grinned and hopped down from her chair before she ran off towards the pool that dominated the center of the dining area.

“She really loves creatures doesn't she?” M'redith asked with a smile.

Jay reached over and held one of her hands in one of his and grinned, “Norri is unique and I wouldn't care to see her change. She's pretty great to have in the group.”

M'redith went quiet as if she was pondering something but then she spoke. “Sorry I ran off earlier. I'm not a big fan of crying in public.”

Jay squeezed her hand. “It's ok. I'm just glad you're feeling better. If you ever want to talk about it though...” Jay said before he trailed off and left the sentence unfinished.

M'redith squeezed his hand in return and gave him a quick smile. “Not yet. Still not allowed. When the time comes I'll be happy to share it all with you.”

Jay shrugged, “That'll do then.”

Norri came running back to the table out of breath and with her hair a bit wild looking. “I got to pet a shark!” she exclaimed as she passed her seat and stood next to Jay. “I lost my balance and got a little wet though?” she said as she stood next to Jay and dripped water from her sleeve on to the floor.

Jay chuckled, “Aura?” he asked and Norri nodded, “Pleeeeease?!”

Jay laughed, “Sure, why not, one sec,” he said as he turned his Tropical Island Aura on and it went to work on Norri as well as Jay.

Jay had already been clean and so it had very little effect on him but Norri's appearance changed drastically. Her sopping wet sleeves were dried out over a span of thirty seconds. The water was wicked away from the fabric and lifted away in to the air before vanishing completely. Norri's hair's appearance had improved as well and looked as if it had just been washed. Norri shook it out and grinned. “Thanks!” she said and settled herself back in to her chair.

“I got to pet a starfish too! There was a stingray but she wouldn't let me pet her. She seemed tired. Probably too much petting.” Norri said all in one breath.

Jay and M'redith grinned as she continued to regale them with tales of the aquatic creatures she had gotten to touch. It was quite the list.

Soon enough a line of waiter's appeared and carried their meals over to the table where they were each placed in front of the correct person before the beverages were also placed on the table.

The wine was opened and a glass poured for M'redith before the bottle was itself left on the table. The waiters left without saying a word.

Norri didn't say anything either but took half of her foot long meatball sub sandwich in both hands and took a bite before she chewed slowly, closed her eyes, and swallowed.

“Oh that is amazing,” she said as she licked sauce off of her lips and took another bite.

The conversation ceased for a time as everyone ate their dinner. Jay's sub ended up tasting just as amazing as Norri's and Jay's fries appeared to have just come out of the oil. They glistened and as Jay salted them the salt stuck to the fries.

They turned out to be too hot to be eaten however and Jay burned his mouth with the first fry. He ended up taking it out of his mouth and blew on it until it had cooled down.

M'redith had no such issues and took turns between eating rice and sipping soup. The miso soup was incredible and the mushrooms gave the entire thing an umami flavor that she had been craving. She sipped her glass of wine and was pleasantly surprised at the note of crisp apple she detected. It all went wonderfully together.

The three ate in silence until Norri sat back in her chair and let out a loud sigh. “I'm full.” she said and looked as if she needed a nap.

Jay was surprised. A foot long sub was a lot of food and Norri was fairly little. Jay hadn't even eaten his entire sub – but Norri had.

Staring at the last few inches of sub Jay shook his head. “Nope. No more room in the inn. I'm calling it.”

M'redith grinned and rested her chopsticks across the top of her bowl to show that she was finished eating.

Waiters approached and removed everything from the table. A few moments later they reappeared and placed small glass dishes in front of them. Each dish was only a few inches across and held a single ball of raspberry sherbet. Little wooden spoons rounded out the placement.

Jay wasn't sure he had room but the balls were so small he figured that he could handle it. The others felt much the same and they each took a tiny spoonful of the sherbet. It was bright, and tart and a delicious end to the meal. They didn't eat the entire ball, just enough to feel sated. Afterwards waiters approached and cleared the table before disappearing once more.

The three sat heavily in their chairs as they digested their meal and they all felt as if they could really use a nap.

“What now?” Norri finally asked as she spoke up. “I mean I'm still full but I wouldn't mind a little bit of a walk.”

M'redith smiled, “Didn't Jay want to visit an auction house?”

Jay nodded.

“Let's do that. The Stringe family has an auction house not too far from here. We can walk there if you'd like?” M'redith said with a shrug.

Jay groaned. “Do we have to? Walk I mean?”

M'redith laughed, “Yes! It'll help you digest! Up, up! Let's go for a walk!”

Norri grinned as well and hopped down off of her chair. “Let's go!”

The three had managed to stand up before they were approached by the same woman that had seated them originally. “You folks heading out? Was everything to your liking? Can I get you anything else?” the woman asked helpfully.

“Everything was wonderful, thank you! Give the cooks our thanks.” Jay said happily. He spoke with the woman quietly for a moment before he handed her some coin and settled up for the night. “Give the waiters our thanks as well.” Jay asked.

The woman made a mental note of each request. Guest requests were not treated as just idle talk. If a guest requested that you give the cooks their thanks then that is what was done. The cooks would be personally thanked by the woman that had seated them. The same for the waiters. They would each be individually thanked as well as given a portion of Jay's tip.

Jay didn't understand that as he was unfamiliar with their customs but M'redith understood perfectly and nodded in approval at how Jay had handled himself.

Norri didn't notice anything and had run ahead to look at the horseshoe crabs on display.

Jay thanked the woman one last time before she led them, along with Norri, out of the building's main entrance. A pair of bouncers offered to help them to a cart or carriage but M'redith waved that off and asked instead just to be escorted to the eastern most edge of the crowd.

The guards shrugged, pushing through one part of the crowd was just as easy as pushing through any other part. They formed up around M'redith and her friends and helped them make their way through the loud and boisterous crowd.

“Thank you!” M'redith said and tipped the bouncers each a silver. The bouncers looked at the silver coins a bit askance but eventually remembered their manners and said thank you before melding back in to the crowd.

“What was that all about?” Jay asked M'redith.

“What? The coins? They're all probably used to being tipped more but I'm not rich. Yet!” M'redith replied with a wide grin. She turned and led the three of them down the street and around a corner. They were off to sell a book.