Chapter 229

Jay worked his way through the crowd and stepped up to a wide polished wooden bartop. A woman wearing a white button up shirt and black pants was serving wine up to any who asked. Her hair was pulled back and held up in a bun and she moved from customer to customer with little to no time in between.

“What'll you have?” she asked once Jay had finally managed to get her attention.

“Wine, white, two please,” Jay asked just as a stern looking man stepped up next to him and turned to face him.

“You! Goddess, Jay, you made a lot of extra work for me today!” a tired looking Walter said next to him.

He held an empty wine glass that he set on to the bar and looked to be a little tipsy, something Jay had never seen Walter do before. Then again – he hadn't spent a lot of time 'hanging-out' with Walter. Their relationship was more business than pleasure.

So much had happened in the last 48 hours that Jay had to stop and think about what exactly Walter meant and Walter caught the expression of confusion pass over Jay's face.

“Are you kidding me right now? You're not even sure what I'm talking about?” Walter said a bit loudly as Jay accepted two drinks from the bartender with thanks and stepped off to the side with Walter.

Walter allowed himself to be herded off to the side and continued to complain the entire time but did not seem to care if Jay was listening or not – he had things that needed saying regardless of who was listening.

“I'm sorry, Walter, I didn't mean to make a mess again. What did I do exactly?” Jay asked in confusion but as he spoke it came to him. He had most likely caused quite the commotion when he and Norri had entered the Library – especially after every other person had been denied entry save for Librarians.

Walter was sputtering and trying to come up with a reply when Jay continued speaking.

“I guess I should have told you I was planning on getting into the Library?” Jay asked in an apologetic tone of voice.

Walter nodded absentmindedly and Jay handed him the glass of wine he had intended to give to M'redith. Walter looked like he needed it more at the moment.

Walter took a gulp of the wine and finally seemed to settle down a bit, although he was still holding on to the glass a bit too tightly.

“How did you even get inside? NO ONE is allowed inside – they won't even let me in!” Walter said as if not allowing him in to the Library had been the highest insult possible.

Jay shrugged, “Title. From escaping Ashagi. It makes me a Librarian. Sort of. Enough to get inside the Library anyway.”

Walter was nodding now as he took frequent sips of his wine. The glass was quickly emptying.

“I used to be more relaxed, you know,” he said after a particularly large sip. “Before you came here I didn't even have any white hair!” Walter said morosely and Jay couldn't help but glance at his hair.

Walter did have a few gray hairs coming in.

Walter downed the rest of his wine and swirled the empty glass in the air with one hand. “Thank Goddess you're graduating. I'd rather retire than keep this up!”

Jay nodded and apologized again with a smile he tried to hold back. “I'm really sorry Walter. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal.”

Walter nodded and gave him a perplexed look. “That was stupid,” he said with a sigh as all of the tension left his body and he sort of slumped where he stood. “You should have expected a commotion! You could have come to me, warned me, you know?”

Walter didn't sound like himself – he was a bit less formal and a bit more... sad? Disappointed? Jay wasn't sure exactly but it was clear that Walter needed a break.

“You're right. I should have thought it through.” Jay felt it was time to redirect Walter before he got too depressed. “That is all done now though, right? So why not just relax? Go play a round of mini-golf, you might like it! Who knows? You might turn out to be really good at it.” Jay offered and as he spoke Walter seemed to perk up a bit as if Jay was making a lot of sense.

Walter finally nodded. “Maybe I will! Which way is it?” Walter asked and Jay had to point him towards the stairs. Walter nodded, handed Jay his empty glass, then wandered slowly over to and then down the stairs.

Poor Walter, Jay thought to himself. Maybe he did need to retire.

Now Jay was holding one full and one empty wine glass. Time to visit the bar again.

He got back in line and waited his turn. Darkness had fully descended and the bright lighting throughout the course created a festive atmosphere for the gathered crowd. Jay felt a woman's hand rest on the inside of his elbow as he stood in line and he turned to the side to see who had taken a hold of him.

An older woman stood beside him and it took him a moment to recognize her. Where others might have gray hair, she had white, and it was done up in a series of complicated braids that looked quite formal and attractive. She wore a yellow shawl over her shoulders and was dressed in a tan colored dress with yellow detail work.

Her face however was difficult to forget.

“Constance!” Jay said brightly. “I'm glad you could make it!”

The older woman demurely nodded her head once, “Thank you for extending your invitation. This...mini-golf? I've already tried the course. It was quite fun! I'm thinking of making this part of my weekly activities, perhaps for my family as well,” she said in a strong feminine voice before she tilted her head to the side and she looked up at him. “How have you been, Jay?”

Jay smiled happily. “I've been great! Keeping busy. I feel like I need a vacation sometimes.”

Constance laughed as she looked about her. “A vacation? From... what, this?”

Jay looked around at the champagne colored lighting hung over the observation deck and out over the mini-golf course where groups of people were laughing and playing excitedly.

“Ok. Point made,” he said with a grin. “How about you, how are you?”

Constance smiled and Jay realized that she was pretty. She must have been stunning when she was younger, Jay thought. Her habit of maintaining a neutral expression most of the time tended to make her look severe and dour. Jay was seeing a whole new side of her at the party.

“I'm well, thank you for asking. I love what you've done here by the way, just in case I haven't been clear already.” Constance offered with a smile.

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“Thank you!” Jay replied. “My partner Toren managed the work. Between him and Boland, they did just about everything other than pay for it.”

“Yes, speaking of Boland, how has he been working out for you?” Constance asked with an interested glint to her eyes.

Jay couldn't help but smile widely, “He's been amazing. I don't know what I would have done without him. Out of all of the rewards I've gotten I'd say he is probably the most helpful.”

Constance beamed at the praise, “I'm so pleased you've found him useful – at least more useful than some dusty old upgrade stones?”

Jay blushed at the memory of turning down a box of upgrade stones that Constance had once offered him. After Jay had explained why he turned them down she had set him up with Boland instead at Jay's request – he had needed wisdom, not more riches, and since Jay had met him Boland had provided that in spades.

Constance laughed at his blush, “No need for that – you were right. You can show incredible wisdom at times.”

Jay smiled at the thought of that – Walter would certainly disagree with her.

Constance grinned and her eyes sparkled as the two waited their turn to order wine. “And how did you enjoy your first auction? I'm told you did quite well for yourself – well for you and your adventuring group that is.”

Jay turned and nodded, “Oh yea! That was great! I had a great time, it was a lot of fun. The others had a good time too. I'm looking forward to doing it again soon.”

One of Constance's eyebrows raised the tiniest fraction. “You have something in mind already?” she asked with naked interest, making no attempt at concealing it.

Jay smiled. “Not yet, but after I graduate I'm guessing I'll be running dungeons much more often than I have been. I'm bound to find treasure.”

Constance's face fell before she caught herself and smoothed over her expression. “Oh. Well, when you do find something, you know where to find me. I'm always interested in any treasure you might pick up.”

Jay smiled, “Great! Now I've just got to find some treasure.”

Constance laughed politely. “Speaking of treasure. I'm aware that as a Patron you have access to a significant income stream – have you considered attending any of my auctions? Or is there perhaps something in particular that you are interested in that I could look for - attempt to schedule an auction for?”

Jay shook his head but stopped as he realized that there was something that he was looking for.

“Say – I've recently become interested in something old called 'tending your garden.' Have you heard of anything like that?” Jay asked.

Constance frowned. “Yes. That's not old though, that's ancient. You're talking about the meditation exercise guides?”

Jay shook his head, “Sort of? I'm more interested in the books about the garden itself – not the meditation. Managing the plants, pruning methods, how to properly shape them as they grow – that kind of thing,” he said and he felt Constance's hand on his inner elbow relax.

Constance seemed a bit taken aback by the request and paused to think before she spoke again. “That...that is an interesting request. I will see what we can do and let you know should I find anything,” Constance said as she gave one last squeeze and released his arm. “My turn for wine. It was good talking with you Jay,” she said as she stepped forward and ordered two glasses of wine.

When she was done she gave Jay a polite nod of her head which he returned before he too stepped up to the bar and ordered another glass of wine for M'redith. His own glass of wine he had barely sipped yet.

The bartender looked at him a little oddly. “Didn't I just see you?”

Jay nodded and smiled, “I found someone that needed a drink more than I did and so I need another glass please.”

The bartender laughed and got him another glass of white wine. She handed it to him and grinned. “Try not to give this one away, ok?”

Jay grinned, “Thank you!”

He moved away from the bar to make room for the next customer and threaded his way through the crowd and back over to where M'redith was standing and talking with someone else. She was leaning up against the railing and looking out over the mini-golf course and the people playing it.

“Jay! And you brought wine! Thank you!” Boland said as he took one of the glasses Jay held and handed the other over to M'redith – which left Jay without any wine. He'd have to make another trip to the bar.

“The place looks amazing Boland, you and Toren did an amazing job, thank you!” Jay said with a pleased expression as he stood next to M'redith and wound an arm around her waist. She smiled up at him as he did so before she returned her attention to Boland.

“You're welcome. I must admit I thought you were daft when you said you'd bought a putt-putt course. This place though, this place could make some real money!” Boland said as if there were no higher praise possible.

M'redith took a sip of her wine as Boland leaned in to make sure that Jay would hear him.

“I saw C'nthia here earlier – have you spoken to her yet?” Boland asked Jay in a serious tone of voice that immediately caught Jay's attention.

“Not yet, no. Why?” Jay asked as M'redith frowned.

Boland smiled at M'redith's frown. She was frowning at Jay for forgetting that he was supposed to do something. Boland helped him out.

“You need to ask her about upgrading your minor share in Redgrass to a major one. Direct her to me and I'll hammer out the details with her and the other share holders. Do it tonight though if you can – my sources tell me they'll be shutting down soon for repairs – you want to ask them now while they still need your funds,” Boland patiently explained.

Boland didn't wait for Jay's reply and took a long drink from his glass of wine and sighed. “Nice wine, I'll have to ask them where they got it from.”

Jay nodded in agreement, “I'll talk with C'nthia tonight and take care of that – thank you for reminding me.”

“You have anything else going on that I should know about while I'm here?” Boland asked curiously as he waved to someone he knew who passed by them. Boland was always interested in whatever new thing Jay got involved in.

Jay shook his head, “Nothing new really, just trying to make it to graduation.”

Boland grinned and thumped Jay on his back with one hand. “Good man! Focus on your studies. I'll focus on the rest. Speaking of which, aren't you graduating soon?”

M'redith nodded, “We are. As long as we pass our graduation exercises this weekend.”

“This weekend is tomorrow. Are you sure you two should be out partying instead of at home resting for tomorrow?” Boland asked worriedly.

Jay and M'redith shared a look that said they hadn't thought about that.

“Listen,” Boland continued seriously, “if you guys need to head out early don't worry about it – between me and the master of ceremonies we've got it covered. As long as you talk to everyone you need to first before you leave – ok?”

Jay smiled and nodded. He was dreading having to wake up early tomorrow after staying out all night. Normally it wouldn't be that big of a deal but tomorrow was graduation exercises – the tests that would determine whether or not he was prepared to graduate. If he failed it he'd be taking the basic training course over again – not something that he was interested in doing.

M'redith smiled and nodded at Boland, “Thank you Boland, that is extremely helpful.”

Boland grinned at the praise before he finished his drink and handed the empty glass to a passing attendant. “I have to move along, people to talk to, things to set up, you know how it is. Talk with you two soon!”

Boland shook both of their hands and moved off towards the stairs.

“Well that was nice of him,” M'redith said as she took another sip of her wine.

Jay felt thirsty. Still.

“Uh, I'm going to head back to the bar to get a drink,” Jay said and M'redith glanced at his empty hands. “You just went for a drink, where is yours?”

“Boland took it?” Jay reminded her with a raised eyebrow.

M'redith laughed. “Poor Jay. Gets his wine stolen at his own party. It's ok, go get another one, I'll wait for you here,” she said with a smile as she shook her head at him.

“Be right back!” Jay said and pushed his way back towards the bar.