I stepped up to one of the clerks, a younger woman with strawberry blonde hair and rounded gray ears peeking out of her hair, as well as a small layer of gray color leading down her forehead and the top of her nose, in a loose bun behind her head, and was wearing a decent-looking vee-necked summer dress to her ankles of white cotton with blue stylized diamonds patterned on the fabric, probably some kind of uniform for the shop.

“Can I help you sir? She asked brightly with a happy smile. There was something about a pretty young woman’s smile that just made a man feel better, even if they weren’t planning any funny business with her. That smile, though, was a lot more appealing than I thought it should be, and for some reason, even though I’d been thinking about Wandi, the idea of funny business with this girl was aggressively trying to fit itself into the front of my mind. Ugh. Self-control.

I nodded and took off my hat. Courtesy, you know, which she seemed to respond to with a hint of a blush. My hair was short right now, and I sorta needed a shave, but at least the dark brown mess was easy to keep clean.

“Yes, I am interested in a courting gift. Something… substantial but not too oppressive. I am not sure what the right sort of thing would be, though, she’s a very active woman. She’s a Mephan with brilliant green eyes.”

“A… courting gift, sir? Is there some occasion?”

From beside me, I heard, “Oh don’t confuse the poor girl. Courting gifts are an ancient custom. Tanley, courting gifts were the way a gentleman used to show a girl that he was interested in pursuing a relationship, in a very tangible and memorable manner. Out here in the wilderness, it’s not popular anymore, but it’s still a delightfully courteous gesture.”

I turned, and the cat lady gave me a tight smile, “Tanley is unlikely to be able to help. A mating gift she would quickly sort out for you, but courting is much more complicated. May I help a most...agreeable and traditional fellow as yourself?”

I nodded, and kept my hat down, deciding to act like I was in a John Wayne movie. “Much obliged, ma’am. I am a bit of an old-fashioned fellow myself, and I was hoping to find something attractive but not overly ostentatious. We know we have a future together soon enough, but I wanted to give her something attractive that she could wear with pride, showing that she’s off the market so I don’t have to shoot anyone.”

She laughed, kind of a purr that traveled down your neck. Definitely a girl that knew she was beautiful, and how to use it. “How delightfully blunt.” Her eyes suddenly narrowed, and she inspected me again. “I see. You are a delver? You have the look and the… equipment. I don’t recognize your aspect to my shame, but I see you are… focused, on setting people at their ease.”

I nodded, apparently, she’d seen through my apparition. It was not like a real disguise, and I guess catching someone’s attention could help them avoid the effect. “Yes, Ma’am. I am new in town, and I am far from destitute, but I am a working man, and from a long way off, so I am not real keen on the local fashions. I find it best to let people be comfortable instead of raising a stink.”

She smiled, “I thoroughly understand. A wandering adventurer setting down roots in the hinterlands where a man can breathe, yes? I am Damette Belistra Berett, of the Silvermont Berettes, but please call me Beli,” she held out her hand.

I smiled, So she was an elite of some kind. I knew how to deal with highbrow girls. K-whatever had been one. I took her hand, and instead of shaking it, I turned it over and carefully nibbled the backs of her knuckles through the silken glove. When I glanced back at her, she was beaming, showing off slight dimples with a hint of a flush. “Antonio Wilkins, Ma’am, but I am used to being called Tony.”

She quirked an eyebrow, “That’s an interesting and very… intimate custom, Tony. You have a surprisingly feminine name for such a clearly, and delightfully exotic masculine form.” she flushed slightly deeper for a moment.

“Feminine?”

She nodded, “Clearly you are from foreign climes despite your educated accent. Perhaps from Reme? Your name, Tony. Locals and old-worlders generally name their girls with an ending vowel, but the males are named with an ending consonant. Is the lucky lady your second mate? You are quite young but look… experienced.”

I shrugged, Reme sounded awfully close to Rome, so it was close enough, “my forebears were from Reme, but I was born and raised in much more exotic locations.” I then shook my head, “No Ma’am, my first and maybe only. I want to make sure I do right by her.” I released her hand carefully, and looked down at it, “Ahh, excuse me. Was that a faux pas? I wouldn’t want to take untoward liberties with a mated woman.”

She shook her head, “Oh, I am not mated, although it’s possible I might have found someone interesting I will need to keep my eye on.” She winked and then turned towards the display cases. “In general, you will want to avoid a collar or a choker. Here, unlike on the continent, it’s not considered a sign of bondage, but for a woman, it’s definitely a sign of being mated.”

She gestured at several different kinds of jewelry. “Unless you know her ring size, a ring is likely also out until you are mated, since it’s symbolically a collar, and if she’s an adventurer, she may need to keep her fingers free for enchantments. Do I know the gifted lady?”

“Have you heard of the Coopers?”

She nodded, smiling, “Of course! We are both merchant families. We are in much the same circles since we deal in mining and land while they deal in transportation and packaging. We often do business together. Did Ruffolan manage to pass you one of his many, many girls? He didn’t try to pull that bride price hoax on you, did he?”

I chuckled, “No he didn’t. Wandi told me about it, and I knew it was a farce, but I played along and crossed his palm with gold anyway just to set the scene.”

“Wandiramane? You know she used to be mated, right?”

I nodded, “So did I. Didn’t work out. I’m not a fool, I am not going to try and set a street girl straight, but Wandi is definitely no street girl.”

“Young love?”

I laughed, “Sort of. Our aspects matched, our affinities were complimentary, and apparently we attracted each other, a lot.”

“Complimentary affinities? You know she’s a delver right, and as a mephan she’s ranged and a combat secondary. I don’t recognize your aspect.”

I smiled slightly, “Physical ma’am.” that was safe enough, and kind of obvious physically. “With a touch of restoration and good shooting. I’m the shield, she’s the sword. We are probably hitting a rift tomorrow.”

“Restoration? You have a healing talent? Real essence healing?” her eyes were wide and shocked-looking, and I noticed that Tanley, the clerk, looked flabbergasted as well.

I nodded slowly, “Umm… yes? A few other talents as well, mostly good for fighting. Why, is that unusual?”

She nodded slowly, “Yes. Very unusual. True healers almost never come to the new world, they are pampered and spoiled toys of the incredibly rich and powerful nobility. Hedge witches with a mending pattern or two and druids with a touch of nature are not uncommon, and we have experimental alchemists crawling out of the ductworks, but most delve teams are satisfied with that. You are going to have women throwing themselves at you desperate to become your mate and delve teams? Hot property, the hottest.” she looked at me closely, “In many ways.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

I chuckled, “Are you planning on throwing yourself at me ma’am?” I asked curiously.

She shook her head, but suddenly Tanley said, “I’m not mated! I’m not too proud, neither. Physical and social affinity are complementary, and I’d do almost anything you wanted.” she leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered, blushing fiercely, “Even butt stuff. I kind of like it, actually, if you aren’t too big.”

Beli gasped, “Tanley! He’s here shopping for a courting gift for his first mate! It’s very rude to throw yourself out like that and try to interrupt the first blush of love.”

Tanley shook her head and set her jaw stubbornly. “I am from the slums, ma’am, but I have a social affinity, I hope to become a great merchant someday. I am young, healthy, and have a complimentary affinity, and he’s…. beautiful, even if he looks weird. I would be beyond happy to be a second or third to a famous warrior from the Cooper merchants, a man both powerful and rich, and even if he tied me up and beat me, the connections to the Coopers and the possibility of having kits with true healing would be worth it.”

Suddenly I was almost overcome by the urge to grab the young woman, throw her down and take her roughly while spanking her rounded butt and making her prove she enjoyed it. Sure, like most front-line guys I had a dominant streak a mile wild, and while I was interested in D&S like most red-blooded men, K… whatever her name was had zero interest in the games.

Was I some kind of sexual predator in disguise? I quickly backed away from the counter before I grabbed the girl and did something we would both really regret. I guess my reaction to the tutorial was not completely uncharacteristic, but I was a good man if not a nice one, and I could control myself.

Beli glanced at me, and then chided Tanley, “Look, you scared him off. Bad timing. If you were interested, you should have at least waited until he came back for a collar.”

Tanley shook her head sullenly, “No. Like I said, I am from the slums. When a gold coin rolls by, you grab it right then. I am putting my name out there first so he remembers me, even if he doesn’t come back.”

I chuckled, “I wasn’t scared. Not by her, anyway.”

Beli looked at me curiously, “Not by her?”

I shook my head and decided I’d scare Beli off. She seemed… predatory, or maybe I just didn’t trust elites. “No, she’s a very attractive girl. I almost dragged her off screaming to have my way with her and see if she was telling the truth. I’d very much enjoy seeing if her bottom could turn as pink as her cheeks right now, but I am very much attached to the woman I am courting.”

Beli licked her lips, “So that kind of thing appeals to you? How… fascinating. I too, wonder about a blushing bottom. Do you think mine might look as… appetizing?”

I nodded, “I am sure of it.” Objectively, Beli was a well-bred and vastly more attractive woman, but for some reason, I just didn’t get the same instant gut reaction at the idea of taking her. Something about her was… cold, or maybe it was just my instinctive reaction to high-maintenance women. “But maybe I need to leave. Things are getting a little warm in here.”

Beli shook her head, “Of course! You are here for a courting gift. Wandiramane is known for being a very direct girl, my suggestion is a gold lesser choker, with a bit of jade or emerald. A single strand, that way, when you are mated, you could come back and purchase a double-strand link, and make it a three-strand collar.” She looked at Tanley, “I think you know exactly what I mean, and have that exact item in stock at an affordable price.”

Tanley nodded, “But that was…”

Beli interrupted her, “I know what it was being saved for, but it would suit Wandiramane perfectly. I insist. Give this fine young man my price. We will simply let your boss know that the price is for a Cooper girl and her exciting young beau, and I am absolutely CERTAIN she would approve.”

Tanley nodded quickly, suddenly becoming more professional, and headed to the far end of the row, and started unlocking one of the cases with a small, intricate key. After a moment, she tugged out a glittering gold and green confection of tiny links that had three strands. She placed it carefully on top of the glass and started unlocking chain hooks between the top two pieces and the bottom.

She was right. It was amazing and would look incredible around Wandi’s throat. “Is this too much for just… an ‘I want to’ but not a ‘let’s get naked now’ gift?” I asked.

She nodded, “For a Cooper? Yeah, Wandi won’t assume it’s an instant mating gift if it’s just a single strand. But even at the madam’s price, it’s really expensive for a delver. I finally realized what you are wearing, you look like a working man, not a noble, but my offer is still open.” she whispered, “Did you really wanna drag me off and spank me?”

I nodded, “Yes, but I am loyal. Something about your offer just hit me below the belt. I know it’s blunt, but if Wandi approves, I might be back here for more than just the necklace.”

I glanced at Beli, and asked Tanley, “She’s the boss, isn’t she?”

Tanley nodded, “Do you think you might come back for her? She’s amazingly beautiful and powerful, she wouldn’t want to become the third wife behind some shop girl that she is boss over.”

I chuckled, “No. I don’t know what her affinities are, and I will admit she’s beautiful, but umm… feelings are very important to me. Emotions and trust. When you spoke, and said that you were interested in some… stranger things, it just mule-kicked me. Do you have another affinity? I mean, that you could tell me?”

She nodded, and spoke loudly, “Yessir. Each chain would be two crowns. That’s the lady’s price. You could purchase one now, and then layaway the other two for another two crowns, or you could purchase all three for six crowns, but if you have it she might find it and spoil the surprise. If you purchased it all, I would be happy to give you a Buck’s receipt and you could come claim it later. We’d hold it indefinitely, unless word of your… indisposal is made public, and then we'd happily liquidate it for a small fee for your estate.”

She whispered, “Yes. Reconstruction. It’s a repair affinity. It’s not like true healing, but some surgeons have it and claim it’s amazing for helping to rebuild bones before they set the cast.”

“If you have a repair affinity like that, you could probably make a great deal off of fixing weapons and armor, right?”

She giggled, “Or I could work in a jewelry shop, earning amazing money fixin’ rich lady’s baubles and gentlemen’s gilded rapiers and codpieces.”

I looked at my sheet. I’d recovered my energy completely, but six crowns at ten energy each would knock me on my ass from energy depletion, or maybe kill me since I had no idea what going into the negatives would do.

Four crowns please, Jessie.

Right, but be careful. That will completely deplete your energy for at least a few minutes before you can start recovering it. In answer to your question, energy depletion below your minimum will start burning away your body’s natural resources. Twenty points of it would probably put you in a hospital for an indeterminate amount of time at this rank, and possibly end your life. I don’t recommend it.

As I felt the coins clink into my hand, I suddenly felt hugely drained, like I’d run a marathon and was walking it off. Not physically, but not quite emotionally either. I needed food and rest, not necessarily in that order.

“Tell you what. Like I said, I am loyal. When we make it official, I will talk to Wandi. Your affinities do seem terribly complementary, and you are beautiful and exciting. If she wants to pursue it, I will bring up your name when we come back to get the rest.” I carefully place the coins on the countertop.

“Most people don’t just… carry gold. Usually, they will use a banknote to prevent thieves. Or a smaller denomination. Just remember Tanley Winchester, I work at Bucks”

“Miss Berret, Do we accept crowns? I have never handled them before,” she called.

Beli nodded before taking a step forward. “Of course, we are jewelry and gems! Make a receipt for mister Wilkins, put the copy in the lockbox, and drop the coins in the safe, just like when we get too many stacks of silver.”

She nodded and wrote out two quick receipts, and then stamped them both with a copy of the ‘bucks’ logo on the sign. She signed them, and then slid one to me along with a small, fancy box containing the first chain.

“Winchester. Heh. You wouldn’t happen to have any connection to gunsmiths would you?”

She nodded, beaming, “My father is a gunsmith, a very good one. Not like Raspail, of course, but Raspail only does guns by special order, and it means talking to a greenskin, which is a little too scary for most people. We grew up in the slums while he was training his reconstruction and metal affinities, but now my family lives in industrial, and it’s worth the noise!”

“He’s a vole, we slummers don’t really hold with the weird names like them middies come up with for our aspects. He’s a vole and damned proud of it, He was a little put off that I was only born with two affinities, and didn’t have metal or physical, but I am, as of this moment, sort of glad, or at least hopeful.”

I chuckled, “I will definitely look up Winchester Firearms. Trust me on that.”

I nodded to the lady and then left, my head filled with even more questions.