Vane and Meribia: His New Home

[gorgonfondness]

Mia, Draco, and the excited Alhena wasted no time that morning getting to Vane. After a bit of explanation to the guards, Lemia, and Nash, a spot of breakfast, and some playful exploring by the wolf pup ("What a sweet little dear!" Lemia had exclaimed), the three of them set out to Black Rose Street.

Draco's shop was in need of some cleaning up. And perhaps a name.

Not to mention Ramus would be interested in the amount Draco owes him.

But that will come when they actually reach Meribia. For now, they are walking down the main street of Vane, headed for the stairs. Alhena occasionally chases after some of the birds that flutter too close by.

Comments

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco glanced around, trying to remind himself of his surroundings. He would look toward Mia subtly at times, and also keep an eye that Alhena wasn't running too far ahead where they couldn't see her.

He felt calmer than he had in the bar. Just being away, and really feeling separate from his world. Mostly because the only people from his world who could come here would have to get permission and access.

[gorgonfondness]

Sometimes their eyes would meet and Mia would give him a little smile.

Until she looked up and said, "Alhena! Make sure not to get too close to the edge!"

Already the worried mother hen.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

No play here?

Draco ordered, "Alhena, here. Stay with Papa. It's too dangerous." He briefly glanced around if anybody caught it, and just gave a cool look of 'Yes, I just said that, what are you going to do about it?'

The cub bounded back over to them. Occasionally running in circles around them. She'll wear out eventually.

[gorgonfondness]

"Mama and Papa don't want you getting hurt is all," Mia further explains.

She reaches down and scritches the pup.

"Stay on the stairs. Just follow Papa and me."

They start going down.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco watched the pup struggle with the stairs a little.

"Oh for Merlin's sake." He then picked up the cub, and carried her down. She gave him a few licks, and some thank yous before settling in to watch their surroundings.

[gorgonfondness]

"You'll get it soon enough," Mia reassures Alhena.

And they start the walk to Meribia.

"So, do you have any idea what you'll want to call your shop?"

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco thought about it for a few minutes, and finally replied, "Hmmm... Dragonlight Flower of Mine Potions. It's all of our names together basically. Er, yours and my parents as well as mine."

[gorgonfondness]

She doesn't giggle.

She has to really, really try, but she doesn't giggle.

One might sneak out, but she keeps it under control.

But the more that she thinks about it, she thinks, and eventually says, "It is a nice name."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco blinked at her at the brief giggle, "Something wrong? Was just thinking of our name meanings."

[gorgonfondness]

"It's a little elaborate."

She smiles at him.

"But it's already starting to grow on me. Dragonlight Flower of Mine."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

"Oh well, it's not like Fortean Fortescue's Flavours, or Madam Malkin's Robes, granted. I suppose I could go with something marginally simpler. Just Dragonlight Potions and Tonics?"

[gorgonfondness]

"That's a good one, easier for people to remember, I think. It's better for people to remember. More customers that way."

The gates of Meribia are within sight, just over the next bridge.

"We'll have to clean it up a bit first, though. And have a sign made. Royce didn't have one when it was her fortune telling shop."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco nodded, "Shouldn't be that hard to fix up. A few cleaning spells, and create the sign with some charms. Easy enough."

[gorgonfondness]

She shakes her head with a smile.

"Always a spell, never by hand. Did you ever stop to think that maybe some of this stuff would be fun to do the muggle way?"

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Without missing a note, he calmly replied, "No."

[gorgonfondness]

"Well, maybe you should. Or at least give me a chance to paint a sign for you. It won't take that long and at least you'll have a choice."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

"All right, certainly. Cheers, go right ahead." Less work for him? Of course he'd agree. Just as long as he didn't have to do anything with it.

[gorgonfondness]

Maybe he'll help out when he sees how much fun Mia is having?

She's like a sincere Tom Sawyer here.

Once they step inside the city, like last time, they're greeted by one of the de Alkirk family. Only this time, it's not Mel.

"MIA!"

That's the only warning the Guildmaster had before the blonde beastwoman had thrown herself at her.

"Jessica!" she eagerly replies, only the slightest bit quieter. "I haven't seen you since the Guildmaster ceremony. How has the planning been coming along?"

"How do you think? Every time I bring it up with Kyle, he wants to spend another hour on what kind of wedding cake we'll have. Glutton."

Though Jess doesn't look like she has much of a problem with it, despite her tone.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Maybe, though he'd need a lot of convincing that it's not work.

Draco quietly pet, and scratched the wolf cub's ears as he held her. Calmly watching Mia and her friend.

He did make a point to clear his throat.

[gorgonfondness]

Jessica blinked over at him, then turned back at Mia.

"This is Draco, right?"

Mia nods in confirmation.

Jess lets go and says, "Sorry about that. Childhood friends and all. You were at Mia's Guildmaster ceremony too, right? Sorry we didn't talk then. I'm Jessica."

She holds her hand out to shake.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

He shook her hand with a polite nod, "Of course I was, and I've heard a little about you."

[gorgonfondness]

"From Mia, I hope. Don't listen to a word Kyle or Nash says about me."

Again, said in a sort of friendly rivalry.

"So, what brings you guys to Meribia?"

"We were going to tidy up a shop on Black Rose Street. Draco wants to turn it into a potions shop."

"Oh yeah? Need some muscle? I can loan you Kyle if you guys need anything moved. I can guarantee he'd like it better than being stuck in a room of maids giggling over bridal magazines."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

"From Mia, yes. Only spoke to Nash briefly at the reception. Thank you. We could use the help of course." He calmly replied.

[gorgonfondness]

Jessica goes to the stately manor near the gates of the city and, after a short while, is followed back by a very tall (both of them might have to turn their heads up), tan, muscular man carrying a broadsword on his shoulders.

"Hail, Mia and Draco," Kyle says, raising an arm in cheerful greeting, glad to be out of the wedding planning mess for now. "How goes?"

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

"Very well. How are you?" He knew enough about schmoozing from his families parties to know polite conversation and how to be civil when warranted.