EXCOLO

Verdandi sympathizes about the names saying she had to keep that outrageous name when she took the place. and yeah, I bet she got looks for that. She's so cheerful and sunny and this place looks way classier than its name suggests. Much nicer than L'Heure Vert. I feel a stab inside at that disloyal thought, but it's true. L'Heure is just a big tent in different stripes of green an it's starting to look old and faded in daylight.

Melania nods and says, 'K, Hopefully I'll be by this week, She laughs and adds, I bet, you look about our age and both of you are business owners! You don't see that in many towns. Her eyes are wide with wonder at at town that will let people so young own businesses.

I grin back. This is fun! I'm real glad I came out tonight, haven't had this much fun in a long time.

Verdandi giggles at both me an Melania's opinions on men an' alcohol. Melania adds,,q>If that's not all you want from them, then, yeah, gotta watch that. Other than that, she shrugs and we all dissolve into giggles again.

When I ask for Cider, Verdandi explains there's three types and damn, they all sound good. Then she gives her own order and I can feel my eyes widen at the size of it. Is she gonna drink all that by herself? I've seen some big drinkers back at L'Heure, Tez n' Lucien among them; but for someone as young as the tavern owner that's a lot of alcohol.

Then our waitress is smiling at me an asking, Which kind of cider did you want, miss?

"Candied apple, please." I say. I bet they all taste good. Maybe I'll try one of the others next. Melania nods and repeats the whole order before going off to fetch it.

Soon as she's gone, Verdandi leans over to me and places her hand on my arm. If no one else has said it, then I will: Welcome to Excolo, Verite. And since we're both on Silk Road, please feel free to visit anytime. She gives me an intent look and continues, Town is strange and sometimes, dangerous. I've learned a few tips and if you need anything, anything, you come and see me.

I nod at that. Then correct her about where my shop is. "um... yes sure. The shop is actually on Main street. It's between the butcher an the general store. only a little further away."

Then she changes the subject by tracing one of the thick black lines of my tattoo.I can feel the little hairs stand up under 'er finger and I shiver pleasantly with it. Who did these? They're beautiful.

I smile with pride. "Thanks. his name was Andre an he lives in one of the cities down south. I was his student for a few months." He was one a the good memories from that time. Maybe I shoulda shacked up with him 'steada Trevor.