Picking Up the Pieces

[Talia Idris]

Talia collapsed in the chair, her cheeks red both from exhaustion and the heat from the stove. Pulling her apron up she smother yet another yawn and then just left it there, resting on her face. It didn't matter if it was adding more flour streaks to the already decent collection forming on her face, she welcomed the moments relief from work, even venturing to rest her feet on the chair opposite her.

She hadn't gotten much sleep before she had to be up again, kneading the dough before shaping them and baking everything. After that was some more specialty baking and then the normal rush of customers coming in for their daily loaves or seeing what kind of treats they were offering today. The shop a couple blocks over had sold her a couple pounds of berries that had been starting to turn to mush which were perfects for the scones that she ended up making with them.

"Tal, darling, what were you doing last night that you are so exhausted now?" Bepa asked as she pulled down Talia's apron as she whisked by with a folder of what Talia could only assume to be some sort of attempt at accounting.

"I told you already, I couldn't sleep. That's why I did that supply inventory last night. Don't forget, we are running low on salt and you probably should get Mr. Campion to sharpen the knives we have, cutting the dough this morning was a little too challenging."

"You do know that if there was a guy or something involved you could tell me...."

"Bepa!" Talia interrupted, her feet dropping to the ground as she sat up and stared at Bepa.

"What? I was just saying....you are getting older and it's perfectly acceptable for you to have gentlemen callers from time to time. If there are going to be fellows coming and going I just want to know!" Bepa tried to sound innocent but Talia rolled her eyes.

"You just want to know all the details because you love the drama and you enjoy having stories to tell your buddies. Don't think I didn't hear you whispering those things to Mrs. Winters the other day!"

Bepa huffed and turned around, pretending to count bread tins as she defended herself. "Well is it too much to ask that the girl I practically consider to be my daughter is taken care of? I'm not getting any younger and neither are you!" Talia rolled her eyes as her age was brought up again.

She hadn't wanted to tell either Campions about the night before both because Bepa would be far to willing to take things a totally different way, she didn't want to worry anyone and she really felt like if she started sharing why two men ended up stopping by for a late visit then it would get much to complicated and when it came down to it she didn't want to risk her job and home. Sure the Campions didn't seem to be ones to be too prejudice against magic or anything but they both went to church often and while they never really spoke of it she knew them to be puradynes. Even in the heat of the kitchen she still shivered at what could happen. The front door jingled as someone opened it, the sound of the bells relieving her of the dark thoughts that had started to creep into her mind.

"Coming!" She shouted as she stood up and tried to brush some of the days work of her face as she headed through the swinging door to the front of house. She stopped for a moment, blinking a few times as she took in who it was before a smile quickly formed. The details of the night before was a bit fuzzy but she knew enough to know she had been a bit more chatty then usual and she was grateful for the head that hide the fact she was blushing at the memories.

"Mr. Morrington! I wasn't sure I would get the chance to see you so soon.........after the gala." She quickly added the last part, knowing that Bepa was more then likely listening, if not watching. She had already slipped and given away who exactly it was and Bepa already knew that Tius had kept her company at the gala. Talia was half surprised the woman wasn't already bounding through the door to meet the young man.

[Vicentius]

The interior of the bakery hadn't changed since the night before, not really, but the addition of daylight and the fresh smells of bread, flour and ovens did something to it, Tius thought; it made it seem both bigger and more homely. Not that he'd ever had warm bread growing up, but he'd begged outside enough of them and pulled enough odd jobs to feel a certain nostalgia for a warm smell on a cold day. Some had been kind enough to palm off a crust or two to the starving foreigner too, which helped to smooth over the rougher details. Being quick with a smile and soft spoken had helped too, especially afterwards. He smiled a small, genuine smile at Talia's appearance, raising an eyebrow at her tone, but seeing a figure trying to subtly watch the conversation filled in some of the gaps.

"Nor I you, Miss Idris," he said, without missing a beat, "but it occurred to me that since you proved to be such sterling company at the Gala, it was unspeakably rude of me not to properly thank you."

He shrugged, stepping further into the bakery as he spoke and looking about him for the look of the thing. Aside from their watcher, they were alone, so he decided to go for charming. If nothing else, Talia would appreciate the compliments, and it would buy her some tolerance from her employer, which was never to be sniffed at. That was another thing relying on charity taught a person, or at least a clever person; invest in kindness. He made sure to look suitably impressed as he took in the various breads on display, though he kept his gloved hands clear of the floured surfaces. Talia looked right at home here, though beneath the flour and the sweat of honest toil he could still see the mark of exhaustion from the night before.

"You weren't exaggerating when you told me that Bepa had the best selection of artisnal breads in Marn," he said, stopping in front of the counter. "I don't believe I've ever seen better. What would you recommend to a hungry man with more money than sense?"

[Talia Idris]

Talia raised an eyebrow - she was quite certain she hadn't said that much about the bakery. In fact she knew at least one other bakery in town that probably made better bread if you were looking for the more artsy stuff. A quick look towards the kitchen proved the probable reason for the extravagant flattery and she rolled her eyes and she saw Bepa duck down in the kitchen window. Shaking her head Talia turned back towards her 'customer'

"Well that depends what you are looking for, sir." She said with a grin as she slipped into a mock professional tone as she ushered him further towards the back of the room where the glass display cases showed off the few specialty treats they made. "Here we have some delightful berry scones, probably still warm. A pleasant mix of sweet and tart. Perfect for your afternoon tea or when you are entertaining your lady friends. Of if you look over here," she gestured to the left wall where the bread lay on the shelves waiting to be placed in to paper bags as they were sold. "We have a lovely whole grain, braided bread. If you like you can even get one with raisins and cinnamon - very nice for breakfasts or a snack throughout the day."

She was about to open her mouth to brag about another item when Bepa pushed through the swinging kitchen doors, her eyes on the clipboard in her hands. "Now Talia, dear. I think I'll be needing you to get me some new bread tins. The old ones are positively....oh my we have a customer!" She brought her apron up to dust off the none existent flour streaks that Talia was certain she had made sure to wash off before leaving the kitchen.

"Ah Mrs. Campion, this is Mr. Morrington. We met at the Gala and he was just asking me about what we have to offer."

"Well you have plenty to offer, m'dear." The woman said with a knowing smile at Tius before shooting a quick glare at her. If Tius wasn't here Talia would have groaned, even now she was tempted to bury her face in her apron. This wasn't exactly new behaviour for Bepa but Talia still had trouble getting used to it...especially if it was around someone she actually might be getting to know and possibly be spending more time with. If anything she knew that Bepa was going to scold her later for not telling her more about the handsome gentleman that she had met a few nights prior.

[Vicentius]

Tius returned Talia's smile with one of his own, taking a figurative step back as she slipped into her professional voice, or at least into one of them. They both knew that this was a game, and judging by the glint of mischief in Talia's eyes, she was trying to enjoy it. Their audience had ducked out of view for the time being, and Tius tried not to focus on how much the change in Talia's mood raised his spirits. She had shown the same spark of life and mischief when they had spoken at the Gala, but it had been conspicuously absent the previous night. The difference was staggering.

Letting himself be herded among the flour-dusted shelves, he opted to play the part of the upper-class gentleman out of his element, taking exaggerated care to keep his clothes clear of the flour. Talia might think it odd, but it would only make her look better in the eyes of her employer. After a moment, she brought him to a number of glass cases, which held the more expensive items on offer, and Tius oohed and aahed in all the right places as Talia extolled their virtues. In truth, there was not much exaggeration to it, as it all looked quite appetizing, and as a man who excelled in little beyond bending words, he often marveled at those with a trade and the wonders they produced. He was about to ask some questions of his own, when their mysterious watcher decided to make herself known and he took a more literal step back as she and Talia chided one another. Bepa Campion was a very motherly figure, and she fussed over Talia like a champion, leading Tius to wonder whether Talia received many male visitors, and whether Guardsman Morig was often welcomed the same way. Then the attention returned to him and he stepped forwards and bowed slightly.

"Vicentius Raekos of House Morrington, at your service," he said, extending his hand, "and you are the famous Bepa Campion. I have heard so many good things about you from Miss Idris."

Open, honest gaze and a firm handshake that you could use to moor ships with, that was the trick, he'd found. That and to play up any mannerisms you had to seem that little bit exotic to people. So, straightening into the very image of Marnian nobility, he summoned his sunniest smile and ignored Talia's mounting embarrassment in his relentless charm assault on the lady of the house.

"Why, at the Gala, she spent so much time singing your praises that I could barely get a word in edgewise," he said. "You have a very loyal woman in Miss Idris; it speaks well of you."

[Drayel]

Drayel grumbled as he walked into the bakery, grimacing as he gave his armor a bit of a shake. He had expected Talia or perhaps one of those fabled owners of this place but what he didn't expect was Tius standing so charmingly near the display cases and a woman who wasn't Talia chattering with them. It had actually taken him a minute to find Talia after the momentary shock.

Not wanting to interrupt whatever business was going about he quietly stood at the door, curiously eyeing the baked goods and mentally calculating just how much money he had on him. Maybe he could haggle though judging by that newer woman's appearance she wouldn't be easily swayed. Drayel chuckled softly to himself. No, best just pay full price then face that woman wielding a rolling pin.

[Talia Idris]

Talia could have laughed at how Tius practically pranced around the bakery. If she hadn't head the pleasure of spending time with him at the Gala she would have considered him to be among the snobby elite and would have left him to Bepa who greatly enjoyed any chance to converse with the upper class of Marn - if only to try to find something to tell her friends later. Talia rolled her eyes as Tius continued to flatter her boss. She was never going to hear the end of this.

"House of Morrington - well now that sounds rather important, you honour us with your presence." Bepa said fluttering around the bakery, or as much as someone as round as she was could flutter in an attempt to dust away some of the flour that somehow managed to coat practically everything in the store. "Talia does us a great service but we are really just a humble bakery doing out best to appease the masses. Honestly with out Talia we would be lost. You have a good judge of character to have noticed her loyalty, she has so many other good qualities too, it's a wonder that she is still single...... but she really is devoted to her work." Bepa made sure to add....just in case he thought that there was something wrong with Talia.

Talia's eyes widdened in shock and embarrassment Bepa had never gone this far in trying to push suitor of any sort on her. Relief flooded in as she finally caught sight of Drayel standing awkwardly by the door. With everything that had been going on she hadn't even heard him enter. "Drayel!" She exclaimed walking past Bepa and Tius in attempt to escape the ever growing embarrassing conversation.

"What are you doing here? Are you on duty? Perhaps you would like a snack or something to drink?" She realized how desperate her voice may have been sounding and did the best to oppress the panic in her voice. "A guard of Marn is always welcome in our shop." She added much more calmly and seriously.

Bepa's gaze darted back and forth from Talia to Drayel and then back to Tius. Talia knew that the woman was trying to decide if she should be excited and hope that there was going to be some sort of drama unfolding that would outshine anything her friends had to tell or if she should be scolding Talia later about not telling her more about these two gentlemen - one who was certainly more qualified then the other.

[Vicentius]

"It's true; our family has always held the financial ministry," he said, humbly, "Though I myself cannot claim such high esteem."

Tius smiled a little wider at Talia's expression of scandalised embarrassment, but kept his attention focused on the chatty woman in front of him lest he seem impolite. She was certainly forward enough about Talia's status, he thought, though he chalked that up to motherly concern on her part. After all; if he had to suffer through his mother's attempts to pair him with every other daughter of a friend, then everyone else could suffer too. Misery loved company after all, though he felt he'd be getting a talking to afterwards.

"And why not, Mrs Campion? Marn was founded by independent minded men and women," he said, knowledgeably. "Such people are to be admired. Much in the same way we admire Guardsmen, although perhaps that's the wrong comparison."

He turned to Drayel as he said that, bowing slightly once again by way of greeting. The man looked as uncomfortable and out of place as ever, but Talia seemed very relieved to see him, so there was that. Still, he didn't normally walk the market beat, that being reserved for less controversial figures like Galen Karris, so chances were that he'd gone out of his way to get the assignment, which in itself was interesting. Straightening, he caught the expression on Bepa's face and decided to give her something to talk about.

"Ah, Drayel, so good of you to accept my invitation," he said, jovially. "Terribly rude of you to keep me waiting, old boy, but Miss Idris and Mrs Campion have been sterling company. Have you met Mrs Campion? She is an absolute delight. And so humble too."

He shot Bepa another warm smile and leaned in, lowering his voice to a near whisper that still managed to carry. Yes, he was going to catch hell for this afterwards, but frankly it was too good an opportunity to pass up and he was very interested to see what they would do.

"Guardsman Morig and myself had an appointment to take tea at the Plaza," he went on, "but he insisted that we meet here first. I can't imagine why."

Winking at Bepa, he straightened and shot Drayel a warm, if worrying, smile.

"Do you know? She's spent this entire time trying to convince me that Miss Idris is single handedly keeping this place afloat. I think she's having fun with me, Drayel; with such a winning smile the young men must flock to by bread from you, Mrs Campion."

[Drayel]

When Talia came over to greet him in a rather flustered state, Drayel couldn't stop the small quirk of his lips as he tried not to chuckle at her expense. Of course being the stoic man he was, he kept a mostly straight face as he rumbled back at her in greeting. "Good day Talia. I thought I would drop in but I guess it is quite a bit busier than I expected."

He raised his eyes to make a comment towards the older woman he didn't recognize only to stop short when Tius used his first name. He blinked, momentarily stunned as he quickly quirked his head and frowned as he tried to understand what was going on. It wasn't until he had brought up tea that Drayel realized the bugger was having a go at him and he snorted roughly.

"No, I'm afraid I haven't met her yet." Drayel stated as he stepped forward and hesitated before bowing his head slightly in greeting. "Mrs. Campion is it? Nice to meet you, I'm called Drayel Morig. I heard quite a few good things about you though I'm afraid I can't shake your hand. Mine a fair bit dirty."

"As for the invitation, it was I who was late and I insisted we came here because of the bakery goods." Drayel huffed in mock annoyance as he gave his eyes a roll. Whatever this Tius fellow was doing, it seemed little harm to play along. At least he hoped not. With his luck the richer man would get offended and report on him. He grimaced. A week on gnome duty was not his idea of funny. "Have you tried their sweet buns? Nearly lost my wallet for 'em not to mention their bread. Of course, I suppose the ladies smiles may also have something to do with it."

"At any rate Tius, we probably shouldn't bother the bakery ladies much long else they'll come after us with rolling pins." Drayel stated with a grave sigh. The name felt strange on his tongue, almost taboo. Though, it was a higher up he was talking to. Most of the time he grumbled out their titles unless they were out of hearing range. Then he just got creative. "Shall we take a bit of bread to go or simply head out for tea? Either way I suppose I'll be back here eventually emptying my pockets."

[Talia Idris]

Bepa was in her element, sure she occasionally gave a mild glare to imply that she thought that all the flattery was a little TOO much to seem real but she accepted it and continued to soak in every little detail. The whole ordeal was rather riveting, were they competitive suitors or was one an unlikely wingman to the other?

"As my dear Talia said - a guardsman is always welcome in our shop. I am surprised I haven't seen you before, or that Talia hasn't mentioned your frequent visits." She cooed at him shooting Talia another accusing stare as the gentlemen resumed their conversation.

Talia looked between the Tius and Drayel, they were.....ganging up on her? Had they gotten together after last night and made friends and now were going to tea? Drayel rarely seemed to drink tea and certain didn't seem to be one to go out to drink it with someone like Tius. Should she be scared at where this was going? No of course not, if she was going to be scared it would have to what Bepa was going to do to her once they both left for this 'tea'. Being pushed into the storage room and interrogated for a few hours did not seem out of the realm of possibilities at the moment.

"I uh....I think, I mean there are buns in the oven that I need to get out. Before they burn. Um....enjoy your tea gentlemen." Her face and posture showed exactly how she felt, a mixture of pure exhaustion, defeat and confusion as she turned to walk away. Any normal day she most likely would have found a way to get a bit of her own back but right now she was just to tired, she wasn't even sure her thoughts were making much sense anymore. Coffee might be a good idea to help her get through the rest of the day.

"Oh Talia!" Bepa suddenly exclaimed as she reached the door to the kitchen. "Why don't you join them for tea? Yes, you need a bit of a break, you've been working hard all day. You could go grab that cute little basket of yours and take some of those delightful scones you made - they'll go great with tea." Talia opened her mouth to protest - to say that it would be rude for her to interrupt their date but of course Bepa would have none of it.

"Now gentlemen," She said over her shoulder as she pushed Talia through the door "If you just will wait a moment, our dear girl will be ready to go."

Once in the kitchen she faced Talia with her hands on her round hips. "Now young lady, I am not going to ask what that all was about," A shocked looked crossed Talia's face before leveling out at the following sentence. "At least not yet. But I do expect you to go out there and be the best you, you can be. You are quite a catch and so are they, although one perhaps more then the other...." Her voice faded off as she peeked through the window to make sure the men were still there before turning back to Talia. "But either way both seem very good men and that's all that really matters. Tut tut, I will hear nothing from you until you return! Now go upstairs and change into something pretty, that light blue dress will look pretty. Oh and don't forget to wash your face! There is flour all over it!" She said, her voice and other instructions following Talia as she climbed the stairs to her room.

[Vicentius]

"Of course, sweet buns" Tius said, raising an eyebrow at Drayel, "whatever was I thinking?"

He smiled, admiring the Guardsman's ability to run with the flow of conversation, if only to needle Miss Idris a little while he had the chance. She, on the other hand, seemed ill at ease with the whole thing, which Tius found odd, but then perhaps she was simply tired. Either way, her employer was quite enthused, and with any luck this would buy her some freedom to move. He didn't see the harm, frankly, if she and Morig intended to keep sneaking around at odd hours, then she was going to find out sooner or later; they might as well give her a decent excuse. He noticed the looks traded between Drayel and Talia, remembering how they had seemed the previous night and amended that thought; if it was an excuse. When Mrs. Campion suggested that Talia join them, he clapped his hands together and shot her a grateful smile.

"Capital! Well, we'll take some of that wonderful braided bread at least to keep us company," he said, glancing at Drayel. "We'll make a day of it, my treat, and no arguing, Drayel. If a man can't treat his friends then what good is he?"

He kept up the smile as Mrs Campion hustled Talia out of the room like a good mother hen. It was inspring to see how concerned she was for Talia's future, he thought, and a testament to the universal nature of motherly figures making their wards uncomfortable at every opportunity. Then he turned back to Drayel, his eyes sparkling.

"I hadn't thought to meet you here, Drayel," he said, "so far from your usual beat. You must truly like the bread here."

[Drayel]

"It's not." Drayel stated dryly. Still a bit wary he shifted awkwardly in front of the smaller man, watching him with a frown. Still using his first name? Well, they weren't really in public so he doubted there would really be a social shaming for Tius. So he simply went along with it. "Though I'm not sure I remember agreeing to go to tea with you. If anything I'm surprised you'd want a guard sitting at your table in full armor."

He snorted at that. He'd stink of sweat no doubt and his face wasn't the greatest appearance either. He sighed. What was the worst of it though? He just be brought along to be the butt of some joke? Get sneered at behind his back? That was a pretty normal thing so he didn't really care much. What put him on edge was more for Talia's sake. She was upset and his jibes weren't helping. He winced a little at the thought.

"Though Talia is quite the strong woman." Drayel stated offhand as he glanced at the baked goods and sighed, no longer caring if he held eye contact. "She's quite the friend to have and she's even let Jackel help with her gardening. Given the last experiences with flour however, I guess it would only make sense for us not being allowed in the kitchen. Damn stuff flies worse than dust I swear it."

[Talia Idris]

Talia wasn't too eager to join this bizarre and spontaneous tea party but it was better, and safer, then being left alone in the clutched of Bepa. And perhaps getting some fresh air would help her last through the rest of the day. If things got to uncomfortable she could always excuse herself for interrupting the outing and pretend to head home and simply go for a walk around the university parks.

Her nose crinkled as she looked at her dress before slipping it on. It wouldn't do to go against Bepa's orders at this point but she really didn't know what she was thinking when she decided to add lace to the dress's collar and cuffs. Sure it looked pretty but it wasn't exactly her style and Talia just hadn't gotten around to tearing if off yet. Fastening her belt she slipped her belonging into the bottom of the wicker basket before heading back downstairs where Bepa supplied her with scones and some of the bread that Tius had apparently requested.

"Alrighty gentleman, sorry for the wait!" Bepa exclaimed as she practically pushed Talia through the doors yet again. "Now you all enjoy your tea and don't rush back. Talia has been supplied with everything you could possibly need. No need to rush back either. My husband will be coming in soon and we can make sure everything gets finished for today and tomorrow. Tata!" Bepa waved them off, her round rosy cheeks red from excitement.

Talia did her best to maintain her composure. It really was a pity that Mr. Campion hadn't come in earlier - he was always a calming influence to his lovely but nosy wife and could often find a way to assist Talia in her advances. But no matter, what was done was done. Once they rounded a corner and were out of sight from the bakery Talia stopped and turned around to face the two men.

"I apologize for my employers actions." She blurted out. "Normally she isn't so....forward but I suspect that all this drama with the bombing and such has done it's number on her nerves and something like this...." She waved her hand in a circle implying the three of them, "gives herself a bit of distraction from all that. Anyways, I don't wanna disrupt what you two had planned so here, take the bread and I'll entertain myself until it's 'safe' to head back." Talia thrust the loaf at Tius and attempted to make her escape.

[Vicentius]

"And if a guardsman was sitting at my table without armour," Tius said, raising an eyebrow, "how would those watching me know I was with a guardsman? However would they know what I wanted them to think?"

Tius watched the larger man fidget and mentally sighed, shifting his mind down a gear. Honestly, he thought, what was it like in their funny little heads? Did they go to sleep at night imagining that the nobility lived to play games with them? Most of his kin were too entrenched in the money and their own little squabbles to even notice that there was a public around them until the mob bashed the door in, and for the ones that weren't, a person generally had to be interesting to draw their attention. But then, what was his excuse? As Drayel's thought process played itself out across his facial features, Tius reflected that altruism may have been a poor choice in this particular instance.

"And if you think that doesn't raise questions," Tius said, "then you're a fool. Her employer is worried sick about her being alone and I've just handed you an ironclad excuse to hang around her at all hours. In case you were worried that he was coming back, I mean."

Shrugging, Tius put on a genuine smile of appreciation and marveled at Talia's appearance, as Mrs Campion ushered her back into the room with a basketful of scones and two loaves under her arm. Bowing slightly in deference to the ladies of the house, he stood to one side as Talia approached, nodding his approval at the choice of dress. It did simply look divine on her, even if she did look ludicrously uncomfortable in it. Well, he supposed that there was nothing to be done about it for the time being, at least not until they managed to shake off whatever had the other two spooked. He briefly debated leaving them to it, but decided that if he'd come this far, he might as well try to help. Talia all but dragged them outside and then did her best to show them a clean pair of heels.

"Oh, I didn't really have any plans, Miss Idris," he said, shrugging, "beyond thanking you for your hospitality. But when your friend and your employer appeared, I had to say something. But, if you're that intent on abandoning me, I suppose I should leave you both to it."

[Drayel]

"...I agree with Tius, you should join us." Drayel stated with a crooked smile, trying to ignore the warning bells in his head about Tius. He forced himself to settle his fidgeting and stand straight, locking his eyes on Talia as he loosed a low chuckle. "It isn't often you get tea with a gentleman after all though I'm afraid I'll have to catch up with you two. As I was informed, armor might not be the best thing to wear in a social gathering."

[Talia Idris]

"Oh...Well...I just...I didn't want to be rude and interrupt anything." Talia stuttered out awkwardly. She paused for a moment and took a deep calming breath before looking up, a small, tired but genuine smile gracing her lips. "It would be an honour to join you for tea, that is, if the offer is still open?" She curtsied a bit, her tone hinting at the playfulness that they had shared the night of the Gala.

She frowned slightly as Drayel mentioned his departure but it made sense to assume he probably was still on duty. It was nice to know that he was close at hand should anything come up. "I'll let you know if..." She paused and her eyes darted towards Tius not knowing if Drayel had told him anything or if their friendship of sorts had all been a joke. "I'll let you know if anything changes." She finally said, nodding politely and waving him off.

"Since you don't have any plans and you successfully stole me away from my plans for the rest of the day what do you suppose we do? Although...I suppose we can't be out to late due to that whole curfew announcement. How long do you suppose that will last?" She looked at the sky with a small frown - they probably still had a few hours before she had to worry about being home but that wasn't what was on her mind. The whole idea of being stuck in the bakery alone tonight and not being able to go for help should that boy with the sword returned was what scared her more. She shook her head to clear the thoughts, she was in pleasant company and she might as well enjoy the time she had with the company she was in.