"Oh you poor thing. And at Haifra of all people! Yes, you are going to need some lessons and you need them soon. I can recommend a few people?"
“As you can tell, we seem to have put the incident behind us, thankfully, and she seems to be a little slower in the fist since then, as if giving me allowance for my limitations, for which I am thankful just as I am thankful for your offer although I may already have a tutor in mind....†Aster answered, his thoughts flickering back to Mainy as they were prone to do on occasion. He kept an eye on the carts as they walked, as well as passers-by, thus far safe to avoid a mugging – a trend that he did not wish to break. He was grateful for Gwayne in a way that he would probably never communicate to the man for the formerly naked Adhiel had served Aster well as a distraction from his nervousness with Solange and, put more at ease by her appreciation of his little language lesson, he felt a far deal more camaraderie with her than he had before.
"So, you are a performer with the right permits. You sing and quip. What else do you do?"
Aster smiled and gave a little shrug. “I can charm the ladies, clothe the needy, and take a punch… What more would you desire of me?†His confidence was returning by the flicker and he put on his best charms, trying to show her that he was more than a drink-spilling clown as he tried to determine exactly what Solange was after. To add to the act as well as to subtract from his hunger, Aster did a small, non-pretentious pirouette with one of the carts, two banner passing into the merchant’s hand in exchange for a quickly-snagged apple – probably more than the apple was worth, but he was more interested in finishing his thoughts with Solange than starting a fresh conversation with the merchant. “Nothing too kinky, I hope?†he asked with a playful smile and wink before taking a small bite of the apple. Abandoning Gwayne and Nellan to the meal, his share going uneaten, may have been a bit of money wasted, but Aster hoped that Haifra would know his giving nature by now and make sure that his portion went to someone in the inn – a child perhaps – and not be just dumped into a slop bucket.
Aster had made sure to keep the bite small, as not to be stuck for half a burn chewing and swallowing a great mass of fruit and he swallowed what portion he did have before continuing. “I compose, to tell the truth, both beforehand and impromptu, in verse mostly, but I could fare as well, I hope, in the non-rhyming venues. The Lu’ulnen line before me was the same, my father’s guidance of me in his craft which was a bit different than one might expect, I imagine…†He continued walking beside Solange, offering nods of his head to other pedestrians when appropriate. “Our chosen subjects are often those in higher status, be it real or imagined…†he continued, his voice dropping lower as not to be easily overheard. “A Lord or Lady can easily find a hundred bards to sing feint praises to them all yahren… but my father taught me to sing the opposite – to show people that a stone and a diamond are both, after all, rocks. It is only in the demand for beauty that the diamond is considered more valuable, yes? But, for all is beauty, it still serves no purpose other than to be a rock and to pretend it is otherwise is folly, no?â€
Aster took another small oral swipe at the apple, swallowed, and then continued, aware that he was monopolizing the conversation just a bit but she had asked him a question without a clause for brevity. “Much like that actress at my earlier performance – I am not sure if you saw or heard her, but she mentioned a name I have heard a few times in passing… Jonah… and how she thought herself to be above performing anywhere outside of a palace. She spoke of her own troupe, as if whatever sparkle she thinks herself to contain would be enough to make this Jonah regret losing her. I dare say that if her performance during the show was anything like her performance afterward, then she will have a small lesson or two in humility coming to her and that is just what my father’s art was primed for.†Another small bite joined the first two in his stomach, hopefully quelling any gurgling along the way.
“I know not if she is your peer, enemy, or ally, but unless you would wish otherwise, her praises would be sung in my voice within Roque if I saw one more outburst from her such as that – her diamond sparkling in a negative light and her true colors to be seen by nobility and peasant alike, for I am my father’s son, yes?†Aster took a final bite of the apple before tossing it into the nearest refuse pile.
“Speaking of ‘your desires’, my lady… May I ask what you would desire of me? Perhaps if I knew what you were looking for, I could better tell you if it was within my grasp or if, like the human language, it were something that I could come by - in time - through study?â€