Completed [The Great Bazaar] Law-Abiding at Last

[Tichi]

21st of Fall, 513

Tichi threaded her way deftly through the crowds of people in the Great Bazaar. She'd thought at first to try her luck with a few open-air markets, but it had started raining heavily. As much as she liked the open air, she wasn't all that fond of rain. So she'd headed back inside and down to the Great Bazaar.

She bit her lip, suddenly shy, then mustered up her courage and began approaching vendors. "Hi! Need a package or something delivered somewhere? I'm fast! And careful! No? Okay, then!" And on it went, with her dashing from vendor to vendor, somehow managing to avoid knocking into anyone.

[Tichi]

One vendor found her enthusiasm charming, and handed her a package along with directions where to take it. Overjoyed, Tichi scampered out of the bazaar and to the business that had ordered whatever was in the package.

She almost forgot to make sure she got paid.

By the end of the day, Tichi had delivered another package and two letters, and money clinked together in her pocket.

Her money. Money she'd earned herself. It wasn't exactly a fortune, but that didn't matter. It was hers. And everyone had seemed happy with her work. Freed of the terror of being caught and jailed, Tichi had been able to focus on where she was going and arrive quickly each time with her delivery. No panic attacks. No dropped packages. No getting lost and hiding in corners.

It was the best day Tichi had ever had in her short life.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn was in dire need of a messenger to run errands. Already into her third trimester there was no way she could run all over Syliras making purchases and delivering various items from Sultros Blades. It was taxing enough to get from her apartment to the shop. She wasn't entirely sure how to go about inquiring for someone to do these things but the best place to start seemed the Bazaar. Stopping for a breath beside the weaver's booth Hadyn greeted the seated woman with a careful smile, surveying the panniers and wicker bowls.

"Afternoon, Lutrecia," the weaponsmith commented with a nod. "Seems y'sold that lovely willow basket that was here a few days afore."

"Aye," the green eyed merchant replied, her fingers sliding the fibers into plaits as she watched the brunette. "Only bells ago. You lookin' for somethin' for the youngin'?"

Hadyn's expression broke slightly as Lutrecia pointed a reed toward her belly, eyebrows raised expectantly. Though it was entirely unavoidable the woman tried to skirt conversations about her pregnancy or the baby. But it was impossible. Forcing a stiffer smile the brunette merely shrugged, running a hand along the braided rim of a narrow hamper.

"Not today," the younger woman answered at length. "I'm in search of someone who might be able to run few errands for me. The Knights send their little whippin' boys down here from time to time. Don't suppose they're allowed to work outside the Knighthood."

"Not hardly," Lutrecia snorted with a smirk as she threaded a new reed. After a tick she leveled her gaze with Hadyn, choosing to ignore how quickly (and poorly) the pregnant woman switched topics. "But there was a lass comin' round earlier advertisin' her skill in courierin'. Wispy little thing she was, like a mouse. She was over here just half a bell ago." Shifting in her chair the weaver narrowed her eyes to half heartedly search for the female in question. Hadyn turned slightly as well, not entirely sure what she was looking for.

"Ah found her," waving the half finished pannier over her head Lutrecia raised her voice over sharply the hum of customers as she caught sight of Tichi. "Oy. You there, girl! Come 'ere, lass!"

[Tichi]

Tichi bounded over. "Hi hi! Need something couriered? Is couriered even a word? It sounds funny. Anyway, need something delivered?" Her nose was practically twitching in excitement. She remembered the weaver from earlier, but hadn't seen the pregnant woman before, so she gave her a polite nod.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn could only raise her eyebrows as the young woman bounded over with all the enthusiasm of Syna's followers. She spoke quickly with jubilant vigor though her nod to the weaponsmith was polite if not a little reserved. Lutrecia shook her head after the girl finished, exchanging glances with Hadyn as she returned to her weaving.

"Yes child," the merchant replied at length, indicating to the brunette with a reed. "This is Hadyn. She is needin' of your talents, such as they are."

"Afternoon," the weaponsmith nodded curtly to Tichi. "I'll need a courier over the course of the season. As you can see I'm not in the best position to be makin' deliveries all across the city. Y'got a name to go with all that energy?"

Hadyn smiled at the girl, not entirely sold on the idea yet. Lutrecia remained silent, her fingers plaiting the reeds deftly, a few glances occasionally given to the pair before her. The weaponsmith regarded the would-be courier with mild interest. If this venture turned profitable it'd be her lucky day.

[Tichi]

Tichi's eyes widened, and she bounced up and down on her toes. "All season, really? Wow! My name's Tichi. Well, it's really Elirya, but Mom called me Twitchy because I couldn't sit still, and it somehow morphed into Tichi, according to my dad anyway. I don't remember my mom. Anyway, I go by Tichi and I can run really fast if something needs to be delivered really quick, and I'm really careful with things. What kind of things do you need delivered? Not that it matters really, I'm just curious."

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn could barely make sense of the girl, her speech pouring like a river from her lips, entangled in excitement. Waiting her to finished the woman glanced at Lutrecia, who merely continued weaving though there was no mistaking the smirk on the woman lips. She was enjoying this. Clearing her throat the brunette returned her gaze to Tichi, holding a hand out as if to calm an overly enthusiastic hound.

"Alright," she answered quietly, a hand on her belly. "Tichi then. I'm a smith at Sultros Blades. I'll need to you run packages here an' there in the city. Sometimes fetch parcels from the harbor. We receive shipments quite often. I'll expect you every three days to stop by the shop unless I've arranged otherwise. Three gold per package should do y'well enough. Wouldn't be adverse to offerin' more if y'do good work."

Hadyn paused, watching the young woman. Her exuberance was more than she could bear in her sluggish state but she couldn't pass up the opportunity to take care of this. Tichi seemed the type that could use something consistent to put her mind to. And a steady job as a courier wasn't easy to find, especially if she was new to the city. Resting a hand on Lutrecia's stand to take some weight of her feet the brunette spoke again.

"You can start tomorrow. I trust y'know the city well enough to get around. You manage this well enough I'll have reason to commend your services to others. How's it sound?"

[Tichi]

A steady job! She could hardly believe it.

Tichi let out a squeak of excitement and clapped her hands, her eyes shining with joy. "Ooh yes that sounds wonderful! I know where your shop is though I've never been in. I can find my way around, no problem. I'll be there bright and early tomorrow morning! Your packages are in good hands, smith Hadyn, never fear!"

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn regarded the girl for a tick longer before nodding once. Despite the intensity of Tichi's enthusiasm the woman couldn't help but find it endearing. And they were both getting a solid deal out of the arrangement. This would cut down on some of her errands and it wouldn't cost her too much. With a smile Hadyn straightened up, extending a hand to the young woman.

"It's settled then. I'll see you tomorrow, hm?"

[Tichi]

"Yay!" Tichi shook the smith's hand with enthusiasm. "Thank you, I'll see you in the morning!" She bounced up and down on her toes a couple of times, waved to both the women, and scampered away, hardly believing her luck.