<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/gS3sRuX.jpg)</div><br/>Tehr took passing notice of the women in the market, one eye critically observing the noblewomen, and marking them, in case they might be a potential need or ally in the future.  Likewise watching their reactions if they spotted him.  He'd been quite visible at court lately, and while he did not know all the nobility in Londinium, it was safe to say any of the influential nobles would know him if they recognized him.  He wondered as he perused the jewelry at the elven stall.  Nothing seemed to quite fit, as he looked over the merchandise, until something caught his eye.  Unable to resist he picked up the necklace in his hand and gazed at it.  It seemed somewhat simple, and was threaded with a simple black silken cord instead of fine metallic chain.  But something about it spoke to him.<br/><br/>Without taking his eyes off the unique necklace he called to the closer of the two elves, the noblewomen now forgotten in his mind, and asked,<strong>"Sir, what can you tell me of this piece?"</strong><br/><br/>The elven merchant looked and then scoffed,<strong>"Sir for such a fine gentleman as yourself, maybe I could show you this piece?  Three briolette cut rubies dangling from a flawlessly heart cut of exquisite color red, set in platinum.  Truly this would be a gift fit for the queen herself and more your taste?"</strong><br/><br/>Tehr looked up, but was unable to tell if the elf was simply trying to pitch the more expensive jewelry, or recognized him as the queen's consort.  His words were neutral and could go either way.  But Tehr looked down at the simple bauble in his hand and shook his head,<strong>"No, tell me about this one."</strong><br/><br/>The elven merchant sighed and set down the extravogant piece and came over.<strong>"It's a simple thing sir,  A bit of livewood twined about a bit of labrodite.  Not a piece I'd normally even carry, but my daughter made it and I promised her mother I would display it."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr turned the piece over in his hand and noticed the wood did truly feel 'alive' in a sense.  Not polished or smoothed overmuch, but rough and raw, as a bit of vine or tree might actually feel.  Then he noticed that one of the miniture leaves actually moved as he turned it.  He reached down with his other hand and touched it.  For true, the leaf was a real thing, a miniature bit of living wood, not just an imitation.  His eyes widened slightly as he understood what the term 'livewood' must mean.<strong> "I'm not overly familiar with labrodite, tell me of it?"</strong>he asked.<br/><br/>The elven merchant, must have picked up on Tehr's interest and decided to turn on the sales charm,<strong>"Well, it is a rare stone, that comes from the deep mines of the dwarves, in places where the stone itself runs red and hot and flows like sludge.  Only in these places can this rare crystal be found!"</strong><br/><br/>Tehr heard the shift in the elven man's voice and looked up at him, appraising his words and expression before deciding the man was simply trying to upsell the work.<strong> "Mmmm and this rare gem is something you'd just give to a child then, one you'd dismiss so easily?  The truth please or I'll be quite displeased, and I am not a man you'd care to have displeased, it might... cost you buisness in the future."</strong><br/><br/>The elven man drew a breath, then deflated slightly, sensing that Tehr wouldn't be taken for a ride.<strong>"Well, maybe not so rare.  Though it does come from the deep caves and places where lava flows.  Though it is actually a bit rare, it's also somewhat worthless.  Too fragile to work into a delicate shape, it can really only be polished, softened, like that piece in front of you.  There's little value to it other than it's iridescent effect.  Something to entertain the children I suppose, or a bit of costume jewelry."</strong>Tehr nodded and let the elf continue, which he did after another long pause,<strong>"They say that it is a gem that heals the mind, but not of sickness, but of worry.  It clears away troubled thoughts and helps to stave off negative emotions like shame or embarassment.  Again, a gemstone for the children, for those who worry about the troubles of youth."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr nodded, his fingers closing around it slightly,<strong>"Say for a young man or woman who was worried about a budding romance for example?  Or feeling shame over speaking the wrong words to a suitor?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Yes,"</strong>the elf nodded,<strong> "Though if you would care to look at this piece I have in sapphire, they say that..."</strong><br/><br/>Tehr cut him off,<strong> "No, this is perfect, a simple bauble, like you said.  I wish to give you a fair price, but I realize you've already tipped your hand to it's value being low.  But if you give me your word that your daughter will see the profit, I'll pay you double what you think it is honestly worth, and pass along my complements to the young artist."</strong><br/><br/>The elven man nodded and began negotiating a price with Tehr.  He did manage to talk Tehr into replacing the simple silk cord with a delicate strand of ivy that matched the pendant perfectly, which the man assured Tehr was also 'living wood' and would, with care, continue to thrive and grow over the years.  Tehr gladly fished out several gold coins to pay for it before pocketing the unique pendant.  It wasn't expensive, it wasn't fancy, but somehow it screamed Rosalyn to him.  The rebirth of spring and the living wood, the gemstone itself, and the implication behind the gemstone, it all just seemed to fit.  He hoped that she accepted the token as a way of apology and didn't care that it was an inexpensive gift.  He'd have to write a note to go along with it.  But he knew that even in it's simplicity, she would make it look gorgeous and regal.<br/><br/>He twitched slightly as he thought about her wearing nothing but the pendant, dancing naked in his garden, solarium, or his bed.... curse his lustful thoughts.<br/><br/>Bidding the elf a fairwell, he looked up to the bakery, wondering if maybe a small fruit pie might go well with it.  He really should do the apology correctly after all.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=67472<br/>Roll Result: rhev rolled: 1d20, adding 9 to the total<br/>Comment: <strong>tehrs appraise</strong><br/>Result: 20, <br/><strong>Total: 29</strong><br/><br/>Lol, of course I roll a 20 on this 'flavor' roll.</div></div>