<div class="floatleft">(https://img00.deviantart.net/7315/i/2016/179/9/0/mechanical_mage_by_isis_blue_fire_3_by_isisbluefire-da81o13.jpg)<br/><div align="center"><strong>Felice</strong> (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=290166.msg14258283#msg14258283)</div></div>"You're a life-saver," Felice enthused, "I really am sorry to drop in unannounced, but there was no time to send a message."<br/><br/>Felice took in the décor, but mostly the sheer size of Gerdi's room, her mouth hanging opening in surprise. The tinkerer had expected something more along the lines of Ezra's chamber, not this palatial bedroom. She spun slowly, admiring the furnishings and decorations. Then, she turned back to her host, a wide smile plastered across her face.<br/><br/>"This is amazing!" the young woman giggled, "You've really done well for yourself."<br/><br/>The oriental woman considered her friend's question, wondering how much she should say. Felice trusted Gerdi, but this mission didn't feel like one that should be shared. She weighed her words carefully, hopefully disguising the fact by continuing to admire her surroundings, while searching for the right thing to say.<br/><br/>"Well, obviously," she began with a shy smile, "I couldn't visit Farum without coming to see you. And, if it were up to me, I'd tarry for as long as you'd have me. But I am on my Master's business and we must continue on our way to Menji tomorrow. Now, I cannot offer anything that compares to your palace here, however, once I have safely returned, you must come visit so I can repay your kindness."<br/><br/>She hoped that displaying her genuine feelings might soften some of Gerdi's questions as well as the sting of just how brief their time together was likely to be.