>>6161389After being shooed out of Alvin’s tent, you find the rest of your companions are still asleep following last night’s activities. You resolve to speak with May once she’s awake. A part of you did feel somewhat guilty about leaving her to the mercy of the Djinn, and you felt you should try and smooth things over. You decide that while she slumbers, you’d prepare her a quick gift. You find the small block of carving wood you brought with you from home at the bottom of your chest of items. You’d taken up the art in your younger years after it had been shown to you by Ashe, Blair’s husband. It was a relatively bloodless hobby for you. Unless you slipped up with the carving knife, of course.
You begin working the block of wood into the shape of a simple rabbit, just as Ashe had instructed you all those years ago. Growing up in a castle that was full of mostly women, the Count had been one of the few paternal figures you’d had in your life. To be frank, you’d always found him a bit boring. He was the exact opposite of everything you’d heard about your father. But he was a well-meaning sort, who had never had any issues putting others before himself. Examining your handiwork, you determine that it was of acceptable quality and met your standards.
It doesn’t take long for you to find May. She whistles a jaunty tune as she strolls over to you, having emerged from within the Keep. Even from a distance, you can hear her pockets jangling. Evidently, she’d ventured back into that hellhole to do a bit of procurement. It was not just the noise that clued you in on this, but the fact she was once again covered in blood.
“Morning boss!’ May greets you. She reaches into her cloak, handing you several pouches filled to the brim with shiny coinage. “It’s about 1000 gold, give or take. Course, I only took it from the pockets of those Riahi guys. Didn’t feel right taking from the mages. And I bet their buddies here wouldn’t have looked too kindly on it.”
>You received 1000g!>“No matter. Fine work, May. Here, I made this for you.” You accept the blood money from May, and in return hand her your crafted masterpiece.“Wow!” She marvels at the wooden bunny wide-eyed. “A gift from the boss! You really made this for me? I had no idea you were the artsy type! Thank you so much! But what made you go ahead and make something like this for me?”
>“It’s a Tristain d’Rusalka original. Consider it appreciation for all the fine work you’ve been doing lately.” You were never good at apologizing, and it was something Bronte often scolded you for. You often instead chose to double down, even when you knew you may not have been making the best decision. But perhaps this would be an acceptable way of making amends with May. “You seem to be in good spirits. I thought your episode with the Djinn would have had you a bit more shaken up?” 