~ A gift ~ *(Derick)*

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

After spending time catching up, Azlin wanted to do something nice, because that was just how she was. When the spoke about him drawing and trying other mediums she had gotten an idea, even if he was planning on going to the store to get his thread, she had a feeling the only paints he would find there wouldn't be of the best quality. She was a girl that thought if you were going to try something, you might as well use the best. Now Azlin did not usually use her gifts that often, but a part of her, the impish part was always wondering why! If one had such gifts why not use them? It wasn't as if they hurt people, well they could if she wanted them to, but for the simple things. Closing her eyes, she would simply disappear from the inn, reforming at a shop that would be about three days ride from Tel'Ranaemyn.

Once she reformed, and the scent of lilac's fill the air inside the store, the proprietor came right over to her. A grin splitting his round face, as he looked at her, "Haven't aged a bit....Now Miss Azlin what brings you here...it's been to long." The man was rather used to Azlin from years ago, and she did blink, she did not think the man would remember her from such a long period of time. Though she would instead turn her smile up as she looked to him, "I have a friend, that is just getting into drawing, and he thought to try paints. And I happen to know for the freshest paints that are the highest quality next to making them yourself, your store is the place to be." His head would nod, as he spoke, "You came to the right place! You want a basic set seeing your friend is just learning? Perhaps a pad of paper, brushes, and all of it wrapped in brown paper with a string, no?" His eyes fairly danced when he said your friend, though he would not make any wayward comments. She nodded, "That sounds perfect could you do that for me?" She did not wish to get into a play of words at the moment, so she would let him think what he wished, as she would begin to look about his store, maybe find herself a hobby as well.

The man would disappear into the back of his store, he knew he could trust the one up front, and he grabbed up some small bottles that he had just filled with paint, bringing them out, before moving to get the other items, throwing in a empty bottle for water to rinse the paint brush. Once he had all the items together, he would wrap them up like they agreed and hand the package to Az. "It's on your tab."

Smiling she would take the package, "Thank you!" She trusted the man completely in this area, from their previous dealings, a smile and she would simply disappear into a thin lavender mist before leaving him with the scent of lilac's once more.

Once she appeared in her rooms once more, she would slip out of the second story room, and make her way to the stairs, to Derick's room. She wasn't going to knock and await to see if he answered, he very well could be out, doing whom knows what, so she would leave the package at his door, and go about her day.

[Derick Silverleaf]

It had been an interesting night last night. One that he did not coming. One that his mind would remember for a while. One that cause him to actually sleep better then he had in a very long time. As he woke, he would simply stare up at the ceiling, smiling to himself. Thoughts were wheeling inside his mind. But, he knew if would think for too long his mind would go to a bad state of mind, dwelling once more. So, he quickly got himself up and started preparing for the day. He got inspiration last night, so he had to take a trip into town. he needed some more thread for his leathers, and now he needed to get himself some paint.

The trip to town was pretty simple. He knew exactly what he needed from his favorite leather supply. Though, as usual, would walk out with a bit more then he needed. This time it would be a whole cow side tanned and oiled. Ready to be made into whatever he fancied. Then, it would be off to get himself some paints. Azlin gave him the idea, and so he wanted to get started right away. So, spending quite a deal amount of time in the shop, he would come out. But, not with a happy face. He practically had to figure everything out himself. How can the shop owner sell the stuff and not know how to paint? No help at all! Hopefully he picked out the right stuff.

With arms full, he found himself back tot he Inn, walking right through the lobby and around the stairs towards his room. But what was this? There sitting by his door was this brown package. Opening up his door, he would quickly set down his load in the living room and then went for that package. This was a first since coming to the Inn. And like a child at Christmas he scurried over to the table, opening up the packing. And what would he find, but some of the same stuff he had just bought. Laughing, he started taking out the bottles, looking at them all. But they looked a bit different then the ones he had bought. Right away he knew who had delivered this special package. And for the rest of the day he had a huge smile on his face. Door was closed, and he set off to work.

Sure he could go find her to thank her. However, they both were the types to never do things the simple way. A plain thank you would just not do. No, he needed something different.

His new hobby would be put to the test...

[Derick Silverleaf]

It had been a couple days since he had that gift dropped on his door step. And since then, nearly all of his supply was already used up. Page after page he had gone through. Getting his hands and eyes used tot he new medium. He was used to using pencils and coal. Not brushes and pigment. But, as with many things, he was a quick study. Soon, Derick would be doing his same quality work with paint as he did with his pencil. Though, he would never say so if asked. But he had to get batter. In his mind, he had to! He set himself on a mission and he just had to meet it.

But finally he was done. Two days later and late at night, but still done none the less. He would onto his final work for a few moments, making sure it was enough for him. In his eye it wasn't perfect. But everyone is their own worst critic, right? Sighing to himself, he would nod. Standing, he would carefully roll up his work once it was dry. And it would be loosely tied with the same string that was used when she delivered his supplies. Then, boots and shirt would be retrieved and put on. It was time to deliver his thank you.

Taking in a deep breath, he would take up that rolled picture and headed to his door. Opening it slowly, head would be poked out to look around. No one. Perfect! Stepping into the hall, door would be closed behind and he quickly walked down the hall and over to the stairs. Heading to the stairway, up to the 2nd level his for would travel. With every step taken a few more deep breaths had to be forced through his lungs. He was getting that feeling again. That feeling that...he had not felt for a very long time. No sadness. No dwelling on memories. No, this was different. This was.....like a young boy having a crush once more. Once at her door, he again would look up and down the hall. Bending over, that rolled up parchment would be left leaning up against her door way, but not so it would fall if door was opened. He would hate for her not to see it and then step! Once done, he would quickly scurry back down to his room. That heart pounding the whole way.

Payback can sometimes be delightful...


(His Gift)

[~*~ Azlin Zoi ~*~]

It would seem that one Miss Zoi had taken a small leave from the Inn, and had gone on a trip to visit some old friends, and that another small leave would be happening in the near future as well. Though she was trying to figure out how to juggle the Inn and her upcoming time consuming activity. She'd figure it out she was sure of it!

Perhaps as luck would have it, she did not just appear in her rooms, she appeared a little ways down the road, before making her barefoot way into the Inn. Once inside the in baby blues would glance around though she did not see anyone about, it was rather late, though she thought that there were a lot more night owls.

A small shrug of those delicate shoulders as she made her way up the steps, pausing by her door, as she noticed the rolled up paper. Fingers would inch down and pick the paper up by the string, a small grin forming over lips, as she had a feeling that Derick had gotten her gift and perhaps put them to use.

Once she got her door open she would set down paper, before taking the string off and unrolling it. She would tilt her head as she studied the painting, before that smile came back on. Rolling it back up, until she knew where she was going to put it, not wanting it to get ruined. Then she went straight to bed, tomorrow would be soon enough to write a thank you or to visit, right?

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