Elle had never liked going to market, not in her hundred years of life. To be fair, she had never been allowed to purchase the precious few books and had always been forced to listen to her mother's spiels about why this herb is better than that herb for treating colds.

"We should get this for Virigh," Steffan said, his rich voice bringing Elle to the present. She leaned forward, peering at the object in his hands. It was a badge with the words "Silencia Rodentim" on it.

"Silence, rodents?" Elle asked with a laugh. Steffan wiggled his eyebrows.

"Exactly. It's perfect for that cat of a man." Elle couldn't keep the smile from her face. Truly, Virigh was a cat trapped in a human body, and this would be the perfect gift for him.

Elle shivered as a gust of wind blew across the bustling marker square. "Let's stop by the Tipsy Page for some of that spiced ale," she suggested as Steffan made the purchase.

The curly haired man offered his arm to the pale elva and the two crushed across the snow covered cobbles.

The Tipsy Page was the largest inn and tavern around. They had some of the best ale and service, and were at the perfect crossroads for maximizing business. On a frigid day like this, the long and tall building was packed with humans, elves, dwarves, sols, and lunes alike. Elle's keen ears picked up on the sounds of a lute playing softly underneath quiet conversation. Perhaps I will buy Steffan a lute for his gift.

"Two tankards of spiced ale, if you please," the man in question asked the bartender, an older man with arms as big as the barrels behind him. He nodded, silver beard rustling with the motion.

Elle cradled the tankard in both slender hands as she sipped, looking out over the crowd. The bard now played a lively tune as she danced atop a table. She heard a tapping noise.

It was Steffan's foot following the best as his eyes followed the bard. A secret smile graced Elle's face as she took another draft of ale. She was definitely buying him a lute for his gift.

It was funny, the elva was not usually one to celebrate holiday. In fact, Quatranalia was a mannish holiday. The elven Festival of Cardi did not start for another two weeks. Perhaps it was because the ceremonies were so stiff despite how much wine was consumed, or how her mother acted when she was drunk, but Elle had simply never cared for holiday.

Until she met Virigh and Steffan, that is. Working in the library with those two, seeing them become like boys again as the days drew near, receiving her first Quatranalia gift from them... She sipped at her ale again.

"I'm going to go back to the library," she spoke over the cheering of the crowd once she was finished with her ale. "See you tomorrow." Steffan waves vaguely, moving forward as the woman started up another tune.

Elle walked alone through the gently falling snow, her breath coming out in puffs of steam. Her sage eyes drifted towards the sky and beheld the little white flakes. Like falling stars.

She passed by bustling humans finishing up their shopping, half-asleep sols heading indoors to rest, excited lunes coming out as the sun began to set. Elle pulled the edges of her cloak tight, squeezing between people as she headed for her destination: Mystical Symphony.

"Good eve, Sir Eleaze," she called, entering the shop. "Business has been good?"

A tall man with feathery brown wings tucked close to his body looked up from the drum he was tightening. "Good eve, Miss Sereno," he said in a raspy voice and with small bow at the waist. "Business has been splendid, thank you. How may I be of service?"

"Have you any lutes?" she asked, looking around the shop. Eleaze raised his eyebrow and moved across the store to a rack holding the stringed instruments.

"You've taken to music?" he asked as his nimble fingers turned the pegs to tune.

Elle laughed slightly. "Oh no. It's a gift for Steffan. You know how he loves music so."

"Ah. Aye, Lord Weekes does love a good tune," Eleaze agreed, plucking out a gentle melody on the lute. Apparently satisfied, he picked up its case and gave both items to Elle. "30 crowns."

Elle fished in her pocket for her coin pouch. "Many thanks, Sir Eleaze." She smiled and handed him the coins. He bowed at the waist again, loose shirt bunching to the side to reveal burn marks on his back.

"At your service, Miss Sereno. May the wind be under your wings and guide you into paths of glory."

Elle stepped out into the night air giddy with excitement. She would make Virigh his favorite tea blends for his gift in the morning, for now she had to think of a hiding spot for this wonderful surprise. He'll love it, I'm sure!

Perhaps going to market wasn't so bad, if it made you notice things like this. Notice and remember and act.

No, market was still bad. The taverns were the real heroes here.