A [PRIVATE] Audience - FINISHED

[Ry]

Souris looked up, surprised. "Free?"she echoed, startled, disbelief and appreciation mingling in her voice. Information given for free? Perhaps. He was only directing her to possibilities, after all.

She did not trust that information came without a price, but she trusted Cauter. The equine biped could have directed her to this M. Todd, down on the far end of the bazaar, and leave her to him, despite knowing about his questionable reputation, but he hadn't.

She listened carefully, watching in concern as he contorted alarmingly to reach the shelf behind him, taking mental note not to follow any Corvistowneian blindly, as she gently took the cards, absently wondering aloud,"Do you have a lab?" before she could catch herself. What a question to ask! His personal space was not her business, she told herself, busying herself reading the quirky red script, in an attempt to hide her blush.

She blinked at his next statement, half-hoping that her random question had been missed, even as she wondered at his strongly worded warning. She peeked up at him curiously, unsure. Any Card would have found her interesting. She was from the Yarrow Gardens, after all. But to be concerned for her safety? She quashed the thought, unwilling to read more into his words than she should, and thanked him for his advice, wondering if she should take the hint to leave now.

She stood uncertainly, looking up at him, before taking the obvious cue, and gathering up the cards, preparing to leave the back room.

[Kiki]

Rynnie and Nat receive 1 token each, to be redeemed in Ashwin's Shoppe. This will automatically be added to your recorded totals in the shoppe. Congratulations, and keep up the good RP!

[Nathalia]

Cauter nodded and, unable to help himself, smiled at the pretty Mouse.

"Just this once, my dear."

He stood and made as though to re-enter his shoppe, but her question brought him to a halt.

His lab?

He stayed still for a few moments, back to her, head lowered, saying nothing. Finally he tilted his head very slightly to look at her over his shoulder. His voice was softer than it had been insofar, his characteristic enthusiasm seeming to evaporate.

"Just as I now have no family, I have no lab, miss. I'm afraid I'm uncomfortable saying any more. lease take care, and I wish you the best in finding someone who can help you in your endeavors. Another day perhaps, my dear."

With that the Equine turned and walked back out onto the shoppe floor, cheerfully greeting another customer with a large smile as though nothing had happened.

((OOC: Rynnie, one more post from you and I think we cn consider this one finished, m'dear <3))

[Ry]

(Yes, Nat. We just couldn't resist asking Cauter that question. Sorry. =3)

Souris smiled back, her expression radiant, but her delight faded at his sudden silence. What...?

Her question. He had heard her question. She cursed her mind-mouth synapes violently in her mind, wishing she had never asked that question. She'd upset him badly. How could she make this right? Shoving that question aside viciously - the stubborn thing wouldn't budge - she turned to meet his gaze squarely, with open curiosity, as she awaited his answer. No matter, she would get an answer to her question. She could worry about her mistakes later.

All the same, she couldn't help but blink a little, her mind turning somersaults, cartwheels & other mind boggling gymnastics at the blatantly missing joie de vivre in his expression, and his posture. What had happened to his lab and family?

She fought her curiosity strenuously, struggling hard, before she finally wrestled it into submission, and walked out a few moments behind Cauter, trying not to see his deliberate cheerfulness and large smile, which made the prior lack all the worse somehow.

But his last words rang in her ears, echoing and gathering in her mind, even as she scampered out the door. Would anyone in Corvistowne know the answers?