GINA - A WEEK LATER

I take a breath, sampling the smells in the marketplace. It's really not all that different from a farmer's market on Earth - except for the lack of insects. I wonder how they manage that? I catch sight of one of the vendors that Tommy told me they purchase from quite often. I've made a few small purchases to get the feel of things here, but now I really need to get moving and get dinner purchased. It's just going to be me and the kids tonight. I overheard Zedd and Tommy talking about wanting to go out but not wanting to dump the kids on me or leave us with nothing to do. I finally convinced them that it would be all right and that I didn't mind - and I really don't.

I step up to the vendor's stall and look over the selection of meat available. I finally find what I'm looking for - the Eltarian version of chicken breasts. The man behind the counter looks at me suspiciously. I point at what I want and speak in careful Eltarian. "How much for five of those?"

"Eighty five credits."

I raise an eyebrow at this. The price is far higher than Tommy told me it should be. I know that he said that I could just have them bill the estate, but I want to try to do this on my own. "That seems awfully high. Perhaps I'll just try somewhere else."

The man raises his chin. "I have the best quality in the entire market. You won't do better anywhere else."

"We'll see."

I leave the stall and get the other things I need. All the other prices are pretty close to what I was told they should be, so what's that guy's problem? On a hunch, I ask the vendor I'm currently buying from, "Where can I get some chicken at a good price?"

The old man points back at the stall I started at. "Casson has good meat at a decent price."

"He told me eighty five credits for five pieces."

The woman at the next stall harrumphs. "Casson also likes to take advantage of the tourists."

Well, that makes sense. I thank them for their information and walk slowly back in the direction of Casson's stall, trying to decide how to handle this. If I am going to be running Zedd's household staff, I don't need to start with a bad reputation - Zedd's is bad enough. I stop on the way back to look at some pretty flowers as I think.

"Those are my favorites." Startled, I turn to find that Lady Mara is standing near me.

"I'm sorry, Lady Mara, I didn't see you there."

Not surprisingly, she smiles at me and waves this off. "You seemed to be rather deep in thought, child."

"I was" I admit. "Although, forgive me if I'm being too bold, but don't you have staff to do this for you?"

"Oh, I do but once a week I come down here myself to get some flowers for my sitting room. Since I don't always know what I want until I see it, it would be pointless to send someone else. And occasionally I find some little trinket or such thing that I would like to have. Not to mention that it gets me out of the house so that I don't get bored. If you don't mind my asking, what were you thinking so hard about?" I explain the situation and she looks puzzled. "So just tell him that it's for Zeddic. Believe me, the price will change very quickly."

"I thought about that, but I was worried that it would come off as aggressive or combative and that's not the goal here."

"Ah. Perhaps something a bit more subtle then."

"Yes" I agree. "I just hadn't decided how to do it."

We toss a couple of ideas back and forth before we come up with a plan. I stroll back over to the stall and wait patiently for the man to finish serving his other customers. Finally he comes over. "I told you that you'd be back."

"So you did. I'll take five of them."

He quickly wraps the meat and I play with the chain of my necklace as I wait, not pulling it up far enough to reveal my token just yet that's tucked into my blouse. He returns with the package. "Ninety five credits."

My eyebrows go up and I can see Lady Mara frown out of the corner of my eye. "You told me eighty five before."

"An extra ten for wasting my time."

I reach for the package as I say, "Well, that's fine then. Just bill it to the estate then."

"Which estate?"

I look at him, fake surprise on my face. "Oh I thought you knew. Lord Zedd's estate."

He yanks the bundle out of my hand. "Excuse me? Do I look stupid to you?"

"No, just greedy."

"Get out of here!"

I pull the token out of my blouse, shocking him into silence even as he pales. "May I have my package now?" Silently, he hands it to me. "And I'll be sure to let Lord Zedd know to expect your bill."

I start to walk away and he calls after me, "Tell his lordship that he'll get his usual discount."

Lady Mara catches up with me, muttering under her breath. "About a ninety percent discount." She returns to her normal volume. "Well done, young lady. You humans are more brash than I gave you credit for."

"Not all of us are, my lady."

"Perhaps not, but I can certainly see why Tommy and Zeddic think you will do well here. I can't wait to introduce you around at the party."

"Next week, right?"

"Yes and it's already causing a stir since I've specified on the invitations that it is not formal."

Her glee at this statement makes me smile, although I'm not sure why. "Oh really?"

"Kerch and I have never had a function like this that isn't formal so there's quite a bit of speculation and curiosity. Besides, while there is time to get formalwear made for you and the children, I doubt very seriously that it would be anything that you're used to. Once you move here, we'll see about it."

I stop in my tracks. "Lady Mara, you really don't have to do anything special for us. If this should be a formal event-"

"Don't worry about it, dear. There is much you need to learn about our society and how certain functions are conducted. However, this is a necessary thing and I am pleased to do this for you and your children."

"Please don't misunderstand, but why?"

"Because Zeddic doesn't do this sort of thing well. He knows all of the proper behaviors, but it really isn't his thing. It never has been and I can tell you now that he is more than willing - and relieved - to let me and his father handle it. As much as he has hated Earth in the past, the more relaxed atmosphere there suits him much better. Quite frankly, if it wasn't for the threat to the children, I doubt he'd have even considered moving here - ever."

Half an hour later, I'm back at the estate and hauling the shopping inside. I hear Tommy and Zedd laughing just before I open the kitchen door. I bump the door open with my hip, startling the amused pair. Quickly, they jump up and relieve me of my bags as they greet me. "How'd it go?" Tommy asks.

"Not to bad. There was one vendor that didn't seem to care for me too much."

Zedd's head snaps around as Tommy sighs. "Casson?"

"How did you know?"

"He's been a problem before" Zedd answers tightly.

"Oh?" I answer mildly. "Care to fill me in?"

"Quid pro quo?" Tommy suggests.

"Fair enough" I agree. "You first."

TOMMY'S STORY

Looking over my list and mentally ticking off each item I have or that I know Zedd's parents have in stock at their home, I again wonder how exactly I got roped into cooking dinner tonight.

True I don't mind cooking, however it seems that Mara and even Kerch has begun to develop quite the taste for more common Earth dinners ever since Zedd and I have begun visiting more regularly with them. Something that's only increased even more since our marriage last year.

Spotting the final vender I was looking for, I glance back to see Zedd still busy trying to bargain down the price of a leather cuff he wants at a stall a few feet away. Deciding to let him be as I can pretty well guess how much roast I'll need to feed everyone I head over and greet the vendor with a nod. "Hello."

Eyeing me with a mixture of interest and slight distaste it seems I take note of how he tries to tactfully get my scent, very likely attempting to place what I am and very likely failing as well. "What can it get for you?"

"I need three of the roasts there." Gesturing to the specific three I want, I wait calmly as he selects them for wrapping.

"Anything else?"

About to tell him no, I pause as I spot one of Zedd's favorite cuts and type of meat. Deciding to get it and make it for him tomorrow since I know it's hard for us to get anywhere but Eltar, I give in and nod to the prime cut. "That as well."

"You have expensive taste."

"At times." Grabbing one of my cards from my pocket I question the price absently, already fairly certain in what it'll be, Zedd's added treat not really adding too much damage for one day of shopping.

"Ninety for the three roasts, fifty for the other."

Momentarily certain I've misheard, it only takes one glance at him to realize I haven't and that yes this is what we're doing here. "Really now?"

"You have a problem with it?"

Being calm and not in the mood to simply inform him of who he's trying to play with here, I shake my head slowly. "You don't think that seems a tad high?"

"You won't get it any cheaper anywhere else."

"Funny, because I'm almost certain my husband told me roasts usually run about ten to fifteen credits a piece depending on the weight, and that prime cut I'm almost positive he said is normally thirty, thirty five at most."

"Your husband is confused. Perhaps he is a half breed like yourself and not used to our world's prices."

"Perhaps. Why don't we ask him, hm?" Turning back to see Zedd has apparently acquired his new bracelet and is now simply talking with the vendor, I give a casual yell. "Hey Zedd, can you come over here for a moment, there's something we need to ask you!"

Turning to glance at me, he gives a nod and walks over, no doubt knowing by my expression something is up. "You all right, love?"

"Oh I'm fine. Actually it seems to be you that's the one that is having trouble and is rather confused about how things on Eltar work." Glancing back at the vendor to see all color drain from his face, I continue with a smile. "At least that's what this gentleman suggested."

"Really now?" Laying an arm around my shoulders and casually joining me in my own game now, he furrows his brow thoughtfully.

"Really" I agree as seriously as I can.

"And what pray tell is it that I am so confused about, my love?"

"Well for one you clearly do not know that the price of meat on this world has increased drastically since the last time we were here."

"I did not" he agrees with a mocking look of surprise.

"And also you are clearly unaware that despite thinking you are a full blooded Eltarian, on top of a sorcerer and Lord of Evil, you are in actuality just a lowly halfbreed like myself."

"Shocking, please do go on."

"My lord-"

Holding up a hand quickly, Zedd silences him with a look. "My mate is speaking, and I'm certain you are aware of how rude it is to interrupt him while he does so."

"All that aside the total price for just this purchase came to one hundred and forty credits."

Turning his gaze slowly back to the man before us it doesn't take a mind reader to know what he's thinking as he raises a brow at him mouth quirking into the barest hint of a smirk. "Do tell."

"My lord, please there was a misunderstanding" the man begins, backing up slightly.

"Oh there definitely was" Zedd agrees, removing his arm from my shoulders and taking a step forward.

"I didn't know the gentleman was your mate-"

"Should it matter?" I question, knowing it really only matters to Zedd for that reason, however I myself find such poor business practices rather appalling in general.

"He asked you a question" Zedd warns after a long moment of silence no doubt spent either trying to find a suitable answer or plan an escape.

"My lord, you are a man of business, you know how these things go."

Seeing me roll my eyes at his pathetic ploy, Zedd however gives a slow nod. "I am a man of business, and as such I could honestly care less what you do with your prices and customer relations, however when you take that poor business and try to apply it to my mate, then I have a problem, which quickly becomes your problem."

"Again I apologize, please show mercy my lordship."

Rolling his own eyes at the man's dramatics and groveling, Zedd shakes his head in mild disgust. "See it's people like you that made this planet not even worth enslaving. Wrap up what he ordered and get on with it, we have plans tonight. And I know the price sure as hell isn't going to be anywhere near a hundred and forty credits."

"Of course, consider it on the house for our slight misunderstanding."

"Mhm." Again seeming unimpressed, he takes the packages calmly before turning with me to head off. Pausing briefly however he gives the man one parting look and comment. "By the way, this one 'misunderstanding' I'm letting slide, the next time however there is such a thing with one of my family, well let's just say it won't be meat from livestock that will be on display the following day."

Smiling as the man gives a shaky nod, I slide my fingers through Zedd's before giving him a rather amused look. "Enjoyed that did you?"

"A bit. Do you think I was evil enough?"

"Any more evil and I think he would have wet himself."

Smiling in amusement, he leans over giving me a kiss. "Maybe next time."

GINA

Zedd growls, "And now I have to waste time killing him when I should be getting ready for us to go out tonight."

My thoughts start racing as Tommy begins protesting. "Not tonight, Zedd. Let him sweat for now and you can kill him later."

"No" I say, surprising them both. My idea comes together very quickly, making me smile. "Zedd, don't kill him."

"Why not?" he demands. "Did he or did he not give you a problem?"

"Well, yes." Quickly, I give them the rundown of what happened. "Now, he's going to expect me to tell you what happened and you'll come down there and either make some nasty threats or actually kill him. But - you don't show up. So that would mean-"

"That I've gone soft and he can just walk all over me" Zedd growls.

"OR - and much more importantly - that I didn't tell you at all. Meaning that - if and when we move here - there is no chance that he'd have forgotten me and that I allowed him to live. I doubt very much that he'd try it again, knowing that if he does I can surely have him destroyed."

Tommy looks doubtful. "Or he's resentful that he owes his existence to a lesser species."

Zedd's chin is on his hand as his elbow rests on the counter and he seems to be deep in thought. "Actually" he says slowly "that might work. Particularly if we go to the marketplace in the next day or so and he sees me and I don't kill him. Perhaps even go so far as to 'remind' him to be good."