A young lady with straighten hair down to her shoulders and the color of freshly tanned animal skin. Dressed rather plainly in a off the shoulder top of a off white with colorful skirt snugly wrapped around her waist. Her choice in sandals on her feet and choker around her neck were made of the same fabric. Didn't stop Jewel was calling out to her when she watched the shy thing slowly walk into the shop. Asking her what she was here to see since Julian and her son were seeing new patients in the practice.

"Um...I was told by Master Narseh, that I could come here if I was in trouble." She whispered.

Before Jewel could ask for further details on what was her problem or why she was seeking out someone like her. She ended up needing to tend to the girl when suddenly she had bursts into tears without any warning of her hidden sadness. Mumbling how she stupidly spilled the her feeling of love toward Praetor Vlastomil just a few days ago. He had rejected her without a single explanation about he hadn't returned her feelings after years they spent interacting. Small moments when either one was in the same room was always filled with personal conversations about themselves. Ended when she was dismissed from his household with a hand written recommendation from him.

"Why not I take you to the back for tea?" Jewel asked offered.

She could only get a nod from the girl before learning she went by name of Emily and was trained hand maid. That would follow Jewel's directions on where she needed to go for a simple cup of a herbal blend. Not like she didn't take in the sights of the shop when she slowly took one step in front of the other. Glass jars filled with all kinds of dried plants one could found in the deepest of the forest or a market. Hand written labels plastered on the front the person reaching for the container to know what they were using. Small trinkets and small items with a mystic touch was placed among Kipling's wooden figurines. Chucks of gemstones that were unpolished could be found through out the shelves and front desk. Strangely carved candles that came in all kinds of shapes and colors littered one shelves' row from side to side.

Had her wanting to see more before she stepped passed the doorway into a small area with a sitting area and table. Beaded table cloth that decorated table where a ball of transparent crystal sat on metallic holder in the table's center. Beside wooden box that held a a stack of tarot cards given to Jewel from Asra. Told Emily she wasn't meant to linger in this space for to long before she wondered passed another doorway. Right into the kitchens she would walk for the promised cup of tea from a earthenware tea set. Just the who that would brew and pour came in the form of Juliana being the one that greeted her. She could be found sitting at the table with opened glass container on side of her and basket on the other. Before her was a scale and small pieces of paper that were being carefully fold by her nimble fingers.

"I just put the water on for tea." Juliana placed a small scoop down. "The kettle will whistle in a few minutes."

Emily would end up bowing to her before giving her name when startled by not only one within this large room. She was offered a place to seat by Juliana upon her getting up from her own to get feeling back in her legs. Jumped a few inches into the air when clucking Cant wanted her to move out of her way. Gave her a chance to meet the family pet stepping out of her indoor nest for a stroll around the kitchen's floor.

"Don't mind her." Juliana knew Cant was still angry at her mother. "She's just throwing a hissy fit for not being allowed outside."

Seems a illegal form of entertainment had entered Vesuvia of late, had to do with putting roosters against each other. Julian would have gotten into gambling side with few coins he kept for personal usage. If Jewel wasn't disgusted with the act of having fowl fight go up against each other for amusement. Left him to put his private savings toward something else, if he ever wanted to have sexual relations with Jewel. Again. Just one member of the family didn't quite agree with Jewel and wanted a piece of the roosters.

"Mom caught her a few times trying to run off." Juliana stretched out her limbs. "Now we have to keep a eye out for her."

Watching how they open the back door to get in and out had become a problem with a eager Cant always ready to run out. Having to chase something that ran a faster then you left a few of the household to question how out shape they were. Names wouldn't be said in fear that you would wake up cursed or be asked to be someone's errand boy.

"What an usual pet." Emily sniffled trying to smile.

Jewel would hand her a handkerchief while asked what was bothering her enough leave her home behind, and follow Narseh's advice. After this girl wiped the newly formed tears from the corners of her eyes in a dobbing sensation. She spoke about never having a home since she lived in a privately funded orphanage since the plague. To only be hired by a head of the Praetor Vlastomil's household as a new maid when she turned 18. In which, she worked for a few years working up to position of chamber maid after he was freed from the Devil and return to his human appearance. She fell in love in him and confessed her feelings to him a year after the events that saved Vesuvia. To only be rejected and given the cold shoulder by hum until she was transferred to the Palace. Where she worked under Nadia's son until one day she broke into tears when good news of Narseh and Juliana.

"Here I am." She blew her nose.

Jewel would poor her a cup of tea after setting a few cups down with a green tea blend she personally prepared. Telling her matters of the heart was a hard thing to figure out since love was complex notion. Hurt heart this girl was carrying after years of living the Praetor Vlastomil's household and employ. Showed she still deeply cared for the still active magistrate of the city-state.

"How would someone find a worm loving weirdo, like Praetor Vlastomil attractive?" Juliana interrupted the moment.

"Have your forgotten your parents' love story?" Kipling countered with a question of his own.

He further made his point by placing a heart before them before sheathing his knife when he took a seat. Bringing up how Julius had a hard time informing him about his familial ties since his parents were famous. Discomfort that came from explaining who his father and mother was in private was challenging.

"Didn't change anything dispute Julius being the son of famous doctor that killed the Count and the magician." Kipling rested his arms on the table's surface.

Juliana was left to become quiet when Kipling was trying to make a point about a person's past or appearance. Shouldn't be the reason why someone keeps them self from the chance of being loved or loving someone. What got him a eye roll from Juliana when she took a seat on the opposite end of the table.

"Thank you Kipling." Jewel looked at her daughter disapproving eyes. "I agree, We can't help who we fell in love with..."

"Alright!" Juliana got the point. "You guys..."

She would have finished what she had to say a crazy idea of someone falling in love with Praetor Vlastomil in a rude way. Wasn't for her father grandly entering through the back door with Duchovny on one of his shoulders and carrying a crate of fish. Going on about how he and his son were able to solve the case of simple food poisoning in the Goldgrave. His payment was freshly caught and chopped up Atlantic Sturgeon besides the usual pile of coins. He would present to his wife and house guests after strutting into the kitchen with his signature smile. Onto the table he dropped the crate before his daughter with Duchovny flying off his shoulder. So he could shrug off his black coat with a red lining on to a near by back of a chair with his eyes only on Jewel.

"You. Me. Our Many. Fish. Tonight?" He asked Jewel.

"Where is our son?" She asked noticing Julius' absence.

"Right here." He walked in.

He closed the door peeling off his cloak and hat with one hand while other was holding a head bobbing Cant. On to the hook the outer clothing and head wear was placed by his in passing with his putting Cant down.

"Well?" Julian still wanted a answer from Jewel.

"Since he was brought back in one piece." Jewel stepped close to Julian. "Go wash up and then come back down to help me."

She pecked her lips on left side of his mouth as softly as she could to watch one of her favorite expressions appear. That goofy grin she could never get enough of viewing spread across his face as a wiggly line. Stayed on his face when he turned a way from her and started to make his way toward stairway to get upstairs. Leaving his son to walk over standing still Cant while stating they were going have finer guests.

"Narseh is bringing Consul Valerius with him." julius spoke of news. "Something about wanting him to ask your blessing."

"Please let it be marriage." Juliana looked to the sky.

"Your to young to be thinking of that!" Kiplng backed away from her. "You should enjoy life before settling down."

Jewel agreed since she adventures her and Julian went on happen right after what went down in Vesuvia with the Arcana. Sights of the world they saw while on sailing on Mazelinka's ship still danced within her mind. Times Julian and her on desk when taking in the sea air when now dancing hand in hand to sea shanty's sung by crew. By light of the moon mixed with candle light from rusted lanterns used by the musicians playing their instruments. Sometimes Julian would sing the lyrics to only Julian with one hand on her shoulder and other on her back.

"Wait until your a little older to start a family." Jewel smiled with her head full of memories. "Me and your married after knowing we loved each other."

"See." Juliana pointed at her mother.

"Don't use our mother to make a point." julius rolled his eyes at his sister.

"What do I hear about marriage?" Julian asked.

He ended up walking across the room toward Jewel with his arms wrapped around her waist and naughty idea in mind. He whispered into ear liking how the eyes of their children and future- son- in- law watched him. Jewel would reach up to his chin with one of her hands as her face turned just enough to his ear. Where his face turned red when she whispered back before patting his chin with tips of her fingers.

"Go run your clinic like a good boy." Jewel pulled away from him. "Kids come help me prepare for Narseh and Valerius."

"You know Narseh had been over here thousands of times." Kipling remembered always seeing him. "Why should we clean this place up?"

julius would end up shrugging for him when he started rolling up his sleeves when Jewel started assigning tasks. Juliana was sent to the attic to find a few bottles of fermented beverages given to them a year or two back. Kipling and julius would end up helping her clear off the table top and start preparing a meal. Julian was sent back to his clinic to make sure their weren't any lingering patients before even wanting to lift a spoon. Had him being chased out of kitchen by Cant when she opened her wings and ran toward him by loudly clucking. Not wanting to suffer her sharpening claws or annoying pecking at his hair with her beak ad she bodded her head. He ran for his life for the stairs while asking why their guard dog is a chicken and not a n actual dog. Got one of the heels of his boot covered feet pecked at when Cant picked up her pace as if she was offended, by his comment.

"What have I told you able bringing up that topic?" Jewel asked when she heard Julian's whining.

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Reason behind Consul Valerius coming to their home with Narseh , had to be for a change of atmostphere and mood. He had become rather depressed state whenever he showed at The Palace for his duty as the palace courtier. Seeing Lady Nessa be showered by his mother's choices of romantic partners for her, through out the months. One of her aunt's brought a young noble from Prakra during one their visits to Vesuvia. A middle aged Kaji from Nopal on vacation had his young nephew meet with her during a private party. Youngest son from the Crab Isles had been seen near East docks when ever Crabmen came to port to make a sale. Young spice merchant from Milova, who was passing through to return to the Southern Seas had spoke a few times with her. Band of young man that were related to the chieftains from the the Scourge Lands requested her hand. Humble man with his only son from Venterre were seen a few times during late night dinners. Famed alchemist with his two eldest sons from Zadith offered a large Dowry, if she pick one between his sons.

All because neither one of her parents like how she told them she was romantically involoved with Consul Valerius. Nadia thought her daughter was trying a attempted at humor for the first time in her life without explanation. Ended with her needing a tonic and a long soap in her bathing chamber when she felt headache coming on. Portia went into shock for a few days when told first hand and didn't speak for five whole days. Servants could swore she had twitched or even laughed event now and then upon being approached. Narseh wasn't all surprised by her announcement to their mothers. He wished her luck in even getting their mothers on board about liking the two together. Somehow led to all her free time being taken by everyone Noble born or blood blue aristocratic passing through.

"They just want is..." Jewel couldn't finish her sentence.

"See, you agree." Narseh pointed at her.

Jewel would refill his cup with a nod of her head as a way of agreeing with him about Consul Valerius deserves a chance. His past shouldn't be used against him when the he was being a chance at love with daughter of his former lover.

"I never would see the day, that someone like yourself sides with me." Consul Valerius snidely remarks at Narseh.

"I am only siding with you for my sister's happiness." Narseh looked right at him. "Hurt her and I'll show you my blonde tresses aren't the only thing I inherit from my late father. "

"I sometimes forget who your later daddy was..." Consul Valerius sighed into his wine glass.

Recalling that Narseh and Nessaea were the biological offspring of late Count Lucio, left a bad taste in few people's mouths. No that Nadia didn't do right by raising them within courts of Vesuvia with Portia and her family's help. Each one of her sisters and parents taught her children something useful throughout their childhood.

"Also to remind you." Narseh twirled a tea spoon in between his fingers. "My aunt Nahara made it a point in teaching me to fight."

"Thank you for informing me." Consul Valerius straighten his posture. "I'll make sure to keep that in mind..."

He drew his wine glass to his lips ready to take another sip when into the room Juliana burst in her usual matter. Loudly stating she was taking Narseh to the Rowdy Raven to celebrate his sister's rather busy love life. Insisting they go and drink and be merry since she couldn't accept no in any form of an answer from him or Consul Valerius.