Night Market
Elliott spent most of his day in the library until it was time to escort Miss Penelope and the children home for the evening. However, due to the evening festivities, Mayor Shane came to pick up little Jas so they could make haste toward the Night Market.
The poet did not speak ill of any child, however, he noticed that young Mister Vincent was not fond of him. While it was perfectly natural for a boy to develop feelings for a beautiful woman like Miss Penelope, Vincent was especially protective of her and sought to thwart any contact between Elliott and the woman of his dreams.
Elliott knew better than to try and force the issue. After all, once Vincent was safely in the custody of his mother, the author acknowledged he would have a monopoly over his beloved's time and affection. Elliott was nothing, if not a patient man.
The boy flashed a stunning smile as he sweetly bid farewell to Miss Penelope, but as soon as she turned to face Elliott, the man noticed Vincent's tongue protruding out toward him in a rude gesture. Miss Jodi apologized for her son's disrespectful behavior, then disappeared inside.
Now that their duty to watch over the children was discharged, Elliott offered his arm to Miss Penelope. While he did not plan to attend the Night Market this evening, that did not mean he could not escort his love to her destination.
The moon was but a slither in the sky, so Elliott was grateful for the street lamps in the Town Square to illuminate Miss Penelope's beautiful form as they sauntered toward the beach. She was a vision of loveliness, even in the voluminous layers to protect against the frigid weather. Elliott stared.
Her emerald eyes gazed up at him and giggled. "What are you looking at?" Miss Penelope inquired, the porcelain of her cheeks flushing with color.
"Only you, my dear," Elliott confessed, unabashed by her humble deflections of his compliments. He would not allow Miss Penelope to belittle herself. Not only was it entirely false, but the habit would do her ill service when it came to the wolves of the capital city. Elliott half-regretted inviting his dearest to attend Edmund's wedding as his guest now that the nuptials were rapidly approaching. How could he be so heartless as to expose her to the tormentors of his youth?
As they approached his humble abode, Miss Penelope lingered for a moment. "Elliott…" she began, though she hesitated to say more. Still, the sound of her voice hung suspended in the air between them. He adored the way she spoke his name. It was as if each syllable were like honey. Miss Penelope stood before him in the dim light of the Night Market on the docks at the other end of the beach.
The brunette lips were parted, caught between word and thought. A perverse part of him wished to kiss those lips, to fill that empty space between their forms. To show her with his actions how much he loved her.
Miss Penelope had been a panacea to his creative blocks and the scars of heartbreak. She had helped him achieve his dream of being published and promised to do the same for future projects. The kindly woman cared for all living creatures and educated the local children with little to no compensation. Miss Penelope was not irked by his flowery prose, and her dazzling personality flourished when he spoke to her.
Elliott had forgotten how sweet love could be, with only the bitter memories of Cassandra's betrayal. And Miss Penelope had been through so much and all he could do was be present in her life. All he had were his pretty words to comfort her. Elliott wanted desperately to demonstrate to his beloved how much she meant to him.
Elliott leaned down and did precisely that. Taking Miss Penelope in his arms, he kissed her passionately. At first she gasped in alarm at the swiftness of his movement, but she instantly followed his lead as if engaged in a dance.
Elliott could not tell which of them initiated the French style of kissing, but it was a welcome addition to his senses. Miss Penelope's hands slipped under his pea coat for warmth and the thrill of the moment overwhelmed him. Their unified breath quickened and Elliott's hand grasped desperately for the doorknob behind him.
When his bare fingertips reached the cold metal and his body stumbled backward as the door opened, Elliott was sharply brought back to his senses. He could not sully Miss Penelope's reputation - no matter how maddened he was by desire in the present moment. His father had a terrible history of ruining young women prior to his marriage - and even afterward. Elliott vowed he would not continue the tradition. The romantic had already suffered from a lapse in judgment and while he did not believe that Miss Penelope would do the same as Cassandra, he would not allow such pain to enter his heart again.
Elliott pulled away, turning his face from the beautiful brunette.. "I-I apologize, Miss Penelope," he panted softly. "I will allow myself to continue acting in such a manner tonight. Please forgive me for risking your virtue."
Miss Penelope's cheekbones were tinted a stunning shade of crimson and her lips once again fell open as she regained her composure. Elliott ached to continue what they had started, yet he knew it could not be so. In a desperate attempt to change the subject and save what little face he could, he asked, "What is it that you wished to tell me prior to my interruption, Miss Penelope?"
Her mouth twitched in an attempt to speak, but no words escaped her lips. The woman's emerald eyes were wide and fully focused on him. The spell between them had not yet broken, yet Elliott recognized that it must be done. He gingerly shut the door behind him and held his hands in front of him.
That seemed enough to signal to Miss Penelope that her reputation was no longer in peril. She simply uttered, "I… I wanted to apologize for not having much to give you for the Feast of the Winter Star next week. You've already given me such wonderful things and invited me to accompany you on a trip to NuNu City for your brother's wedding." Her voice was low and Elliott could tell that his dear, sweet Penelope was ashamed of her financial situation. "I can't afford much without a real salary."
It pained him to see her this way. Material possessions did not matter to him insomuch as her companionship and unconditional affection. Elliott wished to assure his beloved. "Miss Penelope…" he cradled her face delicately in his hands as his eyes softened. "You are the greatest gift of all. Do not worry about such things."
He grinned at her. Miss Penelope is so charmingly petite, he mused as she craned up her neck to better see him. Elliott wished to free her from fretting over the monetary value of gifts. "You are all that I desire, my dear," the author promised her.
Elliott brought her hands up to his lips and kissed them chastely. "Goodnight, Miss Penelope. Enjoy the Market this evening."
It was the first evening of the Night Market and as usual, Leah made a beeline for the art dealer. He wore large, circular spectacles and a red bow tie that mirrored the slope of his mustache. His hair was parted harshly to one side, likely in an attempt to hide the onset of male pattern baldness.
The man's lips curled slightly toward his ears when he saw her approach. "Ah, I was expecting you, miss," he greeted Leah.
Leah nodded in response, trying to appear indifferent. She always came to admire the collection the dealer brought to the Night Market. Last year, the man showcased the final piece in a series by a famous artist who had recently died. Her fame skyrocketed after her passing and Leah could not afford the price of the woman's final painting.
This year, Leah fully expected the art dealer to sell art from another well-known artist, but she had not expected to see the art of Lupini in Pelican Town. The bespectacled man's mustache twitched impatiently as she stared at the "Red Eagle."
"Hmmm... a Lupini original?" Leah commented aloud for the dealer's benefit. She had to prove she was aware of the artistic royalty displayed in front of her, but also downplay how excited she was to see something so rare. "Not bad..."
The dealer puffed out his chest proudly. "I only sell the best, miss. We travel far and wide to seek out buyers with the most discerning eyes."
Leah tuned him out as he rambled on. She was too busy admiring the versatility in the painter's work. Lupini modeled the "Red Eagle" after one of the desert-dwelling native tribes on the continent south of The Ferngill Republic, the Owul Kingdom. From what she knew, Lupini had lived with the tribe for several years to properly do the style justice. Despite all the efforts the mysterious painter put into this piece, it was the only one of their released works that featured the distinctive style.
Leah speculated whether "Red Eagle" was truly the only one in this style that Lupini created, or if there was another reason it was the only piece being sold, despite how much effort they went through to replicate the art form in a respectful manner. She admired its simplicity with the bird itself, bordered with bold scarlet and crisp geometric patterns. Despite the perfect angles, Leah doubted that Lupini used a straightedge to make the shapes. She could tell from the tiny, meticulous brush strokes that slowly gave way to unified perfection that patience and determination were what made the diamond border so neat.
While she admired Lupini's work, Leah yearned to be as well-known and respected in the field as the creator of "Red Eagle." Unfortunately, Leah was beginning to realize that wealth and connections were important in the art world and she sorely lacked in both departments. She could not afford to spend years abroad on a whim to immerse herself in a technique.
It was not as if she could buy the painting and take it home, either. Leah could not justify paying 1,200 gold for artwork, even if it was a Lupini. The ginger was not starving, but she had not sold anything of worth recently. Leah needed a way to make some money, rather than spend it.
"Will you be taking 'Red Eagle' home with you tonight?" the merchant queried, cocking his head to the side inquisitively. Leah was going to have to disappoint him again this year.
She frowned. "I'm afraid it's not meant to be…" the artist sighed wistfully. Leah wished he had not been so impatient, otherwise she could have studied Lupini's technique more thoroughly. The red head knew that she promised Haley not to worry about creating any art for a few days, but that did not mean she had to stop studying other people's art, right?
Still, Leah became aware that the Night Market was the perfect place to sketch. The lighting from the endless strings of lanterns, the unique styles of each ship, and the smells that swirled and mingled with the crisp spray of the ocean spurred her senses. If only there were a table somewhere she could sit and people watch.
At least that way she could stop fixating on all the potential reasons why her parents suddenly decided they wanted to see her this weekend. Leah already experienced enough anxiety when she called to accept the invitation, despite the careful planning to call when she knew they would be out of the house so she could leave a voicemail.
Just stop thinking about it! Leah growled in frustration, slapping her cheeks with her gloved hands. The sudden movement startled both Penny and Clint, and the artist began to speed-walk away out of sheer embarrassment.
Almost immediately, Leah nearly collided with Emily as she turned the corner around Willy's fish shop. The ginger dodged, but lost her balance and nearly fell off the dock and onto the deck of the purple boat. Emily quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward the dock, however, avoiding catastrophe.
Leah muttered an apology, mortified for making a fool of herself and nearly knocking over Emily.
But the sapphire-haired woman flashed Leah a sympathetic smile. "Oh, Leah, your aura is so dull," Emily noticed, her face pinching in concern. Without asking, the bartender took Leah's hand in her own. "What's wrong?"
Glancing back, Leah could see the villagers and a few curious vendors eyeing them to make sure no one was at risk of falling into the ocean anymore. Emily was quick to catch on to the artist's hesitation and dragged her aboard the nearest boat.
The merchant seemed puzzled when Emily rounded the cabin to give themselves a bit of privacy, but there were no goods for the women to steal on that side of the ship, so the man reclined onto a pile of plush cushions next to the gangplank and resumed smoking his wooden pipe.
Once they were out of sight, Emily turned to Leah expectantly. The artist hesitated, but eventually yielded under the gentle gaze of the seamstress. "I just… I've been so down and frustrated with myself lately," Leah confessed. Despite the awkwardness, it felt good to get it off her chest. "I'm having writer's block," the red head explained, "only the kind for other mediums. A general creativity block, I guess?"
Emily lowered her head in contemplation. "I see…" After a brief pause, she beamed down at Leah and took the artist's hand again. "Come on, I know just the thing!"
The sapphire-haired woman approached the man lounging on the cushions. "I hear you sell the finest energy crystals and scented oils in the Northern Hemisphere!" Emily solicited the merchant.
Placing his pipe on a stone plate, he squared his shoulders to address his guests. "You hear correctly, madam!" The bearded man rose to his feet in one fluid motion and escorted the women toward his stock. "Are you looking for crystals or scents this evening?"
"Stones first!" Emily answered. He smirked in satisfaction at the implication that the blue-haired was interested in his other wares, too.
Using a small crowbar, the merchant carefully lifted the lids off of each of the barrels, revealing thousands of precious stones. They came in every color imaginable and in different forms - smooth, carved into shapes, and raw stones were intermixed.
Emily's bright eyes scanned the barrels and gathered an assortment in a small pouch before presenting them to Leah. Many of them were warm colors that reminded Leah of sunshine and Summer, but there were a few in cooler hues as well.
"I've got citrine, orange calcite, pyrite, gold obsidian, and sunstone for creativity," Emily explained, pouring them into the palm of her hand for Leah to inspect. "Lepidolite, tiger's eye, and turquoise for soothing your anxiety and bringing inner focus." The cheerful woman pointed out two in particular, a purple, and an orange stone. "Lepidolite and sunstone have the added benefit of also providing positive energy."
The vendor nodded his head as Emily spoke. "You know much about their energies, madam," he praised his potential customer.
Emily flushed at the compliment. "Oh, I've been studying for a few seasons now," she replied bashfully. The mayor's wife returned her focus to Leah. "And then there's aquamarine and moonstone for feminine empowerment!" she finished, watching the artist carefully.
This time, the stone seller interjected. "Do any of these speak to your soul, miss?" he asked Leah. "If the shape does not please you, I have them each in several forms…"
"They're all beautiful," Leah stated diplomatically, brushing her fingertips against the surfaces of the various stones. Her index finger paused on the sunstone, which matched her hair. It was carved into the shape of a sun with rays radiating from its center. Unwittingly, Leah's grey eyes glanced toward the barrels and she wondered if there was a carved moonstone, too, so she could make some thematic accessories for Haley.
Leah shook her head. She did not believe in energy crystals and she did not have the skills for metalworking. A few rocks would not dig her out of her artistic funk and Leah really did not have the money to spend, either. If she was going to buy anything, it would be a gift for Haley. "I'm just not hearing any of them 'talk' to me, you know?"
The man frowned, but Emily placed a hand on his shoulder to placate his disappointment. "Don't worry, sir. I still plan on buying plenty for myself." Her gaze shifted toward Leah. "I'll be right back," she told the vendor as she escorted the artist back onto the dock.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel pressured," Emily apologized sincerely. "Honestly, I just wanted to host a class on the healing properties of crystals someday and hoped you might be the first to try it out."
Now Leah felt guilty for bailing. "Well…"
Emily leapt on the slightest sign of weakness. "Great! Let me go ahead and finish my shopping. Then later this week you and Haley can join Shane and I on a trip to Grampleton to get them finished, okay?"
"Wait, what?" Leah had not signed up for a double-date. "Why Grampleton?" The town was just about the same size as Pelican Town and was known for its lumber production. As far as Leah knew, Emily took no interest in wood.
"I have some new friends there," Emily answered. "Besides, we all need a change of scenery once and a while." The woman did not wait for another response and instead skipped back onto the ship to negotiate prices for a bulk order on energy crystals and essential oils.
Leah stood there, stunned by Emily's gentle method of bulldozing. I guess I'm going to Grampleton…
Violet could see the glow of the lanterns hung above the docks from the bridge to the beach. The orbs of light reflected on the water's surface below, creating an ethereal scene on the docks beyond. The farmer heard music playing as she reached the shoreline - bells, chimes, and wordless vocalizing rang out over the water clear and strong - but she could not pinpoint its source. If Violet did not know better, she could have sworn the musicians must be out at sea, just beyond the dome of light that illuminated the docks.
The ships were bright shades that Violet had only ever seen in wildflowers and gemstones. They were vibrant and displayed an extravagance that only successful merchants could. She considered how this fleet of ships came together in the first place - their wares were so different from one another that they did not make much sense to be banded together. But perhaps that was the reason they traveled together in the first place. They were not competing with each other, but rather taking advantage of the enhanced protections of traveling in a group.
But despite her curiosity, Violet simply found herself in awe of the dream-like quality of the market. The merchant came from far and wide and the farmer could smell spices, incense, and strong coffee in the air mixing with the salt of the sea. It was cold tonight, but somehow the atmosphere seemed warmer in the safety of the lanterns hanging overhead.
Since this was her first time at the Night Market, Violet planned to explore. The farmer did not plan on buying anything right away until she saw all that there was to offer, otherwise she knew that she might spend impulsively. While she did have gifts already prepared for many of her new friends, there were still a few for whom Violet was struggling to come up with good ideas. Maybe she would be inspired tonight?
Shane and Jas stood on the little bridge area between the main dock and the western side. The mayor had a strained expression on his face as the little girl wailed pitifully. "But I wanna go with Auntie Emily!" Jas cried pitifully, stomping her foot on the planks beneath her feet.
"Emily is busy doing her own shopping right now, Jas," her father-figure explained, trying to reason with his goddaughter. "Don't you want to help me get her a present while she's distracted?"
Jas pouted. "I already got Auntie a present, so I want to go with her!" Violet had to stifle her laughter when she saw Shane's face fall. Jas had beaten him to the punch on getting his wife a present for the Feast of the Winter Star.
The pastel-haired woman decided to take mercy on the mayor. Violet squatted down to the girl's level. "Hey, Jas. Why don't you come with me?" the farmer suggested. "It's my first time here, so I need someone who knows their way around."
Jas' dark eyes twinkled with delight. "Really?!" she tugged on Shane's coat. "Oh, can I go with Farmer Violet, Shane? Please, please, please?"
The man's eyes darted from Jas to Violet with a combination of guilt and gratitude. The farmer figured Jas still wanted to get a gift for her godfather, but could not shake her guardian's watchful eye. Violet winked at Shane encouragingly. Even if she was wrong, she could entertain Jas for an hour or two and give him a chance to get a gift for his wife. It was the least she could do to thank Shane for his advice on how to raise chickens.
Shane finally caved. "Just be on your best behavior, Jas…" he pleaded with the black-haired girl.
"Oh, I will!" his goddaughter assured him, already heading toward the main body of the dock. Violet quickly fell into step beside Jas. Shane took no time taking the opportunity to do some quick shopping himself and headed toward Willy's Shop.
The farmer waited until the mayor was out of hearing range. "So, I assume you want to buy something without Shane knowing?" Violet asked casually.
"How did you know?" Jas asked, gazing up at her in awe. Violet thought it was cute.
She smiled. "Once upon a time, I had a big brother who would take me shopping around the holidays." Violet leaned over to whisper to the child. "I always had to sneak away at some point to buy his present, too."
In retrospect, Violet realized that Zach probably knew exactly what she was doing, but led her to believe that she had genuinely given him the slip to "surprise" him. Zach was an annoying older brother who constantly teased her as a kid, but Violet supposed he must have humored her when it suited him.
Now that Jas knew that Violet was not a mind reader, the little girl seemed more relaxed. "Do you know what you want to get Shane?" the farmer inquired curiously.
Jas frowned. "He doesn't really like decorating for the holidays…" she admitted, eyeing the ship that sold a variety of comically large candy canes, pine wreaths, and trees. Talla's cart, which was floating in the water, was run by the purple pig that usually hauled the wagon. Jas found it funny, but Shane did not need any seeds. There was a shrouded figure with a parrot that sold various odd-items, none of which interested Jas.
Violet took note which items were sold on the ships as they passed, deciding where to shop once Jas was reunited with Shane. The next boat smelled strongly of flowers and Violet was not surprised to see Emily with a haul of what appeared to be bundles of incense and a lumpy bag full of something that clacked together as she crossed the gangplank back onto the dock.
"Auntie Emily!" Jas threw her arms around the blue-haired woman's waist. "Will you take me to see the mermaids?"
Violet was curious why Jas had not mentioned this request when it was just the two of them.
Emily beamed at the girl. "Shane said you were too young for that," Emily countered in a neutral tone. Violet assumed that the barmaid was trying to diplomatically call Jas out without offending the little girl. "Besides, have you found your present for Shane?"
Jas pouted at the reminder of her failure. "I can't find anything he'd like!" she complained, releasing Emily from her grasp.
Violet regarded Emily apologetically. "Yeah, I haven't exactly been useful…" Honestly, the farmer already had a present for the mayor, but only because she got it from Bex's primo Arturo the city. It was one of the items that her best friend would deliver in the next few days.
Emily shook her head. "No, it's okay. Shane is a simple 'pizza and eggs' man, so he's not easy to shop for," she confessed with a fond expression. "I think he would really love it if you gave him something you made yourself, Jas. I could even teach you if you want to make something you haven't tried before."
"Really?" Jas was pleased with the offer, but she was not about to let her original request go. "Then can we go see the mermaid show?" If Shane had banned Jas from seeing it, did he consider the "standard" mermaid seashell tops too revealing for a young girl like Jas, or was it more of an "adult" performance?" If it was the latter Violet could completely understand Shane's disapproval. Still, Jas was not giving up so easily.
But Emily had a counter offer. "How about we take the submarine ride down and see if we find a mermaid in the ocean?" Her eyes turned to Violet. "And that way you can do some fishing," Emily suggested. "I hear you can hook some rare fish in the lower depths."
Violet admittedly had not found a lot she wanted to buy. Not to mention, the farmer had opted for more items than cash in her share of the loot this afternoon, so some extra gold from fishing could not hurt.
"Sounds like fun!" Violet agreed, not giving Jas the chance to object. Emily led the way, holding Jas' hand. They looked so natural together - smiling and happy - as if Emily was Jas' mother. As Shane's wife, Emily was the mother figure in Jas' life now. And Violet had a feeling that any kids that Emily and Shane had together would take after their dad anyway. It was statistically difficult to fight those kinds of genes - dark hair and dark eyes.
Without realizing it, Violet grasped that she and Sebastian would have similar odds. Any kids they might have would favor their father's appearance, since she had naturally blonde hair and blue eyes. The farmer blushed at the image, but she did not shy away from the stream of consciousness as she would have in the past. I wonder if Robin will let me see any pictures of Sebastian when he was little?
Penny's heart was still racing from her goodnight from Elliott. Well, specifically the kissing that occurred. But then her boyfriend pushed the brakes on the situation faster than a person trying to avoid a multi-car pile-up. Biting her lower lip, she considered Elliott's words before they parted for the night.
Penny blushed when she recognized that she had been the forward one in the situation once Elliott got them started. And while they had discussed waiting until marriage to consummate their love, Penny was becoming less and less resolved to keep it that way. Especially after the thrill she felt when Elliott opened the door to let her inside his house.
Elliott seemed so preoccupied with her reputation and virtue. It was not his fault for thinking that way, though. It seemed to be the way he was raised, and while she had never used the latter word, Penny made it clear to her boyfriend that she cared a lot about what others thought of her. She desperately did not want to be compared to her mother and make the same mistakes. And yet, here she was being swept off her feet by a handsome man.
I suppose it is easier said than done… Penny reflected. It was no problem to say she would wait for marriage when she was single, but now it was far more difficult to keep to that promise she made to herself.
While Penny could still not condone the alcoholism and the way Pam treated her, the schoolteacher pictured herself in her mother's shoes all those years ago. I'm just like her, in some ways…
Pam tried so hard to point out their differences over the years, calling Penny smarter, prettier, and so on. For a long time, the brunette assumed that her mother was trying to create some distance between them. And she was - just not in the way Penny first believed. Now, the woman began to appreciate Pam was trying to tell Penny that she was her own person.
At least, that was what Penny concluded. When that was first tested, her mother did not do well, but Pam was actively trying to make amends and did not seek her out when she moved away from home. Penny's mother had respected her desire for space between them.
The brunette was not ready to forgive her mother enough to trust her implicitly, but Penny knew that if things went south again, her friends would support her. She had people she could rely upon, who did not judge her as "trailer trash" like so many had in the past.
Pam did not seem to have any friends, other than Gus. So while her mother had no one to depend upon after her father left, Penny appreciated Pam's choice to settle in Pelican Town. Penny spent so long worrying about being judged that she had not considered that her neighbors did not mind. And while the schoolteacher used to feel out of place among her peers, after Violet's feast, Penny noticed she began to feel more comfortable among those her age.
Elliott helped Penny build that confidence in herself. Pam must have noticed it, too. That must be why she insisted that Penny go out more to socialize with the young adults at The Stardrop Saloon on the weekends. The idea no longer frightened her. Penny was enough as she was.
The brunette smiled to herself and Elliott's words echoed in her head: You are all that I desire, my dear. Her heart skipped a beat, remembering the look on Elliott's face as he spoke.
But Penny's forehead wrinkled as she contemplated the words. What did he mean by that? Desire. That was an apt description of the atmosphere between them lately. Elliott always got so flustered about decorum whenever they were together without a chaperone in one another's homes. If only there was a neutral location where they could meet alone without fear of watchful eyes.
Her face reddened as an idea popped into her mind. I am all that he desires…