Idris didn't understand how Adri could have so much faith in him. Didn't she understand that he was just making it up as they went? If he were being completely honest with himself, the only reason he did anything was because she was there pushing him forward. So, by that logic, he was only good at anything because of her. At least by way of business. Up until this point in his life he ignored the numbers and just wanted to create for creation's sake. Now he needed to make her proud. He needed to make sure she was taken care of and knowing those numbers was the only way that was going to happen.
He refused to see her nearly dead in the middle of an abandoned house filled with wildflowers. No, never again. Wasn't going to happen.
So he ignored every part of his that screamed to run away and he stepped over the threshold and into an incredibly well lit storefront. It was quite possibly the prettiest store he had ever seen! There were counters that looked to be mahogany, but he couldn't be sure since he wasn't exactly a tree expert. Regardless, they were shining with proper care and were topped with exquisite glass cases that were filled with different stones in varying sizes and variety. One side had a sign that read "magic infused," while another stated, "Rough cut." It was nothing like the exchanges he'd had before and it was clear that this store brought in a lot of money.
Idris was equally surprised to see a number of noble men and women perusing the stones when he knew perfectly well they didn't know how to do any kind of smithing that would make owning the gems worth their time. Perhaps they just liked to source their own things? Or own pretty trinkets to display for guests? That seemed weird, but nobles were weird. Besides, it wasn't like there were that many jewelers in the area. Maybe six at most not including Idris.
Weird. The whole thing was odd.
But that probably meant he just wasn't used to seeing what successful merchants looked like or were able to achieve. One day perhaps he would be able to have an entire storefront that looked just like this that were covered in glass baubles infused with his light magics instead of the lamps that lit this place.
"Can I help you, sir?" A warm feminine voice reached his ears and caused him to swivel his head around to see the source. As he moved, others in the store began to notice him and started murmuring to each other – that was him, the young Master Smith who was taking the town by storm. That was the artisan who made jewelry unlike any other jeweler in town! That is Idris – he just accepted a patronage from one of the more prestigious families in the area.
"Oh! Forgive me, Master Idris, I didn't recognize you. It's been so long! Last time I saw you in this shop you were just barely of age and were still learning from Master Herald. What can I help you with today?"
She was very pretty. Her dark hair was swept up in a sensible braid that twisted around her head while a few loose tendrils framed her face. Her eyes were so green they almost glowed of their own accord, but that was probably just a trick of the light. When he met her eyes he noticed her face grew pink and he wondering if she was feeling alright. If she was sick and the actual owner of the store made her work, what did that say about the man as a person? Hmm....already he was disappointed that he was here and not with his usual merchant, now he was just feeling less and less comfortable giving this shop his business.
"Ah...ahem...yes. I am working on a project that needs a very specific kind of stone. Would you please show me your sapphire selection?"
Her eyes brightened even more, how was that possible?!
"Absolutely, Master, this way." And she swept past him with a soft giggle and her fingertips brushed his shoulders gently. He glanced down where she touched him and frowned. That seemed unnecessary. But perhaps being overly friendly helped them get customers. Maybe that made the difference between this shop and others?
He shrugged to himself and followed after, making sure to keep his back straight and his face passive so not to show any wonder when she pulled out a tray of glittering deeply rich, blue stones. There was a box of sapphires as small as a pin tip and one that was as big as his fist. He didn't even want to know the price on that one and was honestly surprised they even had it out in the open. That seemed like the kind of stone they'd keep under lock and key.
She stood on the other side of the counter and smiled warmly at him and then held out her hand, "I'll need your wrist, please, Master Idris. A security measure to keep our inventory safe, you understand."
Idris held out his wrist and she gently tied a rope around it. Her fingers brushed against his skin and he noticed her cheeks were growing pink again. Gods, this woman needed to go home and rest...
She turned towards Adri and waved her over, "You, too." She said quickly, the smile gone from her lips.