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The Art of Bargaining


Date:  March 3, 1998
Place:  Smithcraft Lounge
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  There are times when Kassi's just dye-ing to make a 
bargain, so to speak... and there are few people more entertaining to
try and wrangle a decent price out of than Senior Apprentice Grego of 
the Smithcraft.  When Kassi is asked by Ofira to do a favor for one of
the Baker's friends, she's only too glad to comply when she learns that
it will provide her with a chance to once again put her ability to argue
to the ultimate test!  This is just a short, fun log that I thought I'd
post for the heck of it. :)  All non-RP stuff has been cut out, so it
should be pretty much spam-free.

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The Log:

You give a hard tug on the heavy metal door walking into the small lounge. 
The noise from the rest of the work hall is definitely muted here.

Allory glances over, rising from the couch with a warm smile, "Smithcrafts 
duties to.. Telgar, yes?" she peers a bit closer at the knot, "Yes, 
Telgar, and her queens of course."

"Knock, knock?" calls a fairly young woman's voice, as the owner of that 
voice--one Kassima, by name--ducks her head into the Lounge entrance. 
"Duties to the Smithcraft and her Masters," she's prompt to greet, "and 
g'day t'you both. I hope I'm nay interrupting aught. A Fortian bluerider 
has entreated me to come down here and do some business with a certain 
apprentice--oh, heya, Apprentice Grego. You're just the person I was 
looking for."

Grego absently rubs the bridge of his nose, then clinks his klah mug 
against the beaker of blue liquid. "Be fun rebuilding, though," he says 
thoughtfully. Then, hearing a spate of chatter from a younger apprentice, 
he turns and spots Kassi. "Smithcraft's duty to Telgar," he calls, with a 
grin. "You wanting another knife, greenrider?"

Allory shakes her head, "Not inturrupting at all, klah? Something to eat 
perhaps?"

Kassima steps fully into the room, hoisting the six-month-old baby that 
she's carrying up a bit higher on her hip. "Alas, nay," she reports with a 
rueful grin. "Or rather, nay right *now*; I'm here on Official Business... 
sort of. 'Tis about the matter of a stove commissioned by Bradamante, blue 
Caliath's rider of Fort--oh, thankee, Master, but I'm nay a klah woman. 
If'n you've any cider, though, or a wee drop of milk for Khari, I'd be 
much obliged."

Allory nods, "Of course, is she alright from a cup?" she sitcks her head 
into the kitchen, calling directions before returning to the lounge.

Grego grimaces just a bit as he sees the baby, then blinks. "Stove?" He 
looks blank for a moment, then nods. "Oh, the -stove-. That's right. Well, 
I haven't been back from my trip for very long. Haven't had a chance to 
check." If he were hedging any more, he'd be able to start a greenhouse.

Allory frowns a bit, "Stove?"

"If'n I'm careful with it, she should be able to manage," Kassima says 
with a grateful smile. "My thanks, Master." Sliding a look at Grego, she 
explains drolly, "I brought Khari with me so that she could get an early 
exposure t'bargaining. I see that her first lesson will probably be an 
interesting one. My assignment, if'n you will, is to try and bargain you 
down from the time allotted. Does a small stove for a Weyr really take a 
Turn and a half t'be making?"

Grego frowns just a bit, his expression briefly blank once more, "It 
hasn't been that long, has it?"

Allory re-curls up in the couch, "Wont both of you have a seat? I'll get 
neck strain watching the pair of you." she smiles.

A kitchen worker brings out a mug of cider and a smaller one of milk, 
presenting them with no little bit of awe to the rider.

Kassima leans back against the nearest convenient surface, quite probably 
a wall. "As 'twas explained t'me, that's the estimate she was given--oh, 
m'thanks. I'd rather like t'sit, actually." And she does so, settling her 
girl-child on her lap and tickling Kharisma's chin absently for good 
measure. The girl giggles, but seems rather fascinated by this strange 
young man that her mother is talking to. "Bradamante's interested in 
seeing--oh, m'thanks! This is just what I needed." She flashes the kitchen 
worker a bright grin, apparently utterly oblivious to her incongruous 
ability to inspire awe. Go figure. "I offered to debate prices with you, 
but oddly, she said she was content--can you believe that?--with the 
price. Just nay with the time." The rider sets the cider mug down beside 
her, carefully coaxing Khari to take an interest in the milk cup.

Allory shakes her head, "Odd sort at Fort these days, need to replenish 
the breeding stock from Bitra or something."

Grego frowns just a little. "She liked the price? Shardit, I knew I 
should've asked a mark higher." He absently rubs his barely-existant 
beard. "I guess it wouldn't take quite so long, but we'd have to move it 
up in the queue. That'd cost."

Allory tries to restrain a chuckle, taking a quick sip from her mug.

Kassima nods ruefully to the Master. "I may be Greystonian by blood 
m'self, but even I know better than t'be *content* with any price. Feh!" 
The greenrider gives a roll of her eyes--eyes that turn distinctly amused 
when they're focused on Grego. "Aye, quite likely. As Da used t'say, 
'There's one way that all Crafters are like Herders: they'll milk you for 
all you're worth.' But I digress; how much would this cost come to, when 
added to the original price?" She still seems to be having a hard time 
convincing her daughter to drink. The girl's golden irises are fixed 
solely on the Smith Apprentice, in a sort of eerie, solemn stare.

Grego wiggles a finger at the little, though his attention remains on her
mother. "Oh, not too horribly much," he says airily. "Say, three marks."

Kharisma watches the figure wiggle and waggle for only a moment before 
resuming her silent staring. It's downright uncanny, really. But Kassi 
does finally manage to get a bit of the milk down her throat. "Three 
*marks*?" she asks in incredulous disbelief, looking up. "To have it by 
when, tomorrow afternoon? D'you think I fell off the runner-muck wagon 
just this morning, Apprentice?"

Grego absently takes another swallow of the blue liquid in the beaker. 
"Well, ma'am, I wouldn't know that. It depends on when you got -on- the 
muck-wagon." His voice is one of utter innocence. "Would you happen to 
have a counter-offer?"

Allory comments quietly, "Why dont you pass me the beaker Grego?"

Grego grins rather ruefully, and does as Allory suggests. "It tastes good, 
at least."

"I do protest! I was never on the muck-wagon--or at least, I haven't been 
since I started paying heed to m'Aunt Tariani's advice." With a wink to 
Allory, Kassima adds, "My *Bitran* Aunt Tariani. As to a counter-offer, I 
think I can manage one. For half a mark extra, what say you have that 
stove ready in two months' time?"

Allory nods with a smile, "That's good, not ideal, but good."

Grego shakes his head, swallowing his klah, this time. "Ma'am, do you know 
what volume of commissions we have coming through here? Not to mention 
flamethrower repair and other routine chores. I couldn't take less than 
two and a half marks."

Grego adds, "To have the stove ready in two months."

With a glance down at her cider, the greenrider further inquires, "What's 
that blue stuff you're drinking, by the by? If'n you don't mind my asking, 
that is." Khari opens her mouth a bit as she, too, looks towards the blue 
liquid, thus allowing Kassi to subject her hapless child to yet more of 
the evil cow juice. "Ma'am? Please. I've said it a'fore, and I'll say it 
again: save that for women who are respectable. I'm just Kassima. Two and 
a half marks, y'say?" Her snort this time is nearly loud enough to be 
heard at Fort. "I was born in the dark, Apprentice, but 'twas nay last 
night! Three-quarters of a mark, and I'm being *more* than fair."

Allory replies, "Just food dye, it wont hurt him."

Grego nods at Allory's words. "Greenrider," he says, with a sigh. "I think 
you're underestimating our abilities here. It would take a lot of work to 
get the stove ready in such a short time. I really couldn't take less than 
two marks."

Kassima squints, peering rather consideringly at the blue stuff. "Is that 
the sort of dye that turns...? Ach, I shouldn't ask that! Forgive me. 
Besides, nay anyone sane would drink it if'n 'twere." She dismisses the 
thought with the faintest of shudders, then regards Grego with a green 
gaze just as level as Khari's gold one. "Overestimating, more like, if'n 
I'm convinced that you're capable of producing a fine piece of 
craftsmanship without it taking halfway to the next Interval, nor 
requiring a heavy bribe for the task. 'Tis you who's underestimating your 
abilities by arguing with me, Apprentice! I suppose *one* mark *might* be 
the sort of bribe Bradamante could part with, albeit with reluctance. 
Such generousity strains a soul when 'tis forced, and that'd be a 
magnanimous fee indeed. Why, for one mark, I'd expect it in a month and a 
half!"

Allory sips quietly from her mug, letting the scene play itself out.

Grego says helpfully, "If you're looking for a particular type of dye, 
greenrider, I just spent several months studying at the Weaver Hall. I 
wouldn't have a difficult time making some sort of dye, if you wanted. I 
could throw that in gratis. How about a mark and a half, and -two- 
months."

"A mark and a quarter, one month and three sevendays, plus the dye," 
Kassima retorts. "And for that matter, I don't suppose you could be 
convinced t'help me get Khari's mind off of you and on this milk as a part 
of the bargain? An entire extra *quarter mark* for a week and a short 
stint into the wonderful world of trying t'feed a spawnling would entice 
even the hardest of Bitrans, and you know it." Wow. Who would've thought 
that Kassi could lie so baldly and yet keep a straight face?

Grego just guffaws. "Rider, I'm the youngest in my family. I don't know 
anything about babies; I'm exactly the -wrong- person to help you with the 
kidlet." Of course, he's neglecting to mention his many nieces and 
nephews, two of whom Kassi actually knows. "And I can see a mark and a 
quarter, but it'd still have to be two months. I really couldn't committ 
to anything less than that."

Kassima tilts her head, regarding Grego with shrewd emerald eyes. "The 
dye, the feeding, two months, and a mark and a quarter, and you've got 
yourself a deal--*if'n* Bradamante consents." Since the bluerider didn't 
seem to care much about the price in the first place, getting that consent 
shouldn't be a stretch. "And, you'll agree t'show me right to the finest 
knives--the *real* finest knives, nay those jeweled showpieces--the next 
time I deal with you for weaponry. Have we a bargain?"

Grego shakes his head, with a rather strangled noise of protest. "I didn't 
agree to the feeding! And I always show you the best knives." He sounds 
almost offended.

Allory chuckles softly, "Even Toral's Grego?"

Grego shoots a quick look at Allory. "Well, Toral didn't have any ready, 
last time the greenrider was in need of a knife." Oh, look. Another hedge!

Kassima waggles her finger at Grego. "Then you shouldn't mind making a 
written promise t'do from now on a part of the bargain, do you? A'course, 
if'n you won't agree to aid me with Khari... well, I couldn't possibly pay 
over one and an eighth."

Grego shakes his head slowly. "A written promise...of course not. Farin, 
could you go get a hide?" That question is to a junior, who runs off on 
the errand. "But I don't see that feeding a little is such a big deal. A 
mark and a quarter."

"You'd understand," Kassima says at her driest, "what a big deal 'tis if'n 
you had children of your own. Imagine what Tria would say if'n I told her 
that her little brother objected so strenuously to aiding with one small 
thing, for one baby! You're nay afraid of children, are you? 'Tis hardly 
as though Kharisma could hurt you." Nope, she's not dangerous. Not at all. 
The daughter of two psychopathic greenriders, sure, both of whom are 
mentally imbalanced and one of whom has a definite thing for knives... but 
she's not at all dangerous. Of course not.

Grego gives Kassi a rather sour look. "Now, now. No need to mention this 
to my sister. A mark and an eighth, and -no- littles."

Allory chuckles softly, listening.

Kassima heaves a sigh, apparently having been willing to give up the extra 
eighth just to see Grego try and feed Khari. "Oh, very well. You'd 
probably put dye in her drink anyway, and that's the last thing I need 
t'deal with. Bargain struck--providing that Bradamante agrees, a'course." 
She holds out her hand to shake on it.

Grego moves to take Kassi's hand, snorting just a bit. "It wouldn't be a 
bad thing if her drink were purple or somethign. She'd probably like it 
better."

Kassima clasps the Apprentice's hand firmly, giving it a strong shake in 
retribution for the issue over the feeding. "I doubt she'd know what 
t'make of it. She's hardly old enough to have been exposed t'purple drinks 
yet. Now, as soon as that agreement is written up, I can be on m'way... 
unless you'd care t'make another bargain? I warn you, you'll never 
convince me t'leave the feeding off of the next one." And that's probably 
Faranth's own truth, judging by the impish sparkle in those eyes of hers.

Allory smiles, "May I hold her?"

Grego shakes his head quickly, with a grin. "But what dye were you 
wanting? That won't take near as long as the stove."

Kassima flashes Allory a surprised, but pleased smile. "Aye, Master, 
a'course you may." She sets the cup down and hoists Khari up by her 
middle, grinning at the girl's squeal. "Well, let's see. Could you make up 
any *green* dye, perchance? You know the purpose, I take it."

Grego's eyebrows lift just a bit. "Unless you're wanting to dye somebody's 
hair, like a nuisancy Weaver did to me, I don't know the purpose. I just 
like making dye." He grins suddenly, and suggests, "You could dye my 
sister green. She'd love it, I'm sure."

Allory reaches out for the little.

Kassima clears her throat, the tips of her ears turning a bit pink where 
they poke through her black hair. "Well... I *could* use some hair dye, 
but 'twas nay m'intent. What I was looking for was a certain kind of dye 
that turns... um... how to explain this?" She passes Khari over to Allory, 
grateful for the distraction that gives her a moment to think. "It turns 
the water of whoever drinks it the same color," she finally decides on.

Allory laughs, "You're as bad as Jaeleka." she informs the greenrider, 
settling the little in her lap.

Grego's eyebrows lift a little. "The...oh!" He looks absolutely delighted, 
guffawing quietly. "That's marvelous. It'll take a little longer, though. 
I'll have to ask around and see if one of the more experienced chemists 
know how to do that. Master Allory, do you?"

Allory mumbles something to the baby, grinning all the while.

Kharisma finally pulls her attention away from Grego, peering curiously up 
at the Smithcraft Master instead. She reaches up one curious hand to 
investigate that pretty red and white knot, whose like she probably hasn't 
seen before. "Isn't it, though?" Kassi says in the meanwhile, her grin one 
of sheer wickedness. "'Twas Maylia, Tierth's rider, who told me of it. 
There's a certain pair of brownriders I'm *dying* to try it on--pun 
unintended--and if'n you could manage green, purple, or pink, I'd be 
forever in your debt."

Grego inquires quickly, "C'vadan, is it? And I can make a lovely purple. 
I'm just not sure what it'd take for the color to stay long enough."

Allory comments as she snuggles the baby, "Not pink, red's are hard on 
people."

Grego nods at Allory's words. "The purple's got the blue in it, too, 
though. Master, have you ever made dye like that? Or, rather, do you know 
how that'd be done?"

Allory smiles sweetly, "I'll discuss it with you later Grego."

Grego grins brightly. "Okay, Master. Thanks."

Kassima nods in affirmation. "C'vadan and M'rgan, aye. If'n pink won't 
work, that's fine... blue or green would do; really, any color would, but 
I somehow find the idea of purple t'be just plain hilarious. I suspect 
either one of 'em would kill me if'n I dyed their hair, so that will have 
t'be regretfully postponed for another time."

Allory nods, "Blue hair was hard to explain at craft council meetings."

After a few moments of batting at the Big Knot thing, Khari gives a tiny 
sigh and snuggles back against the Master Smith. It's good to be the 
baby.

Grego looks decidedly pleased. "C'vadan. How marvelous! I'll get the dye 
to you as soon as possible--but I'd rather send it with a watchrider or 
have you come get it than actually deliver it in person. I wouldn't want 
Tria to know that I was involved." Grego's shudder is only partly feigned. 
He peers at Allory for a moment, then grins. "That's right." His gaze 
drops to the baby for a moment, and, yup, he smiles.

Allory leans in to softly give the baby a kiss on the forehead, watching 
the little tenderly.

Kassima winks at Grego. "If'n it comes by watchrider, and anyone asks, 
'twill say 'twas a delivered commission of knives. They'll believe that of 
me. I swear t'you, I'll tell you all about their reactions if'n it works!" 
Her own smile softens as she watches her daughter over the rim of her 
cider mug. "Y'know," she comments, "I should bring m'eldest over here 
sometime. She's only three, but the Weyrleader has said that she's 
destined t'be a Master Smith more than once. Mostly because she likes 
t'hit things--and when she was younger, those things included him."

Grego winces just a bit at the mention of a three turn-old with a penchant 
for hitting things. "You don't let her play with your knives, do you?"

Allory laughs softly, "She's welcome anytime."

Kassima just snorts at that. "Do I look like a murderer t'you? Wait, don't 
answer that. Let me rephrase: do I look like a murderer of m'own children 
t'you? Play with knives, indeed! She'll only be old enough for real knives 
when she's at least six, more likely eight. For now, her only knife is a 
little one carved of wood. She's rather fond of it." With a laugh, she 
adds, "A'course, if'n she did come here, she'd probably take after one of 
m'fire-lizards and become so enamoured of a toy that her escort would have 
t'buy it for her. I have t'be careful about where I take either of 
m'little kleptos--Kaylira, or Kyril either one!"

Allory chuckles softly, "Jazmin's are just as bad, although she hasnt 
brought the youngest pair to visit yet."

Grego grins at Kassi. "Can't say that you do," he says agreeably, 
swallowing another mouthful of klah. "I suppose even a blunted knife'd be 
dangerous."

Kassima asks with interest, "I take it you know Jazmin? Her children are 
wonderfully interesting sorts... Jaeleka's looking to apprentice as a 
Harper, y'know. And unless I'm grieviously behind in m'news from home, 
that youngest pair would be the twins who are half-brothers to Khari. I 
can't wait t'hear how they turn out." To Grego, she nods with all 
seriousness. "Da didn't let me near a practice knife until he started 
teaching me t'fight at eight, and true blades only a bit a'fore I started 
'throwing at eleven. The wood, at least, is too light t'cause real 
damage."

Grego nods his agreement, with a rather rueful smile. "Well, yeah. Except 
splinters. But if you sand it enough, it's fine."

Allory nods to Kassi, "I snuck out of the Hall to go and visit her when 
Yazric was born." she smiles, "The twins are growing like weeds, into 
everything."

Grego glances between the two women, grinning as he finally recognizes a 
name. "Yazric," he notes. "I met him when I went messangering to Ista." 
Then he blinks. "Oh, that's right. He sends his greetings, Master."

Kassima chuckles. "That'd be a'fore my time," she admits. "Jazmin and 
Chaeth didn't pick me up on Search until just after Jae was born, if'n 
memory serves aright. I'll have t'visit soon...." Her voice is wistful, 
and holds more than a touch of old-fashioned homesickness. "I've nay had 
half so much time for travel as I'd like lately, but I'll just see about 
fixing that. Mayhaps I'll get t'see the lads m'self. Yazric's a fine young 
man, if'n I may say so; he spoke of his dragonhealing studies when he came 
t'Telgar one eve. Admirable. Naught that I'd want t'do, but still, 
admirable."

Allory nods, "It's often hard to find time to travel, even if you can go 
'tween to get there." she shifts the infant in her arms, content to 
snuggle the small one, "Did he Grego, I'll have to visit him sometime, 
speaking of visiting."

Grego nods, bending down to peer at the baby, wiggling one rather blueish 
finger at her. He lifts his gaze to Allory, noting, "I spoke with Yazric 
about three months ago, though, ma'am."

Allory chuckles, "Ah well, I'm sure the greetings still holds."

Kharisma, in turn, is quite content to be snuggled... until that 
interesting blue finger wafts into her field of vision. Curiouser and 
curiouser. In the way of any human child, upon seeing what she wants, she 
makes a grab for it. "Khari's going t'be as much of a klepto as Kay, if'n 
I don't watch it... m'self, I've been neglecting m'friends else-Weyr 
shamefully. But between duties, the spawnlings, and Lysseth's naggings 
about going t'Boll, the opportunity never seems to arise."

Grego grins, agreeably letting his finger be grabbed--or chewed, as the 
case may be. "It looks like you could leave this lass here with Master 
Allory sometime," he tells Kassi, with a grin. "Or Tria, I bet. She was 
grouching about littles the last time she visited."

Allory smiles softly, "Littles are always welcome, Tria has her own 
littles to care for."

The baby does indeed haul this finger thing over to her mouth to chomp on 
for awhile. Fortunately for a small while, because she does have a couple 
of teeth now, and a longer while would probably be less than pleasant. Her 
face screws up in a displeased expression, and she spits out the offending 
digit. "Must be the dye," Kassi grins. "Tria's wonderful with Kay and 
Khari, i'truth. Kay's been calling her 'Auntie Moo' lately. I'd be more 
than pleased t'bring Kay here for a time at least, though, if'n 'twould 
nay be minded... exposure to the world can never hurt, though some would 
debate that exposure to *Kay* can. If'n you think Khari's sweet now, you 
should only see her when she's screaming and wailing fit to raise the dead 
and make 'em stuff pillows in her mouth to shut her up."

Allory laughs softly, "Kay is welcome to come." she grins, "I doubt I ever 
will know the joys of littles in the cothold, I'm getting a bit old to 
have my own."

Kassima asks wryly, "Ever tried the Benden Water? I was fairly certain 
that I'd lead a spawnless life, but then C'vadan tricked me into drinking 
the Water right a'fore one of Lysseth's flights, and I wound up with 
Kaylira. K'rick's t'blame for the dosage that gave me Kharisma, though 
Jh'rin a'course did his part. 'Tis truly powerful stuff."

Grego guffaws rather belatedly at 'Auntie Moo', absently wiping his finger 
on his shirt. "Water?" he asks skeptically. "Water can't do -that-."
Allory's look echos Grego's skeptism.

Kassima shakes her head, apparently as serious about this as she ever 
gets--to say nothing of fervent. Kassima is a Believer. "Oh, but it can! 
You can circumvent its powers by just living celibate for awhile, 
a'course; even it can't do the impossible. More's the pity. If'n it could 
get a man pregnant, I know three or four or five... hundred whom I'd 
probably trick into drinking it. But I digress. Drink the Water, and 
you're almost guaranteed t'spawn children eventually."

Allory chuckles, "Eventually I think is the key."

Kassima does admit, "It works best if'n you're tricked into it, I think. I 
was tricked thrice, and have two children; Asrai was tricked once, and now 
has triplets. Coincidence? I think nay."

Grego finishes off his klah and gets up to retrieve his beaker from 
Allory, then blinks. "Triplets? Faranth. Mum said that twins was bad 
enough."

Allory shudders, "Triplets? Thos would kill me." she comments absently.

Kassima bobs her head in a firm affirmative. "Triplets. By K'nan, one of 
our evillest greenriders--they'll definitely be a trio to watch. I pity 
their fosterer, though. And I'm fervently glad that I've only two m'self, 
at decent spans apart; if'n I bore triplets, I think Simaeva--she's the 
one who fosters Kay, and will Khari in due time--would strangle me!"

Grego shakes his head just a bit, then gives Allory a long look. "Thos?" 
he inquires.

Allory blushes a bit, "Er. Nothing."

Grego asks innocently, "That's the Craftmaster's nickname, isn't it, 
Master?"

Kassima quirks a half-grin at that name. "Ah, Master Tanghos... I remember 
him from when he was a Weyrsmith down at Benden. I've heard say that he 
can craft some bloody fine knives. I bought one of his make as a gift 
once, and it went over swimmingly--with a proddy goldrider, of all 
people." She slides another look at Grego, incapable of trusting anyone 
who looks and sounds so innocent.

Allory nods to Grego, resigned, "It is." she nods to Kassi, "We generally 
dont have deadbeats as Craftmasters." she smiles.

Grego exchanges glances with Emalethe, then asks Allory, his manner one of 
innocent curiosity, "Why would he care, Master?"

"I'd never presume t'think it, Master," Kassima replies with a smile of 
her own that is followed shortly by a sigh. "Unfortunately, I really 
should be getting back to the Weyr a'fore Khari starts howling, deafens us 
all, and damages Weyr-Craft relations beyond repair. I hope that we'll see 
you at the Festival night that Telgar's holding in a sevenday or two. 
Apprentice, has that written promise been made out yet?"

Allory shoots Grego one of 'those' looks and smiles to Kassi, "I wouldnt 
miss it for the world."

Grego has actually been writing all along. Really. He nods, handing the 
hide over to Kassi, then immediately subsides, mumbling a bit of an 
apology to Allory.

Kassima takes the hide with a flourish, reads it over carefully, and only 
then tucks it into her pocket. "A true pleasure doing business with you 
then, Smiths," she states, bowing as best she can; a curtsey would, after 
all, be impractical given that she isn't wearing a skirt. She's Kassi, 
after all. Kassi in a skirt on a non-Gather day is too ludicrous to even 
contemplate. "Thankee for the refreshments... and for being so good to 
m'daughter, Master. I'm certain that she, like I, will always be left with 
a favorable impression of the Smithcraft."

Allory chuckles quietly as she passes back the baby, "Well Kay is always 
welcome to come and visit the Hall."

Grego smiles as he intones, "Nice doing business with you, greenrider."

Kassima gathers her daughter up in her arms, her expression brightening by 
a degree or two once her child is back with her. After planting a kiss on 
the small brow, she nods to the two with a broad smile. "Duties to the 
Smithcraft and her Masters. Grego, I can't wait t'hear how your 
experiments with the dye go." With that, and a wink, she turns to stride 
out of the room.

With a tug, you open the door and are greeted with the cacophony of noise 
coming from the work hall as you walk out.