Precession

“Hells” Morai sighed with a smile as the shuttle bounced against the arms barricade and back under the silk where it was difficult to reach. She was moving too fast. The elf lifted herself up from the stool and shook her arms out with a chuckle, as she tried to let some of the pent up energy go. She hadn’t realized how much she was holding in. She needed to get some exercise. Within a few strides she had shed the dress and scooped up her aerial silks. Some exercise would help work out the anxiousness from the last couple days. Besides, it had been two days sense she had run through a routine. She had been too busy trying to prepare for travel, the combat a couple days ago still fresh in her mind. Some exercise and then she would get right back to her loom.
 
…
 
The Tiefling peered into the rafters to the side of the huge net. He shook his head in amazement, “even in my younger days” he said quietly. The spinning figure he watched twisted and was suddenly spinning on a horizontal axis to the side of the rope at an impossible speed. Just as quick, the two silk strands spit in two then and the figure hung between them in an upside down splits with the silks wrapped around her legs and held by he feet on either side. A long strand of the fabric almost touched the floor from her arms that pointed toward the hard marble below. She hung for a long moment before the figure glanced around the ground below, head twisting back, and she spotted him. He could see her frame tense for a moment and release tension of some sort. The elf lowered herself, much too fast for his comfort, the great distance to the ground before stopping herself just short of the hard floor with her head and righted herself. She twisted on her feet to face toward him, still holding the silk and flicked one loosening the strands from the ceiling and pulled the fluttering cloth into a bundle and stuffed it back in a sack.
“I was able to procure your request” he told her as he patted the parcel he carried.
The girls eyes lit up and a smile spread. “Thank you Theemon” she replied, though she made no move to take the parcel.
“Will our agreement come to an end then?” The old trifling asked. "You are off on some grand adventure I hear?"
She shook her head no and mischief danced around her sideways glance.
“No, I have a little more time before the group I met sets out. I have some preparations to be about before we leave and will require a place to rest a while longer.”
He was glad to hear it and it showed on his face. He nodded and extended his arm for her. As she slung her bag over her left shoulder she took his arm and allowed him to lead her from the gym.
“Well let us get to the workshop work a little longer then. You can finish the ruby rose requisition then before you go hopefully”
A laugh escaped her. "Ha, I told you I had agreed to fulfil the request from the cleric. I presume you got more thread from the gnomes. It will only be a day or two more"
The Tiefling nodded and patted her hand where she held his arm. "Your help has been appreciated. And I hope the coin earned well spent. Nearly eighty gold for some silk thread seems far too much for an outfit meant for travel. Unless you intend on attending some sort of court or party on this journey?"
Her dark lips pursed as she exhaled "Oh, I wouldn't mind. But no. I'm not sure where Fate may bring us. They didn't even seem sure amongst them selves." She shrugged off her concern, "But then again, the thread rarely is able to see the work it is used to craft."
"Well, it will be good for you to get out and see more of the material plane. You have had your head in your work for too long Morai. Barely of age and you already seem as consumed by your work as a kobold." She knew he was teasing but it still stung a little.
"I'll try Theemon. And if you are lucking I might even bring you a nice wine or something back?." she said looking up at his wrinkled smile.
"I would appreciate that. I'm afraid the bottle of ochre jelly spirits has been polished off. Maybe something a little smoother next time?"
 
…
 
Morai ran her hand over the garment's tassels admiring the gold thread work for a moment longer before wrapping it in twill and twine.
She looked about the empty shop. Theemon having retired a couple hours before. The fires crackle had died down an hour before.
She considered what she would need for the trip ahead again. It seemed a mystery.
Three days until they would meet again. Not much time but enough that she could prepare a single garment for travel. "Well, something more than a cantrip this time then."
The elf considered the encounter with the snails and glass constructs. The thought made her stomach flutter but also creased her face with concern.
She reached for the parcel of spools Theemon had procured for her and nodded, resolving again to follow where fate may lead despite the danger. She reached to her neck and plucked the necklace, setting it on the table. A moment later the shop was empty and quiet.