Thread: Shadows of Nurontha

RE Shadows of Nurontha Ron picked himself up and followed Cleo into the building. Ron liked to look around even if he had seen it more times than he could remember. Cleo was an artisan in leathercraft, making both decorative items and clothing. She found out from a very early age she had a gift for working leather, and at the age of eleven had apprenticed with a leatherworking guild. She had superceded the majority of the guild by the time she was sixteen and had returned to her family with the guild's higest honors. She found her own shop when she was of age to own her own property, at the age of nineteen, and had been here ever since. Ron always appreciated how Cleo was able to create the things she did, from mundane leather shirts to one very impressive life-sized leather replica of an eagle. The eagle she kept suspended from the ceiling and had a few painters work on the detailing. Ron was staring up when he felt her punch him in the gut. OUCH! Ron yelped rubbing where she hit him. Cleo glared up at him intently. Ron was a good shade above six feet tall but right now he felt like he was shorter than Cleo. She had a way of making someone feel very very inadequate in her presence. Are you done acting like an ass or you going to help me?? she growled out at him. Ron winced and finally muttered out his apologies to her, Cleo, I'm really sorry about the flowers. I had a spot of trouble last night and I misjudged where I was going an... She cut him off, Yes! I know what you were doing last night! In fact, the whole of the village knows! She stomped away and grabbed up a pad of leather, apparently the same one she hit him with earlier. You are about the crudest and messiest ranger I have ever met! Leaving a corpse of one of those THINGS behind and then running off and smashing my FLOWERS! She turned a bit red as she said that last part. Cleo, I can go get you some more if it'll help, Ron said trying to calm her down. Cleo walked back up to him and bashed him with the pad of leather. Do you have any idea what kind of flowers those were? Ron shook his head. Truthfully, I don't. I never seen flowers sparkle like that. Cleo's eyes were getting a little misty and she turned away. Those were starblossom roses. She gave out a huff. You can only get those seeds when they're in full bloom. And they only fully bloom once every two years. She walked into her backroom leaving Ron scratching his head. Ron felt a little guilty now, not because of the flowers, but because Cleo was really mad at him. He was thinking of how long it would take for her to forgive him this time. He took off his jacket and gunblade and stowed them behind her counter so he wouldn't scare off customers. She came back out a couple minutes later and threw a rather large bundle of leather at him. Go make yourself useful you big ox, she said pointing at a workbench. Don't cut them so thick this time, I'm making pants not armor! Ron took the leather over to the workbench and laid it out and rooted out a pair of large shears. He looked back over to her, Cleoreina Villaflor, I really am sorry. She didn't seem to hear him, as she was working on stretching some leather she had over a mirror. For an hour or so they said nothing to one another. Cleo answered the people who came strolling in asking her about various things she was working on, or to pick up things she had finished. Ron noticed on particular item was a small unicorn that was painted in typical girl colors. The woman that picked it up was so impressed she promised Cleo some meat pies the next week when the livestock were to be butchered again. Things didn't change much until it was mid-afternoon when Cleo finally walked over to where Ron was working. She looked at the cut leather and finally spoke to him again. I swear Ron, you are the most difficult man to get along with, she said with a softer voice. She looked up at him and gave a sort of devilish smirk, I might not forgive you this time though. She gathered up the leather and told him to take a break. A few minutes later she came out with some honey cakes on some small plates and tea in some rather large cups. Thanks Cleo, Ron said as he took a bite. Cleo studied him a moment and said in a harsher voice, If you ever call me Cleoreina again like that I swear I will use those shears and practice my gelding techniques on you. Ron choked on the cake a bit and Cleo casually sipped at her tea. When they were done Cleo took the plates and cups away and came back out. She was giggling to herself slightly. What now? Ron asked cautiously. Cleo gave him that smirk again, Oh I was just enjoying how pale you turned a moment ago. She looked up at a clock on the wall. Well I've tortured you enough for one day. Those should be enough for awhile. Cleo turned to look at the door, then turned her head and looked over her shoulder. You should be going. I bet Minteur is wondering whether or not I sewed you into a sack by now. She winked and walked into the back again. And I'm still mad at you! she called out. Ron gathered his things and left, muttering a little. He figured since it was still daylight he'd chance a stroll closer to the village square. He headed that way at a brisk pace, not wanting to give Cleo a chance to change her mind.