The pair is getting some attention from passers-by - after all, not only are they both beautiful, but they're royalty from the castle, and they caused a stirr the other day. People in Amber do not forget gossip, unless commanded to. And then they still remember it, but whisper it via more secret means.

The blue-eyed woman shows Jon a pair of sheaths that are both rather plain and will fit the knife. She asks whether he will take it now, or would like her to send his purchase to the castle.

Jon chooses the sheath that best fits. "I'll be taking it now, if that is OK.  Please sent the bill to Rian at the castle care of Jon Hawk, if that is acceptable."  he smiles "You shop makes fine blades, do you also take custom work? And who would your consider your equivalent for armor and shields."

The blue-eyed woman confirms that they do custom work. Still hasn't smiled, but she goes so far as to tap her chin with one finger and solemnly gaze down the street before she answers Jon's second question. The armorer that she directs him to is in a fancier quarter of the town's mercantile side, and is in fact an armorer currently very busy with a custom job from another royal, but she gives Jon the armorer's name and directions to reach him.

He's welcome to take his dagger and its sheath today.

*nods* "Thank you." he put the sheathed knife on his belt. Jon mentally files the armor's name away. "For the custom work, do you do the engraving and carving work in-house?"

A very serious nod.

Ariadne looks for holsters for her handaxes.

It's easy to find holsters for axes that Ariadne purchased from this particular shop, in an array of colors, although they mostly trend dark: dark grays, dark blues, one dark purple-indigo, dark greens. The smell of leather is rich and warm...

And when Ariadne finds what she wants, the blue-eyed woman asks her the same question Jon was asked. Will she be taking them to go or shall they be brought to the castle?

Other merchants are enviously regarding the blacksmith/weaponsmith who managed to snag royal attention. That's envy, right? Or open curiosity?...

Ariadne opts to take them with her, in the indigo purple combination

Jon smiles as Ari picks out her matching sheaths he turns his attention back to the shopkeeper "This was meant as a quick visit, so should I schedule sometime with you to discuss the custom work?" he asks

"As milord wishes," the blue-eyed woman says. The subtext is absolutely the people of Amber are at the beck and call of the royal family of Amber.

*chuckles* "OK, what time would work best for you in two days?  I don't want to inconvenience your shop."

OOC: that would be day 7 and nothing needs RPed out, we can PM it and see if it is doable.

The blue-eyed woman makes a note. She is laconic, so does not otherwise try to keep Jon or Ariadne around.

Onward? That address must be burning a hole in Jon's pocket, as nice as this detour was... Perhaps both Ariadne and Jon are beginning to feel like they know the city a little more, with their return visits to certain merchants. The neighborhoods still hold many mysteries--city centers always do.

OOC: Whatever you like!

Ariadne was ready to move on

OOC: Ready to move on.

"Good. I'll see you in a couple of days." he looks to Ari "Ready?" seeing her nod.  They head out.

OOC: Incorporated Ari's previous post.

Ariadne nodded to Jon and left with him.  Looking around the neighborhood,  she vowed to try coming into town solo, to get used to navigating,  so to speak,  on her own.  It was, she was embarrassed to admit,  a nervous thought,  since she was worried about attacks from the grey jerks.  Not wanting to travel through a city alone, even one a large as Amber, was very uncomfortable for a woman who regularly traveled thru Los Angeles alone, not to mention her solo cross country trips.

OOC: So Jon, you're going directly to the address now? Just making sure...

OOC: That is correct, unless Ari needs something else. Or we need to slay some monsters.  Or save Cabbages.

The royals are being followed by guards, just in case. They managed to be rather subtle about it, not because they're sneaking or hiding, but because this is just part of their duties now until the king says otherwise. Neither of these guards are the ones Ariadne and Jon spoke to just the other day.

The alley down which the old woman (Grizelda's) house is is relatively quiet and the doors aren't numbered, but the address included 'blue door' in it, and this is the right street, and there are two blue doors. One is bluer than the other, maybe.

A gang of kids watch with interest, from a safe distance.

Jon will knock on the bluest door first

The gang of kids seem like they're having a hard time not staring at Ariadne in particular. The sound of a stick thwacked against a wall echoes...

The bluest door opens and there's a middle aged woman with silvering hair. She looks, shall we say, extremely surprised by the guests on her doorstep.

"May I help milord and mi," a pause, almost a gasp, but she rallies, "milady?"

Jon nods "Yes, Ma'am, I am looking for Lady Grizelda's residence. The directions I was given were this street and a blue door.  So I started on the bluest door. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience."

Ari stood a little bit back from Jon, trying to look friendly and mostly non threatening

The gang of children has casually snuck closer to hear whatever's going to happen. The shortest one is just flat-out staring at Ariadne now, the expression tinged with awe.

They all snicker when Grizelda is called 'Lady' by Jon, then try to 'hide' by pressing themselves flat against the wall.

The woman looks taken aback, and a little alarmed. "Begging your pardon, milord, but what could you want with my aunt?"

Jon smiles warmly "There was a an accident that she was indirectly involved with the other day.  And I wanted to make sure that she is OK." his tone is sincere and tinged with genuine concern.

Ariadne raised an eye in amusement at the nearby kids.  She was used to the attention,  though,  so didn't feel too out of place