For want of a Stove

A fair day, all told. It is somewhat chilled and windy, but it is not chilled, windy, and a deluge. A day to gather supplies or browse the markets, perhaps, and it seems that Verna is no different. Presently, she walks towards the eastern section of the market, departing a smattering of butcher and farm stands to move towards more manufactured dry goods.

Ahead of her and slightly to the left, is Auranar, talking to one of the vendors who happens to be selling bread. She talks to her animatedly, using her hands for emphasis and clearly picking out a few flat breads from those that are being offered by the rotund baker. After paying for the breads and placing them into a bag to hang from her arm Auranar starts to wander off further down the market; clearly she is out for a bit of shopping.

Verna's thoughts are somewhat occupied as she walks... until she spies the crimson-clothed sylvanori departing a bread booth. While not one to especially favor the concept of serendipity... it is still ... a convenient circumstance of statistical probability. Her course alters to an Auranar-er direction.

It is not until she is quite near that she speaks up, as it is, in greeting. "Good day to you, Auranar." She is not loud, which may explain the delay as an alternative to shouting across the market. "How fare you?"

Thankfully, Auranar actually notices Verna before the other woman speaks up, and thus is not surprised when Verna greets her. She is already in fact, turning toward Verna when the other woman speaks up, and there's a light smile of recognition and pleasure on her lips at the sight of the gray-robed Vardaman. "Good day to you too Verna. I am doing well, how are you?"

"The day transpires," Verna responds with a slight pause in thought, "not as expected, though pleasantly so. It is good to see you again outside of the library." Somewhere in the response, perhaps triggered by Auranar's, a small smile forms briefly. "You are renewing supplies, I presume?"

A flash of a grin spreads across Auranar's face. "One can not live off books alone I'm afraid." She offers with a light laugh at her own joke and nods. "Yes, I'm picking up some things to make dinner. I might have to see about a more permanent residence in the city soon; it's becoming a bit difficult without a stove to cook on, and the inn I sleep in doesn't provide one in their rooms for obvious reasons."

"Indeed," Verna agrees with the statement, which is true with or without humor. "I did not realize that you did not have a ... more permanent residence. I suppose it was a presumption, and one I rarely give thought to as I am allotted a vault in the temple. Does the inn not offer adequate and affordable meals? There are others that do."

"Oh the food at the inn is fine!" Auranar shakes her head. "But one does tend to get tired of the same fair night after night and..." She offers a half shrug. "I don't really have the connections necessary for more permanent residency. That's one of the reason I take on work from the Adventurer's guild from time to time but... It's dangerous work, and I fear I'm not terribly suited to it." She smiles slightly. "If only I could get someone to pay me to read all day!"

That last thought sparks a new slender smile. "Were there such a lucrative opportunity, we might find ourselves competitors, residing in our own castles, or both." Following that, she considers the prior ones of inn fare.

"What of another inn or establishment?" Verna inquires. "Something new and different? You should not be forced to choose between a repetitious meal and a cold one, especially with the cooling season."

The thought of them competing for such work has Auranar laughing again lightly and she nods before considering the rest of Verna's words and then shrugging. "I shouldn't complain really. I've food to eat, and a roof over my head but... Part of me misses the ability to cook for myself. Living in an inn really doesn't have the same feeling as having a home that's yours... even if you share it with others." She seems to think about it a moment. "It's something to think about at least, perhaps I'll look around for an inn that will allow me the use of their facilities."

While that was not quite Verna's initial thought, Auranar's mention of cooking for herself brings all into better context and clarity. Albeit one Verna cannot offer much aid nor commiseration with. "There are bound to be options, though I do not have any suggestions nor guidance. My home has been the temple and my fare that of the same or the inns for many years. I do not know what I would do with a space of my own if I obtained such..." A thought pondered and, despite her claim, she does come to one possible conclusion rather quickly, "aside from collecting a library."

Auranar laughs at that. "Indeed. If I had my own space a library of sorts would certainly be among the first of the things I would obtain." She makes a small sound of amusement. "It's a shame you don't get out more. There's a world of things to try." She sighs and looks at her bread woefully. "Would that I could share a few with you, but it's currently beyond my abilities."

"That is a lapse that I now attempt to correct," Verna notes concerning her shame, "care of insight from a rather wise and astute woman." Her hood tilts at the latter comment. "Somehow, I expect that it is more a limitation of circumstance than ability. What did you have in mind?" 'World of things' may be broad, but her interest seems piqued nonetheless.

"At the moment? Food. Though I do admit that I have something of a bias on that as I am quite hungry at the moment." Auranar seems amused with this statement and turns toward her basket. "I wish I could make you something I learned to make in Llyranost! They don't sell it here at all, but it's quite delicious."

The elvish woman hums and then shrugs. "It will have to wait until I can find a place that will allow me the use of their stove unfortunately."

-End