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Aurelio Menegi: The two-story brick building that Petra was directed to by Aurelio was one of a number of similar buildings that lined this particular street in the northern part of South Philadelphia, simple in its construction but sturdy enough to have survived the decades without much fuss. The Torrent stood outside the front door of the building while he waited, dressed in his usual all-black ensemble and appearing in high spirits by all telling.
Petra Fichette: Petra came to visit, dressed down in jeans and a halter top and schlepping a leather messenger bag with her that was stuffed with papers and such. She eyed the place curiously, then knocked on the door.
Aurelio Menegi: Aurelio gave Petra a smile as she approached, opening the door into the building. The first floor had a quartet of apartments, paired with a set of six mailboxes nestled into the wall by the front door and a set of stairs heading up to the second floor; he led her towards the apartment in the back left corner, eyeing the bag curiously. "Bueno sera. Things going well, I hope?"
Petra Fichette: "Very well!" she agreed with a chirp in her voice. "Nice to see you again, how are you doing? I hope this isn't a bad time, I can come back later if you're busy."
Aurelio Menegi: "Doing well, and no, not a bad time. Was taking a break from a piece while it anneals." He opened the door to the apartment, revealing the space within to be of a decent size and kept neat, entering into a living room area with a kitchen beyond and doors along one wall that likely went into the bedroom and whatnot. The electronics were older but still serviceable - TV in the corner, closed laptop on the kitchen table, that sort of thing - and a small collection of drawings and other art dotted the walls here and there.
Petra Fichette: Petra chuckled and stepped in at the implicit invitation. "This is nice," she complemented. "I love the drawings." She hovered, not quite willing to just pick a place to sit though she clearly wanted to. "Well! If you have the time, I thought I might pick your brain and possibly your skills for a small-T token."
Aurelio Menegi: "Thank you. Some are mine, others are from local artists." Aurelio made an 'after you' motion towards the couch as she eyed the seating arrangements, continuing on towards the kitchen. "Would be happy to help if I can. Care for a drink?"
Petra Fichette: "Stars yes. I'm not one to turn down a drink. Well, sometimes I am, but that's neither here nor there!"
Aurelio Menegi: He chuckled at the response, opening his fridge to confirm what he had on hand. "There's water, juice, can get some coffee going...up to you."
Petra Fichette: "Italian style coffee?" she asked, perking up curiously. "I could certainly be swayed."
Aurelio Menegi: "That I can do." With that he closed the fridge and put a kettle of water on to heat up, setting the percolator on the counter and getting the coffee loaded into the proper chamber. "What sort of token are you looking into?"
Petra Fichette: Petra blushed enough that it showed on her darker skin. "Well the mundane sort first off," she admitted. "Guy's asked for a sign though, and I wanted to give him something special... something that will last alongside him."
Aurelio Menegi: "Ah...I see." Aurelio nodded with a small smile, leaning against the counter as he looked Petra over. "A coin might work there, engraved with what you choose. Seen that done before."
Petra Fichette: "I've had a few ideas, but I don't have any practical skills at making something, and Hedgespinning... well, he's not one of us and I'd rather he have something he'd be able to keep close. I want something clever, a hidden trick or compartment perhaps. You mention a coin, have you seen that one on the internet that is so finely and minisculely crafted that is has a sheathed sword that could be drawn from it?"
Aurelio Menegi: "Right..." He gave another nod, an eyebrow arching at the mention of the coin. "Don't believe so. Not so skilled with metal myself, mostly wood and glass. Could do a puzzle box for what you wish to give, perhaps."
Petra Fichette: "I was hoping you might agree to something of the sort." She beamed. "Maybe something that could take him a few years to actually solve with space to hide something the size of a ring inside it?"
Aurelio Menegi: "That kind of complex work may take some doing, but I'm up for a challenge." He smiled in return, looking back towards the stove as the kettle sounded. A minute or so later and the water was loaded into the percolator and the whole contraption set onto the stove top to do its thing. "Would you need it by a particular time?"
Petra Fichette: "There's no due date," she said with a tilt of her lips. "It's not a school project. I'm having a ring made for him too, so it'll make a nice 'gift box' for it- especially if it takes him a decade to open."
Aurelio Menegi: "Right...making sure you didn't need it for a birthday or the like." He nodded, posting up against the counter once again. "Will work on designs and show you what I come up with."
Petra Fichette: "Sounds great. I've got a few of my own doodles- not that they're anything like art or a template to base anything on, but it might give you an idea of my headspace in this." She dug in her bag and offered him a well worn notebook with most of the pages already missing. Inside were a few photos of the forest, her feather form, and very sketchy sketches of Spring flowers and emblems.
Aurelio Menegi: "Indeed." Aurelio moved towards where she was sitting and took the notebook, looking over what was within. "Nice work, by the way."
Petra Fichette: The last bit in the book was a professional cad sketch of a ring with thorn swirls and a dark garnet cabochon suitable for a man's hand with a hidden compartment in the interior of the band.
She snorted a bit. "Yes, I'm obviously an incredible artist. But at least it might help with a starting point?"
Aurelio Menegi: "No joke meant...you get what you have in mind on paper, and that is what matters." He watched Petra for a moment to see how that landed before nodding. "It will, yes."
Petra Fichette: She gave him a little bow. "So! Now that the fun part is out of the way, down to the brass tacks. How much will such an endeavor put me back?"
Aurelio Menegi: Aurelio thought on that a moment, offering the notebook back. "Would one fifty be workable?"
Petra Fichette: "That's..." Petra pinched her nose and exhaled. "That's ridiculous and would barely cover material costs, I'm sure. How about raising that an order of magnitude? I do have a real job with money and everything."
Aurelio Menegi: "Never said you didn't...apologies if I offended." And the Torrent did look apologetic, for what that was worth. "Will look into the material cost first and go from there, if that will work?"
Petra Fichette: "That sounds good." She smiled faintly. "Don't forget to pay yourself too, as well as cover costs." Petra offered him a taloned hand to shake. "So how has summer been treating you?"
Aurelio Menegi: "Indeed. Little too used to having others set the price, perhaps...that and things are so much more these days." He nodded, shaking her hand firmly. He then headed back to the kitchen as the percolator started to hum, removing it from the stove top before setting up cups for the two of them. "Well enough. Did my part against the roots, been on a few patrols here and there since to keep an eye on things, plus some personal projects. You?"
Petra Fichette: "Patched folk up after all that," she said agreeably. "But it's been quite since then for me. I've been busy, but only with mundane things, unfortunately."
Aurelio Menegi: "Not a bad thing, that. Both sides are important to keep in balance." He nodded quietly. "Do you wish to be more busy in the thorns?"
Petra Fichette: "In the thorns specifically? Ah, not particularly. I don't relish tromping around trying to avoid getting eaten to be honest, but more involved in the freehold and courts... yes."
Aurelio Menegi: "As do I, in truth." Once the coffee was poured and properly doctored Aurelio brought the cups to the living room, handing one to Petra before claiming a seat for himself. "Not sure of the best way to do it, though."
Petra Fichette: "More Summer tournaments and practice sessions," Petra suggested with a grin. "I'll come watch and cheer, y'all will get better at whacking at each other, and I'll patch you back up if you break. Wins all the way around."
Aurelio Menegi: "That's one way, yes. Arranging such is not my strong suit, though." Aurelio chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee before he continued. "Our court has makers, but not as their main focus."
Petra Fichette: "Yeah." She smirked. "Maybe you should start an 'anything you can do, I can do better' competition. That'd suit makers."
Aurelio Menegi: "...perhaps." He let that thought percolate, sitting back in his seat. "We all have our focuses, could be interesting."
Petra Fichette: "Probably a bit less bloody, but it'd be fun to see," she mused. "And anyone could participate with Hedgespinning."
Aurelio Menegi: "Indeed. It's a thought, at least."
Petra Fichette: "Though I'm sure something will pop up and screw us over soon enough. Heard anything on that front?"
Aurelio Menegi: "Nothing of note, no. Not complaining much, though...after the last some breathing room is a good thing."
Petra Fichette: "Certainly no complaints," she agreed heartily, then sighed happily as she finished her coffee. "But give me a call if anything interesting happens. I'll help out... or hang out and watch." She winked.
Aurelio Menegi: "Will do." Aurelio replied with a smirk and a nod. "Always enjoy spending time with you besides."
Petra Fichette: "I'd stay and keep pestering you but it's getting late. Don't be a stranger though. I've enjoyed hanging out with you too. And I want to see how you do the glass thing sometime."
Aurelio Menegi: "Not a bother at all." He waved off the thought, giving another small nod. "Can do...feel free to come by the studio, or you can come by to see the one I keep in my hollow."
Petra Fichette: "I will," she promised. "Thanks for taking my commission! I'm looking forward to it."
Aurelio Menegi: "Look forward to working on it. Have a good night, and thanks for coming by."
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