Music filled the shop. A plucked lute string, followed by a pause, and then another note from the same string. Then a rapid run through the scales was chased by a lilting tune with the flavor of the Highlands. It was that tune which drifted from the music room which adjoined the store. Johnny was smiling as he refilled one of the display cases. The shop had been re-opened for only a few days and business was still slow, but the word was finally leaking out.

?Wha?s tha? yer playin?, Si-love?? Johnny called it out through the open doors between the storefront and the music room. Long fingers embedded with silver mesh carefully freed a complex chain that twined and curled around itself, hundreds of hair-thin wires in slightly different shades of gold. It gave the piece luster and depth, catching and holding the light through the shop windows.

A sweet laugh followed the question, without ever the music pausing. ??Tis Neains?n Bh?n, Fair Nancy.? Sianna?s voice wove through the music of the lute, harmonizing even in speech. Johnny grinned to hear it ? his bardess turned everything to a song. Holding the gold chain up to the light from the windows, he started to consider where it would show best in the store.

Until, that is, he was distracted by the sight of the three children approaching. Lirssa was in front, her motley distinctive, and Val?s shock of bright red hair was familiar to Johnny from his work on the High Spires house. He didn?t recognize the second girl, but it almost had to be the girl who wanted to learn from Sianna.

Leaning back, Johnny called through the open doors again. ?Si! Go? visitors ? Li?l Bi?, Val, an? another gal with?em, pro?lly th? one fer ya!? He didn?t bother to call out a warning before customers entered the shop, but this visit was a little bit different. Carefully Johnny began draping the complex gold chain over what looked like a petrified tree branch that jutted from a nearby stand on the counter.

Large glass windows let in the bright sunlight and music still floated through the air as Sianna brought the song to a close. Paintings and drawings in many mediums hung on the walls, both framed and unframed. A few sculptures were scattered here and there around the room, and smaller figurines and carvings stood on the few shelves. The display cases held trays of jewelry with designs from plain through to fantastically exotic.

When Lirssa opened the door to the shop, Johnny didn?t look up, just went on with the careful arrangement. ?Heya, Li?l Bi?, Val, an? ya too, li?l miss. Be righ? with ya ? if?n Sianna don? bea? me to it. Think she?s comin? righ? ou?. Feel free ta look aroun? if?n ya wan? ta.?

Sianna blinked rapidly, tiny pinpricks of light dancing before her eyes. The lute had been sat back in it's case and she was turning for the shop when the wave of dizziness overtook her. Gripping the side of the table, she took a deep breath, willing it to pass. Ears caught the greeting her husband gave their visitors, but it was muffled as if being heard underwater.

She counted slowly, using her energy to shift her breathing into deep breaths, fingers feeling for the pulse in her wrist. It was higher than it should be, but was coming down... slowly. Needing her medicine, she moved along the outside of the room, using the furniture for support.

Inwardly, she cursed her foolishness. Sianna had not had an episode of any significance since Johnny's return home and had taken it upon herself to stop taking her medicine. Oh, she still went through the motions of abiding by Eva's orders to placate her family, without actually swallowing the pills. Too embarrassed to admit the truth and face the worry and the scolding that would follow, she slipped into the kitchen unbeknown to the others and promptly took two pills with a large glass of water.

When she felt completely back to rights, she passed through her music studio en route to the showroom. A pair of chairs had been arranged before a music stand, a beginner's workbook propped open. To the side of one was a simple harp, tied with a bright blue ribbon. To the other, a larger more elaborate instrument.

A smile crossed her lips. It felt good to have a student that actually wanted to learn. That had a true desire. It had warmed her heart to go out and purchase the instruments for this latest charge. A pleasant change to the spoiled students who's parents paid handsomely but who treated learning the craft as nothing more than something to be endured and tolerated. Like a dose of medicine they felt they had no use for.

Realization dawned on her and Sianna made a quick resolution. After all, one could only be a good teacher if they were first a good student. A hand lifted to brush back some stray hair from her face before she stepped out into the showroom.

Grinning to Johnny, she moved to stand behind the girls and observe the painting holding their attention as well. "Well if ye ken such a place, ye'll have tae share the secret, Lirssa dearie. Sae we can all go and have th' picnic together, aye?"

After all the careful fiddling, the necklace looked like it had been carelessly thrown over the branch, but still managed to highlight the intricate twists and coils of gold thread.
With the necklace finally arranged to Johnny?s satisfaction, he took up a lean against the counter opposite to Val. Emerald green eyes glanced at the boy, then followed his gaze to the trio of woman and girls. Johnny?s grin showed before he spoke. ?Li?l Bi?s all abou? workin? ou? problems an? findin? solutions, ain? she? Good a? noticin? th? li?l thin?s abou? folks, too. One?a th? bes? ways ta take care?a business, I reckon.?

Val felt just like he was under a lamp post and straightened from his lean, turning sharp to Mister Johnny. The trouble was, he wasn't quite sure what to say, so the first thing that came out of his mouth. "Yes, sir. I'm Valentine, sir. I worked with you when you were at High Spires?" His voice cracked a little and he prayed the man did not notice it, or even if he did, he wouldn't draw attention to it.

The fact that Val had given up his entire name more than the crack in his voice drew a big grin and hard fought stifled laugh from Lirssa. But also, she felt a bit of glowing pride. Whether from fear or her own beating it into his head, Val had given up his name to the man on his own.

Sianna nodded her assent before turning back to face the two girls. Dropping down into a low crouch so that she was at eye level with them, she grinned broadly. "Aye, th' harp is set and waiting in th' studio just waiting for Caitir's first lesson. And as tae what I expect, all I require is being willing tae practice between lessons. 'Tis th' only real way tae improve, ye ken." Catching Lirssa's eye, Sianna winked. "Other than that, there's nothing else tae really be minded. Be sure tae tell Mrs. June that, aye?"

"Oh, Lirssa, did you hear!" Caitir near jerked Lirssa's arm out of its socket with her excitement. "She has one. She has one!"

Trying to free herself from the grasp of the little girl, Lirssa nodded. "I've got ears. Did you hear you're expected to practice? Mrs. June is going to know and I know, and I betcha, Mrs Sianna will be able to tell if you haven't."

"I heard. I promise I will." Caitir had a smile like starlight and she shared it with her new instructor.

"Right, so then, about the fee. Fair is fair, Mrs. Sianna, and you deserve compensation for your time and effort." Lirssa had that look on her face. The all business, not to be rebuffed sort of look.

A tiny quirk of Johnny?s mouth was the only sign that he was desperately hiding a smile at Val?s sudden stiffness, formality, and betraying nervous voice crack. Still, Johnny managed to keep his voice level and fairly sober as he replied, still without giving up his casual lean against the counter. ?Valentine, huh? Never di? catch yer full name ou? there a? th? House. Ya know there?s an ol? book I?ve go? with th? main character name?a Valentine.?

Johnny paused in thought, and then laughed briefly. ?Valentine Michael Smith, matter?a fac?. Goo? book ? ya can borrow it if?n ya wan?. Anyway, ?course I remember ya, Val. Ya feel free ta call me Johnny, ?stead?a sir, righ?? Ya ha? a goo? knack fer th? work we were doin? ou? there, clever han?s an? a feel fer th? metal. Lirssa there was sayin? ya were interested in learnin? more ? ya think tha?s so??

A slow nod was Johnny?s response to Val?s sudden ? and very quiet ? outburst of information. He showed the boy the same respect he would have wished, by taking him at his word and giving the confession serious thought, rather than hasty dismissal. Even so, it didn?t take him long to say, ?Startin? hones? with me is always a goo? beginnin?, an? makes me think we?ll do jus? fine workin? t?gether fer longer than on th? House.?

Johnny nodded thoughtfully, looking back at the trio near the paintings. Now his mouth twisted in amusement, as he caught the gist of Lirssa?s conversation with Sianna. ?Hav?ta tell ya i? ain? always easy ? ?specially later when ya learn more, there?s times ya can? take a res? when ya?d like ta, when yer tired bu? th? metal?s ho? an ya go? ta finish wha? ya started. Matter?a fac?, yer goin? ta be a righ? han? ta have aroun?, an? I?m pro?lly goin? ta ge? more goo? out?a ya helpin? me than ya are from th? learnin?.?

Bright green eyes sparkled with laughter as he took a different tactic than Sianna ? and then, he was dealing with Val, rather than Lirssa. He finally looked back at the boy and grinned. ?Shou? offer ta pay ya wages, if anythin?. Bu? firs? thin?s pro?lly ta see if ya go? a feel fer th? li?l makin?s lon? with th? bigger stuff. If?n ya fin? tha? jewelry don? sui? ya an? I?ll see abou? gettin? ya a place wi? a blacksmith, an? learnin? jus? as much.?

So saying, Johnny reached into his back pocket and pulled out a coil of heavy-gauge silver wire. His mods let him pinch off a fair length of it like clay, but it while it was stiff enough to hold its shape, it was also flexible enough to bend and twist easily. ?Ya fiddle with this a bi? an? see wha? ya come up with, righ??? He held the freed length of wire out in offer to Val.

Val could understand, but at the mention of wages, he blurted out. "Oh, no sir, I mean, Mister Johnny. Not until I am actually doing something useful." He clamped his lips together after that and nodded, realizing he probably shouldn't have interrupted. Taking the wire, he nods with a smile. The things he would have done with that wire if it had been some months ago. Now, though, he tried an oh so subtle glance to the display case, and put his mind and hands toward trying to manipulate it into a mimicry of one of the wire rose charms.

"Aye, but I'm no' alone wi' things, either." A quick glance over her shoulder to Johnny and Val before she grinned back to Lirssa. "Besides, th' roof has well been paid for and th' bairns dinna need much beyond what I already provide them." Lips twitched as Sianna held back the chuckle at Lirssa's serious determination to see the bargain set well in her mind to both sides.

"Though I can see yer point verra well, and shall therefore strike a bargain wi' ye ower th' cost of th' lessons, aye? If Caitir will bring me something each week that she thinks 'tis pretty, th' deal will be set. Could be a pebble or a feather, or a piece of fruit, anything really. Th' only requirement is that it canna be something that requires a purchase." She grinned in earnest, satisfied with her end of things.

"As tae day and time, that most depends on Caitir's other responsibilities wi' Mrs. June and her schooling, aye? Once I ken what time she has free during th' week, will be easy enow tae put th' schedule together for certain." Hands braced against kneecaps as she stood slowly. Reaching out, Sianna lightly chucked Lirssa under the chin good-naturedly. "Does that suit ye?"

Sianna laughed outright at the girl's bluntness. "Aye, I ken I do. And ye've no' seen th' half of it really. Scots tend tae be mighty frugal no' tae mention powerful stubborn as well." Pausing to weigh out the list of activities in Caitir's schedule, Sianna glanced between the pair a moment.

"Well, th' way I see it, th' choice of th' day is really up tae Caitir, aye? Sae she may pick th' day she'd like tae come here tae have lunch wi' me and then her lesson." Sianna bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, pleased at such an idea.

Caitir impulsively reached to grab at Mrs. Sianna's hands. "I like Mondays. I like Tuesdays, too. Maybe every day? I will get very good then, and I know just what I'll bring the first day. May I see the harp?"

With a huff and shake of her head, Lirssa tried to get Caitir to see reason. "She's a bit high spirited." The pot calling the kettle black. "Caitir, you can't go every day. I think Wednesdays would be best. It's middle of the week and that's a good day, I think. Don't you agree?"

"Middle of the week. Yes, that'll be good." Caitir nodded and then looked up at Mrs. Sianna and asked a bit more softly like she was whispering to not break the moment. "May I see the harp, please?" Adding please was a good thought, she believed.

Another nod was Johnny?s reaction to the admission of schooling ? but his eyes had widened with a sort of alarm when he realized how much work Val was expecting him to demand. He managed to keep his baritone voice level through the surprise. ?Here?s wha? I?m goin? ta offer ya then, Val. Ain? no nee? fer ya to go cookin? less?n ya wan? ta ? Sianna an? Matty mos?ly have tha? covered, an? I make a mean sandwich if nothin? else. Ya help me add in a wall ta th? storeroom back there, divide i? up so ya have a room, an? ya ea? with us. Between Si an? me, we?ll work on teachin? ya readin? an? writin? better. Math ? I?ll tes? ya on tha? once yer settled in an? we?ll see how much more ya need on tha? if anythin?.?

A pause for breath to think over what he had already said, and then Johnny nodded. ?So tha?s room, board an? schoolin? ? ya?ll work with me in th? studio learnin? ta make thin?s, an? helpin? ou? here in th? shop learnin? ta display an? sell?em. Ya keep yer room nea? an? clean, same fer th? shop an? th? studio when we?re workin? over there. Weeken?s ya go? free less?n we?re in th? middle?a somethin? tha?s rush, an? tha? don? happen often. Ya say ya don? wan? payin? until yer up ta bein? useful an? tha?s fine, bu? in tha? case we?ll see ya se? up with new clothes regular.?

Now Johnny?s pale brows lifted a bit in inquiry, and he said quietly ? softly enough not to be heard by the women ? ?Ya start feelin? yer fingers itchin? through lack?a pocke? money, ya le? me know an? I?ll star? payin? ya. Ain? no nee? ta le? a li?l thin? se? ya back.? And then his voice returned to its previous level and he grinned. ?Soun? shiny ta ya??

Val knew Mister Johnny had to be a good man to have donated his time at High Spires House, but that there were adults in the world who gave so much every day -- well, he had not met the like until Mr. Ephram and Mrs. June. Now, here he was, feeling the world open up in such a way, like one of the fancy encrusted egg shaped jewels he nicked two years ago. "Mister Johnny," he held his hand out, without spitting on it, remembering Lirssa remarked upon its grossness, "you won't regret it. I promise you. I'll be a good help to you. I'll go get what we need, you just point the way." Evidently, just ready to start straightaway.

Sianna's hand linked easily with Caitir's, the warmth that only a child's hand seemed to possess making her grin that much more. Swinging her arm slightly, as she had done with many of her nieces, she grinned down at the girl. "Aye, I think Wednesdays will suit verra well. If ye come every day for a proper lesson ye will no' have verra much time tae practice. But if ye are verra good wi' yer schoolwork and chores, ye will always be welcome tae come here tae pratice, if ye'd like." Pulling back her exuberance just a bit, Sianna canted her head to the side. "Provided that Mrs. June agrees wi' that, aye?"

"Besides, I dinna think there is verra much wrong wi' being high spirited at times. I'm high spirited, aye? And if ye dinna believe me, just ask Johnny. He'll tell ye straight away that I am." A small self-reproving smile at the admission. If one was going to be a kettle, it was always better to be with similar company.

Lirssa gave a fervent nod. "Yes'm, we will see to it. That makes me wonder though, I best see the harp, too. We gotta make sure it gets from there to here and back again safe so you can practice, Caitir. We may be looking for a little wagon at market today." A cheerful laugh that was given even a bounce from toes to heels, when she glances to the look on Val's face. There's a lot of hope there. It was good to see. She could almost see what Esther saw as 'cute' in him.

Turning towards the music studio, still holding Caitir by the hand, Sianna placed her arm about Lirssa's shoulders and nodded. "Aye, ye can see it now. There's a case for it, and I dinna think it should be too hard tae carry, but ye both can be the judges of that." A light squeeze to them both before she ushered them on ahead of her. Catching Johnny's eyes over the top of Val's head, she winked and then made her way after the girls.

Grinning widely, Johnny took Val?s hand for a firm shake. ?We?ll measure ou? wha? we need fer th? room firs? an? then go ou? t?gether fer i?, how?s tha??? And then Johnny caught the gist of what Sianna was saying about high spirits, and just laughed. Sianna?s wink was returned cheerfully as he released the boy?s hand and tilted his head in the same direction as Sianna and the girls. ?Store-room?s back through there fer us ta star? measurin?.?