Just in case anyone hasn't -quite- got their gifts sorted out . . .

[rareradiance]

Gabrielle has set up her table in the main room.

A selection of fans with holiday scenes painted on them are laid out for examination, along with designs of the non-seasonal variety. There are, as usual, a selection of more . . . risque pieces for those so inclined. There is also a pot of chocolate, with a little sign reading "Joyeux noel! Have a

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[kent_mermaid]

Nan doesn't really have anyone to give gifts to in the first place, so she wanders by the table -- but her eyes are caught by the fanmaker instead, and she wanders over with a grin.

"Happy Christmas, then."

[rareradiance]

"Joyeux noel, mon ami!" Gabrielle smiles. "See anything you like?"

[kent_mermaid]

Nan just smirks and pulls up a chair next to her. "Oh, lots of things. Particularly one, though." This is an innocent smile. Really.

[rareradiance]

"Oh? Perhaps this?" She holds up a fan done in red velvet, imitating the curtains of a stage. Gabrielle isn't the oblivious type. She just can't resist teasing.

[kent_mermaid]

"Mmhm, perhaps." Nan grins and gives the fan a good look, trying to keep a serious face. "It's very pretty."

[rareradiance]

"I certainly hope so. It was far more trouble than something so simple had any right to be. Or maybe you'd prefer something like this."

This one is painted with mermaids laying out to sunbathe on the shore.

[kent_mermaid]

Nan raises an eyebrow and studies the mermaids, definitely ignoring the little twinge that appears at the sight of them. "I wish I could make things as pretty as you do," she finally says, playing with the fan a bit. "All I do is sing a bit and act and -- well, rent."

[rareradiance]

Gabrielle pours a cup of chocolate and sets it in front of Nan."Singing and acting is art, don't you think? You create beauty, too. And for the rest -- don't you think you do a little good in their lives? They're less lonely, for a while. That's worth something."

[kent_mermaid]

Nan smiles and sips at it, setting the fan on her lap. "Well yes, I suppose." She shrugs. "Anyway. How've you been?"

[rareradiance]

"Oh, well enough. Hard at work, as you can see." In truth she's been a little bored and a little lonely, but she's reluctant to admit to that.

[kent_mermaid]

"They're beautiful." But from the way she's looking at Gabrielle, it's quite clear she's talking about something else as well. "I've been bloody bored," she adds after a minute. "No business at all here, at least not for those who are interested in my type."

[rareradiance]

"What a shame," says Gabrielle, sincerely. "But they've no taste at all, if that's the case, which means they don't deserve you."

typist: >.> Sorry about the lateness. Holidays + minor personal crisis = commentfailage.