A businesswoman after all

[rareradiance]

Gabrielle has always given her work away for free here, when she's willing to part with it, but in the plot hole's absence there seems to be no sense in giving something for nothing. She takes a look through the fans strewn about her room, gathers them up, and brings them downstairs. This time when she sets up her table, she puts up a sign next to

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[mancalledspade]

"Hey, angel. Half thought you'd packed your bags and forsaken us."

[rareradiance]

"I thought about it," she says, with a wry smile. "Then I realized France was trying to kill me when I left it, and I oughtn't give it another opportunity."

[mancalledspade]

"Glad to hear you had some consideration for those of us who'd be bereft of your pretty face."

[rareradiance]

Her smile broadens. She's holed herself up for too long, and it really is good to see a friend again. "My motivations were nowhere near so unselfish. I just wanted to keep it attached to my body."

[mancalledspade]

"Your face and your body make a hell of a team. Shame to break it up," he observes.

[rareradiance]

She laughs. "Flatterer. It's been long enough now, I doubt you remember."

[mancalledspade]

"I give you a compliment, and you insult my photographic memory. Hardly fair."

[rareradiance]

"Life rarely is," she says, cheerfully.

[mancalledspade]

"Touche." He comes around to lean on the table, near her. "Kisses for trade too, or can I still get one of them for free?"

[rareradiance]

"Oh, I suppose I could spare one free of charge. No jealous lady friends I should worry about?"

[mancalledspade]

He kisses her before he answers, though it's brief for now. "No jealous ones, I hope to christ. Lost the nun. Picked up a shapeshifter. It's been a nutty few months." He leans back, tilting his fedora away from his face with his thumb. "What about you? Anyone gonna come demanding a duel of honor or anything?"

[rareradiance]

"A shapeshifter? Let no one say you don't attract interesting women." She shrugs. "I don't think so. There was a girl, but I'm not entirely sure what she expects of me."

[mancalledspade]

Spade raises his eyebrows, but says, "Well, hopefully I won't have to beat up a girl over your honor. That'd just be embarrassing."

[rareradiance]

"You assume you'd win," she says, and grins.

[mancalledspade]

"Oh sure, but I'd feel bad for hitting her."

[rareradiance]

Gabrielle laughs, shaking her head. "Such a gentleman you are. But no need to worry. I don't think Nan's the fighting sort."