https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Thomas tried to keep his expression from one of unrestrained delight, but if there was anyone around who was paying attention, it was not immediately apparent, so he grinned and nodded back at Zilrud. "Not exactly what I meant, Zilrud, but I'm quite happy to cut our ...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Thomas was accustomed to being manhandled by Zilrud. The orkhai was large and physically demonstrative. He pulled Thomas in closer or got in front of him if ther ewas a perceived threat or put an arm around him to steady him fairly frequently. It was still a shock, t...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Thomas was unsurprised but a bit disappointed that Zilrud saw himself as a world apart. He didn't want to correct the man, though; not on something so personal. If Zilrud wanted to be mineral rather than vegetable, Thomas would not quarrel with him on this front. It ...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Thomas was no stranger to flirting. Quite the contrary; he'd spent no few years of his life charming people into thinking they were in love with him so that he could have a place to stay, a warm bed, and some hot food. If they had small valuables they wouldn't miss, ...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Thomas adored cities. For much of his life, it had been all he'd known, and the familiarity of them was part of it, but it was more than that. As an older man, all the people in them, the bustle, the activity of civilization writ large gave him a feeling of boundless...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Thomas didn't answer, looking to the clerk with a raised eyebrow. She gave him a little nod in turn. "We're all set, big guy," Thomas said with a smile. As before, he instructed the bill be sent to the estate and worked through the finer details of shipping and turna...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Thomas had been reticent about this part. Zilrud did not like being poked and prodded. Few men enjoyed it, Thomas included, but Zilrud detested it and Thomas did not blame him. Being held captive and made to fight for an untold amount of time, being fitted for armor ...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png "I think that concludes the business of selection," Thomas said. The shopclerk nodded. "Now, as it pertains to measurements..." Thomas trailed off, looking at the clerk. "Will you be doing those, Miss, or will you be fetching someone to assist?" The implication here ...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Thomas had been about to direct the shop clerk to his recommendations for socks when Zilrud asked his question. She looked to him, but his eyes went to Zilrud as if to say "He asked a question; you'd best answer." She gave it some consideration. "These pattern books ...

https://i.imgur.com/TZFDaPS.png Zilrud had a knack for solving social problems, Thomas had to give him that, although he had mostly replaced the problem with a different problem. The other customers in the store were pointedly Not Noticing Thomas and Zilrud, now, the go-to reaction to someone being...