The boy nodded, �I want the beef and carrot stew and a glass of milk.�
�Good choice,� Tavia smiled at the boy as the waiter wrote the order down and looked expectantly at her, �I�ll have the broccoli and steak, please, and some water.�
The waiter nodded and hurried off, scribbling with his bit of charcoal as he went. Tavia looked after him for a moment before turning to the boy. �I�ve just realized that I don�t know your name, child. Would you mind telling me what it is?�
�Name�s Stolin, ma�am. Ain�t got no last name.�
�Ah, how ironic.� She said dryly.
�What�s i-ron-ic?� Stolin dragged out the word, confused.
Tavia laughed, �You�ll learn someday. But now that you�ve told me your name, I suppose I should tell you mine. My name is Tavia and I don�t have a last name either. Where I come from, none are given.� The fire-girl smiled at Stolin�s open-mouthed shock.
�That�s real neat, ma�am.�
�Please call me Tavia; it�s so much less formal than ma�am.�
�Where do ya come from, ma�Tavia, if�n ya don� mind me askin�.�
�From a small town near the Forest of M�I mean, the Shadowed Forest.
Stolin apparently hadn�t noticed that she had almost called the forest by its elfish name and not its human one. Instead, he continued, �Wow! I always wanted to go there when I growed up and help the mages hunt for some elves. But I don� reckon they�ll take an orphan in the army.�
The boy looked so sad at that prospect that Tavia was torn between reassuring him and agreeing to prevent the making of another brainwashed soldier who hated her kind. She settled for a generic pat on the shoulder as their waiter came pushing through the crowd with their food on a tray that he rose above his head. Tavia murmured her thanks as he set it down and gave her a small, if somewhat tired, smile which the fire-mage returned.
Silence reigned over the table as Stolin began to shovel food into his mouth at an alarming rate while Tavia ate in a more dignified fashion. The food was tasteless and greasy, especially when compared to Salak�s culinary masterpieces. But it was hot and fresh and better than nothing at all.
Stolin, however, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his meal. His eyes were closed as he shoveled food into his mouth and Tavia wondered how he even saw if he was getting any of it on his spoon. It seemed like he was eating a luscious feast off silver and gold plates not a greasy bland stew out of a rough wooden bowl.
When they both were done, Tavia paid for the meal with coins that were carefully conjured to look and feel exactly like the currency of the realm, two silver Stikkas for the meal and one gold Drama for the tip. The owner would be able to spend them as if they were minted in the royal treasury.
They left, but not before Tavia caught their waiter�s eye and nodded significantly at their table. She had left a hefty tip, probably the only one he would get all night, and didn�t want anyone else to get it before he had a chance.
Once outside, Tavia looked down on Stolin who was staring at her intently. �Stolin, take this.� She dug into her pocket and conjured three gold coins in her hidden hand and then held them out to him. Stolin took them gingerly as if afraid they�d disappear if he gripped them too tightly. �Use them wisely, though. Don�t spend them all in one place and try not to lose them.� The fire-mage began scanning the shops lining the street, looking for a shoe maker�s shop.
But the boy wasn�t done with her just yet. �Why�re ya doin� this for me?� he asked suddenly.
�Doing what?� Tavia replied having spotted the shoe shop farther down the street. She looked at the small boy kindly.
�Feedin� me and lettin� me get whateva I want and givin� me money.�
�You looked like you could use it.�
�I could, but I done tried to steal your box. How come you�re not mad?� Tavia shrugged. Stolin eyed her, suddenly suspicious, �What�s the catch?�
�Only one.� She replied slyly as an idea dawned on her, still looking at him but now with a smirk.
His expression changed to one of anger and he projected feelings of betrayal. �I shoulda known. Ya been playin� with me this whole time! But I�ll tell ya now that there�s no way I�m gonna be a goin� to the mines. Kids don�t last long there and I may be poor but I like my life. So thanks for the coin but I can�t a�cept it.� Stolin held out the money in his tiny fist, looking regretful but resolute.
Tavia struggled to suppress her laughter. This was obviously very serious to him. �Well, Stolin, I�m glad that you like your life enough to refuse the mines but that was not the condition I had in mind.� She paused and smiled reassuringly at him. Stolin relaxed slightly but still remained wary. �I just want you to assure me that you won�t be stealing for a living anymore. That money can get you set up with some good clothes and a few good meals but from now on I want you to make an honest living, alright? No more stealing what you need. If you�re careful, you can even turn those three coins into a lot more. You�re a smart boy and I believe that you can do this for me if you try.�
Stolin�s face and emotions ran through a spectrum of surprise, happiness, apprehension, and then disbelief. �That�s it?� he asked cautiously, drawing the coins closer to his body.
�That�s it.�
�Really? You�re sure now, right?�
Now Tavia did laugh, �What, you don�t believe me or something?�
�Oh no Tavia, I do believe ya it�s just so� strange. Nothin� like this has ever happened to me before. I�m still gettin� used ta the idea.� He stared down at the three gold coins in his grubby hand, probably the only money he had ever been given in his life.
�That�s understandable, but do you think you�re up to it?�
Stolin looked indignant. ��Course I�m up to it. It can�t be that hard ta go straight.�
�Good. But I don�t want you thinking that you�re getting off easy. I will be back sometime to check on you and make sure you�re doing what you promised.� Tavia looked down at him sternly.
�Does that mean you�re leavin�?� He looked downcast as she nodded, �Well, at least ya�ll be back, right?� Tavia nodded again with a hint of a smile on her lips. �Good. And I promise when ya get back, I won�t have stolen a single thing. Ya can count on me ta keep my promises.�
�I believe I can, Stolin, I believe I can.� The smile had grown on Tavia�s face as she looked back towards the shoemaker�s, �But now I must be on my way. I hope to see you soon.�
�I hope so too, Tavia.� The fire-mage was just turning away when suddenly the boy ran up to her and hugged her tight around the legs.
Tavia was so startled that all she could was pat him distractedly on the back before he scampered out to be lost in the crowd
The fire-child stood there for a long moment, getting jostled by passing humans. She wondered if Stolin would have hugged her if he knew. If he knew who and what she was, would he have even talked to her? Would he have accepted a dinner? Would he have called her �ma�am� and �lady�? Or would he have run to the nearest mage and told them about her presence? Would he have been another one of the humans spitting jeers and throwing objects as she was dragged out of the town? She had seen the similarities in their plights but would he have?