Ali had just finished fixing the stitching, a line of thread in his teeth as Mave stood as still as a statue. To his surprise, his professionalism overweighed his bashfulness, because she was indeed a very pretty woman. But he focused on his work, noting her approval at having him help, which in turn gave him a bit of elation that only a young man could get when seeing the smile of a woman. Still, it all dropped into the dirt when Galen Brightstone and Stephan Anderlen poked their heads into the door. If Ali wasn't so single minded me might have slipped on the stitching or poked Mave, but thankfully he almost didn't notice the interruption until they were already turning and running down the street. His mouth dropped open in horror, and his first instinct was to chase after them, but the fact that Mave was there, lovely eyes gazing at him and even amused that kept him from running out the front door. Still, he sighed. "Oh light!" He set down the thread and needle, and placed a hand on his forehead, riding his thick, wavy fringe up as he contemplated what this meant. At Mave's forthcoming question, he replied with. "I think..." He sounded as if he was pronouncing terrible news, like one would give a family who had unknowingly lost their farm. "No, I know." He said, and laughed helplessly. "Don't be surprised if everyone in the town tomorrow believes you're my future wife." He could only imagine how awkward it must feel to be her at the moment, and for his part he looked away to hide the embarrassed blush. "Well, the wheel weaves as the wheel wills." he replied. It was a saying he had heard a Gleeman say when he was a small lad over ten winters ago, meaning 'whatever happens, happens for a reason.' "I'll check on your bath water. Does it feel ok?" he asked. It had been quite a skillful stitch up, for someone with such large hands. [@Penny]