Under other circumstances, Devin might continue to subtly tease and needle Trahearne a little while they checked out and continued on their shopping trip. And then the kedan shopkeeper decides to take offense that his flirting was rejected and behave like an utter child. It does not speak well of his business practices, nor his character, and Devin takes a breath to decide how best to approach this problem.

Antagonism is his normal reaction, on his own. But in this case, in view of Trahearne (whom he would rather not take umbrage with the Fool for dating him), and in light of the fact that he wants the Fool to walk away with his fabric selection, something more moderate is probably a safer route.

He leans an elbow on the raised counter with all the casual sprawl of a cat testing what area they can claim of the furniture. "Come now, surely if you're going to take issue with anyone, that should be me." Devin says this cheerfully, grinning at the kedan. "It would be a shame to place distaste on someone so well suited to showing off your wares. Think of the business opportunity," he suggests ever so mildly, gesturing vaguely to Malimo and the many other fabric shops they could choose from.

Think, he does not say, of the damage to your business should you offend a customer with inappropriate behavior and false marketing.