Chapter Text
Naboo had walked into his shop feeling rather tired after a long carpet ride's journey all the way from Xooberon.
He'd found Howard and Vince standing behind the counter discussing elbow patched.
'Oh, hey, Naboo, back so soon?' Vince greeted cheerily, his glossy pink lips forming a wide grin.
'S'been a whole week, what d'ya mean 'so soon'?' Naboo asked, dark eyebrows raised. 'You better not've been goin' through my stuff again...'
'I haven't!' Vince told him, hands raised in the air.
Naboo thought he'd said that a bit too quickly for it to be true, but left it.
'And, this came for you and all.' Vince said, gesturing to a green envelope tied with a black satin ribbon on the counter. 'Came maybe five minutes before you showed up.'
Naboo took the envelope, briefly closing his eyes as he noted a familiar scent on the paper.
The corners of his mouth turned upward slightly, and he cleared his throat before heading past the counter and upstairs without another word.
Bollo, who had brought in the carpet and Naboo's bag, followed his little master.
'What do you suppose that was about?' Howard asked curiously.
'What what was about?' Vince asked cluelessly.
'Well, I mean, Naboo's obviously happy to get that letter.' Howard stated, wiping at a waterspot on top of the display case. 'And, with that scent on it, it's got to be from a girl, doesn't it?'
'Could be a boy, y'know, Howard.' Vince pointed out for no other reason than to get up his friend's nose.
'That's a bit beside the point, isn't it?' Howard said, frowning in annoyance.
'All right, fine... Who do you suppose it's from?' Vince asked, thinking that since Howard had brought the topic up he might have an idea.
'Could be that head shaman's wife, maybe.' Howard supposed.
'Nah, Naboo hates her. Thinks she's a bit off her nut, as well.' Vince disagreed.
'Hm, well, I guess it wouldn't be her, then.'
'D'ya think?'
Howard wasn't sure who it could possibly be. After all, Naboo kept his life away from them more or less a mystery.
'There was that girl who came in a few times during the spring.' Vince pointed out, remembering the short blue eyed girl with her ankle length skirts and long eyelashes he had to admit he'd been slightly envious of.
'Which girl?' Howard asked, unable to recall.
'Curly brown hair, blue eyes, wore long skirts...' Vince tried jogging his memory. 'She was actually interested in talking jazz with you.'
'Oh, her!' Howard beamed at the recollection of discussing all things jazz with such a lovely young lady. 'You mean Grace. I sure wouldn't mind if she popped back in again some time soon... You think she sent the letter?'
Vince shrugged. 'Could be. How should I know?' He leaned against the wall behind him, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets (which Howard found surprising he could manage to do, considering how tight those drainpipes were). 'I mean, she did talk to Naboo that last time she was here. Not that it means anything.'
'About the chance of a job. Hardly anything to go on there, sir, now is there?'
Vince shrugged again. 'Like I said, it doesn't necessarily mean anything.'
Silence fell, and boredom reigned.
It had been a slow day, with only a few potential customers here and there with only a couple actually buying anything.
'I could really go for a cuppa.' Howard grumbled, thinking that a couple of chocolate biscuits would be a nice accompaniment.
'There's only ten minutes left before closing and it's been slow, anyway. Let's call it a day.' Vince said, stepping out from behind the counter and locking up the entrance. 'Wouldn't mind a bit of something, myself.'
As Howard and Vince enjoyed a snack of tea and biscuits, Naboo sat cross legged on his super king-sized bed.
He stared at the envelope, feeling almost anxious at the thought of what could be inside.
Not that he had any idea one way or the other. But, that was anxiety for you.
Howard had been right in guessing that the letter had been from a girl, one which Naboo hadn't seen in a good six months.
However, a marriage arrangement had been struck for Aniza, the beautiful dark skinned princess from the planet Humerion, and the romance which had come as a surprise to them both had come to a swift end.
Not that it had been a forced marriage, only that Aniza knew how disappointed her mother and father would have been to learn that she didn't want to marry Pernick, the man whom they'd painstakingly chosen as the best possible match for their treasured only daughter.
And, so, she had explained the situation to Naboo.
They'd parted ways, and hadn't had any contact since.
It had been very difficult for Naboo, who had fallen hard for Aniza; a number of the other shamen had come together to help ease his pain, resulting in a fortnight long bender which he didn't remember all that much of. Other than being sick in his turban a couple of times, and accidentally stepping on one of Tony Harrison's tentacles.
And, now, Naboo held this green envelope... Green was her favourite colour, and she often wore it.
He blew out a deep breath, and began to carefully open it.
Meanwhile, Howard, Vince, and Bollo sat on the couch watching King Kong.
Bollo had been adamant that they watch it, having been sure to remind them how he'd auditioned for the role.
'Why'd you even pick this? All you've been doing is pointing out the poor guy's mistakes.' Vince asked, gesturing toward the television.
'It is not my fault if 'Koko' cannot cope with such a big role. Peter should have chosen me. I would have done a much better job.' Bollo grumbled, before pointing out what he considered to be another mistake.
Howard sighed, looking over to Vince. 'I don't know how much more of his complaining I can take, do you want to go practice some crimps?'
Vince had been sitting there looking pained, but had perked up at this suggestion. 'Yeah, that sounds electric.'
Howard patted Bollo's hairy shoulder. 'Right, well, Vince and I need to go work on something, but you go right ahead without us.'
Bollo grunted and nodded. 'I'll let you know how it turns out.'
Howard and Vince exchanged glances.
'You don't know?' Howard asked casually.
'No. Why?' Bollo asked, not taking his eyes off the screen.
'No reason.' Howard lied. 'Right, we'll see you later, then. Do you need some popcorn or anything before we go? I could whip you up a quick quiche or something.'
Bollo shook his head. 'No, Bollo is fine. Thank you, Howard.'