[Warning! Incoming Game. Warning! Incoming Game.] [Day - Wednesday, Fenrir 18th, 1360 AI] [Time - Eh... We'll say a little earlier than lunch. Earth representation of 10:00.] [Setting is at the market, where you for various reasons have come to shop today. Most, probably for goods required in your family's trade. Others, eh, maybe you just have cash or time to burn from your horridly busy scheduals of sitting on your ass or something. The weather's warmed up a little, and it's not necessary to wear heavy clothing right now.] [Various sellers are advertising their wares to passers by, and in general things are going smoothly. This being a town built on trade, the market place is a rather popular location.] [Alright, now that you've got that down, mini start!] (I'll note that many of you will probably be shopping for the caravan about now, assuming you're confident you'll get on.) (What's the weather like?) [The weather is a bit cool, high-50s-ish, and a smooth breeze blows in from the port, bringing the smell of seawater periodically.] [There's not a cloud in the sky] * At an armorseller's tent, one odd-looking man is trying on various kinds and sizes of the aforementioned product. He's got Lilty and Selkie features, with long crimson hair, a bright silver leafstalk, and looks both too tall to be a Lilty and too short to be a Selkie. [Oh, a little clarification. The market's mostly composed of open-air shopping, with more permanent stores having their own buildings on around it. There are also tents for those who don't live directly adjacent to the market, or those who are just passing through.] * Nikki is there, arguing with some farmer or another over... grass? Grass. She's an extremely pretty Clavat girl with clear blue eyes, short, curly golden hair, fair skin (with a few freckles), and an upturned nose. She's wearing a beaten brown duster, riding boots, and plain clothing to go with it - why is pretty obvious, as she's holding a chocobo (with a number of bags over its saddle) by the reigns. * Dorn is wearing, in addition to the armor he's currently trying on, a black silk jacket over a white tunic, with black slacks and shoes. A silver necklace hangs down from his neck, and a wicked-looking serrated glaive leans on a tentpole nearby. * Nikki waves with her free hand. "Okay, really, tell me you can get me those greens for something cheaper. C'mon, my family's been buying from yours for- for generations now! And Ioanna's gotta eat." At this, the chobobo looks up and comments, "Wark?" * Xanithern walks down the market place, wearing a gold beaked helmet. The helmet looks like it has a place for a plume but he's not wearing one at the moment. His outfit is typical Yuke fare, which means puffy and big gloves. The color scheme of his clothes are tans, blues and whites, with burgundy stripes on the sleeves. Around his belt, he has various nicknacks. Where his skin shows, it's black with some black feathers peeking here and there. ( I feel underdressed.) Ah, I see you like the craftsmanship. But... I'm afraid it doesn't fit you too well. We can adjust it like all armors though... for a fee, of course. * Arms Merchant is, as you've probably guessed, a Selkie. * Mona is there too, looking over a merchant's goods. She's a bit tall for a Lilty too, with dark red clavat-like hair under her orange-red leaves. She's wearing silver and emerald earrings, and has on both an odd brown robe, and an artisan's belt over it. She's also standing next to a younger lilty as she looks over various metals and jewels. Ah... I s'pose so. What've you got to trade Nikki? ..Mm. The color isn't correct, anyway. Something else? * Xanithern has a brown rectangular leather satchel across his front as he walks down and a shiny silver whistle around his neck. At the moment, he's inspecting two lists as he walks, one in each hand. But in general...lovely weather, who needs it? Ah, I see... Well, I do have something else. I made it for a Lilty in much the situation as you before, but he never was able to pay the rest of the cost, so it's just been sitting around since. I'll give you a good deal, too... * Nikki grins widely. "I'll give you a hug and kiss and mention your products whenever we hit another town?" She starts looking through her pockets, then the supplies piled onto her chocobo. Said chocobo decides now's a good time to pick at the sparse grass. * AM starts rummaging through the armor going around. * Xanithern looks up at the commotion, weaving through the crowd and goes to a stall next to the Arms dealer. Weapons are for other people. Or at least that's not the first thing on his mind. * Dorn waits, idly watching Xanithern with a critical eye as the arms merchant digs through his wares. (He must be important! The yellow name floating over his head says so!) (Ha!) * The Clavat farmer blushes. "Well, ah guess that works. But ah gotta feed my family too, ya know. I'll give ya a bushel of the Gustaburg Greens for two gil each, and the promise you're goin' 'round sayin' our names. The Johnathon's." (Note, that that's a *really* good deal for the quality of greens you're getting) * Nikki stops her looking, then perks and looks at the farmer. "You mean it? Really?" * Xanithern looks over at Nikki with a casual eye. So loud. Would I lie about somethin' like that? * Dorn glances over at Nikki as well. * Mona sighs and picks up an unfinished chunk of ruby, looking at it, then holding it down to the other lilty, saying. "Ramsey, what do you think?" * Nikki laughs, absolutely delighted, and jumps over to the farmer, giving him a big hug and kiss on the cheek. "Thank you! Thanks so much! Ioanna thanks you, too." She lets go and strokes the chocobo's beak. "Say thanks, Ioanna." * The chocobo blinks, then peers at the farmer, and bows her head. "Wark," she says, very seriously. * Xanithern then turns to his merchant and bows his head slightly with his hands together, his sleeves flopping over his white gloves to cover them before handing over the list. It has all sorts of alchemical regeants listed on it, as well as extra vials and flasks. * About this time the arms merchant comes from behind with a comfortable-looking breastplate. It's laquered in black and white, giving it a pleasing appearance, although it doesn't look terribly natural. "Try this on. It was for a Clavatian Lilty, but I think it'll fit you just fine too." * Xanithern then EYES Nikki at the display. * The Farmer gives Nikki a big hug back and smiles. "Hey, yer gonna be helpin' all of us. I can't turn mah back on you, you know that." * Dorn grins broadly and slips into the armor, tightening the buckles and straps. "..Exceptional work, sir. I'll take it." I think... Maybe if you fixed the big crack in the middle it'd look better. * Nikki laughs. "Yeah, I know." She winks. "And I woulda done it anyway, y'know." * Xanithern looks at Dorn as well. Though not with the same "That kind of stuff belongs out of sight" kind of look. * The Farmer pats Ioanna on the head. "Now just for you. I'm not givin' that deal to anyone else, otherwise I'd be out of a job!" * Ioanna clucks her tongue, leaning into the petting. * Arms Merchant. "Great, great! Now, about price... That's not a common piece there, so it's a bit more than normal, say... 250 gil sound fair to you?" * Imza enters the market about now, passing an ironmonger and looking curiously at his supplies before heading further into the market. He's short for a Lilty, although his leaves and eyes are both somehwat larger than normal. The fuzz on his head starts orange and darkens to maroon, and his eyes are purple. He is otherwise unremarkable for a Lilty, and is dressed as a smith, except without the apron. * Dorn just *looks* at the merchant. * Xanithern waits for his merchant to take care of him patiently. Very patiently. Yuke patiently. * Nikki rubs at her chin. "Okay... how about..." * Mona looks down at the young lilty and says, with a faint smile, "Good of you to pay attention, Ramsey." She puts it back down on the table and mms, picking up a second bit of ruby. * Nikki reaches into one of her inner jacket pockets and pulls out her purse, counting ten gil from it. "Five bushels. That shouldn't set you back too much, right?" * Ramsey peeks over and manages to get his head high enough to see on the table. * The farmer winces. "Ah... Nah, that should do. Ah know you'll make it last." * Nikki crosses her heart. "The whole trip, I swear. Next time I cause this much trouble should be next year." She smiles. * Imza glances around a bit, then heads for the nearest shop selling dried foods, provided that such a place is obvious enough. * Mona says with mock exasperation, "Never enough good ruby." She looks down at Ramsey and says, "What, you want a better look? Or do you want to pick out the red garnet?" The Arms Merchant doesn't seem particularly impressed. "Would you like to purchase it?" * Ramsey reaches in and, by sheer luck, pulls out a very well kept ruby. "I like this one Mona!" * Xanithern sighs in exasperation and leans over the counter to see where the alchemical merchant is, knocking on the counter as hard as he can. Which...isn't really that hard. 8 Strength will do that to you. (The kid actually has a search skill. Who woulda thunk.) It must be in high demand indeed, if you want to charge me a fourth again what it's really worth. * A moogle yells from the back, eventually comming to Xanithern. "I'm comming I'm comming! Geeze, so impatient. So, what can I do for you?" * Nikki hands the money to the farmer. "And can you hold onto those greens for me? I'm not done shopping yet." * Mona looks down at Ramsey, for a second, with sheer disbelief, then puts down the one she had and pick up his, whistling. "... good eye, brother." She reaches down and musses his leaves and hair. "Maybe I should make you pick out the garnet, then." You forget that this is already prepared for your body size. Also, the special coloring, while mostly decorative, wasn't cheap to apply. We could probably get you another piece like it without the coloring for a lower price, but it'd take time. * Xanithern looks the moogle over patiently, despite the fact that he's been waiting several minutes. He NOW bows his head to the merchant, hiding his head and holds out the list he's holding without a word. * Ramsey just smiles. * The moogle flies up and takes the list in his two short paws. He's a grey one, not black or white like many others. "Kuppop Kupo Kuuu Kupo!" Another, younger moogle, flies out, takes the list, then deftly heads back in with a grumbled 'Kupo.' under his breath. (Aww, cute!) * Imza settles on a store eventually, and walks up to peek over the counter. "Hello! I need ration-food. Two day's worth should do." ( Moogles rule. ) * Mona starts sifting through some of the quartz on the table, and says. "Come on, Ramsey, you pick out the garnet while I look through all this quartz." And how long will it be until another with my body type comes along, eh? The person who originally commissioned it is gone, after all.. * The Yuke nods slowly and goes below the counter, taking his own damn time getting the rations prepared. "What are you getting prepared for?" * Xanithern jumps back a bit with a half-strangled squawk and eyes the merchant at the sudden flight, then settles to watching with curiousity. Actually, I know that young female Lilty over there was looking at it not so long ago. Unfortunately, it was out of her price range, but I'm sure she could afford such a fine piece if you can't. * Imza grins broadly. "The caravan! I know they'll have their own food, but my grandfather said it'd be good to bring some, just in case. And he'd know." He nods his head. Ah, you'd better come back next year. I donno where my greens'll go if you dont! Easy. They'll go for a higher price. * Dorn starts counting out coins from his ample pouch. "Oh, it's not how much I can afford.. it's how much I'll pay for it." * Nikki hugs the farmer again. "Thanks a lot. I'll be by later to pick them up!" The caravan then? I shall keep that in mind. * The Yuke steadily puts some additional foodstuffs in, beyond what normally goes into them. "That will be one gil, please." * Mona picks out three or four pieces of quartz and hrms at them. "You know, this reminds me, Ramsey. Kutep was telling me about the Tower of Leires just yesterday..." * The farmer laughs at this. "Ah reckon you're right." * Imza nods, and then pays the man his gil. If he understands why there's extra food going in, he doesn't give any sign of it. * Nikki grins one more time, then leads Ioanna deeper into the market. She blinks at Mona's comment about the tower and slows, just a little. She's not eavesdropping- okay, so she is. * Ramsey sifts through the gems in front of him. It sounds spoooooky, right? Well, I may be able to let go of it if you offer some sort of service in addition. I'm listening. * Mona smiles slightly. "Just a little. And mysterious. And deadly." She leans over a little towards him. "He said it's worse than the Tosca Cliffs." * Xanithern sideglances Mona's way. He's probably a little more subtle than Nikki is. Wow, that's really bad. Tosca cliffs is really high up! * Nikki gives up with subtle and waves cheerfully. "Hi Mona." [Take back that last part..] Besides the free advertising that you'll get in all those towns along the caravan's route? * Mona nods. "Yes, they..." she stops and turns with her handful of quartz towards Nikki. She's got blue eyes and a gold brooch set with a large blue stone. She blinks, then says, "Nikki, how are you?" She glances at the chocobo. "And your friend... Ioanna, wasn't it?" Nono, I know that's already going to happen. We don't stay around here, as you probably know. But if you do see us, just drop in and take a look at our wares. It's very fluid, so you'll find something that you like. And for that, I'll drop it down to the normal asking price of 200 gil. Do we have an agreement? (...we might as well set off on the caravan right now) (Yeeeesh.) (Snicker.) (Confidence is a virtue, dammit.) * Nikki smiles. She's got no such fancy jewelry. "Yeah. We were just getting her some food for the upcoming trip." She crouches a little to see the boy. "Are you Ramsey?" (*waves*) ..Mm, yes. * Ramsey waves at Nikki. "Yup! And you've gotta be Nikki! Mona always said you had a big mouth." * Xanithern listens while he waits for his supplies. Moogles can be such a pain sometimes. * Nikki grins. "Well, a lotta people would say that." This is followed by her sticking her tongue out at Mona. "But I think it's just the right size." * Dorn holds out the necessary amount, pre-counted. * Mona suddenly laughs slightly, and says, "My brother is as blunt as our mother, I'm afraid." * Mona looks over at him. "Got a garnet picked out?" * The adult moogle waits patiently. "Kupo! Ku-kupo!" With that the younger moogle comes around, with a small bag containing everything in the list, the list attached, and the reciept in... what appears to be a typewriter-ish script. "And there you are good sir. That will be 527.1 gil" ( @_@ ) (That's what you get when you're shopping for supplies and you're an alchemist. :P) * Xanithern turns back to the merchant and nods, holding out a belt pouch. It's mostly the family's money, so it's not a problem. Being blunt isn't a bad thing. I bet you'll get better at it as you get older, huh, Ramsey? * Nikki grins. * The moogle takes it and starts counting. After around three seconds he's done. "Thank you, and enjoy yourself." ^^ Got three! Which one's best? * Ramsey holds out three garnets, all of decent quality. * Imza takes his rations, chirps "Thanks!" and heads back towards the edge of the market. * Xanithern nods and takes his supplies, still trying to listen in on the conversation. He occassionally glances back at Mona, Ramsey, and the loud one as he makes his way to the arms merchant. * Leran walks into the marketplace, looking remarkably distraught. He's dressed in nothing more complicated than a black shirt and light leather breeches, but he's carrying a piece of paper which appears to be crammed full of writing. He stops as he enters, and looks around for a second. * Nikki must have LeranSense(tm) or something, because as soon as Leran walks in, she looks up and over at him. And then waves. * Mona puts down the quartzes and takes the garnets from Ramsey. "Thanks." She pulls a small jewelers loupe out of one of her belt pouches. "And the talkative woman asked you a question, Ramsey." * Leran waves back, and heads over towards her. Uh-huh! I'll be really good at it! * Nikki giggles and grins at Leran when he reaches them. "Hey, what took you so long? I left over an hour ago." * Leran , for the record, is tall. Seriously tall, for his age. His hair's a sandy-brown, and his eyes hazel. He sighs at Nikki's remark, and waves the piece of paper. "Granddad lost the list. Then he had to write it out all over again. ALL of it." ... Couldn't he just... I don't know, give you a general idea or something? No. You know granddad. He wrote down exactly what I'm supposed to get. * Leran holds the list out in front of Nikki. Yeah. Bet whatever it is is twenty years out of date, too. * Nikki takes the list and starts to read. It takes a while. Oh, and hey, Mona. * Nikki looks confused for a moment, then says, "Hey, Leran?" * The Arms Merchant takes the gil delecately and glances down to see it's roughly that amount. "Thank you sir. And don't forget to come by again, the Hondurs won't forget you." He bows and goes to the back of the shop. * Mona glances up at Leran's... er... chest, from her peering at garnets. Stupid tall people. "Ah, Leran. And what are you doing not looking at rocks on such a fine day?" She puts one of the garnets down and tousles Ramsey's hair. "Two out of three, Ramsey. Good job." * Ramsey beams at Mona. * Leran looks down at the kid, but speaks to Mona. "I don't just look at rocks, you know." * Dorn slips the glaive over his back and tucks the helmet under his armor, walking over to the gathering with mild apprehension. Leran. What in the world are you going to need *eighteen* pints of oil for, all individually wrapped? Apparently not. Leran, this is my brother... eighteen pints? Eighteen pints! * Nikki waves the list. It's madness! ( It is! ) * Xanithern waits at the Arms Merchant for his turn. And twenty pitons! Are you going to build a fort out of blankets or something? We don't even have that many blankets. Hi, Mona's brother. * Nikki looks. "You don't even have that many blankets on the list." * The merchant that is caring for the gems (She looks to be a full Selkie) looks onward with amusement. * Dorn stops a short distance from them, looking in with curiosity. And I have no idea what I need eighteen pints of oil for. It's actually twenty - he wrote it twice for some reason. Once eighteen, once two. * The Arms Merchant looks out at Xanithern. "And what can I get for you?" * Mona mms andn says to herself. "And here I haven't even begin buying things. I feel slow." * Nikki looks. "... O-kay. So does that mean two or eighteen, or twenty, or sixteen, or-" * Xanithern holds out the list, then looks at the list, then holds it out back and points. Quarterstaff and some sling bullets. Twenty-five flasks? Is that for extra oil we find on the way? No blankets, actually. I think he thinks I'm supposed to tough it out. * Mona , while Nikki and Leran bicker about the list, picks up the quartzes and the ruby, along with the two remaining garnets, "I'd like to buy all of these, Jum Tal?" But you need forty candles. Thirty flasks. He split it again. * Nikki groans. * The AM shakes his head. "We don't deal in those here. Check down there," he points at another tent. "They deal in that kind of equipment." * Nikki looks at Leran. "Okay. With this whole caravan thing coming up, your grandpa has completely lost his mind." * Xanithern just eyes the AM with a piercing stare. Stare. Since he's a Yuke, it's hard pressed to find out how annoyed it really is or whether it is at all. But he doesn't move yet. At least I don't have to buy the armor. It's his old set, but it's so degraded the cost of repairing it's the same as a new one. But he's set on it, and it's impossible to argue with him. Yeah. Maybe we can get you some new armor once we're out of town. You *have* to get all this? He's always been crazy. Now he's just more crazy. * Jum Tal chuckles and looks over them with an appraiser's eye. "Okay... That sums up to a total of 681 gil. Mostly on the ruby, of course." * Leran takes the list back. * Nikki snickers and lets him. I don't know. I think I'm not going to be able to afford twelve different swords. I don't know what you'd do with twelve different swords. * Mona smiles faintly. "Mostly on the ruby. You just had to pick the best of the bunch, didn't you, Ram?" She digs in another one of her pouches. Neither do I, but he has them listed. Sword for practice, sword for armor, sword for rocks, sword for liquidy stuff... Let's just say we get you one or two swords, and they're multipurpose. * Ramsey looks up at her sis. "Yup!" (Err, his. >_<) Yeah. I'd better get started or I'm never going to be done. * Xanithern looks at the list, turns it over and takes out a pen, writing something on the list. He holds it up to the Arms Merchant expectantly. * Leran looks around for the arms merchant! * Mona pulls out 681 gil and hands it to the woman, with a smile. "Thanks, as always." * Nikki shrugs. "I'll help," she offers. "I'm almost done anyway." She heads towards the arms merchant! Which is where Leran's looking anyhow * Nikki brings Ioanna with. Wark. * Leran follows Nikki! And avoids the chocobo. * Jum Tal takes the money and smiles back. "Thank you. And come back again!" * Dorn watches the group walk by silently, unsure of what to do. Coming along, Mona? Technically, I'm a merchant dealing in metal arms and armor. * Nikki waves at Dorn as she walks by. ^^ * Xanithern sighs and writes something else below it, holding it up again. * Dorn blinks and waves a little. * Mona chuckles. "You know we will." She blinks and looks at the leaving Leran. "Only if you plan on buying all those swords, as you certainly won't be able to carry them." She hand Ramsey the gems she just bought. * The arms merchant shakes his head. "Look, I can't deal in that because we don't do woodworking or tailoring. You should know that they're different disciplines. And besides, metal sells much better." I probably will need help, yeah. * Leran gets in line behind Xanithern. * Nikki does, too! Ioanna nibbles at bit at Leran's hair. Aww, she likes him. * Xanithern snatches the list and gives the arms merchant one last STARE before whipping around. His eyes (which unusually for a Yuke can be barely seen within the shadows of the helmet, don't hide the irritation any longer as he brushes past Leran and Nikki. * Leran jerks away and almost punches the chocobo before he realizes, hey, chocobo. Er... sorry, um. What's its name? (Hey, chocobos are vicious) * Nikki oofs as Xani brushes by. "Ioanna," she says absently as she watches the yuke go. "I wonder what that was all about." * Mona crouches and says to Ramsey, softly, in Lilty, * Leran looks at him retreat. "No idea, but he seemed irritated." Anyways. Sorry, Ioanna, granddad has me jumpy today. * About this time a young Selkie comes from around and finds the fuming Xanithern. She bumps into him as she walks past. "Hey, watch where you're going punk!" * Leran walks up to the arms merchant.. and turns around again at that. * The chocobo clicks her tongue and says, "Wark." * Mona glances at the outburst, but is still talking to Ramsey, so. * Nikki hasn't turned her attention away and blinks at the confrontation. * Ramsey nods looks over at the commotion, and before you could say 'What was that?!' he's off going home with the gems in hand. * Mona smiles faintly as Ramsey runs off, then stands and brushes off her robe, casually. * Nikki hands Leran Ioanna's reigns. "You take care of this. I'll be riiiiight back." And she half-jogs over to the Yuke and the Selkie. I... wait, what? * Leran looks at the chocobo warily. Okay.... * Ioanna warks cheerfully! * Leran turns back to the arms merchant. "Hi." * Mona sighs noisily and crosses the distance to Leran. "It's a chocobo, Leran, not a goblin." * Dorn walks over to the Yuke and Selkie, setting the helmet on the glaive's point while tying his hair back. Well, I just don't do so well with animals I can't eat or hunt. ( Who says you can't eat chocobo? ;9 ) * Mona rolls her eyes and snatches the reigns from him. "Then I'll hold him so you can continue shopping while Nikki is away. Then I can get back to work." She then looks the chocobo in the eyes before petting it. * Leran relinquishes the reins happily! "Thanks." He looks at the list, then back at the Arms Merchant. "Uh, I'll take a long sword, a greatsword, a long bow, and a dagger." * Xanithern is walking towards the other merchant now. At least he pointed that out. * The chocobo accepts switched 'ownership' without complaint. And she rather seems to enjoy being petted, and has no problem with the mistaken gender. * Nikki finally reaches the selkie. "Ezen Daaaar," she sighs. "I can't believe you did that." * Ezen Dar shhhs Nikki and talks softly. "I've been dying to get something about this guy. And this'll definetly get his attention." She winks at Nikki. * Nikki rolls her eyes and switches to Selkic. "" (He is like Squeenix without the crazy? ^_^) * Ezen Dar grins. "" (That's how Nikki puts it!) * Nikki snickers. "" ( Sure he can. ^^ ) (^_~) * Mona pets the chocobo and says quietly, as she looks around a little, "So, Ioanna, what do you think about Leran's long list of items to buy, mmm?" * Ioanna nuzzles Mona and warks softly. She clucks her tongue a couple times. ( Wark wark, warwark wark wark, wark warkwark wark. ) * Leran waits for his items. * The Clavat tending to the shop that Xani was guided to is more than helpful. "What can I get for you?" * Mona smiles slightly. "Do you think Nikki will make you carry any of them?" * Ioanna closes her eyes and nods, warking cheerily. * Xanithern looks around for the other merchant and takes a deep breath. He takes out the ink pen again and scribbles out the notes he's been writing before holding the list up in front of the Clavat's face but at a respectable distance. He points to the two items, hesitates, then points to some leather armor as well. * The Selkie hmmms, and goes in back. Out comes a rather standard- looking greatsword, longsword, and bow. He also hands over a dagger and a pouch, presumably containing all the bonded magicite for such weapons. * Mona shakes her head. "Well, you certainly seem in a good mood about it." * Leran takes them one at a time and looks them over, with a merchant's eye if not a blacksmith's, then setting them on the ground beside him. "Yeah, okay. How much for the lot?" (They look like they could be hawked for a good amount and faked off as the greatsword of the famed adventurer Dumbledorf.) (Cool!) Mmm, look I like ya, so I'll be honest and give you a flat price. 120 gil, but I'm not going any lower. * The Clavat nods. "Comin' right up!" He calls to the back. "Hey, Meri, we need a bag of balls and a '10-foot pole'!" (Ha! And then a girl that looks like Ash Ketchum skates by and throws out a card that becomes a pole.) * Meri, presumably, calls from the back. "I got your 10-foot pole right here! Here's the Bag'o'balls too!" And, sure enough, they go flying and the person tending the shop in front catches them, albiet a bit messily. The pole isn't 10 ft, but rather a quarterstaff. * Xanithern looks oddly at the Clavat and hisses something out...confused more than irritated. * Leran nods to the Selkie. "Done." He deals out the gil! * The merchant takes the gil and nods happily. "Thank you, come again." ^_^ * Mona pets the chocobo again and sighs slightly before saying, "You're a very nice chocobo, Ioanna." She then looks up at Leran. "Do all caravaners prepare before they are accepted?" * Dorn watches the entire transaction and looks very displeased afterwards. Not all, maybe. Makes you look like you're ready for anything if you prepare beforehand. Also, granddad'd have my hide if I even hinted I might not get on the caravan. * Leran checks the list and heads for the General Goods Merchant, assuming there is one. (Where did Nikki go? I'm not holding this chocobo forever. >_>) (I'm here! It's confusing.) * Nikki nudges Ezen Dar and half-whispers, "" She heads back to Mona. * Ezen Dar is grinning and waiting for her 'plan' to come into action. ~_^ * Nikki blinks and looks back, then to Xani. Hey Xani! Looking for something? ^_^ * Mona frowns and walks along with Leran, and smiles slightly. "I should get one of you to pay me for my time. At least that way I would be accomplishing something." * Xanithern starts to search his person..then looks up at the merchant, checking another part of his outfit... * Nikki nods to herself. She saw that coming. And she goes to retrieve her chocobo from Mona. "Sorry about that. He wasn't supposed to shove her onto you." (He didn't say his name, does he know it somehow? ^^;) Don't look at me, Mona... hey, she offered! (She knows it because Nikki told her. ^^;) (Ezen Dar knows Nikki, and *Nikki* knows his name.) (I missed that!) (Feel free to have him be surprised by it, though. ;P) * Xanithern slowly, very slowly, turns towards the voice. The helmet does not look pleased. (That's an awesome line.) (The helmet is not pleased!) * Mona pets the chocobo again. "I took it because I didn't want to see him drop his new arsenal on Ioanna's foot." * Ioanna warks! (^_^) * Nikki laughs and reaches over to pet Ioanna, who's looking like a very happy chocobo. "Yeah, thanks. She likes you." * Mona looks over at Xanithern and Ezen Dar with a growing frown. "I'm a very personable person. Or at least most animals I've met seem to think." * Ezen Dar is a Selkie, looking a little younger than Nikki. She has long golden hair and purple eyes, and a rather attractive figure, all-told, with pale skin (and lots of it) showing. "Com'on. You sure you're not looking for something?" ^^ That's important. And it's okay; it'll turn out fine. * xanithern looks back at the Clavat and holds up one white-gloved finger before moving back over to Ezen. * Leran shifts his weapons. "They ought to have hand carts for use here. This is ridiculous." He arrives at the General Goods Merchant. * Nikki looks over. "If Ezen Dar isn't stupid about it, anyway." She smiles brightly and tugs her chocobo's reigns, heading for general goods. "C'mon, Ioanna." * Mona frowns slightly. "I don't know. That Yuke... looks familiar too. I think I've seen... him, yes, him, around." Yup. He's been around. Tell ya what. I'll help find what you're looking for, if you'll come out of your shell a bit more. It's no fun trying to talk to you when you're not listening, you know." She winks. * Dorn walks over to the general store as well, looking for a bedroll. * The Clavat shrugs and lets Xani do his thing. * Nikki ties Ioanna nearby, gives her a reassuring rub, and heads into the store. * Leran waits for the merchant to recognize that he's there! * Nikki heads into the store! And looks around, then walks over to Dorn. "Why the long face?" * Mona mutters to herself, saying, "It's not that, Nikki..." She steps to a side, but watches the unfolding situation. ..Eh? (How tall's Dorn? ^^) * Xanithern walks over to Ezen and gives her a solid look, then simply thrusts out his hand, palm up in her direction. (4'9") (Okay, got it in my head now. ^^) * Nikki smiles down at Dorn. "You looked annoyed about something. Merchant rip you off?" He tried to. * Dorn is still looking fairly dour, but less so now that someone's actually talking to him. * Nikki nods and picks up a mirror, peering at it. "Oh." (Still the prettiest!) And then she grins at Dorn. "But he didn't, right?" * Leran is being ignored by the merchant, so looks back to Dorn and Nikki. "Hey, Nikki, who's that? Of course not. It's still worthy armor, though. * The General Goods merchant is currently in the back of the shop anyways. A nice 'Please wait here' sign sits in front. * Nikki waves at Leran with her mirror, signing in Selkic with her free hand, hiding it with her body from the lilty. "I don't know!" She looks over at Dorn. "I'm Nikki. Nikki Diodorus. And you are?" * Ezen smiles. "So, do we have a deal?" ^_^ Dorn Ahlatt. A pleasure. * Xanithern just looks at Ezen steadily. It's unnerving. Particularly since he isn't saying a word. His hand is unwavering. * Nikki smiles. "I'm trying for the caravan soon. Stocking up in case I get on. It's good luck, you know?" * Mona stands in the market, watching Ezen and Xani. * Leran walks over, after setting down his OMGWEAPONS. "Leran Hasgord." He pauses as Nikki speaks, then says, "Ditto." * Dorn nods to Leran. "I didn't, but I do now. And I'm also applying for a caravan position." Yeah? Do you think you'll get on? Competition's kinda tough. So am I. Good attitude. At least you'll survive if you don't make it on. Granddad's made hints about bricking up the door to my room with me inside if I screw up. * Ezen Dar sighs and walks over to Xani. "Okay, if you don't want to talk now, that's fine. Just open up a little, could ya?" She nudges him a little and starts over to do a little shopping of her own. * Nikki looks at Leran. "He will *not*." * Dorn smiles faintly. "Everyone needs a little motivation." He so will. He's crazy, remember? * Xanithern stumbles a bit at the nudging and eyes the Selkie. Can't trust Selkie's. He then checks his pouch again, counts out monies, and walks back to the Clavat merchant. (Man, flashbacks to that one Angel episode.) * Mona mutters, "Well, that was pointless." Crazy, but he's on the council, so at least I've got one person pulling for me. Then I'll have to blow a hole in your wall, get kicked off the caravan or whatever, and we can go hide in Tipa or something. * Xanithern looks over at Mona. In case she's talking to him. He just stares at her for a while. * Leran snorts. "Yeah, like you'd make it on the caravan and not me." * Dorn watches the two talk with no small amount of amusement. * Nikki sticks her tongue out at Leran. "It could happen." She practically preens. "*I* know magic." Grin. Magic is useful, but I have my own special edge. * Leran laughs. "You and every Yuke on the planet... oh? * Mona smiles at Xanithern, and says, in Yuke, * Nikki looks like she's about to respond, then she turns to Dorn curiously. * Dorn just smiles mysteriously and adjusts a clasp on his armor. Oh, come on. Tell! * Xanithern looks over at Mona and his eyes twinkle a bit and ease. He puts his hands together, covering them with his sleeves and gives a slight head bow before going back to stare at her. Well.. * Leran looks back at the counter. Stupid merchants. * Mona bows slightly as well, in a similar manner. * Dorn fingers the glaive's blade idly. "..you'll see." * Nikki folds her arms. "But what if I don't get to?" It's no use, Dorn, you'd best give in now. I really must be getting home. Mom might get worried. Sorry, you'll have to figure out my little secret some other time. Don't worry, she will. * Nikki nods. "I guess so." There's a twinkle in her eye. Leran'd totally recognize it. "Nice meeting you. Don't keep your mom waiting." * Xanithern stares at Mona for a while in awkward silence then reaches for his satchel, unbuttoning the top button. He pulls out a medium-sized hand chalkboard and a long piece of chalk, resetting the position on his side. He taps it for a moment, then holds it out in front of him on the string, his hand moving quickly with a chk chk chk sound. * Dorn bows formally and turns to walk out of the marketplace. "Good to meet you both!" * Nikki waves. "See you later!" * Mona arches an eyebrow, and then chuckles, commenting, * Leran eyes Nikki once Dorn leaves. "He's doomed, isn't he?" * Xanithern finally holds up the chalkboard so that Mona can see it. Which involves tilting it downward. ~The name that I go by if you must know, is Xanithern Rylxis. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.~ All on the board. Ooh yeah. I don't even know if he's getting on, anyway. He's got a vengeance streak. One day you're going to have to explain to me how you know this stuff. [Written in Yuke!] * Nikki looks shocked. "Why, Leran! All you need to do is ask the right questions." * Nikki looks her mirror over again, then goes to pick up some rope. * Xanithern 's handwritting looks fairly elegant actually. Particularly for how fast he was writing. Speed writer! * Leran shakes his head in an amused manner. "Yeah, and the secret to wildnerness survival is to avoid the badgers." Well, it is. * Mona looks up at the board, and she says simply. That plus a lot of other things. * Xanithern gives a helpless shrug, as if he doesn't care much what you do call him. He takes the chalkboard and starts wiping it off with his gloved hand, before writing again. Chk chk chk. ~You mentioned a tower?~ * Leran has been selecting things while he speaks. He's got a gigantic pile going on the counter. Don't forget the oil! * Xanithern then turns towards the Clavat merchant, then back to Mona and holds up one finger. He lets the chalkboard dangle and walks over to the merchant to complete his purchase first. Eighteen-odd pints. For wilderness survival! That and for burning people alive, he said. * Leran plunks the oil on the counter. * Nikki pauses for a moment at that. Twenty ought to satisfy him. Okay, that's just a little freaky. * Mona rubs her neck, then blinks, opens her mouth, and then stops when he holds up his finger, saying to herself, in Yuke, just because she's talking in Yuke at the moment, * The Lilty that tends the store finally walks in and looks uuuuup at the pile. He's quite old, and keeps just about anything caravaners need in stock. After looking up, he regards Leran. "... You must be Loren's boy, aren't ya?" * Nikki giggles. I don't know, he gets all on about this .... yeah. How did you ever guess? I saw him off when he went on his first caravan, and he carried all that, and then some. * Nikki laughs. * Xanithern gives the merchant gil! Happy merchant. Happy Xanithern! This IS Capitalism at work, folks. (*clears throat* Yay! Capitalism!) (Yay! Capitalism!) * The Clavat that Xani had gotten the items from takes the gil and gives Xani the weapons, as well as the bonded magicite for the staff. (Mona's all for capitalism. Which is to say, BUY MY JEWELRY.) Must be inflation. * Leran counts on his hands a sec. "Hey, you've been doing this quite a while, then." * Nikki busies herself making her own, much smaller pile. * The lilty nods. "Your pop would have wanted some of these, this, and... this, but I don't know why on the last one." He tosses a few blankets, some insectbane candles, and some sort of kit on the top. * Xanithern bows his head in thanks and starts inspecting the magicite. Mmm, magicite. * Mona walks over to Xanithern, and answers his question while he inspects the marbles. * Xanithern nods as he listens to Mona but doesn't really respond. At least he acknowledges her though. Hey, thanks. No problem. There anything else you need son? * Xanithern puts away the magicite and grabs his board again, looking down at it as he writes. ~You intend to go there then?~ Nope. * Leran forks over the $HugeAmountOfGil! (Ha!) (Leran now has -467895 gil) * The lilty laughs. "Great, I'll go work out your change right now." He takes the gil and goes to the back. * Nikki looks amused. "Can you carry all of that?" * Leran eyes it. "I have no idea." Even if it's not heavy, it looks awfully bulky. Ioanna's not very weighed down, and she won't be from my stuff. * Nikki points out her pile which, yeah, is a lot smaller. In fact, she could probably carry it out. * About this time Ezen Dar comes back around, apparently buying nothing. She puts her hands around Nikki's eyes. "Guess who!" * Leran looks like he's trying to decide between salvaging his pride and his back muscles, because he is. * Nikki thinks. "Well, uh..." The queen of Alfitaria? No, she'd never be able to reach that high. (It's Ezen Dar! Only she has breasts like that that she is PRESSING AGAINST MY BACK FOR NO REASON >_<) * Ezen Dar laughs. "You've got two more tries and the first two don't count!" Great! My second guess is Ramuh, master of storms, lightning, and a month on top of it! (...this is exactly like the Amelia/Lina horror episode on Slayers) * Ezen Dar does her best imitation of Ramuh. "And the last guess, little girl?" (*laughs*) (Hehe.) * Nikki grins. "Ezen Dar, who has have *the* worst Ramuh impression on the planet." She reaches up to move the other girl's hands and turns around. "So? How'd it go?" * Xanithern lets out a hmm sound as his hand half-disappears under his helmet to presumeably where his chin would be. He made noise! He then skritches the chalk again. ~Anything pertaining to structures which survived the Impact?~ * Mona stares at the chalkboard for a second. Well, Xani's at least 'talkin' to someone. And what's wrong with my Ramuh impression! * Ezen Dar looks hurt. * Leran looks back at Ezen Dar, whom he probably knows and thus tries hard not to talk to. * The Lilty comes out with a smaller bag of gil and hands it over to Leran. "And there you are, squared away! Now, who's next? You young lady?" * Nikki grins. "You don't sound like an old man. Maybe- uh? Oh!" She gets distracted by the lilty. "Yes, sir." * Leran sticks it in his pocket. "Thanks again." * Leran goes back to staring at the pile. * Xanithern looks at the chalkboard too, then back at Mona, letting out a single blink, before erasing the last part with his hand and changing "structures which survived the Impact" to "structures of the old world." * The Lilty nods and starts looking over stuff. "Mmhmm, mmhmm... And you'd be Petros's pride and joy, wouldn't you!" * Nikki laughs, setting her elbows on the counter. "Yeah, he's my grandpa. I guess you saw him off, too." That I did! He was so chipper that day. * Mona ahs, and chuckles. * Nikki nods. "He really likes talking about his caravanning days. What he remembers of them, anyway." She frowns a little, then shrugs. "But it's not really a family obligation for me like for Leran." * Ezen Dar sees Leran's uneasyness and grins, sauntering over. "So, you here with Nikki? Or doing your own shopping?" * Xanithern rolls his eyes as only a Yuke can. * Leran gestures to The Pile of Pileness. "Guess." I guess. Of course, there might be somethin' in there for Nikki too, hmmm? ~_^ * Mona rubs her head. * Leran looks at Ezen Dar askance a little. Then looks back at the pile and says, "Not unless she's partial to insectbane candles." Oh, I'm sure you'll eventually find something for her. Maybe you just need to look... harder. * Leran blinks. ".... a grappling hook?" He looks baffled. Either that, or it's something more. * The lilty holds out a piece of paper. "Here's what your total comes to." * Nikki takes the paper and looks at it. "Okay." She holds the paper between two fingers as she reaches into her jacket, pulling out a coin purse and counting out the required amount of gil. * Xanithern looks over at Mona for a while, staring at her steadily in awkward silence. He then takes up the chalkboard and erases it out with his gloved hand which is probably a mess by now. Skritch skritch show. ~Common, Yuke, Rebina, Sign, Lamian, Draconic, Pug.~ If there's any trace of smugness behind that helmet, he's not showing one bit of it right now. * The lilty takes the gil. "Thank you very much. I wish you the best of luck when you try out." <... Pug?> * Mona then suddenly says, with a glint in her eye, in a weird snakey-sounding language, * Nikki smiles. "Really? Thanks. That means a lot." I'll do well! * Xanithern sighs and taps the chalk for a moment before underlining it. ~Pug.~ * Mona shifts back into Yuke. <... Yes, Pug. I was just surprised... I guess a sign language is good for you.> * Nikki shoves most of the supplies in the sack she also got and lifts it with a grunt, grabbing the rest with her other hand. "Got it." She turns to look at her friends and does not teeter over. "Ezen Dar, stop hitting on Leran." * Leran coughs. * Xanithern hesitates for a few moments. Then adds underneath all the languages, hesitately. ~...I understand Lamian.~ * Xanithern then writes some...err...complicated squiggles. * Ezen Dar frowns. "Awww, but it's so much fun!" * Nikki laughs. "Yeah, sure." She heads out to load Ioanna up. "You coming?" * Leran nods, and proceeds to carefully load himself up. With everything. (So, what's your encumberance at?) * Ezen Dar 'helps' Leran load stuff up. "Here, let me help you with that." ^_^ (Heavy. But light end of heavy.) (*snerks* Have another box. Have another box. Have another box. Have another box...) (I have way too much fun with her.) Hey, nothing I didn't pay for, Of course not! Why would you have anything like that? * Nikki returns before long (what? she didn't get much), and helps Ezen Dar help Leran! "You forgot these." And this. And this over here. * Mona 's enthusiasm fades slightly, and then she replies, in Lamian, She smiles faintly. Don't forget that. Oh, and this bedroll! It is yours, right? The blankets are his too! I didn't buy a bedroll! * Xanithern erases his chalkboard. ~I do not do this to impress anyone.~ Yeah, I remember him getting those as a bonus. And- oh, you didn't? No! * The lilty grins and just shakes his head, heading back in. * Nikki takes the bedroll off (it's not like Leran can put it down) and sets it where she found it. "Okay. Don't need to throw a fit. How about this large, unweildy package of candles?" * Xanithern writes that in Yuke...it'd take far too long to write in Lamian. I thought I had the candles already? * Nikki looks to the selkie. "Did you give him the candles already?" That was box 1 of 3. Oh, well *that* explains it. * Nikki places the box on top of the growing tower that is Leran. "There's two." * Ezen Dar piles the third box on him, jumping up to do so. "And there's three." * Leran is sweating, but handling it. * Nikki checks behind the counter and returns with a footstool, which she places next to Leran and stands on. "Okay, Ezen! Next one!" * Mona is quiet for a second, looking slightly disbelieving, then says, in Yuke, She rubs her neck again. * Ezen Dar throws the next package up. "Goin' up!" * Nikki catches it and nestles it up top. "Next!" * Ezen throws up another one. * Nikki catches that, too, putting it on top. "I think we're about done. Any clothes?" I think they're in there? Somewhere. * Ezen pauses at the last package, apart from any clothing. "Hey, I didn't know you polished your armor. Or maybe this thing's for something else..." She grins. Uh. No, it's for polishing armor. Oh, *please*. He's as pure and innocent as they come. Hand it up! Yeah, I guess you're right. Or he just puts on a good show of it. ~_^ * Ezen Dar hands it up. * Nikki sticks her tongue out at Ezen and sticks the package on Leran's pile. * Leran grunts. Just a little. * Ezen Dar sticks her tounge out back at Nikki. Okay! Almost done. Now for the clothes! * Xanithern looks..well fidgetty, especially with his hands playing with each other. Embarrassed a little? Maybe. He's not reaching for the chalkboard though. He seems at a loss of how to respond. Should ... only be three sets. * Ezen Dar picks up one of the clothing suits and blechs. "Man, who's your fashion designer! These are hideous!" He probably just didn't have a lot left after buying two hundred pints of oil. Yeah, you're right. That oil can get expensive. Up it goes! * Ezen Dar hands Nikki the next set of clothing. * Mona looks at Xanithern's nervousness, and then shakes her head and chuckles, saying, (It's been done!) * Nikki grabs it and drapes it on top. "Set number two!" * Xanithern looks up for a moment at that, erases his chalkboard and writes: ~It's been done.~ Hey, I didn't design those! There's ... one for cold, and one for heat. And one like what I'm wearing right now. * Ezen Dar throws up set #2. "Sure you didn't Leran." * Nikki giggles, looks at the clothes, and makes a face. But she puts it on the pile! * Mona stares at the board, then says, <... Of course it has. See? I told you it was more respectable.> * Mona rubs the back of her head. (Actually, wait. Sans armor and shield, he's still only Medium.) * Xanithern thinks for a minute, then scribbles it out. ~Yet wouldn't that knowledge be useful on a caravan? I would hardly see how you could look down upon someone who made the journey successful through their knowledge.~ * Leran quivers... then stops. "Actually, this isn't so bad." Whatever. I'm not carrying it all. One more set of clothes, Ezen Dar! * Ezen Dar throws up the last set. "Here you go, Nikki!" * Nikki catches and places it on top. "Ta da!" * Mona makes a little sigh, and says, She smiles at Xanithern a little. (Leran collapses under all the weight! .... oh, wait. Or not.) * Leran takes a few steps. "I think I've got it... but let's get this home before I fall on my face and break things. We can come back and get the shield later." * Xanithern shrugs in responds to that and sets his chalkboard to hang. (Leran, roll me a dex check!) (Or balance.) * Ezen Dar thinks. "I'm wondering. If we put a towel on top, will he collapse from the weight? (... aw, DANG....) I dunno about weight, but he might fall over. * Mona says, * Xanithern looks at her questioningly. [And Leran's got it! No he doesn't! Yes he does! No he doesn't!.. Well, he didn't, until he ran into the wall. Now the bunch of stuff is sandwiched between him and the wall.] * Nikki covers her mouth to try to keep herself from laughing. It doesn't really work. ... dang it. Want me to just take... um, some of that and put it on Ioanna? * Nikki snickers. Ahem. I'm going to be hearing about it for months either way. It can't make it any worse. * Xanithern is still staring at her questioningly. And possibly unblinkingly. Well, it's hard to see whether he's blinking or not from her vantage point because, hey, helmet. So yes. Please. * Nikki pushes the stool over towards Leran, climbs up, and takes a good amount for the pile. She makes a small noise of complaint about the weight, but she heads out to put it on her chocobo. * Ezen Dar cracks up. She has no restraint on this. * Leran carefully leans back, and hopes the pile doesn't die. * Mona looks up at Xanithern, and says, * Xanithern snaps his fingers at that and then nods enthusiastically at Mona, signing out something in a quick gesture. [The pack is managable enough for Leran to carry it. It's by no means easy, but he can get around with a little stumbling.] * Mona waves her hands. * Xanithern stops himself and waves his arms a bit, then shakes his head and looks at Mona, then shakes it again, then stops, then nods. * Leran stumbles out the door! * Nikki is outside, with Ioanna untied and everything loaded up. She looks at Leran, obviously amused, and the laughter hasn't left her voice yet. "Ready to go? I can come back for the greens later; Mr. Johnathon's holding them for me." Yeah, I'll get the shield later. After the several hours of laughing you're going to do. * Ezen Dar walks out behind Leran, *very* amused at his predicament. "I should hang around to make sure Leran doesn't lose anything." ~_^ * Mona just looks at the signing funny, then sighs. She looks at Xanithern. * Nikki laughs. "Might as well get a head start. Come on, Ioanna." The chocobo looks at Nikki, then back at Leran, then closes her eyes and warks loudly. Yeah, she's amused, too. Oh god, now there's two of them. >_< * Xanithern rolls his eyes and sketches it out. ~If I had a bigger chalkboard, I couldn't carry it with me, now could I?~ * Nikki grins and heads off. She glances at Xanithern and Mona. "Huh. Must be gettin' their reseraching mojo on." <...Right, which is why I said to go somewhere with a bigger chalkboard. Since I'm guessing you're using sign because you have a lot to say?> * Xanithern sighs and writes out: ~Sometimes I get excited.~ * Ezen Dar looks back. "Guess so." Or somethin' like it, anyways. * Nikki lets out a faint pfft. "Yeah, like you'd know. You don't know Yuke. Sounds like what Mona's speaking, anyway." * Mona smiles faintly, * Mona glances over at Nikki and the poor overburdened chocobo. I have no idea how you understand that stuff, Nikki. * Xanithern stops suddenly and blinks, and looks at her, and blinks, then writes in a free spot on his board. ~Who's Sebejias?~ Well... * Nikki grins at Leran. "I don't! I don't know Yuke, either." ... good to know. It would be, if I did. Yeah, I don't know what you're getting at. ^^; (My chocobo isn't overburdened.) * Mona looks back at the board, then says, glancing over at the Selkie and Clavat crew. (Chocobo's STR > Leran's) (Chocobo str is... 18, I think) (And they're bigger, so they carry more anyways. ~_^) * Xanithern shakes his head to indicate that he hasn't heard of him. His arms wave out to the side faintly as a show of helplessness. * Mona looks at Xani for a second, then shrugs. * Xanithern hesitates for a second, stopping and regarding Mona for a second. Then: ~...I'm looking forward to the caravan.~ (I take it we end up offscreen, putting stuff away and laughing at Leran. ;P) (Yeah, I'm for that. :P) (Yup.) * Mona mms, and says, with a small grin, * Xanithern writes one last message and stands proudly. ~Then I wish good luck to us both.~ He gives a faint gesture that looks like a farewell gesture and walks off into the crowd. * Mona opens her mouth, then just decides to watch him go, and then rubs her neck with both hands. "Ow." She frowns, then looks up at the sky before going off in a random direction! [Mini end!]