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RESPITE MARKETPLACE - MORNING
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Bracvar pushes his cart into it's usual place at the heel of the caravan just North of the marketplace, eight in total lined up roughly facing the North Gate as they finish their final counts and tie downs and wait for any stragglers to arrive. Bracvar crouches under the pushbar, nodding to two nearby merchants before scuttling around to the side of his cart, tugging each rope over the hide cover as he passes.
Enver makes his way into town from his usual camping spot near the waterfall, his belongings now packed into something of a stiff cubic leather bag. His eyes travel over the various wagons in the caravan, keeping an eye out for familiar merchants and giving a few friendly waves to those he's worked with.
Bracvar rounds the back of his cart, checking the latches for the back and spotting Enver once the juggler's reached the middle of the caravan. He grins, pushing high up with his legs to be seen clearly over his own cart, and giving Enver an enthusiastic wave.
Enver blinks at the unmistakable sight of the large crab and comes jogging over. "Bracvar! You're leaving? I guess you need to go catch more fish?"
Bracvar as he watches Enver approach, he starts lowering himself back down and steps around to the side of his cart again. "Yes sir, I've run out of goods to sell and coin to spend, so I must take to the road again!" He chuckles, taking not of Enver's load. "Oho, what've you got there? New gear fer entertainin'?"
Enver cocks his head? "Oh... it's just... a bag for my stuff, but I can also like, sit and stand on it, so it's handier to haul around than a sack." The mongoose certainly looks better fed, better washed, and better dressed than the last time Bracvar saw him. He still smells like he sleeps outside every night, but he's no longer dressed in threadbare clothes or oversized hand-me-downs.
Enver looks over Brac's cart. "I'd like to maybe get my name on it in some flashy looking writing to draw the eye a bit, maybe get some sort of costume, but one thing at a time." He gives a smile to the crab. "So has business been good for you these past weeks? You always seem busy when I see you in the market."
Bracvar grins, nodding. "That's excellent! I'm glad you're settling in so well! You certainly look more full than the first time we met, little friend." He winks, still not used to it being an unseen gesture. "Business has been good, had to stick around a bit longer than expected. Luckily, latched onto some clothing for cheap to make a bit o' gold in between."
Enver laughs. "Well, I guess there's no risk of you sampling your wares with that line..." He climbs easily on top of Bracvar's cart to put them at more of an eye level. "But yeah, met some good folks, stopped being scared that someone was out to get me. Just been spending my days putting smiles on faces, which is kind of great."
Bracvar nods, relaxing a bit in place with his hands resting on his foreknees. "I've seen you about the market, had a few customers speaking very kindly about yer show, too. Yer helping us merchants out too, if'n I can be honest with yeh. Happy customers don't look so close at prices."
Enver cocks his head a bit. "Huh... well, I mean, I try to not perform for folks who overcharge... I have to watch my coins, and so I know when someone is charging two copper for a turnip that's one copper across the market..."
Bracvar chuckles. "Well, I meant more for those that complain over a price that is perfectly reasonable. Bartering is fun and fine, but when someone wants something fer less than yeh bought it fer and won't drop it..." He grunts, letting out a little chuckle. "Sorry, yesterday had a partic'lry pesty goat that might've got me a little salty."
Enver frowns. "Sorry to hear that..." He sits down on the stretched tarp. "So you off to Bairnell's Foothold? Somewhere farther?"
Bracvar grins, shaking his head. "Nothing to worry 'bout, nobody cracks this shell! Yeah, Bairnell's fer this cargo, then swimming off to Odonga fer some special cargo. Hate it, but I'll have to hire a ship fer the trip back, I guess."
Enver cocks his head. "What kind of special cargo?"
Bracvar: "Mmh, some parts fer the engineer lass, Maybelline. Hopefully I can find everything she needs, but my source is pretty good at er... Acquisitions." He looks to Enver, shrugging. "Nothin' too unusual. Anythin' you might want from that way? Not a trip I'd make often."
Enver cocks his head. "Huh... I dunno... maybe something interesting to juggle? I don't have any special balls or whatever, so something flashy like that if you can find it. Not sure where you'd even look though."
Bracvar nods, looking ahead as he sees the caravan leader wandering about, usually a good sign that the time is coming. He turns back to Enver, the corner of his eye crinkling with his smile. "No problem, little friend, I'll pick something up if it looks appropriate. I suppose you've never been to Odonga yerself to know what might be there, hmm?"
Enver shakes his head. "Never was farther than Policaster before I came here."
Enver hops down off the cart at the signs of movement from the caravan and hefts up his bag again. "Well, I guess I'll see you in a while then. I owe you a lot of thanks, Bracvar... if you hadn't believed in me all those weeks back..."
Bracvar chuckles, raising his palm. "That's nothing to worry about. Yeh would've landed on yer feet either way, Enver. Yer hardy, I expect you'll be comfortable by the time I get back." He scuttles to the front of his cart, ducking under the push bar, but leaning around the side to look to Enver again. "Take care of yerself in the meantime, yeah?"
Enver nods. "I will, yes..." He smiles back and pauses for a moment as if wanting some sort of parting affection, but instead he just tips his hat to the crab and smiles. "Smooth roads and steady seas to you on your travels. I'll keep the market happy for you until you're back again."
Bracvar grins, giving a slight bow with a hand on his chest. "Aye, thank you fer the blessing." A hand bell is rung from the front of the caravan. Bracvar glances forward with a bit of a look as he thinks how unnecessary that is for a medium sized group. "Fare well, juggler!" He sets his hands on the bar, pushing the cart into motion with a light grunt as his journey begins.
Enver gives a last wave to the crab before he continues on into the market, looking for a light breakfast before searching out a place to perform for the day.
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RESPITE MARKETPLACE - AFTERNOON
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Elizabeth is slowly strolling about the marketplace, dressed in her usual daytime 'casual' dress. She does not seem to be in a hurry, just idly looking at the various wares. Overall, the skunk is a good mood, her life having settled into a routine of not much at all - spending the evenings and nights identifying and de-cursing magic items for Mr. Shaw, no questions asked.
Louma slithers between market stalls, dressed in her usual off-duty cotton shirt, with her wings slightly extended backward over her tail as she moves. The basket on her arm is partially filled with food as she makes her way up to a jewelry vendor, blocking the path for a brief moment as her tail catches up to her.
Elizabeth is not entirely paying attention, and nearly stumbles on the tail. She recovers quickly though, or at least attempts to repair her mildly bruised dignity. "G-good afternoon, Captain."
Louma turns toward Elizabeth, apologizing in turn, though the look and tone she wears hurt the authenticity of it. "I'm sorry, miss Elizabeth, I'll take better care with my tail." She sighs slightly, levelling her attitude out better. "How does the day find you?"
Elizabeth brushes her dress with a hand and a bit of magical swirl: "I suppose I am fine, more or less. How about you?"
Louma nods, drawing her tail in closer as others continue milling about. "I'm fine as well, thank you. A little more stress than I'd like at the barracks, but that's managable." She glances at the dress after Elizabeth's brushing, offering a smile. "That's a beautiful dress for a day at the market."
Elizabeth gives a small nod: "I consider it my duty to look the best I can, anytime."
Louma: "You certainly seem to live up to that duty, from what I remember. I imagine you have even more elegant wear for less mundane days?"
Elizabeth nods, musing on this habit of hers: "Yes... to look one's finest is not taking a chance of giving the wrong impression. I might have relocated my life here in a hurry, but that doesn't mean I have to leave every part of myself behind."
Louma considers this, nodding. "I sometimes wish I had that wisdom when I left Orela. Of course, leaving things behind was the idea." She grins, shaking her head. "Orelan fashion is easy enough to obtain or replicate. Weapons, on the other hand..."
Elizabeth looks at Louma curiously, tilting her head slightly: "Weapons? Is there something unique about them in Orela?"
Louma shrugs, shifting her basket from one arm to the other. "It seems so. Perhaps it's a personal taste, but no spear on Aephix feels right. Spend half a decade with the same tool, others just do not have the balance I'd like." She tilts her head a bit, "Bringing goods in from Sarn is a little easier than Orela."
Elizabeth nods absently: "...well, as long as my name isn't on the order, I imagine..."
Louma gives Elizabeth a curious look. "Hm, similar issue for me, though some recent events lead me to think it doesn't matter so much. Wont matter at all, soon."
Elizabeth shakes her head slightly, straightening her dress: "Yes. Behind me, that which happened." She looks about the marketplace, finding a smile: "Respite Falls is really peaceful for such a... quaint little frontier town. I imagine something else when I arrived."
Louma nods, looking about as well. "You're certainly right about that. It was even quieter not too long ago. Seems like word of our little slice of desert has been bringing in more and more... Interesting folks. Out of curiosity, what were you expecting?"
Elizabeth looks aside, her smile waning slightly: "I don't know... more... perhaps more 'rough'. I mean, it's a far cry from... what I am perhaps used to, but it's still livable."
Louma chuckles quietly. "You do seem to carry yourself a little more nobly than the rest of the folk around you. As beautiful as you are, you do stand out among this crowd."
Elizabeth finds a bit of smile again at the compliment: "Perhaps I do. I'd like to think I deserve the attention."
Louma hums, nodding. "Interesting. I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise to me, considering that little display a few moments ago..." She lowers her voice slightly, "Miss 'C.'"
Elizabeth looks at Louma, raising an eyebrow: "'Miss C'? What do you mean?"
Louma smiles slightly. "Your hesitation on saying your name when we first ran into eachother. Miss Elizabeth 'C', an interesting quirk of someone not shy of attention."
Elizabeth sighs at that, frowning: "Perhaps that was misguided of me. But new in town, you can not blame me for being careful." She gives a small curtsy: "Allow me to fix that mistake, though. My name is Elizabeth Catherine O'Williams, and I hold no ill will towards Respite."
Louma smiles, nodding. "I don't mean to sound unfriendly, hopefully you understand my curiosity is mostly tied to my position." She gives a short bow in return. "More now than ever, I'd like to not be left wanting of information, in fact. It would be nice to know what's attracting certain attentions to our quaint frontier town."
Elizabeth hesitates slightly: "...'certain attentions'?"
Louma nods, shifting her basket again. "Someone posted a bounty, one that originated from Sarn if rumor is to be believed. The travel manifests are not rumors, though, and the names on them are... Concerning."
Elizabeth frowns slightly at the mention of Sarn: "O-oh..." She swallows a bit: "Do I have anything to worry about, do you think?"
Louma feels her smile slip, sighing. "I wouldn't know, it wasn't posted through the guard, and was pulled down as fast as it went up." She gives Elizabeth another curious look after a brief pause. "Don't tell me you do have something to worry about? In fact, yes, don't tell me. Just keep an eye open. Taking a bounty is not illegal here, but between us, hunters are not supported either. If you need help, there are plenty of guards around."
Elizabeth nods slowly, thinking on this for a moment. She then looks back up at Louma: "I will... keep that in mind. Thank you."
Louma nods, smiling reassuredly. "We support eachother in Respite. Doesn't matter who we were."
Elizabeth looks at Louma, nodding slightly with a small smile once more: "I have... learned that, yes. It's still a bit odd to me, the friendliness - but not unappreciated." She sighs a bit: "My situation would be worse if not for folks who are actually friendly."
Louma is interrupted from replying as a boorish boar walks between the two, brushing against her tail with his leg and offering no apology. She squints after him, sighing. "Mostly friendly." She perks up slightly, turning back to Elizabeth. "That does remind me, you've become acquainted with the town engineer, haven't you? I heard from her that you might be willing to help with the generator."
Elizabeth gives a stare at the boar, tempted to do something... but that would be the old her. She forces herself to turn back to Louma: "...yes, I have. I am still somewhat hesitant on the amount of magic it needs, but... it is something I think I want to help with, regardless."
Louma smiles with more warmth, nodding in approval. "Your efforts would be very much appreciated. We've been without our shield for months, and while we don't exactly have enemies here, it's still important to us. Thankfully we passed through the summer without any sandstorms..." She knocks on her wooden basket, chuckling to herself.
Elizabeth looks up, not having even thought of sandstorms or other such hazards. She is quiet for a moment before turning back to Louma: "...I will at least see what I can do."
Louma: "Not to pressure you into anything. She told me you have concerns about the ordeal."
Elizabeth sighs, nodding: "I do. It's not a light endeavor for any mage, and will tax me heavily. I have never done it before, so I am uncertain of what might follow."
Louma shifts her basket again, looking Westward toward the clinic, though it can't be seen from where they are. "We seem to have latched on to an excellent doctor, if you need to recuperate." She turns back to Elizabeth, "And there's an officer's rest at the barracks, if you feel you need somewhere... safer. It's nicer than you might think, if not than you might want."
Elizabeth nods slowly, shifting her position slightly and idly picking up her tail in her hands: "It is a lot to think about. But I think I will do it... do something good in my life for a change."
Louma chuckles, giving her another tilted look. "Not that I'd ever bother you for your past, but it's good to know you want to leave whatever you consider bad on the other side of those walls."
Elizabeth considers for a moment, then nods: "I'll... when I feel safe to talk about it."
Louma shrugs, despite her curiosity. "You never have to, that's the beauty of this place."
Elizabeth smiles at that: "I do appreciate that. Respite really is a place of escape."
Louma nods, glancing down at her basket of vegetables as she shifts it once more. "Thankfully, yes. Sometimes I wish it wouldn't grow and could stay hidden forever, but that wouldn't be a fair thought to those still seeking it."
Elizabeth chuckles softly: "I suppose that is the way of things. So far at least, this town is an unknown to most."
Louma looks back to Elizabeth, grinning. "Who knows, perhaps in a few years, if Respite stops being quiet enough, we'll find somewhere more hidden somewhere else on Aephix. Let's just... Carefully look at all the plant life first."
Elizabeth tilts her head: "Plant life? There's not just predators and who-knows-what out there, but also dangerous... plant life?"
Louma nods, chuckling. "Some, yes. Unfortunately beautiful, and yet containing some intriguing properties."
Elizabeth blinks, remembering: "Oh. Right. Erika mentioned that blue flower... and it's probably not the only thing out there." She shakes her head: "Not my division, either way."
Louma shrugs, shaking her head. "Too strange for my liking. And considering how it affected it's victims..." She holds out a feathered arm next to her scaled tail. "Not something I'd like to try suffering."
Elizabeth looks at Louma, then at herself: "Yes, um... no. Let us not try."
Louma turns her hand over, then looks back to Elizabeth, smiling. "I'm glad we can agree on that." She's interrupted again by... The same boar, heading in the other direction, receiving a glare from the guard, the handle of her basket protesting in her grip. She simply huffs a "Rude." after him, though.
Elizabeth glares at the boar: "Very." She lifts her hand and almost lets go a purple swirl of a spell towards the boar, but pulls it back at the last moment.
Louma watches Elizabeth, shaking her head very slowly. "As much as I'd like to turn away. He'll get his." There's a scuffling noise as the boar stumbles loudly into a fruit cart and it's unfriendly looking customer, a shimmering black tail retreating through the crowd toward Louma.
Elizabeth looks at the mess in front of them, frowning. She then turns to nod at Louma: "...regardless. I should perhaps head back home. Prepare for what I have promised for."
Louma nods, shaking her head at the 'clumsy' boar. "I have taken up quite a bit of your time, but it has been nice to know you better. Thank you for stumbling over me, I suppose." She chuckles, giving a short bow to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth gives a small curtsy again: "Likewise, Captain. I imagine we will be seeing again."
Louma smiles, with a nod. "Take care, Elizabeth." She turns away, returning to her shopping, trying to recall what else she needs for the planned meal.
Elizabeth looks at Louma go for a moment, before turning away to do her shopping as well.