Things seemed to be getting more and more confusing. Apparently Shim's very protection against evil was somebody that Saruna wanted to avoid talking about.
Well, Derin knew all about that. It was polite not to continually remind people of those more powerful than them. It would seem that Saruna wasn't the biggest fish in the pond, so to speak. Derin made a mental note to find out more about this Lord of the Manor (why didn't he seem to have a name?), but not mention him to Saruna again. He could be a potential ally, or a potential threat -- probably the latter, if he didn't suffer "disagreeable" actions. He sounded like an immensely powerful figure; with that amount of influence, all of Shim must be his territory, which meant that Derin would have to tread very carefully indeed. Even if that wasn't the case, he couldn't be ignored. Nobody could be ignored. Even uppity little sorcerors who pulled you away from your duties to try to haggle some petty deal could cause real inconvenience, if you weren't careful...
Saruna appeared to be rather pale and her demeanor had changed... Derin considered asking if she was okay, before reminding herself that that would be horribly rude. One simply did not imply weakness in one's host. Her manners were slipping... she was slipping. She'd been among these barbaric idiots for too long.
Derin walked in silence, but stayed alert. If they were attacked while Saruna was feeling ill as Derin suspected, she could very well end up having to protect them both by herself.
Among the Graves
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
They walked in silence awhile, and Saruna cursed herself for being such an awkward old woman. She fiddled with the basket, fiddled with her shawl, her hands, plucked at her sturdy dress, looked at the road and the trees and the sky ahead. Silence was normally quite comfortable for Saruna, but it was not now. How could it be? There were many words waiting to be spoken, but she could not seem to force herself to speak of them. Mostly she ignored the presence of the manor by not talking with the villagers often. She missed out on the gossip that way. She liked it better that way. She didn't like the idea of something chaotic so close disturbing the peaceful nature of the village.
She felt guilty for not saying more, but she simply could not. Not now, when she found something to be selfish about. Someone like a daughter, to replace her own. Terrible woman. She thought.
Eventually they made it to the gate. It was a bit after noon, the walk having taken longer than Saruna had reckoned, and she knew the goods they'd made would be a long way towards cool. Oh well, she could not control that at all, so no use worrying about it. The line was short, almost nonexistant, and it dispersed by the time Saruna and Derin walked up to the gate. They'd missed the morning crowds of farmers and goods-makers all vying to get the best spot to hawk their wares. All the better, Saruna's knees didn't take kindly to standing still for so long.
The guards were cursory at best; they'd seen Saruna before and knew her for a bumbling if kind-hearted older lady who wouldn't hurt a fly, and since Derin was so obviously with Saruna they didn't trouble her much beyond some speculative glances here and there. Then, the two women were through, and Saruna fancied the awkwardness had evaporated with Derin's first peek at what Saruna guessed was the other's first largish city.
"Well, here we are." She said quite unnecessarily.
She felt guilty for not saying more, but she simply could not. Not now, when she found something to be selfish about. Someone like a daughter, to replace her own. Terrible woman. She thought.
Eventually they made it to the gate. It was a bit after noon, the walk having taken longer than Saruna had reckoned, and she knew the goods they'd made would be a long way towards cool. Oh well, she could not control that at all, so no use worrying about it. The line was short, almost nonexistant, and it dispersed by the time Saruna and Derin walked up to the gate. They'd missed the morning crowds of farmers and goods-makers all vying to get the best spot to hawk their wares. All the better, Saruna's knees didn't take kindly to standing still for so long.
The guards were cursory at best; they'd seen Saruna before and knew her for a bumbling if kind-hearted older lady who wouldn't hurt a fly, and since Derin was so obviously with Saruna they didn't trouble her much beyond some speculative glances here and there. Then, the two women were through, and Saruna fancied the awkwardness had evaporated with Derin's first peek at what Saruna guessed was the other's first largish city.
"Well, here we are." She said quite unnecessarily.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Derin could hardly believe how easy it was to pass through the gate; it took all her discipline to keep her relief out of her expression and posture when a guard gave the two a cursory glance and waved them through. That problem dealt with for now, she turned her attention to the city.
In her travels, she had avoided large settlements as much as possible. Derin hated crowds; she liked to be able to see all potential enemies at any given time. People packed too closely together were... chaotic. It was impossible to determine who was in control at any given time, who was a threat, who was a potential asset. Cities felt like battlefields.
The buildings, triumphant feats of construction, wre of little interest to her -- she had seen more glorious feats constructed out of pure boredom or one-upmanship -- but the concept that so many people could live so close together without resulting in mass slaughter was impressive and slightly ludicrous. She stared at houses, shops, workshops... after a few minutes she pulled herself together. This is not a safe place for awe and speculation. Keep your mind on the job at hand, she told herself.
" So, how do we find your friend in this maze?"
In her travels, she had avoided large settlements as much as possible. Derin hated crowds; she liked to be able to see all potential enemies at any given time. People packed too closely together were... chaotic. It was impossible to determine who was in control at any given time, who was a threat, who was a potential asset. Cities felt like battlefields.
The buildings, triumphant feats of construction, wre of little interest to her -- she had seen more glorious feats constructed out of pure boredom or one-upmanship -- but the concept that so many people could live so close together without resulting in mass slaughter was impressive and slightly ludicrous. She stared at houses, shops, workshops... after a few minutes she pulled herself together. This is not a safe place for awe and speculation. Keep your mind on the job at hand, she told herself.
" So, how do we find your friend in this maze?"
Re: Among the Graves
The two were pressed together by the mix of people around them, but even still Saruna nervously said something about staying close together. She glanced helplessly at Derin at the other's question, and resisted the urge to say that she wasn't sure. Instead, she scanned the street and patted Derin on the arm in an absentminded fashion. "This way, dear."
She started tottering down along the road, mincing slowly at first to make sure Derin followed. Of course, this was so Derin didn't get lost, but really Saruna did not want to be left alone, endlessly searching for the other woman in the mix of people. She clutched her basket to her midsection, unable to keep track of every single person but very familiar with the sting of an empty purse due to thievery.
In order to get to the busiest part of town they had to walk down the main road a ways, avoiding the crowds brought on by the entertainment area, where the theater was placed and where many entertainers gathered to show off their skills and gain patrons for upcoming shows as well as curry the favor of individual audience members. They worked hard enough, but Saruna didn't trust them, or the shows they put on. It always seemed so stilted and fake.
There were a few merchants out in these outskirts, packed in on the other side of the street from the entertainers. They were mostly newer, or younger, than the real veterans of Marn's flurrying business, forced out to the edge until they gained enough patronage to force their way deeper into the real marketplace where most of the bishani was exchanged from hand to hand. Here, they had slimmer pickings, but still enough to make a decent living.
Saruna and Derin pressed deeper into the city, until the road made a right turn and then they saw the heart of the market. It was near enough to the heart of the day that the street was at its busiest, packed with buyers and sellers thick enough to make Saruna go a little pale and wobbly in the knees. Tigo's small shop, had he been awake (he often did not rise until the sun was well on its way to setting), was at the opposite end of the street near to the temple. Hanser, however, was stuck right in the middle, in a stall that had had a humble beginning but over the years had grown into something of a permanent fixture; almost like a merchant's wagon. Pert and gay, it was painted in cheerful colors but locked up tightly enough that thieves had never been able to pry it open when Hanser himself was not around.
"Here now. In we go." Saruna did not dive in so much as tiptoe, sliding foot by foot into the fray. Mostly people avoided each other with single-minded dexterity that was more unconscious than conscious, but Saruna had always had difficulty getting into such a pattern, and she found herself looking back every two or three steps to make sure Derin was still behind her.
She started tottering down along the road, mincing slowly at first to make sure Derin followed. Of course, this was so Derin didn't get lost, but really Saruna did not want to be left alone, endlessly searching for the other woman in the mix of people. She clutched her basket to her midsection, unable to keep track of every single person but very familiar with the sting of an empty purse due to thievery.
In order to get to the busiest part of town they had to walk down the main road a ways, avoiding the crowds brought on by the entertainment area, where the theater was placed and where many entertainers gathered to show off their skills and gain patrons for upcoming shows as well as curry the favor of individual audience members. They worked hard enough, but Saruna didn't trust them, or the shows they put on. It always seemed so stilted and fake.
There were a few merchants out in these outskirts, packed in on the other side of the street from the entertainers. They were mostly newer, or younger, than the real veterans of Marn's flurrying business, forced out to the edge until they gained enough patronage to force their way deeper into the real marketplace where most of the bishani was exchanged from hand to hand. Here, they had slimmer pickings, but still enough to make a decent living.
Saruna and Derin pressed deeper into the city, until the road made a right turn and then they saw the heart of the market. It was near enough to the heart of the day that the street was at its busiest, packed with buyers and sellers thick enough to make Saruna go a little pale and wobbly in the knees. Tigo's small shop, had he been awake (he often did not rise until the sun was well on its way to setting), was at the opposite end of the street near to the temple. Hanser, however, was stuck right in the middle, in a stall that had had a humble beginning but over the years had grown into something of a permanent fixture; almost like a merchant's wagon. Pert and gay, it was painted in cheerful colors but locked up tightly enough that thieves had never been able to pry it open when Hanser himself was not around.
"Here now. In we go." Saruna did not dive in so much as tiptoe, sliding foot by foot into the fray. Mostly people avoided each other with single-minded dexterity that was more unconscious than conscious, but Saruna had always had difficulty getting into such a pattern, and she found herself looking back every two or three steps to make sure Derin was still behind her.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Backpack clutched in both arms, Derin followed Saruna through the crowds. The older woman appeared as nervous as she was about the potential threats that surrounded them. As if the press of buyers and sellers wasn't enough, more noisy, undisciplined children were running underfoot... Derin eyed those that rushed past with some distaste. The people around here had absolutely no control over their progeny; she often wondered why they bothered reproducing at all. Of course, feigned lack of discipline was a useful tactic for putting one's enemies off guard...
When they finally found the shop, Derin followed Saruna to the door with some relief. The woman only seemed more nervous, although Derin had always had trouble deducing such things and wasn't certain of her conclusion. Still, she kept a sharper eye out. If they were attacked she'd probably have to defend both of them.
As they pulled close to the building and left the crowd behind, Derin rapped sharply on the door with her fist. Get in, get some money, get the hell out of the city... she could do that. With any luck she'd never have to set foot in the place again.
When they finally found the shop, Derin followed Saruna to the door with some relief. The woman only seemed more nervous, although Derin had always had trouble deducing such things and wasn't certain of her conclusion. Still, she kept a sharper eye out. If they were attacked she'd probably have to defend both of them.
As they pulled close to the building and left the crowd behind, Derin rapped sharply on the door with her fist. Get in, get some money, get the hell out of the city... she could do that. With any luck she'd never have to set foot in the place again.
Re: Among the Graves
Hanser pulled open the door, and peered outside with the sort of draconic look that was perfect in keeping with a grumpy old man persona. His age was indeterminable, for though his bushy yet neatly kept beard was streaked in varying shades of pepper grey, and his hair bundled into a short bob and thinning, his face held few wrinkles and age spots. His skin seemed rather healthy, though it was acquiring the sort of papery look often associated with the very old. The fingers that gripped the door so tightly were not terribly gnarled or swollen, and looked like they often saw hard work.
A stare was directed first at Derin with no squinting or sign that his vision was going, and the stare contained quite a bit of haughteur, as though he were silently demanding to know who so disturbed him. His eyes were dark, his face craggy. He had seen much, this shopkeeper, but he wouldn't give up his secrets so lightly. Next then, he looked past Derin at Saruna, and his gaze lightened slightly in recognition, but the only signs of pleasure that came from him happened when he noticed the little basket.
At once, his bearing improved considerably.
"Scones?" He inquired in a bass rumble.
"Hello there, Hanser, it has been a good span of time since I saw you last." Saruna was beaming, not a whit of sarcasm to be found in her words at Hanser's rude greeting. "I'm afraid we brought you no scones, but I made some of my Thar cakes with a bit of bread if you'd be interested in sharing them?"
Hanser made a deep grumbling noise in his chest, the kind that sounds remarkably like 'hmm, mm, yes yes, hmm' and opened the door up wider. "Can't be dawdling too long now, then, come in to my stall and hurry up there! No need to gawk." He kept a sharp eye on the scones as he lead the way into the narrow confines of his stall. For all his bluster, it was painted brightly and his trinkets were myriad and dazzling. There was an exotic scent of some spicy wood. Near to the front was a small desk set up with a few chairs scattered around it and a large one behind it; the throne for the king of this small realm.
He sat without flourish and glared at the basket until Saruna, who moved like a fussing hen, put it on the desk and unpacked it, placing linen on the desk so they wouldn't scatter crumbs every which way.
Hanser attacked the cakes like a duck attacks bread.
Mere seconds later, with crumbs decorating his beard, he glared up at the two women. "Now then, what do you want?"
Saruna made a noise in the back of her throat, and settled her gaze on Derin.
A stare was directed first at Derin with no squinting or sign that his vision was going, and the stare contained quite a bit of haughteur, as though he were silently demanding to know who so disturbed him. His eyes were dark, his face craggy. He had seen much, this shopkeeper, but he wouldn't give up his secrets so lightly. Next then, he looked past Derin at Saruna, and his gaze lightened slightly in recognition, but the only signs of pleasure that came from him happened when he noticed the little basket.
At once, his bearing improved considerably.
"Scones?" He inquired in a bass rumble.
"Hello there, Hanser, it has been a good span of time since I saw you last." Saruna was beaming, not a whit of sarcasm to be found in her words at Hanser's rude greeting. "I'm afraid we brought you no scones, but I made some of my Thar cakes with a bit of bread if you'd be interested in sharing them?"
Hanser made a deep grumbling noise in his chest, the kind that sounds remarkably like 'hmm, mm, yes yes, hmm' and opened the door up wider. "Can't be dawdling too long now, then, come in to my stall and hurry up there! No need to gawk." He kept a sharp eye on the scones as he lead the way into the narrow confines of his stall. For all his bluster, it was painted brightly and his trinkets were myriad and dazzling. There was an exotic scent of some spicy wood. Near to the front was a small desk set up with a few chairs scattered around it and a large one behind it; the throne for the king of this small realm.
He sat without flourish and glared at the basket until Saruna, who moved like a fussing hen, put it on the desk and unpacked it, placing linen on the desk so they wouldn't scatter crumbs every which way.
Hanser attacked the cakes like a duck attacks bread.
Mere seconds later, with crumbs decorating his beard, he glared up at the two women. "Now then, what do you want?"
Saruna made a noise in the back of her throat, and settled her gaze on Derin.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Derin watched the man with bewilderment that quickly took on an edge of amusement, although she tried not to let it show too obviously in her expression. An inability to see what levers could be used to control people had always been a failing of hers, but... cakes? Even she could probably lead this idiot around.
She squashed the thought. The strong frequently feign weakness. The strongest can feign it very well.
She bowed her head slightly. "My name is Derin. I am in need of currency, and was told that you might be interested in purchasing gems." Without ceremony, she reached into her pack and pulled out a small bag of medium-quality gems. She considered selling her emergency stash as well, since emergency money would be a lot more useful than gems, but she was unlikely to get a fair price for them here. No... better to see what would be offered for the rest.
"Ruby and emerald," she said, spreading the tiny stones on the table with a pracised hand. After a moment she swept them back into the little bag, before any quick fingers could pilfer some. "I'm willing to sell them separately, of course, if you're only interested in one. About 10 grams of each, average stone size 8mm. Interested?"
She squashed the thought. The strong frequently feign weakness. The strongest can feign it very well.
She bowed her head slightly. "My name is Derin. I am in need of currency, and was told that you might be interested in purchasing gems." Without ceremony, she reached into her pack and pulled out a small bag of medium-quality gems. She considered selling her emergency stash as well, since emergency money would be a lot more useful than gems, but she was unlikely to get a fair price for them here. No... better to see what would be offered for the rest.
"Ruby and emerald," she said, spreading the tiny stones on the table with a pracised hand. After a moment she swept them back into the little bag, before any quick fingers could pilfer some. "I'm willing to sell them separately, of course, if you're only interested in one. About 10 grams of each, average stone size 8mm. Interested?"
Re: Among the Graves
There was a frown. Hanser's eyebrows bunched down low over the bridge of his nose, and he directed a suspicious gaze at Saruna, who after a moment gave back a startled and wide eyed stare.
"I do not trade in rocks." He said as though pronouncing the king was dead. He spoke towards Saruna, perhaps blaming her for this epic misinformation, before turning the gaze back to Derin. "Get them off my desk." He told her snidely, though she'd finished doing just that.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes swinging between the two ladies with the gravity of a headmaster debating punishment of two hopeless and errant schoolchildren. Saruna was turning an impressive reddish color.
"I. . .I. . ." Her fingers tangled in her shawl and her eyes skittered over the desk as the all piercing glare was suddenly blasting her full force from the front. She felt like she was being dissected.
"You. . .what?" The rumble had lightened into sardonic undertones, and the start of an unfriendly smile deepened wrinkles around his mouth. If it wasn't for his inherent grumpiness, he might look like someone's kindly grandfather, or elder uncle. As it was. . .
"I, um, thought perhaps maybe you would be willing to buy them for us to trade with the gem merchants who sometimes come through since there aren't any at the moment and since you know so many merchants, might you be able to get a good deal?" She spoke quickly, her voice starting out somewhat strong and wilting to a whisper at the end of her daring assertion.
Silence. Hanser's chair creaked as he leaned back. The scent of sandalwood became oppressive, the air heavy. Saruna sneaked a glance at Derin, her face still flushed from Hanser's cool and hard regard, eyes a little wide as if to say 'it's in your hands now'. But then the chair creaked again, a drawer squeaked, and Hanser tumbled a small magnification scope in his hand, fingers agilely positioning it. He glared at Derin, and rumbled deep in his throat.
"Well, girl? Show me the best cut."
"I do not trade in rocks." He said as though pronouncing the king was dead. He spoke towards Saruna, perhaps blaming her for this epic misinformation, before turning the gaze back to Derin. "Get them off my desk." He told her snidely, though she'd finished doing just that.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes swinging between the two ladies with the gravity of a headmaster debating punishment of two hopeless and errant schoolchildren. Saruna was turning an impressive reddish color.
"I. . .I. . ." Her fingers tangled in her shawl and her eyes skittered over the desk as the all piercing glare was suddenly blasting her full force from the front. She felt like she was being dissected.
"You. . .what?" The rumble had lightened into sardonic undertones, and the start of an unfriendly smile deepened wrinkles around his mouth. If it wasn't for his inherent grumpiness, he might look like someone's kindly grandfather, or elder uncle. As it was. . .
"I, um, thought perhaps maybe you would be willing to buy them for us to trade with the gem merchants who sometimes come through since there aren't any at the moment and since you know so many merchants, might you be able to get a good deal?" She spoke quickly, her voice starting out somewhat strong and wilting to a whisper at the end of her daring assertion.
Silence. Hanser's chair creaked as he leaned back. The scent of sandalwood became oppressive, the air heavy. Saruna sneaked a glance at Derin, her face still flushed from Hanser's cool and hard regard, eyes a little wide as if to say 'it's in your hands now'. But then the chair creaked again, a drawer squeaked, and Hanser tumbled a small magnification scope in his hand, fingers agilely positioning it. He glared at Derin, and rumbled deep in his throat.
"Well, girl? Show me the best cut."
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
With a slight nod, Derin reached back into her pack. Looks like the emergency gems may be necessary after all, if only to impress a man who most likely wouldn't be able to afford them. Her fingertips found the slightly rougher stitching behind the bag buckle and after a moment she had pulled apart the weak threads holding the secret compartment closed.
She rolled two gemstones onto her palm, each a small egg about 3cm across, and considered a moment before handing over a ruby. She didn't bother explaining the superior clarity or cut; if he knew gems, he'd see that for himself, and if he didn't then he wouldn't know what it was worth. She'd seen much higher-quality gems in the manor (although she had only to word of experts for that; she'd had little interest in the trade herself), but it was still a good stone. It was unlikely that Thar Shaddin would have anything of extremely high quality to compare it to unfavourably, Derin thought, although it was always possible that gems were regularly traded through the town. She wished that she'd bothered to find out such things in advance.
Sitting back, she watched him without comment, waiting for his verdict.
She rolled two gemstones onto her palm, each a small egg about 3cm across, and considered a moment before handing over a ruby. She didn't bother explaining the superior clarity or cut; if he knew gems, he'd see that for himself, and if he didn't then he wouldn't know what it was worth. She'd seen much higher-quality gems in the manor (although she had only to word of experts for that; she'd had little interest in the trade herself), but it was still a good stone. It was unlikely that Thar Shaddin would have anything of extremely high quality to compare it to unfavourably, Derin thought, although it was always possible that gems were regularly traded through the town. She wished that she'd bothered to find out such things in advance.
Sitting back, she watched him without comment, waiting for his verdict.
Re: Among the Graves
Saruna gave a small little gasp when Derin revealed her gems, but Hanser only gave her a contemptuous look and made a bullfrog sounding snort that extended Saruna's blush. He fumbled the gem a little, but soon had it tight in an iron-fingered grip. Silence, again, the thick presence of the air. He studied the gem through his little scope, without making a single noise. Saruna fidgeted. Hanser seemed baffled almost, and looked up at Derin, frowning, and then back at the gem.
He placed it in the center of the desk, next to the scope, and folded his hands very carefully at the edge.
"Girl, where did you get your gems?"
He placed it in the center of the desk, next to the scope, and folded his hands very carefully at the edge.
"Girl, where did you get your gems?"
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Derin already had an answer for that one. "I had a farm awhile ago. I used to work for a noblewoman, and her father was buying up a lot of property in the area, so when... when I decided to leave, I sold the land. I got an extremely good price for it, in fact. Some of these gems are gifts, but they're mostly from selling my land and possessions." There was at least one hole in that story, she knew, but it was coverable. Keeping her story straight was going to get complicated.
Re: Among the Graves
Saruna's uncertain shifting marked the unfurled, billowed silence that came at Derin's measured words. Hanser stared at Derin, tested her resolve to speak the truth. He waited for her to give in under the built pressure he'd summoned in his I know you're lying regard. She did not give, and so then Hanser turned upon Saruna. Who immediately started sweating in confusion and uncertainty at what had gone forward. Why this behavior?
Hanser squinted at her, took her measure. He gentled only slightly and only, one must suspect, because she knew him enough to bring him morning goodies.
"You have come before me before." No question, only an idle question as his long memory strained and stretched, come alive to probe at probable weaknesses like a tongue at a pained tooth. "Your father before you." He was thinking, it would be obvious to any looking for it. Saruna was not looking for it. She remained confused.
"Y-yes." She said.
"Where did you get this girl?"
"I met her this morning when I went out to get some goods, and she was a nice lovely girl and so I thought I might have some use left in me and useful to her, and she kept me company and because I know some about Marn I brought her here. To you, to help her."
Saruna looked like a betrayed doe towards Hanser, and he grunted under that unseen assault at his defenses, and finally looked away towards Derin.
"Fifty for that one, fifty more for th'other you held back. Twenty-five each for the rest."
He stared at her, daring her, probed her with his eyes, to see if she knew just how low he was asking.
Hanser squinted at her, took her measure. He gentled only slightly and only, one must suspect, because she knew him enough to bring him morning goodies.
"You have come before me before." No question, only an idle question as his long memory strained and stretched, come alive to probe at probable weaknesses like a tongue at a pained tooth. "Your father before you." He was thinking, it would be obvious to any looking for it. Saruna was not looking for it. She remained confused.
"Y-yes." She said.
"Where did you get this girl?"
"I met her this morning when I went out to get some goods, and she was a nice lovely girl and so I thought I might have some use left in me and useful to her, and she kept me company and because I know some about Marn I brought her here. To you, to help her."
Saruna looked like a betrayed doe towards Hanser, and he grunted under that unseen assault at his defenses, and finally looked away towards Derin.
"Fifty for that one, fifty more for th'other you held back. Twenty-five each for the rest."
He stared at her, daring her, probed her with his eyes, to see if she knew just how low he was asking.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Derin matched the man's stare. Interesting... he appeared to be trying to intimidate her. Saruna was feigning intellectual weakness of some kind (confusion? Fear?), but she didn't seem to be giving Derin any signal if she had a plan.
She would've been put off by such tactics as a young child, but Derin had grown up a lot in recent years. Such posturing meant one of two things; the man was an amateur at intimidation or controlling the situation, or he thought that she was an amateur and proper, subtle communication would be wasted on her. Either way (Derin pushed away the thought that subtle communication probably was wasted on her when presented by these confusing people), Derin had nothing to gain by playing on his level.
After staring hard at him for several seconds, Derin stood up and put the stones away. "I am sorry to have disturbed you. We are clearly wasting our time. Good day to you." She bowed briefly and turned toward the door. She hoped that the man would cave before she actually got out of the door an onto the street, but if he called her bluff then she was sure that she could find an acceptable price in the town somewhere. Maybe. Even if she did have to brave crowds to do it.
She would've been put off by such tactics as a young child, but Derin had grown up a lot in recent years. Such posturing meant one of two things; the man was an amateur at intimidation or controlling the situation, or he thought that she was an amateur and proper, subtle communication would be wasted on her. Either way (Derin pushed away the thought that subtle communication probably was wasted on her when presented by these confusing people), Derin had nothing to gain by playing on his level.
After staring hard at him for several seconds, Derin stood up and put the stones away. "I am sorry to have disturbed you. We are clearly wasting our time. Good day to you." She bowed briefly and turned toward the door. She hoped that the man would cave before she actually got out of the door an onto the street, but if he called her bluff then she was sure that she could find an acceptable price in the town somewhere. Maybe. Even if she did have to brave crowds to do it.
Re: Among the Graves
Saruna stared after Derin with her mouth agape, distressed that the other woman would leave what might be her only chance to sell off the gems, and even more stressed that she had not been able to help the girl with such a simple thing. Saruna gave a last agonized look at Hanser, and moved to follow Derin out.
Hanser coughed and cleared his throat. He made a sighing noise. "Perhaps I was too hasty, then. Come back, don't give me none of your lip. One-fifty for the two, seventy-five each for the others." He glared at her, and this time it was a different sort of glare. It was the sort that said that he was going to play ball, for real now.
Saruna smiled uneasily, not entirely sure what was going on. She reclaimed her basket, and held it nervously as she swung her attention back to Derin.
Hanser coughed and cleared his throat. He made a sighing noise. "Perhaps I was too hasty, then. Come back, don't give me none of your lip. One-fifty for the two, seventy-five each for the others." He glared at her, and this time it was a different sort of glare. It was the sort that said that he was going to play ball, for real now.
Saruna smiled uneasily, not entirely sure what was going on. She reclaimed her basket, and held it nervously as she swung her attention back to Derin.
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Derin Edala
- Citizen
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:12 am
- Name: Derin
- Race: Human
Re: Among the Graves
Good, he was ready to bargain. Derin immediately spun around and walked back to the table. "Two fifty for the big ruby, one hundred for the little ones. I think I'll hold onto the other one for now." The price was too high to sell to a third party here, she knew, but she didn't seriously expect him to take her first offer.
He didn't. The man's eyes narrowed. "I'll give you one eighty each for the big ones, but I want both of 'em. Eighty for the little ones."
So much for not dealing in rocks. Derin considered the offer. Currency was probably a more useful emergency stash than gems, anyway...
"One eighty for each of the big ones, ninety for the smaller ones."
At the man's nod, she took them out again and handed them over. With meaty but surprisingly dextrous hands, he quickly counted the small gems, then handed over a fair sum of money. Derin knew how much she was owed, but still her eyes widened as she saw the actual coins. That should solve her money issues for quite a while.
Remembering to smile, Derin bowed. "Thank you very much, sir." She turned for the door again, looking at Saruna to see if she was ready to go.
He didn't. The man's eyes narrowed. "I'll give you one eighty each for the big ones, but I want both of 'em. Eighty for the little ones."
So much for not dealing in rocks. Derin considered the offer. Currency was probably a more useful emergency stash than gems, anyway...
"One eighty for each of the big ones, ninety for the smaller ones."
At the man's nod, she took them out again and handed them over. With meaty but surprisingly dextrous hands, he quickly counted the small gems, then handed over a fair sum of money. Derin knew how much she was owed, but still her eyes widened as she saw the actual coins. That should solve her money issues for quite a while.
Remembering to smile, Derin bowed. "Thank you very much, sir." She turned for the door again, looking at Saruna to see if she was ready to go.