Hi-Lo (mercantile)

[OGRE MAGE]

Nallissa takes the coins from Andron and shows him which shack he can now call home for the next month. (I was keeping track of who was in which shack when this game first started, but once the game grew to this size, I needed to prioritize my time a little better, so I have not really kept up with that lately. In other words......take whichever shack you like.)

The saddened shopkeeper appears truly grateful for the newcomers help."Thank you Andron! You have already made me feel far less overwhelmed about all of this. I wont forget that. I will call on you if I need any further assistance, now that I know where you live."

"Oh, and don't worry about me, I wont be going through any of his belongings for a while. I know I shouldn't, but I keep thinking that he will show up here again. I know that doesn't happen for most people, but I just cant give up all hope until I get some details. Usually anyone who goes out in the jungle and is gone this long.....never comes back."

Nallissa smiles at the mans bow, not being accustomed to such pleasant manners and courtesy."I look forward to seeing you again, Andron. And thank you for talking to the captains for me. That will be a big help to me as well."

She is about to warn the new cleric about spreading the name of his deity around so loosely, but under these new circumstances, decides to let it go.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche
Shortly before the expedition to the small island departs, Andron steps into the Hi-Lo with a rather unusual request ... Greetings lady Nallissa, I hope matters are slowly settling into a somewhat sense of normalcy? I myself, will be accompanying a group of explorers to a nearby island, and am in need of some ... supplies. Andron fidgets slightly as if searching for the words to describe his requirements without it sounding absurd, but a sigh and a purse of his lips suggests that he understands the futility of the endeavor ...

I need to purchase a small mirror and a hefty amount of meat ... about as much as if you were expecting to feed, oh ... a bull?

[OGRE MAGE]

Nallissa takes Androns letter to be sent back to the mainland. "I will personally place this in the captains hand myself, Andron. And thank you for your concern. With your help, I am doing much better."

She nods at the request about the mirror, but seems hesitant to tell you the price.

When the meat is requested, Nallissa screws up her face at the half-elf.

"Are......are you being serious? The people here are malnourished, you must have noticed that much just from walking around a little. The crops aren't growing well in the sandy, salty soil here and the town barely has enough food to eat as it is. We have been getting help from some of the adventuring types and explorers who bring back meat from their kills when they can, but that's not enough to feed the whole town for an indefinite amount of time. I......I guess I thought everyone here knew that. If you need a lot of meat to use as bait or whatever, you will have to get that the hard way. Go out into the jungle and kill some for yourself. Sorry to disappoint you in that regard, but there is almost no food to be had here."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche
Andron's face blanches a pallid white color as he realizes what she said about the townspeople is absolutely correct. Please accept my most humble apologies, you must think of me as metropolitan elite blind to the plight of the poor ... and that may be true to a certain extent. Truth is, since arriving on the island I have paid scant attention to my surroundings past what was necessary to accomplish my immediate tasks. Rest assured that if it is within my power to help the people of this town, it shall be done.

Andron pauses with a hesitant expression ...
The mirror, though ... was that another faux pas I imposed upon your sensibilities? Of the two requests I would expect that to be the most pressing to my survival.

[OGRE MAGE]

Nallissa looks back at Andron for a long while before responding to him.

"I believe that you will. And, to show my appreciation for your help, I am not even going to tell you how much we charge for a mirror here. Because it is a LOT!"

The woman reaches behind her and brings out what looks like her own personal handbag. After digging in it for a second, she pulls out a small hand mirror and slides it across the counter to the spellsmith.

"I don't do this for everyone, but.... If you promise to bring this back, I will lend it to you for as long as you need it. As long as you don't get yourself killed with it!"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche
Andron accepts the small mirror from Nallissa, obviously stunned at her generosity. Gazing down at his reflection in the framed glass, Andron speaks slowly, almost reverently ...

I have lived decades of my life cloistered in a temple, most of my life actually. In that time I was not only shielded from the difficulties of the outside world, but also from developing relationships ... friendships. However, I do recall observing people from afar, busy as I was with my duties or studying after my latest lessons. The women in particular prized their hand mirrors, often using them to address an errant tress of hair ... and a mirror in this town therefore must be as a priceless possession.

Andron looks up an Nallissa now, speaking with a strong and determined voice.

I sincerely promise to return this mirror to you, whether by my hand, or if necessary ... by another. May Rao shine his countenance upon you for this act generosity that I will not soon forget.

Andron pulls a large tome from his backpack and carefully slides the mirror between the pages in the center. Without another word he bows to the lady Nillassa and strides out the door to the awaiting rowboat and his new companions.

[OGRE MAGE]

Nalissa just smiles and nods at all of the nice words from the friendly newcomer.

She decides to wait until he returns to ask if there is a Mrs. Andron out there somewhere.

[Urson]

Daisy

Daisy walks into the Mercantile in her simple brown robe with the Crimson Rood embroidered on it.

Mornin', Sugar! Ah'm Daisy Broadfoot- looks like Ah'll be stayin' here for a while, so Ah need to make 'rangements for a shack of mah own. Folks tell me ya'll are the ones to talk to 'bout that.
And iffen ya'll got it- Ah need some yellow ribbon- maybe 'bout a yard?

[OGRE MAGE]

Nallissa looks down from her elevated platform behind the counter and greets the halfling warmly, even though she looks sad about something.

"Nice to meet you, Daisy. My name is Nallissa, and......I.......I guess I run this place now." She sniffles and wipes her nose before continuing.

"We do have a few vacant shacks for rent for 5 gold a week. The ribbon I am not too sure about." The woman starts digging through a packed drawer behind the counter.

"I don't think I have seen you around before today. What brings you to our little town? Let me guess........looking for a little excitement in your life?"

[Urson]

Daisy

Not really, Ah.....

Daisy stops, suddenly realizing Nalissa is hurting. Oh, Honey- what's the problem?

[OGRE MAGE]

The usually strong Nallissa starts to cry a little.

"The man who owns all of this has gone off into the jungle and disappeared. I can only presume that he isn't.......coming.......back." She replies through gasps and tears.

[Urson]

Daisy
Feeling a little out of her depth, Daisy goes around the counter and grabs a stool. She stands on it so she can give the woman a comforting hug.
Take it easy, Sugar. Mah Pappa always said don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. You might just be wrong. ...

Who is it ya'll worryin about, anyway?

[OGRE MAGE]

"Its Mr. Nehru. Our Leader! He has gone off without any word to me about what to do in his absence. And when people go missing around here, they usually don't come back. I don't suppose that you have heard of him, if you are new to town, but I sure would like to hear some solid information about what has happened to him."

The large woman takes the free hug gratefully, holding that position for an uncomfortable amount of time before finally releasing the embrace of the comforting halfling.

[Urson]

Daisy

Ah'm sorry, sugar. Ah hate to be the one who tells ya this- but Ah met up with the folks he'd been travelin' with- they tell me he is dead.

[OGRE MAGE]

The shopkeeper bursts into a fit of angry crying.

"Why! WHY!!! Why did he have to go? I knew this would happen!!! Now what are the rest of us supposed to do?"

The woman blubbers for some time, going through a long string of "what if's" and "what now's".

Finally she stops crying long enough to thank Daisy for her kindness and honesty, though she is distraught to the point of barely being able to speak clearly.

"Who was he with? Bonnie? Did Bonnie tell you he is dead? Where is she now?"

[Urson]

Daisy
Ah haven't met this woman Bonnie. But it seems like ever' time Ah turn around, somebody's blaming her for some new bit of deviltry.
For now, don't worry. Ah'm sure you can handle this place just fine.

[OGRE MAGE]

“Thank you again, Daisy. I don’t mean to throw blame on anyone. Hells, maybe Bonnie is dead by now too!”

“You are the second helpful person who believes that we can get by without him, but this is just all so sudden.....”

The woman can’t seem to stop her crying fits.

[Urson]

Daisy
The cleric says nothing, just stands on the stool to provide comfort and moral support as needed.

[Urson]

Daisy

After a few minutes, Daisy saysDarlin', when my Gran'papa passed, Ah was all broken up. The only thing Ah found that helped was followin' routine. Doin' the stuff Ah always do, keepin' busy. Maybe it'll help you, too.
Any road, Ah need ta be goin'. Iffen ya need to talk, Ah'll prob'ly be around for a day or two.

Daisy leaves.

[OGRE MAGE]

Nallissa

“Thank you for helping me, Daisy. I won’t forget it!”