"Medicine won't do any good if not properly administered, too little wont' do you good, too much? Might hurt you badly" He says from his spot closer to the door now and amid the knees
The little fey perches on the peak of the roof, watching the chaos below in bewilderment. She tries to call out reassurances, but can’t make herself heard over the screaming. She eventually lies down on the roof and scoots back until she is mostly out of sight from the street, just some hair and a par of confused, frightened eyes visible. “What did I do?”
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This situation was getting rightly out of hand! Jack looked up at the fey on the rooftops, who was clearly riling these people. Suspicious folk... with fey, it was expected, but this was utterly ridiculous! Look at her, she was clearly just as spooked of them as they were of her! And Krogge was not helping issues by acting like a raging bull! This had to stop, and it had to stop NOW!
"For the love of Shelyn and all her effortless masterpieces, I... want... SILEEEEEEEEEENCE!" Jack bellowed before stamping his cane with a THUD! into the ground before him.
"The young lady is with me! I am here to survey the Vale for suitable sites for a government funded logging operation, and I require a knowledgeable inhabitant who is versed with the landscape. She is in my employ! Young lady, why don't you come down and introduce yourself while I sort this out!"
Jack turned and looked between the two growing sides in front of the herbalist shop. "And as for you two!" he pointed first to Sheriff Baleson. "Constable! If you would be so kind, please ask Miss... Laurel, correct?" He paused to look at Krogge for confirmation before continuing. "Please ask her to provide a sample - merely a sample - for this gentlemen's investigative purposes! I will readily compensate her finances for the loss. IF you would be so kind..."
Jack then whipped onto Pay Day and gave him a stern glower. "And you are Mr. Teedum, yes? Do not forget that your company operates with the border of Andoran, and there are proper channels and protocols to follow that DO NOT involve disturbing the peace or inciting a riot! AND, when you deliver this 'cure' to Mr. Kreed, IF you would be so kind as to inform him that I, Jackovrus Callahan, represent the People's Council and request an audience with him to discuss new legislation and government operations in the area, I would be MOST grateful!"
Once again adjusting his vest, Jack resumed his calmer demeanor and softer voice. "Now then... matter settled."
Krogge easily pushes his way to the forefront as the crowd parts in fright, watching Sweet Pea alight atop the stout wooden building across the road from Roots and Remedies.
Standing beside the sheriff, the half-orc's threat resonates with Pay Day's goons, their fear of the fey compounded by the greatclub Krogge shakes at them.
Flint's subtle persuasion takes hold among the crowd, drawing their attention away from the fey and reminding them of their outrage against the Consortium's latest extortion.
The entire tableaux is brought to a commanding silence by Jack's pronouncement, though. All worries of fey and all thoughts of riot are dispelled as everyone focuses on the erstwhile nobleman.
Rather than wait around for a sample of the Blackscour medicine, Boss Teedum quickly gathers his men and withdraws northward without addressing Jack.
However, their retreat is most likely due to the fact that Boss Teedum is unwilling to continue this farcical extortion with a representative from the People's Council as witness, and he is probably running off to warn his master that such a representative has arrived.
With Teedum and his men no longer standing as an obstacle, the residents surge back towards the herbalist's shop and line back up to buy the medicine for themselves and their loved ones.
There is little pushing and shoving as many turn respectful eyes towards Jack and Krogge. More than a few also turn wary yet curious eyes to the green child perched on the roof across the street.
Krogge will walk past the line into the shops front door,”Ms. Laurel...?”, he questions,”are you alright? It’s Krogge... I helped the sheriff scare off Payday for you.”
Having done what he could, Flint returns back to Randu's side, having to hop a bit in the crowd to spot him.
"Well, that was... Eventful..."
Sense Motive
As far as Flint can tell, the aggressors left because they were bored.
He had watched the whole event play out while doing his best to study the Teedum fellow his yellow-green eyes narrowed into just tiny slits. It was clear that one day, and perhaps soon, He wouldnt scurry away and Rrruh wanted to be prepared for that day.
There were so many things of interest about that he didnt focus on anything in particular as he made his way closer to Jack. Nothing in particular seemed amiss though.
The shop door cracks open, and Laurel's sleepless eyes peer out to scan the street. She grumbles to herself for a bit.
She sighs, then opens the door wider.
"Thank you," she says to Krogge before turning to the crowd. "Looks like we're open for business again, folks! Come on in and let's get you all fixed up."
She leaves the door open and returns to her shop counter, bracing herself for the onrush of customers.
Krogge will follow her inside after sheathing his club,”I brought you something Ms. Laurel”, he says producing the rat’s tails and the apple leaf,”apple leaves commin’ in early this year...its a good omen right?” he says trying to make small talk as he sets the herbs on her counter, careful too keep the salty roots and sweet leaves separate, all the while oblivious that he is probably scaring most of the crowd from coming inside.
Sweet Pea watches in awe as one human single-handedly quashes the near riot with a few stern words. As the crowd calms, she glides down toward the strange man, circling the crowd rather than diving right over them.
She watches one small group of men leave while she comes in for a landing. The leader of the group seemed like he was surprised and frightened that someone stood up to him. And he was definitely headed somewhere, not just wandering away.
She gently alights near the the man, and turns to the crowd. "Um, hi! I'm a Sweet Pea, and I'm here to help." she says, doing her best to look non-threatening.
Randu moves over to the Herbalist, "Laurel, when is the time you slept?" A whisper to her.
And he seems ready to help her.
Also, while the Garundi woman has always been rail-thin, you worry that she has also been skipping meals.
Nevertheless, the line of people already pushing their way into Roots and Remedies makes it evident that she has no time yet to rest.
.....
Outside, as the line reforms at the shop door, many of the gathered locals keep a distance from Sweet Pea and eye her warily.
However, one tall boy of perhaps 13 years of age walks away from his father in line and approaches the spritely girl without any hint of fear or worry.
"Hi, Sweet Pea! I'm Mikra!" he beams with a bright, somewhat goofy smile. "Want to be friends?"
Her eyes widen and she breaks into an impossibly wide grin at the question. “Of course I do!” she replies, grabbing his hands. “Do you like plants and flowers and trees? I do!” She launches into a barrage of questions and observations aimed at her new friend.
Jack watched Sweet Pea introduce herself, taking note of her name before brushing dust off his vest and straightening himself up. "My sincerest apologies that you had to see that, Master Rrruh. I do not typically raise my voice in such a virulent manner, but when things begin to grow out of control, well... it is a noble's duty to seize the situation and halt it." He watched as Krogge seemed intent on investigating the shop... and Sweet Pea seemed to be making a new friend. At least things were tentatively stable for the moment.
"I do hope Mr. Teedum will be delivering my request to Mr. Kreed posthaste. I believe there are a number of issues regarding civil legal procedure here that must be addressed. And perhaps some staff rearrangements to be made." Jack looked at the line forming outside the herbal shop and quirked an eyebrow, before turning to the apparent sheriff and hailing him. "Constable? Constable... Baleson, yes? Seems to be an excessive need for medical treatments here. Where are the officiated professionals? I've had a look at the records for the Lumber Consortium, and a number of names are listed who have medical expertise."
'Of course, a number of those same names were also in the list of deceased employees, but not all of them...'
After a few moments Krogge will realize the crowd is still here,”Oy!! Don’t crowd the lady, only a few can fit in here anyways!”, he says as he goes to block the door and regulate the flow of customers for Laurel. “Looks like you could use some help Ms. Laurel.” he offers.
The catfolk approaches the new same species arrival, giving a short bow.
The two could almost look like brothers, being just somewhat different shades of solid black. The main difference is that Rrruh is more than half a foot taller.
Laurel looks sour for a moment, but with a tired blink of her eyes and a heavy sigh, her expression softens.
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Krogge," she says with downcast eyes. She raises her head again before continuing. "This may be the first time I've ever been able to afford an assistant or two, and it seems I've never needed the help more." Then, under her breath but just audible to Krogge, she adds "Or deserved the help more."
Sheriff Baleson walks up to Jack, appraising him with narrowed eyes. Baleson's ears and the lines of his face betray his partial elven heritage, but he is quite tall and muscled for a half-elf.
"Professionals?" he asks sardonically with a raised eyebrow. He waves his arm towards the door to Roots and Remedies. "Miss Gebre's right in there.
"I'm not sure who else you expected. Any names you may have been given are either dead, fled town, or work for the Consortium - or the Redrock Guild. None of the decent, everyday residents of the Hollow could afford to see them, even if they had the daring to ask."
Baleson examines every facet of Jack like a puzzle - his clothes, his weapon, his bearing - and leaves the House Callahan scion feeling like some strange animal specimen.
The sheriff edges in closer and speaks in a more hushed tone.
"Your speech was really something, but I sincerely hope you're not one of those boys who thinks their family name still affords them privilege. Andoran doesn't entertain nobles any more, and I think you'll find Valers even more unwelcoming of those trying to cling to their houses' glory days."
He wasnt ignoring Jack so much as paying very close attention to the direction Mr.Teedum had left. There would be further trouble from that one as sure as rain was wet. He wondered if the young human noble realized that... he hoped he did. He was brought from his hunter's stare with almost a startle at the sound of his home tongue and he broke into a wide grin as his tail pratically danced in excitement.
He paused in returning the words of the shorter catfolk nodding torwards Jack.
He chuckled glancing torwards the orderly que that begins under the half orcs glare. Returning his kin folks bow he took a few steps closer to Jack and glanced torwards the law giving the man a respectful nod.
He asked the other catfolk while trying to keep his eyes everywhere.
Krogge’s pale green skin blushes slightly at Laurels thanks and that she confided in him,”of course Ms. Laurel,” he says in a hushed tone,”I could see if fancy Jack out there could help you,” he adds pointing outside to Jack,”he seems a helpful man, if not a rare man in these parts.”
With Randu slipping into the shop, the line having been here before him, and having covertly checked his belt and discovered his lack of coin, Flint doesn't have much need to go inside the shop anymore. He steps out of the way of the police and crowd, continuing his conversation with the taller cat.
He sighs in a "what can you do about it?" manor before glancing at Jack as well.
He chuckles a bit before straightening his clothes up giving a somewhat less formal bow.
Randu continues to help Laurel as she helps others, but he also fusses, "Haven't slept in awhile no doubt, and probably not eaten too. You can't help others if you pass out, Miss Laurel."
Laurel groans at Randu's admonitions as she shambles back behind her shop counter, as much to continue her work as to escape the customers pushing their way inside.
It is hard to hear her over the growing clamor inside the cramped, mud-tracked shop.
Only those standing near her counter and workstation, beneath hanging pots and bundles of dried herbs, can distinguish her grumblings.
"Unless anyone else can decipher my grandmother's bizarre book and its hoodoo recipes, I don't see an alternative. Even spending all of yesterday mixing the Rat's Tail, Ironblooms, Elderwood Moss, and what-not, I don't have enough prepared yet to treat everyone."
The first beleaguered Valers crowd her counter, and she begins doling out pouches of medicine in exchange for a few silvers each.
Looming behind her are high shelves and tables that serve double duty as displays and workspaces, bowing under the weight of jars of colored glass, alchemical presses, and all manner of dried, preserved, and jellied animal parts.
Jack placed his hands on his cane as he listened to the sheriff speak, before offering a quipping huff in reply. "I'll have you know, constable, that the Callahan family has been more than willing to abide by Andoran's new rules over the years, nonsensical as they may be. We are a respectable merchant family. However, I imagine the influence of the People's Council should carry more weight than my own... unfortunate as it may be. It is the Council that has an interest in Falcon's Hollow and the Lumber Consortium. I merely speak their interests. And you can be assured that I will have a number of grievances to file when I report my arrival to them! The state of this hamlet's infrastructure has left me thoroughly unimpressed! While the shipyards of Augustana are grateful beyond measure for the lumber to keep them busy, I highly doubt they would approve of this terrible lack of organization."
Despite his ramblings, Jack was quietly taking things in, and realized that with so many citizens here, now might be a good time to start some rumors... "Ah, constable, I do have one request of you while I have your attention." Jack stated, raising his volume a tad more to try and catch the attention of other citizens in the area. "We've received irritable reports that a trouble maker may be targeting this village in the very near future. Fellow calls himself the 'Blue Corvus', fancies himself a hero of Andoran. Normally, he would be beneath the Council's consideration, but the troublesome thing is that people seem to have latched onto his ridiculous tales.
'He is the grandson of Andoletta herself, and carries out her will in Andoran.'
'He can never be surprised, for the night wind tells him every secret he wishes to know.'
'He walked through a rain of arrows, and each one refused to touch him.'
All nonsense and drivel, if you ask me. I refuse to believe he even exists... a folk hero to rally patriotism, if you ask me. Regardless, the Council believes he is very real and has been seen in this area, and believes he will interfere with the lumber production. So, I must ask that if you happen to see this 'Blue Corvus', that you would apprehend him and take him into custody."
Laurel groans at Randu's admonitions as she shambles back behind her shop counter, as much to continue her work as to escape the customers pushing their way inside.
It is hard to hear her over the growing clamor inside the cramped, mud-tracked shop.
Only those standing near her counter and workstation, beneath hanging pots and bundles of dried herbs, can distinguish her grumblings."Unless anyone else can decipher my grandmother's bizarre book and its hoodoo recipes, I don't see an alternative. Even spending all of yesterday mixing the Rat's Tail, Ironblooms, Elderwood Moss, and what-not, I don't have enough prepared yet to treat everyone."
The first beleaguered Valers crowd her counter, and she begins doling out pouches of medicine in exchange for a few silvers each.
Looming behind her are high shelves and tables that serve double duty as displays and workspaces, bowing under the weight of jars of colored glass, alchemical presses, and all manner of dried, preserved, and jellied animal parts.
He continues to help, "Well, you need help, that much is true. if you'll let me study it maybe I can learn abit more myself. I..I'll see what I can do to help you out. Be nice if we could get other healers in town in the short term yes? Where are those holy men that you hear about in the campfire stories who raise their hand and fix poxes with a touch eh?"
Sweet Pea continues her nearly one-sided conversation with her new friend. “What’s all this about medicine? Are people sick?” She looks over at the shop and perks up a bit. “OH! I was going to help the herbalist!” she dashes towards the shop, then looks back at the boy. “I’ll be right back!”
The line of people block the door, and they all give her nervous looks, so she goes for a front window. She flutterjumps onto the windowsill and mushes her face against the glass, waving to get the attention of someone inside.
"Unless anyone else can decipher my grandmother's bizarre book and its hoodoo recipes, I don't see an alternative. Even spending all of yesterday mixing the Rat's Tail, Ironblooms, Elderwood Moss, and what-not, I don't have enough prepared yet to treat everyone."
to see if Krogge heard Laurel mention which plants she needs.
”I think I know what all those herbs look like Ms. Laurel, I could lead a group of volunteers into the forest to find em if it would afford you some rest.” he says, clearly worried about her health and well being.
Laurel grimaces for a moment, surveying the rush of customers, the halfling and half-orc offering their help, and the cherubic green face pressed against the window. Finally, she offers a resigned, exhausted sigh.
"I already have the ingredients arrayed here," she gestures to the overcrowded shelves and workspace behind her. With her other hand, she stabs a finger upon the aged hide-bound tome sitting open on the counter. "The recipe is here in my grandmother's old book. If you think you can help mix this cure, be my guest."
Laurel allows Randu and Krogge behind the shop counter to try their hands at mixing the ingredients as the herbalist focuses on selling the pouches she's already made. After hearing the ingredients repeated, Krogge easily recognizes them on the workspace.
The sheriff listens to Jack's story of the Blue Corvus with increasing skepticism.
"I ain't never heard of such a far-fetched man, and I agree - it sounds like nonsense. Frankly, son, if you've been sent to investigate this fanciful hoodlum and inspect the Consortium's business, I'm afraid you've been sent on a wild slurk chase. Even if you end up finding anything, it ain't going to be pleasant."
"Pleasant or not, it is my duty as a member of the Council. Though already I have enough details to fill an entire stationary's worth of materials back to the Council." Jack replied, before looking at his discarded bags and sighing. "In any case, I simply cannot stand around anymore and engage in idle chit chat. I believe a place called... 'Jack Of Napes' was my destination? Some decent lodgings and a place to stage work on the Council's Behalf. Since my guide has so callously misplaced my luggage and deserted my interests, perhaps you'd be so kind as to direct me to this 'Jack' so that I can get my affairs somewhat in order?"
Too impatient to wait to be let in, Sweet Pea starts trying to open the window from the outside.
He had offered his services as a bodyguard not a porter... but the way the nobleman human was going on...He sighed audibly.
"Mr.Jack? The fellow set your things down to confront that bully and now he is helping the sick yes yes? I do not believe he was being callous, merely concerned."
He offered his tail lightly lashing. With a slight frown he slouched his shoulders.
"I will go gather them, please dont insert yourself into any fights."
He asked the other catfolk.
Krogge tries to look over the old book with the halfling, mouthing out the words slowly one at a time. uggghh letters were never my thing. He looks over to the window and sees what looks like a leafy, green child trying to break in through the window. Krogge will go over and open the window,” “Scuse me little one, but you’ll have to wait in line with your mam and pap just like erreone else.”, he says sternly, while pointing to the back of the line.
Looking over to Randu,”looks like the line needs tendin’, I’ll uh, let you handle the letters and I’ll handle the crowd”, he says, relieved to be useful without needing to read.
"Understood," He says trying to work out the reading of these ingredients and more
"Sorry, I can't make sense of this right now" Dejected
“Scuse me little one, but you’ll have to wait in line with your mam and pap just like erreone else.”, he says sternly, while pointing to the back of the line.
Sweet Pea stands up straight on the inner windowsill, hands on hips, frowning with indignation. “I’m not a kid, I’m a Sweet Pea, and Gathlains don’t have moms and dads anyway!” Her current posture makes it obvious that, under the leaves, her figure is that of a slender teenager. “And I’m not here for medicine, I’m here to help!”
She hops from shelves to table to countertop, approaching the halfling with the book. “Whatcha reading, Randu? Ooh, is that a recipe?” She stops on the counter on the other side of the book from Randu. She bends over it, reading the page upside down.
Krogge looks over to Laurel, looking for a suggestion on what to do about the small fey. what in the boneyard is a Gatling?
Even with the book upside down, Sweet Pea recognizes the plants sketched in the strange old book. Once Randu rotates the book for her, she is even able to decipher the recipe.
Working together, the Halfling and the Gathlain should be able to mix the medicine as Krogge aids Laurel in serving the customers.
Meanwhile, Laurel responds to Krogge's questioning look only with a tired, resigned shrug.
.....
Back out in the street, the sheriff points a spear-straight arm back down the road towards the market, indicating to Jack that the inn will be the first large building on the right.
"Thank you, Sweetpea" he's grateful
Following the sheriff's directions with his eyes, Jack nodded before turning to Rrruh and grabbing a few of his own bags. The lighter ones... though he immediately grasped one much faster and first before any others. "Yes, yes, much like everyone else in this town, he was intent on solving the situation like a savage than with the order of the law. But, I suppose he is technically yet to be on my payroll, so I cannot truly hold him to this duty either. I suppose the same could be said for yourself, Master Rrruh."
Following the sheriff's directions, Jack seemed intent on finding the tavern and getting himself situated. Almost leaving Rrruh behind in the process. For a guy so intent on getting his things moved in, he sure seemed to forget them quite a bit.
As soon as Jack steps through the inn doors, he is greeted by a booming voice.
"Welcome, welcome!" bellows the rotund, ruddy=faced man who rises from his chair and sets aside the mandolin he was tuning. "Welcome to Jak-a'-Napes, my friend! I am your host, the one-and-only Jak Crimmy. How may I help you on this fine day?"
He ambles forward, seizes Jack's hands, and shakes them vigorously. A single wisp of shockingly bright red hair dances upon the man's otherwise bald head.
After patting his pockets and realizing that he doesn't have any money, but being too proud to admit that he mistook his caltrop bag for coins, the cat is content to stroll along with Rrruh as he carries Jack's things.
He continues to speak in catfolk, just out of habit with his new acquaintance.
"Most anyone who isn't dead tired or injured goes to Jak-a-Napes for a drink after work. I believe your tourist is headed there now."
If Laurel doesn’t mind the small intruder Krogge will shrug his shoulders and head back to tending the line and keeping the peace in the crowded shop.
After patting his pockets and realizing that he doesn't have any money, but being too proud to admit that he mistook his caltrop bag for coins, the cat is content to stroll along with Rrruh as he carries Jack's things.
He continues to speak in catfolk, just out of habit with his new acquaintance.
"Most anyone who isn't dead tired or injured goes to Jak-a-Napes for a drink after work. I believe your tourist is headed there now."
He asked the other catfolk as he followed Jack.
He paused as the man introduced himself to Jack... and despite holding onto the man's things he nodded his head to the owner and simply said.
"Some goats milk if you have for me and my friend here, then perhaps meals and a room."
He nodded torwards Flint as he mentioned the milk then torwards Jack for the meals. He figured that there might be no better place than here to ask questions about the town... but things must be down in order. The owner was far more likely to talk to a paying customer than one who wasnt spending coin.
Jack blinked as his fellow Jack, of the Napes variety, grasped his hands and shook them with more energy than he was expecting. Dropping his bag, Jack tolerated the shake a moment before freeing himself and quickly grabbing his pack again. Straightening himself up, Jack took in a deep breath and exhaled.
"Jack-o-Napes, yes? I'm told your establishment is the choice for long term accommodations. That is my purpose here - I am here at the behest of the People's Council and need a personal suite to retire to when my business becomes overwhelming... which I imagine will be a regular occurrence, if today is any indication." Jack collected himself further before turning back to the two catfolk behind him, as if assessing them for a moment. Finally, he turned back. "Indeed. Your finest fare, if you would, for my friend and his associate. And a place for my personal guard. Preferably close by to my own suite, if you would. And please ensure absolutely nobody disturbs me. I need total privacy. Ah, and if one of Mr. Kreed's representatives arrives looking for me, please alert me, I'll be down posthaste."
At Roots and Remedies, the aid from Randu, Krogge, and Sweet Pea keeps the stream of customers flowing far more smoothly and promptly than Laurel could ever have managed on her own - even if she had been rested.
Despite cajoling from Krogge and Randu, though, she refuses to excuse herself upstairs to rest. Whether she does not trust her business in the hands of others or her professional pride simply forbids her to completely step aside remains unclear.
On her own, Laurel would likely have been tending to the line of coughing customers until well into the night. With her unexpected assistants, though, the last of the patrons leaves by lunchtime.
With a weary sigh, Laurel offers her sincere thanks - as well as a half dozen silver coins for each of her three helpers.
.....
"Sure, sure!" Crimmy howls joyfully to Rrruh's requests. "The local farmers have a much easier time raising goats than cows, so we have plenty of their milk on hand. It's actually starting to become popular, even."
Crimmy looks around conspiratorially before leaning in closer to the catfolk.
"I've even begun using it when making my famous flapjacks, and no one's noticed," he whispers with a wink and smile.
Crimmy then turns to Jack, impressed with his noble bearing.
"Well, you certainly haven't been steered wrong," he says to Jack. "Finer fare and rest you wouldn't find even at the Gold Falls upriver. I'll have a room readied for you right away while I get something whipped up in the kitchen. Any requests?"
"Ooh, shinies!" Sweat Pea says, accepting the coins. "Look, Randu! I got money! Money represents work you've done, and can be exchanged for goods and/or services." Her last sentence seems like something that someone made her memorize.
"OH! Where'd that Jack guy go? Apparently I work for him."
Krogge accepts the coin and puts them in his purse. ”thank you Ms. Laurel, do you need anything else before you can get some rest?”, he inquires.
Sweet peas question reminds Krogge he also was helping Jack,”oh ya, forgot about fancy jack...he was headed to Jaks methinks.” and he promised me some mead Krogge thinks as he smiles to himself.
The cat gives an appreciate nod and says his thanks for the drink.
"Oh, you won't have to worry about that, Mr. Jack. If anything, you're more likely to be escorted up to the mansion. Kreed and his don't tend to socialize down here much."
At Roots and Remedies, the aid from Randu, Krogge, and Sweet Pea keeps the stream of customers flowing far more smoothly and promptly than Laurel could ever have managed on her own - even if she had been rested.Despite cajoling from Krogge and Randu, though, she refuses to excuse herself upstairs to rest. Whether she does not trust her business in the hands of others or her professional pride simply forbids her to completely step aside remains unclear.
On her own, Laurel would likely have been tending to the line of coughing customers until well into the night. With her unexpected assistants, though, the last of the patrons leaves by lunchtime.
With a weary sigh, Laurel offers her sincere thanks - as well as a half dozen silver coins for each of her three helpers.
He takes the coins, then says "Well, you're a stubborn woman, Mistress Laurel, but none can say you don't work hard. I do hope you can get at least a nap in now."
"Ooh, shinies!" Sweat Pea says, accepting the coins. "Look, Randu! I got money! Money represents work you've done, and can be exchanged for goods and/or services." Her last sentence seems like something that someone made her memorize.
"OH! Where'd that Jack guy go? Apparently I work for him."
"Yes, we've been well paid, Sweatpea." He nods approvingly Certainly more fairly than the Consortium tends to.
When Krogge mentions Jaks, he nods, and considers going there himself. Seems as good a place as any, "Follow me, Sweatpea. I know the way."
Krogge nods along at Randu’s words,”aye, I’d join you if’n you don’t mind,” he says as he follows the halfling out of the shop. As he leaves the shop he looks back to Laurel,”you get some rest Ms. Laurel, I’ll keep my eye out for those herbs from your book!’.