Rick keeps his eyes focused where they were, but as the diversion seems to be taking too long to get here, he satisfies the curiosity of the woman. "Yes, I showed you that, didn't I? wasn't that what called your attention in the first place? I've got mine through surgery, much like yours, in a place much like this. But I can't tell you any details of the procedure, first, because I don't don't have eyes on my back, and second because I am not sure about how it happened, which I presume is a consequence of the procedure. Probably the doctors make that so you would forget their face, in case it breaks, you know. Anyway, everything needs maintenance, once in a while."
Stop suspecting the poor guy!!
She has a slight smile on her face as Rickonni talks.
"A place much like this Really, most interesting"
Its like she's Paranoid or something :)
, the paper-sellers are hunched mercantile types of a race you don't think you've seen before - and being wrapped, almost swaddled, in their robes doesn't help with your identification of them. Although the area behind their ware-tables is cluttered with large steam-press style machines, the kind of which you've never seen outside of Barrjka before, their actual tables hold an incredibly simple display - strips of paper, white, each about 3 feet long. They are scribed with delicate rune-like symbols in various colours, predominantly black but with some etched in different shades of red, orange and purple.
If you choose to approach them, they will greet you in Hunter's Cant - words to the effect of a welcome chance to talk, although their hand-grammar is alien to you.
"I am told that you might have a way of becoming larger, or at least stronger. I am concerned as to the strength of paper scripts though, unless these are hardened in some way."
When Rick referenced her, Miria nodded her head. She looked closer at him when he mentioned his procedure.
She couldn't tell what he was thinking, not really. He's a rather mysterious character.
She wandered over to the paper merchants with Jack, just to see what they are selling.
As if to demonstrate his point one of the sellers picks up one of the chems, winds each end around his hands and pulls hard. Not only does it not snap, but the writing adorning it seems to writhe momentarily, twisting around the paper more firmly before receding.
Miria turned to Jack to see if he understood any better than she.
"I believe they want to know if we want a demonstration of something about... fire bees?"
"I want to lift more." Jack signs slowly and carefully
The heavily-wrapped figure signs that it understands, and calls over a young human working one of the printing machines. After a quick conversation in what must have been some foreign hand-cant that you can barely follow the young woman turns to you and says Something to lift more, yes?
She rifles through the chems on the table and then picks one up, seemingly at random. After slipping a leather glove onto her right hand she wraps the chem carefully around it, tying it off so that only a few inches of the paper are hanging free and the rest is tightly criss-crossed and bound. Then, with appreciable flourish, she raises the hand to her face and spits on the paper knot of the chem.
, you feel a kick in your stomach that by now you know to be a release of arcane potential - alchemical, unless you missed your guess. The runic script from the back of the chem bleeds like newly-wet ink where her spit touches the knot, and over the next few seconds the worn brown leather of the glove seems to shift and flow, spreading outwards until it covers the majority of her arm. You watch, transfixed, as flesh and leather meld.
By the time the transformation is finished the new appendage is more than a foot longer than before, her torso awkward and unbalanced under the weight of newly-developed musculature picked out in stretched brown leather. The chem has expanded to bind perfectly around the altered limb, the runes along the length of it glowing darkly as they continue to bleed outwards into the skin of the young assistant.
'It dries fast,' she hisses between clenched teeth, 'and it hurts like all hell, but believe me - it's effective.'
Rick just stands there waiting for the others to finish the shopping. He's got a face that's half sad and half worried. Still looking at the huge half-orc, he speaks to Sallrana with a emotionless tone. "Not that it would be my business, Sallrana, but hummm... Did you also buy something here?"
She looks on at the odd events then picks up a nothing of an item, saying off handed.
"Now Rick why would you ask a thing like that?. Is there something of interest your not telling us. Something that may enlighten us as to what is fully going on here, or will you keep it to yourself. This dos not bode well for your side of our bargain. So how about you tell us what's you know about this place. After all you have been to another place like this before yes. To get your implant, why not tell us of both places. I know we would all love to know what you do"
Sallrana for all her light manner is keeping a very close eye on Rick.
She puts the item back.
He crosses his arms, shaking his head negatively. "That's because you're probably too suspicious. Right now you're more suspicious about me than this place, as you did not worried about Jack buying that... whatever that is... But I'll tell you all I know about this place, even if that puts us in trouble."
"First, they keep their word and their deals. Second, the price will never be put clear to you, and you will certainly be paying more than you should for it, since it's not easy to find magical items these days. But they won't even let you know that. That's reason enough for me to keep away from here unless really necessary." He looks in the direction of the curtain and then around the party, awaiting for a possible retaliation by the shadowy creatures. "And the reason I ask is pretty simple, although you will not believe me. I would like to know because I consider anything from this place as a danger. The more you have, the more jumpy I will get." He lifts his shoulders and smiles. "But as you said, let's go shopping!" But he does not move an inch and remain with crossed arms, watching Jack. "By the way I'm currently working as a guide."
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BTW shallrana if you are reading this, shame. (LOL)
She pats the halfling on the head.
"See that was not so hard now was it Rick"
She takes out a small note book and pen, making a note.
"Now when your as forthcoming about your implant and history, I may just begin to trust you, but we'll have to see. Until then let's just see how well you do as a guild, you said magic items where hard to come by, dos that mean you know of another place that sells them, say a fence for instance Rick. As for my shopping. it seems they do not have the skills to make what I wanted. Not surprising, a Lady dos so like a better class of thing. Mind you that dos not mean I came away empty handed, you would be surprised just what one can pick up for nothing."
She says this wile making notes, then stops putting her book away.
"I see, magic objects hard to come by, but maybe not impossible, now a good guild would now of another source for items, say a fence for instance. I don't think we are that bothers where said items come from. In fact I'm looking for a low priced rifle, let's see if you know your stuff, how about you take us to the good cost affective gun shop in town later. But 1st a nice place to eat, where the sea food is good and not to pricey. Some place the well todo go with short pokers."
She takes a 10 note out and places it in his hand.
"Pay for the next two days. "
"Thank you for your help. While fascinating I am afraid these items are not exactly what I was looking for as I was looking for techniques for permanent modification of the body. I apologize for taking your time and wish you the best of luck in your sales tonight."
Polite to a fault Jack excuses himself and turns back to the group
Rick denies receiving the payment. "No no, thank you, that's not necessary. We've already agreed on terms, remember?" He smiles, but then has a confused look on his face. "What's a riffle? Is it like a riddle?"
When you refused the money Rick, that seems to have marked a change in her ladyship las if it was a test. She seems less suspect of you.
"My acsent may seem strange, let me try again, a 'rifle' is a kind of long barreled gun, deadly at range. I like guns as you found out, because If your not big or strong, a good gun can be a very powerful equalizer."
She places her hand on her revolver as she says this.
Miria watches as the girl activated the chem, and takes a step back. That's unnatural, even for her standards. Hearing that the group is thinking of grabbing food, or leaving this place, she perks up a little. She signs to Jack, asking him to translate.
"If we want to eat somewhere, not necessarily seafood, we can always go to the tavern where our lodgings are located."
If no one objects Sallrane asks Miria to lead them out of the market and off to the place there staying.
"Miria would you be so kind as to show us the way back to our hotel, Rick can help if he wishs"
"If not want to trade, we should go?"
Clambering back up and out onto the street you are greeted with a city in the grips of slumber, the only noises to be heard the distant barking of dogs and constant lap of the waves against the docks. It would be an idea to head to the inn where you'll be quartered for the night, but it is of course up to you.
Takes off her classes, now seeing well in the dark, she looks around.
Her hand on her gun! the other on her blade! she brings her shielding up.
Her clothing on the way up had once more changed to a simple hooded cloak
Hiding her form.
::HexQin best keep a look out::
Rick walks happily aside the group, seeming pretty relaxed now that they are out of that place. "I don't think we will find any place to buy your riffle at this time, Sallrana. I don't even think that is that kind of weapon in this island, but we can search tomorrow. Now, does anyone have any idea on what's behind the curtain?"
Glancing around the "market", Roger wasn't sure what to expect, but having learned a bit about how this crazy place worked, he sure-as-heck didn't wanna "trade" anything for the stuff assembled here. Turning to the group, he said "We should probably get out of here, if no one wants to get anything. I don't like this place."
Once and if they get there with out events, they are at the Inn, Sallrana orders hot water and heads to her room. She asks the time.
" I think I'll head to my room and clean up, if its not to late, we can get some food here. Ill see you soon."
With that she heads to her room.
You can indeed get food if you wish - two gold pieces gets you a decent amount of drink, some freshly-baked bread and mutton with dripping. Not too bad for one of the smaller inns.
As they start to talk Sallrana comes back down in an evening dress
The halfling laughs when the woman reappears. It seems she's really paranoid, not leaving the rest of the group in peace. "No, I do not speak gearish, Jack, but I certainly learn fast, if you have the time to give me a few hints about it. I was an adventurer, and had a group much like this one, although they simply trust me without seeking trickery in every word." He looks at Sallrana with a funny face. "But then something happened, and I've been wandering through this island for quite a while now. Not much happens here, but yesterday's portal has left some people really uncomfortable..."
Roger reduced his size before they entered the inn, so as not to draw excess attention. Sitting and ordering food, he listened to the others talk. It was what Rickonni said that drew his attention, to which he replied: "don't take it personally, Rick. We seen some stuff that no one should have. See, we know what's on the other side of the portal. No one who's not crazy should want to see what's on the other side of that thing. Here's the thing though: we're going back through to get someone who was kidnapped."
Roger ordered a pitcher and drained it in one go, as if hoping that the alcohol would let him forget the things that he had seen.
Rick stops. He scans you for several seconds before being sure you're not lying. "What did you say?" He lowers his voice, putting a new tone to the conversation, to avoid other people from hearing it. "You've been in that portal??? How?"
Miria waves kindly at the innkeeper and inclines her head, and he does the same. She motions for some food with two gold pieces and sits at the table. She listens to the group chatter as she waits for her food.
Once it arrives she nods her head in thanks and removes her mask. Her jaw stands out from the rest of her face, having a strange shape and a thick ropey scar reaching all the way around her jawline. She eats with little pomp, and just sits to observe the others for now. They are quite amusing.
"Well, it's a long story, and one that onna the others prolly tells better. Short of it is as I said: we were there, had someone taken by monsters, and we're gonna get Baldwin back. End of story."
Sallrana walks over to the bar keep but nots the high pitched giggle of the gnome.
And thinks to HexQin
::"Jumpy little chap, eyes every where! and always asking, did you pay heed to the talk, I'll want a report latter HexQin "::
::"Yes mam, Rick is asking about the events connected to the portal. Roger has informed him we are going back to get Boldwin, Rick also said, something happened to him, he had been an adventurer.::
Out of sight but not out of hearing range HexQin is close by.
Heads to the back of the inn with the in keep.
A short wile later she comes back with a small plate of dried fruit, nuts and bread.
She places her plate on the table with a bottle of blue looking wine.
Taking her seat, the bar keep brings over class mugs one for each.
"Sorry I don't eat meat, this was the only other food they had to hand at this hour. Now they don't have much in the way of a wine cellar dear ones, but they do have this odd blue Brandy, I would love to know fruit it's made from. It's safe to drink, and not to strong would anyone like to share it with me?."
She offers anyone who will take one a mug full, lightly placing her hand on Johns for a moment. then she producing her own set of silver shop sticks from some place, she delicately starts to eat, sipping her brandy now and then.
::"So John do you think we can trust our new little Gnome friend, he dos so like to ask questions, but that could just be your typical gnome. It's just I would love to know where he got is back implant from. He's being very coy about telling us, yet he seems to know where we got our. That kind of thing always makes me suspect of someone. But then again I was trained to suspect everyone."::
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John eats his mutton with obvious enjoyment. Ah shallrana, you are missing out. This is a feast for a king. You don't eat meat. No wonder you look pale.
"Interesting!" He says as roger explains their quick trip, but his eyes are already focused elsewhere, and it's in the void space between his hands where there's some kind of immaterial object that twists the light passing through the place. He's watching really carefully whatever that is.
::"you make a good point John. I'll take your advice on this, I know that what I was doing seemed to have alienated him some what. But I have asked him directly how he came by his implant and he ether could not or would not respond. My feeling is could not, when we meet I had a look into his mind. There was something there, something contacted to his implant that limited my vision. That is what has me so on guard, this little fellow may not even be aware he may have company in his head."::
"I'll take your word for it John, I don't know many civilized Elves who like the taste of flesh and I'm told its very hard to digest. Humans and others have a very much stronger constitution than us."
"That was our Sallrana, John." Jack 'whispers'
jack looks meaningfully around
Jack waves 4 gold to the innkeep
She shakes her head in the negative.
"No I took it into my tent, I did so, so as not to offend or hosts. But I did not eat any, I had my own food luckily."
Then As Ricks hands move using sift some outside force closed in on them interrupting there movement, It's very distracting.
::"That thing Rick is doing with his hands, I think its some kind of remote search thing magic or other I don't know. He was trying to do the something like that to me when I first spotted him. I suspect he was trying to inspect my Implants, could be trying the same now or he's looking for something. I'm just seeing how important it is for him at the moment."::
She eats some more then looks up.
"Jack is right, This may not be the right time or place, but we need to find out more about each other if we are to trust one another. Our lives may depend on it." she 'whispers' to the group
Wile she says this the unseen force stops messing with your magic.
She takes a sip from her drink.
" As for me, as the old saying go's, 'A Thief thinks everybody steals.' I can come across as overly suspicious sometimes I do so apologise Rick. But meet me say being so has kept me well and live so far."
She smiles sweetly at them then looking down takes another bite of her meal.
Rick suddenly stops what he's doing, and lowers his hand. With a bothered face, he looks around, first behind them, to the other tables, and then back at the table. "Not a problem for me. " His gaze passes through Roger and John, analyzing each of them briefly, jumps over Miria and meets Jack for a few moments, but then focus on Sallrana. "But we had agreed on a deal, if I'm not mistaken. I would show you the island and help with whatever you needed, and in exchange you would present me to your employers. But it seems you don't even know what you're doing on this island, to begin with. If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable. Give me something and I'll help you with that, if you think the help in the night market was not enough already."