Trade Off

In this district, most shoppes are probably permanent and of a tier to more match their clientele. If there are mobile carts or stalls around, they might also be designed with their target audience in mind. As for Tlanexhuani's stall, it is... well, none of these things.

He does not own a cart, nor even the pieces to make a stall: he'd never considered such a thing much before, and even in only the simplest terms when he did. So his stall consists of several crates and barrels: open ones to hold larger wares and closed ones to serve as table displays for smaller ones. Said wares run the range of small wooden and wire toys for children to simple wire jewelry to common small implements such as tools or utensils.

Sometimes, the trick to hiding isn't being in the shadows. It's just looking unremarkable enough that the eye slips past you. And so Harshad has casually joined a small group of oruch women out shopping -- passing himself off as a relative (after all, goblin-kin have large families). After assuring them that he's not out to cause -them- trouble, he simply trails along in their wake, not too far from where Tlanexhuani's 'stall' is set up.

The half-oruch represses a distinct sigh as he sees what Tlan's built, but then again, there are more ramshackle affairs in Goblintown. So the oruch-blooded man casually points out Tlan's stall to his walking camouflage with a slight grin.

After all, if they buy something from Tlan, so much the better.

GAME: Harshad rolls stealth+2: (19)+10+2: 31
GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (7)+7: 14
GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls perception: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls craft/blacksmithing: (10)+6: 16
GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls craft/carpentry: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)

There's a few people on the street, and among them are a number of nobles of various types. One man stops at the far end of the street with the woman he'd been talking to casually and outright stares at Tlanaxhuani's wares like they're ugly as sin. "Can you believe the absolute *trash* that is allowed to be sold on the streets?"

The woman with him pulls him closer and giggles. "Do you think so Auggie? They're almost so ugly that they're cute. Wow. Except that one." She points to one and shudders at the toy. "I'll have *nightmares* about it!"

The man rolls his eyes. "I told you not to call me that. Here, I'll buy it for you." He reaches for his pouch.

"Whatever FOR?" She exclaims, seeming interested.

"You'll see." The man points to the toy in question. "How much for that one?"

Tlanexhuani initially continues to work on the small basket base he is weaving as if the comments are unheard. Until the man mentions buying and points; then the makari's snout lifts and eyes lower to the item indicated.

Ah, yes, that one. The wooden figure that was supposed to be a knight on its mighty steed. While the steed never looked quite correct (horses are a new thing to Tlanexhuani), the wood splitting at a knot did not help matters. Worse was the wiring of the pieces back together misaligned. Leaving the result more resembling a centaur. After being trampled by a dragon. And possibly breathed on by one. At best.

Even Tlan has difficulties hiding a wince. "Ah. Thisss one iss... two copper." Which may as much copper in wire trying to hold it together.

Tlanexhuani adds with a gesture of claw to the displays. "Are others, too."

With a swarm of oruch women as cover, Harshad sidles closer. He's picked up on the 'Auggie' and is careful to stay out of the man's direct line of sight. But he's keeping an eye out. He can't help but make a small wince at the knight and steed figure -- he's a bit surprised Tlan didn't just toss it. But then again, he's never been a tradesman. Maybe you just want to try and recoup your costs.

Clearly the women are unimpressed with the knight as well, as they are looking at some of Tlan's more mundane tools instead.

The man sniggers at Tlanexhuani and shakes his head. "Too good for your own good." The words are half-muttered and he drops the coins on the table before picking up the terrible-looking toy and offering it to the woman. "Now, you destroy it!"

The woman's eyes widen. "Really? You mean... right here? He made it..." She trails off looking a bit uncertain.

"Come on now, it's trash. Just step on it. Here." He tosses the toy on the ground and makes an encouraging motion that makes her flush before she stomps on the toy. The unfortunate thing flattens considerably under her stomp. Flushed with her success she stomps a second time.

It was barely held together by the wire (and possibly false hope), so it is little surprise that it begins to separate, flatten, and even crack further. Harshad's question on why the makari even displayed it is valid, though there could be many reasons. Not the least of which might be to catch the eye of a child who had less and could not afford more... which may not really apply in this place.

Even so, or perhaps for that very reason, Tlanexhuani cannot hide winces at the stomping, yet he says nothing.

There's some chilly stares directed at the noble, and even Harshad can't keep his lip from curling in absolute contempt. Beneath the light cloak he wears, his hands twitch, and he forces them to remain empty. Instead, he takes a careful look at 'Auggie's' companion, inspecting her, before moving his gaze to 'Auggie' himself.

A faint smirk comes across his features, as an idea springs to mind, and he begins to make his way a little closer.

GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls perception: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (7)+7: 14
GAME: Harshad rolls knowledge/local: (18)+8: 26
GAME: Harshad rolls Reflex: (16)+7: 23

The man laughs, enjoying the moment and encouraging the woman to stomp the toy quite flat. "Would you like another?" He offers her, but she shakes her head; cheeks glowing with amusement and exertion.

"No, but that was *lovely*." She takes his arm then.

It isn't how and to whom Tlanexhuani had hoped the item might bring joy, but technically it was entertaining, if for a moment. He gestures a claw to the remains on the stones in front of the stall while looking to the man and woman. "This one clean mess?" He doubts they are interested in the remains, but they do own them, so it is prudent to ask. No reason to leave a mess. Also, he knows most metals are easily recyclable.

Harshad freezes in midstep, almost toppling, but his quick reactions prevent it. His eyes dart down, and widen in shock -- then he cautiously shuffle-steps to the side, before starting to untie the laces of his boots where they've somehow become laced together.

He can't help but flick his gaze at Auggie and his escort suspiciously. This was -too- convenient…

'Auggie' shrugs at Tlanexhuani, not caring about the toy anymore. Instead he starts to lead the woman with him away from the scene.

"Are we going to your house Aug-" She starts and he cuts her off with a sigh.

"I told you not to call me th-" He himself is cut off a moment later before he's made it fives steps by one of the oruch women who was looking at the tools with her friends.

"YOU should clean it up." She says sternly.

"It's your mess." Says the second while the last glares at 'Auggie' with a stern scowl which he returns with a superior look.

"Ssa," Tlanexhuani acknowledges 'Auggie' and company, stepping around the crates to crouch before the mess. Where he proceeds to pick up the pieces and stuff them into his pockets in his apron and belt. When the oruch women voice their opinions, he pauses to hold up empty claws. "Peace. Is good. This one pick up."

Once Harshad has his boots sorted out, his eyes return to Auggie and his doxy. Auggie's treatment of Tlan doesn't exactly fill him with happiness either, but it presents an opportunity. Right now, too many eyes on Auggie, so can't cut his purse -- but it's enough distraction to reposition himself so he can follow the man on the way out of the trade district.

It's been a while since Harshad outright stole something. But for this jerk, he'll happily fall back into bad habits.

With the 'crisis' averted, Auggie turns away with a smug expression and shrugs before taking the lady's arm and leaving the scene of the toy-destruction and heading down an alley. "Yes, we just have one more stop on the way to my place..." He says to her, and she giggles a bit.

GAME: Harshad rolls Perception: (13)+7: 20

Harshad doesn't like this. Things keep -happening- that feel suspiciously... targeted. Under the cloak, his hand creeps towards the main gauche tucked into his belt, as he follows after Auggie and the woman. His footfalls slow as he approaches the alley, and he doesn't go sprinting round the corner -- but instead, pauses and peers around it, his forest-green eyes glinting.

Tlanexhuani, crouched, has a much lower vantage point than normal. As he retrieves the last few pieces, a bit of movement catches his notice and diverts his attention from it. A rodent, maybe? They seem abundant in some places in the city. Namely the sewers, which he's visited a fair number of times since his arrival. His eyes then trail off towards the moving Harshad as the makari stands back up and moves behind the stall. "Need aid with wares?" he inquires of those browsing.

The women decline and move on, and Harshad as he moves to watch the two walking down the alley gets a bit of a surprise when he realizes that the woman and the man are kissing in the alley. Which is a bit embarrassing to happen upon given the situation. Still, following them might be easier if... Strange as it seems the woman looks a bit thinner than Harshad remembers her. She seems to be in fact, thinning before his eyes. That's odd.

GAME: Harshad rolls heal: (17)+1: 18

Harshad usually likes to be quiet. Usually. Well, most of the time. But sometimes you need a distraction. A scene. You need attention. And so he whips out his gauche and yells, "Help! Assault! Demons in the city!" He heard about fiend attacks when he came here and figures that'll bring people running. And then he's charging Auggie, drawing his rapier as well. He doesn't expect to injure the bastard, but enough noise might scare him off.

Tlanexhuani is a bit worried for Harshad after the man steps around the corner. Then assures himself that all will be w-hat is going one? He could not even finish that thought and now there is yelling of demons?! He is thankful that the browsers walked off so they would not be in immediate danger as he steps back around and starts briskly moving towards the yelling.

As Harshad expects and hopes the man drops the woman and races away from Harshad, hissing at him in passing. "Almost!" The man disappears around two corners and the woman lays on the ground groggily and looking like she's had half her life drained out of her.

Thankfully the guard appears not long there-after.

Harshad immediately snaps his blades back into their sheaths; being caught with bared sword might not be a great idea when the guard arrives. He's tempted to chase after the bastard, but... he pauses by the slumped woman, lying there half-dead. Chasing after this life-draining freak by himself... might be a bad idea. So he grimly leans down to help the woman sit up. "Afternoon, Denorah," he says with a faint grin. "I see you've graduated to some exotic clients."

Tlanexhuani comes around the corner a moment later, looking to the woman, Harsad, the guard, the road, and back around. "What happen? Iss hurt? Can this one help? Where is demon?" He has many questions, but does prioritize them somewhat.

Denorah can barely offer a faint smile in response, and after that it's answering questions from the guard and getting her to a cleric for healing. She explains later that she'd been offered a date by Augsusts Alexanderos, and taken him up on the offer. Who wouldn't after all? The guard don't believe her of course - why would a famous noble attack a woman and drain her life?

It seems like maybe there's more questions than answers out of today.

-End