Dishonest Wares, Shady Dealingz

[ladybug]

Rilyer wandered through the crowd of Gather-goers, walking a little stiffly. His wound was healed, but he was still get used to being on his feet and not having to be careful about it. His first day out of bed he had been as clumsy as Insomnia. A day of walking around the Gather, not to mention the dancing, ought to do him good.

Still, a little help couldn't hurt. Rilyer glanced around to make sure no one was watching his ignominious actions, then swiftly pulled a flask out from under his jacket. He took a swift sip of the fellis-laced wine, just enough to mellow him, before stowing the flask in an inner pocket again.

Coincidentally, his absent steps had brought him near to the rather sketchy little stall at the edge of the marketplace. Curious, he looked the stall over from a distance. Nono bad shrunk wherries shop,[/color] Insomnia told him disapprovingly, probably relating some garbled gossip she had overheard about the stall.

Still, Rilyer was too intrigued to pass up a better look. Among the goods he spotted what was labeled a large flitt egg. Rilyer had actually planned to buy a flitt egg, a fact he had been studiously hiding from Insomnia, but this one was much cheaper. Then again, it might hatch into an unnaturally large chicken. "Why is this one so cheap?" He asked the stallkeeper. He wasn't exactly expecting an honest answer, but maybe it was a real egg. His gaze quickly swept over the rest of the offerings. "And what does insanity powder do?"

[Rei]

A bleach blond male with a lazy eye and a peculiar walk sidled over to Rilyer. “Can I help ye lad?”

He smelled of stale beer and sweat and his eyes shifted back and forth rapidly. Listening to the lad he smiled showing quite a few missing teeth. “Ah good eyes. It is cheap to under mine the egg stall. You are interested yes?” Gesturing past the egg he pointed to the insanity powder. “That my dear boy is a potent drug. It gives you a very good high. Much better than fellis. But surely you realize that.”

The blonde winked. “What can I get for you? I have much to offer. Feel free to browse at your leisure my friend.” Again the crooked toothless smile. He ignored Insomnia. He had heard of the little ugly creatures called mandyrs and their big mouths. As long as she kept silent he wouldn’t have to….deal….with her.

[ladybug]

Rilyer watched as the stallkeeper walked up, noting the man's limp and lazy eye, as well as his bad teeth. He wouldn't have expected any less from someone who kept a shop like this. Rilyer smiled to himself, more amused than taken aback with the man's shifty appearance. Simple shadiness wasn't very intimidating compared to facing down fighters from Benden. Insomnia seemed to dislike the man, though. She hissed and flared her frill, trying to look big and intimidating, but instead ended up losing her balance and digging her claws into his shoulder. "Ouch." Rilyer grimaced, hoping the 'mandyr would stay quiet. It was so embarrassing when the talking critters interrupted a good deal.

He raised an eyebrow at the man's explanation of insanity powder, one hand unconsciously patting the inner pocket where he kept his flask. "Better than fellis, eh?" Insomnia growled, crawling down his arm and landing on the table. She sniffed at the bottles, then went over to the egg, either intending to inspect it or eat it, Rilyer wasn't sure. He quickly scooped her up while she screeched in protest. Mean uglybad![/color] she complained, her comments obviously directed at the blonde man.

"Shut up!" Rilyer whispered, then turned to the shopkeeper. "Er, sorry about that. I like taking chances, so I'll take the egg. Five marks, was it?" Maybe buying would keep the man from pulling out the knife he undoubtedly had hidden somewhere on his person.

[Rei]

“Oh much better than fellis my lad.” Niran smiled that crooked toothless smile of his again. “I would give you a sample but I don’t have much. The stuff sells fast.” The lazy eyed blonde gave a scowl as Insomnia jumped toward the egg. The stall keeper huffed as Rilyer scooped up the creature just in time. He had wanted to stab her. Pity.

“Yes 5 marks it is.” Without another word the man scooped up the brown egg with the blue speckles and gently nestled it into a paper sack. “Here you go my lad. I hope your flitter hatches out more polite than that little green demon you own. If you want some of my special powder later you know where to find me.” Taking the offered marks and giving the brown handler a wink he shuffled to the counter and began to shift around his merchandise.