Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

[Tassadar]

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

"While I certainly appreciate the view," a cool, masculine voice sounded from the doorway into her modest back yard, "I'm afraid that I'm not here for that sort of thing. But I did hear of your shop, and was hoping that we could do some business." Framed in the doorway into her shop - which she had left locked and with the "Closed" sign up - was a fairly pale man with white hair, and a scar running down one cheek. She'd been relaxing, sans her clothes, following a fairly slow day of running her shop. Onna had been lucky to get a building not only along the main road running through Acheron that nearly everyone had to travel down, but one that had a fenced in yard, granting the kitsune privacy for when she felt like lounging about in her birthday suit. Normally she was left to her privacy when she closed her shop, but apparently this man didn't have much respect for signs or locked doors, and judging by the way he was eying her up, he didn't have much respect for modesty either.

"I was told that you might have something that would interest me, and I saw it on your shelf when I passed through your shop," the man said calmly, though the smile on his face most definitely implied that he was enjoying the view. She had actually done fairly steady business since moving to Acheron, her customers ranging from adventurers to curious tourists to locals, but today had been fairly slow due she suspected to a major fight currently taking place in the arena. The man standing in her doorway was clearly a warrior himself, judging by his scars and the two swords hanging from his hips, so why he was here rather than enjoying the battle was, perhaps, a curiosity.

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

‘Sly’ was reclining on the warm, smooth surface of a stone bench that had been heated by the midday sun before she draped her robes and silks over it, and taken to her ritual of laying in the sun, enjoying the free air. A cool sigh escaped her lips as azure eyes met scarred skin. She wasn’t terribly afraid of modesty either, but professionalism was another matter.

“May I know your name?” she hummed, in the guise of a human woman with tanned skin and ebon strands of hair. ‘Not to mention how you feel it’s your right to trespass on my peace’ she added in thought, leaving it out of her tone. Languidly she rose and pulled her silks back on, and over those her long black robe. She didn’t need it for warmth, but protection.

A moment of adjustment and all was proper, all was professional. Deft movements produced a pair of stick that the woman used to pull her hair into a wild bun that spiked every which way as she walked towards the warrior. Oh well, a client was always a client. She applied a polite smile and let her gaze travel over the newcomer. They weren’t fresh to a fight.

“And what might interest you today in my humble shop? Maybe a love potion to woo some yonder maiden?” she asked, slowly making her way up to the man and then gesturing with painted nails to the shop proper.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

"Geralt," the man replied simply, watching her redress and pin up her hair with the same casual smile before stepping aside, allowing her to brush past him and enter her shop once she stepped up and gestured him inside. "And I'm here because Asp told me that you had something that might interest me. A bullet, but not for any weapon that's in make today. With a red rune carved into the casing."

She had indeed acquired just such an item, as part of a set of assorted items that some strange woman clad in a long, silk robe had sold to her for a pittance of five denarii. Given that one of the items was a revolver that she'd been able to fix in about ten minutes and resell for about five times as much as she'd paid for the whole lot, it had been a good trade already. The particular round that this man was talking about hadn't been appraised yet, and she had no idea what it was or what it was worth, but given this man's appearance it seemed likely that he was some sort of adventurer, who tended to have quite a bit of spending money.

"I'd also like to sell something, if you're interested," he added, pulling out a small glass vial containing a red liquid that greatly resembled blood. "Faerie blood. Don't ask me where I got it," he said simply, leaving the crystal phial on her counter for the moment. Faerie's life-blood was fairly valuable, worth up to fifty denarii for a vial like the one now sitting on her table... Assuming that it actually was faerie blood of course.

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Sly froze in place for a moment and eyed the man cautiously. Her lips remained in that polite business-like smile that didn’t suggest or promise anything beyond a few unspoken accords to guests. This man, however, was no guest. He was a trespasser. Yet, rather than be rude, Onna simply reached up and perched her chin on a pair of delicate fingers. “I do have a few questions, although not concerning that vial. This may be a curiosity shop, but I generally do not deal in the blood of other beings. I have clients that would take offense to the blood of their kin on my shelves.”

She moved behind a long, darkly stained counter made from hardwood and retrieved a large tome bound in leather and filled with parchment. “Let’s see, that round is not yet for sale. I apologize for it being on display, I did not realize it had wandered out onto the floor proper.” Her tone was quiet, and genuinely respectful. Those azure eyes flicked between the man and the book every few seconds as she concentrated on the case in which the collection resided. “What is your curiosity of that round, if I may ask? I generally do not have visitors request items before I am even aware of them in my shop.”

She was stalling, biding her time to find out more about the round as she concentrated. If utter hell broke loose, she would shadowstep to the case; retrieve the box, and shadowstep away. Hopefully that plan wouldn’t have to be used, as she had nothing against selling the item, but not without knowing more about it.

Till one thing or another happened, she’d have to wait.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

"Fair enough," the pale man said amicably as he stowed the vial of blood away. "Such things have been known to happen. Everybody makes mistakes sometimes," he stated simply when she said that the round he sought was not yet up for sale. He made no aggressive moves toward her or the item that he claimed to desire, and her stalling tactic prompted him to respond; "It's a bullet for.... A very limited production weapon. It can't fire any other types of ammunition, and its creator has passed on, so there won't be any others like it any time soon. I don't have the gun itself yet, but I know where to get it. I'd like to have at least a single round for my collection along with the weapon itself. A full set of six bullets would, of course, be preferable, but one thing at a time!"

He grinned at her charmingly, but there was obviously something that he wasn't telling her about the unusual item. His expression offered neither violence nor anything that might be considered sinister, but whether or not Onna wanted to trust him was her choice to make. Still grinning, he pulled out a pouch of coins and placed it on the table as he said; "Not many know about this particular make of weapon, so the round probably wouldn't be worth much to anyone that wasn't looking for it. I'll give you forty denarii for it, right now."

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Onna returned that grin with her own to match. She had made her move, and the man produced a pouch of coin. Countermove, 40 Denarii. That was actually unexpected. She closed the ledger and poked her tongue out of the corner of her mouth in thought. Not by a large measure, but just enough to be seen.

“My dear sir,” she paused and furrowed her brow; “I’d offer one-hundred.” She exhaled. This was beginning to become tedious and she wanted to enjoy some more of that wonderful midday sun. Her mind wandered for a moment as she thought of lazily lapping up sunbeams. A blink returned her to reality, looking at the scarred man.

She leaned forward on the counter and rested her chin on her hand. It was a habit she had, she could never maintain a strictly business posture. “That should be a bargain, considering how rare the item is, and given you’re a collector. I am perturbed that you waltzed onto my store uninvited and unannounced, but I’m pleased you’re not some petty thief, so in the end I’ll offer you eighty and a promise that this deal will not haunt me. Do we have an accord?”

Her tone had grown sharper as she spoke. Damn these adventurer types, but they paid the bills.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

"The item is valuable to a tiny pool of individuals that would know what it is" the man countered immediately at the price offer of one hundred, though he spoke without losing his amicable tone. He allowed Onna to finish her offer, however, and continued when she had finished, "I don't know what I might have done to even suggest that this purchase would haunt you, but I can assure you that you will suffer no repercussions from selling me one rare bullet. The item is rare, yes, but as I said, few have knowledge of its rarity. It could sit on your shelf for thirty years as a curiosity, or leave your possession now for many times what you would get selling it as a curio. I'll raise my offer up to sixty if it makes you feel better about it, with my guarantee that I will trouble you no further after today."

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

“Done,” Onna said as she smiled and tilted her head to the side slightly, issuing a hearty smile that was all gleaming white teeth with peculiarly pointy canines. A moment later she made her way quickly to the cabinet and fetched the aforementioned round. “Would you like gift wrapping? I have a pretty pink paper I can’t seem to get rid of.” She commented as she turned, returning to her book and scribbling out the ledger, and receipt for the adventurer. Turning a tidy profit always wade her happy, so much so her tail would have been wagging happily. In a few minutes she would see the man out, and maybe, if she was lucky she would be able to continue sunbathing before the noon hour was over.

Today was turning out well.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

The pale man smirked right back at Onna once they struck a bargain, and pulled out a pouch of coins and counted out sixty on her counter while she went for the round. "Sure" he replied mirthfully, "It's actually somewhat fitting really." He plopped down an extra five coins when she came back with the bullet wrapped up in pink, pocketed the package, and then tilted his head to her. "Pleasure doing business with you~" he said as he turned, and then strode out the door without so much as a backward glance, leaving Onna to do as she pleased with the rest of her time.

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

It was done. He plopped down the coins and she wrapped the little bullet in a batch of bright pink paper and a matching bow. And just like that he was gone, right out the front door. Onna waited for a few minutes before she locked the door and returned to her spot in the back courtyard, sunbathing in the last of the healthy noon light. She often wondered how humans lived without the comfort of fur, its softness and ability to insulate her. Being human left her feeling cold, like a breeze was always against her back. It was understandable considering that she came from a desert and this place was chilly most days.

She stared up at the bright blue sky, her skin gently warm to the sun. A smile crept across her face as the robes and silks slid off once more to offer her body to the sky and sun. Life was not without its small treasures.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

Left to her own devices, Onna closed up her shop, finding the lock undamaged by the intruding adventurer, and headed back into her back yard. Sliding out of her garments once more, the kitsune settled back into a restive position, and was left undisturbed for much of the rest of the day. The autumn air was cool, but the sun warmed her enough to leave her at a pleasant balance, and she was left undisturbed to pass much of the rest of the day away lounging under the sun. Only when the air began to grow cold as the sun settled over the mountains, turning the sky orange to signal that night was coming did Onna receive a decent reason to rise. She had made enough to pay her weekly rent off of the sale of the bullet, but she still had to eat and acquire new items to sell. That said, she had enough bits of food lying around to keep herself fed for the rest of the week as well, but her stock of quick sellers was already started to run low.

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Onna slowly made her way back into the comfort of her silks and her store, pondering her predicament. Obviously she would have to go out and gather fresh supplies as well as pay off her rent. Food was another issue, sadly. There was enough here to keep her going for a week, which was enough, but she had to think of beyond that.

“Well, a bit of nighttime adventure and bartering may do me good.” Onna mused as she slipped into more secure clothing. She wore her combat robes and gave herself a sideways look in a long mirror on the shop’s wall. “It’ll do.” She smiled, changing her appearance to better fit her robes. With that she made her way to the local bazaar. Only what to do with the allotment of coins for the rent? Hiding it on her person was better than in the shop where it could be ransacked. Also she owed the money soon.

With a quirky smirk, she produced the bag of coins and slipped it into the front of her robes where a long tongue would protrude from the garment and gingerly take the sack of coin into its custody, tucking it away into unmentionable parts of her anatomy. A slight discomfort was the only price for security from cutpurses. A detour to the landlord’s depository would be first. If anything going there to relieve both the burden and worry from the kitsune was preferable.

This wasn’t the first time Onna had used herself in this flavor of smuggling. In fact it wasn’t really all that odd to her. With a talent for manipulating her form, what was it to use her anatomy as a container? Sure, it was odd, and it got odd looks from anyone who witnessed the extraction or depositing of goods but that was a small price to pay. With the store safely secured, the woman made her way quietly to her landlord.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

Heading off to her landlord's home with her goods held securely within her own body, Onna passed through the streets of Acheron as unbothered as one could go in the demon city.... Meaning that she only had to walk around the various people trying to take her money, rather than physically fight her off. Prostitutes were common enough, in both the succubus (for the tourists) and the not (for the locals too proud or too busy to poach the tourists) variety. Venders shouted encouragement into the busy streets, and the crowds provided something of a distraction and an obstacle all at once. More than once she felt someone grope her as she passed through a particularly dense group, but her money pouch was out of reach of the average pickpocket, the gropes on parts of her that obviously didn't have any money on them could be passed off as accidental or merely annoying depending on how generous Onna was being at the time. The guards largely ignored her besides their immediate sizing up, something that each of them did for anyone that passed them by, and their presence kept any violence from befalling her. There were benefits for living in the more crowded commercial area of Acheron, and benefits for traveling on it too.

Her landlord's office wasn't far from her shop, being in a large building that had been a warehouse before the enterprising young demon lord that owned her particular piece of property had converted it into an office building. It was easy to find, and Onna didn't need to do much beyond step inside to find herself staring at Ezekiel, her landlord, as he addressed another tenant that Onna had seen a couple of times before. The old man, a dollmaker by trade, often argued with the demon over the price of his rent, but as far as she had ever been able to tell it was mostly just waffling. Ezekiel seemed to think the same, as money came into the grinning demon's hands mere seconds after she'd arrived, and the gruff old human (as far as Onna was able to tell at least) stormed past her out of the office.

"Ahhh, my own little minx! How's the sunbathing going?" Ezekiel said, grinning brilliantly as he flipped a coin up into the air repeatedly and turned towards her. Despite his constant grin and cocky demeanor, Ezekiel was every bit a demon, possessed of style and confidence in droves combined with a fair bit of real metaphysical power. "You still do that naked yeah? Isn't it gettin a bit cold for that?"

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Sly’s mouth curved into a grand smile to match Ezekiel’s. The demon had been kind, if such a word could be used for demons, when she had arrived in town to set up her little shop. It was no secret to him that she sunbathed as she did. In fact it wasn’t really a secret. She didn’t deny what she liked to do.

“It’s always cold,” Sly said as she blinked slowly, willing her grasp over the bag of coins free to hang below her body beneath her robes like some sort of prosthetic scrotum. The thought of the bag, hanging from her slit made Onna actually chuckle before she added, “I have your rent, Ezekiel. And I still do, although I’m worried. Today a customer appeared in my store, behind my locked door and spied me sunbathing. I might have to try and secure the top of the building from now on if this happens much more!” She laughed, freely and without shame. That was the good thing of consorting with demons; they didn’t care what she did. Chances were they had done worse.

Slowly Onna reached into her robes and produced the coin purse. It was still damp from her juices and faintly smelled of her. “I should find better places to hide these than my skivvies,” she lied, holding up the purse for the demon. She walked forward and sat in front of a massive desk, still holding out the coin purse.

“How’s business, and the Mrs.? And where can a woman make some business other than a street corner?”

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

"Oh I don't think it's too bad yet. Nothing white and fluffy falling from the sky yet, yeah?" the demon shot back amicably, but then the mention of money brought any further conversation about Badaria's coming winter, as well as a joyful gleam to Ezekiel's eye. "We'll see about getting you some better locks," he replied as he took the slightly damp bag of coins from her, hefting it in his hand and then pocketing it. Whether he cared at all about its condition, he didn't show it, and without further fuss Ezekiel went on in an utterly cheerful tone; "Excellent and imaginary, as always!"

Ezekiel stepped around his desk and sat down across from Onna, leaning back and placing his feet onto the desk, crossing his legs and folding his hands before adding; "As for business, I'm afraid that's your deal dear. Though..." he paused as his lips turned up into a quick smirk, "I did hear about a lovely little madhouse that they just cracked into. Some old wizard's house that we never got open around invasion times, and then promptly forgot about. The guard's probably could have cleared the place out by now, but word is they've gone and made a game of seeing who'll come out alive. They're letting anyone that comes out alive and deals with a few of the defenses for them keep whatever they find, so if you're low on stock, you might be able to find a fine item or two. If dungeon delving like some mad adventurer isn't on the table, you can always go talk to Asp... If you don't mind consorting with a competition."

Asp, another vendor with a similar establishment to her own, was one of the most successful merchants in Acheron. The naga had paid a few officers among the guards to point people her way early on, or so they said, and her reputation and business had only gone up since then, though she was still very much a member of the same niche market that Onna's shop supplied. She had earned every bit of her good reputation, however, and had often striven to form bonds with other proprietors, pointing some to those among her contacts that could help her clients when she couldn't. Onna had been among them, and it wasn't impossible that her strange guest had learned of her shop from her competitor.

(Onna pays her rent, 25 denarii.)

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

It's been a long while. I'm sorry.

“Ahh, Asp. Maybe she would have some petty task or seller. If not, I suppose there is always that madhouse to fall back on. Who knows? I may get through tonight without a loss. Where is that Wizard’s hold?” Onna’s smile curled up in amusement as she bid Ezekiel a courteous nod. “Thank you for the tip, and may you have a most enjoyable evening.”

With that the woman bowed and turned to leave. Yes, it was good to be prompt. Time wasn’t to be wasted. If Asp came up dry, then that Madhouse would need to be visited, and there was no telling what devilry was in there or how long till it was all looted and done with. Still, what nasty traps and glorious wealth awaited made Onna pause in the street. Was the safe route actually the better one? True, she may as well die in that wizard’s hold, but the risk meant some generally great reward. At least a bit of honest adventure would serve to excite.

No, Asp could wait. As pleasant as an evening with a naga was, the alternative sounded pleasurable at least to the bored part of Onna’s mind. Sometimes it was nice to cut loose from the restraints of civility. So off she went, towards that den of magical mayhem and hopeful pretty penny. "To adventure!" she called out with a laugh and a hearty yalp.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

(Welcome back.)

"North side, right near the cliffs. It's just about the only place up there with people anywhere near it, you won't be able to miss it." Ezekiel grinned and waved off her thanks, "It behooves me to keep my customers in business. That way, I make money, and you make money. Everybody wins, yeah? Good hunting!"

The demon turned back to his desk upon her departure, and Onna was left to decide her course of action for the night in relative peace as she strode through the relatively populated sections of the docks. The Northern section of Acheron was still almost totally abandoned and filled with rogue demons. It was a very dangerous place, almost never patrolled and often all but picked clean of resources save for what lay in the hands of its impoverished, xenophobic inhabitants, who would attack anyone that they didn't recognize as one of their own without hesitation if it looked like they could win.... And she would have to cross it to get to the madhouse where she might find some treasure that was worth pawning.

(At some point we need to make up a list of stuff in your shop.)

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

(Yes, that would be a good idea. Sorry about the disappearance)
Onna had learned two ways of getting though the wastes that were the North Side of the city. Either a, she would puffer herself up to look like the biggest brute she had every laid eyes on, and hoped no one took to a fight, or b, she would become something insignificant and unobtrusive enough that no one would notice her passing. She was good at the second. She didn’t have to act the part, and she didn’t have to worry about attracting the eyes of something bigger and full of piss and fire.

Her human for would have to be shed though. It wasn’t a good idea to travel in such a frail form, even if she was being sneaky about it. She smiled as she looked up at the rooftops above. “Birds, beasts, trees, flowers. I will be stone, with wings and talons.” She mused as she strolled into a secluded spot and slipped into a new guise. Feminine curves shrank and hardened to nearly statuesque proportions. A grotesque Adonis emerged from silks that hung awkwardly now off the shoulders of a beast. Carefully she disrobed the garments and bundled them into a satchel.

Then she shadowstepped up and up still, until she was upon the rooftops—a stone figurine staring at the ground. This mode of travel would work—hopefully – until she was out of troublesome territory. Slowly she would plan this stealthy step upon step from rooftop to rooftop that she couldn’t jump across or would gain attention of the denizens of the North side. If it was possible she would forgo the shadow step and just sneak in the shadows of overhangs and other protruding elements of buildings. Hopefully before too long, she would emerge from this gauntlet and be standing at the aforementioned location of the madhouse.

“Cautious bravery, the best kind for those who want to stay alive.” Onna would say once she arrived on the other side, and like before she would slip into a secluded area to robe herself after slipping into her human guise again.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

Spoiler

"Sly" Onna Ouran: HP = 46, PP = 69, EP = 69, Status = Fine

Her travel across the city, disguised in the form of a gargoyle, ensured that Onna was completely unmolested. She didn't even have any close scrapes, barely seeing anything worth noting along the way. Finding the place she was looking for was almost too easy, as there was a fairly large amount of activity around it for an abandoned section of the city. After slipping into her robes and her human form once again, the kitsune was left with a number of approach options on how she would actually approach the place. She could simply walk up, and the guards standing outside would probably let her in to join the other looters... But there was a balcony at the top, and the roof stood above that. Alternatively, she could try to find a back entrance, as many buildings this far North connected to the catacombs, which also had many outlets (and potential entrances) along the cliffside.

 

[Neru Amhran]

Re: Clever Like A Fox (Neru Amhran)

And so Onna looked up at the building and surveyed her options. There was the door, the front door, where everyone else would have gone through and cleared out everything. Undoubtedly there were entrances in the cliffs, and that roof looked promising. Removing a coin from her robes and flicking it up into the air, she thought to herself, ‘Heads, head to the roof, tails, wag to the caves.’ And with a smile she waited for fate’s input.