Welcome to Gaia! ::

((edited--stupid lag!))

Suri nodded, familiar with the area pre-war. "Welcome, then. I've already met a representative from another group of wanderers. Anyone with anything to report on the state of the continent will definitely have a place in the council. My goodness your hands are cold--let me get you some gloves. I have an extra pair in my saddle bags. Buffalo calf wool. Very warm." She rummaged in her things. "If you don't mind my asking--in an unofficial capacity of course--what does your group have to offer?"

"Really?" Suri was surprised. "You have the bearing of a leader of more than two. I expected you to have at least twenty people in your care, if not more. Here we are!" she cried triumphantly, pulling out a pair of dark brown wooly gloves trimmed with silky sable fur. "Felted and sewn by some of our best artisans.That's beaver on the cuffs. These should keep your fingers warm." She passed them to Sergi. Then she pulled out and offered a flask. "And to warm up the rest of you, a sample of last year's wine. Seeds would be a wonderful boon to many, and you'll find quite a few vying for your investment. Oregon's soils are still futile should you be interested in our area."

She felt a little guilty for taking advantage of their brief meeting away from competing bids to "grease" the traveler, but her first loyalties were always to the people of Old Florence. If that meant subverting the open trade of one nomad, she could live with that.

"I do have water, although I know they will be serving refreshments in the lodge," she mentioned. Suri picked up one seed packet and weighed it expertly. "Lead-lined paper to prevent irradiation. A good amount of seeds in each. Certainly promising. And I can see you have some rare varieties. Just curious, what would you ask for in exchange for these?"

((a Slaver adds Conflict, and Excitement to the story. I say throw her in.))

Sergei rolled his eyes to the top of his head, thinking. "ahh, it depends where I'm headed next. mainly it's just something to do between stops." he laughed.

"I'll hang around for at least a month, maybe up to a year. I like pitching in for a while." he waved one of the packs of seeds -- a hybrid Tomato species -- beside his head. "we could plant some of these, and I'll just take some of the seeds of the Harvest with me when I leave." he offered. "everyone wins."

the young man looked around again, surveying the area once more before making his decision. Water-Treatment, a functioning Town with Labour and Craftsmanship, and Fertile Land.... it seemed like a good idea. his only concern was how many folks would leave at the end of the month, but if it were too many, he could always grab a few things and head out. he decided not to plant all the seeds too soon.

"alright, I'll stay for now, and see how things roll out." he told Suri.

Sergei saw the other woman walking towards them, so he raised one of his hands to wave hello, the packet of seeds flapping against his wrist.

"greetings!" he called to her before she even made it over.

It never even occurred to Morgan to disguise her curiosity, it just wasn't in her nature.

"I suppose so. I can hardly wait to see what everyone has to offer."

She nodded courteously to Suri and then turned her attention to the young man, "My name is Morgan, and I am sorry, I didn't catch your name, I must have zoned a bit more than I thought. I have never had the opportunity to travel under such conditions," she flushed a bit sheepishly at the confession, feeling a bit inferior to the man who seemed to live in the conditions she never experienced. "It has really done a number on me."

Her eyes resigned to the package as it fanned and thumped against Sergei's wrist. "It's a wonder how valuable such small things became once they aren't readily available anymore, I could think of a million things that we need that would fit in such a small wrapping. Might I ask which is contained within yours?" She asked the man, hoping her suspicions would prove accurate.

Morgan smiled, "My name is Morgan Fritts. It's nice to meet you!" She patted her pack, "I am sure that between everyone in this group we can make the most of what we have. It is good to see that so much more has survived than what we have gotten accustomed to seeing. I am sure you have probably seen several more pictures of the worst of things than I have though." She realized she was rambling again, so she quieted and her eyes dropped to her feet.