Welcome to Gaia! ::

Molan's words still lingering on the back of her mind, she clutched the basket to her chest, looking around for a trader. In the midst of discussion, she had forgotten what she was doing, and while she knew she would eventually have to pick a kingdom to shadow, she also needed to trade her wares with others.

Though her work was but simple, she put a lot of effort and detail into it, doing her best to make it as beautiful and elegant as her skills allowed, but it had been a slow day and she only managed to make that one single basket. After chattering with some of the other traders, she managed to trade it for a simple gem.

She flipped it over in her hands, admiring the beauty. Was Molan not a gem trader also?
Smiling, she slipped the gem into a pouch, and looked about. With that done, there was still one more task... choosing a kingdom.
Slowly making her way back to the scribe, she ran the seven kingdoms in her head.

Pride, Creation, Revenge, Reflection, Protection, Destruction, Grief.
Gold, Green, Black, Violet, Blue, Red, White.

A soft sigh escaped her lips.
Her wares didn't suit the gold kingdom, she had no desire for revenge. She didn't know what to reflect on, and she was too weak to protect anything. She wanted to believe in dreams and illusions, but were those but temporary? And what would she grieve?

Again and again, the choices and options swirled in her head, but she finally made the conclusion. She would create her own destiny.
On her way, she overheard more rumours:

"... the King is dying, she's going to be replaced...."

"... in the underground catacombs lies a terrible beast, waiting to devour..."

She ignored the rumours and walked on, biting her lips, a single tear rolled down her cheek.
She wouldn't let these rumours affect her, she wouldn't believe them, wouldn't listen to them, she-

"-No you watch where you're going!"

A familiar voice made her jump, along with the clattering pots and pans.
She turned to see the trash king trundle off as he carried the fallen pots and pans, but... it seemed he had forgotten about something else.

Stooping down, she picked up one of the cards and eyed it curiously.
"Hey! You-" She turned to see that he was already gone, and the trail of cards were being swept to a side. It seemed some other merchants also gave the cards their own quizzical look.

Sighing, she slipped it into her pouch, and headed straight towards the scribe.
"I'd like to investigate the Green Kingdom please."
Her choice was made. There was no turning back.

“Yep! Apples!” he replied with a grin, “It’s a red fruit! It’s good.”

Keel nodded a couple of times to herself as she thought over whether an apple or a drink was better…Maybe apple juice. “Should we head to the next food stall?”

"I do love a good fur, but I don't have a use for one right now." Not that he wouldn't be happy to pet them for a while. Furs were soft. He liked soft. His own eyes glittered an strange shade of red that looked like blood, slowly drying, which was a bit at odds with the glint of humor there. "Lovely weapons. I don't mind an artistic hilt, but your metal-crafting makes them lovely as they are."

"Did you trap those yourself?" He added, out of curiosity, now distracted by the handsome pelts as well. He didn't have to need it to appreciate them.

He blinked but didn’t comment on the other’s opinion. Keel only nod with that silly grin of her’s pleasantly printed on her face before bringing up even more questions.

“Do you want to get more meat or maybe a drink instead then?” He asked, while picking out a couple of jerky to keep as emergency food. Aside from the jerky, all Keel picked out was a sandwich…a ham sandwich. Hmmmm.

The topic of the cards was now out of mind, even as it was still in sight and in hand. Time would only tell if they would do anything, but for now it was still a Market Day and items needed to be sold and traded.

And Olivia couldn't be happier that a sale was at hand. Even though inside she was positively beaming, she still kept a calm and collected smile upon her face. This was nothing new, but it was always exciting to get a good sale; and more so with such a specific request. Suitable was still good in her eyes. A price though, she still wasn't done.

Olivia kind of knew what she could get for it, those curtains had been rather expensive when she took them in. But, this had been in her inventory for a time now and well, it wasn't like it was the whole curtain anymore. But, still. "Not too high," she simply told him. "What would you want to offer for it?"

Come to think of it, she had no idea what he sold or even made. His appearance didn't really scream out his profession. Robes? Jewels? Bells? Did he just barter everything?

"And more business is always good!" Acerium laughed again. Always happy, this one.
"Yup yup. Cookies, and some of my fine teas and healing items" she wrapped them up and handed them towards Andrew. "For your great wine. Looks like a good vintage, from a good place." Of course she knew grapes.
"Ooo, Vegas, huh... Well..." she shifted a bit in gleeful embarrassment, "I'd probably lose big. But you never know, right? Hahaha! Could jump to another kingdom if I had to, get all my money back that way!"

I dearly hope the cards are nothing. If it has meaning, no good will come of it. If his words ring true.
She heard someone say as she completed the trade, picking up the card and observing it for a moment before sticking it back in her cart.
"... So think these cards are important? I'm hanging onto mine anyway. Just because."

This just wouldn't do. Where was everyone? Had he gone too far, and made his stall too plain for anyone to notice? Sinclair was about to start rearranging the curtains before he realized that, instead of going through the trouble of setting everything up again (a process that would cost him precious time and effort), he could simply approach people himself. Of course! He had been gone for some time. Surely there were a few people who were dying to say hello, and simply hadn't noticed his return...

Sinclair's dark hair and simple, loose clothing didn't stand out much in a crowd, but he carried himself with a certain unmistakable poise. Putting on his best smile, Sinclair strode confidently into the gathering area and approached another stall, one that carried wildly different stock than his own. Furs and knives... quite elegant, to be sure, although he didn't personally have much use for such things; but that was no reason not to stop by and say hello. There was already a reasonably-sized group congregating around that particular area.

Pink eyes sparkling (one of his best assets, if he had to choose), Sinclair cleared his throat and edged his way towards the counter. He took care to smile at each person he noticed, but focused his words on the vendor.

"Hello there! Fine inventory you have today!" If there was another trait Sinclair felt was especially worthy of praise, it was his voice; smooth and soft, he spoke with a warmth that was perhaps out of place in greeting someone he hardly knew. Not seeming to realize this, he looked at the young man's goods appraisingly. "I see you're a hunter? I'm always in need of more meat -- though you don't seem to have any in stock..."