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 Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:31 pm
The low treble of the white noise that was meshed conversations of varied groups, tinkering of items hitting against one another, being tampered, or dragging along the ground. The sizzling and crackling of meats, fruits, nuts, soups, stews and herbs added along, several little fire pits set around with cauldrons, steaks, and grates laid along the top. Individuals of all walks of life and of all shapes, sizes, and forms were hustling and bustling about the magnificent marketplace. It was indeed a busy day. Well, possibly month. Spring had just begun, and the fruits of the season were beginning to be harvested and redistributed for more desirable objects and necessities.
It was easy to get lost in the heat of it all if you were a newbie to the meeting of all vessels.
Lova herself could easily remember the first few times she'd visited Mossflower.. how intimidating it was, and how scared she was the whole time. The intimidation was still there, but she'd grown adept to the ways and rituals of this populated social network. One had to get used to weaving about others, and stay out of the way; especially those who were the smallest of creatures. Lova was no exception. She'd had her fair share of being shoved, pushed over, and tripped, but she was sharp enough to know that you had to get up and keep moving or else you'd only get swallowed up.
Clutching her little satchel close to her side, darting about the larger bodies that were met in her path, ducking under a few even, the little female did her best to locate the direction of her destination. Thankfully some other rodents of her species had scratched little markers in the ground to serve as a map of sorts and help you gain your bearings and find your goal in the city. Lova didn't have any set idea at the moment, but she did know that there were a few places she'd like to check out, just to see what was offered.
The sweet, quiet, conservative mouse wasn't much for flashy, or extravagant things, or getting more than one needed, but... she didn't think it hurt too much to treat oneself to a little sweet-treat from the candy vendors, or a new cup for tea. And today was one of those days, it felt like. A light smile on her face, young Lova clutched the good-filled bag, hoping that maybe she'd have enough left over after her routine exchange to get a little something that might catch her eye.
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:49 pm
 Ugh, Mossflower.
Flint was reclusive enough when he wasn't doing business, but in the hustle and bustle of Mossflower, he was positive he was going to lose his grip on his temper or his sanity or some other important thing.
He had set up a little makeshift stand with all the wares he'd been able to carry on the journey from his familiar tree in Fangroot. A few cups and dishes, treated and refined twigs that a more skilled crafter could assemble into weapons, and a little box that had a surprising about of little details painstakingly carved into the wood grain. And he had gone through all this trouble for one reason: A serious lack of everything, especially food. It wasn't exactly easy being a mouse trying to pass yourself off as a bodyguard and travel companion, and sometimes work got slow when no one who would take him seriously appeared, which led him here, attempting to act like a shrewd dealer. He wasn't. He'd already got suckered into trading a bowl for a bead... round... thing. Something useless that he couldn't eat, that's for sure. But the person who wanted it seemed to be in such dire straits he didn't really feel comfortable negotiating, until she strolled away laughing at him. Another time he was conned into letting himself be distracted while a mouse child scrambled off with one of his twigs.
He just sort of slumped on the ground, feeling the regular humiliation that these ventures brought about for him, listening to his empty stomach grumble under the chatter and noise of the other critters making their bargains, wondering if his time was better spent foraging instead of trading.
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:39 pm
It took awhile, but Lova had managed to find a clearing. Pushed towards the left was a little enclosure for those her size where mice could obtain items that were of their level. Ears flickering, and swiveling forward like radars, the petite female scanned along the display, searching for the goods she may so need.
Walking around, keeping out of the way of others as much as possible, swollen satchel held at her hip, Lova's trained eyes skimmed quickly, most of the other rodents pushing past her. Even so, it caused her to get bumped, making her wobble and stumble a bit, but she didn't fall thankfully. Regaining her composure, her attention was caught to a stand nearby, with a caped male. Was he apart of a brigade? Or maybe some sort of glorified warrior. His demeanor was a bit unsettling, causing her ears to fold back nervously, but... she was easily drawn in by the dining ware, making her slowly approach.
The condition of them seemed well off, and their design was very pleasing, and not over done. Glimpsing briefly up to the seller's vision, before letting her eyes drop again, her tiny paws began to wring along the strap of her bag in a nervous habit, for comfort, before she spoke softly... almost drowned out by the chatter of the loud mouse down the way, "M-may.. I look at the dining ware... sir..?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:13 pm
Flint might not have heard Lova if he didn't hone into her presence the second she came close enough just because of earlier when one of his twigs was snatched made him paranoid about being pilfered again.
His ears perked up when she started speaking and under most any other circumstances of hearing the timid little thing he might've softened his irate mannerisms, however, after the day he'd had, it only raised suspicion that he was about to be scammed again. But she did look genuinely interested in what dining ware he had left so he nodded and made a little motion urging her to come take a closer look, while keeping a wary eye for anything fishy.
"Everything was made by my own paws from supplies from Fangroot. Not very many outsiders can get to Fangroot trees," He said, puffing out his little chest and trying to sell himself a bit. He didn't sound half as confident, though, and the second he said that he felt a bit dumb and went back to slumping, scratching his head and finally just holding out his favorite cup to her to inspect.
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:53 pm
Head lowered nervously, she kept a respectful distance, tail curling around her hind quarters. She could feel his eyes on her... making her nerves even more stimulated, tiny fingers digging into the satchels strap, eyes keeping averted downwards.
But his words were encouraging enough to make her round ears perk, and blue glowers rise to his. Managing a meek little smile, brows knitted moderately, Lova advanced closer to tenderly accept the offered cup, holding it close to her chest to inspect thoroughly. Turning it around in her paws, noting its thickness, the insides, the design, and simple handiwork, she found it quite appealing and acceptable to buy and own.
"I-it's very skillfully made..sir.. " she murmured, running a little claw along the rim. She was indeed needing new cups. Her older one's were on their last few days, perhaps weeks, and it was best to stock up now than wait for them to come to an end.
Letting an arm descend to allow a paw to open her satchel, she lifted out a medium sized piece of mushroom slice from within, easily taking up the whole center pad of her paw. She gripped it gently, feeling it's plush texture. They were fresh, and delectable.
"Would... would a few pieces of this mushroom be enough, sir...? maybe, five?" hesitantly lets her eyes rise up to his, extending her arm wielding the shroom chunk to him.
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:27 pm
Flint was certain this was what made him so terrible in this environment of bustling trading and exchanging, but he had already decided that Lova was far too genuine to be a scammer. That didn't say too much, unfortunately. He was not good at reading other animals, just avoiding them.
And then he caught a glimpse of that mushroom and his blue eyes got wide and he had to close his dropped jaw shut to keep from drooling all over. "Oh! Yes! Absolutely!" 5 pieces was enough, right? Or was that too much? He didn't know, he was just eager to get his paws on it. He handed over the cup in his hand and reached for a bowl "I also have these, if you're into eating supplies, and uh... uh..." Curses, he had lost the other to his own lack of skill earlier, and the realization of such made him take a pause and evaluate his desperate actions, making the gray mouse look back to the other with a sheepish and embarrassed crooked smile.
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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:54 pm
In Woodhaven, there was plenty of this fruitful bounty littered all over the lush land. So high amounts of it seemed appropriate to offer when trading. At least in Lova's eye's. Especially since this cup had been made by the very seller! who knew how much it took to gain the materials to construct the ware.
But she certainly wasn't prepared for the reaction the male produced, making her ears p***k up in surprise, and her body jump slightly. Blinking a few times, the timid little Lova placed the cup down momentarily to reach in her pack for more pieces of the fungi, clutching them in her two paws. She extended the pile to him, the meek smile still lifted at the corners of her mouth, eyes drifting to the second item presented. It was indeed another useful tool for her grinding of herbs and spices, or for stews and soups she were to make. Maybe even to hold gobs of honey, or nectar. After all, that's what her idle goal was today, to nab as much necessary equipment she could carry.
Turning her head a few times to look around the bowl, she nodded in approval, "I'll take them all, if that's alright.. I'm very much in need of food containers.." a bashful little curve upturned on her faint smile, "How many... pieces would you like for them, sir?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:33 am
Aaaah, mushroom. Flint was almost giddy and trying not to show it. It was taking considerable effort not to scarf down the pieces right now in front of her. That would be a little more indignity than he could handle.
He tried to hold down his excitement that his new favorite customer was going to take this off his hands, and feed him in the process. "Okay! Let me pack them up for you!" He said, his eagerness coming through in the enthusiastic way he stacked all this dining war up and tied with with the little string he'd used to haul them down here.
And then she asked a question he could never answer. How much? Oh great, here his problem was going to screw him again. He obsessively thought out what to answer. Too low and she would agree and he'd have given up his easiest bargaining chip for less than it was worth. Too much and he might scare her off and he'd have to munch on those five pieces until he came across another smaller creature interested in taking these things.
"U-um..." He stammered and fiddled with his whiskers. "Well, ma'am, I think... m-maybe... twelve?" He spat out and then felt his heart sink once he'd landed on a number, paranoid it was a bad one.
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Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:08 am
The first pile of the fluffy, tender fungus was placed on the set up the male had created, "Thank you, sir...". Customer Lova's dainty paws retreating back into her satchel to retrieve the desired amount the stallowner replied with. 12? That seemed reasonable to her. He seemed quite unsure on his response though..
Blinking curiously, she simply smiled sweetly, and gave a subtle nod, carefully pulling out the bits and counting them out. The way this fello acted... it was as if he hadn't had any customers aside from herself.
Neatly placing the bits of mushroom with the other pile, she checked back at her remaining stash... seeing that there was only a few chunks remaining. Perhaps enough to get a few seeds, or materials for constructing baskets, blankets, or some smooth comfortable filling and cloth for a cushion, or her bedding! the possibilities seemed endless, yet uncertain all at the same time.
Once the two piles were arranged, her eyes scanned the rest of his items presented before she glances to the vendors around them, eying to see if there were any of the said luxury goods. But it was hard to see with the crowd scampering about, only allowing a few windows to spot the displays from way across the humming market. Paws clasped, fingers fiddling, the wallflower lowered her ears uneasily... her chances seemed slim at this point.
With a twitch of an ear, Lova returned her attention to Flint, gaze meeting his figure only for a moment before returning to the ground, and along the rest of his stand, "I t-thank you, sir.. I will be sure to make good use of your wares.." her soft voice spoke, a curtsy added along in the process.
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Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:24 am
"Thank you, miss," Flint said with a slight bow and watched the mushroom pile in the corner of his eye. Mushrooms weren't his favorite, but they do say hunger is the best -insert any something that makes food taste good here-.
Still, it'd be downright weird and debasing to scarf down his payment right then and there like a common hobo. But his stomach growled and whined for it to the point he tried to seem cool and casual and pop nibble on a mushroom piece. Yeah. It ain't nothin'. He doesn't need your mushroom but he'll take it. He was cool about it.
Not really. Flint's vision in his head didn't really match reality as the stiff and reserved by default mouse tried to seem mellow and loose. And the rate that he scarfed down the mushroom piece was definitely that of a starving vagrant no matter how hard he tried to slow himself down.
He cleared his throat and gripped the end of his rough blue caped as he politely bowed with more gusto as if he was trying to redeem himself and his education in manners. "I hope you enjoy them, Miss."
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:57 am
A faint smile on her face, the meek little female took the wrapped parcel to place into her more empty satchel. Once secured, flap folded over and tied, she gave another glimps to the 'merchant' and nodded to him in thanks for the purchase. This would certainly give her more time to tour around, and 'window shop'. It wasn't likely that she would purchase much more, unless it was a little trinket, or bead that was pleasing to her eye.
"Have a nice day sir... I hope the rest of the day is prosperous for you.." a shy little smile played along her lips, eyes bashfully darting off at his rather regal means of saying 'adieu'. It was enough to make her cheeks warm slightly in embarrassment; as she wasn't used to being treated as such. But she returned the bow with another curtsy, and turned carefully, so as not to bump into anyone, and awaited her turn to cross... for at the moment it seemed the larger, more bumbly creatures were barreling by... not taking much care or notice to their smaller counter parts.
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