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Merrick was in back... being lazy. At first, the idea of having to work (and not on a ship, which was doubly bad) was not an appealing one. He had rebelled in his own way, meaning not doing more than was absolutely required. So, he stayed in back, playing with whatever he had with him. Today he had pulled out -painfully- a 'string' of hair and was wrapping the kelp strand in sailors' knots.

He heard the bell chime, someone had entered, but as this didn't guarantee a sale the boy stayed where he was. Not everyone who entered actually bought anything. Merrick was there under punishment, and said punishment would remain until he fulfilled the duties Echo and Olivia both set on him... Echo's being a little more work.

The voice carried, and the boy could pick up the muttered words as well. The shop was much quieter than the ship he was accustomed to, so sound was easier to pick up.

At first, he figured the person would probably pick it up whatever he -for the person was obviously male from the sound of their voice- had and bring it to the counter. But then, what if he didn't? That thought brought Merrick to his feet and quietly padding to the front of the shop. He hadn't even enough time to put his shoes on!

Merrick pulled out his wooden sword -you know, just in case- and came fron around the high counter that he couldn't see over. It was then that he got his first sight of the 'customer', who was inhaling a scent tube.

"Can I help you?"

The look in his eyes wasn't too welcoming, as Merrick eyed the much taller man with apprehension. He better not steal it -not that he could do much about it!-, cuz if he did then Merrick's indentured servitude would last longer! And the boy really didn't want that. "Were you intending to buy that?"

Merrick's eyes narrowed. There was something.... off about this man. "No, I'm not the owner." The boy thought over his words carefully, doing his best to not make it appear as if he had no 'power'. Well, technically he didn't, no more than his little voice could produce and make a huge scene in which someone was bound to come over.

His hand tightened around his wooden sword, he hope he wouldn't have to use it.

"But that doesn't mean you can steal that set." Merrick moved his gaze to the scent the man held and looked at it with a second thought.

"Right...." Merrick still wasn't entirely impressed, but he slid the wooden sword back under his belt. And then he was patted on his head, something that had never happened before. Usually the sailors were suspicious of his kelp-covered head... but the boy eventually shrugged it off and ran to the register, bare feet pattering on the floor of the shop.

He listened to the man's explanation as he pushed the chair - quite noisily - to the counter and finally scurried up to it so he was tall enough to use the many-buttoned contraption. Merrick couldn't help it, a slight smile curled his lips. "Who said you could trust me?" the boy chuckled a little, his eyes scanning the list for the price of one 'sex on the beach'.

"Ah! There it is!." Merrick exclaimed -not commenting to the last impatient exclamation-, mentally ticking off how much debt this sale would overcome. Not enough, of course, but he at least there is less to work with. "Pft," the boy snorted, reaching forward and starting to wrap the pieces seperately. "Gimme a break, I'm still just a kid."

"Now, that is twelve pieces for the burners, four pieces for the candle, and nine for 'sex on the beach'." Merrick tapped his foot absent-mindedly as he counted. "So... total will come to twenty....five!"

Merrick jumped back at the man's outburst. It wasn't as if he was responsible for the prices! Before he said anything that might warrant himself a beating, the boy gathered them all up. "Of course, sir.... right away," he mumbled and took a box out from under the register to put the packaged goods in carefully. After they were secure, he put the burdened box into a bag for easy carrying.

The boy then took the money and put it into the register for safe keeping. He pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled -in his actually legible handwriting- a receipt as well as contact information for the shop. He then slipped that into the bag as well and handed it over.

There wasn't much to say about the 'magic' comment.... some of them appeared to be, while others didn't. There was one thing in common of all of them, though - the scents were of the best quality importation could buy and from all over. "Ms. Olivia prides herself in the best, sir. If there are any troubles or concerns, you are welcome to return and discuss it all with her." Merrick wasn't sure what else to be said. In her defense, Olivia was nice and fair - not things he could really say about his own caretaker, who was fair but not really nice.

Merrick sat back in the chair as the man left, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn't care for him, but you couldn't choose your customers. the bell jingled once more and the boy wrote a note down for Olivia, saying what he had sold as well as a slight overview of the event - so, the threat was added.

Not that he was too concerned... he wasn't Olivia.

Finished, Merrick hopped from the chair and went to his previous position - in back and playing with a strang of kelp-hair.