Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was the appointed hour and the dark skinned woman had found her way to the store front that the merchant had directed her to. With luck she would be able to make this a fast deal. She disliked this merchant. Something about him didn't sit right with her. After knocking the door opened and Otiian ushered the woman into the shop so they could further talk about the painting she wanted to see.

Apparently Otiian was a little paranoid about his store because white the lights were on in the windows no sound managed to leak out into the night air. That material over the windows made silhouette barely distinguishable. Gaining entrance could be possible through one of the five windows or the back door but if the merchant was paranoid enough to find a way to keep sound in what did he do to keep thieves out?

The fifth window was pitch dark as was the back door. The sound of a window, the second window to be exact, being opened broke the silence from the place. "...want air. I leave if this window closes." The woman's voice drifted out of the now open window. "Alright. Have it your way." Otiian's voice came out then but he didn't sound too happy about it. "Now about this painting..." "I see it before I buy." The woman said. "But if I buy you get good price."

"Here." Otiian unveiled something from the sound of fabric being lifted. "An original. It cost me a..." He stopped suddenly in the middle of his sentance and there was a pause. "Fake. You have a real one. Show it." "I take it you have seen his work before..." Otiian said sounding more nervous and unhappy. "I collect. Try to con again and I collect something other then painting."

"No need for threats. I was just testing you." Otiian said moving further from the door and then he grunted in effort in getting the real painting. "This is what you want right?" "How much you want?" The woman's voice said.

"It must be worth a lot to you if you let me name the price." Otiian said amused. "I could take it. I give you a chance." The woman said and then there was a pause before the heavy thunk of a bag of coins hit a table surface. "Enough?" the woman said and the merchant laughed a little. "I will keep you in mind in case I acquire another of these. Just out of curiosity why does it mean so much to you?" "Family matter." Was the short answer. "Shall I have it delivered to your inn then?"

"I take it now." The woman said in answer to the merchant's question. "Very well then. I shall wrap it so it doesn't get damaged." Otiian offered. "In front of me. I will not be cheated." She said and it caused Otiian to sigh. "Of course. I will get the paper from the back room." A light went on in the fifth window and shortly, after the sound of paper being shuffled around, they spoke again. "There. Wrapped for your journey. Do you need an escort? I know you came alone." Otiian offered. "No. This is fine." She said and then the voices grew softer. The bell that was on the front door tinkled meaning that the woman had stepped out into the streets with her purchase.

The woman staggered a little and then checked to make sure the painting was in tact before looking at the one who ran into her. The painting seemed safe enough for the moment. "Hope not either. You might have to pay if damaged." Her accent was a little thicker in person. She even set the paper wrapped image down to peel back part of the covering to make sure it was still alright. "Rex who?"

"Must be white dog." The woman said as she lifted the painting again and looked at him. "Strange looking for dog at night." She looked around a little seeing if she picked up anything.