DATE: 06/10/???? - 12:00pm
LOCATION: Harbor
The Outer City was starting to become familiar to Renza. The streets were rough, the buildings were nothing too much to look at, and the people were tough from living where the crooks and dinosaurs roam. There was something dependable about that though. Pickpocketing the occasional wandering tourist helped them learn to pay better attention. Farmers and butchers accepted trade if the price was right. It might take time to find your place there, but find it you would.
The Old City, it turned out, was almost an entirely different beast to the Outer City. Renza had been warned about its ruler, the Tyrant King, and had been warned against messing with any tourists, but honestly, there was so much more to look at than worrying about a score. (Nevermind the Tyrent's men, who were likely watching from everywhere in case of trouble.) The red stone buildings were striking in appearance, and the feel of cold air seeping out as people entered or exited them was delightful. Lush parks and gardens, farmers market stands, trinket stalls... The Outer City had its charms, but the Old City just seemed friendlier. Probably for the tourists.
Well, the prices were certainly for the tourists! Renza politely declined a couple of apples from a fruit stall after hearing the price. She'd content herself with window-shopping for now. The food did smell good, and the trinkets looked particularly shiny. Stopping over to look at a few amulets and potions, Renza casually pulled out her book and flipped through the pages. After muttering a couple of words, she cast Detect Magic and gave the items another scan.
Fakes. All fakes, she thought with a not so subtle sneer. Nothing truly magical here at this stall. Or the next. Or the next after that. Renza was about to pass on the final stall when a glimmer of magic caught her eye. A few things, actually. This gentleman seemed to have procured a few genuinely worthy items, likely from travelers from across the worlds. Well isn't that interesting! Renza did her best to stay calm as she pretended to mull over a few of the items, but there was one piece in particular she suddenly desired very greatly.
"Good sir," she began calmly, "Could you tell me about about these necklaces?"
"Well hello, new friend! You have a good eye! These necklaces here are all different charms! This pink one is for your good health, this green one will give you a green thumb. This blue one, which matches your lovely eyes, will grant you a small boost of speed!"
"And uh... this stone here?" It was a polished triangle of mottled green stone with a hole in it. Whether it had been bored into it or formed naturally before being polished, who could say? But the magic radiating off of it said that this was the real deal! A luckstone! Her fingers barely brushed it before the salesman scooped it up to show it off properly in the palm of his hand. So close.
"This one, eh?" He leaned in conspiratorially. "This? Is a 'hag stone.' Very rare, yes. The good luck flows through the hole to you, while the bad luck and evil spirits get stuck. Your endeavors are definitely more likely to succeed with such a charm!"
"Hmm... I suppose I could use a little more luck," she said ruefully, brushing her hair away from the healed burn scars on her face. "Out of curiosity, how much is it?"
"For you? Well, something like this can be pretty costly, but for a new face in need of some luck, I think I can drop it down to... 20 gold pieces."
"Hmmm..." Was it worth 20 gold pieces? It was honestly probably worth more back where she came from, but 20 gold pieces here? Renza stood there for a moment, giving it a good think.
And... giving anyone else an opportunity to look at this man's wares. "Are you not convinced? Here, let me demonstrate!" He began to toss a coin in the air repeatedly, calling "Heads" before it landed heads up. Every. Single. Time.
LOCATION: Harbor
The Outer City was starting to become familiar to Renza. The streets were rough, the buildings were nothing too much to look at, and the people were tough from living where the crooks and dinosaurs roam. There was something dependable about that though. Pickpocketing the occasional wandering tourist helped them learn to pay better attention. Farmers and butchers accepted trade if the price was right. It might take time to find your place there, but find it you would.
The Old City, it turned out, was almost an entirely different beast to the Outer City. Renza had been warned about its ruler, the Tyrant King, and had been warned against messing with any tourists, but honestly, there was so much more to look at than worrying about a score. (Nevermind the Tyrent's men, who were likely watching from everywhere in case of trouble.) The red stone buildings were striking in appearance, and the feel of cold air seeping out as people entered or exited them was delightful. Lush parks and gardens, farmers market stands, trinket stalls... The Outer City had its charms, but the Old City just seemed friendlier. Probably for the tourists.
Well, the prices were certainly for the tourists! Renza politely declined a couple of apples from a fruit stall after hearing the price. She'd content herself with window-shopping for now. The food did smell good, and the trinkets looked particularly shiny. Stopping over to look at a few amulets and potions, Renza casually pulled out her book and flipped through the pages. After muttering a couple of words, she cast Detect Magic and gave the items another scan.
Fakes. All fakes, she thought with a not so subtle sneer. Nothing truly magical here at this stall. Or the next. Or the next after that. Renza was about to pass on the final stall when a glimmer of magic caught her eye. A few things, actually. This gentleman seemed to have procured a few genuinely worthy items, likely from travelers from across the worlds. Well isn't that interesting! Renza did her best to stay calm as she pretended to mull over a few of the items, but there was one piece in particular she suddenly desired very greatly.
"Good sir," she began calmly, "Could you tell me about about these necklaces?"
"Well hello, new friend! You have a good eye! These necklaces here are all different charms! This pink one is for your good health, this green one will give you a green thumb. This blue one, which matches your lovely eyes, will grant you a small boost of speed!"
"And uh... this stone here?" It was a polished triangle of mottled green stone with a hole in it. Whether it had been bored into it or formed naturally before being polished, who could say? But the magic radiating off of it said that this was the real deal! A luckstone! Her fingers barely brushed it before the salesman scooped it up to show it off properly in the palm of his hand. So close.
"This one, eh?" He leaned in conspiratorially. "This? Is a 'hag stone.' Very rare, yes. The good luck flows through the hole to you, while the bad luck and evil spirits get stuck. Your endeavors are definitely more likely to succeed with such a charm!"
"Hmm... I suppose I could use a little more luck," she said ruefully, brushing her hair away from the healed burn scars on her face. "Out of curiosity, how much is it?"
"For you? Well, something like this can be pretty costly, but for a new face in need of some luck, I think I can drop it down to... 20 gold pieces."
"Hmmm..." Was it worth 20 gold pieces? It was honestly probably worth more back where she came from, but 20 gold pieces here? Renza stood there for a moment, giving it a good think.
And... giving anyone else an opportunity to look at this man's wares. "Are you not convinced? Here, let me demonstrate!" He began to toss a coin in the air repeatedly, calling "Heads" before it landed heads up. Every. Single. Time.
It'd been a rough week.
Ever since the betrayal and the dinosaur pit, he'd been having a hard time finding his next job without getting too suspicious of the whole deal and calling it off in a rage. Not like he even ENJOYED these insipid fetch quests, but..... sssssss, he was running low on funds....
Instead of thinking to save up on his money, though, he was thoroughly convinced he just needed greater insurance of his wellbeing to get his confidence back. He only had one shot left on his gun-- he needed a replacement weapon, desperately.
Or, or SOMETHING! Anything! He'd become quite familiar with this place's more magical inclination, which he'd been avoiding vehemently thus far, but... maybe he needed a supernatural edge on the competition.
As it happens, he was at a nearby booth when overhearing the spiel about 'The Hag Stone'. At first it sounded like a bunch of hokum to him, but...
He swooped in while the merchant was doing his coin trick. "Coin flipsss can easily be faked, even where I come from. How about a little more... concret evidence?"
That voice was unmistakable, as if the shiny chrome mask wasn't a dead giveaway on its own. It was Snake.... again.
Renza hadn't seen hide nor hair of him since he was last scrambling away into the night after she freed him from that dinosaur pit. If he had been avoiding her, and the debt he owed her, he'd run fresh out of luck. As it happened, he glanced her way and gave a sharp inhale. "You!? What're you--!"
The Commander quickly caught himself before he raised his voice too loud-- before giving that another try. "....Renza. How ah, nice to ssssee you again...."
He drummed his fingers against the counter, before pointing at her casually. "I jussst realized- I never had a proper chance to thank you back there. I ssshould hope there'sss no hard feelingsss, hm? After all,"
It pained him to say this, and it showed in his tone. "We were both victimsss in that madman'sss game, hm?"
Ever since the betrayal and the dinosaur pit, he'd been having a hard time finding his next job without getting too suspicious of the whole deal and calling it off in a rage. Not like he even ENJOYED these insipid fetch quests, but..... sssssss, he was running low on funds....
Instead of thinking to save up on his money, though, he was thoroughly convinced he just needed greater insurance of his wellbeing to get his confidence back. He only had one shot left on his gun-- he needed a replacement weapon, desperately.
Or, or SOMETHING! Anything! He'd become quite familiar with this place's more magical inclination, which he'd been avoiding vehemently thus far, but... maybe he needed a supernatural edge on the competition.
As it happens, he was at a nearby booth when overhearing the spiel about 'The Hag Stone'. At first it sounded like a bunch of hokum to him, but...
He swooped in while the merchant was doing his coin trick. "Coin flipsss can easily be faked, even where I come from. How about a little more... concret evidence?"
That voice was unmistakable, as if the shiny chrome mask wasn't a dead giveaway on its own. It was Snake.... again.
Renza hadn't seen hide nor hair of him since he was last scrambling away into the night after she freed him from that dinosaur pit. If he had been avoiding her, and the debt he owed her, he'd run fresh out of luck. As it happened, he glanced her way and gave a sharp inhale. "You!? What're you--!"
The Commander quickly caught himself before he raised his voice too loud-- before giving that another try. "....Renza. How ah, nice to ssssee you again...."
He drummed his fingers against the counter, before pointing at her casually. "I jussst realized- I never had a proper chance to thank you back there. I ssshould hope there'sss no hard feelingsss, hm? After all,"
It pained him to say this, and it showed in his tone. "We were both victimsss in that madman'sss game, hm?"
That voice!
Renza whipped around to see the taller figure at her elbow was none other than the same slippery Snake who'd landed her in a dinosaur pit not too long ago.
"More concrete evidence? Why of course, my good sir! Is it not proof enough that another interested party has come to grace my humble stall? No no, you're right, let me if I can convince you yet-" The salesman ducked partway behind the counter, looking for something in his bag.
"Snaaaake," Renza said dryly, smiling a very unconvincing smile while they waited. "Fancy meeting you here! Oh my goodness!"
Honestly, she'd been wondering if she'd ever see his metal mask again. He owed her a favor for helping to save his butt back there. But everything in his body language and tone suggested he was pretty aware of that fact. Trying to play it friendly now? Yeah right... Still, he'd been done really dirty by that contact of his. That's not how folks were supposed to conduct business, even if it was a bad business to start with. Reciprocity. Someone does something for you, you do something in return, be it paying them or doing something for them. Betraying your coconspirators was a good way to make sure no one else did business with you.
"Can't help but notice that you still haven't actually thanked me," Renza said, trying not to roll her eyes, "but we're here now. Can't say I forgive you because I don't roll like that. But you shouldn't have been treated like that."
"Ah! Yes! Here we are!" The salesman stood back up, holding a pair of gambling dice. "Please, give them a roll! Each of you! Roll them a couple times! See that they are not weighted in any way."
Renza snorted but stretched out her hand and rolled the dice on the counter. She knew it was the real deal but she'd play along. If Snake was unconvinced, maybe he'd go away.
A three and a six. A two and a four. She held them out for Snake to take and see what he rolled. He might roll a total of seven, but they weren't likely to roll the same way twice. They were a regular pair of dice.
Renza whipped around to see the taller figure at her elbow was none other than the same slippery Snake who'd landed her in a dinosaur pit not too long ago.
"More concrete evidence? Why of course, my good sir! Is it not proof enough that another interested party has come to grace my humble stall? No no, you're right, let me if I can convince you yet-" The salesman ducked partway behind the counter, looking for something in his bag.
"Snaaaake," Renza said dryly, smiling a very unconvincing smile while they waited. "Fancy meeting you here! Oh my goodness!"
Honestly, she'd been wondering if she'd ever see his metal mask again. He owed her a favor for helping to save his butt back there. But everything in his body language and tone suggested he was pretty aware of that fact. Trying to play it friendly now? Yeah right... Still, he'd been done really dirty by that contact of his. That's not how folks were supposed to conduct business, even if it was a bad business to start with. Reciprocity. Someone does something for you, you do something in return, be it paying them or doing something for them. Betraying your coconspirators was a good way to make sure no one else did business with you.
"Can't help but notice that you still haven't actually thanked me," Renza said, trying not to roll her eyes, "but we're here now. Can't say I forgive you because I don't roll like that. But you shouldn't have been treated like that."
"Ah! Yes! Here we are!" The salesman stood back up, holding a pair of gambling dice. "Please, give them a roll! Each of you! Roll them a couple times! See that they are not weighted in any way."
Renza snorted but stretched out her hand and rolled the dice on the counter. She knew it was the real deal but she'd play along. If Snake was unconvinced, maybe he'd go away.
A three and a six. A two and a four. She held them out for Snake to take and see what he rolled. He might roll a total of seven, but they weren't likely to roll the same way twice. They were a regular pair of dice.
He fidgeted with his hands as she talked, biting back his temper. Oh as if you cared for how I was treated!
"Aha, yessss..... not very nice, wasss it. Well. .....Thank you." it was hissed through grit teeth- he clearly didn't like saying those words.
Thankfully the shopkeep provided a nice distraction, so he didn't have to suck up with any more vile platitudes. At least, not for a while, anyways.
In his mind, he was working out how this would go.... She clearly was going to leverage the favor in turn for the trinket. Clearly. What would he have to do to convince her otherwise? Uhck, if she dared ask him to beg for it... He didn't care there were Tyrant Agents watching. There would be an incident.
Snapped from these violent thoughts by being offered the dice, he stared Renza down for a second before reluctantly taking the dice in hand and giving them a half-hearted throw.
Snake eyes. He gave a curt snort and muttered under his breath "Well that'sss on brand..."
He didn't even bother rolling again. Renza's interest only confirmed for him that this MUST be something of use. And he was desperate to get it. "I couldn't help but overhear you were giving the little lady a disssscount, yess? Well, I'm perfectly willing to pay 30 gold piecesss if you hand it over right now."
"Aha, yessss..... not very nice, wasss it. Well. .....Thank you." it was hissed through grit teeth- he clearly didn't like saying those words.
Thankfully the shopkeep provided a nice distraction, so he didn't have to suck up with any more vile platitudes. At least, not for a while, anyways.
In his mind, he was working out how this would go.... She clearly was going to leverage the favor in turn for the trinket. Clearly. What would he have to do to convince her otherwise? Uhck, if she dared ask him to beg for it... He didn't care there were Tyrant Agents watching. There would be an incident.
Snapped from these violent thoughts by being offered the dice, he stared Renza down for a second before reluctantly taking the dice in hand and giving them a half-hearted throw.
Snake eyes. He gave a curt snort and muttered under his breath "Well that'sss on brand..."
He didn't even bother rolling again. Renza's interest only confirmed for him that this MUST be something of use. And he was desperate to get it. "I couldn't help but overhear you were giving the little lady a disssscount, yess? Well, I'm perfectly willing to pay 30 gold piecesss if you hand it over right now."
Renza bit back a shit-eating grin as Snake clearly forced the words "thank you" out of his face. Keep it together. Keep it cool. This guy could have a rather short fuse, and he was clearly already uncomfortable. She wasn't going to push her luck.
That was, until Snake up and offered 30 gold pieces for the dang Luck Stone. Renza slowly turned to look at him with an expression that clearly state, the audacity?!
The dice fell from the shopkeep's hand, landing on a perfect 7. "30... 30 gold pieces? My good sir! That is mighty generous of you!" He scooped the dice up for another roll. "I had not even finished showing you that it works-"
"35 gold pieces." Renza cut him off as another 7 was rolled, still staring at Snake. Her tone very much implied 'don't you dare', and you can bet she was going to be petty about this.
"35! Truly, this is my lucky day!" The shopkeep scooped the dice back up, but this time, he tucked them in a pocket. Holding the Luck Stone aloft, he glanced slyly between his two customers. "Do I hear... 36?"
That was, until Snake up and offered 30 gold pieces for the dang Luck Stone. Renza slowly turned to look at him with an expression that clearly state, the audacity?!
The dice fell from the shopkeep's hand, landing on a perfect 7. "30... 30 gold pieces? My good sir! That is mighty generous of you!" He scooped the dice up for another roll. "I had not even finished showing you that it works-"
"35 gold pieces." Renza cut him off as another 7 was rolled, still staring at Snake. Her tone very much implied 'don't you dare', and you can bet she was going to be petty about this.
"35! Truly, this is my lucky day!" The shopkeep scooped the dice back up, but this time, he tucked them in a pocket. Holding the Luck Stone aloft, he glanced slyly between his two customers. "Do I hear... 36?"
The Commander pivoted so that he was fully facing Renza, not even giving the shopkeep a sidelong glance. Oh, this was between her and him now.
"37. And you know what? I'll throw in a ssside quesst for you as well. I'm well experienced in obtaining new, exciting artifactsss." he told the shopkeep over his shoulder, then looked pointedly back at Renza.
"Ask any of my colleaguessss. They know what I'm capable of, and that I keep my word. Thisss little thing here would sssimply run off and leave you with nothing to replace your little trinket here."
He then addressed Renza directly, a slight growl in his tone. "Do you really want to ssspend all your preciousss gold piecess on thisss? Lassst I checked you didn't have the freedom to afford ssssuch luxuriessss. Or did you pickpocket your way into sssome fundsss, hm?"
"Oh, as if ssshe wasssn't about to sssteal it before I got here. You're lucky, you know. Thisss one'ss a real urchin." this was cast back to the shopkeep, though he didn't turn away from Renza for a second.
"37. And you know what? I'll throw in a ssside quesst for you as well. I'm well experienced in obtaining new, exciting artifactsss." he told the shopkeep over his shoulder, then looked pointedly back at Renza.
"Ask any of my colleaguessss. They know what I'm capable of, and that I keep my word. Thisss little thing here would sssimply run off and leave you with nothing to replace your little trinket here."
He then addressed Renza directly, a slight growl in his tone. "Do you really want to ssspend all your preciousss gold piecess on thisss? Lassst I checked you didn't have the freedom to afford ssssuch luxuriessss. Or did you pickpocket your way into sssome fundsss, hm?"
"Oh, as if ssshe wasssn't about to sssteal it before I got here. You're lucky, you know. Thisss one'ss a real urchin." this was cast back to the shopkeep, though he didn't turn away from Renza for a second.
Renza's gaze shifted from almost disbelief to steely sharp. Oh he was not going there. In front of this shopkeep? In front of the other tourists who were starting to look over in their direction at the mention of the word 'thief?'
Oh. This was personal now.
Renza's smile was cool but disingenuous. "Heh, that's rich coming from a human trafficker. And unlike you, I have a witness that can back me up on that claim, unlike your slander. How'd it go gathering folks for that Sergio guy, huh?"
"Um... I think... " The shopkeep was starting to look back and forth between them nervously, clutching the mutually desired object closer. His other hand started reaching for an object hanging around his neck: a small whistle. They were going to be in for more than prying eyes and prying ears if this continued. "There's no need for a fight! Come, certainly we can solve this amicably..."
"And how exactly are you planning to get new exciting artifacts for this guy, hmm? By robbing newfish who land in Harbor? Don't act so sanctimonious. You make me laugh." The comment about being an urchin didn't bother Renza at all. Just this whole interaction. She refused to draw first blood, but if they didn't end this soon, the Tyrant's Men were going to descend to quell the disturbance. If only her mouth would stop running! Gods damn her vindictive streak.
Oh. This was personal now.
Renza's smile was cool but disingenuous. "Heh, that's rich coming from a human trafficker. And unlike you, I have a witness that can back me up on that claim, unlike your slander. How'd it go gathering folks for that Sergio guy, huh?"
"Um... I think... " The shopkeep was starting to look back and forth between them nervously, clutching the mutually desired object closer. His other hand started reaching for an object hanging around his neck: a small whistle. They were going to be in for more than prying eyes and prying ears if this continued. "There's no need for a fight! Come, certainly we can solve this amicably..."
"And how exactly are you planning to get new exciting artifacts for this guy, hmm? By robbing newfish who land in Harbor? Don't act so sanctimonious. You make me laugh." The comment about being an urchin didn't bother Renza at all. Just this whole interaction. She refused to draw first blood, but if they didn't end this soon, the Tyrant's Men were going to descend to quell the disturbance. If only her mouth would stop running! Gods damn her vindictive streak.
The man's gloved hands balled into fists, and he slammed the counter before pointing accusatorily at Renza. It had bubbled over-- and there was no putting this genie back in the bottle.
"HOGWASH!!"
"I will NOT be SSSPOKEN TO like thisss by sssome knife-earred rat!! thinking she can blackmail ME into a FAVOR!!! ME!!!! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!?
He turned away from Renza, waving his arms in wide, hysterical gestures.
"I AM A LEADER AMONG MEN!!! COMMANDER OF ARMIESSS!!! CONQUEROR OF WORLDSSS!!!!" that shrill, piercing voice shrieked above an already silent crowd. "I'VE BEEN HERE LONGER!!! I AM OWED THISSS!!! I'VE WORKED HARD, PUT UP WITH PATHETIC DOGSSS LIKE YOU!! FOR WHAT! FOR WHAT!!!"
"And what do YOU know of LUCK???"
"Do you REALLY think I want thisss?! DO YOU REALLY THINK, THAT I WOULD WILLINGLY WASSSTE MY MONEY ON A SSSSTUPID, INANE, CHILDISH CONCEPT OF '''LUCK''' IF I COULD TRULY LIVE MY LIFE NORMALLY!?!"
"I CAN'T!!!!!"
He gripped the sides of his head as he continued screaming "NOTHING HASSS EVER GONE MY WAY!! NOTHING! I'M NEARLY KILLED ON THE DAILY JUSSST TO SSSCRAPE BY!!! BETRAYAL AT EVERY CORNER, WORMSSS LIKE YOU WITH SSSOME SSSORT OF VENDETTA AGAINSSST ME,-"
This lasted about 30 seconds longer, ranting about just.... everything, before he finally launched into a coughing fit and uh..... 'calmed down' isn't the word. Ran out of steam? Maybe? Either way, he stood there just... breathing angrily for a few moments afterwards. Something very clear about the rant was that he didn't seem to think he should be blamed for ANYTHING he'd gotten himself into.
"HOGWASH!!"
"I will NOT be SSSPOKEN TO like thisss by sssome knife-earred rat!! thinking she can blackmail ME into a FAVOR!!! ME!!!! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!?
He turned away from Renza, waving his arms in wide, hysterical gestures.
"I AM A LEADER AMONG MEN!!! COMMANDER OF ARMIESSS!!! CONQUEROR OF WORLDSSS!!!!" that shrill, piercing voice shrieked above an already silent crowd. "I'VE BEEN HERE LONGER!!! I AM OWED THISSS!!! I'VE WORKED HARD, PUT UP WITH PATHETIC DOGSSS LIKE YOU!! FOR WHAT! FOR WHAT!!!"
"And what do YOU know of LUCK???"
"Do you REALLY think I want thisss?! DO YOU REALLY THINK, THAT I WOULD WILLINGLY WASSSTE MY MONEY ON A SSSSTUPID, INANE, CHILDISH CONCEPT OF '''LUCK''' IF I COULD TRULY LIVE MY LIFE NORMALLY!?!"
"I CAN'T!!!!!"
He gripped the sides of his head as he continued screaming "NOTHING HASSS EVER GONE MY WAY!! NOTHING! I'M NEARLY KILLED ON THE DAILY JUSSST TO SSSCRAPE BY!!! BETRAYAL AT EVERY CORNER, WORMSSS LIKE YOU WITH SSSOME SSSORT OF VENDETTA AGAINSSST ME,-"
This lasted about 30 seconds longer, ranting about just.... everything, before he finally launched into a coughing fit and uh..... 'calmed down' isn't the word. Ran out of steam? Maybe? Either way, he stood there just... breathing angrily for a few moments afterwards. Something very clear about the rant was that he didn't seem to think he should be blamed for ANYTHING he'd gotten himself into.
WELP. That was it. That was the game. The shopkeep didn't even need to blow the whistle because Snake just about had steam coming out of his non-visible ears, he was so rattled! "And who's fault is that really?" she tried to interject, but he was deep, deeeep in it.
There. Right in front of what should have been her luck stone. She had to watch this grown toddler throw a massive hissy-fit in front of everybody. And it really was everybody now, as Tyrant's Men made their way through the crowd towards them.
"Enjoy your little tantrum, diaper baby?" Renza hissed through clenched teeth as she raised her free hand in a peaceful, 'I surrender' sort of gesture. Her other hand still held her book. Just in case. These guys were built with some serious muscle and she certainly wasn't going to win taking them on in a straight on fight.
The Tyrant's Men went about reassuring tourists and shopkeeps left and right that everything was fine, no need to worry, things would be handled. The luck stone was out of reach now.
"Do you want to run?" she asked in a low voice, loathing herself for doing so but inching slightly closer to Snake. She could waste a spell on his stupid self. Blur would make him harder to see and harder to catch. She'd absolutely count it as a second favor owed. "I can help~"
There. Right in front of what should have been her luck stone. She had to watch this grown toddler throw a massive hissy-fit in front of everybody. And it really was everybody now, as Tyrant's Men made their way through the crowd towards them.
"Enjoy your little tantrum, diaper baby?" Renza hissed through clenched teeth as she raised her free hand in a peaceful, 'I surrender' sort of gesture. Her other hand still held her book. Just in case. These guys were built with some serious muscle and she certainly wasn't going to win taking them on in a straight on fight.
The Tyrant's Men went about reassuring tourists and shopkeeps left and right that everything was fine, no need to worry, things would be handled. The luck stone was out of reach now.
"Do you want to run?" she asked in a low voice, loathing herself for doing so but inching slightly closer to Snake. She could waste a spell on his stupid self. Blur would make him harder to see and harder to catch. She'd absolutely count it as a second favor owed. "I can help~"
The man took in a sharp breath at the 'diaper baby' comment, raising a hand to point accusatorially at Renza again. And as he began to snarl a "You disssressspectful little-" he paused, noticing her raising her hands in surrender. That wasn't for him.
He took a step back towards the stall, finally paying attention to his surroundings after his little outburst. Tyrant's Men.
Aware of Renza stepping towards him, he was ready to have to fend off an attack on that front too, only to receive an olive branch...?
Gah, she was trying to fish for more favors. But he didn't have a choice. He leaned over to her and hissed in a sharp whisper " Whatever it isss, do it! I know a route out of here!"
He took a step back towards the stall, finally paying attention to his surroundings after his little outburst. Tyrant's Men.
Aware of Renza stepping towards him, he was ready to have to fend off an attack on that front too, only to receive an olive branch...?
Gah, she was trying to fish for more favors. But he didn't have a choice. He leaned over to her and hissed in a sharp whisper " Whatever it isss, do it! I know a route out of here!"
With Snake's permission, as well as the information that he knew a route of the there, Renza nodded and muttered a quick incantation from the book in her left hand. If he was lying, well... she had her own means of escape. As she finished speaking, Snake's form became blurred, shifting and wavering to all who could see. Anyone would have a hard time trying to attack or grab hold of him as they chased his afterimage. As long as Renza concentrated on the spell.
"Lead the way," Renza said, tearing off in whatever direction he aimed for as long as it wasn't at the guards. She kept her hood down and her eyes peeled for signs of other guards as they went and giving warnings if necessary.
Gods, and this had been her first real excursion into the Old City. She knew which spell she needed to learn next, for goodness' sake: Disguise Self.
"Lead the way," Renza said, tearing off in whatever direction he aimed for as long as it wasn't at the guards. She kept her hood down and her eyes peeled for signs of other guards as they went and giving warnings if necessary.
Gods, and this had been her first real excursion into the Old City. She knew which spell she needed to learn next, for goodness' sake: Disguise Self.
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