Estermere's night market was something to behold. While most towns closed up their shops- with the exception of taverns, and other after-hours establishments, when night came, Estermere was an exception. A vast number of the town's shops and stalls remained open, lamps and lights setting a pleasing orange glow to their colored tents and awnings. Likewise, there remained a large number of people outside, though these numbers were considerably less than those during the daytime. These numbers would like dwindle quickly as well, as the night grew later and later. Still, even in the early night, the noise in the market remained something akin to a dull roar. The sizable market made up the village square, and could be easily spotted from anywhere in the village. Bright colored cloths hung from displays and covered stalls, and it was arguably the most crowded part of the village. People wove back and forth, conversing with eachother, as merchants called to them, harking their wares. There were cloth weavers, shoemakers, grocery sellers, and and travelling merchants, all up and down the cobblestone roads, some owning stores, others using temporary stalls that were rented or set up. The smells of meats, leather, breads, fruits, and spices mixed together in the market district, making the distinct smell that the district was known for. Down the road was the main gate, which lead to the King's Road, located conveniently in the corner of the market was the Jolly Hippogriff, a popular tavern that benefited from its location. Somewhere in near the center of the market stood a young half-elf girl, a small thing with clean golden hair and emerald eyes, selling flowers. Even in the early hours of the night she had a bright smile on her face that would've made one thought it was midday. Walking up to various passerbys in the market, she would offer them flowers, for friends, family, loved ones. While the flowers she sold weren't particularly valuable or beautiful, her winning smile managed to find her a rather steady stream of customers. [b]"Flowers for sale! Would you like some flowers?"[/b] she would ask in a sweet voice whenever someone passed by. One particularly aristocratic looking young man seemed to take an interest in the flower girl and had approached her, 'inspecting' the flowers. The Aristocrat was dressed in fine silken clothing, a stark white shirt, with clean pants and a pair of fine riding boots. His brown hair was combed cleanly to the side, and while his breath smelled of alcohol, he had a confident demeanor about him. As he inspected the flowers, he attempted to make chummy small talk, implying with no small words that he was in fact, incredibly wealthy. [i]"My father helped build most of this market you know, it could be said that he is of greater importance than some of this village's founders."[/i] He spoke with an almost despicable amount of self assurance, and arrogance, though he beamed as the flower girl nodded kindly at his words. He continued to brag and was only interrupted from his gloating and self-appreciating turn of phrase when another blonde boy bumped into him. [b]"S-Sorry..!"[/b] the blonde boy managed before the aristocrat shoved him. [i]"Watch it you little oaf!"[/i] the aristocrat barked before returning his attention to the flower girl. However, instead of making an offer to purchase flowers, he wrapped his arm around the girl, [i]"Now, I'd be willing to share some of my father's wealth with you, if you would in turn share something with me."[/i] It was clear from his dialect that was implying something other than the girl's flower basket. It was at this point the blonde boy returned. Hart glared at the pompous rich brat. He was tall, well dressed, and seemed to be very self-entitled. While he was used to the type back home, there were few of the snobby type here in Estermere, and the few that were present were that much more insufferable. Without the aristocrat noticing, Melly shot Hart a look from behind her flower basket, a look that implied that things were not currently going to plan. Hart, with his arms crossed had to look up at the aristocrat, who was several inches taller than him, the aristocrat on the other hand lifted his head even more, so he could explicitly look down his nose at the street urchin. [i]"What do you want you lousy urchin?"[/i] the aristocrat demanded, placing a hand confidently on a gilded rapier at his side. [i]"I could gut you in the street right here and now and no one would give a damn about you."[/i] [b]"Well Sirrah,"[/b] Hart said calmly, taking on a defeated tone, as if seeing the rapier had taken the fight out of him. The aristocrat smirked smugly, pleased with the change in tone. [b]"I just wanted to say-"[/b] The aristocrat never heard what Hart wanted to say, as a set of solid knuckles collided with his temples and then into his sides, he felt a hand push him, and the quick patter of feet. When he cleared his eyes, the urchin- and the flower girl as well- were gone. The aristocrat cursed quietly to himself and looked around, half checking for the urchin, half making sure no one saw the embarrassing display. Unsatisfied, the aristocrat made his way towards a nearby tavern to continue drinking. --- Hidden in the bustle of the crowd, a pair of blonde youths walked close to one another, the male occasionally looking over his shoulder. The female frowned at him. [b]"Things were going fine!"[/b] she hissed at him, [b]"I would've gotten into the manor and I could've cased the place!"[/b] [b]"At what cost?"[/b] Hart shot back, to which Melly rolled her eyes exasperatedly. [b]"As if any of [i]that[/i] was going to happen."[/b] she retorted. [b]Yeah, well, at least it wasn't all that bad."[/b] Hart concluded as he pulled out a small leather purse. Shaking it in his hand made the pleasant sound of heavy coins clinking against one another. Somewhere in a tavern, a pompous aristocrat was realizing that he didn't have the coin to pay for his drink- and would likely have to work off the costs of his tab. He opened the bag and poured a couple coins into his hand, a trio of gold coins and a pair of silver ones. Pocketing the coins, he tossed Melly the aristocrat's purse. [b]You can buy the things we need and head back to the safe house,"[/b] Hart said, [b]"There are still somethings I want to do"[/b] [b]"Be safe- or at the very least, don't get in over your head."[/b] Melly said as she quickly disappeared into the crowd. Making a more leisurely walk back into the marketplace, Hart began searching for something else to take. Since he went and fudged up their plan to rob the aristocrat, he had to bring back at least something else to make the night worth while. Maybe he'd actually buy some trinkets for the others as well.