Quill pushed his way through the crowd, keeping a hand on his bag at all time, in case any scrappy thief decided to try to pick his bag while he wasn't aware. It was tough going, the majority of the townsfolk were Hyrulian, and as a result, towered over him. Even most of the non-Hyrulians seemed to be taller than him. The bustle of the crowd filled his eardrums with noise, and people shot dirty looks at him when he pushed past them too brusquely. 

The Rito eventually found his way to an auction house, a tall, wood-and-stone structure that seemed to scream opulence from its exterior alone. The front porch of the building was cleanly paved, and sealed off from the rest of the market with a stone fence with metal bars sticking upwards. The one break in the fence was guarded by a pair of stern faced men in chainmail and helmets, bearing the colors of Hyrule. The two men had small shields on their arms, one of which was resting on the hilt of a sword at his hip. Both men held spears, and scanned the crowd with squinty eyes.

One of them managed to spot the short Rito standing in front of him. The guard puffed up his chest and stared the bird-man down the bridge of his nose.

[color=khaki]"What is it, bird?"[/color]

Quill scrunched his face, but didn't reply. He was long used to Hyrulian racism and had figured it out a long time ago that trying to lash back out at the guards more often than not resulted in bodily injury and a short stint in the prison holding cells. He took a deep breath and let it go, instead, squaring his shoulders back and tapping at the satchel at his side.

[color=lightblue]"Red Pinions, delivery service, I have a high priority package for a Mr. Kamen?"[/color] Quill announced.

Sir Alexander Kamen, also known throughout some circles as the Happy Mask Salesman, was a powerful aristocrat, if not completely "clean" in his business dealings. No one ever had any more proof than rumors, but rumors offered dozens of explanations for how Sir Kamen was able to rise from his simple mask shop, to an economic juggernaut. From acquirer of masks to acquirer of antiques- masks included, the Happy Mask Salesman was now known as the owner of the foremost- and only- auction house in Castle City. Masterpieces of all manner, weapons, art, and the obscure alike were brought through this auction house and sold at huge profit.

[color=khaki]"Fine, go ahead in. Mr. Kamen is upstairs in his office. Be quick about it."[/color] The guard said roughly as he moved his spear aside to allow the Rito to quickly enter the premises. 

Entering the house, it was every bit as opulent as Quill had expected and more. The interiors were fine hardwood from deep within the Lost Woods and inlaid with gold etching. Various display cabinets, pedestals, and stands displayed masks, trinkets, and oddities of what could only be described as tremendous value, with small descriptions written on parchment. 

One of the masks sitting on a glass enclosed pedestal claimed to be the one and only Fierce Diety's Mask used by the Hero of Time in times of great peril. Quill suppressed a scoff as he regarded the mask. Some man in the bazaar had offered to sell him the 'one and only Fierce Diety's Mask' several weeks prior. Counterfeits of legendary artifacts were everywhere, and Quill highly doubted that this mask was the real one. 

Regardless, Quill continued upstairs, his feet gingerly stepping on the wood and gold steps, as though he were afraid that he would accidentally damage some of the fine wood in this house and be subsequently forced to pay a fine that he could not afford. Finally arriving upstairs, Quill knocked on the door that appeared to be the office of Mr. Kamen.

[color=lightblue]"Mr. Kamen? Red Pinions, delivery for you!"[/color]

[color=blueviolet]"Yes, yes, one minute!"[/color] a high-pitched voice called back, muffled through the door. Noises of objects being shuffled echoed underneath the seam; then silence until the door pulled inward, opening up to a thin, tall man in dark garb, ginger hair and... closed eyes, moving as though he could see even through closed lids.

[color=blueviolet]"Welcome, welcome!"[/color] he chuckled with a curt, though dramatically low bow, one arm behind his back and the other sweeping in gesture and giving a brief glimpse of a room of rich orange alder wood, ebony furniture and an assortment of desks, books and varieties of bright magical baubles, novelties, relics and artifacts. [color=blueviolet]"What is it that you are delivering? Just to be certain that the order is correct and such."[/color] Mouth spread in a cheshire grin, the man began flipping through the pages of a thin ledger, eyes still closed... were not his hands empty a moment ago?

Quill was somewhat taken aback by the thin, spindly man that was the Happy Mask Salesman. He was neither as dominating or intimidating as Quill had expected, but something about his demeanor, and how his eyes always appeared closed was... unnerving. Quill stood there for several moments just processing what was happening before he realized that he was standing there and staring. With a slight splutter, Quill quickly patted his hands at his sides, searching for his bag, and pulled out a package. It was weighty, but small, and covered in brown canvas and securely tied up.

[color=lightblue]"I'm sorry Mr. Kamen, but I wouldn't know, I was specifically told not to open or inspect the contents of this package, I just have the sender and receiver information."[/color] Quill explained as he offered up the package.

[color=blueviolet]"Ah... very well,"[/color] he replied, taking the package and lifting it up near to his face as though to peer into it. He shook it softly and tilted his head, putting his ear close. A moment's pause and he smiled softly, an inward chuckle shaking his chest.

[color=blueviolet]"Yes, indeed, very well,"[/color] he muttered-whether to himself of to Quill, though, was uncertain.

With an alarming change of pace and speed, Mr. Kamen bolted upright, 'staring' the courier directly in the eyes. [color=blueviolet]"Alright! Indeed, I have been awaiting this delivery [i]eagerly[/i]. Do you want any sort of refreshment-water, tea, an ale-before you depart? Ah, and how much do I owe you for the delivery?"[/color]he said, turning his head askew to withdraw a decorated leather wallet.

[color=lightblue]"Ah- uhm." [/color]Quill managed to stutter, thoroughly surprised by the sudden change in speed. He was forced a step back as Mr. Kamen suddenly began staring at him, though one could argue that stare was not the correct term of phrase. 

[color=lightblue]"Uh, service charge for high priority packages falls under a flat rate of 40 Rupees," [/color] Quill said, recalling the prices for delivery he had ingrained in his memory. Still, for some reason he felt uneasy demanding money from such a powerful man, even though it was his job.

The man nodded thrice rapidly, beaming as he offered over a couple of small red crystals-two in total, each of them the value of twenty a piece. [color=blueviolet]"Here you are. And your refreshment? Ye or nay? I shan't take offense at refusal; 'tis only goodhearted gratitude."[/color]

Pocketing the crystals, Quill hesitated when the Happy Mask Salesman offered him refreshments. Sure, the man said he wouldn't be offended at refusal, but at the same time, something about the Happy Mask Salesman- maybe his wealth, or reputation, told the back of Quill's mind that refusing Mr. Kamen wasn't in his best interests.

[color=lightblue]"Sure, I could go for some water," [/color]Quill replied uneasily, as the man welcomed him into his office.

With a nod, Mr. Kamen spun on his heel and stepped briskly over to a desk against a wall where a small metal pot sat atop a rim of metal, a faintly glowing gem visible beneath the coils. With a mumbled keyword and a flick of a finger, the energies in the crystal sprang to life and setting the metal coil glowing with heat as it brought the water to a boil. [color=blueviolet]"A delightful novelty, this contraption. The man who invented it really should have made a fortune by it. Alas, it was too easily reproducible by others and, while he was well off for it, hardly reaped what it really deserved," [/color]he mused as he lifted the pot and angled it, letting hot water pour out into a cup." Then he offered held it out, waving in gesture for Quill to enter the room. [color=blueviolet]"'tis Death Mountain hot spring water. 'tis much better hot."[/color]

[color=lightblue]"Ah, thank you." [/color]Quill replied as he accepted the hot cup, taking a seat in front of the Happy Mask Salesman's desk. Taking a sip, Quill really didn't notice the difference between this and normal water. Perhaps it was a rich person thing. Nevertheless, Quill sipped at the cup, not really sure what to say to the mysterious man.

Musing some hummed tune, said mystery went behind his desk and set the package down on a shelf next to other odd objects-lockets, bones, letters and so on. Whatever it was really was anyone's guess. [color=blueviolet]"You're quite welcome. So, have you any other business in town, or are just to return to Dragon Roost after this?"[/color]

[color=lightblue]"I haven't been back to Dragon Roost in years,"[/color] Quill replied with a small chuckle, [color=lightblue]"But I'm here ahead of the rest of my caravan, so I have at least the next few days in town."[/color] Quill said as he peered about the room, examining the oddities and trinkets scattered throughout the shelves in the office.

[color=blueviolet]"Oh? Why is that?"[/color]

[color=lightblue]"No particular reason,"[/color] Quill replied with a shrug, [color=lightblue]"Just trying to make my own way in the world."[/color]

[color=blueviolet]"Ah. Always at work, then?" [/color]he said musingly, taking a seat in the dark wooden chair behind the desk and folding his arms across it.

[color=lightblue]"Something like that,"[/color] Quill replied, [color=lightblue]"keeps me fed, and my family back home too. Also keeps me up on my feet."[/color]

[color=blueviolet]"And wing, I imagine,"[/color] he chuckled with a tilt of his head, peering... for an unnerving, silent length before speaking again. [color=blueviolet]"Well, if you're free and like to stay on your feet... I have a delivery to be made to someone in town, if you're interested."[/color]

It'd be wrong to say that Quill wasn't somewhat suspicious. The Happy Mask Salesman was rumored to be involved in some shady business. Of course, that might just be rumors. Of course, Quill was not one to condemn people for stepping into the shadier side of the law. While not doing it on a regular basis, Quill had occasionally stepped into the other side of the law.

[color=lightblue]"What exactly did you have in mind, Mr. Kamen?"[/color]

[color=blueviolet]"Moving this," [/color]the merchant said as he stood up and stepped over to a shelf and picked up a sealed letter, offering it over. [color=blueviolet]"There's a bit of a ruckus going on today in the... less [i]savory[/i] parts of town. I want this delivered to the leader of a certain rogue element within the city-however, I am uncertain as to where they are at the moment. Are you up for a bit of a search?"[/color] Kamen slid the parcel across the desk to lay in front of Quill, a silvery hexagonal crystal atop it.

Quill's eyes widened, while not an unheard of sum of money, a silver rupee [i]was[/i] a large amount for little more than a transport fee. Furthermore, the job, while not exactly the cleanest of jobs, wasn't nearly as unsavory as Quill had expected. It was just a plain delivery job. Granted, it was a delivery to a seedy criminal-type, but nothing [i]too[/i] out of the ordinary.

Reaching out and grabbing both the crystal and the letter, Quill nodded. [color=lightblue]"Alright then, where am I taking this?"[/color]

Kamen chuckled and folded his hands behind his back. [color=blueviolet]"As I said, 'twill be a search. Follow the commotion; you are looking for a nest of goblin ilk. They are all coalesced into one faction at the moment, to my understanding, so no worry of happening across the wrong one and taking none too kindly."[/color]