[color=8B6969]"Wow! This [i]is[/i] beautiful!"[/color]

[color=d3d3d3]"I know! The image is so clear, but it doesn't draw too much away from the rest."[/color]

Tagi held the coin in his hands. It about the diameter of his thumb and sat heavy in his palm. He felt the dragon etched on the surface. The lines were clearly there, but they were so fine that he couldn't even make them out. It was almost as if someone drew them on, but there was no smudging the surface. 

[color=d3d3d3]"I can give you the name of the artist, if you'd like."[/color]

[color=8B6969]"Please."[/color]

The merchant scribbled something down on a piece of parchment and placed it in Tagi's hand. After a bit of small-talk, they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. 

Tagi frequented Kizun a couple times a year. It's market scene was not the most extravagant, but it certainly remained one of the more interesting places for art. He would get glimpses of rare and not-so-well-known pieces, much like the one he had just seen today. Artists waiting to be discovered, techniques pleading to be heard, talent begging to be recognized...are things Tagi found to deserve the most appreciation. 

[hr] 

After a little browsing, peeping kiosks and seeing more and more generic works, Tagi grew famished. He soon wandered into a tavern. The smells emanating from the kitchen watered his mouth. Drifting aromas of cooking meats made his stomach rumble. The room grew cozy, and maybe even a bit disorienting, both stimulating and relaxing, the way any customer should be when they await a meal they actually look forward to. 

[color=8B6969]"Meat over rice, please!"[/color] 

Tagi left his satchel and quiver on as he took his seat. He was always cautious about putting his stuff down in public. Slight paranoia always stuck him when it came to his belongings. He only brought what he thought was absolutely necessary, and in his mind, that meant he couldn't afford to lose any of it. 

The first bite of his meal made his jaw quiver. It was still hot, but the flavors of the meat coated his tongue. He couldn't help but crack a smile, and soon began engorging himself in his plate. He sat alone somewhere around the middle of the room and shamelessly shoveled his food into his mouth. 

Nearing the end of his plate, with the initial relief meeting a satisfaction that creeped up on his mind and stomach, Tagi took more notice of the rest of the tavern. He glanced over his shoulder and saw some people checking out some board at the end of the room. [i]Bears[/i] was the only word that his brain managed to process. He thought nothing of it, but stayed curious as a young woman appeared to be making a pitch to another customer. Curious himself, Tagi stood up and walked over to see the board for himself.