[center][@Harlequ][/center]

	At first the stout man’s mouth murmurs a few small, incoherent words while Ilyssa delivers the first part of her response. He appears to be somewhat disgruntled by something she has said. He does however abruptly stop grumbling at the hearing of the name Agartha.  His monocle shifts as his face twists auspiciously and his eyes pan over the items Ilyssa has brought to the counter. Agitated, his index finger begins to tap repeatedly on the counter. 

	He raised his eyes to her once more, preparing to respond when he is stopped by Ilyssa’s comment pertaining to the apparition of a young girl. His face drops as one who has seen a ghost of their own. His finger stops tapping. The monocle drops from his eyes as his complexion pales and his very soul seems to vacate the premises. His lips tremble for a time before recovering the fortitude to reply.  

	“A single silver piece will cover your items.” The man’s voice is no longer abrasive but forlorn. “Best you don’t drag the curse of that damnable child into my place of business.” He does pause for a moment, eyes twitching to consider the information he should or should not provide. His index finger again begins tapping restlessly on the counter - “Ignorant travelers, the lot of you…. Agartha is no person, least not anymore. It is a mine, a gold mine, in fact. It is marked on the map if you care to look for it. But if I were you I wouldn’t dare. Stay well clear of that place. That is my advice, girl, if you know what’s good for you.” The man’s finger stops tapping long enough to use it to rub his nose with an anxious jerking motion, then returns it to the counter where the tapping continues. He leans forward, looming as much as his short body would allow over the counter.

	“That girl you mentioned…. She is a curse on this town – A curse, I tell you now! I don’t care what the others say, to me she wants nothing more than vengeance. Agartha was where she was raped. Her and her mother alike. They were both killed by those ghastly men. A terrible thing, I say. She’s been haunting this town ever since.” He forces to lean in closer to Ilyssa, each word now wafting the pungent breath of tooth decay over her face. “Best you turn about and leave Trios… before it’s too late for you.” 

	Now standing straight, the stout shopkeeper adjusts his attire, placing his monocle back over his eye to regard the items on the counter once again.

	“As I said, a single silver piece will suffice. Pay and be gone.” 

[hr]

[center][@Metatrooper][@Hokum][/center]

	The hostile reaction of Boris caused Ovarin to fawn while, with his thumb, began fidgeting with the ring on his finger. Nevertheless, the apprehension he showed at first was no greater than that of one slightly nervous. It was only when Ovarin observed the bars begin to bend under the strain of Boris’s strength that his thumb ceased fidgeting with the ring. Ovarin’s eye’s widened with growing trepidation. He backed up against the wall of his cell like a child awaiting an abusive parent to at any moment burst through the bedroom door. 

	“Ya caht hurt meh,” His voice broke with the tone of skeptical hope, “ya caht – deh guard beh com’n. Deh wan led ya hurt meh….”  

	The anger of Boris subsides, though his intentions of entering the cell are still clear. Ovarin’s own words now seem to be defied by the keys Boris produces.  The man shrinks, though his eyes narrow with a piercing glare at Boris. While Kaldalis offers Boris a hand in selecting the correct key, Ovarin sneers.

	“Fug ya! Sarah Stohn Deser wah sheh got. Dat witch chile. Sheh wan it bad. I give it. I give it hard teh her n’ her mah. Ha ha ha, sheh scream so muh – ha ha ha!”

	By this time Boris will have undoubtedly found the correct key and entered the cell to confront Ovarin, yet the vulgar little man continues with his rant as though he has now accepted his fate.

	“Buh wah ya goh do, Bori?  Meh not deh oni one. Deh udders too. Ya kill us all? Ha ha ha! You a stupi mun!! Stupi, stupi, stupi!” 

	Although Ovarin would well be aware of his pending fate, he remains still against the wall of his cell, lifting not even one hand to defend himself against the massive brute before him. 

	While this is taking place, Kaldalis, no doubt watching the events unfold, may catch witness of the apparition that has appeared in his cell. It is the ghost of a young girl standing beside him. This girl is badly injured. Her white attire is well stained with blood. She raises her eyes to Kaldalis with an insidious smile that may send shivers up Kaldalis's spine. Once the smile has been delivered, the apparition of Sarah Stone returns her attention to Boris and Ovarin, watching with Kaldalis at the events unfolding. 

	A female voice is heard, like the whisper of wind perceived by all those present: 

	[i]“Kill him. For my daughter yearns.”[/i] 

	Accompanying this voice is a heavy chill that fills the cell block, lacing the walls and iron bars with a film of frost.