[hr][sub][center][@Obscene Symphony] [@Achronum] [@Trainerblue192] [@Bounce] [@The Irish Tree][/center][/sub][hr]

The word J’torha threw out was definitely heard by all surrounding the well, the merchant in question having a look of pure confusion. A Midlander, fair in complexion and looking very much average in height, build, and even hair color. There was a small lapse in nearly every conversation, as if waiting in anticipation for his response. At first, it seemed like he was just about ready to protest the accusation, opening his mouth to respond when a small scoff from another seller seemed to catch his attention. 

“Reckon [i]that[/i] is where the missing gil went, eh Tilman?” The other merchant chuckled darkly.

[i]Tilman’s[/i] head snapped in his direction, throwing him an incredulous look. “What are ye talking about?” He asked, offended. “I’ve never seen this Mi’qote before in my life!”

[color=CB3011]“Missing--!”[/color] J’torha practically growled as he fell off the pole, marching up to the merchant. The crowd parted as he came, letting him through and likely eager to see where this all was going. 

[color=CB3011]“I see I’m not the only one you short-changed, you gil-pinching cur!”[/color] J’torha’s accusations could clearly be heard all across the square, and he perched his hands on his hips, gesturing indignantly. [color=CB3011]“Isn’t it amazing! Anytime I come after a customer for payment, it’s the first time we’ve met!”[/color] He raised his voice a little and threw his hands up in frustration, the suggestion clear. [color=CB3011]“But I’d say we were awfully [i]familiar[/i] back when you were begging for just another bell, promisin’ you’d have the money to me by morning!”[/color]

He turned on his heel, striding theatrically over to the other wares for auction. [color=CB3011]“Oh, but you’ve got [i]plenty[/i] of money [i]now[/i] for nice fancy things to sell, don’t you?”[/color] he accused, leaning on the cart of goods awaiting auction. [color=CB3011]“Or are you a debtor [i]and[/i] a thief?”[/color]

Lyveva’s jaw dropped, though the blonde decided to slip into the crowd. Meanwhile, Tilman was completely shocked at the accusation, ears positively burning underneath his turban as he realized that nearly everyone was watching. He was at a loss, shaking his head as he put down the book he had in his hand to step down from the well.

“I believe you’re mistaken,” He seemed to be trying to keep his calm for the moment.

Once again, the other merchant laughed, jumping down from the well to glare at him. Much like the merchant, he seemed to be an average Midlander as well, with the exception of a mop of dark hair poking out this way and that. “And I suppose [i]this[/i] is why you wouldn’t spend the night?!” He gestured to J’torha wildly.

[color=CB3011][i]”This?”[/i][/color] J’torha questioned back, ignoring Tilman’s refusal for the moment and gesturing to himself. [color=CB3011]“I’ll have you know that [i]this[/i] is in high demand.”[/color] He sounded insulted. 

[color=CB3011]“‘Course, if I was a smarter man I’d be taking my payments [i]up front.”[/i][/color] He aimed that comment at Tilman, a dangerous edge to his voice. 

“How could you blow me off for this stray cat?!” The brunet rounded on Tilman, clearly peeved.

He held his hands up in an effort to defend himself. “Hold on, now, I just [i]told[/i] ye, I don’t know him!” He insisted, his annoyance peppered with a nervous edge. 

[color=CB3011]“Stray?!”[/color] J’torha’s ears flattened further, tail twitching even more noticeably than before. He glared at the dark-haired Midlander. [color=CB3011]“Hey now, it should be [i]him[/i] you have a problem with, not me. [i]I[/i] didn’t know he was a cheat!”[/color] 

He turned on Tilman, jabbing a finger into his chest. [color=CB3011]“And don’t [i]you[/i] go tryin’ to worm out of this [i]now.[/i] I performed a service, and I want my payment. It’s a simple transaction, surely a [i]businessman[/i] like you can figure it out. Or…”[/color] J’torha took an exaggerated look around, and turned back to Tilman, feigning sympathy. [color=CB3011]“I’m sorry, did you not want your less ‘reputable’ business out in the open?”[/color]

Tilman was at a complete loss at this point, torn between wanting to properly defend himself and wanting to turn tail and run. All the extra attention and ire didn’t seem to be worth it, the hyur shaking his head as he let out an irritated sigh. “Just...come now, we can handle this business out of public eye,” He muttered, turning back to the well. To his shock, the book he had previously was gone. “...I swore I just put this down…” 

“No excuses! We’re getting to the bottom of this!” The brunet insisted, a hand on Tilman’s shoulder as he unceremoniously dragged him towards one of the buildings. He threw J’torha a look. “Come along then, if you want your [i]payment[/i], Desert Kit, as well as whatever else was taken from you.”

Kikipu’s jaw was agape, watching the situation unfold. She put her hand to her chin and frowned as she looked over at the goods. Something seemed to click in her head, a tiny gasp escaping her before a realization hit her. Her brow creased as she shook her head, turning back to the trio.

[color=yellow]”Now that you mention it, the man who dropped off these goods did seem strange,“[/color] She referred to E-Siri’s comment as she seemed to recall something. [color=yellow]”Not the man himself, I suppose, as scarred faces and ugly mugs are commonplace, but the fact that he was alone and had all this to sell. Normally we go by a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy--asking too many questions tends to make heads roll--but it [i]was[/i] curious.”[/color]

[hr][sub][center][@Amalyra][/center][/sub][hr]

The lalafel watched the commotion go down with something resembling amusement, but at the end he simply scoffed. [color=yellow]”There you go, then. Reckon Kikipu or Tilman will point you in the right direction,”[/color] He stifled a yawn before putting his hands behind his head. [color=yellow]”I’d be awfully careful if I was you. Pretty sure I saw you come in with that other Mi’qote. Causing a ruckus tends to get unwanted attention, moreso if people find out you’re sniffing around. Or do whatever you want, it’s none of my business.”[/color] He didn’t wait for a response, simply walking off.

[hr][sub][center][@EvictedElement][@Alfhedil][/center][/sub][hr]

The resounding cheer at getting an extra pair of hands made it clear that their help was appreciated, the men and women scrambling to make sure the extra help wouldn’t go to waste. The hyur chuckled, shaking his head as he motioned for the pair to wait a moment as a smaller boat came into the port. Despite its size, it carried a massive amount of fish wrangled up in a net, with only a pair of sailors manning it.

[color=yellow]”I’ll only bother you for this, then--small boat, small catch,”[/color] He said as he leaned over, hands outstretched and waiting. [color=yellow]Dragging this over to the cart won’t take long, but it’s one less thing my weary men need to do.”[/color]

Catching a thick rope, he motioned for the pair to grab it, pulling it towards the pier. At Isabella’s mention of Lyveva, he did look back at the pair with a small frown on his face. [color=yellow]”That’s...Aidric’s little sister. Huh, so that’s what she’s up to these days,”[/color] He frowned. [color=yellow]”Thought those people disbanded a long time ago, what with Avalon fleeing Ul’dah and Etith’to’s disappearance.”[/color] 

He sighed, continuing to pull as he backed up slightly. [color=yellow]“Yeah, they helped me out back when I first started off. Didn’t matter if you had one gil or one million, they’d help out whoever. I don’t think I saw the original founder too often, but when Aidric took the reigns, all sorts of hopeful folks came from all over. It’s a shame he’s not around anymore, but it’s nice to see the company active. Like you said, Eorzea’s in need of good folk.”[/color] 

Tying the rope to the dock, he scratched the back of his head as he looked around. [color=yellow]”If they’re in a spot of trouble, it’s not too surprising that she’d come here, prolly looking for ol’ Galfridus. He looked after the Gwennael siblings for some time. But I don’t think his ship is coming back today. Maybe in the morning."[/color]

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