A sheep in wolf's clothing.

[Armaud Eden]

Gelgelar Free Port​

Port Authority​

When he first heard about the Free Port, he assumed his attire would have immediately set him apart. A clump of coal in a bucket full of diamonds, he’d immediately be made by some group or another. And that would be that. With the way the Sullustan vendor spoke of his lineage and home, it sounded reminiscent a great castle on the hill.

But that wasn't what Maud found, setting his ship down in port control. A rag tag thing, pockmarks and patched metals along the frame of an unremarkable vessel. What he found, instead, was a sprawling dirt mound surrounded by vast swathes of woods and swamps, buffeted by the mist of precipitation and low overhanging clouds.

Mom had asked him to pick up a specific spore for mold. A genus she said might have particular health benefits for her work in the circle. But when he looked up the pricing and contacted the specialized vendor, the tradesmen refused to show up in more reputable locations. At least it's not a shadow port. That's what he told his uncle and in typical fashion, Gabe responded with a quip that was laced with some veiled principle. The only difference between a shadow port and a free port is that at least at a shadow port, people are honest.

That seemed wrong, but Maud couldn't exactly put his finger on why.

Dressed in the garbs of a woodsman, pants and jerkin of treated hide, with an undershirt of stretched long sleeved linen, eyes of deep forest looked up towards the gray sky. Rain drops collected on the auburn growth of his chin as he moved to grab the brown jacket from the shuttle. Flinging it over his shoulders, he pulled his hood up as he was approached by someone with an obvious knack for marrying nefarious appearance with official status.

“State your business.”
“My own.” Maud dug a hand into his belt pouch.
“Don't insult me, sprat.”

Maud withdrew a few roasted pine nuts and chewed slowly, not really sure what the man meant. Crunching softly, he looked towards the closest store.

“Are you declaring any weapons while at the Free Port?”
“Ahh, only if a knife counts.”
“It does.”
“Then yes, I'd like to declare a weapon.”
“Just one?”
“Oh, no. Several.” He paused as he rolled the chewed pine nut between his back teeth. “Am I free to go?"
“Yeah. Just…mind the security.”

He gave a shallow nod as he stuck another pine nut between his lips, moving out from the cover of the port canopy into the open and wet world of Gelgelar.

[member="Blackthorne"]​

 

[Blackthorne]

Gelgelar was not all it had been cracked up to be.

Maybe because it was a freeport, which didn’t necessarily make it better in anyway - just less annoying than any other port that might be controlled by a certain unmentionable government and far more boring than one not controlled by any law at all. It existed in that irritating limbo of wanting to be lawful without much in the way of backing up the claim.

Captain Blackthorne had seen all she needed to see within 30 minutes of making landfall, but others in her crew had work to do. Like finding buyers for several lots of stolen goods on her ship. Lead by the capable Second Mate Kiin, her crew had no need for her assistance today so she was at liberty to pursue her own agenda for the time being.

It was a rather blank and open agenda, all things considered. Good for aimless wandering. Better for a bit of trouble. Best for causing a ruckus. Not necessarily in that order. The Captain made her way down the rows of vendors, oilskin duster slick with rainwater, vibrant green eyes peering out from beneath a rather watered-down and tattered pirate hat. Snaking her way from booth to shop, overlooking useless trinkets and valuables for the pull of something a bit more unique.

“Exotic Flora & Fauna” the sign said outside a large tent across the way, and so she cut a path through the crowd to get a closer look, coming to stop somewhere in the middle while she waited for a hover-sled loaded with supplies to pass. In taking her next step, the Captain collided quite fully with a hooded man chewing on pine nuts.

 

[Armaud Eden]

He meandered through the Free Port like a lazy squirrel, intent on checking every nook and cranny for hidden treasure. While it wasn’t necessarily treasure that he found, he considered it a worthwhile attempt all the same.

The first store he stumbled upon was a rather large outfitter, oblique building of soured wood with a sign that bore the scars of a recent fire across the right side. The letterings on the slab of wood that passed for signage appeared to have been carved in so long ago, that tendril roots from parasitic vines were filling in the contours and wrapping around the log. Maud stepped in, a passing fancy, as his eyes drifted from one item to the next.

Shaking off the wet like a damp dog, he spotted a vest of thick leather. The shoulders, mounted by oiled suede beneath, were formed from plucked feathers of a bird or reptile that he didn’t recognize. It was showy, iridescent in purples and pinks, and as much of an eye sore as he could have imagined. It only got worse as he drifted closer to inspect.

“It would really bring out your eyes…” Something hissed and lisped from a distance, feline gaze of pinned expression appraising him from the counter top.

“You think so?” He smirked as he ran fingers down the oiled tones of the leather. “I don’t think it’s my color.”

“Oh, well we have many more of those styles…”

“Thank you. But I will pass for now.” He proffered a cordial nod before adjusting his hood and stepping slowly back out into the mist. The very next stop was an apothecary, which by all rights should have been the location he was set upon for the mold. The lighting was vibrant, flashing hues of peppermint as the image of a throbbing mortar and pestle jutted up towards drifting clouds. Maud stopped long enough to take in the appeal, or whatever it was they were trying to appeal to, though the style seemed to stick out like a sore thumb in an otherwise rustic scene. He couldn’t quite place it, but something felt off about it.

Next stop, a store called Exotic Flora and Fauna. The shop appeared small and cozy from afar, smoke billowing out from a chimney of bleached stone that was far too tall for the storefront. Rain drizzled down the tiles of ceramic across the top, echoing loudly into gutters of tin. Tufts of fern and plumes of moss peppered the top and for an imagination that was prone to run amok, this reminded him of a store his Uncle once described to him. Nestled deep in a swamp.

Taking a step forward, head lowered to avoid rain getting in his eyes, stars scattered across his vision as he stepped back and pinched the bridge of his nose. Eyes fluttering open and shut, he shook the daze free as he looked towards his hand. Where there were pine nuts, now there was nothing. They now littered the puddles on the ground. “Well...unfortunate spot for pine tree. Though this place could use a bit more green…” He looked up, towards the origin of the black in his vision that was slowly receding.

Deglutition came in a hard clamp, in view of bright verdant across dunes of bronze. Finding his balance, though catering heavily towards his persistent aloofness, he did his best to recompose himself. “Sorry about that. Uhhh…” His eyes drifted upwards. “Nice hat.”

[member="Blackthorne"]​

 

[Blackthorne]

Heated pools of acid scoured the drowned-rat of the man, affront thrown to what face could be found. A rolled fist would have followed were it not for the muttered apology and accompanying complement. He'd stepped on a pit viper and offered a vole in return, the viper now found herself momentarily disoriented. Greens landed on the spilled snack at the man's feet and traveled the rugged lines of his figure all the way up.

Fangs glinted out from the pricked corner of her lips, swallowed suddenly by a cutting smirk.

"Thanks mate," a cool tone escaped as she inclined her head a touch to look up at him, consonants like ice shards hitting boiling water, "you should get one, then maybe you would see where you're going." Ice shrank into the simmer, heat spilling over, the pirate gave an indignant sniff.

"Bad place to drop your nuts."

Then pushed past him into the shop, several pine nuts falling victim to the heel of her passing boot.

 

[Armaud Eden]

He got the distinct impression that those verdant pools were carnivorous, ready to consume or erode him. What more could he do but smile, scratching the rolls of locks beneath the leather hood.

Mate?

"No, no I doubt it..." He rebutted as she pushed past him, turning on a swivel in reply. "Besides, it wouldn't fit with my..." Ooop, she's gone. Style. It wouldn't fit with his style.

He cast his gaze, crestfallen, towards the puddle that still rippled with her footstep. Allowing a carriage to pass, he mourned the loss of these seeds as he grasped a few more from his pouch and trudged towards the shop. There were many more pines in the woods.

Pressing into the shop after a few steps across duracrete and expansion kits that resembled a terrible attempt at mucking up mud, he stepped into the shop. He was immediately hit with a fragrance of lavender and herbs, the sort that felt reminiscent of cooking. He pressed a hand against his shoulder, slicking away the moisture from the treated oil, as he approached an array of different plants. A particular specimen caught his eye, though he did his best to conceal any form of enthusiasm.

Lumbering forward, calloused hands dug into the breast pocket as he withdrew a lens. Flicking it outward, the lens appeared from a black matte dial and he lifted it to his eye. Then he leaned forward.

"Can I help you?"

He didn't divert his attention. "Does this plant actually have teeth?"

"Oh yes, it's one of the rarer carnivorous plants. Said to be capable of ensnaring birds the size of my fist." The Sullustan rolled his fingers into a ball and brandished them towards Maud, who offered a mild side eye before turning back to the lens.

"So small birds then. Takes a substantial calcium carbonate supplement to grow, I assume?"

The Sullustan chewed on his tongue at the fist comment. Smiling, he waved. "They grow only in bone yards."
"Rare indeed, then."
"Not really. You just need to travel more."
"Yes." He stood up and clicked the lens back in. He paid no mind to the fact that the small figure was speaking from both sides of his mouth. "I hear tell that you are a salesman of flora and fauna. Does that include mold?"

He placed his hand, absentmindedly, on the countertop of the sales desk. A contraption composed of twigs and several rubber bands reacted somewhat violently, sending an acorn sailing across the store careening into a particularly nice looking hat. Maud looked over his shoulder just in time to see it make impact. Clearing his throat, he shifted back towards the vendor who was now encumbered by a wide-eyed expression. "Mold?"

[member="Blackthorne"]​

 

[Blackthorne]

The darker corners of the store beckoned the Captain, her curiosity for the contents to be found winning out over any desire to see what the drowned rat was inquiring about. Shelves stacked with seeds and supplies, foodstuffs for creatures great and small, cages and husbandry kits. It reminded her greatly of the Beastiary and she pondered, momentarily, if this store had any sort of connection to it. Worth investigating for the continued growth of her company.

If only she could pay more attention to it, but the galaxy provided so much greater interest bait.

Low shelves passed her by to the steady rhythm of leather soled boots across sodden wooden floors. Vibrant jungle pools flickered object to object, roving over every inch of material for anything that might be of use. Nearing the end of the first aisle the woman paused to inspect an incubation box for tailrings, head tilted faintly as she leaned to peer inside.

Tup.

Something small and hard smacked into her hat brim, rolling of the right side and landed on the floor. A gloved hand reached for it, bringing it into her vision. Acorn. She stood erect, dark-rimmed eyes casting from one side to another, oblivious to the origins of said offending corn. They eventually turned upwards at the sound of rattling, small claws scrambling across the ceiling, and found that a wireframe metal grate span the whole back side of the store. Above it, caged upwards into the rafters, were nearly a dozen -

"Tailrings," a shop hand spoke from the end of the row, having stopped initially to ask after the Captain only to find her staring, "ever heard of em?"

"Got just as many on my ship," the Captain pointed up at them, "but not that big."

"You wouldn't. These were bred selectively for their size and temperament. Much more aggressive, much bigger appetite. Better pest control for deep-space travel."

She followed their movements as they scuttled across the metal grating, barely a moment give for consideration before: "Show me."

"Right this way."

Blackthorne pocketed the acorn and followed the shophand towards a set of steps in the back leading up to the open second floor.

 

[Armaud Eden]

“Oh, mold huh? What was your name...Mod...Maud...Mud?”

Armaud chuckled as he turned, overhearing a conversation about a particular species of creature. An uncommon lizard, often used for shipping due to their propensity for mynock consumption. “Yeah, Mud works.”

“Mold for mud, mold for mud…” The Sullustan giggled as he clapped his small bird sized hands together. Strafing across the back of the counter, he clicked on the dusty keyboard, suddenly showered his globular face with faint cerulean light and the hum of the data bank. Maud didn’t know all that much about computing systems but based on the noise alone, he assumed this one needed quite a bit of maintenance. “It’s gonna take me just a moment to -”

“Why is this one separated from the others?” Maud pointed partially gloved fingers towards the cage that was swinging like a chandelier above him.

“Oh...a particularly ornery specimen of Tailring. For some reason, he keeps trying to kill the others. No one can figure out why. Probably going to have to put him down. No one will buy-Oh!”

Maud had already unclasped the lock and opened the cage above him, sticking his hand in.

“Don’t do that. It will attack!”

The Tailring scrunched back against the cage wall, nipping at the approaching fingers. Maud opened his hand wide, slowly encompassing the head of the large reptile. He felt a shake beneath his palm as he rubbed with his thumb, working his way around the head. With a slight pinch, the traveler withdrew his hand and the piece of wood that was stuck beneath the hyoid and the mandable. The Tailring stepped forward, clinging to Maud’s hand and yawning graciously, as it crawled down his arm and sat against his shoulder. Inspecting the piece of wood, he turned back to the storekeeper and flicked the splinter on to the counter. “I’d be ornery too if I had to chew with that in my throat.”

“Uhh, yeah...Yeah me too. Can...can I get that Tailring back?”

“No…” Maud smiled as he tossed a pine seed up into the air. The Tailring stretched it’s neck to catch it before spitting it out onto the counter. “Oh, yes. Carnivore. We’ll get you something a bit later…” He turned his emerald attention back to the vendor. “Toss her in for trade and I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Her?”

Maud nodded.

“Uhh, yeah. Growth chamber for the mold is upstairs. Just...uhh...follow me?” The Sullustan flicked a finger up towards the stairs and wobbled out from the counter space. Maud stretched his hands as he followed, the lizard draped over his shoulder and back.

[member="Blackthorne"]​

 

[Blackthorne]

"We keep the males and females separate when not actively breeding them, saves us the trouble of a population explosion," the shophand lead the way up the stairs, heading towards the front of the second floor where the rafter pens could be accessed.

Blackthorne narrowed her eyes at this snippit of information, holding back what she thought of this. Tailrings did best in a colony and established hierarchy fast. Females only bred during heat cycles - roughly every six to seven months - and laid small clutches. It was a natural instinct of the nurturing mother to kill and eat the weakest of the clutch, ensuring survival of the fittest and population control. When food sources were scarce they refused to breed. Clearly these were amateur keepers or they enjoyed having to replace their males after segregation and containment produced infighting and cannibalism.

They definitely weren't associated with the Beastiary.

"Were you interested in procuring a breeding stud?"

"No," she returned sharply, moving to the front of the female enclosure, "Tailrings inherit the majority of their physical genes from their mothers. The only thing a breeding stud is good for is producing more males of which I have plenty."

"Ahh... know your Tailrings do you? Well, this one here at the front is the biggest of the girls. Consistent producer, biggest progeny on record."

"I don't want that one."

"I'll give you a great price."

"She can't fly."

"Sure she can."

"Her wings are disproportionate and undersized to her body and her mass is bottom heavy. She can't fly and she probably has low yield in her clutches. Eats most of the krayts I'll bet."

"Well...so it's numbers you're looking for? That one there is the best producer we have."

"She's too old, my flock will eat her alive."

"The one to her left is our youngest - strong and stout, she's only just reared her first clutch. Six eggs, healthy offspring."

"That one."

"I'm sorry, which?"

"The one in the back, sleeping in the corner, ignoring everything. That's the matriarch and that's the one I wish to buy."

"I'm sorry, that's our prize female. Unfortunately she's not for sale."

Dahl's right eye visibly twitched, greens taking on an acidic gleam, "I will pay you double what she's worth."

"I...ahah, I'm so sorry miss, but she's not for sale."

The line of her lips drew painfully thin. It was not very often she was told no and, frankly, Dahldesa Shamalain didn't take no for an answer. The room rather suddenly began to grow dark.

 

[Armaud Eden]

His nostrils flared as he followed in the wake of the oddly dressed woman. It wasn't that her scent was particularly pronounced, it was that the rest of the hallway was nearly overwhelming. And like a knife through cream, she briefly alleviated the tones of soured wood and aldehydes. Maud chewed on a pine nut as he looked around, breaching the top of the stairs. "Fair share of leaks here." He lifted a thumbnail and scraped at the cedar paneling, though it felt more like a rigid sponge.

"Ah yes yes, that's for sure. Always damp, always damp! Come come!" The Sullustan waved him on with his little stubby hands, zeal in his beady eyes. Maud stepped past the door way where the woman lingered but offered nothing more than a passing glance. A few more steps and they entered the next room, a place of brown and verdant expanse - all contained within the upper floors of a shop that seemed to defy it's outside appearance. "This place is deceivingly large." He walked past the small figure before luring the Tailring on to his arm. With a small gesture, she plopped down on a worn leather couch as Maud approached the large glass container.

"We have many many molds. Each one is better than the last."

"I have no doubt." He pressed his finger against the glass, pointing to a particular row of dishes. "The Vohis. I'd like to inspect the specimen, if that is alright with you?"

"Of course. Of course." Pressing a large white button across the frame, the glass paneling opened up and slid back. Inside, the chamber was filled with endless rows of mold and sprouts, lined with shifting foil that would allow for varying levels of light and heat exposure. While he still wore the dampness of the outside world, he could tell that the humidity was extreme within this particular room. Reaching in, he pulled out one sample and took a seat next to the Tailring.

"Oh that is a good sample. Can tell by the growth, great flavor! Vohan bean stew. My mouth is watering just thinking about it."

Maud extracted a small lens from his pocket and pressed it against his eye. Pushing the sample against the caf table, he took a look. "You shouldn't be growing these in this chamber. Fungi have no chlorophyll, you have no need for light. I assume space is your concern?" Maud looked up, brow squinted to keep the lens in place without holding it. The Sullustan responded with a shy nod. Maud nodded in turn, placing another pine nut in his mouth.

Flavor wasn't his concern, though he was sure that would double as interest for Gabe. Nevertheless, the medicinal properties were the main reasons for his arrival in this place. Such things could not be tested here, it would require the adroit handling of his mother. It was in faith that he would make such a purchase. Pulling out a leather pouch, he plopped it down on the table. And then a roll of canvas. As he opened the purse, he pulled out 2 rather large red stones. Continuing to inspect the fungus, he made his offer.

"Volcanic rubies. 4.7 CSC with mild imperfections. And a flawless 3.2 CSC. I will trade this for all of your current Vohis stock and the Tailring."

The Sullustan lifted his hand to his mouth as he looked down, knowing full well the planet from which these gems originated. "I...I uhh...must consult my partner. Please give me a moment to speak with him and I will be right back. Please continue to inspect the wares. Take your time, take your time." He nearly tripped over himself as he ran out. Maud could hear his little footsteps as he went to interrupt whatever dealings the woman might have with the other owner. And while the fungus took his attention almost entirely, he couldn't help but smile at the slight inconvenience.

[member="Blackthorne"]​

 

[Blackthorne]

The hot lava of a temper quickly coming to a boil reached the lid loosely -- or perhaps carelessly -- set askew. It bubbled over, filling the room with a palpable heat.

"Are... ya sure you won't consider one of the males? They make a nice addition to any-" the shophand tugged briefly at his robe. Didn't usually get this hot in here, had his fellow turned up the heat again for the fungi? "...any colony."

Slivered green eyes slowly turned from the cages to the shopkeep. Blackthorne promptly removed her hat and began to lazily fan herself with it, "Oh I don't know, I can't think in this kind of heat. Don't you have a window you can open?"

"Yes yes, good idea, this one over here should get us some fresh air," he toddled over to the side, flipped the hook closure and pushed the window open, "better?"

It wasn't actually much better. This planet was as humid as Onderon on a pleasant spring day - which was to say it was definitely sticky. So much rain, did it ever stop?

The woman sniffed indignantly, "I suppose since the only quality female isn't for sale I'll take at look at your males," her fingers twisted along the edge of her hat brim, green eyes taking on a peculiar glint, "I'd like to handle them."

"Oh! I'll get the handler gloves, just one-"

"That won't be necessary, my coat will suffice. I've got to see a man about a dug so if you don't mind..." she gestured to the shophand with a shooing motion towards the cage, "post-haste and quickly."

"Of course of course, such a fine coat you have, let me just find the key here," fiddling with the keys for a moment the Shophand moved to unlock the cage. As soon as the hinge dropped and the door panel cracked open all hell broke loose - including all six male tailrings. They erupted from the confines of their dwelling, screeching wildly, eyes ablaze with a strange green glow and toppled the Shophand.

"OH NO NO NO NO! Calm down now! Come back here! Stay away from that window!" the Shophand scrambled after them, attempting to snatch them out of the air.

Blackthorne stood at the center of the chaos nonplussed, wings and tails flipping past her and billowing her hair about, casually instigating ravenous bedlam within the room, "Are they usually like this? They won't do at all. They're batty, look at them. What's a Captain supposed to do with this sort of behavior on her ship? Look, they're getting the females all riled up."

"I assure you they aren't-GOTCHA-" a leap and a miss, "oh NO NO!"

WOOSH. One out the window.

SCREEEEE. Two out the window.

CRASH - the females cage curiously burst open, spilling its occupants out into the frenzy.

"NO NO NO!"

Scowling, the Captain ducked out of the way of zipping claws, "This is madness! They're mad! I'm not doing business with you lot."

SWISH
SWOOSH

Three more out the window, including the prize female.

Blackthorne yanked the door open, scrambling out with her hands over her head and swatting her hat at a particularly cranky male, "Get off you overgrown iguana!"

"NO NO NO!" Shophand came rushing out after her, "we've got to catch them! Rakkik! RAKKIK!"

 

[Armaud Eden]

Gabe had always told Maud that he would have made a good doctor, with all the patience he had. The young man's mother always balked at the joke, given her occupation, though Maud suspected that she might have agreed - if not for his typical nonchalance to almost any event. He found it hard, admittedly, to take things seriously when he had never known anything beyond the peaceful life that a forest could cultivate. Birds chirping, frogs burping, the soil belching on the outskirts of water bodies. And now, he missed that noise...

The fungus was a particularly beautiful specimen when investigated so closely. A bed of green that concealed long roots of stolon, spores let loose by the gentlest wind. Of course, in the growth chambers and even in the room itself, there was nothing but stagnation and discomfort. The tailring yawned as it looked upwards and Maud agreed. "Yeah, it's terrible in here."

He set the mold container down next to the scattered offerings of payment and strode through the door. Crashing came next, preceding his gripping of the door and swinging it open. Stepping out into the hallway, he immediately saw the shorter figure of the woman who was intent on referring to him as some sort of rodent. Was it a drowned rat?

He approached steadily, lifting his arm as the female tail ring stood on his shoulder. He knocked his tongue, pushing out a precise injection of the force, as he convinced the male tailring that landing on his arm would lead either to swift freedom or a hefty serving of charred nerf. Verdant gaze moved to the woman as the male tailring cautiously took to the canvas of his forearm. "Causing trouble..." He stated with a whisper, moving into the room. The heat was coming from there, he knew it now, and was no doubt the reason for all the tailrings being riled up. Just as the shopkeep moved to shut the window, Maud intervened.

"They're social creatures..." He stated quietly as he pushed the angry male out. First along the frame of the window and then to flight. Much to the disagreement and flailing of the shopkeep, as well as the reluctance of the female on his shoulder, he pushed her out as well. Her wound was more an irritation than something grievous and with his assurance, she took to flight like a natural.

"Mold lover! You are letting them go!"

Maud laughed, having never been called that before, as what remained of the Tailrings flew around him and through the opened window. "Yeah..." He lifted a brow as he looked to the woman holding her funny hat. "Bummer. So..." He looked back to the shopkeep, brow lofted with naive hopefulness. "About those volcanic rubies...offer is still on the table."

He wasn't sure he had ever seen a Sullustan turn red in the face from anger. Or maybe it was the heat. Or maybe it was her. He was almost certain it wasn't him. Almost.

 

[Blackthorne]

For the briefest of moments the Captain enjoyed a rueful grin as she watched the man set free the remaining tailrings, leaving the previously chaotic chamber a fair octave quieter without all the screeching and flapping and crashing. That grin cracked rather suddenly into scowl as he turned his gaze upon her. Blackthorne sniffed, glimpsing the shadows of the creatures through the window as they flitted off to their freedom.

That worked out rather well.

The Captain turned to the Shophand, completely oblivious to his current state of panic, "Well, mate, your obvious incompetence has lost you your wares-"

Did he say volcanic rubies? Wide green eyes rounded back to the man. No, don't get distracted.

"-I'll be sure to buy out this miserable little business first thing on the 'morrow. Blackthorne Beastiary can always use a new storefront."

"B-b-b-blackthorne?"

"B-b-b-beastiary, that's right," the woman promptly returned her hat to her head and spun on her heel, making off down the stairs, "every nook, cranny, and rotten little mold spore you've got."

 

[Armaud Eden]

He watched the interaction like a quiet child, stuck at the dinner table between two arguing parents. Admittedly, he wasn't much younger than the woman - if younger at all - but he felt somewhat removed from the context of the conversation. Until she mentioned purchase of every spore of mold.

"That doesn't seem really feasible..." He blurted out as he played with the latch on the window. She may have cast him a fleeting glance but it was easily noticed if he was paying attention. And he was paying attention now. "Besides, they're not rotten...just rotting. Subtle difference."

He might have stumbled forward, chasing on after her to continue the conversation. But there was a matter of currency left to discuss. And some of his was lying on a table in the other room.

Casting a glance towards the shopkeeps, he scratched the formation of his beard as he looked around. "Well...I'm going to just leave the rubies on the table. Minus this one..." He tossed the 4 carat ruby in his hand before pocketing it. He looked over to them, still shaken by the mention of the beastiary. In truth, Maud couldn't understand what they did wrong except for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe they'd be happy with the sale, could retire early and live off the bones that were left.

Tossing a pine nut into his mouth, he moved towards the stairs. "Beastiary huh?" Maybe he was still in earshot of the shopkeeps, maybe he wasn't. And maybe he didn't have the care to considerate it.

 

[Blackthorne]

"Rotten, rotting," she waived over her shoulder dismissively as she descended the stairs, "semantics."

By the time he reached the top of the stairs to comment on the Beastiary the Captain was already disembarking at the bottom, sweeping back into the shop proper.

"There an echo in here?" the woman looked around, brow twitching, "it sounds like there's a echo in here."

A ruckus of noise from somewhere off down an aisle alerted her to the presence of a tailring - a young male, likely returned out of habit. Steps carried her straight past the counter, a hand reaching to snatch at a basket of dried exotic jerky before making her way out.

It was there in the entrance that the Pirate paused, taking a moment to peer out through the rain from beneath the brim of her hat, snapping a piece of jerky off between fangs. She waited there, not for the man inside but for the telltale glimpse of flickering wings along the rooftops. The tailrings wouldn't scatter, they would band together as they were want to do. Mold had it right - they were social creatures and they would invariably flock to the whims of that strong and willful matriarch.

They wouldn't stay here in the market either, no. They would seek out a proper sanctuary.

She chewed, peered about thoughtfully for another short moment and then promptly set off into the rain and down the footpath with purpose in her stride.

 

[Armaud Eden]

He smiled and shrugged inwardly as he came down the stairs. "Yeah." It was particulars for a particular subject so her dismissal wasn't wrong. She clearly wasn't for details when the subject matter wasn't to her liking.

He followed her down the aisle but cut away when the front counter was clear. He figured if this was all going to be hers by the end of the day tomorrow, he might as well make good on the currency he offered to the Sullustans - while they still owned it. He did overpay for the product so he felt not even the slightest bit of remorse for his next act.

His hand strafed across a display of various leaves in various stages of drying and decomposition. Each was labeled with some form of description which seemed to mirror flavor. Pulling a batch of leaves, originating from Thyferra, he watched quietly as the woman moved with what appeared to be a bag of...dried meat? And she was chewing on it?

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a meager smoking pipe. Crafted of wood that carried a tint of red, strips of uneven pocks of blue and silver traced the stem with a peculiar pattern. Constructed out of a particularly potent wood that his uncle and mother grew on Sulon, he could still remember the look on Relits face when he went to carve out the bowl. That is a most odd use for the Ankarres. Admittedly, Maud wasn't sure it held any mystical value. But he liked the way it looked.

Pocketing the pine nuts for the time being, he slowly moved bits of cavendish into the bowl, realizing that he had a bigger issue to deal with. "Uhh, it's still raining..." He stated quietly as he worked over the tobacco before turning the bowl upside down. "There, that should do it."

Adorned with an aloof smile, he followed her out into the rain with no apparent idea as to where she was going. That wasn't his concern. He was more focused on the beady eyes of the Sullustans in the window and the way a couple of rogue figures were suddenly walking behind them at a good distance, keeping pace.

 

[Blackthorne]

[SIZE=11pt]There was what appeared to be some sort of warehouse or … perhaps a factory towards the edge of the port town. Its silhouette sat squat and bulky against the dreary afternoon horizon, pumping gobs of white clouds into the drizzle from metal stacks along its roof. That is where she was heading, not that she voiced this but her chosen path might make it apparent.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Large buildings like that had plenty of rafter space for tailrings to brood in. Likely it was also warm in there - perfect for the little beasts. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]As she walked she became aware that the drowned rat was still following her. Odd. The woman’s steps slowed as she paused to wait for a line of foot traffic to clear. By the time her way was open again he’d caught up. The Captain shoved her hands in her jacket pockets and stepped off again, holding back her purpose to keep in time with the … nonchallant. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I see you noticed we’re being followed,” the Pirate sidestepped a passing repulsor-sled and its driver, “what do you intend to do about it.”[/SIZE]

 

[Armaud Eden]

[SIZE=11pt]He occasionally staggered over his feet or various small cobble, distracted by the task at hand. He really only needed her scent to follow her through the old port town, though verdant gaze did move from the smoking pipe to her step every once in a while.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]He flicked a piece of timber against the box. As quickly as the flame struck, it sizzled beneath the brief rain. He did it again, this time the timber took shelter between the turned over bowl - stem of the pipe resting between his teeth. That time he tripped again, knocking the stick out from his fingers. Third time's the charm and with the fire hovering beneath the bowl, he puffed slowly as the tobacco took to the heat. He immediately felt the warmth clamor into the bowl and with that, he waved the matchstick until it was extinguished.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“I’m not one for plans...” He scratched his forehead with the stem of the pipe before sticking it back between his lips. “But to be honest…” He recalled the feeling of her presence as he ran into her or the way the temperature changed in the shop. Or how she seemed to harbor something much deeper. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Was that anger or simply irritation?[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] “My priority would be keeping you from killing them…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]He looked over to her before glancing towards the buildings that laid in their path. He was surprised at the shift of construction. Towards the starport, it seemed more a hodgepodge of mud and sticks and the rare permanent structure. And now, things seemed to be taking a turn towards industrialization. “Well...try to keep you from killing them, anyway.” His voice grew deep as he mocked the port control authority. “[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Mind the Security.[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]”[/SIZE]

 

[Blackthorne]

[SIZE=11pt]The look of offense she turned on him...er, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]up[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] at him from beneath her hat was something reminiscent of a cat being told it wasn’t allowed on the bed. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Well that’s just [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]rude[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt],” the retort was a half-hearted one, “you don’t know me. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]I’m[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] not going to kill anyone.”[/SIZE]

 

[Armaud Eden]

[SIZE=11pt]He smiled as he puffed from the pipe, sidestepping a pedestrian as he nearly bumped into the woman he seemed to be following for no apparent reason.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Well that’s good, less work for me...”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]It was true, he didn’t know her. So he couldn’t assume her leanings one way or another. Best to put his intentions out in the open.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Besides, she seemed...scrappy.[/SIZE]

 

[Blackthorne]

[SIZE=11pt]Snort.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“If you say so mate.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Right hand lifted from the confines of her pocket to thumb at a stud piercing on her ear, “Got them in your sights? … Good, keep it quiet-like. No fuss.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]A couple more rogue figures began stalking the rogue figures presently stalking them. Paid to have a crew handy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“You like beasts?” the Captain spoke up, left hand now bringing a fresh piece of jerky to her mouth.[/SIZE]