RP:Neema Buys the Emerald
Part of the Merfolk Tale Arc
Summary: The avian Neema makes the first confirmed purchase of an artifact of Mercea, the earring of Invidia now in her possession for the price of 25,000 gold..
Characters: Finn, Neema, Faythe, Sadie
Location: Port Rynvale; The Broken Barrel Inn.
Finn was not particularly noticeable in the tap room, in fact, were it not for the small circle of space that had cleared itself around the runner where he sat lounging before the fire with a great black wolf sprawled on dogged guard at his booted feet, it might have been entirely possible to miss him. As it were, the low rumbling growl that was emitted from the chest of the wolf, coupled with baleful yellow stare, was enough to draw the attention of any who cared to pay attention and to keep most but the truly determined, or foolish, away from the smuggler’s proximity. Typically, the male would make some effort at encouraging his companion to manners-but tonight, he was appreciative of the space..to think. Something he had much cause and need to do of late..for any number of reasons.
Neema wasn't one for going out of her way to visit unfamiliar places, inns especially, but decided to give it a go anyway. For someone who worked on occasion in Rynvale, the avian really didn't know her way around the place. She was kind of searching for somebody as well, judging by the way she wandered inside the Barrel, stopped dead before the door and kind of made a hard stare at anybody who might be within distance that she could get a good look of their face. No blonde woman here. An audible groan passes her thin lips while she waddles further in, and begins to start asking complete strangers about whether or not they've seen or heard of some lovely young woman who spoke of jewelry. Not very bright, Neema. After asking around a enough times to probably annoy anybody that happened to be within earshot, she gives up and slumps into a chair. Neema had already checked that other pub across the pond in Cenril, and it looked like she wasn't going to find Sadie here. Judging by the look on her face, somebody isn't too happy.
Finn, during the moments that the avian was making her peculiar rounds of the establishment, was actually lost in thought, those gold flecked irises fixated on the dancing of the flames while lean fingers played with the gold token that had somehow made its way from secreted place to wink in and out of view with idle repetitious movement of his digits. It was a particularly cantankerous bark of “ Ye’ll not be findin’ yer answers here lass!” that finally dragged the runner from his muse to turn an idly incurious gaze the way of the disturbance. Eyes narrowed slightly when they came to rest upon the avian at the bar, recognition teasing at his memory. Ah, the peculiar one..from the Whaler. She had been present during his discussion with the captain..and it seemed she was looking for someone..or something, if the level of irritation in the room was anything to go by. A single fluid motion, accompanied by subtle command to the wolf to remain where he was, would find the red head on his feet and drifting toward the bar. Settling in, a nod Simon’s way would make his desire for service known before his husky drawl would be directed Neema’s way without his head turning to look her way. “Reckon it’s nothin’ personal mate..Questions just aren’t popular in these parts. What’re you lookin’ to know?” he asked, lifting his glass to his lips. He was not overly chivalrous, but some instinct led him to believe that manners just might pay off in this instance.
Neema wasn't really expecting the reactions she got just by asking questions, so for a split second she got ready to whirl around and wander on out of the building in some cowardly fashion. Just as she was turning about in her seat and half off of it, the avian caught the end half of his speech toward her. Her half hop off of the seat was awkwardly reversed into a half hop back onto it, followed by a funky wobble of the hat balanced precariously on her head. She turned toward the man with a smile that could only be described as a relieved one, for not being snapped at for the hundredth time before she speaks up. Clearly Neema did not recognize Finn at first, but after a moment a very vague hint of recognition was apparent. "I've seen you before, I think. At the Whaler, which is why I'm here, actually." That unneeded, oversized grin of hers contorted her face. "There was a woman there, about this high," she paused, raised on flattened hand up to around Sadie's height, "Blond, and was wearing the prettiest necklace I've ever seen. She said she knew about more bits of jewelry like that somewhere..I've been meaning to find her to see if she could tell me more, but no luck." Her hand lowered back down while she frowned, again, in an overly exaggerated style. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about them, would you? ..If you're that person I saw, anyway."
Finn angled his head the way of the avian, a dry smile tugging on his firm lips. “Reckon it’s your lucky day then lass..dependin’ on what exactly you’re meanin’ by ‘know,’” he said idly. “The captain has asked me to see to the sellin’ of the remainder of the set, as it were. Any particular piece of jewelry you’re lookin’ for?” His eyes drifted over her wide open face. An innocent, if he ever saw one. “And you’re aware the trinkets are enchanted, aye? Takes the askin’ price up a bit. Rare items an’ all..” he added with a flash of white teeth. “Damm things should come with a warnin’ lable I reckon..but to each his own..”
Faythe enters the tavern, hand held still on the door knob for a brief moment as she surveys the gathered crowd. Finn and Neema are both noted. Apparently the conclusion drawn was positive, the tiny vampiress continuing her stride until she stands next to the bar. Simon would be greeted with a fond expression, pleasantries exchanged in a familiar manner - though the blonde would surely earn little more than a grunt and faint smile from the barkeep. While her attention appears diverted it would be foolish to assume she is not interested in Neema and Finn's conversation, discreet glances shot at the two through loose curls as she hears mention of jewelry pieces and subsequently, enchantment.
Neema face, as anybody could probably predict with her, burst into a big old grin once more. She just had to be the luckiest person ever for having bumped into Finn. "You're kidding. Really?" Now she was just giddy, practically fidgeting with excitement, even more so with the news that the jewelry was enchanted. Now she just wanted to get her hands on a piece ten times more than before. "This is incredible!" She blurted out, then quieted a bit, and began scratching at the back of her pointed ear. ..Earrings. Bingo. "You wouldn't happen to have any earrings, would you? Just one. My other one has kind of gone missing." By missing, she meant that she made a very stupid mistake with taking one off to try cleaning honey off of it, and it slipped out of her fingers, and wound up becoming a lost little treasure in her garden. "It doesn't have to be a match to mine. Just something nice and pretty." Clearly, the enchanted bit about the trinkets has completely flown from one ear and out the other with Neema. She just wanted something pretty to wear.
Sadie ||The twin 'clops' of shoed hoofs indicate the steady arrival of a couple to the Barrel if one's hearing was keen enough to discern that, and the occasional nicker and snort proved for bored mounts, but with a few crooned words and then a hearty pat against a flank, the horses now tied outside endure a few more minutes of idle time. "Samson, I do not think I appreciate the side-saddle. It's rather uncomfortable." A pause in words is only taken while the tavern door is pushed aside to allow entrance into the pub. First sighted is a tall, fresh dressed blonde man- in black slacks, white shirt with an overlapping blue vest and topped off with a black blazer- who holds the girthy door open for his companion who finds herself matching with blonde, curled hair, pinned up in a fashionable style and a strapless bustle gown that compliments the blue of the man's vest. A rather dashing pair. "Thankfully, however, I do not have to hike my dress up and parade down the streets of Rynvale like some hussy." Despite the amounts of time the woman might spend transforming herself into a lady of class, the brass captain was never buried too deep under fashion to be found. Before making her way towards the bar for a quick drink, a lazy lidded gaze sweeps out over the people gathered; very few of her crew members were out tonight, and only two had stolen away in the corner for a game of cards. And then, Finn, as well as the silly avian woman, Neema is seen and their recognizition is met with a brief nod should the look her way. Thereafter, however, before the blonde woman could tempt any conversation from anyone, Samson's gentle hand falls to the small of her back to lead her to the bar.
Finn: An auburn brow inched higher in the rugged face of the runner. The avian was exhausting, even to be around, especially to one as laid back and relaxed in his approach to the world as he was, but right now she was a potential buyer. A buyer it seemed, who did not appreciate the value of what she was getting, which could prove..problematic, given that what earring she might purchase certainly could not be sold for the asking price of a standard piece of jewelry. The male pondered Neema in silence for some moments. He could not even warn her with specificity, the captain had not told him yet what the effect of each individual piece was. If he sold the lass an earring, she would likely discover its secrets by trial and error. His shrug would be mental and unrevealed by any other outward motion. If she were foolish enough to pay fair price to invite an unknown danger into her life, who was he to stop her? “How much are you willin’ to pay darlin’? Reckon I can’t be takin’ less that ten thousand for it. Like I said..a rare item..” he questioned with a drawl. Finn might be focused on business, but that would not mean that he remained ignorant of Faythe’s arrival, or of the irony that she might end up witnessing the sale to another, before her own transaction was complete. Sadie’s arrival likewise would provoke a scarce suppressed snort from the runner. A regular party it seemed, tonight.
Faythe rests her slight weight against her arms, folded on the bar in a haphazard position. Despite her conversation with Simon regarding the tavern's refreshments the counter remains clear before her, the vampire apparently not here to drink. Pale lips split into a grin in regard to Finn's asking price, though her source of amusement remains a mystery to most, surely. Any concerns on the part of the rogue regarding the timing of this particular sale with Neema are unfounded. If nothing else the vampiress can be very patient. Which is why she does not interject into their conversation, or demand to know the status of her own request. She only listens at the moment.
Neema is easily distracted, judging by the way her head twists in Sadie's direction when she enters and hears her voice. Her jaw promptly drops when she catches a glimpse of her. Whatever cheery greeting she was about to give appears to be caught in her throat, as that word used frequently by the avian pops up in her mind. Pretty. What a pretty blue dress! She spends a few moments practically gawking at Sadie before turning back toward Finn, who she was still listening to of course, before actually turning back toward him. Looking absolutely dumbfounded might be an understatement for the look on her face at the price Finn had set for the earring. Then it hit her, kind of. It's enchanted. Of course, in the avian's mind, an enchanted piece of jewelry didn't set off any red flags that it might be something threatening and ominous. You'd think with the amount of trouble she had found herself into Neema might be a little more careful with herself, but apparently when it came to buying enchanted jewelry, that whole idea of being careful just flew right out the window. The avian was going to roll with the assumption that the jewelry was enchanted to look prettier than it was just by itself, or something. Maybe it gave off some appealing glow? Whatever it may be, Neema didn't seem to be troubled by the price for it much longer. "Ten thousand?" she repeated, thin digits moving to scratch behind her earring-less ear. Even Neema couldn't believe the next words that came out of her mouth, especially when she hadn't even seen the earring yet. "..Well, it's rare like you said, right? And enchanted too..How about double? It sounds like it'd be worth it." ..How foolish. How very, very foolish.
Sadie lifts a small hand into the air-index finger straight while the rest curl- attempting to signal the bartender away from the vampire who then is on the receiving end of her curious gaze. "Simon, two waters and a rum please." The captain calls, thereafter parting from Faythe to flick her attention towards Finn and Neema while a subconscious, protective action is taken as her right hand falls from the air to curl around the small opal jewel that sits around her neck. However, it's the departure of Samson's hand from her back that draws her attention from the business, and a warm smile brightens her rosy features. "I hope you had fun tonight, yes?" She purrs, pausing from conversation long enough to intercept the drinks from a barmaid. "Do try to get those two back on board at a relatively decent hour. We'll be shipping off early tomorrow." And while Samson merely grunts his agreement, Sadie's attention swings towards Neema and Finn once more, despite the fact her eyes remain fixated on the hulking man at her side, and a slow smile grows over her lips.
Finn’s focus had drifted from one blonde female to the other, before coming to settle upon the avian before him once more, his face studiously expressionless. He knew how much the pieces could fetch from individuals with the knowledge of what they were getting. One such was sitting a few stools down from his current prospect. Where before the thought of twenty thousand would have been enough to provoke the confirmation of an agreement, the runner knew patience, might procure a fish willing to pay more. Still..nothing was ever guaranteed. How much could he get out of a naive innocent who believed herself purchasing a pretty piece? And how much more could he get from one seeking to wield said piece’s power? For long moments the runner would seem to have disconnected from the conversation, his eyes fixed idly upon the mermaid mounted on the wall. She seemed to laughing at him tonight..for some reason. The male lifted his glass in salute of the mounted display before draining his glass in a swallow. He had five other pieces, and he’d need to start somewhere. A glance was spared the avian. “Twenty-five thousand and you’ve got a deal lass..” he drawled. He was..after all, a gambler. He would call her bluff.
Faythe drums her gloved digits on the counter, an irregular cadence tapped out, muffled by leather and performed in a seemingly absentminded manner. She lapses into silence s soon s the barkeep is drawn from her side, beckoned by Sadie. Silver eyes are cast over her shoulder to find the source of the interruption. The beautiful mermaid would earn an appreciative stare as one might regard a particuarly pretty portrait, or piece of art. Above all else, Faythe appeciates asthetics. But her attention is current wound around the pair at the bar and soon it would return to them exclusively. Her smile broadens as the price increases - still miles away from what she had been quoted. No matter, the vampire would surely cut out her heart to lay a single hand on the piece she seeks despite the noticable air of nonchalance she adopts now.
Neema was still giddy as ever, but a little voice at the back of her head kept screaming not to continue, that she might find something just as nice and a whole lot less expensive than the earring she wanted now. Twenty-five thousand? Could Neema really part with that much for an earring? The more sensible, but not often used bit of her brain battled with the impulsive, moronic half of her brain for a long moment that resulted in the avian falling silent. It had to be a miracle. She wasn't talking. "I'll take it, but I'm sort of curious." The avian finally said. Looks like the moronic side won, but maybe a little bit of the smart side did as well. She finally decided to question about the enchantments that Finn spoke of. "Aside from hanging from my ear, what will it do? You said it was enchanted." She was still under the impression that whatever it might do would be harmless, clearly.
Sadie quirked a thin brow at the continued conversation between Finn and Neema, curious as to whether she had ever told Finn the effects that come with the jewelry, and then with that brow lowered, it's obvious her question is answered. She had; the night Finn came to see the necklace now strung around the slender column of her throat, she mentioned the effects of each piece. However, she had not mentioned the ones that affected the user. Finishing off her water, her free hand now smoothes down the front of her dress' ruched top while her other remains clasped around the jewelry. "Enjoy the rest of your evening Samson. I think I'll go enjoy a nice swim."Patting the hulking man on his nearest shoulder, the woman then moves from the bar and towards the door, content with the transaction being made between the avian and Finn enough that she no longer needed to be here.
Finn glanced in the general direction of his potential customer. So she did have a thought in her head, there was hope for her yet. The male shrugged a shoulder, leaning more heavily against the bar as he tapped for a refill. “Reckon I don’t rightly know lass. Hear tell they can give a wearer the ability to influence the feelins..maybe even actions of another. An’ none of em good influences. Can tell you what the whole lot of em can do, but I reckon you’d have to keep an eye on things and run some ‘tests’ of a sort to figure what you’ve got your hands on.” he said huskily. His whisky gaze drifted over the female’s shoulder and down the bar to where Sadie was getting ready to leave. “That is unless..of course, their current owner can give you a straight answer on what you’ll be wantin to know..” His eyes shifted to meet hers again. “You’ll have to come by my shop..tonight..or another day. Don’t walk around with rare items in my pocket on the off chance I’ll run into a buyer..if you know what I mean..” He said with a grin.
Faythe listens to Finn's warning. She is not deterred. The vampire twirls around on her stool, loose curls fluttering out and around her tiny frame to accompany the fluid, quick movement. Golden hair settles to frame a dangerous expression. She slips from her seat and begins preparing to leave, gathering her belongings and offering the barkeep a fond farewell and promises to return soon. Following the assurance her metallic eyes would flicker toward Finn and if she caught his attention for long enough she would wiggle her fingers in his direction as if to say, "I'll be seeing you," before leaving. Faythe exits south.
Neema 's already cheery expression lit up a bit at the thought of being able to influence feelings. She was, of course, thinking of something leaning toward a positive direction. When she heard Finn say they weren't anything good, that made her hesitant about buying the earring. Just like moments before, she went into a little period of silence to weigh her options. Buy what had to be a really nice piece of jewelry, judging by the price or back out now, since she didn't like the sound of what the enchantment might do. Just like last time, she opted to go with buying instead of backing out of it. Besides, she could worry about that enchantment later, right? The avian grinned. "I'll come by sometime then, whenever you'd like. I don't have that much money with me at the moment, but I can get it whenever you want it."
Sadie pauses mid stride to turn back towards Neema and Finn who receives a quirked brow. "Don't worry your pretty little head over what they can and cannot do. They're meant for fun. Experiment with the piece, if you decide to buy it, and see for yourself." Finding a focal point in Finn's eyes, the blonde captain settles the Runner with a cryptic look before moving to the door and then out the tavern.
Finn didn’t miss that waggle of fingers from the departing vampire, and it caused thoughtful frown to furrow his brow for a moment. Faythe was his treasure trove, one hundred thousand pieces of gold if he could deliver what she wanted..or something that would deliver a very similar result. Keen intellect ran over the list of corruptions that the captain had provided him. There was one that just might do the trick-if he could find out ahead of time what piece wielded the power he had in mind, and assuming of course that he couldn’t get that necklace off of his employer. Neema’s activity forced him to pay attention to his current clientele. I’ve still got some time tonight, before I’ve got other affairs that need tendin.’ If you care to meet with me at my shop after you’ve had a chance to sort out your finances, we can finish this tonight,” he said idly. A valuable lesson learned early in his business. Always close the deal. She could walk away, chat with a friend and decide it wasn’t so great of an idea and he’d be out 25 thousand. “What do you say?” he drawled lazily. Sadie’s look would be met with his own dry amusement, his eyes falling to her necklace again before finding Neema’s face again. He’d find out what the pieces did, their value would increase exponentially if he was an informed salesman.”
Neema did exactly as Sadie instructed, and didn't bother worrying about what the earring might do. Probably not the smartest thing, but it's likely been made very clear that Neema isn't the brightest person in the world when it came to business transactions. Especially when it came to anything she could wear. Jewelry was at the top of that list. And if they're meant for fun as Sadie said, then that's just even more a of a good reason to buy one. She turned back toward Finn, and her hat-covered head bobbed, making several eager nods. "Of course! That would be wonderful. I know there's a bank around here somewhere. Shouldn't take me too long to find it." The avian is out of her seat after her last words, and waddling her oddball self halfway out the door before peeking over a winged shoulder at Finn. "I won't be long!" Then she's gone, and if one were to listen carefully they might hear the overly excited, cheery squeal from a lady that sounded like she had just won the lottery or something equally spectacular.
Finn: It wouldn’t take long for the runner to make his own way back to the shadowed confines of his Shop front, and while there were none there to see it, he would disappear above stairs for the minutes it would take to retrieve one of the earrings from the sealed box that had been handed over to him the night before. Standing in his quarters in the dim glow of lantern light, the piece of jewelry winked in his broad palm before his fingers folded over it, hiding the item from view. He descended at a brisk trot and headed over to the spot that seemed most logical to meet his customer when she might finally arrive. Leaning against that display case, alone in the dark, he was suddenly in another moment..if in this same place and a dry smile tugged at his lips. She had fluttered even then. Whisky gaze shifted to focus on the entrance, and though he knew it would be a winged avian who would make her entrance, some small part of him imagined another.
Neema isn't very good at carrying heavy things. She's lugging a sack filled with the exact amount of coins -and she made sure it was exact, practically hovering over the banker and coming veeery close to telling him how to do his job- needed to purchase the pretty earring. A few awkward waddles, a couple very close calls with tripping over her sock-constricted feet and nearly spilling the contents of the sack clutched between both hands, followed by a bit more waddling and Neema has finally reached her destination. The avian heads on in with an even bigger smile compared to the ones she had plastered on her face before, and makes her way toward Finn with the money in hand. "Here you are. Twenty-five thousand gold coins."
Neema gave 25000 gold to Finn
Finn: It was late, and the runner did not think the avian would be particularly difficult to find if it so happened that she had cheated him of their arranged price. In which event..well, that encounter might be considerably less amicable than the first. For the moment therefore, the red head merely nodded, his eyes fixed upon the sacks bundled into the dark confines of the shop. He had debated above stairs, the diamond, or the emerald..and given what he had seen of the quirky and colorful female, had selected the emerald piece. As he held it out toward her fire would seem to leap in the heart of the gem and his fingers tightened around that green, green stone. He coveted her new possession. Fingers opened, after it seemed, an infinitely long moment and he let the jewel fall into her own waiting hand. “Enjoy..” he drawled idly. “And it’s been a pleasure doin’ business with you darlin’..” he muttered, a distinct note of closure in his voice. One set of business complete, there was yet more that would need to be accomplished before this night was through.
Finn gave 1 Earring of Invidia to Neema.
Neema liked emeralds. A lot. They weren't her absolute favorite, but she changed her mind enough that at one time or another it was likely that they could become her favorite. Looks like that time might be about now, now that the avian was finally able to see the earring for the very first time. She gasped. It was just too gorgeous. Definitely worth every single gold coin in that sack. And when it's placed in her hand, well, Neema can't stop staring at it. Her head moved with a nod that made the oversized brim of her hat flap around a bit. "I will, and thank you very much. It's been a pleasure doing business with you too." She's still staring down at her opened palm at the lovely emerald, even when she turns around and heads for the door…then walks right into the doorframe. Twice. ..Three times. Neema finally tears her eyes away from the earring and collects herself, then exits properly without having her face meet something solid. The newly acquired piece of jewelry is put on her ear while she wanders off, most likely toward home.