RP:Wake up, Time for Work
Summary: Meri shows up at Cal's work and invites herself along to part of his day, with the intention of asking a bunch of nosy questions...and a favor. Bickering level: surprisingly low.
Magical Herb Shop
Dimly lit and thick with the murk and haze of burning incense, the little shop overpowers the senses, causing your head to reel with the dizzying effects. Candles abound, some ensconced in plated silver, others set about small tables or under earthen bowls filled with herbs. All contribute to the flickering light and dancing shadows. Towards the back, a door stands partially ajar, blackness and more haze beyond. Stepping forward to greet you with an ageless stare, the pointy eared, robed proprietor directs you toward a list of wares being offered.
It was early in the morning, the sun has had enough time to rise and at least illumnante the forests but it has not had the time to evaporate the morning dew from the ground. Most people are probably sitting around drinking their coffee, Meri presumed that Callum was getting ready to set about for another day of deliveries, if he had not already. She had hoped that she had gotten her arse up and out the door with time to catch him before he leaves otherwise? Mission failure on the whole being nosy front. Presumably it is early enough that the shop has not even unlocked it's doors for business. Locks did not mean much to Meri, but she decided that this move was trying to pull was likely going to irritate Callum enough to begin with...So, she knocked and waited outside. When and if Callum opens that door he will find Meri standing outside and he will be greeted with a sly smirk. Meri herself looks like she normally does, dressed as she normally is, and appears to be without injury this go round. Appearances can be deceiving though and in this case they were, it was a pride thing again. Her arm should probably be in a sling, amongst other less visible issues, but since she could also get away with not she would. Callum didn't need to know. The only major difference that he would be able to see is that this time she is in the company of a gray mare, not a fox, who appeared to be in good health. Could be useful to load up, haul things around, Meri may have an angle and was probably going to try and follow Cal around a bit. Obviously.
Not long after Meri made herself known did the door fly open and a not quite awake yet Cal started to say in a bit of a groggy voice, “Hey, man, I'm juss makin’ a delivery today. Shop doesn't even open--oh.” He finally set blue eyes on the blonde, in between wiping sleep out of them, “Meri, what the frak are you doing here? Is that a horse? When did you get a horse? How the frakking seven hells did you find me?” Cal had a lot of questions apparently. He was also a bit disheveled looking; his hair was a mess and his shirt wasn't tucked in not was his waistcoat buttoned. It was all likely to be something he’d deal with before he left for the next shop.
Meri leaned back against the horse, who seemed more than content to serve as a brace for the woman while Kadence herself idling nibbled on the grass. The hello earned from Cal was about as pleasant as she expected it to be but since this was anticipated, her answers remain tempered and come in an even tone. "I am here to do what I do best, Cal." To be a nosy pain in the rear.. "Yes, this is a horse. Do you need coffee? Her name is Kadence and I have had her a few years now. She was a gift. I just do not usually go flaunting the fact that I have a horse." The woman turns her baby blues away from Cal and to the canopy of leaves above them, folding one arm loosely across her chest. "As for how I found you, I mean....Maybe you didn't name this shop in specific but you basically told me where you worked the night you had the misfortune of meeting me. I didn't actually know if you would be here, it is just your unlucky day, I guess." With all of Cal's numerous questions answered, Meri takes a breath and pushes away from her horse, letting that arm she just folded over her torso drop so that it can reach into the back pocket of her pants to pull out a tarnished silver, cigarette tin. "Now I guess you can waste your time grumping at me further but you're probably not going to have much luck getting me to go away so why don't you just go back inside and finish getting ready? I'll wait out here, smoke a damn cigarette." Or three.
“Damn it, woman. I'm just not frakkin’ awake yet.” Cal waved his hands at her as if he could make her nonsense go away by magic. Sorry, Cal. That's not the kind of magic you've got. Don't think she’d approve of you giving her a bath via a storm shower either. “Gimme, uh...Gimme like ten minutes okay?” Once he’d closed the door, clattering jars of all kinds could be heard as he scurried about tending to things. Callum would return finally, three crates in hand, and the disheveled look gone. “If you're still offering coffee, I think I could use a whole pot right now.” Ocean blue optics settle on the horse again warily as he lifted the boxes a bit to motion to Kadence, “Can I?”
Cal is given the space and the time to make his preparations while Meri keeps good on her word, she is outside behaving, smoking a cigarette, and talking to the horse. What exactly Meri is saying is of no real importance and the chatter with Kadence stops fairly quickly when Cal reappears. A brow is lifted when he circles back to the subject of coffee, because was she really offering? 'Can I' gets a nod though, with Meri flicking the remains of her cigarette toward the earth, stepping on it to smother it out, and then turning her back to Cal so that she can open and reach into a saddlebag, producing rope and leather lashes which are laid across the saddle. "That's why I brought her, sailor. Just keep her balanced." While he is left to load his own cargo, Meri will concede on the issue of coffee.Traveling around the lands was something she was experienced with and with no idea as to where Cal might be going today, Meri has brought provisions. Including coffee, yes. It's early. She was not counting on having to share it. The coffee was kept in a metal cylinder with a screw on lid that is probably enchanted to keep it warm. Cal will given the coffee once he's done loading up, and Meri will review his work just to make sure nothing rubs against Kadence in a way that might blister or cause discomfort. "I swear if you drink all the coffee..." She'll let his own mind spin over that threat. "The reins are yours. Where are we going?"
The crates are loaded and balanced upon the mare as the occasional suspicious glance is given towards Meri. Taking the coffee finally, he waved at the blonde dismissively, “I’m not gonna drink all your damned coffee, woman. We can stop at the restaurant along the way to the flower shop, grab a cup, and even get you a refill if that’s what you want. I usually stop along the way there anyway.” He fell silent, pondering things as he led the way to the restaurant, chewing on the inside of his cheek, taking a few sips of her drink before handing it back. “Thanks” was given in quite the distracted way, another sidelong glance given to Meri. “You want something. There’s no reason for you to be here--not unless you went and got yourself hurt again with that idiotic guild again, anyway. Why are you here? ~Really~.” His tone was more curiousity than anything right now, the coffee having helped his mood a bit.
There would be a smile, not a smirk, and nod of acceptance at the suggestion they stop at that restaurant along the way, ignoring all suspicious glances. Things thus far seem to be going smoothly, the bickering is fairly minimal, possibly because the coffee has not kicked into full affect yet. That could change with Callum's question, but his tone is not nearly as sharp as it has been previously. Silence falls over Meri, coffee is used as an excuse to bid her time while she figures out how to answer. "I mean you already know, Cal. How did it go? The ocean is not always so calm and collected..." That smile shiftsinto a smirk now but it was a short-lived one as it was too early for even Meri to try and play these games. "Look there might be a few layers to what I think I want but at the same time I don't have all the answers yet. Today I am just looking to watch you wheel and deal. Maybe I know some other people that you have not met yet. Maybe you could be helpful to us. And so maybe I have some questions while it is just you, me, and the trees. I will behave myself and keep my trap shut appropriately. No mouthing off to your clients." Meri goes cross-eyed for a moment, intentionally. In depth answers pertaining to herself or her motivations were not usually so freely given. Sample question, harmless enough to be asked while they travel from his shop to the restaurant, given, "So Cal, it's just Cal, right? No more to that name of yours? Last name maybe?" A brow is lifted. "You obviously work with a lot of merchants, hm? Supplying them with things they want and need from you...I bet you overhear some interesting requests sometimes." Meri would not be stingy with the coffee, the container would be offered back over, willing to share until it was empty or until he declined. Which ever happened first. No reason to be greedy with the promise of a refill on the horizon.
The raven-haired male shook his head, “I don’t know everything, Meri.” As they continued on, and she voiced that inquiry about his name, Cal raised a brow at her, shrugging, “It’s not -just Cal-. Callum Rochester, if you must know. There’s an Erikk in between those, but it’s not like middle names really matter all that much anyway. And, workin’ around them is more like it. A lot of ‘em are much more established as merchants than I am. Pretty sure the only reason why the shops here even deal with me is because they know I’m a local now and can practically grab me whenever they need shipments. I’m a bit more dependable in that department than those at the docks that come and go all the time.” Raising a hand to his chin, he let out a ‘hm’, “ ‘Interesting requests’? Mostly just people frakkin’ thinkin’ I can pull fifty dozen roses out of my arse for a wedding or some such or some healers that’s not affiliated with that guild here wanting -all- of my herbs for elixirs. And then, there’s those damned kids wantin’ love potions.” Callum gives her a sidelong glance, “I wasn’t jokin’ about that, you know. People seem to think “love magic” is real and that it can solve all of their problems. It doesn’t, as far as I know, but I still let ‘em think it does. One might actually be some sort of weak hair tonic...another might be to help blemishes on one’s face. Nothin’ major. Just enough to give ‘em a push if they actually need it.” There’s a pause and a shrug before he finishes, “Plus I get to charge them a nice high price for it and they’re none the wiser.”
Meri rolls her eyes openly at Cal, very specifically when he pops off with 'if you must know'. "It's not so unusual," comes her murmured retort in almost immediate response but she's quickly silent to let Callum keep on with his explanation. Red lips twitch up into the faintest workings of a smirk when Cal brings up delivering roses. In her mind she had this picture of Callum trying to deliver flowers to a wedding with his frak this and frak that. The thought definitely earns a short chuckle. Strides are lengthened a couple of steps when Cal pins that sidelong glance on her, putting some distance between them only to turn and begin walking backwards so that she is facing them while Cal leads them toward their destination. There is some faith that he'll keep her from walking into a tree, for however long she keeps this up. "So you're basically a snake oil salesman. To a degree. I mean, the herbs and flowers you sell are legit, I am sure. A plant is a plant, right? But the love potions don't work, you admit. What about the hair tonics?" Curiosity, Meri still had a full head of hair and has already fussed over the suggestion that she need a love potion. "Soooounds a little boring," Meri admits, says the woman who could be labeled reckless. "I don't think you like boring though. I think that if you wanted boring you probably would have never jotted my name down in that book of yours. Or Leo's. You ever think about moving other things? A little more exotic in nature."
“I actually enjoy working with plants. Got a bit of a garden at home. But yeah...I guess it can get a bit boring and I suppose you could call me that, though it’s not like I entirely enjoy it--a-and the elixirs do work, but not precisely what they're looking for. Just ‘cause I’m one to sneak about all the time doesn’t mean I like doin’ people wrong twenty-four-seven--it’s just, the money, you know? It makes the world go ‘round and all. A little while ago I was supposed to meet up with a...Sabrina? Head of the Healer’s Guild I guess. Was interested in buying my stuff. It’d end up cutting out the middle man, so to speak. Never did get around to it...I’ve just been so damned busy tryin’ to make ends meet. Probably missed out on an opportunity there.” As they reached the restaurant, Callum frowned a bit, leading the horse to the designated post to tie it up for now, “Just ‘cause I wrote down your names doesn’t mean somethin’ might’ve come from it. You seem to be well and fine and whatnot, but I’m still not exactly sure about Leo or your friend Eleanor for that matter. As for moving exotic stuff, yeah, you could say I’ve been down that road before.” He doesn’t elaborate, but Meri’s a smart lady. She could probably figure out that maybe -that’s- why he lurks about like he does. Callum heads into the restaurant then, and finds them a table, “I’m a bit hungry too, if you don’t mind waitin’. Didn’t get the chance to eat before I left today. Won’t take long though and then we can keep movin’ on to the flower shop.” To the waitress that just arrived, he’d add, “Two coffees for now, steak and eggs for me, a refill for her to go when she’s ready, and whatever else she wants--if she’s hungry.”
Meri holds up a finger to interrupt Callum, "I did not say -you- were boring. I think we both know that if I thought you were boring I would not be here right now." Look! She said something nice(ish) and it sounds like she may actually mean it too. Back to listening mood, and as Cal goes on a slight smile is displayed on her lips. The reason may not be obvious but it is harmless, she's not looking smug, sly or devious with that smile. A nod of agreement when Cal mentions he is not really out to hurt anyone - Meri was not either. A shrug at the mention of her 'friends', they may both be using that word liberally when speaking of Leoxander and Eleanor. Most of the subject matter is left to the wayside and it is not because Meri is disinterested. Kadence is tied to a post and Cal goes inside. Admittedly Meri was thinking she would stay outside with the horse, probably at the will of grumpy gils over there, but he keeps talking and so she follows and they would sit. She was not one of those woman who pretends like they' are not hungry just because they are in company. Bacon and eggs for Meri, and apples. Those are not for her. Friendlier subject matter is taken up while they have both food and coffee. "I know Sabrina. I have for a few years, actually. She's a friend." There is a softer smile when Meri speaks to Sabrina, suggesting the Elfess was -actually- a friend. "If you would like me to introduce you two sometime then I would be more than happy to. She is big on manners. So watch your frakkin' mouth in front of her and probably keep your jokes about my she-devil siren self to a minimum. She may not appreciate. That being said, I am also familiar with Emilia, Thamalys and Eirik. Should you ever want to meet with any of them? Well the offer is there. You should take it, then maybe you'll finally forgive me for borrowing your book without permission." Called stealing, Meri, which she must know because Cal gets a cheeky wink right as they get their food and coffee. "Dragon eggs," she mentions idly, maybe randomly, but it actually circles back to her curiosity about exotic items.
Callum would take a nice long drink of his coffee when it’d arrived, rolling his eyes at her warning of his frakking manners and she-devil jokes. “You realize I don’t do that around everyone, yeah? Plus, you kind of started it with stealin’ my book. All that aside, yes, we can meet with her at some point. Thank you.” Shaking his head, he’d move on to the rest of his breakfast, and as soon as she mentioned ‘dragon eggs’, he’d almost choke on his food. “Dragon eggs?!” was whispered through coughs and sputters. “Frakkin’ hell, woman.” There’s consideration, though, once he was able to keep his food in his stomach. “Hm. We’ll see. Where would these be comin’ from anyway? I’ve not made it out of the forest much, besides going to Larket and Cenril. I’ve not even been all the way into fairy land, “ Cal juts a thumb out in the direction of the Enchantment, “despite actually working there.”
"I realize that I still hardly know you, Cal," she concedes, after a bit of thought. "Whenever you want, you just let me know." There would be a smirk when Callum almost ends up choking on his food and a nod to indicate that she's heard his questions but she instead points to her half-emptied plate with her fork. This was not the 'hurry up and eat' signal, she saw no need to rush the man, more of a 'she would explain after they finish and hit the road again'. Breakfast would not pass in total silence. "Larket." Meri says flatly, which says volumes of her opinion of the place. "I've been to The Green Fairy." Of course she has been to the bar in Enchantment. Yup. "One of my favorites. It's been ages though." When it came time to go, Meri would once more pay for her own part in the meal and Callum would be left to deal with Kadence -- lest she be accused of trying to steal from him again. It is once they are back on the move she begins to explain, "Two. Apparently. From Frostmaw. Evidently." Like Meri did not herself acquire these items. "There was a deal and it fell through, I guess, so two eggs with no where to go. Yet. Maybe they'll hatch. The mutt seems protective of them..But. Maybe they won't. I'm of the mindset that they should go, though." We don't need to be singing 'Meri had a little dragon.' A look is leveled on Callum.
Callum hurried nevertheless when he realized the time, a side-eye having been given to the window next to them to note the positioning of the sun before he’d start shovelling his meal into his face. When Larket and the Green Fairy were acknowledged, he’d shrug, swallowing his food before speaking, “Larket’s, erm, ‘special’, “ his tone indicating that he wasn’t quite sure what to think of the place and its new king and queen. “Never been to the Fairy before, to be honest.” Not like he ever had time to go out to drink unless it was for work. Once they were up and out of the restaurant, he’d deal with the horse as he had before, frowning a bit at the mention of Frostmaw, “Frostmaw? Really? Those eggs better not frakkin’ be from that queen up there.” He’d be in a whole mess of trouble if he -did- help, only for Lionel and Brand to show up. Goddamned do-gooders. “Mutt? And, yeah, they definitely should go. No point in keeping them around if it’s just gonna bring trouble.” He’d fall silent, chewing the inside of his bottom lip carefully before voicing his thoughts a few moments later, “Just where the hell should they go, though? I don’t expect people are gonna be crawlin’ all over each other for eggs from Frostmaw. They actually -like- they’re dragon up there.”
Meri moves along the way, still letting Callum lead the way. Kadence is a little more excited upon their return, probably because she has spotted Meri wielding an apple. Horses love apples, you know. Cal's left to take one side of Kadence while Meri takes the other. The same trick Meri used to steal Cal's book is put to good use again, this time it is a dagger from the back of the boot that glides smoothly into the palm of her hand so that she can cut this apple into horse-bit-sized chunks. Kadence is content to nibble while walking. A cross-eyed look is given to Callum, "I didn't dooo it okay? I'm just trying to clean up the mess....They had a buyer at one point. The deal fell through. I don't know why, I did not ask. They need a new buyer. I don't know where. I do know they can't stay where they are at. Maybe it's not -entirely- your niche? But you spend more time with merchants than I do. I mean, I guess I could try and swindle a deal out of someone...But my plate is full and I don't know how much time I have..." The woman looses and exasperated sigh. "And yes, they are like actual dragons. They could be actual dragons. Or an oversized omelet? There is got to be someone crazy enough out there to think they need an actual Frostmaw dragon that they maybe could train....and ride....Charmed? And I guess if they can't be sold then I am going to have to like..." She stops short because she has not gotten that far yet.
Callum ’s right eye twitched a little at the prospect of her possibly offing the babies, which could lead to even further problems down the road. He wasn’t -that- heartless of a person, you know. “Right. Hm. We’ll figure out something, yeah? I’ll keep an eye and an ear out next time I’m down at the docks. He’d seen that trick of hers, of course, from over top of Kadence’s back and a smirk of his own would make itself known. “How the hell do you even do that? Never once seen magic like that in my life...and I’d like to think that I know a thing or two about that subject.”
Meri didn't mean it, Cal. Come on, she was there feeding a horse apples and maybe that fox isn't present at this exact moment but Gage is floating around somewhere. "It would be appreciated." Discussions of what Callum may get for a cut are just forgone, they were not technically her eggs. "And if you manage a buyer, the current owner of said eggs would like you to come out to Rynvale. She's a doll." That smirk is met with one of her own but it fades into a more thoughtful expression. Meri's never dedicated much time understanding and studying what it is she does. "Ah. So. What I know is mostly through conversation. So, what you do and what I do are very different things. Yours is a thing of magic? Mine is a thing of the mind. You are a mage. You have your emphasis, can't just do it all, right? I am a psion. A very bad one who spends too much time lurking in bars to really be good at what it is I do." At least it's acknowledged.
Callum didn’t make any mention of his cut either--it’s almost like he might be doing this out of friendship or something. “Rynvale? Yeah. I can do that.” They’d finally reach the flower shop in the eastern part of Sage as she explained her abilities, a raven-colored brow lofted in her direction. “Psion. Hm.” He’d unpack his crates from the poor horse’s back, giving Kadence a few pets on the nose when he was done. “Sounds like that’d come in handy.” For what though, he doesn’t say, as he filed it away in the back of his mind. “Well, this is my stop. I’ll be here for the next few hours, so I’ll not keep you from whatever it is you do besides inkin’ people.” For once, there’s a genuine--and actually pleasant--smile as he adds, “And, thanks, Meri. It’s nice to get a bit of help once in awhile. Not sure what you guys use for your ink, but if you’re ever in need of pigments and such for ‘em, lemme know, alright?”
Meri responds to Callum's point that it could be useful with a sly grin. Why yes, thank you, she does know this. That grin softens into a smile though and there is a nod of acceptance when Cal declares this his stop, because Meri isn't -always- obnoxiously annoying. It's sort of tempting to tease him for that smile though, but she behaves. "Sure, yeah. I'm actually working on trying to change the inks up a bit with this...Uh. Well I call her Bubbles. Whatever Lita brings in for what we got now? It's like a powder by the time I get it." She shrugs. Ultimately it would not hurt for Meri to actually understand how the ink was made beyond that. Hm. "But I don't know, school me, sell me, maybe I won't think plants are so boring by the time you're done." This is said with a wink. "We can work that out some other time." For now a man had to work so Meri would let him do that take Kadence by the reins. "I'll see you around then, hm?" And without further adieu, Meri would do the polite thing and move on her way, horse in tow.