[Pine]
As the group left the tower, not needing to make their way through the passage this time thanks to the petrification aura being turned off, Pine would, after a few words to the others to let them know where he was going, split off from the group and instead move further from the commotion outside the tower. He was not the best person to console those suffering, and the tower had had its own impact on him.
His steps were slow and steady as he moved along the streets, heavy plate metal feeling all the more so after such a battle, and someone of acute perception would likely be able to pick out small signs of that weariness in the former tabaxi.
Eventually he found a wreck of a building that kept the worst of the weather off and the chill of the wind away from him, more out of habit than anything. The pages of his journal were opened, and with careful motions of quill and a small pot of ink, words were set down on the page.
Slowly, as those words were inscribed, a little of the weariness seemed to be replaced by a slightly more determined set to his shoulders, before finally the ink and quill were put away, a small scattering of sand drying the ink, before the journal was tucked away once more into his bag.
Seemingly done for now, he would heft the bag back onto his back, and make his way out of his rudimentary shelter and back onto the rubble-strewn streets of Leilon. He could still hear the cries from outside the tower, but none of the group had called for him, and so he continued his way along the street, attempting to find some calm, some manner of centred-ness from the walk.
Still, although he had no real destination in mind, he did remember Siax talking about the disappearing shop, and allowed his steps to take him in that direction. He didn't expect to find anything, but it gave his feet a direction to point towards while he tried to calm his thoughts.
[DM]
With the settlers having temporarily evacuated again, due to the Storm clouds that had formed around the tower, the walk is peaceful and allows for thoughts to play out in their own pace. So it was a bit of a shock when you turned a corner and saw the man that Siax had described.
A man with wavy brown hair and dark robes, standing infront of a building that seemed to be in much better shape than any other Leilon dwellings. He currently had his back towards you and was engaged in sweeping dust out. You can't help but listen in, as he mutters about "devious dust, always everywhere".
https://app.kanka.io/w/163775/entities/5940874
[Pine]
Pine's steps would come to a halt, and although he was not silent (it was difficult to be in such heavy armour) it appeared as though the man was too caught up in his own task to notice others, or at least it seemed so. Pine took in his characteristics, from his clothing and hair, to the unusually well-kept building beside him, while the ruins surrounded. After just having escaped the tower, Pine's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He might have been curious about what had gone on here, but that didn't mean he was not wary.
"You are Aubrey Silverspun, correct?" he said from behind the man, having stopped perhaps fifteen feet away.
[DM]
The man spun around and looked at you, smiled and returned to sweeping. Still working he spoke "Indeed my hirsute friend. Give me but a moment to finish.."
With a few vigorous strokes dust streamed out of the building and unto the road outside, small wooden debris chucked out with it.
"There! And yes you have found me and if I guess correctly you know my name from the astute Master Siax I conversed with." Aubrey would make a small bow your way before continuing. "Welcome to my Emporium! I've just finished setting it up and I'm ready to open for business."
[Pine]
Pine would watch the other man, and as was in his nature, merely waited him to finish. He had no idea what he'd just been called, but the man seemed friendly, so he didn't ask.
When the sweeping was done, and the man welcomed him, he would move a few steps closer, enough to be seen as less stand-offish, but making no signs of entering.
"Yes, he mentioned. He also mentioned this building was gone come evening." Then, after perhaps realising that he had missed out an important step in general conversation, added, "I'm Pine."
[DM]
"Pine! Pine. That must be short for something, no? I recognise you as a Tabaxi but different that the ones I knew resided in the jungles of Chult. Why you'd boil there with a coat as thick as yours.
If I recall correctly your people tended to have longer, descriptive names. Is that no so?"
[Pine]
Pine would watch him with a steady, perhaps unsettling gaze, listening to what the shopkeeper said, and what he did not say. Wise enough of the ways of the world, of trickery, to listen for it.
"Yes, names have power, and I do not know you well enough," he said, "I hail from the mountains. Why did your shop disappear?"
Others might have been more given to politeness, of ceding ground to the overly friendly nature, but social niceties had never been Pine's strong point, and most of the time he would rather deal in unabashed truth than tiptoeing around what he actually wanted to know.
[DM]
A look of exaggerated outrage fills his face. "Disappear? Why, how could a building do such a thing? No, no my shoppe was as visible as you and I are and has been so since I have laid eyes upon it, this I swear or may Umberlee drag me beneath the depths."
"Now perhaps it was not seen by the esteemed Master Siax but that is a matter between his own senses and the world I dare say. To other, more pressing matters. You say you do not know me well enough and that rings true. But what greater method of acquaintance making than a barter, a deal, a trade! Come into my shop and perouse! You'd be the first customer in ages and as such I could promise you a discounted rate as to aid our blossoming friendship!"
Pine (Darren M) — Today at 17:15
[oh man, I so want to banter and go in, but Pine would not take such a response well I fear XD. Let me see what I come up with lol]
[First I'd like to check what pine knows of Umberlee or swearing on umberlee]
Unknown
DM (Charalampos "Babis") — Today at 21:04
[The renowned Sea B**ch of the sea, she is a god mostly worshipped by sailors and creatures of the sea alike. Known to be a cruel deity to those she did not deem worthy, most naval trips would begin with a prayer to her, an example of which follows:
Queen Umberlee, the sea Herself,
I dash myself upon the rocks of your favour,
Let me drink the brine of your glory deep into my lungs,
Turn my skull to shell, my ribs to reef,
To earn your blessing,
And to spare me the wrath of your sahuagin.
With a 21 you know that in Luskan, the city in the north that has an accent similar to how Aubrey speaks, worship of Umberlee is extremely widespread.]
Pine (Darren M) — Today at 21:37
[Would Pine know of any links between Umberlee and Talos, considering they are both like storms/water/etc]
[Pine]
"I do not find that more pressing," he said, his largely stoic demeanour showing hints of displeasure, the end of his tail starting to twitch back and forth. Pine did not generally hide how he felt, and so it would be fairly easy for Aubrey to see the signs of a male who was nearing his limit of patience and tolerance. He was weary, especially after all that had gone on in the tower, and beyond that the many unknowns about his future. He still showed signs of battle in the state of his armour, and his fur, red streaks through the white, dust and dirt rife when many tabaxi were known to be quite meticulous. If Aubrey was hoping for a sale, word trickery did not seem to be doing him any favours with his furred conversationalist. "I will not step into another magical building without understanding the threat of its nature, or of yourself."
He watched the other man, this Aubrey Silverspun, if that was indeed his true name. Especially after the comment about Umberlee, his gaze would seek out any signs of worship tokens or talismans, much like his own sat in plain view on his chest, within easy reach.
[DM]
The loose flowing robes the man wore could be hiding things underneath but no adornments could be seen outside.
Your attention was abruptly returned to the man's face as he brought his hands together in a small clap.
"So be it, a good day to you sir!" he exclaimed, turning around and heading into his dwelling.
Before he could enter entirely he turned and grabbed the almost forgotten broom, facing you once again. "Ah, please mention my establishment to friends or family, I am open for business."
He once again turned to enter.
[Pine]
Pine watched him for a moment that lingered, the abrupt about-face of his demeanour only heightening his decision not to trust the man.
"Only as a caution," he would say in reply, before making his way away from the magicked shop and its shopkeeper. He had enough to worry about without adding to that list. He would keep track of any sounds of movement as he walked away, ears swivelled to make sure he wasn't going to be set upon by some spell or another as he walked away, his curiosity sated.
[DM]
The only thing Pine could hear as he slowly moved away was a risen voice, Aubrey apparently singing something about a "One-Eyed Jax awaiting at the shores with wine".