The Shopkeeper's Daughter: Act 2

[desertbloomed]

Characters: Lots!
Where: The hospital; the shopkeeper's shop; just outside the Chocobo Farm; in the wilderness; on the plateau.
When: September 12-13
Summary: It's time for The Shopkeeper's Daughter to get properly underway. Here we have act 2!
Warnings: Possibly some violence...

Overture
It’s market day in Aqures Ixen. People stream out of their homes and into the common areas, carrying all kinds of items, for bartering is just as popular on these days as buying things outright. Market days always bring with them a special kind of energy. Anything is possible on these days. One never knows what treasures one might find for sale. Except, of course, for Baltoro’s Blooms.

Comments

[goddessofthesky]

"I'm afraid that he gave me little information but if we aren't careful we can become targets as well." Zelda wasn't about to let her go in by herself so she quickly turned and fell in step behind her. She didn't want to say anything more but she couldn't help and be curious.

[shinrasfinest]

He could have grilled Zelda some more but it seemed Ib really was serious about taking things into her own hands. Given the courage he inadvertently seemed to have inspired her with, he couldn't very well just let her go in alone and so with a light 'Hm.' followed Zelda in after the girl.

Sephiroth didn't think Ib would get very much further than Zelda herself had done but perhaps his presence in the room might go some way to back her up. If not, then he'd just have to have stronger words with the man himself.

[her_rose_is_red]

When she reaches the door Ib does remember to knock. She doesn't wait for him to answer though, instead pushing open the door. She at least tries to look politely apologetic for barging in on him.

"Excuse me, but can I talk to you for a minute?"

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda followed Ib to the door but then stopped out of sight. She was curious but felt it best to watch, the man had already turned her away once. She made sure to make space for Sephiroth to easily pass her and enter the room unhindered.

Her eyes scanned the hallway as she listened, she might not be the best look out but she hoped it would be helpful.

[desertbloomed]

"W-what do you want?" The nurse that found Kobato and Zelda was still in the room and had been whispering in hushed tones with Gerad when Ib walked in. Her tone got more insistent when she saw Sephiroth walk in. "Who are you? You can't be here!"

"Calm down," Gerad said calmly, sizing up the little girl and her comically taller friend. "Just more o' those Heroes I'd say. Come to bite off more'n they can chew." The grizzled man looked down at Ib. "Whaddya want, girlie?"

[her_rose_is_red]

She takes a breath to compose herself and then explains everything in a rush of words.

"We need your help. There's this girl, and she's really sick, and we need you to help us find the cure. Please.... she'll die if we don't do something."

[desertbloomed]

"A sick girl?" The nurse asked, but she was shushed quickly by Gerad.

"You better look for a white mage or something like that. I'm no doctor. I cut throats, girlie, I don't mend them."

[shinrasfinest]

Was it really possible that the other group that had been in here before hadn't already explained to Gerad what the predicament was? Sephiroth didn't think it likely. The guy was just being difficult.

Sephiroth looked from the nurse and stepped further into the room, folding his arms up in front of his chest and observing Gerad carefully as he spoke with Ib, doing a most professional job of feigning half-interest. He wouldn't say anything for the time being, but there might be something to be said for his presence there - mako-enhanced or not; he's a tall guy with an obvious amount of strength.

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda cringed from the hallway. She had honestly completely forgotten to mention it after the patients defensive response to her entrance but she wasn't ready to step into sight and announce her own mistake.

[her_rose_is_red]

While the cutting throats comment was both worrying and confusing(Especially since Ib was still taking 'Sellsword' literally) she ignores that in favor of pressing on.

"We need to find some seeds. Baltoro's Seeds. We need them to make medicine. Will you help us?"

[desertbloomed]

"Seeds? I look like a gardener to you, lassie?" Gerad snorted, shaking his head.

The nurse slapped his shoulder, looking at the girl worriedly. "Baltoro's Seeds? There...there aren't any. We haven't had any for several weeks now. There's a shortage. We, we just ran out of our stockpile."

[shinrasfinest]

He thinks he's so funny, snorting like that at Ib. Sephiroth too turned his attention to the nurse as she went in again to offer some comfort to her patient but his gaze was a world-less gentle.

"How convenient. That you would be the only convoy with a batch of Baltoro's seeds and they would be ambushed right out from under you." Sephiroth himself offered something of a huffed snort, raising an eyebrow directly at Gerad. "That's got to smart."

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib frowns at Gerad, but tries to stay polite. It really bothers her that he's not taking this seriously, considering what's at stake.

"Please, Sir, this is really important! If you were with the convoy then you must know where they got the seeds. Or who took them..."