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

[shinrasfinest]

"And what if he has his own reasons for not telling us what happened to him? Quite often, it's never what it looks to be on the surface."

The way it's spoken backs up Sephiroth's logical reasoning. Perhaps the world really was darkly tinted though by his own experiences within life in general. A child's perspective can be a fresh outlook but he could only see her naivety.

"Either way, there is only one way we find out." He looked up from Ib then and down the corridor where he'd guessed would be where their 'friend' would be staying. Sephiroth didn't wait for someone to get to the front desk and he lilted his head in that direction as well to let Ib know she might come as well. He swept down the corridor and kept an eye out for which might be the right room.

If nothing else, Ib could try her way and Sephiroth would be there to back her up if it didn't work.

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib sighs, all set to to be left behind but he surprises her. Her expression brightens right back up when he nods her forward. Despite everyone thinking this will be a problem, she's sure that the sword seller will help once they explain everything. She hurries after Sephiroth with a spring in her step.

"Don't worry, Sephiroth! I just know he'll help us."

She may be naive, but at least she's approaching this with optimism.

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda was walking back from the patients room when she spotted the pair. Her attempts at talking to him hadn't gone well, though having someone like Sephiroth around might help. She jogged up to them with a tentative smile.

"I couldn't get him to say much but I did get some information."

[shinrasfinest]

Ever the highly attentive one Sephiroth spotted Zelda as she came out of another room down the hallway some, smiled lightly and straightened his posture as she jogged over. He looked briefly to Ib, and then down over the hallway behind Zelda.

"I see." He met Zelda's eye contact once more and waited for her to continue.

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib returns Zelda's smile with a small wave. But even she can tell that Zelda is disappointed with the results of her own meeting with the man of the hour. And she can't contain her curiosity for long.

"What did he say? Doesn't he want to help?"

[goddessofthesky]

"Well, he really doesn't want help. He seems to think someone will come after him. That he needs to run and if we are seen here we might become targets as well." Her voice was steady but it's obvious that the news was worrying.

"Asking nicely hasn't worked." Her eyes land on Sephiroth curiously. "Do you have another plan?"

[shinrasfinest]

"Targets? I don't suppose he told you for whom?"

Suspicion he has for the man is only stoked hotter. He already thinks that Gerard is a person of questionable morals based on his chosen profession, and hoarding all of one particular commodity to himself only makes him seem greedier than most. Sephiroth's eyes narrow accordingly as he looks from Zelda to Ib, then back to Zelda again.

"Sounds like there might be reason for a heavier hand in the matter."

He had hoped to talk civilly to the man, but especially if he'd already been approached by other Heroes and said no - the chance of that staying civil wouldn't last all that long.

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib frowns. The guy thought people were coming after him? But why would they? And would they really attack him in a hospital? And what difference would it make if he helped them? Too many questions. And only one person has the answers. She stares in the direction of his door for a moment before making her decision.

"I'm going to talk to him!"

With that declaration she moves forward, intent on having a word with this guy herself.

[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..."