Today was the day. The tall dark mugrobi looked around the room. There were big woven baskets holding an assortment of spices against the shop window and some against the walls. Shelves around the room contained smaller woven containers with the more expensive and concentrated spices, as well as a few delicacies from Mugroba. A wooden cabinet in the back had small jewellry stands, up on which hung mugrobi jewelerry and containers of glass beads. In the right back corner was a collection of fabrics from his homeland, as well as a few outfits his sisters had sent over. They were for wicks and humans mostly, but there was one intricatly designed galdor outfit there too.

A coldbox was stored behind the counter at the front, as well as a safe box. Inside the cold box was a few blocks of chocolate and some other chocolate based desserts.

Smiling, Demkaih stood at the doorway, looking around the shop again, then he went outside, opened his gate and hung a board he'd been carrying.

"Demkaih's Spice House. Mugrobi spices and wares. Open daily. Please Enter."

Hands on hips, he grinned satisfactorily and walked back in, shutting but not bolting the gate. Walking into his house, his shop, he felt wonderful.

Finally, he was in business.

Ilithyia’s sweet tooth had been bothering her for weeks. Before the training camp, she had traded liquor rations for cheap sugar bites. In camp there was nothing that she wanted that she could trade for. Now she was back in civilization, and although she had tried to ignore it, her need for sweet goodness beckoned her like a spider to a fly.She had left early, before her shift, to make sure she had the time to find what it was she desired. She was hunting for the exotic.

The streets of Vienda were filled to the brim with shops, but nothing had what she needed. Decked in her worn and slightly dingy civvies, she stalked around the marketplace, a lioness in trousers. Yet as she turned down one particular corner, a scent wafted into the air; the smell of yum. Thumb and forefinger playing with her collar where her snap usually was, she walked into the shop, bashful as any girl looking for candy, and was stopped in her tracks.

It was more beautiful than anything she had ever seen. There were scarves of intricate design laid over tables that exposed the loveliest of jewelry, baskets and barrels of the most aromatic substances Ilithyia’s insular life had ever had the pleasure of sniffing. In short, she was a gawking galdor, but there was none of the usual snotty condescension. She was so distracted, in fact, she didn’t even notice the proprietor of the shop.

((hope you don't mind if a silly Seventen member stops in for a bit! ))

((yay business!))



Demkaih turned and watched the young woman walk into the shop. She held herself with a familiar air, that of a galdor. He frowned on the inside, his experience with the galdori in Vienda so far had been pretty poor. But Hulali knows, to condemn one person for the acts of their race is as bad as the acts themselves. Stepping up to her, he bowed slightly.

"Is there something I can interest you in?"

Ilithyia didn't jump, and wasn't particularly startled, but her face had more than just a hint of red to it. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, Ilithyia smiled at the dark shopkeep.

"Heh, well sir, I don't know exactly what I'm looking for. It just has to be sweet." Taking another long sniff, she grinned brightly. "And if you could tell me the names of everything that smells so nice, I'd be much obliged!"

Angel had been window browsing for a while and watched as a galdori woman walked in. She had the air of a seventen. Dressed in her usual outfit and with her bright red hair hidden beneath a hood, she walked in and spotted the mugrobi man. For a moment she blushed, and remembered why she loved pirating in Mugroba. The man was... quite attractive.

However, a quick scowl replaced the red as she stalked closer to the man. "Excuse me," she asked politely, noticing he was already helping the woman she had seen earlier. Drawing her hand out of her pocket, she presented a picture cut from one of Joe's wanted posters. "I have two questions... have you seen this man, and how much is that dress over there?" With her other hand, Angel pointed at the sultry, intricate outfit prominently displayed. She needed an aeroship and she needed to get to Mugroba. She didn't realize how much she missed it.

Demkaih raised an eyebrow and walked behind the counter. Lifting his coldbox so it rested where she could view it, he beckoned the girl over.

"This will most assuredly satisfy your sweet cravings, and when you are ready, I will give you a spice tour." He inclined his head slightly.



Demkaih looked up as the hooded woman entered the store. He watched her walk over, slightly wary. She had a look about her that seemed to scream familiarity.



Demkaih stared at the picture, his face flat and unreadable. But inside his blood boiled. It was the old man that had thieved his cloves the other day. He turned his head slightly to look at the dress.

"The dress is one concord." He said with a straight face, used to bartering in Mugroba he started at the highest price he would like for the dress.

"As for the man you seek, yes, I have seen him. His path is not to the Great Ocean."

"Six Shills." She replied, her blood starting to rush. Things and thoughts and fun times were rushing back to her. He was so stern, and his lips... She wondered what they would feel like against her skin. Wait. She had to snap out of it. She was here for a reason.


"Pfft, tell me about it..." Remembering the phrase. "The tsat's gonna end up looking down the wrong side of a pistol barrel one day... Hopefully, mine. Do you have any idea where the son of a bander is?"

Demkaih made a whistling intake through his lips in mock insult at such a price.



"Nine shills." He said eventually, crossing his arms.

"I do not know, he was in my store on the 11th of intas. Stole a bag of cloves from me. If he had indicated where he would go next, I would gladly offer you that information." He frowned, if she knew mugroba, she knew that he would not be lying.

Seven shills, six tallies," She spoke in turn.
Angel growled, not at Dem, but at herself. The eleventh? If the ladies had rushed over here the night they had arrived, they would have caught the clocking pirate. Of all the rotten... "Clock it all! Every time I take one step closer, I'm pushed two steps back..."

Demkaih cocked his head slightly.

"Eight. You sound as though you have been after this old man for some time. Anger clouds the mind and judgment. What is it he holds that you seek?" He looked at the other girl in the shop.

"Have you seen anything you like yet?"

"Seven Shills, Eight Tallies..." She sighed. "Yea, I know you're right, but being stopped so many times is entirely frustrating." Straightening slightly, she said, "You'd think a bird wot lived as old as I would have learned to keep cool, but I guess that's why they call me firehair... Say, is there anything special about your bags? Like out of the ordinary that I might recognize the one he stole if I saw it around?"

Ilithyia smiled at the other woman when she entered, but after hearing the conversation, her interest was definitely piqued. Keeking her eyes adrift around the shop, Ilithyia listened carefully to the woman. Why did firehair sound so familiar...? Deciding against making a scene, she turned back to the coldbox, eyes alighting on it's treasure. She had been carefully craving the sweet. It looked so good... she finally caved.


"Yes, I have. How about five tallies for a bag?" She had no idea what the Mugroba candy went for, so she was throwing out a wild guess. Well, she needed the candy. It was worth it.

Demkaih shook his head slowly, thinking.

"Not any markings, but if you are familiar with mugrobi fabrics, it is made of a double layer muslin." Sticking out his hand, he nodded.

"Seven shills and eight tallies. You barter well. Do not worry, it is impossible to stay calm all the time."



Demkaih inclined his head.

"Five tallies? You have never bartered against a mugrobi I take it." Pointing in the cold box, he singled out the chocolate truffles.

"Is that what you want a bag of? Or would you like a mix?"

With a self-deprecating laugh, Ilithyia nodded and smiled politely at the merchant, her eyes aligt with mirth.

"Ah, you've caught me, I'm not very good at bartering. A bad thing to admit in a shop, but my ignorance speaks for itself." Her family had always taken care of things, then Brunnhold, and finally the Seventen. Now she was an adult with a great deal of learning, but no knowledge. Touching her shirt again where her snap should be, she grinned up at the Mugrobi.
"I'll take a mix, please." After a final glance at the candies, her eyes wandered about the shop, alighting on the clothing. That other woman had found one pleasing, while she may have been odd, she at least had nice clothing...

"Um, sir, if you wouldn't mind, this won't be all of my order. I'd, erm... like a peek at the dresses." I wonder if Alstair would like any of those? A blush came to her cheeks and she smiled winningly at the dark, handsome shopkeep, trying not to act too much like the silly teen she felt like.

Demkaih inclined his head.

"It is not ignorance, it is a learning experience."



He looked over at the dresses and held out his hand as an invite.

"Please, go have a look. I will pack your chocolate when you are finished so they have less time to melt." He watched her smile a little and couldn't help but smile in return. The dark man knew that sort of smile. This girl was thinking about someone special.

Ilithyia bobbed a polite nod, and after a mumbled thanks, drifted towards the wall of clothing. Her hands caressed soft fabrics, eyes drinking in the rich colors. It was then and there that Ilithyia understood why women loved fashion; if they saw all dresses the way she now saw the Mugrobi wraps, then shopping was like a feast that could be relived again and again each time the item was donned.

However, holding up her favorites to her frame, Ilithyia saw that her height and shape would make them hang at odd angles, ruining the effect. She was half tempted to put them back, but a strong sense of stubborness kept her from doing so. You finally find something you like, you're not letting it go. Instead, she picked her absolute favorite, a rich green and blue sari, and walked back over to the merchant.

"I have a question, sir. I'd like to purchase this, however, I'm quite certain that in it's present form, it wouldn't fit. Do you know of a good seamstress or tailor? I'd rather not bring this to one of my..." She grimaced, and looked down at her feet. "...one of my peers." She didn't have a high opinion of her fellow galdori, and it expressed itself.

Fion walked the entire way to Dem's store with her fingers crossed. The store had looked fantastic the day before and she'd seen flyers all about town. She hoped his first day was going well.

When she pushed open the door into the shop her eyes immediately beaded on Demkaih. She smiled at him and waved a little, movement hampered by the basket on her arm. She saw the two galdori within the store and decided to hang back for a moment. She did not recognise Angel, as her back was turned to her.

The dark man nodded, smiling slightly.

"Actually I do, I know an exceptionally good one." He took a breath, ready to tell her about Fion.



His face lit up and a huge grin stole across his face.

"And here she is now. Hello my beautiful poppy. I was just talking of your sewing skills." Her smile was like a morning sunrise. It made the whole of Anaxas better for him.

Fion softened a little at the look on Dem's face. He made her knees feel weak. She blushed at the compliment.

"Hello Dem, ma'am." Fion ducked her head at the tall galdori woman, keeping her shoulders in line with Dem's.

She felt safer there.

"Hehe, here's the coin, and thankee for the help." Angel slammed the shills and tallies down onto the counter. Folding her arms she grinned slightly, as she waited for him to collect the dress off of its display for her. At least this visit hasn't been a total waste... but still just another cold lead.

Ilithyia bobbed a polite bow to Fion, even briefly touching her shoulder. It was a slip up; she hadn't meant to give a civvie salute, but oh well. It didn't feel like such a major slip.


"Hello! This fine gentleman was directing me to a seamstress who could help make this," she held up the sari "fit this." She motioned at herself with a grin. "Being tall usually doesn't help in the 'finding things that fit' bits of life." Fion was very pretty, however it startled her that the woman was only a little older than herself. There was an aura of weariness that hung on her like a mantle, and Ilithyia suddenly found herself very selfconcious of her own youth and inexpirience.

Fion noticed the vague salute but tried not to tense up. Perhaps it was just a slip or an eccentricity. Fion wasn't sure how she could make the fabric extend past where it already was, the woman before her was very amazonian in build. Quite attractive but a body that Fion knew was difficult to shop for. She could make panels in contrasting fabric though, something that would accentuate her figure without trying to dampen her powerful features. She thought she'd look incredibly striking in the outfit, it was a good choice for someone as tall and athletic as Ilithyia was. Fion smiled politely.

"Of course ma'am, I'm sure I can alter it to fit you better. I'm sure it will look quite flattering on you." Despite her nervousness Fion was looking forward to the task already, she liked fiddling with outfits that were perfect for the people wearing them. "I'm afraid I don't have my materials with me at the moment, is there a time later today that might be convenient for you? My business is just a few blocks away from here."

Ilithyia shifted from foot to foot, smile blooming again on her lips. Why was it that just thinking of wearing the sari made her happier? She imagined wearing it to go dancing, to read in, oh it just mad eher smile. And thinking of Alstair seeing her in it, the folds hanging just so... A blush skyrcketed to her hairline and Ilithyia smoothed her hair with enough force to knock all stray hairs into submission.

"Anytime would be convenient, ma'am. I've got a very flexible schedule at the moment." Once HQ actually got her posted somehwere, she'd have her soul tied to some hourly arrangement, but til then might as well have a blast exploring Vienda. Maybe I can actually talk to someone who doesn't either dismiss me or set me aflame. Turning to Dem, she grinned again and held up the Sari.

"How much for this, again?" Oh he might over charge her, but really she could afford it, and hell, she was getting the thing altered by his wife. Either way she was likely to save some money, and if not, it would still be well spent if it fit her.

((Dem and Fion aren't married. lol))



Demkaih pulled his attention away from Fion at the sound of money. He nodded at the woman and walked over to the clothing, taking down the dress carefully and folding it gently. Returning to the counter, he placed it in a white muslin carry bag and handed it to the red haired woman. Inclining his head, he picked up the coins.

"I hope it is to your liking. And please, do not hesitate to return if there are any problems or you seek more items." He said pleasantly. Looking over at the younger girl, he wondered if she had made a choice.



Demkaih looked at the Sari and then back at Fion. He smiled at the girl.

"If you are not the bartering type, I will give you the chocolate and the dress for the five shills."

((Heee, she thinks they're married ))



Fion ducked her head again. "Perhaps this afternoon would be convenient then? I'll be there after lunch today."

Fion kept her shoulders rolled slightly subserviently.

"Please excuse me ma'am, I just have to go put this down out back." Fion indicated to the basket on her arm, it contained lunch.