>>6116886Just when you’re certain the old Durher is getting ready to smack you with a walking stick, Volka intervenes by sliding between you two!
“Dad, <span class="mu-i">NO!</span>” She exclaims, not realizing that her dad could easily still walk between her legs and still getcha, “Anton’s a friend! And he’s called a ‘Hooman’! A-and he’s from another world! Morook and I found him while we were gathering ingredients! Honest!”
“Hmm… is that right?” You hear the faint sound of something wooden clank against the cobblestone as the old coot’s glare relaxes somewhat. Crisis averted? “Where is that layabout anyways? Howling at the moon again, I’ll bet…”
“Ha! That’s Morook, alright!” Giggles Volka as she too relaxes her stance a bit. “No, he’s… erm…” The mirth fades from her voice as quickly as it arrived. “Did erm… did he not make it back yet?”
“Would I be asking if he did?” Grunts the shopkeep with a shrug of his tiny shoulders. “Didja bring the herbs, at least?”
The Skog’s wide eyes and sheepish grin say all that needs to be said and earn a weary sigh from her father…
“Not to worry, pops!” Stammers Volka with renewed confidence in her pose, “I’ll set out and grab ‘em once we get Anton squared away!”
“It’s fine, sweetheart–Morook probably got sidetracked…” The man grumbles as he hobbles towards what you can only assume is the door to his shop, “Chasing a pack of Jabaar or rolling around in a Kookrah patch… gonna be tracking needles all over the damned shop…” As he tugs the door open with a faint jingle, your nose is instantly met with a festival of smells–none of them pleasant, which is saying something considering where you just came from!
“Well come in… ya’ ain’t a gargoyle, are ya?” Chides the merchant as your nose wrinkles at the stink of medicine and tinctures, “You’re scarin’ away my customers.”
“What customers?” Asks TT in a tone that sounds innocent, but you know her better. The old man responds with a glare that could cut glass which quickly shuts her up. Entering if only to avoid getting punched, you feel an almost soothing sensation work its way through your boots as you step onto a plush mat, you immediately feel at ease at the sound of a crackling fireplace and the faint rattle of bottles on shelves!
“Only touch what yer’ gonna buy,” Warns the shopkeep as he scurries past you and leads your merry band towards the back of the store.
“Do you threaten all your customers?” Inquires Tzah-Tzie as she thumbs one of the nearby bottles with a small ‘<span class="mu-i">klink!</span>’
“Not all of ‘em...”
>CONTD. 