Can I Help You

The wiry and spare apothecary assistant Tolan, a former burglar who was saved by the surgeon and given a purpose, did not know what to make of the young man in the front of the store. He had never seen anyone like that on two accounts. What was he wearing and what demographic did he belong to? Was he a native, because he had never seen someone that looked quite like that.

He dispensed with the idea that he was a native, because the chances of his wandering in from outside the colony and making it past everyone unchecked into the store was highly unlikely. Though, he could have been a native that was allowed in ... But he held tight to the idea that he was something different. When he saw that Gonyaul had something for him, his right hand became visible again. In that moment of uncertainty he had slipped it unnoticed behind his back where a hidden dagger for protecting the store had been equipped.

Tolan made his way to the sales counter at the front of the store. He moved with a noticeable limp, that may or not be a ruse; however, it was interesting to note that he made little to no noise when walking. "May I help you?"

Gonyaul'vaux, hadn't moved since they noticed one another. He should have figured he wasn't going to get in and out with bumping into someone. Especially since when he opened the front door there was a little device on the door frame that made a small sound when parted. He made a mental note of the effectiveness of the metal pieces that signaled his entrance with a chime. When Tolan asked he replied, "For you" and pointed to the pouch on the counter.

Tolan arched a brow, he couldn't place the accent either, and carefully opened the pouch. Inside was a nice portion of sap that had a luminescent-like glow to its coloration. Tolan instantly nodded in approval. Based on the other sap samples they had in the store, this was unique. And that meant Cagliostro would definitely be interested in it. He closed the pouch and asked, "Where did you collect this sap?"

Gonyaul responded, "Tree ootside colony, dark bark."

Tolan smirked. Well that wasn't specific at all. Perhaps this gentleman was trying to keep it vague so that he would be the only one that knew had to acquire more. Tolan unlocked a nearby drawer, and pulled out some coin. "I'll give you this much in exchange for the sap." And he placed the few coins down on the counter. Gonyaul'vaux retrieved them; however, Tolan noticed that his expression was one of surprise that he just received compensation in the exchange for the item. If he had known that it was actually being gifted and not being sold, he wouldn't have offered the money. He made a mental note next time to read the situation better.

Gonyaul'vaux couldn't believe he was getting paid for this. He gladly pocketed the coin because those things were important to these people and can be useful. Though he really could care less about it. After an awkward pause, Gonyaul'vaux smiled farewell and turned to go.

Tolan stopped him, "Wait... can you get more of this?" he decided to leave out paying him for his services as an extra bargaining chip in case he declined.

Gonyaul'vaux nodded, "Think so, you ned more?".

Tolan nodded, "We can take as much as you can find my friend." he was trying to sale him with emotional influence by adding the friend part. "Here at the Cagliostro's Apothecary we accept a wide variety of materials from the common to the remarkably rare."

Gonyaul'vaux thought about it for a second, then cordially said "I'll be back." And with a farewell gesture began to exit the store. He paused and lingered for several seconds, once again staring at the chime making device in the door frame. That was so neat. And then he left with the door closing behind him.

Tolan locked the cashier's drawer and went to work carefully cataloging and storing the sap the way Cagliostro taught him. His day just became more than ordinary.