Cloaks and Figurines

The weather had turned nicer in the late afternoon of the city. The wind wasn't blowing, the sun was shining and it was warm enough that the snow was degrading into puddles in some places on the streets.

Sloan made his way through the market. A list in one hand, a charcoal stick in the other as the Butler made his way amongst the vendors, another servant moving along with him carrying bundle in her arms as they go about their shopping.

It's hard to miss the tall, blue-scaled sith-makar as he stops at a merchant selling various clothing items. He stops because he is looking for something in particular, and a rack of cloaks catches his eye. He is fairly unobtrusive given his size, but if one is looking for him... Or even happens to glimpse him, he does stand out. He lifts one crystal arm to move the cloaks aside, looking at them all individually. Not a one looks long enough for his massive frame.

"Ok. Look. Big guy. How many of these things do you have?"

"... thisss one hasss one-"

"There's no way that is righ-"

"-hundred and two."

Skielstregar, an incredibly shiny silver scaled makari is holding a small satchel, recently purchased, and is having an awkward stare down with the merchant at a glass stall. He's in nothing more than pants and a tunic, with a wicked looking halberd held off to the side. "... ssso... do you want it back?"

The vendor just sighs. "No. Just... give it a week before you wipe me out again, okay?"

"Okay!" Skielstregar grins happily. The vendor groans as the massive makari walks away, beaming with pride at whatever it was he got. He loops a strap of the satchel on the weapon. "Here, you can hold it...!" Being tall means seeing over all, and when he spies a blue across the way, Skiel diverts course and begins heading in that direction.

Another trails behind the blue makari, this one a ginger-blonde man in simple white shirt and black trousers, with an open front robe in blue and silver clasped across his chest over it. A sword rests at his hip, but the attire is more relaxed than his usual wont. "The tailor might be able to make one for you, kin," Seldan offers diffidently.

Continuing his movement amongst the stalls, Sloan speaks quietly with the young servant moving with him. "You will have Monday evenings and any days of religious significance for you off. Anything beyond that, you will be required to make arrangements. Your duties will be light, general scullery duties, but I expect them done with precision and pride."

The scullery maid nodded quietly as she tagged along pulled in the wake of his passing. Finally, Sloan notices a pair of familiar faces in the blue Sith-makar and Seldan. The bright silver Sith Makar was attention grabbing as well. Adjusting his course towards the familiar faces, the dark haired Aesir man continues to speak with the maid. "I believe we have everything you will require to begin employ, you have the address and this is not a part of town in which you should require escort. I give you leave to move you things into the staff accommodations, and we will begin your employ in the morning at four."

Zeke shudders at Seldan's suggestion, not noticing that he's being converged upon. "That would require sstanding ssstill for... 'fitting'." He says uncomfortably and unhappily as he looks at the too-small cloaks and sighs. "Perhapsss thiss one might buy two cloakssss and ssew them together?" This sounds like a terrible idea.

Skielstregar finally makes it towards the duo, him announcing his presence a few stalls away with a joyous, "Ssshaman Zeke!", one arm thrown to the side in greeting. Though, he flinches back and makes room as he realizes a duo of softskins were conversing and gathering things. "Thisss one only heard the tail end- heh- of it. Thisss one hasss had better luck getting a robe made for Giantborn softskinsss and cutting the armsss off?"

This also sounds like a terrible idea

Seldan closes his eyes and lowers them, in what is clearly a despairing look. He does not, however, challenge his companion, instead making his way further inside the shop to seek out its proprietor, with a shake of the head.

Watching as the scullery maid take sher leave, Sloan moves closer to the small group gethering now. Dressed in his work clothes this evening, the butler's demeanor was somewhat different from the first time he had met Zeke and Seldan. Comfortable woolen clothes replaced with linen pants of black and a white linen tunic. The cloak was of a more formal cut as well. Thinner than his heavy woolen one, and of a sharp black color, the Aesir man topped all of this off with thin black linen gloves. the scars on his arms and hands completely obfuscated from view. "Good afternoon Sunguard."

Zeke looks up as Skielstregar joins him and wags his tail a little behind him in pleasure. "Peassce upon your nessst Skielstregar!" He motions to the cloaks with an expression of dismay. "Thisss one isss looking for a replasscement cloak, but thisss one doess not want to be 'fitted' again."

Again he shudders lightly and then blinks as Sloan joins them, nodding his head politely to the gentleman. "Peassce on your nesst."

Skielstregar grins, leaning against his halberd, the satchel on it sway gently with a glass-like clink from within. "Peassse on your nessst, and Hisss warmth upon you!" He quirks his head to the side, looking over the available attire, and then to the softskin that just left their side. "Ah. Thisss one can underssstand. The sssoftssskinss have a penchant for being dresssed to the talon. Isss your friend going to go look?"

He glances to the side at Sloan. Blinks. "Erm. No offense. You know the Ssshaman? Thisss is good! Thisss one issss Skielssstregar, Warrior Cassste! Thisss one would do the hand ssshaking, but they are very cold!" he rumbles warmly after his stumble.

"And may the Guiding Star shine on you. Comes the reply from the aesir man as he is greeted by Zeke. Attention pulled to Skielstregar, Sloan nods once more in reply. "The Shaman and I have met, albeit briefly in the past." As introduction is given, he adds. "An honor to meet you Master Skielstregar. I am Sloan, butler to the Shining Chalice. I take no offense at the lack of handshake."

Attention turning back to Zeke, he adds. "I apologize. I noted your plight Sunguard, I would be happy to give you a letter of introduction to my tailor. It would require a fitting, but only one. He has my measurements on file, I have never had need to sit with him for a second one."

Zeke beams pleasantly as the two men make introductions. "Yesss, Sseldan issss very kind, and isss likely looking into it for thiss one." He blinks at the offer from Sloan and seems to consider it. "Thisss one would not mind if thisss one only had to have a fitting _onsce_. Thisss one doesss not under-sstand the necessity of all the _touching_."

At length, Seldan returns, a figure several feet behind him making their way among the various displays and racks. "Kin, you will do better to ask, in Alexandria," he tells the others as he approaches. "Not all will display such wares. Her light upon your path," he greets the others present, with a polite bow to Sloan, and an interested appraisal of Skielstregar.

The proprietor of the shop is the one that is following Seldan, a tall, but slender man who seems quite pleased to bring out several long cloaks for viewing. "Yes! All you need do is ask!" He says pleasantly, beaming at Skielstregar and Zeke prospectively. "Which of you needs the cloak?" Polite, and clearly smelling a sale in the offing.

Skielstregar rubs his chin. "Ah. Sssloan. Nissse to meet you," he rumbles. "Jussst Ssskielssstregar will be fine, or Ssskiel. Trade isss hard to sssay it."

He tilts his head at the name. Seldan? He'd heard that one before. Something about a sword...- questions for later. "Ah, sssoftsskins are soft, shaman! Much poking and touching to make sssure the clothesss fit at the soft bendsss!" He grins, as if he displayed ancient wisdom.

As Seldan returns, Skiel too looks him over. Chuffs once. "Hello! Thisss one isss Ssskielssstregar, Warrior Cassste! Peassse on your nesst!" he greets warmly before pointing at Zeke. "The Ssshaman! Thisss one isss fine, they like the cold!" Tail wag.

Chuckling softly at Zeke's words, Sloan motions to the cleric's clothing. "Your other option is to leave a cloak that you know fits you already. Is it is a cloak and requires no inseam measurements, he could sue the garment to create a fabric pattern without the need for contact." As Seldan returns with the shop keeper, Sloan falls silent. "I'm sure this one would likely be able to perform the same services, Sunguard."

Another nod is given to Skielstregar "Apologies. the honorific is somewhat of a habit."

"There is no shame in that, Master Sloan," Seldan tells the butler with a nod of approval. "In truth am I puzzled by those in Alexandria who are confused, or refuse the honorific outright. It is, quite simply, a matter of good manners and respect." A small smile accompanies the words, and he turns to watch the proprietor work. "Zeke is missing his," he explains.

Zeke wags his tail less quickly as the shop owner appears behind Seldan, he seems somewhat resigned really, but perks up a little to see the ready-made cloaks that the man is carrying. "It mussst be ssso Ssskielsstregar." He rumbles quietly and his eye flickers to Sloan. "Thisss one doess not have a cloak to measssure, or thisss one would not need a cloak."

Which means he only ever had one. Multiple instances of clothing beyond what is necessary to have a clean change? Unheard of!

The proprietor of the shop offers cloaks for Zeke's viewing pleasure, seeming entirely undaunted by Skiel's negative. "You should try this blue ser! It matches your scales quite well! And has some fur lining along the hood!"

Skielstregar gestures towards Sloan while talking to Zeke. "Sssee? Jussst one measssure isss all. Perhapsss you can have a friend there!"

He turns to Seldan. "Ah. Thisss one isss no one'sss massster, isss all," the silverscale explains. "Doesss Ssseldan have sssome title they prefer? Thisss one doesss not know you- or Sssloan- well enough to give one themssselvesss."

Falling silent as the proprietor begins the hard sell on Zeke, the butler looks to Seldan. "Differences in propriety one would suppose Master Silverguard. Are you well?"

"I am." To Skielstregar, he merely shakes his head politely. "Forgive me. I am Seldan, naught more than a servant of Eluna Dreamer." He raises a hand in caution. He says nothing more on that, instead turning to watch the exchange between Zeke and the proprietor. "Expect the heights to be cold, kin. You should own more than one."

Zeke seems to consider Seldan's words very seriously, taking the blue cloak from the shop keeper and trying it on. It fits quite well and he seems pleased by the clothing. "Sssaaa." Indeed it looks quite good on him and he nods after a moment. "Thisss one will buy thisss one, and another of the sssame. If you can make it."

The shopkeeper smiles warmly. "I can certainly make another of this same cloak for you! It would be my pleasure. Now... as to the price?" A predatory grin spreads across the man's features.

Skielstregar's tail thuds against the ground in approval. "Sssha, yesss, it looksss good on you, Ssshaman!" he rumbles warmly. "Yesss, tall placesss cold, not good for mossst kin! Thisss one thinksss getting two iss a good idea!" He looks to the proprietor, "Certainly getting two would give a sssmall deal, no?" he grins too.

Regarding Sloan and Seldan, Skielstregar 'ah's'. "Very well, ssservant of the Sun'sss daughter," he rumbles respectfully. "Ssseldan. Masster Sssloan. It isss a pleasssure to meet you both!"

Deciding that trying to give Skiel an impromptu lesson on the ins and out of the use of honorifics in polite society would be equal parts insulting to the Sith Makar, confusing, and unnecessary, Sloan smiles in return. "Likewise Sir." Looking back to the tailor and Zeke, Sloan peers closer, not entirely sure about he look on the man's face.

No uncertainty at all is written across Seldan's features, only a level, even stare that holds only the barest trace of humor. "Yes, of course. The purchase shall be mine, and thus the discussion mine. I know better than to think that an upstanding man such as yourself would attempt to fleece a servant of the Draco Solis." _You'd better not,_ the unspoken words read. "But come, to business, then. Fine work and well-fitting it is, but I do not doubt that I could find many similar elsewhere, especially with the weather being what it has been of late. Two gold pieces for the pair."

GAME: Seldan rolls diplomacy: (2)+20: 22

Zeke looks like he's about to pull out a pouch to do some bargaining - a comedy of errors in the making truth be told since the sith-makar knows nothing of bartering. Yet then Seldan steps in and the gratitude on his features is clear even through the racial lines that make sith difficult to read. He makes a gesture of thanks to his kin.

"Very fine work, and the second will be necessary to make from scratch. Surely ser can see that the price is at least twice that?" The shopkeeper says sharply, but clearly offering a fairer price than he'd been about to offer Zeke. Seems that he hadn't been expecting to deal with Seldan and wasn't expecting the switch!

Seeing as Seldan has taken over the bargaining, Skielstregar hums to himself, looking through the little satchel dangling from his ominous polearm. Pulling out something tiny, he offers it to Zeke. It's a tiny glass figurine of a dragon! Simple in make, colorless, but pleasant. It dangles from a string on his talon. "Here Ssshaman, a gift!" he rumbles warmly, joyful.

"I do not doubt that you have several made up already," Seldan answers, although he appears to have taken on an easy good humor as the discussion continues. "Still, I am in a position to be generous."

The two dicker back and forth for a few minutes, and eventually, coin changes hands. "My thanks, and the blessings of the Dreamer on you," he closes the transaction.

Zeke watches the exchange intently enough that he almost - almost misses that Skielstregar is talking to him but he turns his eyes and then... Is stymied by the lovely little glass dragon being offered to him. He takes it carefully with his flesh-and-blood claw and turns it over. "It isss lovely Skielssstregar." He seems particularly touched by the item. "You have thisss onesss gratitude."

The shopkeeper meanwhile, takes his coin and disappears back into his shop.

Watching the dickering quietly, Sloan lets his attention drift to the list in his hand. Perusing the paper for a moment, the butler makes a couple of mental notes before folding the paper and slipping it into a pocket hidden in the cloak.

Watching Skielstregar produce a glass dragon, the dark haired Aesir man smiles quietly before looking up at the position of the sun. Seeing the business of cloaks concluded for the moment, he finally looks to Seldan. "I've yet to hear back from my employers on what assistance they may be able to offer you in the matter discussed before, I am confident I will be able to meet with him presently though."

"You're welcome! Thisss one enjoysss the glasss figuresss," Skiel explains. "They like they way the light ssscattersss in them. Thisss one, ah, collectsss them," he rubs his neck.

Whatever it was that Sloan was speaking with Seldan about, he had no clue, so he stays out of it. "Thisss one needsss to hang the ressst of them up. They have, erm, a lot."

"It is no trouble," Seldan answers Sloan with an easy, measured nod. "Research takes time, and I have been consumed with many pursuits. I begrudge you that time not at all." He eyes with interest the glass dragons that Skielstregar offers to Zeke. "Lovely work."

Offering another nod to Seldan, Sloan looks at he sky once more. "I apologize, I have a few more errands to run before this evening sets in. I will take my leave of you." Nodding to both of his acquaintances, the butler looks to Skielstregar. "A pleasure to have made your acquaintance."

-End