Stone's Throw

[Andreas Amell]

"Oh yes! We can have a cropping of rock that-- oh! Better! The shed I mentioned, have it be of stone, and have a carved seat flow out from the painting, hidden and invisible to the casual eye."

[GamesMaster]

Cameron nods, jumping to their feet. "Come, come, we'll exchange sketches," they invite, leading Dreas further into the house to a small bedroom crammed with art supplies. 

[Andreas Amell]

"I like your set-up," Dreas says as they step inside. He tries not to come off as nosy, but he's still clearly looking around.

[GamesMaster]

"Thank you," he says, digging out charcoal in various colors from a bag. "Here, let's see what magic we can make together...."

[Charon Tethras]

"Do you have any shop clerk experience?"

"No, but I'm a hard worker, and a fast learner."

"Have you ever bought jewlery?"

"No..."

"Do you know anything about magic items?"

"No..."

"Do you have any magical talents?"

"Yes!" Charon, who had been slumping further and further where he stands, perks up with that question. "I can detect magic, and read magic..."

"Great. Now tell me, which of these three gems is magical?" The man behind the counter pulls out a few gems, but before Charon can answer, the door opens, a bell ringing over the top. "Greetings! How can I help you, Lord zi'Polim?" He pulls the gems back and places them under the counter, away from Charon's paws. Charon, awkwardly, steps back from the counter, bumping into zi'Polim on accident as he does. 

[NPCs]

The man stiffens, giving Charon a scornful look, but pushes past the much younger male to reach the counter. "I've a custom order waiting for me," he declares. A few seconds behind him, a small animal enters the store. It looks almost like Dil in the way that a catfolk looks like a hunting cat save that it's bipedal as well. Waist-height, scaled, claws oversized for its frame and needle-sharp teeth. Also a very expensive looking collar that matches the delicate chainmail covering its torso, marking it as obviously not a wild beast. "A gift for my daughter's birthday."

[Charon Tethras]

Charon looks at the creature, trying to figure out what it is. And if it can talk. Surely it's not intelligent, if it's being kept on a lead like that? Isn't slavery illegal here in Nyra?

[NPCs]

Perhaps taking the stare as a challenge, the reptile takes a few steps towards Charon and hisses softly. The noble doesn't seem to notice, or at least doesn't care, and just continues to blather on to the clerk. 

[Charon Tethras]

Feeling a bit impotent about the whole job interview process, Charon instead of backing down hisses back at the creature, fur puffing up a little. 

[NPCs]

The reptile pulls their head back as if stunned this scrawny furbag had the gall to stand his ground. Recovering, they rear up higher, stretching their legs for a few more inches and hisses again. This time it's louder and has a faint burr to it, as if it was edging into a growl but unable to make the jump. 

[Charon Tethras]

Charon draws himself up to his full height, narrowing his eyes, and hissing back firmly, taking a step forward as he does so. 

[NPCs]

The beast's collar suddenly flashes, the gems set into it glowing for a second before the light washes over the suddenly two meter tall reptile. Another hiss, noticeably louder, is unnecessary to drawn the others attention but it does make things even more alarming. "What are you doing?" the noble shouts... at Charon. "You! Explain yourself!"

[Charon Tethras]

"Your beast threatened me," he hisses, his accent over pronounced as he struggles around his fangs and his body's attempt at a lip curl. 

[NPCs]

"Beast? Beast! Dewie is my familiar, you uncouth ruffian," the noble snaps back. The clerk, looking hesitant (and irritated, though he hides that rather well), softly clears his throat. 

"Your-- I have your order, Founder zi'Polim," he offers with practiced deference. 

[Charon Tethras]

"What, that pitiful thing? Not an ounce of magic in his body."