The streets of the town were in disrepair. Jagged stones were scattered irregularly throughout the road, with deposits of a nearly viscous feeling gravel accompanying them. Personal qualities of the buildings faded the further one went, becoming uniform in their lack of proper structure.
Very little people were in view, and those who were walked with a lagging sense of purpose. Dirt covered them from beard to toe, their clothing seeming to have solidified from the many dried stains covering it.
Standing out from the foreground were the three men, who included Yaner. They conversed to one another, entertaining themselves in conversation as there was nothing else they could do other than continue to walk.
Leek, in tail of the men, made a point on the distance they've all travelled from the original point they met. What felt upwards of three miles got to grow past the point of interest. His feet which moved with a consistent sense of purpose only now did so under the pretense of reward.
Deciding against figuring out what it is they're up to Leek's feet slowed to a stop. Any step further would be wasted at this point.
Not far from the begrudgingly backtracking Leek, the men came to an abrupt stop and, in file, slipped quickly into a space between two buildings. One of the three, before disappearing behind the corner, took a look around.
Taking in the immediate vicinity, and judging on such, the lagging man followed in fashion behind the other two.
-Leek: "Finally, something interesting!" Out of excitement he skipped, stopping himself once he arrived within earshot, but still safely out of sight.
-??: An unfamiliar voice spoke, "Did we not go through this enough!? You do not call for me unless we talking about debt. Do you know how hard it was to simply buy myself the time to even get out here?" A moment was taken for the words to dissipate into the surroundings.
- Random (1): "Yes. I understand, but this time we have items of value." A stutter that prefaced his point was forced down, in attempt to shield his fractured pride. "There was a Boy, who we assume is an aspiring adventurer, and more than likely Belvi-" His words were cut off.
-??: "THE POINT!?" The unfamiliar voice demanded with an overtly apparent waning patience, and growing attitude.
-Random (2): "The boy had Angora tails on his person. Because the strict Guild regulations, we don't look for risk in finding a buyer on our own." The words waited for a moment, likely thirsting for response, but then continued, "We're looking for you to take them in exchange for a large discounted price."
-Random (1): "Y-Yes! And we think we'd be able to milk the boy for more." Trying to take lead in the conversation again his words budged into the conversation.
-??: "Milking the boy for his worth is given." His dismissive tone died down a bit with this tangent, "I do like your proposed little deal though... 17 bids will be my only offer; opinion?"
-Random (1): "We should thin-"
Random 2: "DEAL." Giving little thought to the decision making of 'Random (1)' he spouted off at the accepting man's deal. "Anything past this is going up in the air though, until we can properly work this out."
-??: "I like your boldness. You should be the vocal representative for your rag-tag triad more often." A clanking of metal could be heard, replacing any prior voices as they all went silent.
The exchange between the bids and Angora tails could be assumed to have taken place as footsteps, trailing off out of sight, and kicked up ground could be heard by a hair.
Leek leaned in closer, struggling to make out any whispered words. He heard nothing, only silence enveloped the claustrophobic alley, of which came to an abrupt end as Yaner and the others filed out of the buildings' gap.
They shared a conversation of generally dispensable material. Irritation grew for 'Random (2)' as his actions were seen as to usurp the groups democratic power dynamic. A nerve was struck, though it seems to be less on Yaner's part and more so from 'Random (1).'
They travelled further into the destitute section of town, talking on about how they should conduct business when presented with decisions in the future.
-Leek: "Why did they accept less than what they paid me?" This thought played back in his head on temporary loop, a minute detail that made all the difference to him. "Anyways. lemme try that building now."
In acknowledgement of potential business hours he departed directly for the "second furthest building on the right" he took note of before, strutting along at a fair pace to achieve this.
The time ticked away as Leek backtracked his way into becoming lost. Through logic he progressed, but the same process' resulted in confusion the further back he went. Eventually he realized the fact that he was just stumbling about, with an informed ignorance of the direction he should be heading in. Reluctantly he looked at the translucent mini-map in his peripheral vision to arrive at the 'front' of the town.
He identified the building he spent this time searching for, and approached duly so. Only one door, in a set of two, was visible from the street. When he grabbed the knob to enter the establishment, independent of his actions, the handle turned and the door opened.
A Lady, sporting a blackish grey pantsuit with a white blouse underneath, was visible in the doorway. Her movements seemed frantic, Leek's presence alone passed her by. He jumped back slightly as she exited fully, and turned to lock the door behind her, the many pieces of paper in her hand balancing gently as to not tumble.
As she set off to leave the area entirely the Lady narrowly missed colliding with Leek, as his reflexes came into use. Two folders she clung onto with the tips of her fingers did slip from her grasp. One remained proper, but the other showed it content mildly scattered on the ground.
-Lady: "You scared the almighty shit out of me!" Before speaking further she quickly bent over to reorganize the fallen papers. "Hopefully you're not here for service. We closed nearly thirty-seven minutes ago." In her swiftness she did not gander in Leek's direction, nor lifted her head to greet him. "Come back first thing tomorrow, though i'd prefer if you wouldn't, and take up any grievances or matters then."
She spent little time on the ground, as during her words she had recommenced in leaving. The only accessory on her person that was not of blatant utility was the black pocket watch hiding in the watch pocket of her pants, the chain was visible.
-Leek: Taken aback by the frozen shoulder he decided carefully how he wanted to follow up. "Hey! What exactly is the point of this place anyways, I just saw everyone else come through?" Rethinking about his approach, he spoke to slightly clarify his word. "Is this like the town hall, and can I get quests from here?"
-Lady: Refusing to stop just for a response her speed dropped naught, but she did speak. "This is a Guild Association Subsidiary hall, we deal primarily in agriculture, as to manage the crop output of this land chunk. You're able to go through general sign-up at this location for any Guild Associated game, profession, trade, or business." Breaking up her speech slightly, she continued, "We open at 1100-1400 at minimum capacity, then 1400-2015 at required capacity. First come, first served, no exceptions. This rule includes paid local requests."
As she paced away Leek followed, from a distance, as he did not want to interpret misheard information from his own blunder or come off as a trailing creep to outside observers.
-Leek: "Okay. W-what's your name?" He asked initially out of reflex, but through the stutter he decided against rescinding his question. "Your first one of course."
-Lady: For a fickle moment she stopped her advance. Then, snapping from her induced stupor she marched forward again though at an albeit slower constant. "I don't have much of one. I go by Elle, but if you so wish call me Aubrielle, my first name." She turned her head to give a side glance, and quickly turned ahead once more.
-Leek: "Alright then, Elle. I'll see ya'll in the morning I guess." A hand of his rose to wave at the passing woman, his legs not following her past the point of their conversations end.
-Elle: The last words she spoke to him were, "So it seems." Another sentence sputtering from her curious mouth once she was alone, "Does he not comprehend disinterest." A flat grin could be seen hanging from her face, if taken from a peculiar angle.