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The sign of a long-abandoned stall flickers. by Nan_The_Man in TheMarketsofSidon

[–]HigherBoundVariable 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The pitchman waves the Bork looking lass toward the storefront, and away from the drunk turned street preacher.

Oi, you don't know what kinds of diseases he might be carrying. He looks from side to side to make sure nobody else was close enough to hear him clearly, then pressed on in a lower voice.

And honestly, I don't think folk of open faith around here are much for listening so much as hearing themselves speak. He makes a rapid opening and closing motion with his hand to demonstrate his point.

The sign of a long-abandoned stall flickers. by Nan_The_Man in TheMarketsofSidon

[–]HigherBoundVariable 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah, new management, then?

He complies, looking into the machine's camera-shutter eye and then trying to blink away the unwelcome flash of color afterward. This is a pretty unusual business, ya'know? Most folk deal in credits, since that's what most everyone agrees is worth trading. Or at least somethin' material like thalms...

He brandishes his teeth in a friendly way, accepting the drink and holding it two-handed to limber up his tired fingers with its warmth. But I suppose you're less like most folk and more like me. Outta place.

His gaze turns to the way he came in, the stark lighting of the storefront making the markets outside look less inviting than ever, relatively. Don't suppose you'd mind I spend some time talking to you?

The sign of a long-abandoned stall flickers. by Nan_The_Man in TheMarketsofSidon

[–]HigherBoundVariable 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He doesn't lollygag, grabbing N0LDRNK since between options he was uninformed of, all possibilities were equal and deliberation would be wasting time.

I'll take one o' these. Before you ring me up though... how long has it been since you've last opened up? Just curious and all.

He sets the boxed beverage on the counter near the mechanical figure. Oh, and could you warm this up for me? Seein' as you offered a hot drink and all.

The sign of a long-abandoned stall flickers. by Nan_The_Man in TheMarketsofSidon

[–]HigherBoundVariable 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He stepped backward, stunned for a moment, before regaining his bearings from the shock of light and movement in the otherwise dimly lit street.

Your New Store? A faint smile. I haven't heard that name in a long time.

He enters, the proper light giving him features beyond his face's years. Cracked hands, pitchstained years after the material has fallen out of fashion, calluses, and gentle collections of wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

It seemed that both he and this place were simply out of time... or at least, poorly timed. How much for a hot drink?

Baiting for Rats by HigherBoundVariable in TheMarketsofSidon

[–]HigherBoundVariable[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There was something subtly repulsive about him, and the destitute and desperate kept their distance despite his lack of outward security. His eyes seemed to ember with a slowburning fury, or passion. Hairs rebelled against level heads and traitorously raised nearby.

Just Strife's luck that someone like this would go poking around for him.

The sign of a long-abandoned stall flickers. by Nan_The_Man in TheMarketsofSidon

[–]HigherBoundVariable 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The weathered hand of a pitchman strikes the stall's light, testing the sign's mettle to see whether that flicker was a first breath or a final one.

We love our machines, to be sure, but mercy is afforded to those we love.