“Kicked out of three shops. And two homes. And then the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Well, there are signs. I just can't read them.”

“Magic. Either that or they're all bilingual. Or trilingual. Or something.”

“Move it, Human.”

“Out of the way, smooth skin.”

“Watch it, fleshbag.”

“Finally.”

“You, Human! If you’re looking for a bargain, shop here!”

“Well, what are you seeking?”

“Oh, um. I’m just looking.”

“I…could help you find what you want. Krshia’s Silverfang Goods. Do you have anything you want or—?”

“No, I’ll just wander around and—look. Thank you.”

“Hrmf. Suit yourself.”

“What does it look like, Human?”

“No touching the food with your filthy hands unless you’re buying!”

“Don’t touch. You’ll stink it up with your Human smell.”

“Uh. I can’t read that. Sorry.”

“I don’t have all day to play fetch for you, Human. Just tell me what you want to buy first.”

“Okay.”

“I’m looking for some flour, salt, butter, oil, and sugar. Oh! And yeast. I’ll need yeast too. If you have it.”

“Um. Those sausages. How much do they cost?”

“Are—are you sure that’s the price? I mean, it sounds like a lot—”

“Typical Humans. Walking in here, stinking up the market, and insulting any non-Humans you find. You should be grateful the Guard doesn’t run you out of the city! First that damn [Necromancer] comes here, and now this smelly one that can’t even read.”

“…Can I buy a bag?”

“No. If Klbkch can do it, so can I. Anything that damn bug can do I can do better. But hey, what’s this about a Human? Is it that female one I was telling you about?”

“Yeah. He said she was really annoying. And she talked too much.”

“She makes a mean plate of pasta, let me tell you. And she’s tougher than she looks—I didn’t think any Human could survive out in the Floodplains that long. She’s funny too.”

“Remember that [Necromancer] guy I told you me and Klbkch tracked down? She wouldn’t let us kill him even after he blasted us both with a few spells. Just kept saying that he wasn’t that bad.”

“But that’s what you think.”

“Right, right. But, uh, good to see you made it to the city. So how’d you like it?”

“Sausages. Mm. But hey, why didn’t you buy any clothes? I thought all females loved clothes, Drake or Human.”

“Look, I’m still really sorry about before. I didn’t mean—well, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

“Until later, Miss Erin.”

“Two coppers per ear…nah. Stick. Stick. You’ve gotta put them on sticks and—you know what? She can figure out how she wants to mount them.”

“I'm—I'll just look around if that's okay.”

“What you see is what I have.”

“Oh, okay.”

“But I'd like some. Butter, that is.”

“How many?”

“No, no! I was just saying that—”

“But can we negotiate? I mean, how about two gold coins? What's the price of the flour? If I pay you—”

“Here. Your food. Take it.”

“Ow.”

“I'll bet. No wonder you don't worry about hurting yourself, you smooth-scaled bastard.”

“Then stop flipping. It's annoying, and you keep nearly hitting people. Remember poor Tkrn the day he signed up? He still flinches whenever he sees a dagger.”

“Um. Erin something. Sol? Solace? It was something like that. Erin Solace? Did he mention anything else about her?”

“Yeah, you get used to that.”

“Stupid Humans.”

“Um. I—”

“Oh, bite me.”

“Serves him right. But did you smell her?”

“Disgusting. Why's Relc interested in one anyways?”

“Search me. Maybe it's just Relc. He's weird.”

“Disgusting. Let's go eat some meat.”

“Oh come on. Please?”

“Ow. Ow!”

“Thanks.”

“No. I'm fine.”

“Fine.”

“Especially not if they're Human.”

“No. I mean, there's food in here, but that's only a few silver coins at best. I'm sure you had more than that, right? How much did you spend?”

“I just thought it was the right price, I guess. I didn't want to argue.”

“Right, right. Well, if you remembered his face, I could find who sold you all that, but I doubt anyone'd bear witness against him. And there's not much for me to go on. I mean, he sold you overpriced goods but it was your fault as well. No offense meant, Miss, but how'd you trade a gold coin for a sack or two of flour?”

“You sure? I can carry it in—”

“Thanks. Good night.”

“It’s not often I get to rescue a damsel in distress. That’s what they call Human females, right? Damsels? Anyways, I saw you were in trouble, so I immediately rushed to help.”

“So. You bought food, huh? Making lots of pasta tonight?”

“It’s fine.”

“I didn’t have enough money.”

“Thanks for helping. With the Goblins.”

“I need to buy fresher pillows. And blankets. Or laundry detergent. When I have the money for it.”

“Hi. Is this a food shop?”

“Sorry. Sorry.”

“Um. I'm looking for a few things, actually. Uh, do you have any butter?”

“Oh. Great.”

“Well, if I've got enough, I'd like to buy a few of those. And some onions.”

“Look, I was just asking about the price.”

“Human, I have a business to run and a store to manage! Either pay me my price or be gone. You won't find a better offer in this market.”

“If you're done grubbing in the dirt, I have more customers to serve.”

“That explains everything. What kind of level do you have to be to get that, anyways? No one else has it, so it must be high level.”

“Now, now. Don't be jealous.”

“Not sure.”

“That's her.”

“Still, she's interesting. Erin, or whatever her name is. She makes a mean plate of pasta, let me tell you. And she's tougher than she looks—I didn't think any Human could survive out in the Floodplains that long. She's funny too.”

“I know!”

“How long was she here?”

“Hey, Miss Human! Wait! I didn't mean it!”

“Yeah. Humans. They don't wash.”

“Why do you think?”

“True.”

“Agreed.”

“So, how's my favorite Human doing? Good? Bad? Um. I, uh, don't suppose you heard what I was saying. It was just a joke, really. I didn't mean...”

“Ah. Ow.”

“Okay, okay. So they weren't that dangerous. And I was just doing my job; true. But I am sorry. Really. I said too much back there.”

“Oh come on. Don't be like that. I just—well, it was just me being careless, alright? Let's talk. Please?”

“So.”

“I didn't say that.”

“A couple gold coins. Some silver ones.”

“Well, I could go back to the market and ask around. But—I don't suppose you caught the name of the store.”

“Sorry.”

“I'm sure.”

“Where? Two?”

“Right at the start. Did you see her expression? Relc’s not gonna have an easy time explaining that.”

“I’m going to sleep.”

“Good, good.”

“No offense meant, Miss, but how’d you trade a gold coin for a sack or two of flour?”

“It was nothing. They’re no threat to me or anyone with a few levels in any warrior class. But don’t worry about those pests. I said I’d make it up to you, didn’t I? I’ll do something about them.”

“Got you bastards. You can’t run from Relc! Damn, I thought there were three of you? Whatever. If Erin doesn’t love this—now I need to find some wood. Damn. I should be having dinner!”

“Can I get you anything? What are you looking for?”

“Oh, I'm looking for food. Lots of it.”

“What do you want? Name it and I'll fetch it for you.”

“It's right there on the sign.”

“And, uh, I'd like some oil too. Do you have another jar...?”

“Two gold coins. Eight silver. That will buy you a bag of flour, oil, butter, four sausages, two onions, and a bag of sugar, salt, and yeast.”

“I just gave you my price. Take it or leave it.”

“Okay. I'll buy it all.”

“Hey Relc. I hear there's a Human wandering around the city.”

“It is.”

“Too bad I never got any dagger skills. I can't understand how this stupid flipping works.”

“Belsc—the guy on eastern gate duty—he didn't say much other than that he thought it was a Human female. What was the name of the one you met?”

“Humans. I don't know why you're interested in this one. It's certainly not the smell, to hear Belsc talk.”

“Hey, I'm telling the truth here. Little Miss Human isn't that bad. You should meet her. But let me tell you, she can also be pretty annoying. Remember that [Necromancer] guy I told you me and Klbkch tracked down? She wouldn't let us kill him even after he blasted us both with a few spells. Just kept saying that he wasn't that bad.”

“Oh.”

“Dunno. She must've walked in while you were talking.”

“So. When did you spot her?”

“I hear they roll around in their own filth.”

“I still don't get it. There's no scales, nothing firm to grab. What's the point?”

“Anyways, Humans. Haven't seen one in a long time. Did you see it? So fleshy.”

“Hey! Miss Erin! Wait!”

“Look, I know I was sort of—okay, I was rude, but let's talk. Hello? Are you listening?”

“Hello there, Miss Erin. Fancy meeting you here.”

“That looks heavy. Here, let me carry it for you.”

“Look. I'm very sorry, Miss Erin. Let me carry your bag. It must be quite heavy, and this way we can talk without one of us falling over.”

“So.”

“What, really?”

“Really? What kind of rotscale sold you—why did you spend that much money?”

“I can't read the language here.”

“I can take the bag now.”

“Right. Thanks.”