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[fury]

Jimmy stood on a concrete block overlooking the gathering of people wishing to barter or trade for todays market, his bow was slung over his shoulder and he looked thoughtful. The gathering of so many always brought a tear to his eye, the years were hard, times were hard and people were hard. He loved to see the amiable bartering that went on, and happy people leaving with their goods. This must have been how it was before....before the world ended.

The gathering was set between two colossal buildings, now ruined. The wind whipped through the space but there were plenty of fires to warm away the chills. He could smell meat cooking, possibly rat or rabbit. Glancing up at the sky he frowned the cloud was gathering black up there, he hoped nature would hold off for another hour or so at least.

[MaidensRage]

Shu'Ka hugged her white robes about her, trying to keep herself hidden among the crowd trying to get into the market. There were so many people, so different from one another. Usually when there were people around they were asking for her blessing, but she was far away from that right now. She had walked for most of the night, so she felt she had a good half day lead on anyone looking for her. She looked up at the two buildings, and wondered how beautiful they must have been before the Great Sundering, as she had learned to call it.

[Edvard346]

From a broken window on the first floor of the twin buildings Artin looked on the gathering crowd, the storm-clouds above did not inspire confidence but nevertheless kept his silent vigil, looking for anything unusual, an accident or a fight because in both instances his skill were usually required.

He did not help in hopes of a reward, or fame but simply because he hated seeing other people in pain (also because as long as he was useful, he would be a welcome sight.)
Artin also kept a look out for strangers, he made it a policy to both assess their health and help if he could, then he saw a woman in white robes slipping through the crowd, she looked new, and a bit disorientated so he decided to see if she needed help.

Stepping out into the sunshine he pulled his long black cloak about his shoulders and pulled the hood down further to shield his sensitive eyes, he slid into the crowd and followed behind the woman, just far away enough not to be noticed, just close enough to keep her in sight.

Edited by Edvard346, 02 December 2009 - 09:13 PM.

[MaidensRage]

Shu'Ka kept moving with the people, every once in a while glancing around behind her to make sure there wasn't anyone from the temple waiting to grab her. She doubted they would try to harm her since she was the temple's priestess, but she didn't know how well the leader of the temple would react to find her missing. There were so many strange people about her, and rather than be frightened, she was excited. She had spent so long around guards and temple goers that she had gotten bored. These people were new, and so was the market she found herself in.

[arrowfodder]

Penelope was in the mass of people, her tail tucked under one arm so she won't get it stepped on. Her satchel was full of things she planned on trading for the list of things her community needed. The most important items were the parts needed for the new distillery. The community had grown during the spring and a new well had been dug. Without the distillery though they were more than likely to have another bout of cholera ravish the community. She checked her bags contents while she waited, making sure everything was safe. There was a small package of plastic soldiers, some canned goods that supposedly were still good if the expiration dates were to be believed, some balls of colored yarn, and a clear glass bottle marked with the name Beefeater written on it. She wasn't sure what it was, but it was sealed so she didn't get a chance to try it out.

[Early Bird]

Ren squinted up a the massing bank of black clouds that were approaching. Heavy weather soon she reckoned, but at least she would be able to see properly without squinting and her eyes feeling sore. The day had been a rare bright one so far and they really smarted. She nodded to a few people she had seen at market before as she unhitched the swaybacked bay horse from the cart and tethered him before turning the cart round to display her goods. Some good vegetables this time and the pumpkins had been particularly good this year with not too many mutations. Enough to feed the community and plenty to bring for trade, they even looked good, all the right color and a good size to boot. Maybe someone would have some good cloth to trade for them, it was sorely needed. Ren felt proud that she had been trusted to come alone to the market this time. She suspected it was mainly to spare her feelings when one of the sheep was slaughtered. She was well aware of where meat came from and the skin would make a much needed warm coat for one of the youngsters, but she did hate to see them killed. She couldn't help but lick her lips though at the thought of the blood they would keep for her, knowing her need. It would be kept warm so it was fresh when she returned... Ren snapped her thoughts back to the market and her cart full of produce. She wasn't going to get much trade if she let her mind wander like that and they wouldn't let her come alone again. She was a bit slow compared to some of the others and they might think she needed someone to watch her. She let her eyes wander over the people passing her cart, looking for any who might have something to trade.

[Gryffydd65]

Jackson fumbled around looking inside his book bag once more, his huge 6'6" frame made it hard for him to reach into and his sunglasses kept getting in the way. "Nothing in here, I want to trade." as he felt the book he held so dear to his heart. He looked around the crowd, at least his height helped him in that regards. But then again, it took a lot of food to fill his frame and he had none.

"Strong back, strong arms, looking for work to trade for food." he yelled as he kept his cricket bat under his left arm. He pushed through the crowd, still stopping every few minutes to yell once more. He hoped someone would take him up on his offer, as a 14 year old he had no real training, it was by chance that he looked 28 so the only thing he could do well was drive a car, and since he had left Wallasy, he never had the chance again to slip inside a car and drive.

[Edvard346]

Artin finally worked up the courage to try and talk to the woman so he increased his pace to close the gap, as he got closer he hoped she did not turn around because Artin was aware of how imposing he might look, a man in a long black cloak, with unnaturally formed arms and legs - arm far too long and gangly for his frame, legs that were proportioned more like a kangaroo - he got within reach and stretched out a long, thin arm with fingers to match then hesitated, unsure of how to start the conversation.

[Synik]

Jenna slipped from the food tent and pulled her coat around her. "Saints, it's cold," she muttered under her breath. The crowds were gathering nicely and she wasn't due to start work again until the much later in the evening. Hoisting her bag to her shoulder, she moved through the crowds, her marbled eyes looking at the wares and keeping an eye out for trouble.

She smiled hellos to the familiar faces. A quick hello, a smile or even wink here and there. A gust of wind cut into her again and she tucked the hood of her top around her neck trying to keep a bit more heat in. As usual, her hair fought its way back out and twisted up at the ends with a life of its own.

A woman in white passed her and Jenna fought the urge to stare. No-one wore all white these days. The lack of leccy meant clothes where washed by hand and as a job lot. Everything ended up that nasty dead grey if you let the launderers anywhere near you stuff. That and anything from 'Rimark' would fall to bits after its second wash.

The woman was behind her now and Jenna's hair curled tightly against her neck. A guy in a long black coat - almost an opposite of the lady in white was following. His hand reached out. Jenna circled back after letting a dung cart go by. Her hand slipped into her coat to the pistol and she pretended to check out the goods near the pair of them. He looked okay, but you could never be sure in this world.

[fury]

The crowd seemed to part for the arrival of a woman and a little girl, both seemed quite distressed the girl was clutching a bag filled with lumpy objects. The womans eyes were wide in a silent plea.

OOC

spot check folks!

[Early Bird]

"Got food to trade" called Ren beginning her sales pitch just the way she had seen the others do it. "Good clean veg'tables, pumpkins". She had brought no animals with her. The community didn't have all that many and with the increase of mutant births this year, most of which had mercifully died quickly, there were only enough to sustain them through the long harsh winter ahead. "Strange how the crops was better this time but the animals got worse" thought Ren as she called to any potential traders. She had agonised over each death and stillbirth more than the others, the animals were mainly her responsibility and she had wondered if she was treating them wrong somehow. She waved a hello to the woman that worked in the food tent, she might stop and talk to her later, she sometimes did, but Ren reminded herself not to get too close. It was cold and the woman didn't like it when it changed too quick. She would be too warm. The woman was watching something. Ren followed her eyes to the woman dressed all in white. "Them's pretty clothes" she thought. "Wonder where 'em come from". That bloke in the black coat looked like he wanted to talk to her. Did he know her? Ren wondered.

[ December 3, 2009, 12:46 pm ] - Early Bird rolled 1d20 ± 5 and obtained 7 ( 2, ). Reason : Spot.

Edited by Early Bird, 03 December 2009 - 12:48 PM.

[Edvard346]

Artin raised his eyes to look at the new arrivals but the sunlight, though weak prevented him from seeing most of any detail.

OOC

[ December 3, 2009, 12:43 pm ] - Edvard346 rolled 1d20 ± 4 and obtained 9 ( 5, ). Reason : Spot check.

[Synik]

[ December 3, 2009, 12:43 pm ] - Synik rolled 1d20 ± 5 and obtained 16 ( 11, ). Reason : Jenna: Spot Roll.

The crowd parts and Jenna moves to the edges. People get out of the way for a reason. The woman's expression cut into Jenna, her trading smarts melting like snow on a salt pan. She tries to catch her eye. "You okay there?" she asks. Maybe she needs a little help. Within her coat, Jenna's hand holds the Derrigner's pitted grip that little bit tighter.

[arrowfodder]

[arrowfodder rolled 1d20 ± 7 and obtained 12 ( 5, ). Reason : Spot Check.]

[Synik]

Jenna felt someone's eyes on her - it was the young girl with the vegetables. Ren? Yes. She waves with her free arm and then her expression drops at the woman she was watching opens her mouth to breath.

Mutations were one thing, but mutilation quite another. Jenna's poker face slides into position and her eyes go completely white. Saints, has she been stabbed? The market leader will do his nut if someone's cut her. This is supposed to be a safe zone.

Letting go of the weapon, Jenna buttons her pocket shut and steps away from the edges of crowd. She tries to look at both the child and the woman. "Do you need help?" she asks gently. "You - you look hurt."

Edited by Synik, 03 December 2009 - 02:15 PM.