[X] Work with Ulster the Store Keeper and earn money! Experience in retail is all the rage these days.
[X] Explore the Town and get your bearings.
--[X]Take Simon with you.
You hesitated for a moment as you gave some thought over your options. Visiting the Shaman and the Elder was certainly a good idea...for down the road. Those two were likely to pose as many questions as they solved. Sure, you felt some urgency about finding out who you were, but it would be meaningless to have the knowledge but not the capability to act on it. Having a pocket full of money would certainly set the foundation, and gathering information about this village could potentially weed out people of talent and those willing to help.
Nodding slightly to yourself, you fixed Ulster with your gaze, "I'll help you out for today. I can't reasonably expect to rely on your good will for too long, I think. So, I'll earn my keep."
Ulster raised an eyebrow at your statement before letting out a boisterous laugh. Slapping Simon on the back, he pointed his chin at her and said, "Looks like she has a good head on her shoulders. I'll leave it up to you to show her the ropes, boy!" Still chortling, he walked up the wooden steps and re-entered his shop. And then there were two.
Without the raucous presence of Ulster, you both became distinctly aware of how awkward things between you two were. Both of you shifted your gazes, and when your eyes met, you both swiftly looked away. No words were forthcoming, but your annoyance with the current situation was slowly overcoming your desire to averse an undesirable social situation. Finally, you were the on to break the silence.
"So...care to show me how one takes care of a store?" You get a mumbled response, before he opens the door and motions you inside...It's going to be a long day, isn't it? Yet you were determined to at least form a civil acquaintanceship. Following Simon inside, you took in the store with interest. There were multiple shelves stocked with goods, both edible and otherwise.
Based on what you saw, it carried a little bit everything. Sacks of grain were littered underneath the window by the door. Pins, buttons, axes of varying sizes, ropes...the list went on. Seems like the kind of place that would generate quite a bit of activity. You supposed you'd find out later, it was still quite early in the day.
Simon proceeded to tell you how to tend to counter. Luckily, it seemed basic arithmetic had survived the memory purge, which surprised Simon. After that was bleated explanations on keeping the store clean and certain products looking bright and sparkly. Occasionally, Ulster would shout tips from whatever part of the store he occupied.
Just as you thought, customers started pouring before mid day. Generally, Simon handled the till and you watched. A few of the shoppers glanced at your curiously, but you only smiled in response. As you watched, you came to understand the standard form of currency was coinage. Copper coins were the most common, with about twenty pieces adding up to a single shiny silver coin. In turn, fifteen silver coins was the equal of one gold coin, though those types of purchases seemed rare, seeing as you only witnessed one.
The last kind of coin was a bit of a head scratcher. They were tiny silvery coins of unknown metallurgy that Simon simply called "bits". They weren't common, and seemed to hold the least value. But before Simon could explain, Ulster happily shoved two silver coins and five coppers in your hands before proudly stating, "Good work, ladies!"
Surprised, you realized you had lost track of time. Based on the position of the sun, it was mid to late afternoon. Well then!
Luckily, the rapport you established with Simon over business had him open up a bit to you. In fact, he wasn't entirely avoiding eye contact. That being said though, he never mentioned anything to do with the forest. It seems that was still very much on his mind. It was less a friendly relationship than a cordial one. Oh well, that was the best you could hope for.
"Simon, I don't plan on going to the Shaman or Elder today."
"...probably a good idea. The elder gets pretty ornery at this time of day. Old coot needs at least two naps before bedtime." Simon stifled a laugh, "And who knows what the Shaman's up to. Probably chanting at the top of his house again, trying to summon a rain storm or somethin'."
"You guys have some interesting people here, don't you? Anyway, I was hoping you'd give me a quick tour of the village?I'd hate to waste a few hours getting lost."
Simon hesitated, his right hand incessantly tapping his leg, "...Sure, I guess. Ulster would probably get mad at me if I said no anyways."
With Simon in the lead, you followed him out the door and into the street. A wagon, more like a carriage, passed by. The black paint it sported was clearly new, or the carriage itself. A woman wearing an elegant dress with fine lace briefly glanced at you before turning her attention towards the front. A noble or something? Well, whatever.
Leading you through the streets, you were given a brief description of shops and places of interest. The stable with its beautiful chargers and stallions. The tavern, called Pig's Foot, in all its shadiness. Multiple stalls that specialized in fresh produce, with bored attendants leaning heavily on their crickety wood shanties.
As you walked about, you noticed more than a few men and woman staring at your face in wonder. It was making feel disconcerted. Leaning over to Simon, you whispered, "What are they all staring at? i don't have something on my face, do I?"
Simon glanced up at you, peering closely. Too closely actually. Realizing his mistake, his face turned pink before he turned away, "It might be your eyes. The color of them...they look like carved ice."
"...If it's that big of a deal, why didn't you or Ulster stare?"
"Because I worked with Ulster for years. His right eye is milky white, didja see that?" Ah, I see. Simon was accustomed to something like that.
Crickets began to sing, and you noted the falling sun. It had been obscured by clouds by even they couldn't drown out the unmistakable tint of orange and yellow. Dusk was fast approaching. You didn't expect it would take this long. The village was a little larger than you initially thought. Looks like you'll have to finish exploring another day. But...you still have a bit of time to burn before returning to Ulster's...
What do? Choose 1.
[] Return to Ulster's immediately. Nothing you've seen so far interests you.
[] Give the stables a quick look see? The horses seemed friendly enough.
[] A sudden craving for something sweet overcame you. Visit the produce stalls?
[] You're feeling a bit adventurous. Peek inside the Pig's Foot?
[] Write in.
