inbox.

[positioning]

Comments

crystal

[deceivingly]

I need a merchant. One who's not afraid, just the right amount.

[positioning]

I think I know of such a merchant. In fact, I'm very familiar with one such candidate. What is he selling this time?

[deceivingly]

Clothes and armor off his cart. But in his storehouse he has a certain cello.

[positioning]

One he's willing to part with, for a price?

[deceivingly]

A fair price, aye. There's always a price.

[positioning]

Then I am certain I know of just the merchant. I have seen him with his wares in the corner of the market on this very day and I am sure he'll be back.

[deceivingly]

I will give the man the good news. He will be so grateful to have his cello back. This is good, because what would a thief do with a cello? Not a question I thought about asking. The thief will know better next time, I think.

[positioning]

Yes, he will learn the error of his ways. And he will never be seen in Kirkwall again, I suppose.

[deceivingly]

[She sighs.]

Lucky merchant.

[positioning]

We'll join him sooner or later. Promise.

[deceivingly]

Not as easy for us to get away as it will be for Bill.

[deceivingly]

You are still a very famous artist. Yes? We will need a picture of an opal, made by you.

[positioning]

Who is asking you for paintings of opals? Are we sure they are not hoping for an actual opal?

[deceivingly]

He did not say painting. He said picture. This could be a sketch only. And yes, he will be wanting an actual opal after he has the picture to enjoy. The opal will be the size of a baby's fist.

But the picture first will be fine.

[positioning]

Well, that is very easy to do. I will not even have to steal another sketchbook to do it. How difficult can an opal be to draw?

[ however ]

But they are less easy to find. Especially those the size of a baby's fist.

[ just saying. ]

[deceivingly]

Oh, yes, but I promised, Alek. I said that I would give the opal the size of a baby's fist and then I would get the glove that makes powerful things happen, with my shard hand. It is time for it to be useful and I want it to blow things apart.

You want that too, yes?

[positioning]

[ hm. ]

I think it would be very helpful when we are trying to run away from things. I will ask around. Perhaps we know someone who has seen an opal of such a size has been abandoned.

[ """"abandoned"""" ]

[deceivingly]

That would be very sad, an abandoned opal. We would only be helping to find its new home with Rifter Tony. We are good people.

[positioning]

We are helpful.

What will he do with the opal? Wear it?

[deceivingly]

How should I know what he will be doing with it? I did not ask him. He is a Rifter. Maybe he will do a Rifter thing with it.

Should I ask him?

[positioning]

I do not know. Maybe it would be interesting to hear what a Rifter would do with an opal. He is a strange man, yes?

[deceivingly]

I like him.

[Which could be a vote for strangeness.]

[positioning]

I like him too, but he is strange.

[ a feature, not a bug. ]

[deceivingly]

People put things in their asses. What if that is it?

[positioning]

Then it is a waste of a good opal, but we must not judge him.

[deceivingly]

You are such a good person, Alek. Someday you will become immortal and you will ascend all the way up to the heavens. I wish only to be as good as you and never to judge anyone for putting big opals in their ass. I will try now to be so good.

[positioning]

No, no. You be yourself, because if both of us are being saintly nothing what use will we be?

[deceivingly]

That is true. We must be balanced. Two parts work together best if they are balanced.

I will keep judging ass opals.

crystal;

[deceivingly]

That wife is here.

[positioning]

Yes, she came bearing very heavy bags.

[ almost a complaint. ]

I think she means to stay for a little while.

[deceivingly]

Very heavy?

[Hmmmm.]

You carried these bags?