Market Redux (Day 5 LM Mount Mainaka Open)

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito approached the Market for the second time in as many days humming a sailing tune to himself as he walked. He had heard about the missing scorpion this morning but it didn't particularly concern him as it seemed to him at least half the scorpion on the ship were the type to sustain accidents anyways.

He hadn't brought his Daisho this morning just his Kama which would make the interactions a bit easier he had figured and was quite ready to give up his weapons before he entered. After all he had something to buy today.

[elonweis]

The Mantis was saddled with the little girl once more, who tried to keep up with the longer stride of the older man. She determinedly ignores cute kitties and puppies along the way, legs pumping.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito had shortened his strides to help the little girl keep up as best he could he didn't want to loose her today like he had yesterday. "I think I know what I'm after today Chibi-chan." He said as they arrived. "So I won't be having ya taking me all around the place this time around."

[elonweis]

"Okay!" she replies as she finally manages a pace that let her keep up with Kaito. Mostly. There were still times when she had to scurry to catch up.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito relinquishes his weapons to the guards at the door when asked before he headed in the little girl in tow. "I was looking for a liquor vendor... Don't really matter what kind of either ya know where I might find one?" He asks his eyes scanning the crowded stalls

[elonweis]

"Uh-huh! Yup!" Chibi immediately leads the Mantis along the far wall of the warehouse. She turns down one of the aisles and takes Kaito down a row lined with jars and bottles. The little girl ignores most of the vendors and zeroes in on a hunched old man sitting on a stool in front of a plank of wood.

Behind him were several bottles lined in rows, ranging from pottery to glass. He looks up and smiles at the child, lifting a gnarled hand to wave and stops when he spots the Yoritomo, giving him a shrewd look.

"... greetings," he calls and indicates a seat on the other side of the... bar? Only thing it could be.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"Mornin." Replied the mantis nodding slightly in thanks as he took the offered seat. "Do you speak Rokugani or do I need to have Chibi-chan here translate for me?" He asked from the other side of the bar his eyes scanning the shelves

[elonweis]

"I speak your language well enough bahari," the old man replies in fair Rokugani that was thickly accented.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

He wasn't sure what Bahari meant but it wasn't likely a insult so the mantis didn't question it. "Alright then I was wondering what popular brews you carried here Merchant-san."

[Toritaka Punchiru]

Fresh from a luxurious morning Toritaka Punchiru decides to do a bit of shopping. Naturally first he would have to garner some coin with which to do so. He poked through his belongings, seeking to see if anything he carried would be more valuable here than at home.

"Yoritomo-sama!"

Punchiru hurries up.

Hopefully I can help him make a deal. These gaijin have strong liquor, and they don't know its value.

[elonweis]

"Grape wine, honey wine, rice liquor, grain liquor," the man rattles off without a blink. The merchant's dark eyes move towards the Crab as he appears with something of annoyance. These damn foreigners, couldn't even respect the rituals of doing business.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito blinks slightly at the crabs sudden appearance wondering if the man had come out without proper escort before greeting him with a bow. "Toritaka-san." He replied as he turned back to the man wondering if the task at hand just got easier or harder.

"Rice liquor sounds interesting and somewhat close to what we have at home. Do you have any varieties that come in a good studry jug? Something that could stand up to a bit of travel?"

[elonweis]

The old man rises from his seat and turns to the bottles on the shelf behind him. He picks one, an rich amber in color and retrieves a clay cup from behind the 'bar'. He pours out a joint worth of clear liquid and sets it infront of the Mantis, "I have casks in storage. If you want, they can be in a jug. This is from the Jhansi, a specialty. Good flavor, a little dry but still sweet on the tongue."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

Kaito picked up the glass and took a moment to sniff at it before taking a slow sip and letting it linger in his mouth for a few moments, it wouldn't do to bring Suitengu rot gut after all. Finishing the portion he placed the cup back on the table thinking for a few moments before speaking. "It is good though I am not quite sure it is what I am looking for. Do you have any other varieties to offer?"

[elonweis]

The old man casually sets the bottle down and retrieves another, pouring the liquid in to the cup after flicking any residual out to the side. A rich anise scent fills the air. He gave the Yoritomo a shrewd look, "Will put hair on your chest."

[Yoritomo Kaito]

"Good I can use a little bit more of that to keep me warm at night." Replied the Mantis with a small grin before he repeated the tasting process he had gone through before. It wasn't the tastiest brew the spice leaving a odd after taste in his mouth but it certainly kicked like a ox. "I like it." He replied after a moments thought before glancing down towards Chibi-chan wondering if she knew how to haggle.

[elonweis]

The girl was watching the exchange with a rather intent look on her young features. True to her name, she was barely tall enough to see over the bar, but her gimlet eyes met the merchants with a certain fearlessness.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

The mantis couldn't help smiling despite being nearly the same height as Mouse their personalities seemed to be total opposites. "I think I would like 4 Jugs of this Chibi-chan do you think you could handle that?"

[elonweis]

Slowly, her little eyes rose above the bar as she tippy-toed. The old man looks rather amused as he names what sounds like a price. Chibi wrinkles her nose and shakes her head, saying something in rapid-fire Rhumaal. He replies back in a persuasive voice by the girl was adamant. He lifts his hand gestures at the bottle and the liquid, perhaps describing its qualities as Chibi replies a bit rudely.

The man looks offended, though there was a glimmer in his eyes... and it was soon clear he was clearly enjoying the spirited exchange.

[Yoritomo Kaito]

The smile remained on his face and he turns towards the Toritaka watching teh exchange through the corner of his eye. "Was there something I could help you with this morning Toritaka-san?"