Nancy
*The girl seems intimidated, despite the calming voice coming from them.* "N-no- I'm just here to pick up flower! My shop's on the other side of town!" *As she looks up, she holds onto her hood, being careful to not let it slide off.*
John
*The man put a palm to his face, the girl could see a lilac blue hand with dark nails and a few rings emerge from the seeming wall of shadows* 

"**Forgive me, a man told me you were the owner of the bakery, when he mentioned your destination in passing, I would not of thought that he would neglect to mention you were going to a store that was not your own, I must of startled you, may you guide me to your bakery?**"
Nancy
*She nods quickly, quivering a little before the imposing figure.* 

"S-sure thing! I j-just need to um, pick up some flower really fast." 

*She approaches the storeowner, behind a counter, and he quickly asks:*

"Ah, Violet, great to see you! Need somethin'?"

*Violet responds,* "Y-Yes, Jade sent me to pick up some flower, we're almost out."

*The man says,* "Right away!" *And heads to the back room, returning with a big, heavy-looking bag of flower. He places it on the counter, and Violet places a pile of coins onto the counter beside it, picking up the bag of flour with great difficulty.* "Ready to go!" *Violet, says, seeming to struggle to carry it.*
John
"**Guide the way small one.**" 

*The larger figure turns and begins to walk away, before turning back*

"**Do you need aide with that bag small one.**"

*A blue hand reaches down he doesn't take the bag, a simple offer.*
Nancy
*She looks up, to him, then back down to the bag in her arms.* 

"I... Would you? I'm in a bit of a hurry..." 

*She raises the bag slightly, offering it to him. She was taught not to trust strangers, but she's always been too trusting...*
John
*He takes it gently in his hands, putting a hand under the bag as to be extra careful not to drop it, every movement seemingly considerate.* 

"**Onward, to baked goods we go.**"
Nancy
*She nods once more, waving the shopkeeper goodbye, before running out onto the streets. She leads the way towards the other side of town — to her bakery, being sure to slow down enough for the hooded man to follow.*
John
*The hooded man enters the bakery before them, and stands in the middle, seemingly doing nothing at all, he looks to the left and the right inspecting the area around him.*
Nancy
*The bakery — as expected — smells like bread. It has breads of all sorts on display, with prices beneath them. A kemonomimi woman, with cat ears and a tail stands behind the counter. She calls out to Violet,*

"About time, what took you so long? You're usually much faster."

*She then notices the hooded man holding the bag of four. Violet rushes behind the counter, next to the woman. The woman bluntly asks,*

"Who's the hooded weirdo?"

*This seems to make Violet nervous, as she quickly explains,*

"H-He's some nice man I met over at the store. He offered to carry the flour for me."
John
*The hooded man stays still for almost 30 seconds before speaking once more, he walks right up to the counter, his almost military cadence and posture makes him seem larger than he actually is, he takes his hand out of his cloak a jingle indicating some kind of metallic object on him* 

"**Finally, I have come this far, I now have what I desire**" 

*The hooded figure reaches for a belt, a loud metallic clink, a pouch appearing, as he does this, his cloak falls back, revealing a skinny dark elf man, messy ash grey hair tied in a messing ponytail, his eyes a emerald green* 

"**Give me, your sweetest baked produce.**"
Nancy
*The woman behind the counter raises an eyebrow, before turning towards Violet, giving her a sort of 'Where'd you find this one?' sort of look, before turning back to him.*

"Uh, sure thing."

*The woman's voice is filled with a blunt confidence as she speaks. She then reaches underneath the counter, pulling out a small, wooden box. She asks Violet,* "Go get some doughnuts, will ya?"

*Violet nods, walking into the back room, and bringing back several glazed doughnuts — not the modern, round, poofy kind, but the old, shriveled-looking (though still appetizing) rounds of bread, glazed in some sort of sugary syrup. They add the doughnuts to the box, before the woman says,*

"That'd be seven copper."
John
*The elf drops a 30 copper into the hand of the woman, before giving a nod and giving a wide smile.* 

"**Many blessing upon you and your homely establishment, this little one here was kind enough to guide me here, I seem to have startled them, they seem easily scarred, bless their soul.**" 

*The man turns back and forth as if to look for something before turning back* 

"**Is there anywhere to sit?**"
Nancy
*The woman counts the money handed to her, and then looks up, as if wondering if the man hadn't meant to give the excess. She then turns to Violet, and simply says,*

"Violet, get him a chair, will you?"

*Violet nods quickly, and bolts into the backroom. In mere moments, she comes back out with a chair, bringing it to the man.* "H-here you are!"
John
*The elf gives a strange gesture with his left hand, as if he's trying to say everything's alright* 

"**It's a tip, for austerity, I would not of found your shop if not for this one. Thank you child**"

*He turns to the donuts, taking one and taking a large bite, essentially chomping down half the donut* 

"**Hmm, this is delicious, I ought to have the nerve to tip you again**"

*The dark elf giggles to himself, seeming to enjoy himself greatly as he hums in satisfaction with each chew.*
Nancy
*The woman says to Violet,*

"Well, keep up the good work I guess."

*Violet nods, and says to the man,* "I-Is there anything else you need?"
John
*The man suddenly laughs putting an elbow on the table, relaxing and winding down as he begins chomping a second donut.* 

"**Are you well? I seem to have startled you small one, I am sorry, believe it or not, the cloak serves a practical reason, forgive me, uh, I seem to not know you're name.**"
Nancy
*The girl is quick to respond, seeming apologetic.*

"Oh- Forgive me! I'm Violet, and that's my sister Jade." *She motions to the woman behind the counter, who gives a wave, saying,* "Heya."

*Violet turns back to him, so quick that her hood almost falls off, though she's quick to move her hands to fix it.* "A-And I'm fine- I um- you needn't worry about me."

*Jade then says,* "Yeah, she just gets a little nervous around people, I'm sure you understand."
John
"**Good evening Violet and Jade, my name is Zeras Tassadar, I must admit, this is my first time in New Salvania, in truth it is quite the culture shock, a bakery was the solace I surely needed, the speed at which people live their lives here is truly astonishing**"

*Zeras shakes his head, his eyes blinking wide as he reminisces* 

"**Despite the rush and the confusion, the city does interest me so, I must see more...**"

*As he says this, Zeras puts his hand to his chin and looks down, seeming to zone out, deep in thought.*
Nancy
*Violet thinks for a moment, before asking,*

"D-Do you have someplace to stay?"

*She looks back at Jade, as Jade has an expression of both confusion and that stern look parents get when they don't want you to do something.*
John
*Zeras's looks surprised at the offer, at first he puts his hand to his chest, as if totally willing to accept, but he sees Jayde's face and reads the room, he knows the pressure that would cause, and he knows not to intrude, he laughs at the situation, his laugh deep and hearty, betraying his lithe and skinny disposition, his voice so much bigger than he is.* 

"**Please young Violet you are too kind, I could never take advantage of a strangers hospitality like that, no matter how nice they may be, but you must also be wary of strangers, I assure you I mean you no harm, but I could not say the same of many of those out there in the world. The first thing I found in this city was the tavern, worry not of my place of rest, that is secure for the night, though I appreciate your willingness to extend a hand.**" 

*Once again Zeras makes a simmering down motion at Jade, knowing what she must of thought when her over eager sister offered him a place to stay.*
Nancy
*Jade seems visibly calmer, though still slightly irritated. Violet simply nods, saying,* "O-Of course, right, that'd be silly." 

*Jade looks out at the darkening sky outside, before saying,* "Looks like it's just about closing time. I'd advise you make your way towards that tavern you mentioned — unless, of course, you're fond of staying up all night — but either way you can't stay here." *She looks over at Violet.* "Come help me get everyone to bed, will you Vi?" 

*Violet rushes over towards Jade, nodding quickly.* "O-Of course, I'd lost track of time." *She waves to Zeras.* "Goodnight, um, Zeras was it?"
John
*Zeras nods, closing his eyes as he does before opening them as his head comes back up.* 

"**Goodnight young violet, and goodnight to you Jayde, I'll find a way to get to the Tavern, somehow, I shall remember this place, these donuts, they were quite memorable, blessings be to you, and all your future endeavours, lest we never meet again, may your path be enlightened, and your gardens forever watered**" 

*Zeras stands from his seat, taking the wooden box of donuts and leaving, as he reaches the door, he gives a wave to both of them, a smile across his face as he puts back on his hood, slowly walking out the door*
Nancy
*Jade says bluntly,* "We don't got a garden, but good night to you too." 

*Jade locks the door as Zeras leaves, and puts out all the candles. She tosses a key to Violet, who opens up a door in the corner of the room, showing the way to a set of stairs. When Jade is finished putting out all the candles, they go up the stairs, closing and locking the door behind them.*