Linda
*The instant the sun peeks over the eastern horizon, Nina wakes. Despite being tangled up in the coils of a certain Lamia friend, she somehow wiggles out and exits the wagon to prepare breakfast.*

*Nina's horse Sullivan greets her soon as she steps outside, and she pats his head affectionately for a moment before she begins making breakfast. A farmer on his way to the markets inside the gates of Miller Dale passes by, and she quickly barters for a few eggs. After skinning and washing a few potatoes from a sack she pulls from a compartment under the wagon, she lights a small fire to cook with.

Soon, the smell of an egg and sausage hash permeates the air...*
Dwayne
*Having just woken up, Venaat had left Nina to Nyx's embrace; wishing to try their hand at hunting in plains and the mountainous lands around Miller Dale. And now they were returning empty handed.*

"Mornin' lass. Tried me hand at hunting on mountain land. Harder than ah woulda thought. Big game is rarer than ah expected, and smaller game is too small. Better ta jus fish lik ah always do if ah find a river. Ah couldn' even tell if the hares were grown or nawh so ah just didn't take a shot."

*They then sat by the fire, slowly undoing the string of their crossbow. The smell of the egg was new, and weird. It smelt like the patches of iridescent water that they sometimes saw on the Serpentine sea or something more memorable*

"Whats the smell? It smells like Cretoan shores."
Linda
"We're too close to the city to make hunting a good option. In more sparsely populated areas, or in mountains and big forests, hunting is much better. Give it another shot when we head out again, I'll show you a few tricks of the trade to hunt landbound beasties."

Instead of answering with words, Nina takes a wooden bowl and fills it with food. Hash browns mixed with scrambled eggs and sausage makes for a tasty meal. She waves the bowl under Venaat's nose and smiles, holding it and a fork out for him to take.

"Potato hash with sausage and egg - ah, I don't suppose you had any chickens on your ship, so the egg might be a bit new. Most people find it quite tasty though, so I suggest you give it a try." She says to him with a big grin. She's in a good mood this morning.
Carol
*The larger lamia at this point poked her head out of the caravan clearly having just woken up upon smelling the food and hearing the talking not saying anything quite yet just listening to the conversation and trying not to pay attention to the humans walking past towards the gates*
Dwayne
*Venaat took a bite of the food, their tongue clearing their lips of the grease after the bite*

"Ya, ah gotta give it to ya, tastes heavenly. Food aside ; after hitting the jewelryman ye got any other things ye wanna do? Ah am chipperer than a swabbie hopped up on laudanum so ah can be yer porter fer the day. Ah also gotta check undersides of whatever inn there is come nightfall, but that be me own business unless ye still have a thirst fer the unsavory sort"
Linda
*Nina dishes out a portion for Nyxia as well, even though she knows it won't be enough for the Lamia... And that Nyxia is probably still full from those bandits...*

"I reckon that after we get through the gates and register Nyxia as an adventurer or mercenary, we'll have plenty of time to do anything you want Venaat. I'll take you to the jeweler, and to the stables to get that horse you wanted."

Nina gives Nyxia a sidelong glance as she asks "Do you want to come with us? Or do you plan to head out on mercenary work soon as we register you?"
Dwayne
*The sailor chuckled, realizing their prime way of enjoying themselves had been risking their life; on way too many occasions for no other reason than the thrill of it. What do people even do in towns when they are there legally that didn't involve getting chased by lawmen in the end? Go to the bar to actually be merry? One would assume so. They looked at the road, a thought sparking in their mind, scratching the tip of their ear they turned to Nyxia*

"Ah wonder if snake-lasses were more common they would make socks down to the tail so cobbled roads would be more comfortable. But thats assumin' it is a bother. Like how Feradan got tailcaps fer winter."
Carol
*Taking the plate she begins eating saying* Maybe *Absently minded to Venaat's word as she looks towards the city and watches the citizens walking in and out of the gate*
Linda
Nina chuckles, and quickly eats the remaining chow. Between bites, she mumbles:

"I reckon we ought to go to that jeweler, then grab a bite to eat in town. Nyx and I will go register her with the mercenaries guild, and you can go about doing as you please for the afternoon... Then we'll meet back up later. What say ye?"
Dwayne
*The sailor finished up their bowl, sitting up and dusting themselves off. They checked the small knife in their pocket and the dagger strapped inside their coat; taking them out and checking the edge by repeatedly tapping it on their nails*

"That sounds great, ah will also get some idle chatter with the inn keepers in; might smooth over the evening when it comes to. Ah can also talk to the trader at the stable. If ah don't show up while the sun is up ah probably got me tail caught in unlawful business; ah will catch up to ye wherever ye are when the lamplighter is doing his rounds."
Linda
*Nina nods enthusiastically and begins cleaning up from making breakfast.*

"There's an open market just inside the gates, I'll be parking my wagon there. It will make for a good place to meet back up as well. Just try to check in with me before it gets too late, or I'll start worrying some unsavory folk shanked ya."
Dwayne
*The sailor waits until the cart starts moving once more, this time following it on foot, walking in line with the jockey box; their head barely above the wagon bed. *

"Ah wouldn' worry about that. Ah am hardier and slippier than ah look."

*When the gates were in close sight the sailor spoke*

"Imma pass by the pedestrian gate, guards get antsy when they see too many sorts together and I am a fugitive just across the swamp. I'll wait catch ya inside."

*As they got to the gate Venaat overtook the cart by a bit, slipping into a short line waiting before a guard that checked people's carried bags for contraband and faces for any who were wanted. While they waited they made light conversation with a dwarven lady just infront, as it was easier to seem above board when you looked sociable.*
Carol
*Nyxia decided to simply ride on the caravan for the time being but as venaat walked on ahead the predator leant out of the front and got close to her "Friend's" Ear and whispered* "Now don't forget your little promise~" *She says, her tongue tickling her ear as she slightly hisses with the last consonant, before she relaxes back and looks on at the city gates as they approached*
Linda
*Nina laughs, and pulls off to the side of the main thoroughfare where a large open field full of vendor stalls and wagons bustles with morning activity. Nina easily finds a spot to park the wagon, and soon is unhitching Sullivan.*

"Don't worry Nyx. I'll take you somewhere with fabulous food. Though we may want to go to the jewelers first so we can have a bit of money to spend on said food."

*Nina brushes her horse down after unhitching him, and waits anxiously for Venaat to show up. Hopefully the guards don't mistake him for some lowlife... Clearing up a misunderstanding like that takes an unfortunate amount of time, and often leaves one padding guards pockets... Nina frowns at the memory of a time she had to do that before. *
Dwayne
*The sailor reached the others after a very short while.*

"The queue lasted a lil bit, but ah got past. Lets get goin."

*The square was bustling but surely most folk didn't plug the streets like the bigger cities. Venaat unhooked their shield and set it on the side of the jockey seat, if they hit a point where would need that it was better to run in a city.*
Linda
*With a simple nod, Nina finishes up locking her wagon down, and tells Nyxia* "Come along Nyx! The place I want to take you for food is very close to the jeweler, and every girl enjoys looking at pretty jewelry, right?" 

*She says it in a playful voice, and soon as Nyxia leaves the wagon she locks the door and tells her horse Sullivan to keep an eye on our stuff. The horse snorts, and even seems to roll his eyes in exasperation... *

*Soon enough Nina is leading the way through the busy streets, chattering up a storm as she excitedly shares with Nyxia and Venaat all she knows about the various shops they pass along the way, and explaining a few things about the culture for Nyxia's benefit.*

*Soon enough, the group arrives at a shop built of sturdy stone masonry and painted in dazzling colorful geometric designs. A dwarf in full plate armor stands guard by the entrance holding a hefty war axe.*

"Here we are friends! Brandybuck and Frór, my favorite Jewler in all of Eluaria. Despite being very successful, the owners somehow manage to stay very down to earth and humble, and genuinely care about their customers."

*The interior of the shop has a stupendous array of jewelry in styles from every culture on the continent. A few more dwarves in various types of armor and with a variety of weapons are posted in strategic locations to guard the jewelry. Another dwarf with a huge white beard stands behind the counter, chatting with a customer, and a stout red headed hobbit sits behind another counter. Nina makes a beeline for the hobbit lady and begins chatting with her like she's an old friend.*
Dwayne
*Venaat listened to Nina's explanations intently until they got to the jeweler. Their eyes stuck on the cuts of gems that looked like they were molded out of clay, flowing as if liquid. They follow Nina, their eyes sweeping over every gleaming piece.*

"By the Grand Serpent, does a witch mold these pieces out of earth? Ah haven't seen such beautiful work."

*They were speaking to themselves, the thought of selling their own pieces to swap them for something much more glamorous passing their mind. They were surely gaudy at heart but that would have to wait until their hunt had ended. Looking memorable wasn't the best idea while on the run and planning to get even closer to pursuing eyes and ears. They prayed that this place still stood when they came back around regardless of their own voyage. Nina did say they were 'best in Eluria', not having seen any other jeweler they didn't have a reason to disbelieve.*

"Ah gotta bring me sis here when ah am captain again; she would also love it"
Linda
"Nyx, don't be shy. Long as you don't break anything you're perfectly welcome here. Miss Brandybuck here says you've got gorgeous scales by the way." *Nina calls out in a friendly manner, as she waves Venaat closer. Once he comes near, Nina introduces him.*

"Miss Brandybuck, this is my new friend Venaat. Like any sailor he looks a bit rough on the outside, but he's proven to be a good friend in the short time I've known him. He wishes to sell some carved necklaces his sister made, and given the wide variety of styles you deal in here I knew you would be able to see the beauty of her artwork where others would not. Go ahead Venaat, I promise she'll be fair."

*Miss Brandybuck is tall for a hobbit, reaching just under her dwarven business partner's chin. She has a motherly demeanor about her with everyone she meets, fair flaxen hair with a bit of grey starting to creep in, a very plain blue dress, and a startling variety of jewlery - like she's trying to be a walking advertisement. She greets Venaat with a simple polite nod of the head, and pulls out a jewler's glass.*