Marvin
_Almann decided to make the trip away from the coast and pay a visit to the capital. It would be good to revisit the place where he first started his business, and begin to re-pawn his wares in the streets of the bustling city again. PHe missed the diverse amount of merchant districts strewn throughout the city center. The blacksmith's quarter, the baker's quarter, the peddler's quarter, all of them brought unique opportunities and risks that Almann reveled in. They all brought in their unique sounds and smells, their unique domestic and abroad visitors and venders, and their own unique conversations and stories._

_Now, Almann wasn't exactly a city man, but he found difficulty in finding something he truly hated about this place. Usually he despised cities and their crowds, but this monumental metropolis seemed different. Almann recalls sitting in his small shop, spending hours on worn pieces of armor, meticulously refurbishing them and giving them life. It was a simple and good life then. He remembered how he was visited by many different guests in his time here too. Rich merchants and noblemen of the upper quarter, craftsmen and experienced men-at-arms in the middle quarters, and even unsuccessful mercenaries and beggars of the slum and lower quarters._

_One of his favorite things to do was hear the stories of these people, or challenge them to a competition. Depending on how they acted, or what they told him, or how they performed, maybe he'd give them a discount or throw in another useful item with their purchase. Almann was all about information and getting to know people. You never know what minor thing you hear now might come in handy later..._

_As he walked down the road towards the gate of the city, Almann took in the sounds of merchant caravans and travelers. The short man from Homboxia is selling pelts, the taller beastskin woman from Itchsunia just returned from mercenary work, and a child that accompanied what Almann could only assume was her mother seemed to be overjoyed about visiting her uncle's sweets shop in the upper quarter._

_He also spotted the type of traveler he hadn't seen in a while. He would recognize the looks of a Dezabian from a kilometer away. They aren't common sort around here to say the least, and they always seem to be shrewd businessmen and warriors. Almann wanted to jump at the chance to interact with her as soon as possible. They always have the best stories or personalities._

_Almann would move his horse at a trot towards the Dezabian, eager to strike a conversation with her as soon as possible._
Tammi
*Mounted on her own chestnut-colored horse, the Dezebian rode along towards the gates of the capital city as well in a hearty trot, eager to get into town and shake off her sea legs. What felt like an endless amount of time at sea retched her gut from bow to stern, and she was happy to be out of the company of drunken sailors, as much fun as they were. What she saw before her at the gates was a much more welcoming site than the dingy fishing village she excused herself at. Parma found herself in wonder and comforted at the same time. The the endless forests and grassy hills that seemed to stretch on as far as the greatest sand dunes, coupled with the magnificent gates funneling peoples of all kinds in and out were sights to behold. In other ways, the big crowds reminded her of Rakmurse, for better and worse. 

Parma's enchantment didn't dull her other senses. Sounds clopping hooves started to get unusually close, and she turned to see a traveler on horseback approaching her, unmistakably. A salesman, perhaps? Plenty willing to get in your face on the streets of Rakmurse. No harm in humoring him, long as she kept one eye on her silverpurse. She smiles at the approaching stranger, slowing her horse down so the pair can trot along in tandem.* "Peace be with you, stranger! Can I do something for you?"
Marvin
_Almann gives a sly grin._

"It's a bit far from your homeland, miss. You might need someone to help you navigate the city. Lucky for you, I just happen to know where the best places are for business and good deals on useful items are in the middle quarter."

_He points to the city gate._

"Tell you what, if you and you horse can beat me and my horse in a race to the city gate, you can take your pick out of any of the bars, inns, shops, or restaurants and buy something, on me. If I win, you have to answer my questions. Deal?"

_As Almann offered his hand to shake he knew most people wouldn't pass up the offer for free stuff, especially if it came to a competition as to who was better at something than the other. Why did she have to lose? Either way Almann would get the information he wanted, either over a meal or otherwise._

"I'm Almann by the way."