In truth, Doryn had heard rumors of someone in the city who dealt with the import of various items that were not easily acquired. Especially items that it now fell within his aegis to maintain a tight control over, and when Pietr began his match and unveiled this small sample of what he could do, the Knight-Captain of the Guard couldn't help but wonder if this unassuming merchant wasn't the elusive contact whom he'd been unable to find much in the way of information on.<br/><br/>Not out of any attempt to shut down his operation, of course.<br/><br/>No, Doryn didn't see anything wrong with a bit of smuggling, so long as it didn't progress too far. No one wanted to see<em>certain substances</em>become widely used amongst the citizenry, but at the same time, if their own access to such treasures was to be disrupted then Sir Aelland would find himself in a rather uncomfortable spot. Doryn's interest in such matters was more personal, for in truth the young Northman was rather well-travelled and he'd acquired more than a few vices even as a relatively young man, vices that he would enjoy indulging again and which he would like to offer to his closest friends.<br/><br/>He didn't bother to conceal his interest as he looked over the various contents of Pietr's box of 'samples', vaguely amused that he only recognized roughly half of the items therein. Oh, he'd tried Ash of Helides not long after he'd left his home and found it an almost religious experience, and he'd tasted of the bitter Black Nectar during his stint with the Mercenary Company in Ostoporath, though all things told<em>that</em>wasn't exactly an experience he was keen to repeat. He'd heard of the Powder of the Black Rose, its properties were especially whispered, but he didn't feel any especial urge to make a fool of himself by taking such a powerful afrodisiac right in the middle of a sensitive negotiation.<br/><br/>Even the gel that Hani mentioned, which he'd had used on him once and used on others on a few occasions, was perhaps not the best choice of item for such things.<br/><br/>In the end, Doryn settled for an old staple that he'd used once or twice as a young man living amongst the Celebrants of the Blind God, more than prepared for the effect that the Elysian Tears would have on him as he ever so carefully took one of the small wafers and lightly dusted it with the rock-salt like 'tears' before sitting the mixture on his tongue. Sitting back in his chair, Doryn had a bit of a smile on his face as he felt his eyes become unfocused and a pleasant sensation spread through his body. It took a moment, before he first saw them on the edge of his vision, the vague figures of light whom the Celebrants had called 'Dancers'. The first time he'd taken the Tears he'd tried to focus on them, to watch their Dance, and been ever so disappointed when they disappeared.<br/><br/>This time, he knew to keep his mind and eyes unfocused, to let the Dancers play at the edge of his vision and enjoy the sensation.<br/><br/>"You've quite a wide selection of joys, Pietr, I have to admit to being impressed-- I was an even younger man when I last saw the Dancers," he says, chuckling just a bit. "I've heard of the Cream that the Elves use, as well, though only since coming here to the Crescent City. This is as close as I've ever been to Elven Lands, I'm afraid, though you -are- correct that I'm somewhat familiar with them however. They enjoy my fanciful stories of my homeland and my travels, and I've found myself entertained at their parties now and again."<br/><br/>"Except for the occasional glass of their wine, which I must agree is quite an experience, they've been quite stingy with their 'trifles', however," he says, a bit of a smirk. "Wary that I'll become addicted to their refined delights and take pleasure in nothing else ever again. Their women say much the same thing, albeit more flirtatiously and in a rather different context, and I've thus I've had little direct experience with either. Though this does not, of course, stop me from attempting to acquire one or the other."<br/><br/>He grins just a bit, flashing a bit of a smile over at Pietr, knowing that the older man,-- at least,-- will understand.<br/><br/>Before the Merchant can say much in reply, though, Doryn has something else to say: "I noticed few items in your box from the Northlands. Have you ever traded in Ice Cobra Venom? Small doses, properly diluted, can induce dream-like visions that can show you things both beautiful and horrific in equal mixture. Our Holy Men train to take larger doses, as part of their rituals to see the future, but it was a common enough delicacy amongst the young men of my Clan back in my youth."<br/><br/>Too pure of a dose, of course, was almost inevitable fatal.<br/><br/>It'd been far too long since he'd last tasted such exotic treasures, of course, but-- if he could arrange a supply,-- the venom had shaped his life to his advantage so far. Who knows what he might be able to do with more of it, what further heights he might glimpse in the visions that it showed him? It was, after all, in just such a haze-induced vision that he'd first seen this City and the Battles that had led to his enNobling. It'd been in the tortured painful trance of the Venom that he'd first seen this Inne and the fair face of Hani all those years ago before he'd even left home.<br/><br/>"It's not a common export, I know, but I could pay quite handsomely for a meager supply. I'd be happy to help you find other trade goods you might find more profitable."