Timestamp: Spring 10, 520 A.V.
"So this is your father's Mercantile?" Taz asked, spinning around, looking at all the things the store had to offer. It was loaded with goods, mostly designed for jungle and beach living, but a few beautiful things too. There were fabrics, clothing, shoes, and a whole host of things Taz had never imagined. She walked among the tables and cupboards, touching this and that, taking a few things in that she'd never conceived of existing.
"You said you'd fix me up with a few things I'd need for the jungle... what did you have in mind?" Taz asked as Juli came around the counter and gave the newcomer to Syka a hug.
"Weapons for one! You have no real way to defend yourself or hunt! You need weapons for hunting and protection.... come with me. Let's pick you out something." She added, looking Taz up and down as if taking her measure. She paused then, once the stood in front of the weapons racks in the Mercantile, and looked Tazrae over. "How many coins do we have to spend today? I know you said yesterday that you needed some basic supplies and clothing suited to Syka, but are good weapons in the budget?" Juli asked, curious, and forthright.
"Well, I loaned a considerable sum from your father and his friends... about four thousand mizas. But I have about five hundred coins my stepfather gave me to supply me once over here. I spent some of that in Riverfall, but most I saved to get supplies here." She said, looking thoughtful.
Juli nodded. "Good. We'll get you quality weapons... clothing. Some survival gear... things you need to get going around here. I've made up some kits to make basic supplies like candles and soap too. You'll need a few of those. Can you sew?" Taz shook her head and Juli nodded. "I have books... so does Mathias. We're good at sharing knowledge. You'll need to learn a whole lot of things being over here verses Riverfall. Let's get started." The young shopkeeper said, rummaging through the weapons.
She pulled forth a compound longbow, grinned, and set it aside along with a quiver full of arrows to go with it. "Compound will make up for the strength you don't have on a longbow... it will shoot further and harder. You'll need lessons. And a machete. You can't go into the jungle without one of those or a Kukuri. Taz blinked in surprise. An Innkeeper was expected to wield weapons? She almost opened her mouth to complain when Juli added a hatchet to the pile. Then she picked up the lot of it, carried it to the counter, and sat it on the ledge.
"Clothing next." Juli commented as Tazrae followed her like a puppy... completely lost as to what was actually happening. Juli gathered up dresses, blouses, and skirts... all of a lightweight strong material she called Isuas. She added gloves, a broad-rimmed straw hat, and an apron to the pile. Then she pulled out two slips of fabric, one that looked like two triangles bound together and what appeared to be panties and added it to the pile. All the clothing was in bright colors suited to Taz's skin tones. "These fabrics wear better, wash better, and will last longer than the cotton you brought. I saw your footgear and you look well suited to life here... so we'll skip that for the moment." She said, adding the clothing to the pile on top of the weapons.
Then she roamed the store, collecting things at seemingly random. Netting, jars of oil and ointment, a belt pouch, a huge lantern, some of the kits she'd talked about, a few traps that looked like they were used in the ocean.... things for clams, for fishing, even something that acted to preserve food. Tazrae followed without complaint, nodding to some things, and actually grabbing a few things for herself.
A hammock and some sort of bedroll with a half dozen pillows followed. They were added to the top of the pile by Juli, claiming she wanted Taz to be comfortable even in her tent. It would be, after all, a while before even one room of the Inn was completed.
She picked up a washboard, eyeballed what appeared to be a bunch of oils used for massaging someone, and then dragged over a bench to add to the table deciding she'd pick up the hobby while she was here. James, she would ask her to find books in Riverfall on the subjects she was lacking.
The pile was enormous by the time they were done. Juli took almost an hour to tally up the total and then add the items Tazrae had purchased to her 'need list' on a clipboard that was hanging from behind the counter. Tazrae paid her and then Juli said she'd recruit Lars to deliver the pile in an elephant cart when he dropped off another load of items he said he'd bring her in the late evening... until then, Juli ordered her to go home... set up her tent, start a fire, and relax. It had been a long day getting here, picking out land, cooking, cleaning, and finally shopping. It was time to wind down.
Tazrae agreed, more tired than she had been in a long long time. "Thanks, Juli. Thank you for everything." She said softly.
Juli nodded, offered her a hug, and then quietly said. "I really really want to thank you for coming here and volunteering to open an Inn. I know it will be hard work, but its something we really need." She added, walking Taz to the door and watching as her new friend disappeared down the path towards the cobbled walkway that would lead her home.
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Word Count: 1202
