Solo The Merchant of Ravok

[Coltyn]

The Second Day of the Spring Season, Five Hundred and Thirteen Years After the Valterrian ''But love is blind and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit'' -Jessica

[Coltyn]

"Thomas Trente." The name sounded so familiar to Coltyn that when the owner of The Spot spoke it a day earlier - upon dishing out a handful of details pertaining to an investigation the Ravokian was now handling - he nearly replied, "Thom? Sure! We go back several seasons, he and I." However, that would've been a bold-faced lie, for the two had never actually met. No, instead, Coltyn had heard the petty gossip and the colorful rumors, and, well, he had also witnessed, on several occasions over the last season, more than a few ladies gushing about the man as if he were a god living among them. Needless to say, Thomas Trente was gaining a reputation that was growing by leaps and bounds, practically on a daily basis, and Coltyn had managed to hear most, if not all of it. So it came as no surprise that the man's lover, Alira Wickham, was worried about his level of commitment to their relationship. She, being of a family on the rise, could not afford such a scandal. She would most certainly have to cut him free if the rumors turned out to be true, which was exactly where Coltyn came into play. Gainfully employed at the Studio of Yae Varone as an undercover guard, this private investigation seemed like a natural fit to him. Why shouldn't he give a side job such as this a whirl? He could expand his skills a little - not to mention his network within the city - and make a few extra coins along the way. Besides, as the seasons changed, so did the needs and desires of the citizens of Ravok. Hot coffee was on the decline as the days grew a tad bit warmer, as well as a little longer. Therefore, he had the extra time to give this assignment his full attention. Approaching Alira's clothing shop - seeing as it seemed the most logical place to start his investigation - Coltyn took a moment to read the fancy sign positioned over the main entrance. "Azure Reflections Fine Tailoring," he muttered mostly to himself as his eyes played over the expertly painted carving. Upon entering the shop, through the ornate double doors, he removed his narrow brimmed hat and ran a hand through his hair. A quick tug on his leather tunic made him feel slightly more presentable in such a refined setting. "Hello?" he called out, not seeing a clerk. "Mistress Wickham?" "She is away," someone with a gentle voice replied from behind a velvet curtain toward the rear of the shop. "I will be with you in a moment. Make yourself comfortable." Glancing around the beautifully appointed shop, Coltyn decided that taking a seat upon one of the delicate looking ottomans was probably a good idea. He didn't want to appear the least bit imposing or eager. Calm and cool, slow and steady. That's how this was going to be handled. So Alira is away, he now thought as he crossed his legs and waited for the clerk to present themselves. That shouldn't matter. I just need the smallest of leads to... "Welcome to Azure Reflections," a disembodied voice offered as it licked at Coltyn's sense of hearing, nearly causing him to bolt from his seat, until he quickly came to realize that the clerk was now standing behind him. Calm and cool...calm, and, cool. Right. Got it. "Oh," the Ravokian replied as he glanced over his shoulder and then up toward the individual's face. "Hello," he managed to add just before his lips formed their most charming smile. Well, well, well. Who do we have here?

[Coltyn]

Rising from his seat, Coltyn took inventory of the striking clerk that stood before him in an outfit that left little to the imagination. It was obvious Alira knew exactly what she was doing when she hired this exotic young man with his smoldering eyes and luxurious, emerald tinged, jet black hair. Her reputation as a savvy merchant was most certainly secure if she handled the rest of her business the way she handled her staffing. "How may I help you?" the clerk asked as he began to circle Coltyn, clearly assessing his attire. "I, uh, I'm looking for a new...tunic." "Ah, yes. With the new season upon us, now is the perfect time to update your wardrobe. Please, come with me." Following the clerk's lead, Coltyn casually trailed behind him until they were both standing before a display of tunics. The range of colors and textures impressed the Ravokian, although, he had to admit, there seemed to be an awful lot of greens and blues, as well as, were those...feathers? "These are nice," Coltyn fibbed as he ran a hand over several garments. "I helped inspire a few of these designs myself," the clerk admitted as he too ran his hand over them. "This one is a favorite of mine, as well as several of our patrons," he proudly noted as he withdrew an emerald-colored, sleeveless design with gold clasps and a leather belt. Coltyn was thankful that it was one of the featherless ones. He couldn't imagine himself wearing one of those. Actually, he couldn't imagine almost any man wanting to. "How about I, uh, try a few on?" "Oh. Yes. You should." Following the clerk once more, Coltyn was taken deeper into the shop. Apparently the men's dressing room was located off the selling floor, behind the very curtain that the clerk had emerged from earlier. Stepping beyond the heavy drape, which the clerk held open with one hand as he grasped several tunics with his other, the Ravokian soon found himself standing in what appeared to be the storage room. "Please forgive the state of things back here, but the owner is currently having the space remodeled. I assure you it is still private enough for you to conduct your business. I shall watch the entrance." "Okay," Coltyn simply replied as he took the tunics and then waited for the clerk to excuse himself. So, this was the inner workings of Alira's shop. Coltyn immediately began to wonder if there was anything back here that could help him with his investigation. Surely, Thomas frequented his lover's shop enough that there would be something - even the smallest of items - left behind that could point him in the right direction. It was just a matter of trying to figure out what that would be.

[Coltyn]

Slipping out of his leather tunic, Coltyn was willing to go as far as he needed to keep up the appearance that he was a valued customer and not just some snoop. If the clerk popped his head in, he would see what he would expect to see and nothing more. Well, that is, unless he found the Ravokian going through things he shouldn't be anywhere near...such as the oversized, rolltop desk set against the back wall of the storage space. Stepping up to the heavy curtain, Coltyn sneaked a peek through the slit in the middle. He could see the backside of the clerk as he stood a few feet away, guarding the entrance to the room, just as he had said he would. However, how long would he remain in that spot? A handful of chimes? A good clerk would check in with a customer after about ten chimes, which meant Coltyn needed to act fast. Crossing the storage room as quickly, yet, as quietly as he could, Coltyn soon found himself standing at a very secure desk. "Petch," he muttered as he tugged on the heavy handle of the rolltop a second time, hoping that it would somehow magically give way. Nope. It was secure, along with every drawer built into the lower portion of the furnishing. "How are you coming along in there?" the clerk questioned, almost as if he sensed something was wrong. Dashing back across the floor, Coltyn replied, "Fine, just, uh, fine." "If you require any assistance, do not hesitate to ask. I am just outside." "Will do!" Coltyn acknowledged as he grabbed up the green tunic with the leather belt and slipped his arms through the openings. "Oh, wow, this feels like...like butter," he muttered more to himself as the expensive fabric brushed against his skin. "I really do not mind giving you a hand, sir," the clerk called again. "It...it's okay...I..." Wait just a chime! the Ravokian suddenly thought to himself as he paid closer attention to the clerk's tone of voice. "I really do not mind, sir," he repeated before adding, "I am here to service you however you see fit." And there we have it! Coltyn inwardly exclaimed as he stopped himself from fastening the clasps of the tunic, which left his ample pectoral and tight abdominal muscles on full display. Why didn't I think of this sooner? he continued to muse as he undid the single lace found at the top of his leather pants, causing them to come undone just enough to show a little more of his well-developed pelvic region. "Sir? Is everything o...oh my," the handsome clerk sputtered as he entered the space.