Launching a Trade (Ask/Invite)

[Ruby]

Ruby leaned back against a post, watching with interest as the dwarf approached her horse and carefully touched it. Clearly, Fortune was not bothered by him, and she stood patiently still as he took the measurements, her ears flicking at the sound of the paper crinkling. Ruby stepped up beside him, peeking at the strange writing tool with a raised brow. She had heard that most dwarves were a bit...eccentric. This little gadget was certainly that.

When he proclaimed he was finished, Ruby deftly slipped a harness and lead onto her mare, adding the rest of her usual gear and tack fairly quickly. She may as well bring the animal with them now, especially considering that it would make carrying their supplies easier.

A scraggly stable boy appeared around the corner of the stall, addressing them with a young but proud voice. "Ya leavin' already? I think you'll be happy. She's been brushed down good and fed. We do good work by our horses here."

Ruby nodded, fishing out a few copper which she dropped into the boy's expectant hands. "Yes, you did well. Thank you."

He beamed, ducking his head to them before disappearing back into one of the other stalls. Ruby patted Fortune's neck then started forward, leading her from the stall and back toward the street after Torgar. Fortune followed calmly, at ease in the busy village streets.

[Torgar]

(Sorry about delaying for so long on this reply. x.x)

Torgar paused and waited a moment, watching as Ruby got her sturdy mare ready to move and compensated a stable boy for his services. Once the pair had joined him in the street, the Dwarf pressed on, craning his neck a bit as he looked up at the wooden signs hanging outside each building. He had to find the right shops for a variety of supplies - most notably, he needed nails and a bit of raw metal to work with. He also intended to buy a woodcarving kit, some paints, and a few extra tools -- he wouldn't want them to have to come back into town, once they had set up camp. That would be a hassle.

Eventually, he spotted the perfect place - 'Carathan's Crafts'. "I'll just be a moment," he assured Ruby, letting her watch Fortune while he headed into the shop. The elf who owned the place was a bit of an airhead, but his prices were fair, and within a few minutes Torgar emerged with his thick arms chock-full of supplies. He would attempt to load them up on the bard's beast of burden, but his height was a bit of an obstacle.

"Er... little help here?" He grins sheepishly, passing the supplies off to Ruby.

[Ruby]

Once on the streets, Ruby followed the dwarf to and fro around the streets. Out of her element, she simply kept pace behind him. After all, he knew what he was looking for. When he vanished inside a store and emerged shortly after with full arms, she quickly shook of her surprise and moved to help him.

"You certainly found a lot here," she commented, "but I'm certain Fortune can easily manage it all."

She took an armful the supplies from him and heaved the packages onto the horse's back. Quickly producing a length of rope, she stretched onto her toes to reach and set about securing everything. After a few moment's of fumbling and muttered curses she backed away, dusting the smell of horse from her hands with her skirt.

"Are we just about covered then? My hooved-babe can carry a bit more if we need, but we'd have to start making trips shortly."