Explanation :
Excluding the first two posts, this thread is a series of one shots, all revolving around Vala's journal. Hopefully there will be more entries in her journal next season...
Winter 1, 510 AV “15 pinions, take it or leave it.” The stall keeper drawled. Vala stuttered, “buh- buh- but I just heard you offer it to the last customer for ten pinions...” Vala’s attempt to contest faded, as did her confidence. The stall keeper smirked at his triumph - a saving grace for Vala, as his cockiness only brought out her rae, replacing her initial insecurity. “Yes well she was an Endal and you are a... chiet.” He concluded, conceding to her lucky observation. He had taken her for an easy mark, at first. Well at first he had taken her for a Yasi, but at a closer inspection it was clear she was too developed - her face was quite deceiving. Vala, through years of practice, managed to keep her rage out of her tone and facial expressions, but couldn’t help sounding petulant in the process. “That’s not fair...” The stall keeper guffawed. “Life isn’t fair dear. So do you want the journal or not? There are many others who would be willing to buy this for - I’d go as far as to say twenty pinions. You know I’m almost letting you steal from me...” He faltered in his almost scripted swindling routine, when he noticed Vala’s glistening eyes. He was mistaken though, when he assumed it was from sadness -it was from blinding fury. Vala knew the man was trying to take advantage of her - he wasn’t the first. He was offering her a leather journal, albeit a nice one, at almost three days worth of her salary . “ I can’t afford this if its this,” she gulped nervously. “overpriced.” She squeaked. “Look dear, this book cover is made from treated leather. And the pages are made from the finest vellum. I do have some cheaper journals for sale though, even some dirt cheap used journals.” He pulled out a few worn and battered journals from the bottom of the pile. “Used...journals?” Vala tilted her head to the side in disbelief. He opened to a random page in one journal: it looked water logged and the binding was coming loose. “This is the cheapest journal I’m selling at a pinion a pop -and yes, used journals. You see here.” He flipped through the pages until he reached a blank one, somewhere in the middle. “The last owner only used a little less than half.” It was obviously more than half. “The last pages here are more than usable. Especially if,” He looked Vala up and down. “you’re just a novice scholar.” That was more than enough to set Vala off. “Look here sir. I am a hard working chiet, and I just got a new job in the Enclave. I’m looking for a journal to help me practice my writing. I am not looking for some half used waterlogged mess. If you are going to be this unreasonable I can take my business elsewhere.” Vala stomped her foot, which broke her concentration. She was surprised she had even managed to protest like that without stuttering. She hated haggling, but she hated pricks like him a lot more. She had enough self respect not to fall into his traps. Though her outbreak was probably not most effective way to lower the price, it was sufficient enough to make the stall keeper rethink his position. “What are you offering me girlie?” Vala bit her lip. He had actually listened to her? “3 pinions.” Vala sputtered out; it was a reasonable price for a journal. “I’ll gi-give you 3 pinions for it. That’s my final offer!” “Its obvious you have no experience in bartering then, if you think you can just offer 3 pinions as a final offer. I’m having a good sale day today; I’ll give it to you for 8 pinions. That’s fair right? Its what I offered to the last customer, and she was an Avora.” “What about 8 pinions?” Vala squeaked out, building up her courage. The man just gave her a look and she broke. He raised a single eye brow as Vala pulled out her purse. She drew open the string, slowly, as if the action pained her. With her two fingers she pulled out ten pinions, one by one, placing it into the shopkeeper’s outstretched hand. Price Listings :
Straight from the Master Price List
Book, Blank 3 gm |