The Firecrest General Store (III)

[Elle Kaldres Lothain]

The Firecrest General Shop

The sign read in big, colorful letters above the door of the shop. The front door of the store swung open on well-oiled hinges, along a groove in the wooden floor. The groove was a silent testimony to how many times that door had opened, and how many customers had entered the Firecrest since its opening.

Inside, plants and potted roses decorated the shop; they had been a gift from Theraz's Herbal Garden in Zerdargia. Over the eras they'd grown from their original sizes, filling their coloured pots to overflowing with bright green leaves and aromatic blossoms.

Shelves lined the walls of the store, and more shelves stood arranged in the centre of the sales floor. To the rimmediate right, a counter stood right beside the door where the attendant could wrap the packages and take the gold. The middle shelves held assortments of food, mostly foods that didn't spoil quickly. Fresh foods, such as produce and meats were at the very front. Grains such as corn, rice and wheat were at the back. Cookware and Household items were against the left wall, and at the very back of the store were the clothing articles the Firecrest had for sale. All in all, the store had a very neat, and cleanly appearance that was accented by the well-scrubbed pale yellow of the wooden walls. The light of the sun spilled in through large windows, with iron bars stretching from the top to the bottom of the window sill. It never hurt to be too careful in Imperia.

Foods

NUTS, per pound
... Almonds 6 Crowns
... Hazelnuts 15 Crowns
... Chestnuts 20 Crowns
... Pine nuts 20 Crowns
... Pistachios 25 Crowns
... Walnut 7 Crowns

BREAD, per loaf
... Wheat 5 Silvers
... Rye 6 Silvers
... Sourdough 4 Silvers
... Corn 5 Silvers
... Ginger 1 Crowns
... Hard Tack 1 Silver

MEAT
Beef, per lb
... dried 6 Crowns
... jerked 9 Crowns
... smoked 7 Crowns
Cod, per lb
... salted 6 Crowns
... smoked 8 Crowns
Herring, per lb
... pickled 8 Crowns
... salted 7 Crowns
Salmon, per lb
... salted 15 Crowns
... smoked 18 Crowns
Sardines, per lb 2 Crowns
Smoked Meat, per lbs
... Beef 6 Crowns
... Ham 6 Crowns
... Venison 5 Crowns

PRESERVES
Brandied Fruits, per Pint
... Cherries 5 Crowns
... Grapes 6 Crowns
... Mixed Fruits 3 Crowns
... Raspberries 4 Crowns
... Spiced Pears 4 Crowns
... Spiced Plums 4 Crowns
... Strawberries 5 Crowns

Candied Fruits and Herbs, per 6 oz jar
... Apricots 5 Crowns
... Carrot 3 Crowns
... Cherries 5 Crowns
... Honeyed ginger 35 Crowns
... Mint 5 Crowns
... Orange Peel 5 Crowns

Honey, per pint
... Plain 5 Silvers
... Rose Petal 5 Crowns
... Parsley 1 Crown
... Lavender 5 Crowns
... Molasses 2 Crowns

Jam, per pint
... Applebutter 1 crown
... Apricot & almond 2 Crowns
... Blackberrybutter 1 Crown
... elderberry 2 Crowns
... gooseberry 2 Crowns
... Pearbutter 2 Crowns
... rose petal 5 Crowns
... strawberry 1 Crown

Jellies, per pint
... basil 1 Crown
... cherry 1 Crown
... crabapple 1 Crown
... lemon 1 Crown
... mint 2 Crowns
... raspberry 1 Crown
... rosemary 1 Crown
... sage 1 Crown
... strawberry 1 Crown
... wine 2 Crowns

Marmalades, per pint
... ginger 2 Crowns
... orange 2 Crowns

FRESH PRODUCE
... Apples, each 1 Silver
... Apricots, per lb 1 Crown
... Cherries, per oz 5 Silvers
... Dates, per oz 1 Crowns
... Elderberries, per oz 4 Silvers
... Figs, per lb 3 Crowns
... Peaches, per lb 5 Silvers
... Pears, per lb 5 Silvers
... Prunes, per lb 2 Crowns
... Raisins, per lb 2 Crowns
... Cabbage, each 2 silver
... Carrots, per lb 1 Crown
... Mushrooms, per oz 1 Silver
... Potatos, per lb 5 Silver
... Tomato, each 1 Silver

Cheese, per lb
... Cheddar 1 Crown
... Swiss 1 Crown
... Parmesan 5 Crowns

DRY FOODS
Flour, 10lbs sack
... Wheat 2 Crowns
... Barley 5 Crowns
... Rye 5 Crowns

Grain, 50 lbs barrel
... Barley, 30 Crowns
... Rice, 10 Crowns
... Rye, 25 Crowns
... Wheat, 20 Crowns

Noodles, per lb
... Wheat 5 silvers
... Rice 1 Crown

Oil, per gallon
... Olive 8 Crowns
... Almond 20 Crowns
... Walnut 4 Crowns
... Hazelnut 4 Crowns
... Sesame 20 Crowns

Travelling Rations
... (Standard) 5 Crowns
... (Iron) 7 Crowns
... Dry Rations, 3 Crowns

Sugar, per lb
... Brown 2 Crowns
... Lavander 10 Crowns
... Lemon 8 Crowns
... Maple 5 Crowns
... Orange 10 Crowns
... Powdered 25 Crowns
... Raw 2 Crowns
... Rose 10 Crowns
... Violet 10 Crowns

Spices, per ounce
... Catnip, 5 Silvers
... Cinnamon, 1 Crowns
... Cocoa, 5 Crowns
... Coffee beans, 5 Crowns
... Garlic, 5 Silvers
... Ginger, 5 Silvers
... Oregano 5 Silvers
... Pepper, 1 Crown
... Saffran, 20 Crowns
... Sage 5 Silvers
... Salt, 1 Crown
... Tea leaves, 5 Silvers
... Thyme 5 Silvers
... Vanilla, 10 Crowns
... Whole Chili,1 Silver

Stationery
Brush, Paint
... Fine 5 Crowns
... Medium 5 Crowns
... Wide 5 Crowns

Ink
... Writing 2oz jar (Black), 10 Crowns
... Writing 2 oz jar (assorted colors), 25 Crowns

Paint
... Assorted Colors, per gallon 40 Crowns
... Assorted Colors, per ounce 1 Crowns

Pens
... Quill 5 Crowns
... Metal fine tip 15 Crowns
... Metal Broad tip 10 Crowns
... Wooden fine tip 5 Crowns
... Wooden Broad tip 5 Crowns
... Soft lead 10 Crowns

Writing paper each/ book (100 pages)
... Papyrus 2 Crowns/ 40 Crowns
... Parchment 3 Crowns/ 50 Crowns
... Paper 4 Crowns/ 75 Crowns
... Vellum 5 Crowns/ 100 Crowns


Housewares
Broom 1 Crown
Mop -1 Crown
Twine, per foot 5 Silver
Rope, per foot 1 Crown
Candles, each 2 Silver
Candle stick holder, silver 8 Crowns

Soap
... Cleaning 5 silver
... Gentle soap 1 Crown
... Rose 1 Crown
... Lavender 1 Crown
... Polishing oil, per pint 2 Crowns

Tableware
... Bowl wood, 5 Silver
... Bowl clay, 5 Silver
... Bowl porcelain, 2 Crowns
... Cup clay, 5 Silver
... Cup wood, 5 Silver
... Cup porcelain, 2 Crowns
... Fork wood, 5 Silver
... Goblet silver, 5 Crowns
... Knife wood, 5 Silver
... Plate clay, 5 Silver
... Plate wood, 5 Silver
... Plate porcelain, 2 Crowns
... Spoon wood, 5 Silver

Cookware
... Kettle 5 Crowns
... Teapot 5 Crowns
... Cooking Pan 5 Crowns

Wicker Baskets
... small -3c
... medium -5c
... large -8c

Linens
Rags per pound, 1 Crown
Bath Towels each, 5 Crown
Sheets
... cotton, 1 Crown
... linen, 2 Crowns
... silk, 5 Crowns
Curtains
... linen, 5 Crowns
... silk, 8 Crowns
... velvet, 15 Crowns
Tablecloths
... cotton, 2 Crowns
... linen, 5 Crowns
... silk, 10 Crowns
Bolts of Cloth, 20 yards
... Cotton, 10 Crowns
... Linen 20 Crowns
... Silk 30 Crowns
... Wool 20 Crowns

Camping Goods
Tent, 40 Crowns
Bedroll, 15 Crowns
Blanket, 10 Crowns
Waterskin, 5 Crowns
Torch, 5 Silvers
Flint and Stee, 2 Crowns
Horseblanket, 5 Crowns
Utility Knife, 10 Crowns
Whetstone, 5 Silvers
Metal Spit, 2 Crowns

Clothing
Pouch
... Cotton, 5 Silver
... Linen, 1 Crown
... Silk, 5 Crowns
... Leather, 5 Crowns
Apron
... Cotton, 1 Crown
... Linen, 5 Crowns
... Leather, 10 Crowns
Boots
... Calf, 20 Crowns
... Knee, 30 Crowns
... Riding, 25 Crowns
Breeches
... Linen, 10 Crowns
... Woolen, 15 Crowns
... Silk, 20 Crowns
... Leather, 20 Crowns
Cloak
... Plain woolen, 30 Crowns
... Fancy silk, 100 Crowns
... Fancy velvet, 80 Crowns
Cap
... Plain, 5 Crowns
... Fancy, 25 Crowns
Cassock (Coat)
... Cotton, 10 Crowns
... Linen, 15 Crowns
... Silk, 25 Crowns
... Wool, 20 Crowns
Dress
... Cotton chemise, 5 Crowns
... Silk Chemise 20 Crowns
... Cotton dress, 20 Crowns
... Linen dress, 40 Crowns
... Silk dress, 75 Crowns
... Wool dress, 50 Crowns
Gloves
... Archery, 15 Crowns
... Linen, 10 Crowns
... Riding, 10 Crowns
... Silk, 150 Crowns
Hats
... Cotton, 1 Crown
... Felt, 5 Crowns
... Leather, 10 Crowns
... Linen, 2 Crowns
... Silk, 10 Crowns
... Velvet, 15 Crowns
Tunics/Shirts
... Cotton, 10 Crowns
... Leather, 20 Crowns
... Linen, 20 Crowns
... Silk, 40 Crowns
... Wool, 20 Crowns
Robes
... Cotton, 40 Crowns
... Linen, 50 Crowns
... Fur trimmed, 130 Crowns
... Embroidered, 200 Crowns
... Silk, 250 Crowns
... Wool, 50 Crowns
Shoes
... Velvet Slippers, 20 Crowns
... Hard Leather, 40 Crowns
... Sandals, 15 Crowns

Special Orders accepted, Just ask the attendant

[Jemric]

Shopping...if it wasn't boring it was a hassle, at least in the mind of the half Dracon walking down the street glaring at the list of necessities in his scaled hands. He'd temporarily donned the scales while still hiding the tale and wings for comfort, and from what he'd heard of imperia the slight added armor protection wouldn't be missed either. Looking up from the list he stopped and looked at the surrounding shops. ok, no armories here...hmmm general store...should be one around here... he thought to him self as he turned around and walked back the way he'd come glancing around him for any signs of the items on the list.

Finally he spotted the Firecast sign and paused, yep sounds good.

Pushing open the door he glanced around, well it wasn't empty. People pushing as they reached for different items, at least there wasn't a long que waiting to pay. Finding his items he hurried to the counter dumped the bedroll, waterskin, flint and steel, and backpack on the counter and looked to the clerk, reaching into his pocket for what little crowns he had on him, "Serale, that'd be around 50 crown right?"

[Chex Ah'naeri]

The words of her father came to mind as Chex walked down the streets of Smuggler's Alley. "Keep yur eyes ahead and yur dead with a knife in the back...watch your back and yur run into walls." She glanced over her shoulder eying the strangers around her. She hadn't understood her father's words then, but now they had a new meaning. Growing up she had heard rumors of this city, not very nice rumors either. She remembered sitting by a small fire in her daddy's lap listening to his stories about the cities he visited. Her mother would never be around during these stories. Chex hadn't noticed as a child, but now she was making connections between her father and her mother's absences. Of course it wasn't her father's fault...he could do no wrong.

Chex looked up at the old rusty buildings. A sign flapped in the wind, drawing her attention to the bright letters upon it. 'The Firecrest General Store' she made out. Her hand rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Good as anywhere to ask about a job," she said aloud. She approached the door, which opened easily barely making a creak. Her leather boots made a resounding thud against the wooden floors making her presence known. She looked around at the wares pulling her travel bag close. Thud...thud...thud...She walked towards the front desk.

The wares inside this store was much better than anything she had ever owned. She felt diminished in the sight of such better things. She looked down embarrassed at her ratty appearance. She drummed her fingers on the counter and looked around somewhat uneasily. "Umm...hello?" she asked. She didn't see many people and she didn't know if they worked here or not. She bit her lip and brushed her hair out of her eyes. They were habits she had developed when nervous. Well, she had made the first step, so she would just have to wait to see how it played out.

[Elle Kaldres Lothain]

Jemric

While shopping wasn't pleasant for everyone, at the very least the keeper of the Firecrest did her best not to make the task a hassle. Inside, Jemric found a clean and pleasant place, with all the items available placed neatly on tidy shelves. The adventuring gear he chose all lay close together, making it easy for him to find each one. They made a pleasant thump when they landed on the counter before the half-elven woman who smiled.

"Aye Sir, the total for all of that would be fifty crowns, exact." Callai moved deftly to pack all the items inside the backpack for him as she awaited the payment of crowns.

bedroll - 20 gc
waterskin - 5 gc
flint and steel - 5 gc
backpack - 20 gc

Chex

Callai reached up to brush a long strand of her hair away from her face, leaving a slight dirty smudge across her fair cheek. No matter what else happened inside the Firecrest General store, there was always cleaning to be done. The shelves seemed to grow new layers of dust and dirt over the course of the darkening. She felt it was more logical to do her cleaning before bringing out the additional merchandise to replace that which had been sold during the previous brightening, and in between the helping of customers it fairly filled her time.

At the sound of the tiny silver bell which hung over the door to announce a new presence in the store, she turned her head over her shoulder to look at the young human girl who entered. A lost one that; she hadn't yet found her place in the world. It was apparent in the way she walked to the counter, and drummed her fingers impatiently against the polished wooden top. And just how many people had Callai seen across that same wooden surface? She couldn't remember, anymore. There had been too many.

"Serale to you, miss. Might I help you find something?"

[Jemric]

Jemric grinned, the keeper of the Firecrest had indeed made it easy for him he thought as he moved to the counter. The place is clean, the stuff I need was all relitivly close togeather, and the service is pretty good, he smiled at Callai as he pulled out his money and hurridly counted out 55 crowns.

"Thanks, nice store by the way, not the ussual hassle, ey?" he said offhandedly as he lifted the backpack off the counter cheacked it's contecse and nodded. Slinging the backpack over his shoulder he grinned at the keep again and said his good byes before walking to the door and exiting onto the street.

[Chex Ah'naeri]

Her attention turn to the woman before her and Chex nodded hurriedly. Social niceities weren't her forte, but she seemed to make it through well enough. Her hands went to her side to pat down her shirt smoothing out little wrinkles. She smiled pleasantly and finally spoke, "No, I don't need anything...I was just wondering if you, erm, were hiring?" She looked pleadingly at the woman begging with her eyes, but she got ready to exit the store.

"I work real hard, and I follow orders. I clean and help...just whatever you want me to do." Chex said. She placed her hands on the edge of the counter and leaned foward a bit. "Please...?" she asked quietly. She didn't expect to get a job, but at least she could say she tried. She would continue to look through out the city till it got too dark to walk safely. Perhaps she would stay at an inn tonight, but what of tomorrow? She pushed the thought from her mind deciding she would worry about tomorrow when it came, but not today. Today she would worry about today and that's all.

Perhaps that's why her life was this mess? Had she let opportunities slip away by not thinking ahead? Chex knew she was to blame for the outcome of her life. She had given up blaming it upon her past finding that it did not get her food or shelter. This was a rather large step for Chex. Making the move to Imperia had been a bid decision, but worthwhile. Here she have a life free of the disgusting elves...but first she needed a job, a source of income. She crossed her fingers hopefully and looked at Callai with pleading eyes.

[Elle Kaldres Lothain]

In Imperia, the way the girl put her hands on the counter and leaned forward could be threatening. But something about her face didn't make Callai think of that, past the initial recognition. She hadn't lived in Imperia her whole life for nothing. It was a dangerous place for a woman alone if she didn't learn to take care. This one.. a job would help her certainly. But the rest was something she'd have to take care of on her own.

As for another helper, how many had she hired in the past? She could think of three faces, though she couldn't remember all the names. They'd come and gone, working well for a while, then leaving her alone to deal with the shop all alone. Well, the help for a little while was better than no help at all. Perhaps this girl would manage to stick around better than the others.

"Alright. I can always use the help, for however long you stick around. It gets tedious trying to run a shop by oneself." "Right now, I'm going to give you a tour of the store.. Then we'll go over how to handle a customer when they come into the shoppe. How does that sound? " Callai started with a tour of the Firecrest, pointing out the various displays in the front of the store.

"Here, where our customers enter, the first thing we want them to see are pretty things, that attract their attention.. like this new display. Pottery dishes, in assorted colours... Its something people don't really think about yes? But what do you eat off of everytime you cook a meal? Dishes. They are fairly cheap to buy, also.. only a few crowns a dish. By putting this display here.. I'm hopefully going to persuade someone to buy dishes without ever speaking a word... "

She continued on, prattling about the displays of furniture, household goods, camping gear, stationery items.. just about everything was available there. When she'd finished with the tour up front, she guided Velouria to the back storeroom. The back room was filled with shelves extending from the floor to the roof, and was stacked with duplicates of or things similar to most of the items seen out front. The place was small, but Callai pointed out a roll of carpeting that wass good for taking naps with a wink. With a grin she led Chex back out front.

"Now, here under the counter, I keep plain paper and linen for wrapping the packages.. Of course I think you both know to be careful with breakables, yes? And of course, here is where the cash is. I don't keep much here, for change, because I am constantly worried about robbery. Hasn't happened so far, but you never know." Callai dusted off her hands gently. "So. Any questions?"

[Chex Ah'naeri]

Chex starred wide open for a minute before closing her mouth abruptly. A job? She finally had one! Of course that didn't make up for the past few years that she didn't have one, but it was a start. Chex smiled happily, not hiding her enthusiam. "Thank you. Thank you!" she said brightly. Chex followed Callai around the store making note of where everything was. The little store was put together quite well, and she could appreciate it more now that she actually looking at it.

Her father once mentioned the store when she was younger. He had come here to buy something, but Chex no longer remembered what. He would have been proud of her, and that was the thought inside her right now. Callai had brought her to the backroom where there was a roll of carpet. Chex appreciated the thought of sleep, so she might take advantage of this later.

The last thing she was showed was the paper and cash. Chex nodded to each in turn, then stood looking at Callai attentively. For most part of her life she had neglected herself becase she really didn't care, but when she had something important to do, like a new job, she paid a good mind to what she was told. Chex was just pleased there weren't any elves around. Their very presence would have soured her mood. "So. Any questions?" Callai asked her. Of course she had questions...and a lot of them.

She nodded quickly and asked, "Well first off I don't even know you're name. Mine's Chex Ah'naeri. And what are my hours? And pay?" She bit her lip not meaning to spew forth as such, but sometimes her mouth got away from her. "I guess what I mean is what are the details of my job exactly? What do you expect from me? I'll try my best!" Chex didn't lie. She would indeed do the best to her abilities. She smiled sincerly at the woman and brushed her hair back. She appreciated this job greatly and would give her all.

[Elle Kaldres Lothain]

"I'm Callai. I've been with the Firecrest for about an era now, I guess. Maybe more than that. Time passes by faster than I remember it doing. Work is seven brightenings out of the ten, from open until close. Pay is one hundred crowns per cycle, payable at the first of the month. The details of your job are to tend to the customers when they come in, keep the store clean, keep the store stocked, and to lock the doors after you leave. I'll be here with you some of the days you work, especially at the beginning, but once you get comfortable and familiar with the place, I'm going to take off my three days a brightening too." Callai smiled gently.

(Isn't a hard job. Just when a customer comes in, help them find the things they want, charge them according to the price list posted in the top, and say thanks. If someone wants an item that isn't listed, sometimes we have it, sometimes we don't. Store can't carry everything, after all. If you're in doubt, just PM me )

[Chex Ah'naeri]

Chex nodded her head listening to the woman. It seemed simple enough. Attend customers, keep it clean, keep it stocked, keep it locked, she repeated in her head. The pay was quite nice, and soon in a few cycles she could afford a proper house or room. Meanwhile she could make do with the backroom or an inn. "I think I've got it," Chex said and nodded afirmatively. She looked around the store running her eyes over the many goods. She returned her eyes back to Callai. "When is closing time, by the way?"

[Elle Kaldres Lothain]

A fair enough question. Callai answered simply. "We open and close with the sun. It is a long brightening, but at least the work isn't as taxing as some." Which was true enough. There were few ways for a woman to find work in Imperia, and this was vastly preferable to working in the taverns all darkening serving ale to drunken pirates and thieves, or to standing for some candlemarks on the docks and the rest of the darkening on her back. Granted, there was the clothing store, or work on the fishing boats, or even the Imperial Suns to earn crowns, but for Callai the Firecrest had become her life.

[Aladamis Elsdragon]

After midday, 12th of Ponutis
Season of Spring, of Era II
of the Celestine Mandate (Current Pattern)
Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening,
the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad.


Aladamis walked in the store. He was about to go on a very long trek, which would lead him over the great mountains, and through the plains and forests of Arium, to the Eunesian sea. He was going to Arios, the elf was already far from his home in the Laurylian gracelands. He needed supplies before tackling the mountain. He began to browse, and after a few minutes, began to pick out what he wanted. He noted the prices, so that checkout would be a breeze.

• Dry Rations, 1 week 10 Crowns x3= 30gc
• Rope: 20 feet= 10gc
• Flint and Steel= 5gc
• Bedroll= 20gc
• Tent= 45gc
• Backpack= 20gc
• Leather Tunic= 25gc

Once he had picked everything out, he did the arithmetic in his head. One hundred fifty-five. Not too shabby. If only he had a horse or some other animal which could accompany him. That would be his next assignment. The elf sauntered over to the counter, and counted out the shops 155 crowns, and waited for a response.

[Chex Ah'naeri]

Chex beamed brightly at Aladamis eager to begin her first transaction. "Serale sir." She ran her fingers over the items counting up the prices in her head. "155 Crowns please." She reached under the counter to get brown paper to wrap his purchases. She smiled happily, even though his ears were pointed. She had a job to do, and she couldn't let her bias get in the way. She smoothed the paper on the counter. "Would you like everything wrapped?"

[Aladamis Elsdragon]

Aladamis smiled at the human, whom offered her servieces. Very good service indeed. Offering to have his order wrapped.

Sliding a carefully counted 155 crowns over to her, he answered.
"If you wouldn't mind simply wrapping the rations, milady." His voice was kind and foreign. He spoke very carefully, he chose each word carefully. Moments later, he would be ready to find himself a steed.

[Chex Ah'naeri]

Chex accepted the 155 Crowns and deposited them into a small alcove where the cash went. She took the paper and started wrapping what foods he had purchased. Sealing the last package, she pushed them across the counter and smiled. "There you go. Have a nice day." She placed her hands on the counter and leaned back feeling quite proud of herself. She had managed to make a transaction without messing up.