Your character has just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As they look around, their gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. They duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? She begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”
((How do you respond?))
Akiko plonks herself down onto the half moth-eaten cushion immediately taking interest in the floating candles and staring in awe. She adores all magic, no matter how simple. After a few seconds of wrangling herself to stop gaping she turns to the old hag
"Pardon my rudeness," she shifts her gaze briefly, and adjusts her glasses, taking in the small expanse of the tent once more to satisfy her insatiable curiosity. Most people would be disgusted or put off by the state of the dingy tent. But not Akiko, she was in fact somewhat impressed.
"I'm a wandering herbalist you see," She announces proudly, then she tones it down a little, "I travel around with my mini library bringing herbs and medicines to people." Akiko pauses for a moment, then continues, brows knitting showing her sudden confusion, "However, I generally keep my visits random," she looks up "so how is it that you knew to expect me?"
the old lady responds vaguely.
"I used my cunning intuition." an obviously sarcastic lie, but Akiko genuinely believes it. She blinks for a moment and her confusion melts away just as quickly as it came.
"eh, it doesn't really matter I guess, anyways, I thought I'd let you know that I'll only be staying a few days so you should stop by my little library while you still can. Also, I would be more than happy to take any orders if you have any requests for a particular herb or medicine."
She smiles warmly at the Old Hag.
After a few seconds of silence the woman cackles at her gullibility and her immediate businesslike attitude.
"My, you really are a funny one aren't you?" the Old Lady crows.
Akiko grins back at her "sure am ma'am!"
After about half an hour of chatting Akiko stands, and dusts off her pants. She bows to the elderly woman politely,
"thank you for having me," she says. Then steps toward the tent entrance, glancing back briefly, adjusting her glasses again and smiling, her hair dangles in a big mess falling in waves across her shoulders.
"don't forget to check out the library!"
she waves energetically at the woman.
the elderly woman smiles, and waves her off
"you be careful out there deary! It gets dreadful cold at night during this hour and who knows what kind of beasts lurk in these parts."
Akiko makes a gesture with her hands to suggest 'it'll be fine', waves good-bye one more time, and takes her leave, wrapping her cloak more tightly around her.
The woman's true intentions remain unknown to Akiko but she is simply too cold and gullible to care as she strolls back to warm glow that is her humble little caravan-library.
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