North Sea Dungeon

"Now, hold on." Pick said, picking up one of the bags of maps as he talked. "I'll take a down payment for them now, but you should know a lot can change in a week. If you're not going down today, then there's no reason to get it now." He began to try and convince Theriot, tugging one of the scrolls free from the bag. Pick offers it to him, sharp eyes fixed cautiously on his face for any changes. "But, so you know they're legitimate, you can take a look right now. Then, when you come back with your party, you can take it down with you. Sound good?" He adds with a disarming smile.

"Hmm? Can't I just take two of them then?" He tilts his head again, a look of genuine confusion on his eyes "I was planning on studying it on my own to get a feel for the set up, then when I get the newer one I can compare"

Theriot makes some vague gestures with his free hand, trying to explain his reasoning. Why didn't this strange merchant want his money?

"Listen, Theriot. These are my terms." Pickpen said, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly. "They're good, and any adventurer who's bought from me can attest to that. But you need to be willing to trust me. Besides, the price for them isn't even coin. This is a trade."

Theriot nodded slowly, his eyes wide. The tiniest bit of uneasiness at the man was starting to creep up his back, but he hadn't seen much else in the way of maps walking around the plaza and with every second that passed this felt more and more like a one time offer.

"Alright well-" He tied his pouch back into his belt as he spoke "What are you looking for then? To be perfectly honest I didn't bring a lot with me to the island, but I am interested in the map"

His expression brightens the moment he's gotten his way. "Anything that's interesting, really! Honestly, the guy who makes the maps likes the weirdest things. Really, you could give me what you think is trash to take back and he'd probably be happy." Pickpen shrugs, putting his hands on his hips. "So, let's see what you have!"

"Ah, I didn't expect to have to actually trade anything so I don't have much on me, but-" Theriot dipped his hands into his pockets, hoping to maybe find some discarded item he forgot to put away, but there was nothing besides the key to his room and some stray lint.

He then reached for the pouches attached to his belt, he perked up as he opened the second one, pulling out a small vial full of clear liquid and inspecting it with a grimace. After a moment of considering, he spoke again in a serious tone.

"I'm putting a lot of trust on your maps actually helping me next week, alright? I really didn't want to let go of this so soon, especially before going in the dungeon" He carefully holds the vial in front of him, showing it to the half-foot "They're the beginning components of a home made Undine, it's not active yet since you need to actually infuse it with water spirits for it to work and that takes a lot of time and mana but-" He pauses, realizing maybe he was overexplaining.

"You can think of it as a seed for it, if the person making the maps knows anything about it, they'll understand what I mean" he seemed wary of the situation, much preferring to pay for things he needed than interchange them for his own valuables, he was clearly not used to this and wasn't sure how to assert the value of things outside of their price.

The moment Theriot pulls out the vial, Pickpen's strange eyes dilate. Just the way a cat's would, right before pouncing on its prey. Leaning forward, he nods as Theriot explains to him what it was, really only half-listening. A homemade Undine? He didn't know something like that existed. Then again, he'd heard of summoning magic before, was that what this was? Oh, the things he could do if he had one of those to command! Adventurers throwing down their packs to try and fight it, distracted, having no idea! Never mind that for now, Pickpen could tell from the way he carried himself that he was a mage, and mages always had the most interesting things. Would he attract several mages for a party? Think of all the possibilities!

He takes a quiet breath, gaze flicking up to Theriot, half through the vial. Back to the way they were before he pulled out the vial. "This is the exact kind of thing they'd like." Pick says, before straightening up a bit, holding out his hand for Theriot to give it of his own volition. Surely, if other adventurers had been ripped off by this strange half-foot, then he'd have already been arrested... "You've got my word, Theriot. It won't steer you wrong, and I'll have it delivered and ready for when you go down. Sound fair?" He smiles disarmingly.

His hand moved hesitantly as he offered the vial, his brows furrowed lightly but otherwise he looked calm with his decision, nodding sharply once.

"It's a deal then, mister...?" He offered his free hand too, hoping to shake hands with the stranger, his head tilting expectantly.

Pick's face stayed neutral as Theriot offered his hand. "No 'Mister'." He said, before taking Theriot's hand, giving it a solid shake. "Pick. My name's Pick." He smiled, before letting it go and swiping the vial from him in the same motion. He steps back, lifting it up to the torchlight to inspect it. This had better not just be plain water... But Theriot didn't seem like the kind of man to lie. Pick's gaze drops back to him again, and he tucks the vial away somewhere on his person. He wasn't getting that back.

"Like I said. Your map will be ready when you're good to go down. But, you're still free to take a quick look at one of the ones I have here, Theriot. Something tells me you still need to get everything else in order, though... You still stink of the sea." Pick says lightly.

A warm smile spread across Theriot's face as they shook hands, followed by a faint blush that reached his ears at the last comment.

"D-Do I really?" His ear twitched minutely, a flick that would've probably gone unnoticed by a human of another race, he coughed into his fist and looked away "Well I suppose I better go take care of that then..."

Composture seemingly regained, he straightened back up and clapped his hands together, beaming down at Pick as he stepped away.

"A pleasure to meet you! I will see you around, Pick" He waved as he walked away, brushing a hand through his hair once he was a bit farther along "And here I thought I washed properly..." he mumbled to himself as he left the half-foot's earshot.