Snake oil the cure all or not - RPLOG

Participants

• Angus
• Dio
• Rixo
• Rye
• Shaytalis

Date

30/7/476

Log

The sun was starting to set on another successful day for the merchants of Sweetwater. Stalls were being packed up, merchandise being put away... Except for one stall that was just completly crowded. "Step right up! Be one of the few people in your family to try out our miracle cure!" The Owner shots, a rather grisly looking Rabbing with a missing eye as he brandishes a bottle of the so called cure.

Among the beings farthest from the rabbit is a small, somewhat chewed up looking ferret who's jumping around and trying to get a decent peek at the merhandise. Though it's an admitedly difficult task, being as short as he his. Rye eventually starts to shoulder his way through the crowd, muttering things about city dwellers and how they lack in basic manners.

Rixo was enjoying her self-given day off, for the most part. For once she was not in her armour, and was instead dressed in a simple outfit of black pants and teal shirt. The claims of such a curative caught her attention, and after finishing her purchase of a skewer of food, she started to make her way over.

In a not so far off stall from all the commotion, a bear attempting to pack up his various items all sale is having a casual conversation with a coat wearing lion from first glance. Together, they seem to be talking and laughing like a good pair of friends usually would. Eventually, the bear hands over a small looking bag from his merchandise and waves off, finally having packed his things up. With glee, the tall feline fellow thanks the bear and grabs at the bag as if it held pounds of expensive metals. In such a state of happiness, Dio nearly hops and skips over to the commotion and eventually pushes his way into the crowd. "Oooh! Oooh!" He shouts, waving his long arms in the air. "What is it? What does it do?"

As the Ferret and the lion push their way through the crowd their are shouts and complaints. "Hey, watch where you are going. Be careful!" A few mutter, catching the Rabbits attention and causing him to throw a glance over to a wolf standing next to his stall. "Why, what doesn't it do is the question. It cures anything and everything that you can think of. Arthritis, the common cold. You name it, feeling tired? Just take a drink of this miracle cure, it will fix you right up." He shouts for all to hear in response to Dio's question.

Arthritis? Rye's mind wanders to thoughts of his dear sweet mother as he finally gets to the front of the crowd. "What about the mange?" He asks curiously as he scratches his side. Though the ferret certainly doesn't have mange. No sir.

Rixo shuffles along to catch up to the lion, as he is one of the few that she recognizes. "Hey, do you know what's going on here? I'm not sure how long you've been watching." Rixo turns her eyes back to the peddler, occasionally nipping off one of the grilled treats on the skewer.

"Oh! Sorry 'bout that lad!" Dio continues to shout and certainly doesn't seem to pay any mind to the people he pushed aside. It appears he asked the wrong question. "Okay then lad. What doesn't this thing do?" While normally this would be a sarcastic sort of question, Dio looked quite legitimate while asking it. He looks down to the panda bear and smiles to her. "Ahh, why 'ello there lass. 'fraid I just got 'ere myself."

Shaytalis is a bit late arriving. Finding the ferret surrounded by the other folks, she asks, "Are you the individual with the medication?"

"It doesn't give you warts, I can tell you that." The Rabbit shot back, giving Dio that same smile he had been giving everyone else before he turns to Rye. "Mange? Well let me ask you this, do I look like I have mange?" He leans down close to Rye, scratching at his fur to show that there was nothing wrong with it. "And that's all because I've been using this stuff." Chuckling the Rabbit stands back up straight, and turns to...blink as he notices a shadow. "I'm selling the miracle cure yes, are you looking to buy some?"

Nodding his head at the merchant, the Rye concedes to the rabbit's flawless logic and takes a peek inside his coin purse with a small grimace. Well this presents a challenge. Miracle cures aren't cheap right? "Uhh, exactly how much crown is a bottle?" The ferret idly scratches at his side again and looks up at the rabbit questioningly. "My dear sweet mother wouldn't want me spending my coin foolishy 'ya know."

Rixo strokes the underside of her chin, nodding. "I don't have much that needs curing, really, but I'm curious of the cost, as well! Such a thing usuall isn't cheap." The food now gone, she resorts to just gnawing on the skewer itself.

"Doesn't give ya warts? Wow! What else can't this wonderful thing do?" Dio looks over the crowd and notices another familiar face, though his attention was a bit too drawn at the moment. Bubbling with excitement, the lion pushes his way even further into the crowd, now taking a position at the front in close proximity to the merchant. "Yer quite a salesman, lad. But I'm a smart consumer! Dare ya show a demonstration of sorts," he asks, boiling with energy and crouching down slightly with his hands tacked onto his knees.

Shaytalis nods to the salesman at first, but then looks to the others who seem suspicious of him. She looks to him again, "There are people who are ill, locally. Have the doctors turned down your treatments?"

The Rabbit gives Dio a worried glance, before he smiles. "My good sir, I would love to. But even I can not speed up the passage of time, it takes an hour for the elixer to take effect." He smiles softly, before he turns to Shaytalis and chuckles. "I know that people here are ill, it's why I set up shop here. I've been selling the cure and been to busy to go and seek a doctor." He then turns his attention to Rye, and taps his chin as he makes an effort of thought on the price. "Well....I've been having a rather fine day today, so I might as well be nice. And give it to you for say.....three hundred crowns, does that sound fair?"

"Yes, well..." The ferret starts to visibly do math in his head while the worries of the other beings nearby run through his mind. "Well, my mother said never to buy something without proof it works." The ferret looks up at the rabbit again and bites his lip. "Hmm. I'll buy a bottle I guess. Couldn't hurt to try. I think..." Oh what would his mother say if she saw him now!

Rixo raises her brow and hums to herself. "I suppose that's not a bad price. What happens if we find an ailment that it doesn't treat? Should we inform you so that you can try to alter the recipe?"

Dio leans in close to the bunny, closing one eye and letting out a gentle and faint humming sound. "A doctor would've been the first person I visited with such a wondrous bottle, Bunny of Interesting Merchandise..." But then, he snaps back and suddenly begins to chuckle rather loudly. "Three hundred fer a bottle I'm not sure even works?! My oh my bunny lad, yer makin' it an awfully tough sale here," he says, crossing his arms and looking towards the sky in a minor pout.

Shaytalis thinks a bit, "I think we should go to the doctors with you. As a public service, the king would pay you handsomely. The folk of Shanty Town are in dire need of this miracle. Your name will be remembered always in songs for the aid you have brought." She nods to him.

The Rabbit raises a hand to Rye, and looks over to Dio. "You have a point good sir, and I apologize if it seems that I am trying to swindle you." He comments, that cocky smile appearing once more. "I'll drop the price to two hundred a bottle, does that sound fair?" He tilts his head, before he turns to Rixo and shrugs. "Well, I'll be staying at the Inn in Mange square for the night if you have an problems.." He was all smiles and a nice additude, before Shaytalis comments about going to a doctor, and his shoulders stiffen just a little as he turns to her. "Ah, a sound idea. But since it's so late, wouldn't most of the Doctors have retired for the night?" He leans over his stall, propping his elbow up and placing his chin in his hand. "I would be happy to have such a lovely vixen escort me tomorrow to the doctors." He mutters, giving her his best smile as he trys to weasel his way out of it...

Rye absorbs the latest round of comments from the beings in the audience and considers his financial situation again. He tilts his head at the rabbit and eventually starts to shake it energetically. "I think I'm good. I can buy some herb for my pipe and get my clothes patched up for the same price. Good luck though, sir." And with that the little ferret starts making his way out of the crowd.

Rixo folds her arms and closes her eyes in thought. "Two hundred sounds like a fair price for me, but like I said... I have nothing that needs curing! Quite the opposite. I feel at the top of my health! I do think you should take it to the doctors sometime, though. I'm sure they'd love it."

"Ooooh, so yer gonna be sleepin' in the inn are ya?" Dio begins rubbing his chin before noticing someone splitting off from the crowd. An interesting fellow perhaps. "So then, two hundrerd crowns isn't a minor spend, is it lad? Are ya willin' to bet yer life that this stuff works?" Dio holds out his hand towards the salseman and puts on a friendly smile. "An agreement, here and now. If I purchase such a bottle an' it doesn't work... I'll be takin' more than just my money back from a perverted bunny, if ya know what I mean. Do ya trust yer product /this/ much?"

Shaytalis looks to Dio, "I think it is important we not scare him off. We should wake the doctors, see him to them at once. This is too important. Who knows--someone may rob or kill him in the night, to take the formula for themselves. He must be guarded 24/7 until it can be properly safeguarded." She nods, "I will begin the first watch, though if anyone would join me I appreciate it. And would someone go to fetch the most talented doctor in the city?"

"Hey, Hey, Hey!" The Rabbit comments, putting his hands on his hips as he nods his head to the Wolf beside his cart. "I have enough protection thank you, and besides. Do you really think I have the formula on me?" Sighing he rubs the bridge of his nose. "Look, okay. Here, if you really don't believe me and you really want to get the doctor." Sighing he reaches into his tunic, and pulls out a key. "This is a key to my chest in my room, the formula is in there. You can grab it, and I'll stay here with one of your friends, does that sound fair?"

The ferret is still around, standing a small distance from the crowd and watching from the vantage point of a cart. From his position the ferret yells. "Surely, with a brew so potent you wouldn't want others seeing your recipe... right?" Seems the young creature has finally summoned his skeptism.

Rixo gestures over to the ferret. "He has a point! Giving people the key to your place, the place with the formula, is a bold move. But if others want to go for it, power to them! The claim is bold in the first place!"

"'fraid I didn't ask what the stuff was made of, lad. Ya could just whisper it in my ear right now if ya wanted to." Dio looks to the bag in his hands and begins untying the string around the opening. In a few moments, the small bag is opened, releasing a fine beefy smell. His hand dips in, revealing a fine and pristine piece of jerky. "If ya weren't willin' to bet yer life on it, can't say I'm interested in a mystery product. I've got a great product right here, lad," he comments, ripping off a piece of jerky with his sharp teeth and chewing with his mouth open.

Shaytalis shakes her head, "It is a miracle on the level of your cure that it has not been stolen from you, yet, sir. We must band together here to ensure that no one steals it away. Too many may have overheard this discussion already. " She nods, "One person should immediately alert the guard. Once we have a contingent here to safeguard this man and his formula, we can make the move to the doctor. Everyone must be vigilant, no one should be allowed in or out of this area until the guard arrives."

"Well Um....." Oh boy, now the Rabbit was starting to sweat just a little. His eyes dashing between the three in front of him as he sighs. "There isn't much point of keeping it a secret if I'm going to give it to the doctors." He shrugs. By now, most of the crowd had departed. Either becoming bored of the spetacle or feeling that their might be a confrontion. "There isn't much need to call a guard." He mutters, taking a step away from his Stall, and giving the Wolf beside him another glance.

Rye watches the rabbit with renewed suspsicion. He definitely seems to be up to something. Without a word the mustelid drops down from the cart and fills up some space to help hem the rabbit in just in case, arms folded and waiting for what will happen next.

Rixo puts her hands on her hips, frowning. "I suppose you have a point, there. You're acting awfully nervous, though! Just calm down. Not like you have anything to fear, right? You're just applying your knowledge and skills to try to earn some money, yes?" She smiles at that. It's technically not -false-.

Dio chomps down on his jerky, very, very slowly. Ripping and tearing into that cured meat with over exaggerated movements, he gives the merchant a certain look. One of those 'I know what you're up to' sort of looks, complimented by a toothy smile. However, the lion certainly had his fun for the day and simply stood there, not taking any action more than destroying the jerky in his hands.

Shaytalis shakes her head, "There is nothing to fear from our assistance. You have perhaps had a great deal of hardship, hiding your formula from evil folk. Give us time to get you to safety." She tries to be prepared in case he bolts. "Could someone please go and find the guard? This man needs an escort to a secure location."

The Rabbit takes a few steps back, looking between the beings that were trying to box him in. "Well....I'm just a little nervous because of how many people just seem to want my formula." He mutters, trying his hardest not to back himself into a corner. "I still don't think a guard is really needed..." He trails off, feeling like a Rat in a trap at this point...

Rye idly goes back to scratching his side. Damn mange... which he totally doesn't have by the way. He coughs and looks around. "I agree with these fine beings here. I'll just go fetch the guard in the meantime." The ferret starts to step away and go off for the guard then, but at quite the relaxed pace.

Rixo shakes her head. "I'm not entirely sure we need a guard, either! If you want to get one, anyway, be my guest. I just don't think it's... Needed. I'm sure we can handle this ourselves, yes? There are many ways we could go about handling it, though."

Another piece of jerky makes its way to Dio's lips, where it is then consumed in a rather suprisingly small amount of bites. And then another piece, and another, and another... The lion continues to stare deeply into the bunny's eyes with an almost demented grin. His brilliantly white and sharp carnivourous teeth flash and reflect amongst the light, making his grin all the better. What is witnessed might be the true face of horror. The end of all scams.

Shaytalis looks to the others, "If you will keep him safe here, I will go and fetch the guard." And off she goes, perhaps giving the rabbit an opportunity to bolt with only 3 watching his every move instead of 4.

"Dammit...this was supposed to be a done deal." The Rabbit muttered, looking to his stall before he turns his gaze to those around him. "Now, there is no need for violence." He commented, giving them all a rather big smile as his eyes darted around. "I'm sure we can come to an understanding..."

Rye comes to a stop at seeing Shaytalis leaving for a guard faster than he is. He shrugs a bit and meanders back up to the group to watch the rabbit again, leaning against the stall quietly and drumming his fingers on it. "Understanding? Of what, may I ask?"

Rixo glances back towards Rye, then at the stall, and finally back to the rabbit. "I sure hope we don't need violence! I just want to know what the truth about your cure-all, is." She shuffles towards the stands, scratching her cheek. "I've known a few insane alchemists types in my time, and you don't seem anything like them!"

And from the now much smaller crowd of beings comes a bellowing laughter. A belly laughter on baritone levels that vibrates through the air in wondrous harmony. While still in a laughing fit, Dio attempts to retie the bag and stuff the remainder in his suit pocket. "Oh lad..." he stammers out, wiping a tear from his eye. "Yer too much fer me, Bunny of Nervous Sales." His large, claw-tipped hands bang together, emanating loud and echoing clapping noises. "But the show is up, is it not? Thank ya fer that, I quite enjoyed it."

Shaytalis continues off looking for the guard for some assistance.

"Alright alright!" Shot the Rabbit as Dio comments that the game is up. He sighs, his ears flopping as he shrugs. "You can try the cure-all if you want, you'll find that it's not poison. Just snake-oil." He chuckles, looking to his stall again as he mutters. "When I get out I'm going to make that jerk pay." Shaytalis, would have no problem finding a guard, especially in the marketplace. As many of them patrol it even at night, it's one of the few punishments that a soldier can get that isn't gruesome.

"Glad I didn't buy any... and what jerk?" The ferret tilts his head curiously at the rabbit's little aside. He crosses his arms and looks around at some of the older beings around him, and then for the guard that's supposed to be coming. Whatever the rabbit's talking about is for somebody smarter to handle for sure.

Rixo leans over to inspects some of the elixirs. "You probably won't even be locked up for that long, just relax. It's not like you killed anyone or anything." A beat. "I hope."

"No no, that's perfectly fine lad," Dio chuckles, waving his hands in a stopping gesture. "Ya can keep yer snake oil to yerself. Personally, I don't mind if ya get punished 'r not. I'll consider the entertainment a good payment. Though, I gotta admit my curiosity... Who's the jerk yer talkin' about?"

Shaytalis returns over with one of the guard, "This gentleman here. His cure-all is selling for 300 crown a dose."

The guard looks from Shaytalis then to the Rabbit. "whats all this then?" He asks in confusion. In response, the Rabbit just rolls his eyes. "Look, I lowered it down to 200 crown a dose. And it doesn't matter as I already confessed to it being snake oil." Turning back to the others he shrugs. "Jack, the one that set me up with a few crates of Snake-oil and told me this would be easy money in the marketplace. "He points to the Stall as he speaks. "Proofs in the....Where did that damn wolf go?" He asks, blinks as he realizes he forgot about them in the confusion...

Rye blinks a bit as he realizes that the wolf somehow managed to sneak away when everybody was looking at the rabbit. He scratches his head and then backs away from the rabbit's stall so someone else can look at. Not really interested in this silly business anymore. At least for the moment.

Rixo raises her brow as she turns back to the rabbit. "Well, you sure made a good salesman. Had quite a crowd going. Maybe when you get out you can try to start over selling legitimate products, hmm? You could still make some good money that way." At the comment about the wolf, she looks around, but she doesn't particularly search for him.

Dio nods towards Rixo and chuckles. "She's right, lass. All the people who sell meat here know my name. I'm quite the loyal customer! Maybe if ya bring in some exotic meat..." The lion almost begins drooling before his attention snaps to a new track. Now where did that wolf go? He puts a hand over his forehead and scans around and eventually finds something fishy in the shadows. And it wasn't the good kind of fish either. "Hmm, I think I just found yer business partner..." Soon, he begins rapidly approaching the possible strange figure and nearly roars, "Stop right there! We need to have a little talk," as he runs after it in an attempt to apprehend.

Shaytalis looks after Dio, though she doesn't have any eyes on the wolf. She works a bit of mathemagic to grant Dio some haste with her control of the wind.

As soon as Dio shouts at him the Wolf takes off, but he just wasn't fast enough to escape Dio and the mathmagic that helped him along. The Wolf snarled, but he didn't put up much fight when Dio grabbed him. "Hah! Serves you right for ditching me!" The Rabbit shouts, shaking a fist at his now captured partner. Before the guard walks up to him and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Alright alright I'll come along." He mutters, his ears drooping. "This is just not my day..."

The ferret gives a little conragulatory clap at the display. "Good job speedy cat and fox. Well I'll let you folks sort this out. Meanwhile I'll be going to have myself a smoke and a drink. Good night to you all." And with that the little ferret gives an exaggerated bow and meanders off.

Dio thought the wolf would slip just barely slip from his grasp, but suddenly he felt a boost of speed from a another source pushing him along. "Gotcha lad," he yells, slipping his arms under the wolf's shoulders and locking him close to his chest. With a proud smile upon his face, almost as if he were a cat dropping a dead mouse or bird upon the front porch, he brings the wolf back to the group so the guards may apprehend him. "Thank ya whoever gave me that boost! Ya really helped me out there." Releasing the wolf, the lion slaps him on the back and pushes him into a guard. "Anyways, I think it's time fer a drink if ya don't mind." With a wave, he heads off towards the direction of the inn.

The Wolf protests. "Hey, let me go. This is not righ....damn." He stopped fighting as soon as he was handed off to the guard. And he receives a smirk from the Rabbit who chuckles. "Serves you right you jerk." He sticks out his tongue, and is almost rewarded with a swipe from the wolf before the guard can intervene. "That's enough from you two. Now, lets find a nice cell for you both to occupy. While we sort this out."