Mai Zu's Shop of Wonder

[Bonaparte]

Deng Yue: Excellent. If the quality is good, you can expect me to see you again in a near future with more business.

Deng Yue hands over 140 gold, and goes on his merry way.

[Suicide Fox]

Zu took the armor in her hands, setting it down on the counter gently. She slid her hands over the metal. It was well crafted, certainly not the best in the world, but the care was there. the fasteners and rings were a great idea of course. She had never personally used that tactic before, in this respect, but she had seen the basic idea before. As he spoke, she couldn't help but smiling, her face still pink as she tucked her hair behind her ear once again.

Mai Zu: "Yes, it is rare I suppose. I just couldn't help myself though... i just wanted to learn more than sewing and writing. But you made this? It is impressive, the way you have constructed it together. I may have to steal this idea."

She smiled sweetly, passing the armor back to him.

Mai Zu: "And yes, I do run this place by myself. There is a girl who I have hired to come in occasionally, to clean and the such, but besides that, no one else is here but me!"

She smiled then, leaning forward on the counter.

"Have at it. I see armor as a tool of protection, the more versatile you are when you wear it, the better you can protect the ones that matter to you." He smiled and took the armor back, beginning to suit himself back up. De Man's philosophy was that all tools of war should be used to protect, not to kill, which was why he was very picky when it came to using his skills in providing people weapons.

As he was getting situated in the armor, "It must be hard running things all by yourself, without a man to help you. Independent women are so rare, I commend you on that."

[Zhou Kahn]

Mai Zu nodded at his words, showing her agreement with a smile.

Mai Zu: "I believe I agree with you. I wish that all of my arms and writings could be used merely for the sake of protecting, but I know that is impractical in today's world. Sometimes attacking is actually the best way to protect those you care about/"

She let that linger in the air for a moment, leaning over the counter again. Resting her chin in her hands, she tilted her head to one side, shrugging her shoulders.

Mai Zu: "It's not terribly difficult. Then again, I've only ever had a shop in the small towns I've traveled to. Being in a larger place like Qi may have it's challenges."

She continued to smile, tucking her hair behind her ear once again.

[Suicide Fox]

"Maybe," De man admitted with a shrug. "Some people just don't know what real peace is."

He could not help but notice the way she kept tucking her hair behind her ears and smiling at him. Could she be, flirting? No, it was just a casual conversation between two people with common interests. It had to be. He leaned in on the counter with his left arm. "Are you looking for a challenge? I don't know much about Qi, but from what I've heard on my travels something big is stirring in this province. If you want to make money, your decision to set up a shop here was pretty sound."

[Zhou Kahn]

Mai Zu bit her lip again, thinking for a moment before shaking her head.

Mai Zu: "A challenge? No, not quite that..."

She laughed suddenly, a girly giggle as she shook her head. Looking at him then, she spoke with a smile still on her lips.

Mai Zu: "It's going to sound really quite silly... not something a craftswoman should say. But maybe you'll understand... I think in every profession, there is one moment, one time, that a person looks and strives for the most: a duelist may revel in the moment he gets the perfect strike, one that dazzles, confuses, amazes, and kills all in one. A general may look forward to the moment when all of his attacks and movements work flawlessly, and he realizes that his men fully trust him. Well, for me, I strive to make that sword that is worthy of being held by the gods, or that book that the most intelligent of men pay thousands to read, the jewelry that only a queen can wear, and the horse that can run faster than an arrow can be shot."

By this point, she was staring at her hands, clasped on the counter, but not really looking at them. She smiled, thinking of that moment, before snapping out of it, realizing that she was still talking to her guest... or customer. Whatever. Laughing, she scratched her head, suddenly feeling embarrassed as her face went pink once more.

Mai Zu: "I'm sorry for going on like that. but back to your comment, Qi will certainly be a great place to do business. I don't need a ton of money, i'd rather the poor be able to afford my works, as well as those with more than they can handle."

She smiled once more, the pink in her cheeks slowly leaving as they continued to talk.

[Lin Xin]

LIn Xin walks into the shop, looking over the price index. Seeing a woman to appears to work there, he approaches asking, "Miss? I would like to inquire about purchasing a book of leadership. I don't need it immediately so I can give you 150 gold now and another 50 if I can pick it up next month. Would you think that is possible?"

((+3 Com book over 2 months. 200 gold total. Let me know if it can be done by the end of March PT.))

[Zhou Kahn]

[Lin Xin]

Mai Zu pulled out her records, but already she knew that she was book fairly solid for the next few months so far. Biting her lip for a moment, she smiled to her customer and spoke.

Mai Zu: "I have no objection to you paying me most of it now, and the rest upon pick up. The issue is that writing takes quite a bit out of me, and I can only do one a month. That being said, as of right now, I'm book solid through April and could begin writing in in May, and finish it so you could pick it up in July... That might change, as one of my customers may be changing his order and will then free up a spot to start in April, and then you could pick it up in June, but as it stands, I won't be able to start it until May. Would this be alright, and if an opening does appear in April I could let you know and start it then?"

She smiled sweetly, and confidently, sure that she could make an agreement with the customer.

((Payment plan is fine. As per the rules, I can only make one book per turn. So since i have books lined up through April, i can't start another till May :/))

[Suicide Fox]

Mai Zu: "A challenge? No, not quite that..."

A slow smile crept up on De Man's face. Her passion was contagious.
"I think I know what you mean. Can you give me one second?" He held up a finger for her to wait a moment and then disappeared from out of the shop. Going over to his horse, he untied a gourd that was strapped to its back and brought it inside.

"See this?" He held it up for her to see. The gourd was rather plain, a sandy brown color with a red stripe running across it. However, there were five holes that had been carved into the side and he showed them proudly. "This is my dream. I want to create one weapon of each type and wield them all. I've carved out these holes in such a way that they can all fit in here, so I'll be prepared for any situation. Look here, here's where I put the spear. There, a billhook, and there, a sword." Despite the gourd not having a weapon in it, he seemed pretty pleased about speaking of it.

"I forgot all about that goal until you mentioned your passion for the art of crafting. Say, I mean, you said you could forge right? I guess, well I guess I don't have to make all of these myself. I'd be honored to carry one of your weapons with me. Whaddya say?"

De Man offers 140 gold to craft a Spear (+2 Mig) in 1 month!

[Zhou Kahn]

Mai Zu was surprised at his sudden interest in what she spoke of. Quite confused as he left the shop, and more so when he brought a gourd back inside. She listened to him intently as he spoke, amazed at what he was trying to accomplish. Make the weapons was one thing, but using them all well? Most fighters in the time couldn't wield more than one half way decent. Of course, she couldn't talk: she was no fighter. She was however quite surprised when he requested that she make his spear. Yet again her cheeks flushed, and she looked away slightly before speaking.

Mai Zu: "I... I'd be honored if you would wield one of my spears.Though, I don't even know your name sir? But..."

Handing a few pieces back to him, she spoke once more.

Mai Zu: "This is all i require."

Mai Zu receives 135 gold to make a +2 Might Spear!

[Suicide Fox]

"Oh heh, right." He was embarrassed that he forgot to introduce himself. Clasping his left fist into his right palm, he inclined his head slightly in a short bow that allowed him to keep eye contact. "I'm De Man of the Di province." Rising, he formed up his normal stance and put a hand on the gourd. "And you of course, must be Mai Zu. Trust me madam, it will be my honor carry your spear with me." He smiled politely and chuckled.