ThieviusRaccoonus
Junior Member
Silvano took the gift with a gracious smile, his fingers gently unwrapping the cloth to reveal the berries. He lifted one to his lips, popping it into his mouth as he savored the burst of sweetness, the dark berry juice staining his lips ever so slightly. He chuckled softly, eyes twinkling with genuine amusement.
“Ah, what a delightful treat this is, indeed,” Silvano purred, his voice rich and smooth, with an old-world charm that carried the grace of another time. His gaze remained steady on Calamite, though there was something calculating beneath the surface, something carefully measured. “Your kindness never fails to surprise. A gift such as this, though not imbued with the magic of herbs, speaks of a heart that knows how to brighten a soul even in small ways.” He paused, the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly. “Though, truly, it is the intention behind it that makes it shine—’tis a rare thing, kindness freely given without expectation...”
Silvano allowed his eyes to wander around Calamite’s shop—his fingers tapping gently against the counter in a rhythmic, almost languid motion. His smile lingered, polite but watchful.
“It truly is remarkable, what you’ve accomplished here.” His voice softened, carrying the faintest trace of awe, though his eyes belied something more probing. “The resilience you’ve shown—building this haven anew after such devastation—’tis no small feat. The flood has done its damage, yet here you stand, your work flourishing.” He tilted his head slightly, feigning admiration. “Why, I remember when I first saw you here—a year ago, tending to the store, holding your ground. You had a fire in you then, yes, but… I noticed something.”
His smile grew sly, more calculating. “There were… slip-ups.” His voice dropped an octave, a subtle edge slipping beneath the surface. “Weaknesses, beginning to show. And as someone who strongly believes in community—someone who wishes to help others rise—I, of course, wanted to offer what I could.”
Silvano’s gaze lingered a moment longer, his charm never wavering. Yet, beneath the mask, his tone hinted at something darker—the offer wasn’t as innocent as it seemed.
“But yet, you denied them.” He let out a soft sigh, shaking his head. “I was a little hurt. But, of course, I understood. Sometimes, one needs more time. And here we are—another year has passed, and look at you now! Your shop is a bustling stop, your goods commanding top coin. Truly, you’ve built something great—something that’s earned you respect from the traders, no doubt.”
Silvano’s voice dipped into a smoother, more persuasive tone, though his eyes never left Calamite. “But you must realize… times are shifting. The world outside these walls is not as kind as it was in the beginning. Disruptions happen—floods, raids, canal blockages—things that threaten your business, that threaten your people. It’s easy for misfortune to strike when least expected.”
He paused, tilting his head slightly, his expression shifting into something darker. “And yet, it could be prevented. By those who understand the ebb and flow of trade. Who can foresee what others cannot… who can ensure that your routes remain clear. Protected.”
Silvano’s voice dropped again, his tone heavier now, more serious. “Imagine—protection. My services aren’t just about goods or favors, but something greater. Something that ensures stability. No more worrying about blockades, no more sudden crashes that turn your boats away. I can offer you… security.” His eyes locked onto Calamite’s, cold yet measured. “It’s an opportunity you’ve passed up before, but perhaps now… you see things differently.”
He allowed a moment of silence to settle between them, his gaze unwavering, gauging Calamite’s response. The charm had faded, replaced by something sharper—an offer wrapped in veiled threats, subtle enough for now, but clear enough for those paying attention to read between the lines.
“Ah, what a delightful treat this is, indeed,” Silvano purred, his voice rich and smooth, with an old-world charm that carried the grace of another time. His gaze remained steady on Calamite, though there was something calculating beneath the surface, something carefully measured. “Your kindness never fails to surprise. A gift such as this, though not imbued with the magic of herbs, speaks of a heart that knows how to brighten a soul even in small ways.” He paused, the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly. “Though, truly, it is the intention behind it that makes it shine—’tis a rare thing, kindness freely given without expectation...”
Silvano allowed his eyes to wander around Calamite’s shop—his fingers tapping gently against the counter in a rhythmic, almost languid motion. His smile lingered, polite but watchful.
“It truly is remarkable, what you’ve accomplished here.” His voice softened, carrying the faintest trace of awe, though his eyes belied something more probing. “The resilience you’ve shown—building this haven anew after such devastation—’tis no small feat. The flood has done its damage, yet here you stand, your work flourishing.” He tilted his head slightly, feigning admiration. “Why, I remember when I first saw you here—a year ago, tending to the store, holding your ground. You had a fire in you then, yes, but… I noticed something.”
His smile grew sly, more calculating. “There were… slip-ups.” His voice dropped an octave, a subtle edge slipping beneath the surface. “Weaknesses, beginning to show. And as someone who strongly believes in community—someone who wishes to help others rise—I, of course, wanted to offer what I could.”
Silvano’s gaze lingered a moment longer, his charm never wavering. Yet, beneath the mask, his tone hinted at something darker—the offer wasn’t as innocent as it seemed.
“But yet, you denied them.” He let out a soft sigh, shaking his head. “I was a little hurt. But, of course, I understood. Sometimes, one needs more time. And here we are—another year has passed, and look at you now! Your shop is a bustling stop, your goods commanding top coin. Truly, you’ve built something great—something that’s earned you respect from the traders, no doubt.”
Silvano’s voice dipped into a smoother, more persuasive tone, though his eyes never left Calamite. “But you must realize… times are shifting. The world outside these walls is not as kind as it was in the beginning. Disruptions happen—floods, raids, canal blockages—things that threaten your business, that threaten your people. It’s easy for misfortune to strike when least expected.”
He paused, tilting his head slightly, his expression shifting into something darker. “And yet, it could be prevented. By those who understand the ebb and flow of trade. Who can foresee what others cannot… who can ensure that your routes remain clear. Protected.”
Silvano’s voice dropped again, his tone heavier now, more serious. “Imagine—protection. My services aren’t just about goods or favors, but something greater. Something that ensures stability. No more worrying about blockades, no more sudden crashes that turn your boats away. I can offer you… security.” His eyes locked onto Calamite’s, cold yet measured. “It’s an opportunity you’ve passed up before, but perhaps now… you see things differently.”
He allowed a moment of silence to settle between them, his gaze unwavering, gauging Calamite’s response. The charm had faded, replaced by something sharper—an offer wrapped in veiled threats, subtle enough for now, but clear enough for those paying attention to read between the lines.