Good Morning! I think?

Deirdre heads to his shop bright and early that day. He had a lot to do... But it would be some time yet before the market springs to its usual life. He sets about quietly preparing for his regular workday to begin, setting up carefully tanned animal hides on their usual shelves and stands.

Norwyn had managed to grab his attention for longer than he’d expected and so it was already autumn when Sirach arrived in Ishgard; if he’d let any more time pass, he'd have had trouble travelling through the snow, and the city up north hadn’t been interesting enough to spend the winter in. Ishgard was busy as ever and no one noticed him moving through the crowd and entering a tanner’s shop. The long journey had damaged his shoes and he needed leather to repair them. As he entered the store, he saw a man setting up the hides to be displayed on the shelves and stands in the room.

Deirdre perks up when the door creaks open, and smiles. Oh, bright and early, it seems. He offers a small wave in greeting before fetching one of his notebooks... and writes something neatly down before showing his first customer of the day the page.

Good morning. How can I help you, today?

The other was young and Sirach wondered whether he owned the shop or was just an apprentice. He answered the wave with a small nod, he wasn’t here for pleasantries. “My shoes and some of my clothes have started to wear down and I need some leather to repair them,” he replied to the man’s question.

Leather. Well, he certainly had plenty of that after a fruitful trade with some hunters a while back. Deirdre nods and taps a shelf further back in the room. A large variety of warm, smooth leathers are folded up neatly there, each with different lengths suited for different things- plenty certainly capable of use for clothing purposes.

This is what I have in stock so far. If you need anything else, let me know, yes?

The other showed him to a shelf further back in the room where different kinds of leathers were displayed. Sirach followed and looked over the different options. The trip to Norwyn had naturally worn his clothing down and the leather strap that held his axe to his back had also started to show some wear and tear. “I’ll let you know,” he answered the young man, but he let his eyes linger for a moment longer than needed. He was trying to gauge the other, but so far only his eyes seemed to be of note.

There wasn't much physically odd about him, really. He seemed like just an ordinary man, excluding the distinct lack of verbal communication. The longer Sirach paid attention to him and the shop, the easier it was to tell that he did run this shop alone. He was the only one that appeared to work here, and, when he wasn't occupied with helping other customers, he'd be placing a few more furs and leathers up for sale, attaching little tags with numbers onto each item.

No other customers came in and the man continued to organise the shop while Sirach looked at the leather. The most noticeable things about the other were his eyes and the fact he hadn’t spoken yet, but had instead written down what he wanted to say. Maybe he couldn’t speak? He also seemed young to be owning his own shop. If Sirach had been born into the other’s life, he wouldn’t have had the need to go into crime, to fall in love with stealing. “Do you have some more of these?” he asked the man, holding up a particular type of leather. It was sturdier than the others on the shelf and would last long. “Are you the owner of the shop?” he asked as well, curious about the answer.

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

Deirdre looks up from his work and goes to examine the leather Sirach mentioned... He thinks quietly, going through a little list in the back of his head. He nods.

We should, yes, in the back.

Likely in one of the corner shelves...

How much do you need?

He blinks at the question... and smiles a little before nodding.

Yes. Though I had help from family members to get it started and such... Why do you ask?

Sirach looked at the young man while he wrote something down before presenting him with the answer. “Two more of this size should do,” he answered the question before asking one himself.

So the other did own the shop, though he’d had help from family to start it up. “You look young to be owning a shop,” Sirach explained. Somewhere deep down he felt jealous—not that he’d ever admit that. He wondered what his life would look like if he’d had gotten a chance like that, if his family hadn’t fallen apart and he hadn’t been forced to take care of himself.

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

Deirdre smiles softly and moves to get it before tilting his head at the next question. He smiles wryly.

Thank you, I think? I'm just trying my best with the hand I've been dealt, really...

He had to support his family. If he couldn't do something like this, then what was the point, really? He glances around the shop... He had to admit an extra set of hands in the work here wouldn't hurt to have. At least when it came to the speaking part of his job, but... he could handle it.

He heads to the back and gently hands Sirach the two extra leathers.

The other was trying his best with the hand he’d been dealt. Well, that was one lucky hand if you asked him. “Good luck with the shop, then,” he wished the other well. While he wished he’d had the same opportunity, he was also happy the man had gotten it. He didn’t wish for others to suffer just because he had.

The shop owner disappeared into the back before returning with the extra leather. “Thank you, that would be enough,” Sirach let the other know after looking over the pieces of leather.

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

Of course.

He had to admit it was a lucky hand... But he tilts his head nonetheless, sensing something quietly amiss beneath the surface.

How are you, by the way?

He felt it might be good to ask, despite the fact that this was supposed to be a purely business conversation... Perhaps this man did not have people checking in on him often... It couldn't hurt to remedy that, at least for a short period of time.

The leather was of good quality, he could tell by looking at it. And with the new pieces added it would be sufficient to repair what he needed to.

Sirach looked up at the question. “I’m alright,” he answered defensively, not having expected the question. He looked at the other, studying his face to see what he wanted. People didn’t just suddenly ask stuff like this without ulterior motives.

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

Deirdre blinks at the immediate defense the other man takes... and offers a very small smile in return.

I'm glad. You just... looked like you had quite a bit on your mind, so I thought it would be good to ask.

The other’s smile and his next words confused him. Sirach’s brows furrowed while he read what was on the paper. Was the man serious? Did he only ask because he cared? He hadn’t met a lot of people in his life that asked him how he was doing, or that even noticed he wasn’t really happy deep down. Why would the shop owner be any different? “I—,” he hesitated. “Just not everyone gets chances like that.”

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

Oh, he was honest in his intentions... That much was fairly obvious. Deirdre blinks at that... and nods a little.

It's a rare opportunity indeed...

He nips his lip idly, contemplating something. He didn't have that opportunity... Did he? He comes to that conclusion fairly easily.

Can I ask what sort of things you do right now...? It's alright if not, I'd rather not bring you any discomfort.

Perhaps he could get to know this person. Perhaps there was something he could do in his power to help, even if it's just to listen.

He didn’t completely believe that the other only asked because he cared. They knew each other for just a few minutes, didn’t know each other's names. Most people barely even cared for their friends, so how much could you care for someone you knew nothing about? But still it felt easier to talk to him. Maybe because they were strangers. “I do whatever people hire me to do.” He shrugged. That was, of course, the simple explanation. Sometimes that meant being someone’s bodyguard, other times he had to defeat some kind of beast or gather a specific herb, and every now and then he put his skills to use to put someone down. But the jobs he liked the most were breaking and entering, stealing something. That boost of adrenaline couldn’t compare to anything else. He was a thief after all. But though he knew he’d never change, didn’t want to change, he still lamented what could have been. What would’ve happened if his family hadn’t died? If his mother hadn’t gone crazy? “But let’s say you wouldn’t see me paying if you had something valuable here,” he further explained. He didn’t know how the other would react, but if he reacted badly, Sirach would just get out of here as fast as he could.

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

Sounds like that takes you on quite a few adventures. Do you see a lot of new places?

It was interesting to say the least, and the more he examined the other, it made sense. Some of the leathers he was wearing were rather worn down, likely from travelling and the like. He listens attentively... and blinks at that last sentence. Deirdre processes for a small second... And oddly enough, finds it rather funny. His shoulders tremble briefly, amusement clear on his face as he laughs soundlessly.

I'm sure many people would. It's lucky I only have hides and leathers.

The shop's only real defenses were the front door, after all. And he never left the coin he earned here in the shop to be safe.

“Yes, I’ve been all over the continent.” He’d seen many beautiful places. He’d seen a lot of darkness in those places as well.

He’d considered a lot of reactions, but laughter was not one he’d expected. “Very lucky,” Sirach replied, not really sure what to do with this turn in the conversation. “Though I prefer bigger profits.” He wasn’t some lowlife criminal pulling a heist every week because he barely could make enough. No, he was at the top of his game, one of the best of the continent.

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

That's understandable.

He smiles just a little bit, calming down from his initial amusement.

I'll admit, I've never travelled far... So, I am quite curious about what sort of things you've seen. If you'd like, I can make us some tea while we chat?

Sirach didn’t understand the other, but despite the thief’s hesitation, he was curious about the young man.

“Sure,” he answered with the idea that if the other asked any questions he didn’t want to answer, he could just get out at any second.

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

Deirdre smiles, glad to have his curiosity indulged. He turns away briefly, gesturing toward a set of chairs in the back to let him know he can sit down if he'd like before disappearing into the backroom. After a small handful of minutes, he returns with two wooden cups filled with a sweet chamomile tea that his mother had recommended to him a while ago. He gently passes Sirach the cup before settling down across from him.

There's a small pause, as if he remembered something... then looks just a little embarrassed.

I'm so sorry, I forgot to ask you for your name through all of this.

He fiddles with his pen a little before tilting his head.

Can I ask what I should call you by?

The other gestured towards a set of chairs. Sirach sat down on one and waited for the young man to return. Once he’d gotten his cup, the other sat down as well before pausing and asking him for his name. “Sirach,” he answered. “And you?”

Thiefs and Beggars, never shall we die

Where we will, we'll roam

Deirdre. A pleasure to meet you, Sirach.

He twirls his pen idly, smiling.