As Long As A Piece Of Thread

[DM Escape]

Over the years, Cahoots had seen a lot of change in the city of Valkur's Roar. The old tailor had been around for dark times, good times and long, everyday times.

He'd seen the city change name; he'd seen tyrants, murders and thieves, great heroes come and go. Terrifying villains, die. Things no commoner or merchant should see, if the Fates were just and kind but at times, they had not been.

The Three Chimneys, his home, was quiet now. Children grown up and gone, his wife gone too with the previous, ill winter. His three sons visited but had no interest in taking over his business, they had their own lives and families and he loved them all; and so he remained, elderly and working until his eyesight began to fade. As the long and cold weather started to lift, he looked forward to the Greening. Making the best of his time among old friends and companions in the city, the impeccably-dressed old man of almost 70 winters would walk with his brass handled cane supporting him, making his way around the docks as best he could for his "daily constitutional".

Cahoots had earned his name many years ago  when he was an adventurer for a short time and in "cahoots" with his best friend Ro, a talented and daring thief. His real name was not known by many but to those who knew, Tambor Macelli, had been an extraordinary swordsman. He retired at a modest age to trade his hard-won wealth for a home, a family and respectability.  He did not regret it one bit. Some things are worth more than all the thrill and gold in the world.

But now, it was time for a change. He had made up his mind to retire before his eyes failed completely. He would leave Valkur's Roar behind and go to live near his eldest son, he had grandchildren to enjoy being with now and they were at an age where knowing Tambor, they would learn plenty and laugh hard in the process.

Returning to his home, he cast an appraising eye over the property and considered. It needed renovations and it would take a while to make sure the old place was fresh and solid for a new owner. Now, he would look for someone who not only had the money but the time and dedication to look after it and run it as a shop. He loathed the idea of it being completely converted into a private residence, it had been a business for so long it would confuse people. No, it would go to someone worthy, someone it would suit perfectly. He would make sure of that, after all, making things suit perfectly had been his work for the majority of his life.

Cahoots chuckled and walked into the building, it was time to make plans for a new era.

[ShadowCatJen]

Mynian had been hearing the mumblings from others and from the citizens in the market on her walkabouts in the city. Ol' "Cahoot" was planning on moving along.

She knew about him via reputation and couldn't say she'd ever met the man face to face. Maybe she had during the reign of Bloodstil and the rebellion against him, but if she had it was lost in memory. As Minister of the City Interior, the Three Chimneys was known to her. Only ever a quasi-competitor to his suit making, she was glad for another fair tailor in the city aside from herself and Miss Yuppa.

What she disliked was the notion of another business in Valkur's Roar potentially shutting down. It was her duty to try and bring businesses in, not see them shut down. Maybe it was time for her to meet the Three Chimney's owner and see what he had in mind for his old place.

... and if she played her cards right, it could be the opportunity she was looking for.

[DM Escape]

The Three Chimneys is under renovation by a small team of builders who try to be quiet but fail spectacularly. The old tailor's daughter in law arrives from Suzail to help keep them in line with a steady supply of tea while she helps Cahoots prepare to move home.

Cahoots is seen moving about on the shop's floor with his cane, talking - strangely - to an old mage's hat sitting on a cloth cabinet. The builders, most of them young, eye the hat warily. They've been told not to touch it as it is not removable from its position and was left there decades ago by a powerful wizard and friend of the old man.

"I found a new owner, so you be good to them, you hear?" The old man smiles at the silent hat "Don't go porting someone to the other side of the world if they brush up against you and I'm sure some day he'll be back for you, I am leaving him a scroll so he knows to pay them what he owes me if he ever comes back..he will know where to find me or the family if he does" He nods at the hat "Keep being the lucky charm you've always been"

He turns to find his daughter in law grinning at him "You still talk to that old hat, Pa?"

"I do, you never know with mages" The old tailor grins back.

The blonde laughs and offers her hand to the man "Come on, I've made your tea and there's a lot yet to do"

[DM Escape]

The public in the region of The Three Chimneys are startled as a huge rat bursts out of the door and flees down the street in panic, chased by an angry Hin identified as Murlo Whitetail the pest controller. Just as the rat tries to escape into a sewer drain, Murlo hurls his club and caves the unfortunate vermin's head in.

"That's the biggest I've seen in a long while" A militia guard mutters "Since that fat wererat"

Murlo drags his prize back to Cahoots who is waiting in the doorway and proudly presents it.

"I'm not making a coat out of it, Murlo, best burn the thing" Cahoots sniffs. "We'll fill up that hole though and make it good and thick!" He directs the last of the craftsmen and builders "I will arrange to speak to the new owner, she'll want a tour to check everything is just so"

Murlo puffs his chest out "Might stuff this one and mount it" He remarks to the guard as he walks off, towing the carcass behind him to a round of applause from the onlookers.

[ShadowCatJen]

Amid the clamor of workers trying to break down the rubble around and in the Great Hall, Mynian was seen flitting about the hall, gathering things from her office and heading out just down the street. It seems mostly personal effects, bolts of cloth, the type of racks to put clothes on for display, and other such items.

A couple folk might mention they saw her earlier in front of the bank while Bron and Cahoots took friendly barbs at one another. She went into the bank with Cahoots and was there for a good while.

Bit later they were seen walking toward the caravan, Cahoots being seen safely off.

Mynian made her way back to the Northwest Quarter and went straight to The Three Chimneys.

Since then she'd been seen here and there. Gathering her things and her cat from Talbot's. The black cat riding on her shoulder the whole way back. Nabbing one of those "cat food bowls" they make in Suzail from her office and bringing it with her. Getting a few effects from the local food sellers, a nice set of mugs, an extra saucer or two.

Every so often a smile would crest her lips, but then she would stop, shake her head and utter about how she shouldn't be happy right now.

From what it seems, however, Mynian has moved in to The Three Chimneys.

[DM Escape]

A broad-shouldered  golden-haired man clad in the finest silks and cloth approaches the Three Chimneys and knocks firmly three times. 

After asking around when he does not receive an answer, he pushes a note through the door.

Miss Copperhand,

My name is Adrien, I am the son of Cahoots. I hoped to call upon you today but can't find you. I will return at a more convenient time if you write to me at my father's address in Suzail.

My father is well and sends his regards.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Adrien Macelli

@ShadowCatJen

[ShadowCatJen]

Some hours later, Mynian returned to the door of the Three Chimneys with her skirts, boots, and apron caked with mud and dirt. One of the Mage Guard Kerri Harton escorted her back from the northern graveyards. She thanked the Mage Guard for her duty before she turned to the door and worked her muddy boots off.

She'd almost stepped right on the letter as she opened the door and entered. A bare foot missed stepping on it by a half inch. Somewhat surprised, Mynian picked it up off the floor and looked who it was from. After reading it once, she set it aside to get the door fully closed and locked.

"Adrien Macelli ... " she uttered while heading fully to the back living area of her shop. "Mista Cahoots be comin' a callin'."

A grimace later as she shucked off the dirtied clothes into the bathroom to be cleaned, "Need ta pull somethin' tagetha roit quick. Me do be be'ind ... "

The next morning, she wrote a return letter to go to the address in Suzail that Mister Cahoots was at.

Dear Mister Adrien Macelli,

Apologies for not being readily available when you visited. Me certain there be questions, but rest assured me will have things ready for you the next we meet. At the moment, me be seeing to some things me be bound to complete and can not leave Valkur's Roar. Me can be available ...

She listed a few dates and times of day. Noting she could be found at the Three Chimneys and if he could "knock as loud as possible because me could be in the back" then it would be appreciated.

Mynian got the letter in an envelope then departed her shop for the closest courier to get the letter to Suzail. Not long after she was seen going to the bank, after some time she emerged again, a hefty bag over her shoulder then immediately stopped by Mister Bron. She bartered with him for a bit and handed some things over from the sack in exchange for some coin.

She was soon off again to other shops, stopping here and there, the bag less and less laden as she went. Though it was noted, she did not stop by Yuppa's ...

DM Escape