Are
A simple sound, a clinking of coins. Exactly what had been missing from ever market, stall, and shop. Not something one usually dwells on, but the lack of the noise kept every scene just one voice short of a harmony. A cacophony of commerce never fully whole without it, without the sound of coins changing hands. It took Are by surprise, the realization, not the act of paying itself but the symbolism of the currency wanting to change hands for service rendered.
Well, not services, gifts. As he finally realized he'd been staring at the coins he shook his head at the gesture, however well meaning it had been. "No, I didn't sell you food, even if I did I wouldn't take your coins for anything more than the pretty trinkets they'd make." he explained, smiling and laughing at the simple mistake, one he to that day still found himself falling for occasionally. Rifling around the belt for a purse left at the bottom of a chest at home, digging into a belt bag for silver but always coming up empty handed. Or as empty handed as a craftsman at his prime ever could be.
"There's no currency here, just barter, makes my job a bit cumbersome, but at least you're not getting stiffed at the market."
Well, not services, gifts. As he finally realized he'd been staring at the coins he shook his head at the gesture, however well meaning it had been. "No, I didn't sell you food, even if I did I wouldn't take your coins for anything more than the pretty trinkets they'd make." he explained, smiling and laughing at the simple mistake, one he to that day still found himself falling for occasionally. Rifling around the belt for a purse left at the bottom of a chest at home, digging into a belt bag for silver but always coming up empty handed. Or as empty handed as a craftsman at his prime ever could be.
"There's no currency here, just barter, makes my job a bit cumbersome, but at least you're not getting stiffed at the market."
