The Prices Aren't Right at all [Commerce]

[Megumi]

[attr="class","capsol"]

Another leisurely stroll through the marketplace on a rather nice day had put Megumi into a very good mood already. She didn't know why, but it was just nice to be surrounded by warmth from the sun, as she made her way along the brick-laden walkway. She was out and about, looking for alternative ways to make some money in this world, while also just trying to enjoy the day. It had been a little while since she had first set out onto that horrid quest, which involved some fairly nice people, and then the hulking dolt. As much as she disliked the dolt, she had gotten over the fact that they had met in the first place, and thanked her lucky stars that she had never met that person again since then. In the meantime, she had forged some decent friendships with Marashi, Jade, and a nice acquaintance with Daggerfel, though she did like to keep her distance from most people, as one would expect of the Swashbuckler.

Despite having made as many friends as she had, she was still at a bad place when it came to money. Having just barely enough to pass off as her own costs of living, with her expendable income being barely above table scraps. It had occurred to her that living on her own was a bit of a challenge, in and of itself, even though she resided mostly in whatever inns she could afford each night. The concept itself was becoming increasingly boring and troublesome, as she wanted to go one night without having the neighbor in the next room snoring so loud as to keep her awake for much longer than she needed to be. Having grown fully tired of the concept, Megumi had planned to start working a bit more, so she could afford her own place to eat, sleep, and live. Of course, she would spruce it up in due time, and be able to call it a livable mansion, but for now, she just wanted her own place to be. Furnishings and such would come later, as she had begun to think more practically about it.

As her thought process had carried her away from consciousness, she snapped back to reality only to see that she was somewhere near a crafting district within the marketplace. Looking around, she noticed all different sorts of people making wears, and someone else nearby trying to sell what was already made and produced, for assorted prices. Prices which, as far as Megumi knew, were a bit too high for one to consider a good deal. But, such is the way of consumerism: Supply and demand determines the prices of this world, much like the real world, and sometimes the concepts will always follow. However, these prices for some of the items are actually far above what one would normally consider being a decent price. How could someone charge that much for a simple culinary craft!? And those potions in the stall next to them, why would anybody pay as much as a super healing potion for just a regular one!? This was outrageous, and Megumi would not stand for it. Growing angry at the concept, Megumi huffed.

Looking around revealed yet another work station that had room for both a chef and a pharmacist. Marching over to the stall, she started to heat up the stove, so that she may use it for cooking. In the meantime, she opened up her friend list, revealing the few people that she had permitted to know where she was. Highlighting the selection for Marashi, Megumi opened up the communications. Upon connection, Megumi began to speak. "Marashi, it's Megumi. Some charlatans are attempting to charge hefty prices for the same things that you and I could both produce. I require you to join me, if you are available. If you aren't, then make time." She started to clatter some pots and pans out, as she continued. "I shall not allow such savagery to continue, and would enlist your assistance in this matter." Taking the hand away from her ear, Megumi continued to clatter through utensils, grabbing all that she would need. From there, she started to assemble the various types of ingredients she had stored up in her inventory. Still steamed about the prices that some people were claiming as 'fair,' the Swashbuckler prepped herself for Marashi's arrival, should she show up.

[newclass=.bbar]background-color:#050505; border: 2px solid #050505; border-radius: 5px; overflow: hidden; width: 175px; height:6px;[/newclass]

[attr="class","bbar"]

[newclass=.bbar]background-color:#050505; border: 2px solid #050505; border-radius: 5px; overflow: hidden; width: 175px; height:6px;[/newclass]

[attr="class","bbar"]

∝: 737
♫: Waltz for Family
✏: Megumi's pissed.
@: @quilava

[newclass=.capsol ::-webkit-scrollbar]height:5px;width:10px;background-color:#2c2c2c;[/newclass]
[newclass=.capsol ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background-color:#211f20;border-left:1px solid #211f20;border-top:1px solid #211f20;border-bottom:1px solid #211f20;[/newclass]

[Deleted]

“And all the paper is finalized, notarized, scrutinized, and filed,” Marashi sighed, “I didn’t realize that starting a guild would require so much paperwork… it took like none when this was a game…”

It had been a long day for Marashi thus far. So far, she had completely finished with all the initial start-up paperwork for starting her own guild, the Splendid Pocky Brigade. She had talked to the others she had recently quested with, and some of them had agreed to join her guild. Once she reached the necessary requirements, she had to get the papers finalized and notarized… you know, because that is a thing in a game. Well it technically could have always been with the way this world worked, but that was beside the point.

“That was so much paperwork, even my head is spinning,” Hikari complained.

“Yeah, how do you think I feel?” Marashi muttered after taking a sip of the drink she was drinking, “You’re head is in mine so mine is extra spin-y.” At that particular moment in time, Marashi was relaxing in one of the cafes that were around the Parliament Building. She decided she would take a chance to relax before heading to do something else productive. She wanted to scope out the Londinium Zoo since it was her goal to have that place be the guild hall headquarters… or at least part of it. If she could find someone to get the place renovated, the guild could probably make the hall operational and earn money that way. However, it would probably be a sizable amount of gold to do so… so she would need to figure out how to get revenue into the guild going.

Marashi hadn’t had a chance to start working on her Alchemy quite yet, but she did want to. She hoped that she would be able to make enough to start saving… though there was another goal she had in mind for her alchemy. Magitek was a thing in the game that never really got looked into… mostly because no one had any idea how to make it work or even how to craft it… and the game makers were very tight-lipped about their secret craft. She wanted to take on the challenge and find a way to make Magitek a thing.

At that moment, Marashi heard a ring, and a window popped up on her interface. It was a voice message from Megumi, one of the members of her newfound guild. Megumi was an interesting character to say the least, and Marashi was kind of surprised that she had agreed to join the guild. It would be good to have her though… though what did she need? Marashi pressed the interface button, and she listened to the message. Apparently Megumi was shopping and was not happy with the prices she was finding, and she needed Marashi. Prices in this world were weird to say the least, and it made sense that Megumi may not understand that.

Marashi decided she would check out the Londinium Zoo later… after all, it wasn’t going to go anywhere… at least not yet. She opened her interface and sent Megumi a voice message, “This is Marashi. I’m on my way to the market area now to meet up with you.”

Marashi finished her drink and paid for it before making her way into the market area that Megumi was in… and the reason she knew that was thanks to her interface. If it hadn’t been for that, she would have had to wait for Megumi to message her back.

It didn’t take long to find Megumi… but Marashi was surprised to find her behind one of the stalls… what was she planning on doing? “I’ve arrived,” Marashi said, standing in front of the stall, “So what exactly is going on?”

Word Count: 640
Tags: Megumi
Marashi | Hikari | Yume

Coding by Sayha of LH

[Megumi]

[attr="class","capsol"]

Whether or not Marashi was going to come and help out with this injustice, Megumi was hell-bent on taking care of it herself. The Swashbuckler had already begun to make some food that she would put up on display, and sell them for decent prices, which would more than undercut those charlatans who were trying to sell their own food for obnoxiously horrible prices. She looked up and glared at where the stall was, just a little ways up the path, trying as hard as she could to transmit as much anger and hatred for them as she could. It was beyond her how someone could actually try and sell food and potions, both things that people will need in order to survive in this world, at such an outlandish price. And their items weren't even that good, either! How dare those two evil people do such a thing!? Though, one would begin to wonder why Megumi cared at all about this prospect, as she was much more interested in taking care of her own affairs.

As some of the ingredients had to slow cook, she started to take a board that was there for people to use to promote their own shop. Taking a quick look at the friends list told Megumi that Marashi had been on her way to this place, and decided that she would go ahead and put up a sign that she had had in mind. The way that the stall was set up was so that there was a counter for people to buy items, as well as a few stools out in front with a counter so people could come over and eat. On the right-hand side, if one is facing the stall from the path, is a small ladder that one can use to put the board up with the name for what they were going to promote. Next to that was a wooden flap that opened up for people who worked there to go in and out of the stall, all the while keep people who weren't working there, out of the area. Megumi was writing cursive letters onto the board, and while she was doing so, she heard a voice from beyond the counter.

Looking up, it was Marashi. "Good, you're here." Megumi started, looking back down to the board for a moment, to finish off one of the words she was writing. "Look up the path a little ways, and notice the stall that is selling food and potions. Their prices are so dastardly outlandish, they are practically stealing from people!! And I, for one, shall not stand for that!" Her voice was louder than it normally was, as the anger had fully fleshed itself out in her tone at this point. She looked up towards the rival stall, and then to Marashi. "I called you here, because our two professions have us doing the same things as they are, and people who want good food and good potions should not have to pay that high a price for such low-grade equipment and nourishment. I'm sure you agree with me, Miss Marashi, and I implore you to come and give me a hand." She turned back down to the plank that she had just finished writing on, and moved to the flap that lead out of the stall, walking over to the ladder.

As she ascended, she brought along with her the board, and started to fashion it on the plaque where the board would fit. The writing on the board read -=Splendid Pocky Boutique=-, a play off of the name that Marashi had so recently created, to which Megumi had also joined. Coming back down from the ladder, the Swashbuckler moved behind the counter once more, and started to chop up some more ingredients. It was at about this time, she felt that she needed to say one or two other things. Taking a deep breath, she cooled herself a little, before facing the Shaman once more. "I apologize for my rash and hasty behavior in this matter, but I do hope that you can reciprocate the mentality. I will not stand by and have people be stolen from in such a manner." Her fists clenched once more, but she stopped herself from growing too angry. "This is also a good opportunity for us, as members of our guild, to promote some publicity to bring in more people, as well as better business. The amount of money we could make from this is also quite high, since, as I said before, potions and food are in high demand, and both can be made for a cheap price-per-unit." Her eyes drifted violently to the direction of the other stall after that. "And it will also serve as a lesson to some highway robbers just up the path, as well." Falling silent from there, Megumi focused on the food she was preparing once more.

[newclass=.bbar]background-color:#050505; border: 2px solid #050505; border-radius: 5px; overflow: hidden; width: 175px; height:6px;[/newclass]

[attr="class","bbar"]

[newclass=.bbar]background-color:#050505; border: 2px solid #050505; border-radius: 5px; overflow: hidden; width: 175px; height:6px;[/newclass]

[attr="class","bbar"]

∝: 824
♫: Plains of Eternity
✏: Welcome to Hell's Kitchen
@: @quilava

[newclass=.capsol ::-webkit-scrollbar]height:5px;width:10px;background-color:#2c2c2c;[/newclass]
[newclass=.capsol ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background-color:#211f20;border-left:1px solid #211f20;border-top:1px solid #211f20;border-bottom:1px solid #211f20;[/newclass]

[Deleted]

After Marashi had spoken, Megumi looked up to give her a “greeting” of the fact that she was there. Sounded about right. She went back to writing something down on a board, but she kept talking. She told Marashi to look up the path at the stall that was selling food and potions. According to Megumi, they were ridiculously high. Megumi wanted to set up their own stall to compete with the other said stall, and she needed Marashi’s assistance.

Game economy was a strange thing, Marashi knew. Things could vary greatly depending on the supply and demand, but they could vary even more than in real life economy. So before she jumped to conclusion, Marashi needed to see what their prices actually were so she headed down to the stall Megumi had referred to. The items out were all lower-leveled… and the items to make said items were fairly common. However, the items they were selling were indeed much higher than they should have been. If Marashi had to guess, they were probably trying to get a 50% commission of sorts on the items. That was indeed stupid. Though there was one thing Marashi needed to tell Megumi.

Marashi walked back over to where Megumi’s stand was. On the stand now was a board that read Splendid Pocky Boutique, named after the guild Marashi had started and Megumi had joined. Megumi apologized for her rash response, but she also said that it would be a good opportunity for the guild for promotion and business… and she was right. In order to buy the building and land Marashi was hoping to buy, she needed gold… and plenty of it.

“It sounds like a solid plan to me,” Marashi agreed, “Though I do need to give you a fair warning. Alchemy in this world or game is not like Alchemy in other games. We don’t make potions and that kind of stuff. That is a Pharmacists’ job. An Alchemist is like a magical scientist, I guess is the best way to explain it. In a way, that will probably be better than a Pharmacist. That way we’re not in 100% direct competition with that other stall, and we can still sell products that are worthwhile and cheaper.”

Marashi walked around the stall to be on the same side as Megumi, “This will also be a good chance for me to work on my alchemy. I haven’t had a chance to do that yet, and I want to push the boundaries of what I can do with it.”

First things were first though for Marashi. The very base for alchemists were making Mana Fragments. They would eventually become the fuel cells for most of the crafts that she could make. That would be what her goal to make was. She found a glass jar that she could use to make and store her Mana Fragments in and put it on the counter of the stall. Then she put her hands over the jar and began to channel her mana into the jar, focusing on one small part. After a minute or so, a small crystal formed at the bottom of the jar. Mana Fragment created.

---

((Recipe Learned: Mana Fragment. # of Fragments: 1; AP to here Claimed))

Word Count: 533
Tags: Megumi
Marashi | Hikari | Yume

Coding by Sayha of LH

[Megumi]

[attr="class","capsol"]

With the food having been prepped enough to start cooking, Megumi lit up one of the burners on the stove that was there. She had noticed that Marashi had walked off to look at the other store, the one in question, only to return a few moments later. The Swashbuckler's eyes locked with the Shaman, as she spoke about what it was she could do. Megumi was of half a mind to tell her to shut up and make something, not caring what it was that would be made. So long as they could sell it for an affordable price with good-quality of product, she didn't rightly care. However, she bit her tongue and kept to herself. The Shaman made her way over to the other side of the stall, where she would begin her own work. In the meantime, Megumi looked over all the vegetables and the meats that she had cut up into small portions, and rummaged through the pans that were there for her to use, finding the perfect ones.

The idea was to make a kind of appetizer, for people to come up and get a taste, literally, of what it was the kinds of things that Megumi could make. Now, she had had some practice beforehand with making some small items of food, though nothing on quite a grand a scale. The idea here was to make something like an appetizer tray, such that would keep itself nice and hot for a while, while also being fairly enjoyable. So, what smaller thing could she make than a dish of small kebabs? Each with a slice of meat and a slice of vegetable on it. Whatever the vegetables were didn't really matter, as she had prepared onion, green, red, and yellow peppers, cabbage, squash, zucchini, and even some mushrooms as well. All she had to do now was to cook them all up in a timely manner, so that the beef could be seasoned and served alongside the vegetables, where she would place them all on a platter to serve to passersby.

The pans were already heated up and ready to go by this point, and all Megumi had to do now was put the ingredients into them. Cook, season, simmer, and serve, easy as that. She started by placing the vegetables on one pan, all grouped up together, and then the meat in its own. When working with raw meat, never cook them together with other meats or vegetables, due to the juices mixing and possibly causing illnesses. She wasn't sure if this would hold true in this world as well, though she didn't want to take that chance at all. Any debuffs that would be granted from this would be preferably avoided for now, as the woman started to season the vegetables with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and basil. She threw in a small dash of garlic powder, mixing them all around to gather up all the flavors evenly. Once the meat had been cooked and churned around enough, she did the same with that, and began to let them simmer for a little while, to retain optimal inner heat.

She walked over to the back of the stall, and opened up a small container of toothpicks, while also grabbing a large platter for the kebabs to rest on. The plate had a thicker base, which was better for retaining heat, as it would serve to keep the food warm for a longer period of time. Once the meat and vegetables were all set to go, she started to take each toothpick and poke one cube of meat onto the stick, and then one vegetable on top of that. Doing this for a little while, she started to fill up the plate, to a point where it seemed less like food and more like an animal. This was her intent, though, as she knew exactly what to do with this. Arranging the tiny kebabs so that the toothpicks made it look like a dome of sorts, she picked up the whole platter and place it on the counter before them. On a small piece of paper, she wrote and set it folded next to the dish. It read -=The Porcupine=- in fine cursive, with instructions saying to only take one. From there, Megumi removed the dirty pans and placed them over in the sink, where she would clean them shortly. For now, she needed a main course, but looked over to see how Marashi was doing.

[newclass=.bbar]background-color:#050505; border: 2px solid #050505; border-radius: 5px; overflow: hidden; width: 175px; height:6px;[/newclass]

[attr="class","bbar"]

[newclass=.bbar]background-color:#050505; border: 2px solid #050505; border-radius: 5px; overflow: hidden; width: 175px; height:6px;[/newclass]

[attr="class","bbar"]

∝: 753
♫: Tutorial
✏: Appetizer: Complete
@: @quilava

[newclass=.capsol ::-webkit-scrollbar]height:5px;width:10px;background-color:#2c2c2c;[/newclass]
[newclass=.capsol ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background-color:#211f20;border-left:1px solid #211f20;border-top:1px solid #211f20;border-bottom:1px solid #211f20;[/newclass]