"Might be pertinent to seek out those at breakfast first. If we don't want it to be us then I can go in as a stranger if we need." Falaine looks about nervously. She's never said that out loud before.

OOC:

(OOC: ya, I'm pretty sure we stopped not far down from there. Paren asked for the note at the door and I can't imagine we made it much further.)

(OOC sorry if I confused anyone, but Falaine is just saying that they should talk to the people Cromusz just mentioned before they scatter into the wind.)

OOC:

Finan smiles gently, placing a hand on Falaine's. "Don't be ashamed, Falaine. It's a gift more of us wished they have. I can do it too, just not as... permanent. However, we're right by the Halflings so we might as well stop by there first. I don't think Talia will move that fast, not with her own shop here in town."

With that, he gets to his feet, looks around the group, gives a nod and then starts to head for the Halfling's shop.

When he arrives he steps inside, not a moment's pause, quickly taking in his surroundings.

Paren will follow Finan but stays in the background this time, motioning for his friend to do the talking. While he's there he's looking for exits to the room, just in case the halfing tries to run. 

Perception: 18

Tanni takes after Finan, following right behind him. Having a clear goal in mind has lifted her spirits and it shows. When they enter, Tanni wears an almost predatory grin as she lets her gaze slowly sweep around the inside of the building.

The inside of the shop is full of ceramic pots and other gardening equipment. Those familiar with horticulture would recognize the offerings as things needed to tend to succulents. Indeed, there were several plants of that type on display behind the counter. While the shop is nice enough, it seems more geared toward the hobbyist level of the craft. To find a better shop of this type you would most likely need to go to Thornwood or even some of the cities along the Glimmering Coast.

Sitting behind the counter is a rather stout halfling tending a rather small plant similar to those on display. "Welcome," he says with a bit of excitement in his voice until he sees Paren returning. "Oh. Thought you were new customers," he says with a bit of disappointment. He looks the group over trying to get an idea of what's going on. "Need something else?," he questions. 

Paren would see that there is a door to the backroom as well as the entrance he just walked through. There seemed to be no other exits unless you considered the giant glass window an exit. 

"In a way." Finan says carefully, "Lots of strange things going on in town these days. Now we heard that there was some strange plant-matter found on the bell after it had collapsed, so naturally our curiosity brought us here, thinking that perhaps you had heard of this and could help us make sense of things."

He casually sticks his hand in his pocket, feeling around until he located the wooden coin. Clutching the others in his fist, out of sight, he leans forward onto the counter, letting the wooden coin and the small white stick rest on his knuckles. "Not only that, but there is a batch of crates that have gone missing, perhaps you have seen them and can tell us where to go look?"

Mechanics:

He thinks for a moment. "Hadn't heard of the plants on the bell. Could take a look if you brought me some." He shrugs at the unusual request. 

The halfling looks at the coin with a bit of curiosity. "Shipments go missing all the time. Sometimes it's negligence. Sometimes it's intended. Whose crates were they?"

Finan looks at the man, wondering if he knows more than he lets on. "Depends on who you ask, I suppose. Someone was digging for treasure and found a gift he wanted to bring home to mom, but somehow word must have gotten out and the crates got lost."

Mechanics:

Paren shifts slowly towards the the side of the store, pretending to examine some of the plants. "Might have come from the same person that gave you the crate you gave me. Any ideas where to find them?" 

Tanni stands a step behind Finan. She's eyeing the halfling while the three talk, her feet tapping the floor as she holds herself back from grabbing the halfling and demanding him to spill everything he knows. She knows it's better to let Finan and Paren work his magic on the shopkeep, though that doesn't lessen her impatience.

The halfling nods and seems to think for a moment. "I get a lot of deliveries." Finan sees the halfling sort of gesture toward the coin. "Some more pressing than others but still important." He looks to Paren and says, "Where the shipments come from doesn't matter much to me. Just matters they get where they're scheduled. Can't have anything go missing on my watch," he laughs as he tends to the small plant. 

"Your crate?," the halfling says as if trying to recall what he had you deliver. "Never met the guy before. Paid a fair price for the delivery and hadn't seen him since. Got the impression he'd done this sort of work before but was still wet behind the ears. Probably working for someone else would be my guess."

The halfling seems to be pretty forthcoming with information. You're uncertain if it's because of Paren's relationship with him or the coin that's being flaunted. Paren would get the sense that this halfling's role in the operation is as a courier. He would recall the various delivery options he learned when he first met him.

He doesn't seem to be too concerned on where the shipments came from but might be able to provide more information on where they went. 

With the rest of the party dealing with the halfling, Falaine will just be idling in the store, browsing the plants and casting druidcraft on plants that are having a hard time opening.

(If her passive perception or insight notice anything she'll try and discretely point it out to the party.)

Finan straightens, opening his fist to flash the other three coins before the halfling's eyes, then quickly stuffing the bundle back in his pocket. "It would mean a lot to us if you could tell us where to look next. Specifically the crates, but if you have clues on our mystery man that would certainly help as well."

Paren turns around, "Yes, any clues as to where to find the man would be wonderful. The brother that I spoke to in that letter said that he had a protégé in the area here and I would so love to meet him. Could be fun."

Deception: 8

Falaine is able to tend to several plants that could use a little extra attention. There's actual a rather pleasant sense of accomplishment tending to these small potted plants. You can see why some people enjoy this as a hobby. Looking at the pots and supplies, you can tell that the halfling doesn't move a lot of inventory. You begin to wonder if the halfling has even sold anything lately as the supplies all seem to have a fine layer of dust. The plants are well tended at least which brings her some comfort. 

Falaine will pipe up. "This is a lovely side business you're running. I'm surprised you don't advertise being a courier though... Might bring in more business than the plant hobby. And then people know your primary function." She says in a tone conveying legitimate business advice.

The halfling nods at the requests. "He had one other crate set for delivery. Smelled about the same and looked about the same. Had to have been a new crate based on the wood and rough edges but had an old smell to it. Express delivery to Caterona. Had to wait for Yaxl to get back but it got sent out this morning."