Current follows the others entertained. She had never heard of board games before, but she was interested to learn. Along the way, she asks Atal to explain to her what exactly board games are and how one goes about playing them.

When they get to the shop she just looks around curiously at whatever is on the shelves and if something catches her eye, she picks it off the shelf and starts trying to understand the rules based on what Atal had told her on the way.

Noticably, street lamps, were being lit by Southern Midgar guards, though while the sun was only beginning to set, lanterns within the shop were already lit. The door swings inward, ringing a bell, as the party enters the shop. The interior shows the stone walls and columns of the building's frame, though any vertical space not blocked by shelves is covered by various hanging banners and parchment designs displaying advertisements for what assumably are the products available within the store.

Two particular scrolls on column beams in the store's center are prominently displayed, with a table in front of each, and multiples of two associated board games laid out. One has a scroll that simply says "Of Thrones" and displays a picture of what looks to be a throne made of blades. Several shallow, but approximately two feet by two feet wide boxes are stacked beneath it, and one open showing various castle and man-made structures sitting across the board.

The other table has only a single opened game board on the table, though it is one of which both Austin and Anearis are both familiar. The hanging scroll simply has ornate lettering that spells out "Ij'Namuj".

One particular shelf contained thin books, many authored by the same two individuals, Gygax and Arneson. However, the remaining small display tables and shelves throughout the store contain boxes upon boxes with carved and painted decorations and titles upon them. Nearly all of them constructed in a way that seem to fold out or be used in a flat aspect (mainly with hinges, or being able to easily be broken down and reassembled), so that the box itself is used in the game. Other displayed games contained various dice, cards, and tokens. And most, if not all appeared to have rules written either on the underside or inside of the box. The games contained fantastical names like 'Offices & Bosses,' 'Land of Candy,' and 'Cards Against Humanoidity.'

Beyond the games, the store had an open area with bare heavy wood tables and chairs. And beyond that a counter, likely used by a clerk for conducting business. The back wall also contained a closed door, next to a fire place. And it was here, in the light of the fire place, that Atal spied the two individuals for whom he was looking.

The pair was engaged in some sort of game I'm which an intricate wooden instrument was set up on the board, and contained several moving parts, with small ball bearings, that when activated appeared to interact with each other. Then on the board, around the outside of the structure, there were two carved figures of mice. Henry and Edward were both side by side in a two-seat couch, intently looking at the game.

"Settlers of Theviranne. Front table, next to the window display. We also have a new edition, Settlers of Cathaan." Henry said, even motioning with his arm in the general direction of the store front, but not providing any real guidance. It was possible he had no idea who he was even talking to, and was so engrossed in the game laid out before him that the response was just a reflex.

"Is that a way to greet old friends?" Austin says as she moves over to stand near the gaming pair. "What is this one called then?"

Without tearing their gaze from the game's contraption, Henry responded to Austin. "Not sure yet. An investor's child drew an imaginative mouse trap. Wanted to see if we could make something out of it, but aside from setting it up and allowing it to run once, we can't identify how anyone would find it fun or entertaining as a game." On the table, half obscured by the game itself was a charcoal drawing similar to what was before them.

Pulling himself away from it, Henry finally turned towards the party. "So, what are you in store for? Looking to purchase Ij'Namuj for your own?" He said with a smile, looking between Austin and Anearis.

Along the way there, Atal takes Current under his wing and explains to her carefully what board games are:  Games which get boring if you're not sitting at the table playing them.  Then he briefly describes Austin and Anaeris's first time playing Ij'Namuj at the Maiden's Bossom, when both seem to go into a trance and move pieces on the board with their minds, while their physical bodies were injured in the process. 

"Of course, back in Spandelyion, the sailors would always bring in these exotic games from around the world," he recalls eagerly.  "Never could afford them myself, but I'd watch, and wish I knew how to play chess too.  Or Actionary, or Pixit, or Nontrivial Pursuit.  It always looked like fun."

When they get to the store, Atal approaches the table with the others.  "Edward, Henry.  Sorry about last time.  We got caught up in a small case of arrest and thwarted assassination attempts."  He pauses and looks at the game, then frowns.  "You could market it as something called Rat Race and sell it as a philosophical treatise on the futility of trying to escape your fate in this life," he suggests.  Turning his attention back to the men, he continues:  "Maybe you could still help us though.  We find ourselves about to set out on a journey to Shinra to play Gathering: The Magics.  But so far we've been intensely troubled by outsiders to the game who are using Planeswalkers to cheat their way through it.  I was thinking we might be able to get an edge on them if you could help us get in contact with the community over there.  After all, those Planeswalkers are ruining the game for everybody."

Uthal just listens and looks around. He stops for a moment looking at the Game "Of Thrones" wondering what the rules of this one are. Knowing this place it's likely something like "you win or you die." 

Entering the shop, Anearis tries to stay close to the group while keeping a safe distance from Ij’Namuj. This game brings him not-so-fond memories. He seems a little more intrigued by a box containing a set of colorful cards with number on them, bearing the word "Una" on it.

Henry and Edward stare at Atal blankly. "I don't have any idea what he's talking about," Henry said looking to the rest of the party members, apparently searching for answers.

After a few moments, Henry smiled towards Atal and laughed, indicating his words to have been in jest. "Please speak freely, you're in friendly company here. I'm aware we still owe you escape from the city, if that's still necessary. Otherwise, what are you specifically searching for, in your non-trivial pursuit ((OOC: can't believe you beat me to that, I planned to work that in)), of winning this game you play?"

Atal takes a breath, then glances at his companions, giving them all a nod.  "I trust these guys all with my life.  We're a team.  And we need your help, so you can speak frankly to all of us."  He takes a quick glance around to make sure the shop is empty before he begins talking in quiet, serious undertones to the two.

"Concerning that escape from the city, the jig's up.  That was the arrest I was talking about that we were trying to avoid -- the Right Hand and her heavies caught us at the Bossom.  Of course, since their security is about as tight as a fishnet, we got attacked by assassins immediately afterwards while being 'held' by them.  Rinse and repeat that cycle a few times, and you have us where we are now, at a sort of uneasy truce with them in the light of the greater threat being gathered by the Berossus family and their hypocritical church minion.  Or maybe it's the other way around, and the priest is making Tetra and Zelda do the dancing to his tune.  I don't really care one way or the other.  All I know is after having fought multiples of their zombified black-blood goons and the extraplanar tentacle creatures they summoned, it's bad news. 

We think they're going to be at Shinra next, and if we don't beat them at their own game, the same thing that happened here could repeat itself, or even worse.  A lot of people might die."   He runs a hand through his hair, sighing.  "We need an in.  Someone who knows the city.  Someone who'd know if the royals or someone from the Church were trying to worm their way in to somewhere they didn't belong.  And I am just about done with working with guards.  If you know how to get in contact with the Guild in Shinra, we need them on our side.  Or at the very least, to get ready for the incoming threat."

He pauses, then pulls out his black spot coin and shows it to the two.  "Also, the things we've been going up against... they're working with the assassin's branch, which I thought that was dead here, but apparently it isn't.  It's being revived right alongside these Xoriat abominations.  I pulled two of them at different times off of their minions when we fought.  That might be an even more direct concern for the guild, both here and in Shinra.  I hate carrying this thing, by the way.  It makes me feel dirty.  If you know of a way to get it safely out of circulation, I'd rather not keep holding onto it."

The pair listened to Atal, both in a much more relaxed position laying back together in their seat, than when the party first found them, concentrating on the 'potential' boardgame. When Atal produced the black spot though, both tensed up once more. Edward's eyes widened, though Henry did not seem so surprised.

"So it is true then?" Henry stood and took a step towards Atal, to take the coin. "You're not the first we've heard of those traveling through the area with that. A few weeks ago a couple members of the guild found one on some adventurer heading to the Castle of Aaaaargh."

Henry looked the coin over. "An in with the Shinra guilds is quite an ask...though not an unreasonable one. However, that's something you'll have to speak about, to the guild leader. Henry and I are just the front face. An odd married couple with an eccentric love for childish things," he said, waving his hand and motioning towards the shop around them. "Come, I can take you to her. Unless of course, you have time say for a game of Ij'Namuj?"

"I wish we did," Atal says, "But it's probably best we don't delay.  Those Hands are really uptight and I don't feel like having them try to hunt us down and arrest us again on the suspicion that we ran.  We actually want to go to Shinra this time, after all."  He follows after the two.

"Seems to sum things up nicely." Austin says with a nod. "So, do you have any contacts in the region we are heading to?" She asks the game-store owners.

Current remains quiet and watches in impressed silence as Atal navigates their way through the conversation with seeming ease.

"Very well, I'll take you to speak with Patty." Henry agreed, and turned towards the door in the rear of the shop. 

"You might want to stay," Edward spoke for the first time, addressing Uthal, as the party began to follow Henry.

Turning back, while continuing forward and unlocking the door. "He's quite right. While not a physical impossibility, it will be an uncomfortably tight fit, for someone of your size."

Henry unlocked the door. "However, you're more than welcome nonetheless." A small room with a table and chair, and a single book shelf. From where the party stood, it looked like it would be a tight fit for anyone, let alone Uthal.

Edward shook his head towards Uthal, warning the equally large figure, though not doing anything to impede the goliath's way forward.

((OOC: Because I forgot to describe the pair to Current. The men were dressed similarly, in common dark-colored clothing, very similar to when the party first met them. The only difference being that currently, neither was wearing their long floor length coats with collars that rose halfway up their faces. Other than size though, the main difference between the two was the difference in how they presented themselves. Henry, the smaller man, though a relative term, as he was easily average human height had a clean shave and his tailored clothing was in pristine condition, he even smelled intentionally of sage. The larger man, Edward, was a hulking figure, perhaps easily mistaken for a goliath at times, at first glance, and possessed a heavy facial shadow, and his hair was greasy and uncombed. His clothing showed signs of wear and held some stains.

Even their movements reflected their images; the smaller man moved with graceful deliberate movements that he had put much thought into, whereas the larger man bluntly moved in ways that can only be described as 'lumbering'.))

Uthal takes one look at the space and nods. "You know, I believe I'm behind on my prayers. Since we're going to be facing certain death, annoying the gods seems like a poor plan. I shall stay and catch up."

"Well, this will be interesting," Atal said, squeezing himself into the room.

(if this isn't some dimensional magic trickery, I suppose he can roll acrobatics to let as many people in after him XD)

"I guarantee, much less exciting than he makes it to be." Henry said, allowing members of the party to enter the cramped room. He abruptly stopped half the party, so that Atal in front and only one other entered with him. "One moment, so that we don't have to stand on top of one another."

He then turned to Edward. "If you would be so kind." And then closed the door behind himself, putting him in the small room with two of the party's members.

The rest of the party was able to see Henry then walk over to the unlit fireplace, and pulls down on a sconce on the wall. A thudding sound, like a bolt lock, came from the door.

Inside the room, upon hearing the bolt, Henry turned towards the bookcase. A humming rumble sound, along with faint cranking, began as the bookcase began receding into the wall, revealing a wrought iron staircase that led down into what was practically just a hole in the floor. "Please." He said motioning towards the staircase. "Once down there, just stay put, and I will bring the rest with me."

Henry and Edward repeated the process to bring the party, minus Uthal (and any other members of the party who decided not to shove themselves into a hole in the ground).

At the bottom of the stairs, a narrow passage only a few feet wide and maybe five feet tall, ran in opposite directions. Henry led them down one pathway, for approximately fifty feet or so, passing two other offshoot tunnels and a door. At the end of the tunnel, Henry knocked on another door before opening and leading the party through.

The door opened to a large 20 feet by about 40 feet room made of stone, with a wood slat ceiling. A long table centered in the room had three figures sitting around it talking. A female dwarf, a female halfling, and the thinnest warforged that possibly ever existed.

"Patty, we have some visitors. Friends of Two-Blades, if I'm not mistaken." Henry motioned for the party to enter, and likely present themselves.

Anearis follows after Atal in the underground tunnel. He notices the three figures in the room.

"So, which one of you is Patty?", he asks honestly.

Current is about to follow them in but sees Uthal stay and decides to keep the goliath company. Besides, she was curious about his religion and practices and maybe he would explain to her. As the others go in she asks Uthal, "So, what exactly is your faith? I don't think I ever got to hear exactly what you believe in." After he begins his rituals, Current sits down and watches him complete his prayers (if he will allow it). Otherwise, she goes off to a corner of her own and thinks about the adventures that she has had since arriving on land while she twirls her new dagger in her hands.

As she spins the blade, she pulls a small amount of water from her own body and shapes it around the blade before freezing it. As the water freezes around the blade, Current starts to melt the ice closer to the blade itself creating a bit of liquid that flows around the inside of the ice casing. Slowly she focuses and tries to change the color of the water to green as she forms the water into a letter "C" on the blade. Once the letter is formed, Current then freezes all the water again to keep the letter frozen inside the ice-casing.

(OOC: Not sure if there will be enough time for a full short rest, but the water shaping that Current is doing is just a flavored way of attuning to the dagger. If there isn't enough time to do it completely, then Current will still try and form the ice around the blade, but won't actually attune.)

Austin is impressed with the secret stairway as she climbs down it. Her respect for these two grows as she follows their host.

Walking into the chamber indicated she nods in greeting. "I am Austin, Bounty Hunter and companion to these others." She gestures to her companions. "Well met."