Mr.Dark looks about at the group, then the cagey woman, "So, you're offering to sell us the food, for half price, and a guide to the manticore's lair? I find lady luck helps those who help themselves. Relying on her good graces too much is fool hardy. And how much would this food cost us?"

Hansel watches and listens, unabashedly appraising Adabra as he does with everyone he meets. This woman doesn't seem polished and self-aware like Halia Thornton... but who knows, that could be changed! If the dark and slightly weathered complexion could be made rich and livid, the rumpled hair styled and trimmed, and a comely gown exchanged for the rustic work-clothes, with her mature and confident bearing this Adabra could be made to turn any head. Ah, the work of Sune is never finished! But this wasn't a purely social visit, and there was not the time or opportunity to entertain such thoughts. Hansel didn't understand everything being said, but when he saw the amount of food Adabra indicated, and pointed out that as much again would be required to appease the monster, he sighed deeply. Perhaps it would be simpler to purchase the required fodder from the local butcher...

    Kaemgen easily steps back for the rather impressive woman and finds himself quite amused by her confidence in putting the group in it's place.  

     "I um...  errr... no I don't think..." Kaemgen says, confused by Mr.Dark.  "Did she mention half off."

     Turning to look at Adabra he again asks, "Did you mention half off?"

     "I think she saying she could sell us the 200 pounds of meat," Kaemgen says, again speaking to Mr.Dark.  "I believe 'meet you halfway' is meant to say get us to half the meat you need to satisfy your obligation to the beast... That her assistant could point out best places to hunt?"

     "Was awfully nice of the passerby yesterday to try to help you, even if they didn't solve the issue.  Did they by any chance also mention there's been dragon sightings in the area and the mayor of Phandalin thinks it wise you return to the town for safety?" Kaemgen inquires of the woman.  "That was actually our purpose in coming here...  The warning."

     "Still and all, I'd be happy to escort you to the town if you wish.  You do not need be here while they fulfill their verbal agreement.  Or I'll stay and wait for this all to fall apart and do what I can to protect you then..."

     All in all, Kaemgen is sure they'll be battling this beast one way or another.  With a dead mate and seemingly blaming this woman, it will be back for more violence.  And perhaps not alone now that it has seen the reinforcements.  The others are welcome to try and appease the beast...  But it won't be so for long.  Kaemgen was sure of it...

Auric:

"Adroitly spoke, Kaemgen," says the heretofore quiet Dragonborn.  "The Dragon of White menaces these environs, and we needs must ensure the well-being of Phandalin's healer.  Wouldst thou accompany us to the relative safety of the town, Adabra Gwynn?"

"On the matter of the beast thou hast named a Manticore, I am of two minds, companions mine," he continues, addressing them all.  "I fear appeasing it after it attacked the intrepid healer will only embolden future malfeasance...Yet an offer was made and accepted--perhaps, good Marblebeard, thou shouldst extract a vow of non-agression towards the sentients of this region and their property before finalizing this transaction with the beast?"

“That’s a good idea Auric. I was alluding too such an agreement but it was never stated so explicitly. We should arrange such on its return... assuming we are going to let her live?” Scott looks directly on kaemgen during his last sentence. 

     Kaemgen shrugs noncommittally and ends it with his hands upon his rapiers.  
     “You all can make your agreements and all.  I’m not looking to kill a thing just to kill a thing,” Kaemgen assures all.  “So long as Adabra here feels safe, and I’ve no fair reason to think she’s not, then I’ve no reason to bare a blade.”

Ugh, how could you expect a creature so revolting so honor such an agreement? Hansel says in disgust. Better to simply slay the beast and rid the world of its blight. And I'd not hang any part of it on my wall, thank you very much. If there's any reason for Hansel to risk combat, the first on the list is to smash ugliness, and the manticore is the ugliest thing he has ever beheld. Still, everyone should be give a chance, and if a long-term agreement is possible, then perhaps it could be the first step in changing the creature's ugly nature...

Adabra would pop her brow at the coin man.

"Did you mention half off?"
She’d shake her head. Then when Kaemgen would correct his companion, her face would actually lighten. The brunette would put her finger on her nose, meaning he was ‘right on the nose’. “Yes. You are correct McScáth.” She’d nod. Maybe even twitch a slight smile. “Though I suppose I could appreciate your associates effort at attempting to twist words in his favour. But there is no negotiating the price. Thus why I’m offering a tracker for hunting the rest of the half.”

“They solved my issue at the time.” Adabra would correct Kaemgen. “I was already aware of the dragon, and they did encourage me to return to Phandalin. But my community needs the supplies and medicine I prepare." She'd start. There was a hint of passion in her voice, "Living on the outskirts of town always has it's challenges, but it's my home. I’m a healer. And my work is my purpose." She'd continue to explain. "There have always been threats. Before the dragon it was just the occasional hoodlum or orc. But since the dragon appearances, there have been more aggressive wild visitors." 

“Since it’s appearance there has been a large shift in our local ecosystem. With the dragon's encroachment on the Manticore's territory, it's been driven away from it's natural home environment in search of new resources." She'd continue with a more neutral tone. "While out fishing one morning, fate had it that my path crossed a Manticore's. I struck a deal with fresh catch. It came back weeks later, yesterday, wild with famine. That’s when it was dispatched and I was provided the same warning. I can provide you with the same note to the Mayor.” Her eyes would find Kaemgen to respond to his words. “It should suffice for you to get your pay and satisfy your purpose.” Adabra would rest there. Safe or not, she was not leaving. There was work to do.

“Though, I can’t say I accounted for a mate to come knocking on my door...” Adabra would eventually admit. “So I understand hesitation to follow through with the deal, but” She’d then glance over to the ranger. “She listened to you… You were nice to her.” The healer looked thoughtful. “She asked for three times what she’d need…” Brown hues would look back to Kaemgen, “Maybe its not quite reinforcements…” 

After a pause, she’d stride herself forward to stand toe to toe with the ranger. “I believe it’s worth you following through with fulfilling the request to the best of the groups ability.” Adabra stared firmly. Perhaps his next gesture to the Manticore could gain them an ally against the real threat… She’d look him up and down. 

Then looking over her shoulder to the cleric and the others, “Your choice though.”

”80g”

Scott mulls over Adabra’s words for a moment. She did listen to me and that seems like way more than any creature could eat in a sitting... at least that size of creature anyways. Perhaps it’s gathering food for its young now that it no longer has a mate. Maybe it will be more willing to help us against the dragon when it’s belly is more full. Eventually he looks at the woman saying. “Seems a square deal to me. Though payment in gold coins may be an issue.”

(I’m cool with this deal. Though I haven’t been keeping track of treasure or the division of it.)

     “If you’ve already been warned then that group earned the pay from the mayor fair enough.  We’ve no need to try to get him to pay twice,” Kaemgen says as he finds somewhere to sit a spell and relax.

     “I’m not to keen on leaving you out here unprotected, is my main cause.  But I’m not one to drag an honest person against their will…”  Kaemgen looks about the surroundings, doing his best to think things through.

     “Could right enough be there is young involved.  And if this ecosystem stuff is thrown off…  “

     “Marblebeard!  What if you proposed a new deal?  A longer term deal?  Something like once the dragon is taken care of, this manticore could be hired to protect the area, instead of threaten it?  The locals could pay in crops and meats and the manticore could protect them from the more aggressive visitors Adabra speaks off?”  Kaemgen looks to her to gauge her reaction.

     “Seems a decent enough compromise and might give this potential momma manticore the security to raise her young in relative safety?  Though the deal should require the young to agree to it to… or find other hunting grounds…”

Hansel nods and smiles in agreement. If there's any hope of turning a creature from the ways of ugliness, then establishing a relationship of trust is the first step. Maybe that could become Hansel's great challenge! to take a monstrosity like that manticore and make it beautiful, both inside and out. Wouldn't that gain him the attention of the high-level clergy!

Mr.Dark nods, "Seems you're able to talk the whiskers off a cat. I'd be down with a new longer term deal. Though, we have plenty of cash in our treasure to pay for this food as well if that'll help the deal. We have nearly 200 in gold alone, not to mention gems, potions, and other goods. Now, only half of it is 'ours', the other half goes to the dwarves, but...but I say we bring the food as part of the deal. The thing probably is legitimately hungry."

Adabra fell silent for some time to allow the group to mull over their decision. She'd move about, fixing or organizing some things within the cellar as she listened. Her eyes would look up to look at each one as they spoke their piece, a bit of a calmer expression growing on her face with a hint of an amused smirk.

"Very well then." As things fall to a general consensus, the woman nods. She'd lean in over Kaemgen's shoulder to whisper in his ear, "There are better places to sit than on a barrel of salted fish." Adabra would chuckle as she pulled away, giving him a bump as she walked by to usher the group all out of the cellar. "No sense in getting comfortable in this meat locker. Your guide should be arriving shortly. We can discuss payment or trade arrangements elsewhere." She'd lead the way and wait outside with the door should no one move first, sealing it behind the group when everyone emerges.

"If you've collected medicinal herbs on your travels, those are most valuable to me. Then rations, but that perhaps may be changing." The healer would admit once outside. "Otherwise labour or coin are acceptable." She'd add.

Soon after the sound of howling breaks the tree line and a single wolf could be seen bounding up the hill.

     "I'm sure we could pay for the meat in whichever way you prefer, given time..." Kaemgen would say as he walked back into the fresh air.  "I know naught about herbs, but perhaps one of the others?  We've coin and gems, but I think we're not overly burdened with rations.  Though I am sure, assuming survival of the negotiations, we could purchase such in Phandalin and bring or have them brought..."

     "Labor...  Well I'm sure none of us would mind lending you a hand but they all will be busy hunting, I think.  And after the deal is struck..." He pauses rather than again mention that it could all turn to violence.  "Well we do have a few other jobs for the mayor that we've aimed to take on.  But we could surely give our word to return after...  And while they hunt, I intend to hang around here just in case the beast returns early.  I imagine I could keep and eye out and pitch in a hand at any manual labor you may be needing..."

     Upon hearing the howl, Kaemgen turns towards it with his hands instinctively going to his rapiers.

Scott turns towards the sound knocking an arrow as he does so. Ready to respond should the source of the noise be from a threat. 

Xenophon stands, maul at the ready.

Hansel raises his shield... to shield his eyes from the sun so he can get a better look. A wolf! A wild wolf! blurts the city-centered cleric. How magnificent!

Mr.Dark looks at the woman, and back at the wolf, and his combat ready allies. He sits back calmly, still leaning against the wall.  

"This is your friend then?"

Adabra reaches her hand out to place over McScáth‘s, “Always so eager to grasp for your sword?” Brown hues reflected a hint of amusement throughout the interaction. “Payment will be resolved prior to any of you taking the supplies to your rendezvous tonight.” The woman would pop her brow, asserting that there would be no negotiating later pay, but he could certainly try.  She’d get value out of them, one way or another, by then.

The wolf continued to rush the hill, tearing through the grass with dexterity. As they’d break the top and make it to the stone fence opening you could see its eyes fall over each of you. The wolf’s dash would then turn into a trot. Those with their hands readied on their weapons would receive a look of distrust. The hair on their back would raise, eyes would narrow and teeth would lightly show with some snarls. Though, those who who’s excitement, or full calm caught a puppy-like excitement from the wolf, especially when their attention would fall over Adabra. Walking passed the ‘threats’, the wolf would stick their nose up and prance it’s way to stand before the woman.

"This is your friend then?"
“Correct, Coin Man.” Adabra would nod. The wolf would nuzzle into her hand and she’d eventually begin to give the wild animal scratches behind it’s ears and scritches under its chin. It practically melted to her touch, tail wagging with delight. She’d then cup the canine’s face in her hands as she’d lean in to address them. “There has been a change of plans. These men have agreed to purchase Lilly’s rations, therefore I won’t need you to make the trip into town.” At those words the wolf gave a look of surprise, and then almost pouting. Some whines would slip and they’d even forcibly sneeze in the direction of those who had their hands on their weapons, as if they were protesting. “I know. I’m sorry.” Adabra was actually showing a sense of warmth about her. She’d take a breath as if preparing to break more news. “They require a hunting guide to assist them with collecting the last half of their rations.” There was some grumbling and a chuff. Then the healer would add an incentive. “You can invite her over for dinner tonight to make up for not being able to visit today. How’s that?” Immediately the wolf perked, their tail wagging as they’d bounce their front paws. At that, Adabra smiled. She’d jut her chin to give the command to get going.

The wolf would continue their bouncing in a circle for a moment before licking Adabra’s hand and trotting off towards the strangers. They’d begin sniffing each of you, one by one, not shy about sticking their snoot and burying it inappropriately to gather your scents and to make acquaintance, guilty of spending extra time huffing Kaemgen’s lingering smell from sitting on the barrel.

Eventually, fully satisfied with themselves, the wolf would trot back around with pride and plop themselves at the Coin Man’s feet, actually sitting on some toes. Like the majestic beast they were, they’d turn their head to look up, heterochromia irises study the Coin Man as they wait patiently for him to rally his troops.

     "Well it's not going to swing itself," Kaemgen says and then realizes the innuendo in the little bit of conversation and blushes and looks away.

     "Yes, well then...  Mr. Dark!  Let's dig out the coin to pay for the half of it and have that business disposed of.  May as well lighten the pockets sooner than later if they're being lightened either way..." 

     Kaemgen is wary of, but welcoming to the wolf and its inspection.  It's not much different than a big dog - You need to respect the fact that they can be dangerous if they turn, but there's no reason to expect them to if you don't give them cause.