The Long Con

Avorra kept the false grin to keep up appearances. The man's poor excuse for his even poorer collection had her mentally rolling her eyes. To top it off, he was now putting a toothpick in his mouth. Since when had Dairsmuid become so... stereotypical? She fully expected this sort of informal etiquette from Ferelden, certainly not here. Then again, this was Rivain.

How quaint. Avorra purred, eyeing the toothpick. Do you win all the damsels with that little piece of wood? She quietly snickered at the double entendre. Her false smile disappeared when the merchant mentioned 'collateral' in exchange for wearing her prize. 'Tis a bit rude to make such a request of a harmless woman. The remark was followed by an audible click of her tongue. You are certainly brave. For a man.

Avorra gave it some false thought, but her decision was made the moment the man made such a ridiculous suggestion. No. I will not be giving any 'collateral', as you so delightfully put it. True, the promise of a worthwhile piece of jewelry was alluring. Enough for her to stand her ground with a subtle threat. For something so fine, I'm sure your wandering eyes are well aware of the coin I carry.  Let me try whatever this is on, and perhaps I will like it enough to give you this pouch in exchange. She pulled out the coin pouch and dangled it in front of the merchant, like treats for a hound. Or, if you would like, I could come back much later and relieve you of such a heavy burden. Her somewhat distracted eyes were now solely on the box and what lay within, pouch still in front of the man's face. Consider that your 'collateral'.