On the Hunt for Fire Arms

[Firebrand]

Gloves. Dumb little things, Fai thought as she walked through the bazaar, looking for a shop that would carry what she wanted. Normally, she wouldn't have bothered with this shopping trip, but with the Lornius Cooperate Championship coming up, she would need something to keep her hands protected as she fought. At least, that was what she had been told. And if the combatants at the tournament were better than the trash she usually faced in the Citadel, then she would need that protection.

Still, it would be a nuisance. If the gloves covered her whole hand, she doubted she would be able to effectively burn anyone through whatever material it was made of. Fai faintly recalled facing off against a man who had worn a pair of gloves that had no palms. He had been a rather poor fighter, so they hadn't helped him much, but perhaps in her hands...

The girl stopped at what looked to be a promising store. A sign at the front promised "a wide selection of goods for the discerning fighter!" and in the window hung a sword next to a set of leather armor. After a brief moment of consideration, she sighed and pushed the door open.

As she entered the shop, Fai glanced about, looking at the items on display. After this cursory examination, she stepped up to the counter.

"Hey, shopkeep! I'm looking for a pair of gloves. Palmless ones. Got anything like that?"


I'm basically looking for something like this (http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100513163336/deadliestwarrior/images/a/a1/Fighter_5.png), but with blunt studs instead of spikes. The cestus should also be mostly palmless, like this (http://www.sharpmountainleather.com/media/1/a20791e12823a16158d7b5_m.JPG). It can probably cover the thumb.

[Revenant]

"I assume you're talkin' about some type of gauntlet," a grizzled, hairy man grunted at the woman. "Otherwise, sweetheart, you'd best find some clothing boutique more to your liking."

The man snorted wetly and hocked a chunk of phlegm the size of his thumb onto the floor beside the counter. "Course, if you are looking for a weapon I might be able to manage something for you."

Without bothering to get up, the man gestured towards a dummy off to one side of the shop, half hidden behind a thick leather and mail monstrosity. Braced on the dummy's arms were a pair of thick black leather gauntlets, boiled and waxed until they were hard as wood.

"How's that do you sweetie?"

[Firebrand]

Fai frowned, not happy with being called "sweetheart" or "sweetie", but she was too much in a hurry to get what she needed to make a fuss. She walked over to the dummy that the man had indicated and looked at the gauntlets that it wore. Without bothering to ask permission, she slipped one of them off an arm, looking it over. It was slightly heavier than she would have liked, but still manageable. The leather wrapped over the back of the fingers without covering them completely. Most importantly, the only thing covering the palm was a leather strap, leaving the rest exposed. Just as she wanted it.

"What's the cost?" she asked, turning to look back at the shopkeeper.

[Revenant]

"Eh, those leather things'd be 50 coin for you honey," the shop keep coughed. "Look damned silly though, and I can't imagine what good you'd do smacking someone with some leather."

The merchant shrugged. "Now if they had a bit of iron or steel in 'em, that'd be a different story."

[Firebrand]

The shopkeep spoke wisely. The plain leather was fine and all, if she merely needed protection for her fingers. But Fai realized that adding some kind of metal studs to them would improve the force behind her punches.

She was a bit concerned, though, as she had not brought much in the way of finances with her. While she did have the benefit of whatever money her late guardian had had, Fai spent quite a good chunk of it on food. It wouldn't hurt to find out the cost, though, she figured.

"Yeah, that's an idea. You got anything like that? How much would they be?" she asked as she sloppily put the gauntlet in her hand back on the dummy.

[Revenant]

"Shit, darling, that's the question, ain't it? Steel'd be your best bet, of course. Hard hitting and can take more punishment before wearing out. Adding a steel plate to the leather would definitely turn those silly little kids toys into something a little less laughing-stock."

Seeing the troubled look on Fai's face at the mention the merchant coughed again before leaning forwards, his lips pursed in thought. "Course I suppose studs'd work too. Not as good as a steel plate, but they'd still add some oomph and would cost a bit less."

Seeing that her hesitant look hadn't yet vanished the merchant grimaced. "And I suppose they'd still work well enough if'n it was iron studs I bolted in there instead o' steel. Not as durable, mind you, but that's what you get for going cheap."

[Firebrand]

"Tch, it's not as if I'll need anything fancy," Fai replied with a shrug, "I'm good enough to deal with anything." Nonetheless, the girl hesitated for a second, wondering if she should go for the better material. She considered what it would be like eating a little less. A quick shake of her head announced her decision.

"Get me the iron studs, shopkeep, quick as you can."

[Revenant]

The merchant snorted at the girl's demand, a thick "hrumph" escaping his fat lips. But still, despite his gruff, he did as Fai asked, retrieving a handful of iron studs which he dutifully punched into the leather gauntlets.

"All told them studs'll cost ya' girl. Price is now 125 coin." The shopkeep held his filthy, grime encrusted paw out for Fai's payment, the studded leather bands clenched safely away from her in his other mitt.

[Firebrand]

Fai fished through her pocket for the money requested, grumbling slightly though the price was reasonable enough as far as she could figure. She counted out the designated amount in her hand. A twig had ended up in the pile as well, though it quickly disappeared in a small blaze before she dropped the coins into the shopkeeper's waiting hand.

"There, 125 coins. Now pass 'em over," Fai said, holding her hand out expectantly.

[Revenant]

"Sure thing missy," the smith grunted, taking the coins and handing over the gauntlets. "Come back if'n you need anything else."

Transaction concluded.

Firebrand spends 125 gp.

[Letho]

GP deducted.