An early morning hunt proved a decent one – could’ve been better, Tethys thought to herself in the midst of her work. Her shop was an oddity of sorts. A combination where she sold the meat of game she hunted. Most of which had been a combination of fish, young deer, rodents and fowl. Other product revolved around remaining hides crafted in leatherwork. She butchered sections of what consumers sought with the purchased exchange with a friendly smile despite the unease that seemed to linger before strangers would depart, whispering nonsense under their breaths. Glacial eyes would simply blink, oblivious to menial gossip as she returned to the red snapper she’d caught the night before.  Cleaver dividing its head from the rest of its body.  Tools descaling and bones eventually -- carefully separating. Filets and steaks then cut and displayed to the passing public. 

Late afternoon would soon roll by with produce dwindling. The usual mundane save for the occasional hit or miss if she’d collected too much or not enough the evening – into the morning before. A painting of a portrait hung behind the counter on the wall of a young man who resembled a semblance of the merchant on display. Tethys was careful to keep the simply made portrait dusted and out of range from the rest of her work. “Will that be all for you?” Tethys extended the rapped filet of venison to an elderly woman who simply nodded with a toothless, grateful grin. “Thanks for coming by then,” waving them off, stepping outside to tidy the storefront. 

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The broom in hand while sweeping away dust and debris looked hardly kept together. Nevertheless, it did its job – at least for Tethys, never one to complain. As long as the storefront remained kept, that was all that mattered. Occasionally she’d absently catch wind of the petty gossip of nobles passing through, or the pleas of a child begging their mother for something of value or – in a child’s eyes, of value. She couldn’t help but chuckle following a mirthful tug of her lips. Sun kissed ears twitched slightly upon the fretful mothers huddled together in woe of some draft recently issued. Icy gaze remained on the ground though her tidying seemed to slow, deliberately. What a pity. she hummed thoughtfully, feeling the slight tug in her chest.

Commotion spun, ripping her away from otherwise mindless banters of civilians following the approach of a potential consumer; Still plenty of meat, I hope? Glacial sights lifted, as her head tilted slightly following a friendly smile; “Aye,” she responds tossing the broom stick between her hands before setting it against the building. “What’cha lookin’ for, friend?” she reaches for the door and a soft jingle rings from small simple bells hanging overhead, extending the door for an invitiation to enter.

“Got boar, fish salt and fresh, bird—plenty game I caught this morning.” She spoke with nonchalance, as if her feat was hardly a chore.

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Something to keep well, she considered. A quiet repetition lingered in her thoughts as she suggested a few game to offer. There was more of course, though she would allow the stranger to pick to his liking as there was still enough given the day was relatively slow. It could easily pick up closer to sunset – of course when she’d wanted to pack up for the day. A lucky morning indeed. Tethys simply shrugged, perhaps it was though? Not every day was as fruitful. Perhaps a nice cut of boar, “Ah, just skinned and gutted ‘m not too long ago. Fancy that timing.” She chuffed amicably.

For a moment she disappeared to the back, no sooner did she return with the boar carcass hanging over her shoulder, a leg already severed – sold earlier in the day. “Can get you the back legs here, and cure some ham, or you wanting a center cut here?” Tethys asked, laying the boar upon the opposite side of the counter. She used a cleaver to motion in question the type of cut. Any taverns with opening rooms you know of, by any chance? Lot of folk moving recently it seems. Have half a mind to rest up before leaving back into the wilds

The shopkeeper took a moment to consider his words. Though, if she were being honest with herself, Tethys didn’t know the town as well as the others surrounding her. Her daily routine was pretty straightforward unless venturing out to the wilds and along the coast. “Can’t say I do,” she replied modestly, she took the cleaver along the hind leg of the boar just to separate the meat in the meantime while making idle conversation. “I know it’s been a little hectic lately and whatnot but, I’ve learned from experience to keep mind my own.” she shrugged.

“But I also don’t live around here either, I just keep the shop in business.” her eyes rolled as if it were a cumbersome task. In truth, she couldn’t bring herself to close it either. “Might have something upstairs, though.” She separated the leg and the hock with a single swing. She knew her mother – bless her soul, if she’d let a stranger walk out knowing they didn’t have shelter would have bent over backwards then proceeded to smack her with the broom for being rude without offering. It made her chuckle at the thought as she went about her work. “My old man used to stay up there when he needed to do inventory. Just a mattress and a few sheets – not much though.”


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