"Something else like what?"

"Something else like what?" Shiroe asked, seemingly unfazed by the stranger's feminine charms.

The woman faltered. Funny, that trick with the hair usually worked.

"Lots of things! Like..." the woman looked down at the mace and buckler on her belt, then towards random buildings around her. "uhhhh... okay, look. I'll level with you." She suddenly took Shiroe's hands, a move which slightly startled Shiroe, but he allowed it.

"This place? Makes the best muffins. I mean the best. They're downright addictive. But..." the woman glanced warily over Shiroe's shoulder, into the inn. "There's this one woman who works here? Who's a total bitch. She refuses to sell to me, even though I will happily pay the inn's asking price."

"I see." Shiroe's eyes remained locked on the woman's face as he carefully considered his options. "That certainly sounds like a pinch. Did she happen to say why she won't sell to you?"

The woman's eyes darted to the side, and her cheeks flushed. She pensively wet her lips with her tongue, before opening her mouth to say what Shiroe could already tell would probably be, at best, a half-truth.

"I'm sorry," he said decisively, "I'm afraid I can't help you."

"Please!" the woman begged, "I'll do anything!"

Hmm. "Anything?" For the price of a muffin?

"Anything," the stranger promised. "You name it!"