Rhea makes a purchase

After joining up, Jacque became a merchant for the Monastery - working in the shop square by the gates with some of the other merchants. Most of them like the armorer and fruit vendors had been there a while. However another named Anna had just appeared around the same time as him.

Regardless, things were going okay. He had procured a number of curios and baubles, and his inventory was always different. The students - especially the girls - dropped by often to see what new things he had for sale.

One morning, the Archbishop herself approached and greeted him with a smile, speaking in her usual calm, quiet tone.

"Good day, Jacque. How has your business been?"

Jacque gave her a smile and a shrug.

"Not too shabby, ma'am" he replied "Just got some new stuff in this morning so if you're interested, I'd happily sell to you at cost."

Rhea shook her head.

"I couldn't ask you to do that. I understand you feel as though you owe me for taking you in, however I have no interest in impeding your business. But am I potentially interested in making a purchase." she replied.

Rhea began to look around the stall, but she wasn't finding anything that caught her eye... until she finally settled on the strange bag in the back.

"Might I ask what that is?"

Jacque looked back at the bag.

"Oh that? Yeah. A bag of goods I had when I got here. But I didn't want to sell any of it until I could verify where it was from. As you know I don't exactly recall everything that happened up to me getting here."

Even with that, he grabbed the bag and reached inside, pulling out a rather beautiful golden collar - the kind one would see a noblewoman wearing. Rhea's eyes lit up upon seeing it.

"Oh my... that is quite gorgeous. Might I be able to convince you to let me purchase it?"

Jacuque was a bit hesitant. But he did owe Rhea...

"Alright. I don't exactly know what they're worth but--"

Rhea interrupted him.

"How does 5000 gold sound?"

Jacque almost choked.

"M-ma'am you don't even know if it's real!" he exclaimed "Besides I have a ton of them. I doubt they're worth that much. H-how about 100."

Rhea sighed, but had to admit he was probably correct. She took the strange necklace from him and made her way back towards the Monastery proper.

It took a few minutes, but eventually Jacque noticed something. Rhea's coinpurse lay on the counter.

"Ah shit!" he exclaimed, grabbing it and dashing towards the Monastery. Thankfully the ever stoic Seteth was understanding and grateful that Jacque came to deliver the purse to Lady Rhea, and allowed him to go to Rhea's room unimpeded.

Jacque reached Rhea's chambers, the door to which was slightly ajar.

"A-archbishop! You left your purse at my stall!" he exclaimed... only to hear no reply.

"Archbishop..? I'm coming in..." he gulped.