"No, thank you"

"No, thank you," Alice said bluntly, standing up. She's wasted enough time here already, and time is a luxury she can't get back. The orb was cool, and a part of her really did believe that it was a power conduit for arcane energies, but even if that were true, she had no idea how to refuel or charge the thing back up, and she didn't have the time to be researching such enigmatic topics. Plus, 1000 gold could be better spent elsewhere, such as with the assassin she's going to meet next. "Good luck with selling that, I'm sure you'll find plenty of takers among the nobility, but I'll be passing on it."

Studying the arcane was a bit of a popular hobby among the rich and wealthy, the type who could splash away fortunes on ancient artifacts and books. None of them believed in it, of course, but it was a good way of showing that you were cultured and worldly. Even if Alice didn't buy it, she was confident Rosa would be able to pawn it off without issue. In fact, she might be able to charge more than just 1000 gold. Either way, it was no longer her problem.

"I see..." Rosa replied sadly, tucking the orb back into the pouch that it came from and placing it back into her pocket. "Well, I suppose it was a big ask. Ah well, you're right, I'm sure I can line up other buyers. Good luck with whatever you gotta do, princess!"

Alice nodded politely in response, bidding her farewell as she stood up. Fortunately, she hadn't arranged for a specific time to meet with the assassin, so she wasn't exactly late. She should be able to find him if she was to go talk to the barkeep... In the books that she read, the barkeepers are always the ones who seem to know everything. Perhaps reality is the same way? Only one way to find out.

Standing up, she pushes past the throng of people and tables to make her way back up front.