[quote=@wierdw]
[color=f9ad81]"Good evening!"[/color] he opened, after closing the door behind him.  He hoped he wasn't too late to catch the shopkeeper before they closed for the day.
[/quote]

[i][b](in response to Robert)[/b][/i] [@wierdw]

Behind the weathered wooden counter, an aged woman sat roosted like the guardian of a hawk's eyrie. Her silvery-gray hair fluttered gently in the wake of evening air washing in, as her sharp gaze locked onto the man entering. For several moments she remained silent, motionless like a statue save for the pale green of her pupils studying Robert.

"...Evening." She finally spoke in a soft, time-worn voice, her chin lifted toward the visitor. "...You're not one of [i]them[/i]. Not entirely, anyway…" The woman mused, her gaze unblinking. "...You've been here before. Yet… your visit this time is unusual." A subtle smile shaped her wrinkled lips, before dissipating all too quickly with a furrow of her brows. "...How may I help you?..."

Meanwhile, huddled in a corner was a mouse of a girl dressed in unassuming cloths, dusting off the shelves with a feather. She snuck a tiny peek at Robert, before quickly returning to her duties.