Bit by bit, the whispers died down, and the overall atmosphere returned to the somewhat balanced order it had been before our little performance whirled up the audience. My partner in awkwardness was now looking down on me from his elevated position, likely waiting for me to finally start a normal conversation, whatever that may be here.
During this process, my partner in pulling one over on him was already hastily explaining what to do next.
"Alright, you did very well. Now, we get to the meat of this meeting. You state your needs and demand them as payment for fixing the problem that plagues these people, whereafter he, maybe in council with the others on the podium, will judge if they are acceptable or not. It is good sport to start bartering, so you'd want to state more than we actually need.
We don't have to get anything for me, so let's think what you are currently lacking. Assuming you are fine with going to the next city, Withermore I believe, we should get 4 days of food, 2 for the journey and extra just in case and so we, or rather you, don't end up without anything to eat after a short stay. Further, some means of transporting that as well as some clothes for you. You should demand a tent, but not expect to get it. That will likely be the first casualty of bartering, since it's somewhat of an expendable luxury.
Also, a stay for the night and whatever constitutes for a bath around here... don't phrase it that way. Demanding a stay in their finest quarters could be a good idea... it's a nice distraction and, given that they are likely owned by the guy you're talking to, will get shot down first, so mabye the tent gets through. It's a fairly risky provocation, but he seems happy, so it should be fine.
All in all, your first offer contains 7 days of food, new clothing, a tent and a nice and fine stay here, bath included. No strict form, just matter of fact deal making."
'Great, but how do I start? What do I do? I've never made deals before, I've never had a 'matter of fact' conversation before, I haven't had a conversation in years! How do I get this started, how do I 'demand' something from the guy I just waltzed in on, how do I...'
With thoughts of uncertainty circling in my head, I failed to notice for a few moments, that all was quiet now and the pause seemed to be getting more uncomfortable by the second. My eyes locked onto the ground below me, refusing to meet those looking at me, my legs started to go uneasy and a numb pain was beginning to form inside my stomach.
A pearl of sweat rolled down into my eyes, I quickly blinked it away, probably making myself look all the more out of place.
"Karl, you might want to start, you know?"
It was getting worse by the second, he didn't seem to get it, of course he didn't, I had to risk it, I had to risk emberassing myself before the villagers and, more importantly, this... this fucker.
As silently as I could manage, my voice being drowned out by the bell, and with as little lip movement as possible, I hissed out a little "How?!"
I heard his sigh, I heard his godsdamn condescending sigh.
"Alright, speak after me..."
---
Things were calming down again, and the mage was waiting for my people to finish getting their bearings together. When all was quiet, I could feel tension building in the air, the whole gathering excitedly waiting for him to make his real opening. Although most didn't know what was going on, everyone felt the build up, everyone felt him savouring the dramatic pause, waiting for the tension to reach its zenith.
'Yeah, exactly how I would do it. Magnificent. Mhm.'
I could appreciate good rethorical capabilities, as I was certainly blessed with them. I also had the sudden realisation, that my initial hostility was all but gone. It was only right and understandable to be angry at this guy for showing up and exploiting us for money, supplies, rare plants or whatever he was up to. But I wasn't. The opening exchange, as unusual and strange as it was, took a lot of the weight and sincerity out of this confrontation, but with them also the combativeness.
Then, the point where tension becomes uncomfortable uncertainty came, the last point to not drop the ball, the last point for a strike to fully hit its mark. And strike he did.
"Now!", he called, loud enough for everyone present to hear, with an attitude I knew all to well. It was something I had done countless times in the past, it was an orator fully dropping all resemblances of shame and customs, so they could enter their stage persona and fully function as the charismaric speaker they needed to be.
I could virtually hear the dams breaking. That was the mark of someone unused to speaking like this, the transformation was in no way fluid or elegant, but all the more exciting, for new speakers were born in these moments. Since my retirement from the stage and retreat to this village I had not witnessed a scene this magnificent. Only now did I realise how much I had missed it.
"Now is the time of your salvation! Your predicament ends here! Your bell shall toil no more than needed once my work is complete, and I will be on my merry way the second after. The only thing remaining is the discussion of my terms and fees. My payment, so to speak."
This was truly wonderful. The flair, the gravitas, the deeply hidden anxiety, betrayed by a slightly too shrill voice and overreaching gesticulations alike. A glorious newcomer to acting. If it weren't for the ever ringing bell dampening the mood, I might have joined in, just out of extravaganza alone. But no! I had a role to play, an actor to foil, a mayor to be, just as I was moments ago, before the opening verses, before my past came back for me.
I threw glances left and right, to see if the rest of the table felt similarly ecstatic. Their expressions laid out feelings of confusion, bewilderment and mild disgust... which was about right, as the suddenly silenced everyday backwater mayor in my mind told me.
At least they knew the kind of situation we were in, but not why the two of us were doing this elaborate back and forth. I couldn't figure, wether their partial knowledge made it better or worse.
"I demand the following things..."
---
*A few moments ago*
I felt a little bad to let the guy do such a stupid performance. Just a little. The opening exchange was and still seemed to be tradition, since the man answering knew his text and looked like he was enjoying it... the rest did not seem to agree, however, and were looking rather befuddled. My new friend was a little worse for wear as well. He seemed to be struggling, athough I did not know with what. The text was not that bad.
However, he was taking a little to much time for my taste. Maybe I should get him going...
"Karl, you might want to start, you know?"
This seemed to snap him out of it, though he still looked like he was having troubles. Maybe lacking the words?
"How?!"
That does sound like it.
I couldn't help but let out a little sigh of joy for the entertainment about to come. I would have him do a little more drama after all...
"Alright, speak after me..."