In a corner of Esto Gaza, there was a small market. In this market, people sold fruit, vegetables, meats, anything they farmed or worked to make for some extra gold. In the back of this market was a hut, made from sturdy thick branches of oak and maple trees, lashed together with homemade ropes and was roofed by many branches close together followed by interwoven cloths and leaves. It was adequate protection from rain. A man sat inside, a decent sized stove burning with wood sat next to him in the corner of the hut. A small pipe channeled the smoke out of the hut to the back, so as not to smoke up the place.

Joe Stradivari sat in a chair. His stark white hair hung down over his eyes. His green eyes were dull behind the bangs, but when they moved, and his eyes shown in the light, they sparkled. In this shop were weapons. A lot of weapons. Joe made them himself as a profession, using his incredible handiwork to make fine pieces of steel for warriors to use. Candles glinted with flame around the room, lighting up the blades of the tons of swords hanging on the walls, laying on the makeshift stables, and even lit of his table of knives and a single battle axe leaning against the wall. He sat there for hours out of the day, making quite a living from selling these weapons. He was content.

Eston stood outside the dingy hut, eying it before committing himself to enter. He had heard a fine weapon smith made his shop here, but had heard little more then rumors. Stopping by was not high up on his list of things to do, seeing as he had a superb weapon already, but he thought that he may find himself in need of a backup blade, or even a tool to practice his enchanting on. It was in this thinking Eston made time to check it out.

He stepped through the threshold of the shop and was immediately assaulted by a wave of heat, most likely from the owner’s forge. Eston took note of the man in the corner, busy working away.

“The owner, most likely.” Eston thought to himself before moving to the counter. He knocked solidly on the counter three times before announcing himself.

“Sir, I’m looking for a fine blade. I’d very much like to see your sharpest swords."

Joe smirked. He stood and turned, seeing the man. He nodded and brought three of his finest swords to the counter laying them down in a row. "Good evening, sir. These are three of my finest that I have with me to sell." One of them was a skinny blade, about three feet in length, roughly two inches in width. The second was the same, only with a six foot blade, and one was a broadsword, approximately four feet in length.

He told the man his wares on the table, and waited for his response. He noticed the man had a sword of his own already. He glanced at it, then tilted his head and wondered. He turned to finish his crafting of another piece, and spoke again. "I'm not sure if you're a passer-by, or maybe you reside in this city, but have you heard any strange gossip around lately?"

Eston picked up the broadsword and examined it.. The blade was near perfect for his needs. “This is a fine sword, indeed. How much would it cost to take it off your hands?”

As the shopkeeper turned to finish his work Eston reached into his pocket to check how much gold he had, but was stopped by owner’s question of gossip. Eston could not put his finger on it, but something seemed out of the ordinary with his simple question. Eston decided to keep his mouth shut.

“I actually haven’t spent much time in the city, so my knowledge of gossip is rather thin.”

Eston put the broadsword back onto the table, keeping his eyes on the other man’s back. Something seemed odd this, and Eston suspected this day would be more then a simple errand run.

He finished heating the blade, and he dipped it into water to cool it. He left it there, and turned back to the man. He glanced down at the sword. "You seem like a gentleman that knows his way around swords. I'll give that sword to you for free if you really know anything. More specifically, anything that had to do with a pub. I've heard through a few contacts around the city that there was a strange brawl. Very strange, in fact."

He was mildly interested. Well, at least that's how he had to make it seem. He was extremely interested. A shape shifter. In a pub? That wasn't very normal. He'd not heard anything from or on his siblings since the day they threatened him and cast him out. But this was a lead. This... could change his life.

Eston froze. He hadn’t realized the incident in the bar had spread. While he knew that this would not compromise his plans, he knew is was information that could harm him in the long run. It could mean staying out of his normal form for a time. Regaining his composure, Eston spoke to the man before him.

“I’m afraid I haven’t heard anything of the sort. I’m not much of a gossip man, and after counting my gold I suspect I cannot afford a blade as fine as this.” At these words Eston turned and headed quickly for the door.

Eston turned his head to face the shopkeep, smirking slightly. “I would be wary of believing everything you hear, however."

Joe moved quickly, stepping around the counter and leaning on it. It was as if he was faster than average. He blinked. "Wait, stranger." His voice was different. Urgent. "You hesitated. I saw it in your face. And you're hurried. You must know something. It's important to me that I know of this shape shifter. You see... it's a very personal matter, also, a deadly one for those in the way of the said matter. If you can help me, I'll compensate you with the finest blade anywhere around, short of your magical blade there."

He had to know if this man knew anything. It was dire to him. He would do pretty much anything. His right hand moved up, pointing at the sword as he spoke about it. The gold ring on his ring finger glowed brilliantly at that point and he quickly moved his hand down.

Eston stopped in front of the door. If the man knew this much there could be no avoiding a confrontation. The question was whether the shopkeeper was a friend or a foe. Eston calculated in his head. The person before him was ready for a fight if he didn’t cooperate. Yet there was no guarantee he was looking to fight the shape shifter he searched for. Eston decided it was in his best interest to reveal himself.

“You’re not human, that much is obvious. I wonder why one such as you would be searching for a shape shifter.”

Eston turned, though when facing the shopkeeper he no longer was the man he was before. Eston’s face and hair had changed. He was now a mirror of the very person he spoke to.

“Very well, what do you wish of me?”

His eyes brightened. He made no hostile movement, nothing to any weapon. He watched the man, looking at himself. He raised an eyebrow. "Well. I've come to the conclusion that I am a handsome human." He nodded basically to himself, and then muttered something under his breath.

He grew fangs, sprouted wings from his back, and his horns suddenly sprouted from his head. His emerald eyes glowed brightly as he looked at the man. "It is... imperative that you reveal your true form to me. That decided whether or not you leave my shop." If it was Julian or Nicholas, they would not be leaving his establishment.

Eston raised an eyebrow. He had known the man was no human, but he had not expected a celestial. All in all, however, his race mattered little. Lowering his head slightly, Eston chuckled to himself. “Like you, I have little in the way of a true form, though I suspect I know what you mean.” Eston’s features changed once more, reverting to the face he had when he first entered the shop.

“Not what you were expecting? Sorry, but I don’t make a habit of wearing masks.” Eston grinned, looking the celestial in his eyes. “I do find it somewhat funny however. Despite the noted power of the celestial race, my kind still has the edge on changing our shapes.” said Eston, laughing slightly at his own joke.

Joe was semi-disappointed. But yet, he was pretty happy at the same time. They hadn't come for him. That was a plus. He nodded and reverted back to his human form as well. He picked up the broadsword and walked over to the man. He twirled it once before jamming it into the ground in front of him, offering it to the man. "For your trouble."

He turned and began to walk back behind his counter, but stopped and turned again. "My masking is not a habit. I do it purposely in order to hunt down three other celestials. I heard of a shape shifter in the city and it became clear that someone or something was walking into my life again." He nodded to the man and held out a hand. "Joe Stradivari."

Eston nodded, leaving the sword were it was for the moment. He would take it before he left. Eston leaned against the wall as Joe went into his explanation of the facade. He nodded when he finished. “Hunting celestials, especially more then one, is tough work, even for another celestial.”

When the hand was offered Eston shook it, telling Joe his name in turn. “Eston Molav.” Eston said, releasing the man’s hand. After thinking for a moment Eston spoke, “I assume you thought I was one of these celestials?”

Eston chuckled. “Sorry, friend, but you must not have heard a very good rumor if you suspected me of being a celestial. It’s a relief, actually, knowing the truth of the incident remains a mystery.”

He laughed. "Well, your events can remain a secret." He turned and assembled a sword quickly, smelting it together. He began to polish the blade while he spoke.

"Yes, I thought you were one of my siblings attempting to lure me into a battle." He smirked. "I can see I was wrong. But this is good. You seem to be formidable in wit and strength. How's your skill with that blade?"

Eston shrugged. It was true he was talented with his weapon, though his skill with a sword itself was not his greatest strength. “I’m skilled enough, I suppose.” Eston pushed off the wall and stood up straight. He took a few steps toward his host, crossing his arms over his chest as he did. “Why do you ask?”

He shrugged and turned to Eston slowly, twirling the newly made sword quickly. It wasn't sharp yet, but it was light. Efficient. He laid it on the table and leaned on the counter, interlocking his fingers.

"I was half wondering if you'd like to embark on a slightly... different quest with me."

Eston shook his head. As tempting as an adventure with a celestial would be he could not be bothered at the moment. The engagements he had made would likely be the highlight of his life, and nothing would get him to deviate from them. However if he was still alive afterwards, Eston would be happy to help this celestial with his problems.

“I’m afraid not. You see, I’ve already made... other arrangements. They will be taking up a good chunk of my time for at least the next few months. However if you’re still looking for assistance after I’m done I’m sure we can work something out.”

He nodded. He picked up the newly made sword again and walked across the room to a giant stone wheel. He spun the wheel with a pedal and began to sharpen the blade, dragging it across the stone.

"If you don't mind me asking, what have you got planned?" He wasn't going to push it if Eston didn't want to say, but he wanted to know. If it was that good...

Eston leaned against the wall again. While he wasn’t going to give anything away, especially to a stranger, Eston knew a celestial would be a powerful ally in the event he was interested. Joe didn’t seem to be the type to report him to the guards, but revealing the extent of his plans was still a bad idea. Perhaps if he could let him into things slowly he could attempt to bring him over to his side.

“Well.. It’s a heist. Planning on robbing some rich person with a friend of mine.”

Joe's eyes glinted in the light and he stopped sharpening the sword. He raised a brow. "A heist." He nodded and stood, leaning the blade against the whetstone. He walked back across the room and stood across the counter from Eston. "I'm interested. If you need another accomplice, I'd be very interested." A heist? Perfect. He could fund an operation against his brethren.

Eston smiled at Joe’s eagerness. It was as he had hoped, Joe didn’t care to report him or stop him. Even better was his interest in joining his cause. “I’d be delighted for your help. Though since you’re interested and not going to turn me in, you should probably be aware of the scope of the job.”

Pulling the sword stuck in the floor from it’s place and resting it over his shoulder, Eston began his offer. “If you’re coming, know that this “rich person” is actually the Serdian monarchy. I’m sacking the Royal Vault.”

Joe's jaw tightened. The Vault? Was he insane? Really. The Royal Vault. He wanted to steal... from the King. A wicked grin crossed his lips and he slapped his palm on the table. "That's riches beyond anything one man could hope for. You have yourself another partner." This... this would be better than anything he could hope for. It would solve many problems, while making him a hefty profit simultaneously. He nodded. "So who is your other partner?"

Eston’s smile widened with the knowledge the a celestial would be aiding him. His gamble in announcing his intentions had payed off. “Riches and more. Fame and adventure. We’ll be the first people to ever break into the place. We’ll go down forever as the only people to ever steal from the king himself.”

Eston headed for the door. His trip here, while profitable, had taken up much time and Eston still had to finish preparations. “My partner is a man named Vincent. I’ll be meeting him later at the St. Marius hotel. Try and be there.”

Joe nodded. He would definitely be there. But first he had to ready a few things. "Of course."

He turned and leaned under the counter. He pulled out his sword. He had found the blade in the home of a family that had let him stay there a couple nights a few years back. He'd practiced with it privately, until he was caught one day by the father. He'd noticed the skill Joe had and given it to him as a parting gift. Joe swung it diagonally from left to right in his right hand, ending the swing with the blade pointed at an angle toward the ground. He couldn't put it straight down, the blade itself was five feet. He smirked and laid it on the counter before disappearing into the back room to make ready some supplies.