The circle around Hunter tightens. Vendors on neighboring tables pause mid-sale, pretending not to listen, while Elias shifts his weight like he has something heavy to hand over. Joy sits on the crate with her flower stem straightened in her lap, watching every face.
The Organizer
If you want the office to hear us, then say it plainly. What do you want from them?
Hunter McCready
We stay where we are, and we make them deal with all of us, not just one stall.
That lands. A couple of merchants exchange looks, and Mrs. Gable gives a firm little nod, hands still dusted with the feel of her last repair. The Organizer studies the faces around her instead of Hunter alone.
Elias
Then we need names. A list of every stall willing to sign on, before the office starts picking us off one by one.
Mrs. Gable
I can get signatures from the east row by closing time. Folks are tired of being told to smile and move.
The Organizer exhales through her nose, not quite a smile, not quite surrender. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a folded clipboard sheet, then holds it where everyone can see it.
The Organizer
Fine. If this becomes collective, then it needs structure. Start with the names, and I will take it to the office as a vendor request.
✓ Quest Accepted
Collect vendor signatures for a united request
✓ Quest Accepted
Present the vendors’ request to the market office
“I take the clipboard from the Organizer and sign my name at the top.”
Hunter takes the clipboard and signs his name at the top. The Organizer lets him have the pen without a word, and the nearest vendors start edging closer, as if the page itself has given them permission.
Mrs. Gable turns with a small, satisfied smile and heads for the east row. Joy watches the sheet in Hunter's hands, calm and bright-eyed, while Elias leans in to see who will sign next.
“I hand Mrs. Gable the clipboard”
Hunter slides the clipboard toward Mrs. Gable, and the line of vendors shuffles closer instead of away. The page is already working.
Mrs. Gable
Hand it over, Hunter. I can get it down the row.
“I get signatures from the east row”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Socially Awkward, rolled +3)
Hunter takes the clipboard to the east row, and the vendors do not scatter. They lean in, shoulder to shoulder, reading the request as if it belongs to all of them now.
One by one, hands find the page. A fruit seller signs first, then a man in grease-stained sleeves, then a woman with flour on her wrists.
Elias
Put me down too. If the office is pushing this hard, we all feel it.
Hunter keeps the clipboard steady while another signature lands, then another. The page starts to look crowded in a way that feels like strength.
The Organizer
All right. This is becoming a proper request.
Mrs. Gable gathers the signed sheet back toward the stall, flowers tucked against her arm, and the east row stays clustered instead of drifting apart.
Quest Complete
Collect vendor signatures for a united request
Skill Upgrade: Socially Awkward Mediocre→Fair