"Nothing that dramatic, I'm afraid," Randall confessed with his hands on his hips, immediately drawing not only Aristia's, but the interest of those with her. "Just some folks who don't want to see my little store succeed. Jealous types, you know?"
As he spoke, his eyes subconsciously stared at the direction of the door, as if he could see the outside.
He paused for a few seconds, then continued, his voice barely more than a murmur as if he was fearful of speaking the words aloud. "Rival merchants, envious of my success, who would stop at nothing to see my business falter and fail. This place wasn't always like this, but they've left me like this..."
He stood no chance against them.
He sighed wearily and confessed. "You see, I've been having a tough time keeping the place afloat lately. Business has been slow, and I hate to admit it, but I'm starting to worry I won't be able to keep the doors open much longer."
