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 Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:49 pm
As soon as Róka had heard about the offworld merchant, they'd set time aside to visit him, irregardless of whatever else they'd been planning civilian-life-wise for that day. Those things could wait, somewhat. If he was from offworld he could have information; even if he was of little use on that source, any knowledge was valuable knowledge. As a merchant, too, it was likely he might have some curio that they would find useful or that they could repurpose.
Finding what he was asking for, too, wasn't too difficult. It'd only taken them a day or so, and the bag they kept the pods in was tightly secured. No need to be incautious about things. Not that any of this should be something serious! It oughtn't be. But one never knew.
As they passed through the barrier and took a first look at his table, whatever Róka had been about to say, whatever they had been about to ask for or discuss or tease -- the sardonic lilt to their voice dropped away, suddenly, and for a second there was a distinct desynchronization between their facial expression and the dead look in their eyes. A mask that was slipping.
There was something on his table that could not be there. They knew it couldn't be there, because they had seen that choker a thousand years ago on their bedside table, and they hadn't put it on that day, and then -- it was too blurred to remember. Those dates hadn't been that close together. Had they? Days and months and years mixed into each other. They remembered the grain of the leather under their touch. Had they had it on their person when they'd been --
"How did you get that collar," Róka said, finally, raspy and toneless, utterly intent. Then they thought better of it, of themself, and forced their body to relax again into ease. They'd tensed up; that was no good for anyone, and it would give them away. No reason for them to give anyone else a reason to believe they were not, perhaps, in their right mind.
The last thing they wanted was for him to withhold his services. Especially now. Sans that slip they'd just had - very inelegant - they really did try to appear normal, most of the time, and this was no exception.
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Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2023 10:38 pm
The merchant tilted his head just slightly as he observed Róka’s reaction. It wasn’t overwhelming in any way, and this Senshi simply might have had a different emotional range than what he was used to. Earth was an interesting baseline to work off of. Of course, interest in any item meant a high probability of making a trade. Usually. “The same way I get everything,” he answered carefully, watching Róka’s face. “I travel. I visit many places, and acquire many treasures. Are you familiar with this piece? You can come closer and examine it. I’ve had this one for, oh. Well I suppose it’s been quite a while, now. I’ve kept it in good condition. Of course, I found it very far from Earth. And not very well tended to.”
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Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2023 11:11 am
"You could say that," was Róka's inconclusive answer, their tone and voice now well under control and measured out to a slight, teasing edge. Caught less off guard, regaining control over their mask, their face turned half-inquisitive. That was -- better. That was a preferential, unobjectionable mien.
Things the years had not bled out of them: they had always hated coming at an interaction where they wanted something so desperately, and whoever was on the other side of the arrangement could tell.
"I knew its bearer some time ago." A few steps away from the truth of it was mine, I had it made for me, it was commissioned and custom-built, it was mine pulsing under their skin in a way that faintly surprised them; rarely did they feel that much at all. That made them too invested in it, and if he understood how this was the only ghost they would ever want to see -- it was too telling. Róka stepped closer to the table, looking it over; they had faint eyes for everything else to maintain appearances, but they knew what they wanted. "Assumed it was lost with the rest of the world, when everything... fell. "
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Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2023 6:53 am
“Oh.” Almadel clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth in what must have been a sympathetic display. “Yes, I’m afraid I’ve been hearing a few stories about the fall of worlds. Honestly, I’m rather impressed to find so many new faces here on Earth. For a while, I was something special, you know. But the people of Earth are so easily enamored.” He appreciated the attention and indulged in his fair share of it, so he wasn’t complaining. And yet, Róka was something of an anomaly, so far as he could tell. Someone out of place and far from home. “I hope you’re getting as warm of a reception as I am. Though, I do come bearing gifts. Well. Sort of. But I like Earth, so I’ll give a good bargain while I’m here. The same goes for you, of course. I’m not going to mark up that collar just because it’s got some sort of sentimental value to you. I mean, if I were desperate, sure, but I’m in the market for fruit. I can’t be that much of a scalper. I’m here for a good time and I’d like for you to leave with one too.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2023 12:57 pm
The people of Earth were easily enamored, so he said? "They are," Róka confirmed, with a little chuckle to themself. "Suppose that's what happens when they've been isolated long enough. Shame about the disguises; you're lucky to get away without needing one, in here." They shrugged, with sort of a well, what can you do sort of expression and tone.
"Given how little makes it here from offworld, you could make out like a thief if you wanted." That was casual. Offhanded. "Though I suppose you've your reasons. What are these fruit?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 11:26 pm
“I could, I suppose. But I’m quite a bit more dignified than that!” Almadel laughed, but there was something mischievous in it, anyway. He was enjoying himself. “These fruits–have you heard of Kastorra? It’s a large tree, with roots that spread out to support it. But that’s all it is, just one tree that soars through the universe and sheds its seeds as it makes its journey. There used to be many worlds with bountiful trees, but it’s been so long since they had anything to harvest. It’s been quite a while since Kastorra passed by anywhere to plant new seeds, so far as I know. Naturally, I worry about it. There are only a few that I know about but I’ve been keeping my eye on this one here on Earth for some time. Imagine my surprise when I saw it finally fruiting!” He let out a wistful sigh. “Someone has to watch my wares, and I’m not quite a fan of sneaking around or climbing trees, so I’m very excited to trade for them. Especially when it means sharing my collection. I find the fruit quite delectable, although I’ve heard it might seem unappealing from some of those collecting it for me. Pity, but it works in my favor. I do appreciate that there’s so little competition.”
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2023 1:49 pm
They frowned thoughtfully. "I might've - it sounds almost familiar - but it's been ages. If you say the fruit's delectable, though, I'll have to find the time to try some."
Of course, that did require relocating the tree and dealing with anyone or anything else that might have found it in the meantime, but that was business as usual. And it wasn't as if Róka's schedule was actually as stringent as they made it out to be, but a semblance of routine didn't always go astray. Kept them on their toes. No use in getting complacent.
But they'd had a purpose in coming here, hadn't they. "Would two fruit suffice?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2023 12:09 pm
Almadel smiled politely, and seemed like he was debating something before he said, “Just be mindful of the juice. It’s a bit acidic for those who can’t handle it. I’ve had quite a few poor customers come in with agitated skin. You need a tough stomach to handle it, so I don’t want you getting sick because of it.” He’d given his warning, though. It was convenient for him that it was almost completely inedible–and outright sickening for most–but he tried not to look too pleased at their misfortune since he benefited greatly from it. “Two fruits suffice, though, yes. I’ll make that trade.”
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Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2023 12:17 pm
Róka's smile was insincere. "I've a strong stomach." All it meant was that they'd need to be private about the whole thing, which was nothing new. No experience should be wasted - they needed to know, regardless - but that would keep for some other day.
Carefully, precisely, they took two pods out of the satchel by their side and placed them on the table; then they rested one hand near the choker, as pointed as they were willing to be without actually saying a word. "These are satisfactory?" Even with the uptilt of their voice, it was barely a question, more of a statement.
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2023 5:00 pm
“Yes, quite so.” Almadel didn’t mind if Róka was being stingy with their voice; he had enough to say for the both of them. He pushed the choker closer, nudging it into Róka's hand before he reached for the fruit. He hadn’t given them a full inspection, he didn’t need to. He could see enough of them from where he sat, and even if he hadn’t been able to, Róka was interesting. Absentmindedly, Almadel twisted the fruits to observe them after they were in his possession. He nodded to the choker. “Thank you. I hope when I see you again we can talk more. You seem interesting. I bet you’ve got a lot of good stories to tell.” If not, Almadel could just tell some of his own. As long as he was getting a good deal out of a trade, they could have done it in silence, too. Probably.
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2023 10:04 pm
Nothing in particular changed about their expression, but the angle of their fins shifted, flaring out the slightest amount. "Plenty of stories, yes. There was much out there to see. I made a business of seeing plenty of it." Róka's fingers clenched around the choker.
They should wait. It was wise to wait. They didn't know anything about his allegiances or who he would share gossip to. They hadn't spent years in foolish layers of intrigue wearing false faces just to do things frivolously. But it had been so long, and they were so restless, as of late --
They needed more risk. Without it, life was rot and ash and nothing. Risk wouldn't fix that. Risk would make them feel less like they were blending into everything else as some half-moving corpse. That was good enough.
Róka reached up, set the choker around their neck, and changed. Suddenly the person standing there was undoubtedly human; fair-skinned and slender, in a way far less extreme than Róka's knife-sharp angles and almost-inhuman pallor, with wavy teal hair pinned up under a pageboy hat. By fuku alone they could've been a teammate, perhaps.
"No scars," they said, examining their hands with interest, and then "at least it got that right," and it was Róka's voice but it almost wasn't. That disconnect was almost there, tip-of-the-tongue.
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2023 8:41 pm
Almadel’s eyes didn’t seem to move much, and yet he still seemed capable of taking in even the most minute changes in Róka's appearance. The tiny shift is fins was observed, but he had to work for it. The next change, though, was obvious. Almadel’s brows raised a little higher and his lips parted in clear interest and approval. If he hadn’t seen the transformation in front of him, even he probably wouldn’t have been able to identify this new Róka. He’d seen Senshi magic before, seen the shift of simple civilian into one blessed by power before. This was different, though–a whole other branch of magic. “ Magnificent. Flawless, really.” He’d never seen it do anything of the sort, so he couldn't even be mad that he hadn’t traded it for anything better. The disguise was perfect, and he tilted his head and leaned a bit as he examined it from other angles.
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Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2023 5:25 pm
Róka didn't preen, but they did take a moment to appreciate the attention. This wasn't theirs, but it was - theirs, and there was some flicker of misplaced emotion about how - at least some aspect of the enchantment had survived. Against all odds. Some piece of that decision they'd made so many years ago had been kept alive.
Sometimes they did feel terribly old. Almost always on the days where their aches and scars felt fresh and they could not remind their own mind of that being a falsehood, but at this moment --
If the merchant had found this, he might well have other uses. He could have some information as a reward, and not have to determine it on his lonesome. "It's the same variety of magic that makes civilian and senshi faces seem absent any resemblance, just purposed differently. I trust you'll keep this face of mine a secret?" That was more playful, more human; with the choker firmly secured their hackles had gone down, and they could lie all they liked.
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 8:49 pm
“Oh, of course. I’m very good at secrets,” Almadel promised, and perhaps he saw more value in knowing someone with secrets to share than sharing those secrets, himself. “Whatever face you wear though, come visit me again. You’re very fun to talk to. I find myself fond of your company. You have the spirit of an old soul. I don’t find that often. Here, there. Anywhere, really. Such a thing is rare and precious. And good company, too!” He seemed in pleasant spirits, and gave Róka a content, knowing nod. His smile hadn’t faded, and maybe he had taken his time to memorize this face as well as the last. “Perhaps I’ll have another treasure for you the next time we meet. I’ll have to keep an eye out for something special for you.” Róka didn’t seem particularly easy to please, but difficulty had never kept Almadel from trying.
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