Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Something like that," he answered easily; he spoke with a hint of an accent but it was impossible to place. "Have you brought something to trade?"

His foot was bobbing lightly below the table and he was leaned forward in such a way that indicated he was very interested in whatever she had to offer--if she even had something to trade. He gave her a quick look over but his eyes settled on her face. He gave the impression of being patient, and yet, with her before him he was seeping with unspoken excitement as he waited for her presentation.

"Would you like some glasses to see a bit better? I've got a pair or two. Might keep you from bumping into things."

His eyes immediately fell to the little gem and though his eyes flickered with eager interest, his face maintained the thin smile. "Oh, I suppose I could wrangle up something for that, yes."

He reached for it and drew it close, examining it with a bit more gusto. He nodded promptly, though, and set the stone back down on the table--only, closer to him. A trade required trust between two parties, and he was eager to fulfill his end of the bargain.

"Then," he gestured to his wares. "I implore you. Does something catch your eye? Or," he looked down, fingers gliding over the oddities in his possession. "Shall I make an offer of my own? Perhaps..."

Silence, for a few seconds, and then he reached for a silver flask. He debated for a moment and then said, "You know, you don't strike me as much of a drinker. But. This is a neat little piece."

He held it out for inspection; even with its visible age, it had a lustrous sheen to it. There was a faded symbol on the back that he didn't seem to recognize--or maybe just didn't care about--and ornate swirls carved into it. There was an inscription but it was in another language and was impossible to read.

"It will keep whatever liquid you like cold, for as long as you like. Go ahead, open it up. You can feel the chill inside. That's useful, isn't it? And this piece itself is quite the antique. I found it years ago. Do you like it? Or shall I go through the whole collection for you?"

The Merchant watched her with eyes that said he knew. His smile never faltered, thin and pressed and sly.

"Oh, here or there," he said, mischief barely concealed. "I have had it for a while, I mustn't be expected to remember everything. Though," he clicked his tongue atop the roof of his mouth, exposing the black, forked thing for only a second. It was dark against his white, sharp teeth.

"But there are so many things, so many places, in this universe. No one else visits, anymore. But I get around. This one was..."

His voice tapered off and then, almost flippantly, he continued, "Oh, I don't know. This one makes me think of water. I'd wager it was at the bottom of a lake. But don't quote me on that. I won't be called a liar. Why, were you hoping for a history lesson, too?"

His smile persisted and, keen as he was, he didn't at all miss the shift in her attitude. "It was a pretty place. I can't say there was anything otherwise remarkable."

He leaned back in his seat a bit, watching her intently; the corners of his lips remained upturned, but there was a shred of seriousness lurking beneath that, like he understood that provoking her wasn't the smartest thing to be doing right now.

"A place untouched by any living creature for so long it slipped through the cracks of time and into my hand. I found it years ago. Perhaps well before you were born, I forget how Earthlings age. If you're going to reprimand me for my acquisitions, know that it's wasted breath. I won't stop. You can take the trade or leave it. It's up to you. But I'll find someone else who wants that," he nodded to the flask, and then added a few seconds later, "Though perhaps no one who wants it more than you."

He shamelessly accepted the offered ring; once it was presented, it disappeared behind his swift fingers. With her extended hand, he reached his own and gripped hers firmly.

"No hard feelings, of course," he assured, but he was a businessman. He wasn't going to go out of his way to insult a client, regardless of whatever attitude they'd given. Not when he could be bribed with tips and gifts, it seemed.

"Your concern is kind. But I assure you, I am old enough to know where to venture and where to avoid. If there's danger, I don't venture far." He was mulling something over as he gave her a solid shake and watched her with a curious expression.

"I can tell the difference between a world with a protector and those without. Senshi, and Knights--oh. No, those aren't the things that scare me." There was something unnerving in his voice, the way he said such a thing and meant it.

When he drew his hand away from hers, he flicked his wrist and produced a simple, glossy, black card and offered it to her between two fingers. On one side, an ornate symbol that looked incredibly similar to a fingerprint. It was printed with a red, holographic ink.

On the other side, in opalescent ink, a single word in elegant script: Almadel.

"A drop of blood," he said, nodding to the card. "...Press your finger into it. I'm a very popular man. Or, I was. I will be, again. Now that I've found that Earth is teeming with life." He shrugged. "But with such popularity, it means I need to sort my time wisely. I find, appointments are best made when I know I'm dealing with a serious client."

His eyes were on hers.

"You seem as much. And, you seem interesting."

Almadel winked nonchalantly, unmistakably vague in his intent. It might have been flirtatious or confirmatory. “No need for blood now, I’m already here. Just a p***k, when you find something worth my time. I have a vast array of collectibles.” He gestured to his table--and yet, these were the things he was willing to part with.

He wore the same, complacent smile he’d started with. “I’m glad you find me interesting. Hopefully my wares more so. But then, who would want any exchange with someone boring?” He drew the word out, as though it were painful on his tongue.

“No,” he said firmly. “No, I will take the interesting ones any day. So you must take care of yourself so I can see you again.”