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 Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2020 11:11 am
The Mysterious Merchant It was already late in the evening but the merchant seemed unfazed by the passing of time. He sat, poised and elegant, watching the world around him. He didn’t seem bored but he sat, fingers laced atop the table; below it, he kept his toe tapping to some silent tune in his head. He was tall, by human standards, though while sitting down he didn’t seem particularly threatening. If you didn’t look at his face. He had graceful features--sharp and refined. His chin and nose tapered to a point, giving him an air of sophistication, but that, combined with his slitted eyes and pointed teeth, there was something undeniably predatory about him. He watched with a hungry gaze and a mischievous, nearly sinister smile. His ears were pointed and were prominent despite being tucked behind his vibrant, multi-colored hair. The most intrusive feature that indicated there was something not human about him were the curling horns protruding from his temples and the oil-slick black scales that brushed his cheeks and forehead. He was well dressed, in a fashion obviously otherworldly, and seemed to enjoy dressing himself up in glistening gemstones. His stall was somehow both simple and overwhelming; it was only a table with a deep purple cloth over it, but scattered neatly atop it were an array of items that seemed to carry some magical weight to them. He did not seem intimidated in the slightest and, upon noticing a customer approaching, he smiled. He did not rise to meet them nor adjust his position in the slightest. He followed them with his fierce eyes. In a silky voice, he greeted, “Welcome.”
Just outside the city, he found himself wandering up the hill and towards the same anomalous signal that he had sensed earlier in the day. What he expected to find there, he didn't know, but it certainly didn't feel the same as anything he had felt before. It was neither Chaotic, nor Order aligned, and he therefore saw value in investigating the source.
Perhaps it would provide clarity on the other unusual events he'd witnessed in the city, eh?
It wasn't the hardest or most tiring journey he'd ever had to make, and no sooner had he reached the top of the hill than he was greeted by what could only be described as a merchant's stall. Atop it stood a surprising variety of items, some unusual, others much more mundane. Had he been in any other area in the city he wouldn't have been entirely out of place, or rather he wouldn't have been if it wasn't for the fact he didn't look normal.
Horns, scales and slitted eyes; these were not the traits of any human he knew.
Perhaps he was accustomed to it though as the merchant didn't seem entirely surprised by the furrowed expression that Athalia's features had soon developed. A greeting was issued, one that was certainly cordial, but this didn't necessarily put him at ease. More than a healthy dose of caution might be warranted here as it wasn't every day you were coaxed into the open by no one other than a strange man.
How had he even done that?
Athalia's approach slowed, but he continued towards him, before finally coming to a halt in front of the table where he was finally able to survey the items properly. Nothing stood out immediately, but as if on cue his eyes were drawn to one thing in particular.
"How did you do that?" He opted to return his gaze to the merchant and raised a brow. "How did you call me out here?"
He never was one to rest without getting some form of answer, whether the stranger would choose to give him one though, remained to be seen...
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:47 pm
The man’s golden eyes lit up with obvious interest. “Senshi,” he greeted, sharp, white teeth flashing in what might have been an earnest--albeit unmistakably wary--smile. Planets did not have senshi if there was no danger. But, then again, there were so few out there with any life, anyway. Nowhere was safe, not really. “Please. You mean to tell me that you have a magical stick that grants you mystical powers, and you think it’s strange that I should have a beacon to announce myself?” He laughed, a rich sound, like he thought it was actually funny. The words weren’t meant to be scathing; he seemed genuinely amused. “You’re funny,” he dismissed, laughter dying away. The smile remained, however. “You’re not the only one who can hear my summons. I hope. It would make business horribly dreary, I should think. Especially if you haven’t brought me anything worthwhile to trade. Tell me you have,” he insisted, sitting up a little straighter. “I’ve been dying of boredom tonight.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 3:30 pm
Had he been younger he probably would have been more frustrated at the merchant's response, instead, all that he could do was concede that on this occasion the stranger had a point. In a world filled with magic it really wasn't that far of a stretch to have a device that could coax out someone like him, he might not know how to make that technology himself (handy as it was), but he couldn't dispute its existence.
"Touche," he replied, pursing his lips and offering a small nod. he knew when he was beaten on that score, but as the merchant spoke more his brow did lift and he glanced between both the wares he'd brought, and the man in front of him. Had he shown up with the specific intention of profiting off them, or was he a more pragmatic fellow who would provide service to anyone provided they had what he wanted?
A pause, and he flicked his gaze back to the table again.
Some odds and ends lay there, similar to the charity ball almost. Nothing necessarily spoke to him as of yet but he hadn't become completely immersed in his browsing session yet either.
"And just what do you consider to be worthwhile...?" he murmured, voice soft as he continued to assess what lay in front of him. Why did this guy have such odd stuff, it was such an eclectic collection and didn't seem to have any rhyme or reason to it. Did these things even come from here, a fair number of them looked like they did at a glance, but given he had been called here by an odd little beacon, he wasn't about to take anything at face value.
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:16 pm
“Well, ‘worthwhile’ is hard to put a single definition to. Worth my time? Interesting enough to catch my attention? Anything odd or unique. Pretty. I like rarities. As you can see, I’ve got quite a bit of my own,” he said, gesturing to the table. “And more that you can’t see. For example,” he reached under the table and pulled out a strange, round object. It may not have immediately registered in appearance, but that only added to the novelty of the item. Roughly the size of an ostrich egg, it had a strange color and sheen to it, and an oddly pleasant aroma. “If you aren’t looking for cute little trinkets, I have other things. What I’ll trade just depends on what you have. So,” he looked his guest up and down. “Please tell me you have something.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:24 am
Whatever the Merchant held within his palm didn't necessarily register at first, Athalia's preoccupation with what else lay on his table had made sure of that. However as the scent finally reached his nose he looked up and turned his attention to what rested in his hands. He didn't know why it seemed familiar, he didn't know why the scent had tugged at him in that way, but something inside him was clearly inclined towards it.
His eyes remained fixed on it for some time as he attempted to at least understand how or why an egg of all things would command his attention. Alas, finding none he simply furrowed his brow and pursed his lips. Whatever it might have been, he had learned not to ignore his gut in recent months and with that in mind it seemed obvious that he should probably consider what his new 'friend' here had to say.
...But did he have anything of value?
He wasn't entirely sure, but he did at least spend a moment fishing about in his space pocket (probably the only piece of magic that did work reliably for him) until he managed to extract some of the oddities he had picked up. Some seemed to be rocks and didn't seem particularly special, why he had them was anyone's guess, but eventually he pulled out the glittering shard that he'd found while he'd been on patrol.
His hands full, he set them down on the sliver of table free as he fished about to see whatever else might be in there, he might have something of value in there that he didn't know about.
Little did he know that he might have already extracted one of the things that might be worthy of attention.
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Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2020 10:23 am
One of his favorite things seemed to be perusing what someone kept in their pockets. The smile lingered on his face, bright and enthusiastic. He made little effort to conceal his desire once he spotted what he wanted. He reached out one finger and tapped the table next to it. “This one,” he said, of the sparkling shard. “Trade me this.” He did not pick it up and instead seemed to be waiting for permission to make the exchange, insisting, “Tell me what you like and we’ll strike a deal.”
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Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:56 am
Really, why did they always seem to pursue the shiny objects?
He had no emotional connection towards the item in the first place, but if someone else clearly seemed to want it and he hadn't been able to ascertain who the real owner was then he saw no reason why he shouldn't hand it over. Ah, but what he might have been inclined in return really was a good question - or it would have been if the faint aroma hadn't continued to waft under his nose in an almost haunting fashion.
He didn't even like incense.
Where would he even put the thing?
These questions seemed to be entirely irrelevant to him and in those moments his own hands acted of their own accord and motioned towards the peculiar scented egg. Something in him wanted it, something in him seemed to recognise it and for that reason it seemed less inclined to let this opportunity pass him by.
"The uh... The egg," he murmured. He didn't seem entirely convinced himself, but he also didn't seem to be putting up much resistance to whatever had inspired him to go for that specific item. He could have asked for anything on that table and some of those things had been arguably 'cooler' but no, apparently he wanted the egg!
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 7:12 am
“Ah, I had a feeling,” the merchant said brightly, passing the egg over without hesitation. “Good, please.” Whatever etiquette he practiced under demanded that he offer the egg immediately, and he held it out in one hand, waiting for it to be accepted before he swiped the little star fragment. “A very good deal then, thank you. You’ve got quite an eye. Or nose. I am happy to leave this in your possession. Everytime I see it, I want to eat it.” His lips pursed contemplatively, like he really wasn’t joking. He shrugged, dismissing the thought. “I am sure it will be safer with you. Thank you.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:09 pm
Athalia took the egg like an obedient child, his features were no doubt a picture of bemusement. Why he felt so drawn to this particular item, some sort of weird scented egg, was far beyond his comprehension at this stage in his life. He could do little else than stare at it for a moment before carefully setting it in to the space pocket that he had pulled everything else out of.
...Funny how he'd replaced one shiny, small object, with something a touch more cumbersome. He wasn't supposed to be a hoarder and yet as he peered down at what he had deposited in a pile near the merchant he did have to question himself. He knew better than to leave a mess though and recalling his manners he did gather up the remaining items he had deposited before quickly placing them into the same pocket.
He couldn't recall what he'd been doing with those rocks either now that he thought about it.
"I'm not sure what I have but thank you," he replied to the merchant as he glanced at the now satisfied man. Evidently he liked those particular objects even if the senshi didn't know why, but then again, apparently he was attracted to nonsensical objects too.
"Probably best that you don't eat uh... whatever that is though," he couldn't comment on whatever the merchant's anatomy may have been and whether he could in fact stomach an egg like that, but in the grand scheme of things it just didn't feel like a smart choice to him.
"Maybe don't eat that either?" he motioned to the shard.
"Unless that's supposed to be edible too, didn't seem like it was," he admitted.
Dare he ask what he wanted to though? He might only get one chance.
"Can I ask why you happen to be out here, beyond the anomalous appearance you could afford to claim it was a costume in a festival, but you would have access to far more gleaming, shining items, if that's something you have a vested interest in."
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2020 8:07 am
"Of course you can ask. There's no shame in curiosity. Usually, there's a price. But I'm feeling generous tonight. The shiny little thing you've given me is not edible. Not for me, at least. But thank you for your concern. I've got a strong stomach, but not that strong." He laced his fingers together and propped his elbows on the table so he could lean forward, as if to get a little closer to the man while they spoke. "I am out here because I don't want just everyone wandering by. I want to be able to speak, earnestly, to not have to worry about my wares being pilfered without fair exchange. Besides," he reached a hand up to stroke one of his horns. "I'm quite proud of my appearance, I wouldn't dream to claim a costume. I don't want just any shiny thing. I'm looking for something very specific. And," he seemed quite pleased, "this process has been working well for me so far. If business weren't so good, I might change my tactics. Besides," he gestured to the senshi uniform, "Could you really have come seen me like this if we were anywhere else? I like to know who I'm dealing with. There's more honesty when privacy is guaranteed, no?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:13 pm
"Touche," he'd raised a valid point again and Athalia couldn't really dispute the rest. In the grand scheme of things the man would stand out, he'd have attracted a lot of attention and he was also accurate in his assumptions that his wears would have been pilfered (or there would have been an attempt). In the end, Athalia also couldn't have come to him in this form, he may not even have sensed the beacon had he not been powered at the time...for all intents and purposes he wouldn't have known.
And then, he wouldn't have gotten the egg.
"I'm going to work under the assumption that an enigmatic fellow like yourself prefers to remain anonymous then," he remarked. If this horned individual sought to maintain privacy then it seemed like he would expect the same in return. Then again, if he had asked for an identity would he even have gotten an answer? Put in the merchant's position he may have favoured a vague approach to avoid any further questions... For example, where had he come from?
...Was there still life beyond this world?
Or had horned people been living among humans forever and Athalia simply hadn't seen them until now, something that was a distinct possibility given his current track record in the last few months.
"And if that's the case, then it would be pertinent for me to leave you to your dealings, so that the next customer may have their privacy guaranteed as it were, yes?"
He knew how this went, he'd had similar discussions in areas of the city where certain contacts existed and it was generally unwise to outstay a welcome. The merchant wasn't being hostile by any means, but that didn't mean that now their business was concluded that he would be up for more light conversation - time was money and all that... All in all, very similar to his day to day life during certain investigations.
"You have my thanks for the egg, whatever it may do," he finished and raised a hand in a light wave. "I think this is where I take my leave, it seems fitting."
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:24 am
The man shrugged, a bit. "Anonymous some days, in the spotlight, others. Depends on circumstances. But I appreciate your consideration for my next customer." They both seemed assured that there would be one. "Perhaps, on another day, I'll return and privacy won't be such an issue. I'll have more free time. Maybe I'll even walk amongst you. Earthlings are so very interesting. I can't help but be attracted to all of this life." And all of these deals. "But, a fitting end, it is. Take care of yourself, Senshi. I hope to see you again."
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 10:04 am
How strange a remark to be left with.
Athalia raised a brow, though thought better of pressing, and instead began to walk away from the otherworldly visitor. He wasn't sure how he felt about the possibility of a more direct encounter with the individual, but this city was otherwise inclined towards the weird and wonderful so...He could almost buy in to ET paying a visit to jaunt around the shopping boulevard.
His lips pursed at that thought and the possible fall out it might cause, but there was little use in fixating on the what-ifs. Instead it seemed that this evening he had other work to do and it was with that thought in the forefront of his mind that he returned to his usual haunts.
...It was time for him to be a nuisance elsewhere.
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