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 Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2021 12:25 pm
Quote: 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 tables were somehow both simple and overwhelming; each table was draped with a dark purple tablecloth, all with extravagant embroidery in different designs. Scattered neatly atop the tables 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 that the barrier surrounding him rippled to allow his visitor to pass, he smiled.
He did not rise to meet them nor adjust his position in the slightest. He followed them with his fierce eyes and greeted, in a silky voice, “Welcome.”
Well then.
Whatever Kerberos had expected of the person who put up the sign in the park, a beautiful alien with sharp eyes and oilslick scales was not it. And, goodness, that voice.
Even better, he was seated behind table after table of fascinating wares; so many things that made Kerberos pause just to take them in. They were all beautiful, and he'd bet that they weren't from Earth. It was incredible, and he wanted to spend hours here, perusing everything this mysterious stranger had to offer. But before he wandered, there was business to be done.
Kerberos broke into his most charming smile, and presented the wisp, gripped between his hands. "I saw your posted sign. It seems you're looking for these? I found one and thought it'd be best to return it."
As his instincts had suggested, it seemed that this person was friendly; certainly, at the least, Kerberos suspected he wasn't in danger. People that wanted to kill you weren't always straightforward, certainly, but they didn't usually have tables full of wares from who-knew-where. The biggest danger, if you asked Kerberos, was that something here was cursed, or something like that, and....he'd deal with that if it happened.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 10:43 am
The merchant seemed as impressed by Kerberos’ smile as he was with the wisp. “Oh, how charming. And straightforward. I appreciate that more than you realize, my dear. Here,” he held out his hand. “Let me have that wisp, I’d like to return it to where it needs to be before it gets a mind of its own and wanders off.” With his other hand, he reached below the table and withdrew an extremely ornate chalice that could have easily doubled as an extravagant candy dish, complete with stem and lid. The crystal bowl was cut with many facets that all perfectly seemed to capture and accentuate the light inside. Atop of the clear crystal, an ornate silver lid encrusted with what looked to be a giant diamond in the center. It had a large silver stem and a beautiful, sturdy base with a few more gemstones embedded within it. A few wisps danced around inside already, and he smiled patiently at Kerberos. “Naturally, you’ll be compensated. I’m very trustworthy,” he assured. “I’ll help you find something wonderful to take home with you for returning this to me.”
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 2:30 pm
Kerberos grinned, with not an ounce of guilt in his features. It was true, "charming" and "straightforward" were ideal ways to describe him.
"Oh, I hate beating about the bush when there's things to learn," he said, and he stepped forward, proffering the wisp towards the jar. "And, truly, while I'm happy just to get this poor thing back home...I'd certainly love to take one of your wares with me." He whistled, as his eyes trailed over the collection.
"So, a question: you're not from Earrth, obviously. It looks like you're pretty well-traveled, though, and this might be a long shot, but...you wouldn't happen to have anything from Kerberos, would you?" He gestured to himself. "It's my world, and I know it's a bit of a long shot since the place has been empty for a while, but I figure, antiques and relics make their way around, right? If you don't, I'm sure we can find something else, but I figured it would be best to just ask."
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 3:56 pm
“Ah, so your name would be Kerberos, then?” he prompted, quickly reaching out to accept the wisp; he tipped the lid open and carefully ushered it in. The chalice was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared, and he sat straight up in his seat with a look of contentment. “I suppose I can check. That’s an incredibly specific request, I like it. Have you been? Had any past life memories?” he prompted; he rose from his seat and moved to another table; behind him, a forked tail danced pleasantly, twitching in a cat-like fashion as he looked. He was just making conversation while he looked, but it seemed like he knew exactly what he was looking for because he almost immediately produced a glass candle holder in the distinct shape of a Kerberan asphodel flower. He raised it to his eyes for inspection, and the silver flame of a small tealight reflected in his eyes before he returned to Kerberos. He held it out for inspection but offered no further explanation; he just seemed to be patiently waiting for a response.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 4:37 pm
"Guilty," Kerberos said, but it was playful, with a laugh. "I've been quite a bit, actually--seen quite a bit of the past, too. The last Sailor Kerberos was..." He smiled, in a fond, reminiscent way. "Someone I'd like to live up to." Perhaps he ought to be more curious that this stranger knew so much about how Senshi worked, but Kerberos suppsoed it made sense; there were plenty of them here in Destiny City, how many had there once been when the rest of the galaxy was lush and alive?
His eyes went slightly wide when the merchant offered him the beautiful candle holder. There was no doubt in his mind, from the moment his eyes landed on it: that was Kerberan. He knew the shape of that flower, recognized the glasswork from pieces he'd seen around the temple and Irit's quarters. Exactly what he'd asked for.
"Perfect," he said, and he reached to take it with delicate care. "Thank you. I can think of a thousand reasons I'd like to have a light against the darkness." He paused, for a moment. "You know, you know my name, but I don't know yours--and I'd like to remember it. Just in case we run into one another again." A slightly wry smile flicked across his face. "If you'd prefer not to share, that's fine. I'd hate to force you to reveal secrets you'd like to keep close. But I would also like to know who to thank for getting a relic of my homeworld back."
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Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2021 7:41 pm
The merchant just smiled, as charming as ever. “Oh, I suppose a name for a name is a fair trade. Almadel,” he introduced. “But you can call me Alma. My name isn’t the sort of secret I’d need to keep. I’m glad you like it.” He seemed earnest, but it might have just been the byproduct of a successful trade. “I can’t say that I’ll be heading back to the area any time soon, now that I know you exist. But if I find anything else from Kerberos while I’m out exploring other worlds, I’ll have to pick it up and keep you in mind. I hope you’ll be as willing to trade with me next time.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2021 12:54 pm
"Well, Alma," Kerberos grinned, "it's been an absolute delight to meet you. And I'll definitely be willing to trade again in the future."
He gave a brief, almost bow, but it was playful.
"Another time, Almadel. I hope this is the start of a fruitful business relationship."The Space Cauldron WOW this has been waiting for a fin form me for forever OOPS let's call it here.
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