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 Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 2:16 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.” Marissa had spent the remainder of her glamour simply walking and talking with Kat until the glamour wore out much like Cinderella at midnight. Luckily, the sun was setting and most people were heading inside for either a late dinner or to head to bed. Their aimless wandering had eventually brought them to an area of the city that Lavendulan had recently visited with a senshi that was to remain unnamed. A few nights ago a meteor had crashed in this particular neighborhood, and while none of the buildings sustained any damage, the power was out for long enough that she wondered how many people were late for work the next day despite the quaking that should have woken everyone up. Rather than finding a hole in the ground, the two of them had discovered a strange barrier that emitted a unique energy signature. Try as they might to gain entrance their efforts were all in vain. However, what they did find was a ‘Help Wanted’ sign that offered a high reward for collecting the little floating orbs. At the time she had no idea what that meant, but now that Kat had found one of the little wisps of light, she understood what the sign was searching for. For all she knew, the sign could have been asking for something as small as a dandelion seed or as large as a hanging lantern. Fortunately, the little critters were non-aggressive and seemed content inside Kats purse for the time being. “I think I know who that will-o-wisp might belong to.” She motioned for Tinaksite to follow.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 6:08 pm
Tinaksite nodded in some confusion. She had become rather attached to the two little light balls. They were cute and friendly….and she liked them. Honestly, she considered them her friends. “You think….that they’re supposed to be here? I...do not want to give them back...I like them…”
But she followed, of course. She would follow Laven anywhere, and when they passed through the barrier and were greeted by…
She blinked and frowned slightly, looking between the man and Laven. “...You do not feel the same?” But surely he was a half youma too...he had horns. That seemed quite necessary for being a half youma.
But if he wasn't...then what was he? And why were there more people in the world who had horns...?
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 6:58 pm
The merchant’s eyes sparkled, with interest and mischief, when the two arrived. “Oh! What’s this! How lovely,” he said, looking at both of them appreciatively. “No, I don’t imagine I would. I’m not from Earth. But let’s not let our differences divide us, I’m sure we’re all here for the same thing, yes? To get the best out of life, certainly.” He lowered his hands and smiled, gesturing to his wares. “Come closer, take a look. I’ve quite an array of good to part with. I’m in the market to trade, so if you found any wisps, I guarantee it will be worth your while to give them to me. Really, they’re hardly any treasures you can make use of. And, I have such an assortment of goods to offer you in exchange.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 8:21 pm
As mean as it might be to openly admit, Lavendulan was actually grateful that Tinaksite was there with her. Her friend's lack of filter and a curious mind meant that she would more than likely ask the questions, or comment on things that Laven lacked the courage to point out herself. Case and point, his horns. The only thing the two of them had in common and yet she wasn’t going to bring it up; he looked as much as a monster as she did but like her, he spoke eloquent enough. While he might not be a part of the Negaverse, this Merchant didn't feel like he belonged with the White Moon Senshi or their Knight’s either. “I remember seeing your help wanted sign a few days ago,” when his little pop-up shop crash landed in Destiny City at the same time the meteor shower came to its culmination. “We were only able to find one, I hope that’s ok.” Laven nudged Tinaksite with her elbow since she had been holding on to the little wisp. “It belongs to him, I’m sorry.” She offered the red-headed captain a rueful smile since she knew how much Tina wished they could keep it. “Don’t worry, we’ll still watch the movie together. And hey, maybe we can find some online crafting tutorials on how to make something similar ourselves?” She offered as a compromise. Prior to awakening as a half-youma, Marissa had gone to a holiday craft fair with her mother once. There were several booths ranging from seasoned dips and homemade beef jerky to crafts that would blow your mind. Special soaps, unique aprons, and even jewelry; things that she would have purchased if she had a passion for any of them. Nonetheless, they were interesting to look at. However, seeing the wisps reminded her of one such booth that had what looked like mason jars, and inside there was a little glow bug fairy inside made of cotton balls with wings constructed out of foam. They were the most precious kids' night lights and shouldn’t be too hard to make..
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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 7:04 pm
Tinaksite pursed her lips and thought for a long moment. Laven was giving her an out...saying that they had only one wisp when she had both in her bag...well…
Well if they were this man’s...she supposed she should give them back. Let them go home. “We have two. I just wish to keep mine. What is your purpose with them? They are friendly and I like them.” The captain wasn’t sure that she trusted this man...but…
“What will you give us in return for them...you want them so badly. We deserve a reward. You wish to trade...but do you have anything worth our friends?”
Slowly, she pulled both Wisps from her bag and held one out to the half youma, cradling hers close to her chest. “Show me what is worth trading him.”
And if there wasn’t anything...well...she would just keep her friend for herself.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2021 9:13 pm
“ Everything is worth trading!” the man said pleasantly, and leaned back in his chair to spread his arms and offer inspection to all the goods on his table. “My purpose is simply to reunite them with their family,” he said, and then took the opportunity to reach below the table. He 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 looked from them to his guests. “They’re part of my personal collection, they weren’t meant to be traded. So I’m very eager to have them returned to me. And in exchange, you may have any other of my treasures. Go ahead, take a look. You can pick them up if you like,” he offered, settling the chalice into his lap. On the table, there was an array of many things, in all shapes and styles. They all seemed in fairly good condition, even the oldest pieces. Amidst the other trinkets, on the far left were a few glasses, some with gems, or odd symbols, or intricate carvings--and, one little teacup with a beautiful glaze--and something that looked suspiciously like a happy little ghost both on the outside--and, a hidden one on the inside of the teacup. On the right side of the table, a number of unique and rare looking crystals--one of which was radiating a strange, comfortable Chaos signature.
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 2:11 am
Lavendulan felt suspicious of his motives but decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. He made her feel wary, if not a bit uncomfortable, but he seemed to be trying to act civil so the least they could do was act civil in return. She looked over the table of trinkets, none of which really caught her eye. It kind of reminded her of going to a garage sale, hoping to find something worthwhile for cheap but ultimately only seeing a table of junk. However, when she made it to the right side of the table, Laven had to pause. Some of the unique and rare looking crystals seemed familiar, probably from the pawnshop or when she was browsing websites looking for adequate gems to try and use for her project for General Queen Laurelite. Without overthinking it too much, she reached out and traced her fingers over the precious stones but paused when she felt the rough surface of a peculiar ore that emitted a chaos signature; different yet comforting in its familiarity even though she was certain that she’d never come across something like it before. “Where did you get this?” She asked, lifting the unique stone up off the table.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 5:49 pm
Everything is worth trading. Bah. Many, many things were not worth trading and Tinaksite couldn't stop the scoff that escaped her at his words.
Still...there was a lot of stuff here, and the Captain was at least a little curious. Nothing really stuck out to her until…
Until she saw a tissue ghost teacup.
For a moment, Tina simply stared at the delicate looking thing, and then, without a word she shoved the wisp at the merchant and picked up the cup, cradling it close. “This is mine now. We have done the trade. This was my old weapon. The tissue ghost…” She gestured to the design on the cup and gave a happy noise upon seeing the one hidden inside. “Thank you. Enjoy my friend.”
...She would miss it. But maybe...she could get a fish or something. Maybe that would make her happier.
...A good idea for the future. Looking to Laven, Tinaksitie frowned and sighed heavily. “...Laven. You are worth more than a rock.” More than a rock. More than limp chicken and wilted lettuce.
More.
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 8:58 pm
The merchant received Tinaksite’s wisp readily, and ushered it into the chalice as soon as he could. Even if he had no idea what she was talking about. He smiled, regardless. “I’m glad I had something that caught your eye.” The wisp floated pleasantly around in the chalice, dipping and bobbing around the others inside as if it were celebrating being reunited with them. Lavendulan was a bit harder; she was scrutinizing things, but she hadn’t expressed the same pure joy Tinaksite had. “That is more than a rock, though,” he pointed out. “It’s a crystal. A rare, powerful one, I’m told. I traded it a long time ago. With a man who said he excavated it, that it came with some ancient lore. A dark queen, and her fallen domain. He had no idea what he was holding, he thought it was some pretty fairy tale, I think. But I know a powerful artifact when I see one. Just because it’s uncut doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful. If I had to guess, it’s an old relic of the Negaverse. It’s got the same feel to it, hasn’t it?” And--it did. The charge to it was chaotic, and a bit erratic, but it was clear that there was something unique about this crystal that gave it this much of a charge after being around for so long. “I bet you could do something impressive with it, with as powerful as it is. If you’re up for that sort of thing, at least.”
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 11:11 am
There was no telling how old this artifact was, or how long ago it had been traded. However, the Merchant's story confirmed her suspicions that this object derived from the endless war and had likely been found, or stolen, from the Dark Kingdom or the Rift. "May I have this, please?" Laven asked politely. Tina's disapproval was noted, but at the ended of the day, one of the few hobbies she retained from her life prior to becoming a half- youma was stone sculpting. So naturally something like this would interest her greatly.
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 2:24 pm
Tinaksite watched Laven for a few moments and then her eyes flickered back to the stranger again, falling quiet.
It was just a rock. A dumb rock. And if Laven didn’t think she was worth more than a rock. Well.
Whatever.
She didn’t say anything, fingering her teacup and looking down at it as though it held all of the answers in the world. Maybe she would make some hot chocolate when she went home...break the cup in...or…
Maybe she would have something stronger and break the cup in. Whatever worked.
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2021 4:46 pm
“Of course!” the Merchant said pleasantly. “It would be my pleasure. Though, if you make something out of it, you must come back and show me the next time in town. I’ve always been fascinated with the creative mind. For myself, I’m just a businessman,” he said, shrugging and smiling the same knowing smile he’d had before. “You two have made my evening remarkably pleasant, you know. Really, I must thank you. Getting these wisps back to me is very important, but I must say. I certainly do appreciate you helping me find good homes for my treasures. I hope you’ll come back and visit again, the next time I’m in town? Or if you find any more wisps, please. I’d be most grateful.”
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 12:07 am
"Yes, of course." Laven nodded her head as she stowed the relic away in her subspace pocket for safekeeping. "If we find any more we'll be sure to return them to you." As for showing him what she makes of it, that was something she wasn't sure would happen any time soon and would not commit to anything of the sort just yet. "Thank you for your time. And for the gifts." Laven added before turning to Tina with a genuine smile. "Ready to go?" She asked, admiring the teacup set that her friend chose as an reward.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 7:15 am
Tinaksite hesitated and nodded, taking one last glance at the Merchant and pursing her lips. “Thank you.” She echoed and then turned her back on him. She still didn’t trust him, or like him...and already she missed her floating friend but…
But that was fine.
She walked out of the shielded area first and shuddered slightly, wrinkling her nose and glancing at the half youma. “I am tired, Laven...I am glad we got some new treasures, but my bed is calling for me to come and sleep. I will see you again later?”
Obviously she would, unless she suddenly became blind...though...you never did know nowadays.
“I am glad we got to spend time with one another.” Her thumb smoothed over the cup in her hand and Tinaksite gave a small smile.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2021 9:26 am
Laven nodded. "Thank you for coming with me," she gave Tina's arm a friendly squeeze. She would have offered a departing hug but wasn't sure if they were quite to that point in their friendship yet; a lot of time had passed and Tina looked a bit disappointed or perhaps upset by something. "Get some rest. We'll talk again soon." Laven promised. "Let me know when you're free again and perhaps we can have another girls night out." She let go of the Captain's arm and waved goodbye to both her and The Merchant before teleporting back home, to the house she had helped build in the Dark Kingdom. Orangeish Sherbert Fin - Thank you for the RP
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