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 Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 10:41 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, even as he leaned forward and laced his fingers 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 table was somehow both simple and overwhelming; it was draped in a dark purple tablecloth, with extravagant embroidery in different designs. Scattered neatly atop the table was 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 when his visitor entered, 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.” She had seen it earlier in the day. Zayne wanted to peruse the tables and one rest in a strange barrier, strange enough Zayne had called it "gross weird stuff" to Yolanda, and moved on to look at, of all things, some Japanese imports to cheer Zeke up. Yolie was willing to pay, and pay good money for something to cheer Zeke up -- after all, his fight time in a conflict had seen him witnessing the removal of her starseed, her very soul, and it left him sdhaken, badly. Yoilie was shaken too, but she couldn't hide, or she'd never be able to power. And she was admittedly interested in showing Susanoo Dubhe, to tell him her memories so he might visit his homeworld. But not tonight. As soon as Zayne went to bed, she had kissed Zeke goodbye and told him she was goiung out, before powering and walking for the strange barrier as super Sailor Dubhe. In all truth, she hoped there was no traps, no youma, and absolutely no traps. Hopefully, all was well and the owner was willing to talk, peacefully. That they meant no ill will. Still, Dubhe didnm't expect this. The man's appearance was not lost on Dubhe iun the slightest. Horns? Scales? .... He looked threatening and for just a moment, the senshi froze, visibly startled, before pausing. On one hand, he might be friendly. On another... What if her past life's world had conquered hjis? She'd never raise a hand to fight someone, less someone hurt by the Empire. It was terrible, simply terrible, and she swallowed, before drawing closer, just hoping he was friendly. Even merchants could be dangerous, after all. So the senshi swallowed, and de4cided to be... Her. It was for the best, really; worst case, she summoned Susanoo and hid behind him; she never lost her faith in his willingness to protect her, and the thought gave her courage. "Ah.. Please forgive me, I wasn't..." She looked for better phrasing. "I suppose I wasn't expecting a wandering.. merchant? I'm sorry, I'm not really violent and --" Good just Rambling crossed her mind a moment and she4 swallowed. "I suppose it would be more polite to say Hello; my apologies. Hi... erm... What brings you here?" Nothing bad she hoped.
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:43 am
“Business and pleasure, mostly.” The man answered. He wore a complacent, almost smug expression, but it seemed that might have just been his natural expression more so than any projected emotion. “Why don’t you come over here and have a look? Since you’re not really violent, I don’t see the harm. I’m but a traveling merchant, wandering the stars to peddle my wares.”
He sat up a little straighter and smiled a little sweeter.
“You don’t have to look so frightened.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2022 11:59 am
Oh. Oooooooh noooo, he was a celestial visitor, and while Dubhe didn't mind coming closer -- slowly -- she did have a new worry. That was to say, she had no idea if her homeworld had a bad reputation still or if it was more akin to thje Toman Empire - feared in it's day, now admired or even spoken well of. She had serious doubts of either though -- they could just as easily be forgotten. After aqll, the Empire died instantly, with the end of life on her homeworld, bar... Plants. Still, with her luck, she'df see some negative response, and the senshi smiled a bit as she came to the table fuilly. "Well... I do hope you're finding time for the pleasure aspect." She began. Remaining friendly was important to her. "And no, I'm.. Actually a pacifist. IOt's put me in trouble a few times. Moyjimh ypu fof. O [tp,odr/ O', s healer." And she smiled -- it was far from forced. She was proud to heal and eager to help others, and not being threatened let her lower her guard a bit. At least, for him. She supposed she needn't explain her nerves, but it was only polite to assure him he did nothing wrong.
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:09 pm
“I always find time for pleasure,” he purred. His smile never faltered. “Healers are important in this day and age. Even if there’s no war, there’s always someone getting hurt. I’m something of a pacifist, myself. Unless I don’t have a choice,” he shrugged. “Some things are worth fighting for. But there’s no need for fighting, not between us. I’m here for business, and something tells me I can convince you to take home something of mine. In exchange for something of yours? I don’t take currency. But we can chit-chat while you browse.” There were many things on his table–trinkets and knick-knacks and all sorts of oddities. And, a pretty copper ring set with a beautiful amethyst. It would have been pretty were it as simple as that, but the thousand-petal lotus made it all the more eye-catching.
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:50 pm
Another opacifist? Then all was well, and Dubhe nodded seriously, before smiling faintly at last. "No, I agree. I hate fighting -- even if I'm forced to." Dubhe admitted. His comment on convincing her to buy something earned more of a smile -- and that he bartered? She considered. She could always offer beads, but she suspected she'd fail offering those -- buit she did visit home recently and did bring a book from the royal library. She'd hoped for some pictures in it -- but no, the manuscript wasn't useful with those either -- just plants and writing impossible for her to decipher. It rather reminded her of the Voynich Manuscript in that sense, and the senshi smiled. "You might be right. I recently recovered an illuminated manuscript. I can't read it, but surely a travelling merchant might know the language, or find someone whom does.." Dubhe was browsing, even as she fished the hnd-written tome from it's storage spoace where she stowed it for safe keeping. The tome was indeed ancent, but golden glyphs remainedf magically legible on the cover in a dead or esoteric language; the corners were set in ghold with brass flourishes, and the ended of the pages were all gilded in gold leaf, showing the care put into the manuscript as Dubhe gently placed it on the table. "I must admit -- I've had... A difficult time trying not to fight. Evidently, you're an easy target when you don't... Well, try fighting much. It's.. Something I'm trying to figure out, but, I do have something I w2ant to heal, besides people." Her homeworld. She wanted to heal it -- hoping the strength of the Empire was... Well, a shadow now, but a shadow thayt might give her strength to help her cousin. At last, her slow analysis of Almadfel's wares fell on the ring. It was striking, and something that reminded her of home -- not just Earth, but Dubhe, and slowly, a hand moved not to take, but touch, before she looked up, almost but not quite giggling. "I have to admit... This ring is lovely."
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:56 pm
“Isn’t it just?” he sighed pleasantly. “It’s a bit too small for me,” he sighed, and stretched out his fingers as if he were imagining how it would look on him. “You can try it on, go ahead. You seem too honest to leave without making me a trade, so I trust you.” He smiled so sweetly. There was more than just blind trust there, though. He probably had a way to make sure no one stole from him. Almadel’s eyes were on the book and it was obvious that he was interested, and after she’d placed it down he gestured to it. “May I?” A gentleman, it seemed. Or good at playing the part. “It can be difficult to hold to your convictions. Especially when someone really seems like they need a good throttling. But I’ve learned it’s better not to make enemies. What are you trying to heal? Aside from people, of course.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:28 pm
"Thank you. And of course you may! If nothing else, the art is _fascinating_." Dubhe was the one full of blind trust, but honestly, she was a gentle soul. Yes, she had fought, and she loathed how cixious she was. She didn't mind mock fighting. She'd grown up with her cousins in the same houae -- and they were more like brothers to her than say, Emitt and Lifa. Brothers, whom she cherished. As she tested the ring thoughtfully, she hummed, smiling. "Honestly, I can see you with multiple rings. They'd be quite striking, I think." She considered his question, then determined if he truly was a pacifist, it was safe. "I want... To heal Dubhe. The manuscript is from the library in the palace. I feel like.. If I can heal Dubhe, somehow... I can deal with this...." She paused thoughtfully. "I feel like it might be safer to remain a pacifist-healer. Like the world and I would be safer." It was hard to admit. Dubhe's Empire, in the haf done monsterous things, and the more she learned, the more it upset her... But then, those whom performed those acts were gone, and Dubhe could finally heal at last. Be... Better, she felt. And that, she wanted. Very much.
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Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2022 4:15 pm
The second he had permission, the merchant reached across the table to lift up the book. It seemed to have more weight than he’d expected but he lifted it with ease and began to carefully, diligently, thumb through the pages. His eyes seemed to scan the entire page in a fraction of a second and he was obviously curious enough to keep turning pages. “Oh, quite so. This art is lovely. I haven’t seen anything like this in quite a while. I love decor. I think the body deserves to be dressed up.” But, a ring would have clearly gotten in the way of his rapid page turning, so for tonight it benefited him. “I encourage healing, of course. The more life you can bring to your world, the more wealth. Health and prosperity and all that, you know.” He didn’t look up from the book. “You sound like you’ve got quite a weight on your shoulders when it comes to your world. You must carry a heavy burden. Does the weight of the past drag you down so much?”
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Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2022 5:25 pm
Oh! He seemed to enjoy the book! That was.. Dubhe was very happy someone could read it. The fact it was legible to anybody cheered Dubhe uip for a moment, lighting up some. "Accessories do actually do wonders for the self esteem, really." One hand raised to her hair, several veads shining in the artificial lights nearby before she resumed listening, considering thoughtfully. "That makes sense, although I din't know how long it'll be until there's people there to trade wirg." But she remained thoughtful and serious, thinking carefully pn his question before at last she nodded to herself. "Initially... I didn't much like my homeworld. But now? It's less weighty than something like what goes on here. Up there it feels like there's more time to think about what to do." Dubhe was still, and quiet..... And the Negaverse lucked on Earth, waiting to strike.
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 7:35 pm
Briefly, he glanced up from the pages to look at the beads in her hair; he nodded approvingly but seemed fond of this new treasure. “Yours are lovely, you wear them well. I think I’d very much like to trade for this. The ring, how does it feel?” Because, he was a businessman, and he wanted to make this trade. “You’ve got time to think about it, of course. I’m not going anywhere. Earth is certainly busy, I understand the push and pull of everything, all at once. Sometimes, I think those faraway worlds can be good to clear your mind. Only, it does get lonely. I suppose the hustle and bustle must get tiring here. It’s good for business, but I suppose not so much when you’re dealing with things. I imagine it must be easy to feel small and lost here, what with everyone and everything, always moving along.”
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:00 pm
Dubhe was pleased smeone was enjoying the book, truly. She was happy to let him have it free, but she doubted that suited him. She did, however, listen, and closely, fingers fidgeting lightly with the rings. At last, she slipped it on her finger. It fit well -- well enough to let her fidget -- all positives, to her -- and she inclined her head. "Bustle has it's place, I think. As does quiet. Admittedly, I'd be happier if it was a little less dangerous, at least. Then maybe I could enjoy it." She didn't like running into Negaverse agents.
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 7:13 pm
“Oh, well–yes, I understand that,” he said; he sighed knowingly and leaned back in his chair. He held the book carefully, balancing it expertly while he turned the page. Except, now he was taking a bit more time to give her some attention, too. “Well, fingers crossed that the future is brighter and less dangerous. Sooner, rathe than later. But I know how things go. You’ve had a war raging here for quite a while. It’s nice here, on Earth. Not as ravaged as the other battlegrounds, at least. I like that about it. It might not seem like much, but count your blessings that you’re here and not on any of the other worlds. It’s quite lonely out there. Quite empty, too. The Cauldron must be full of starseeds with nowhere to go.”
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 8:27 pm
"....Starseeds... So that's where they go." She really didn't know, before, but she'd the sense to let her father's starseed go where it needed. Almost instantly she bit her lip, fidgeting with the ring on her finger again. Her shoulders sagged, her entiure body language3 shifted from energetic and pleasant to heartbroken, and she briefly thought of her uncle's face when, as Yolanda, she'd burst in sobbing a monster had killed him. That was all she'd ever told him, because she didn't know if she could. Only Zeke knew the full of the event, and Dubhe looked down, biting her lower lip. "I've seen a starseed... Once. And I couldn't save the life of it's owner from a youma." The one time shew fought. The one thing she could stomach harming people, but monsters...? Yes. "I suppose that's another reason to try mending my world. Someplace for at least some starseeds to go." It was... A thought. How many were youma victims? Were Dubhe's victims...? She... Wished she knew.
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 5:08 pm
“You didn’t know where starseeds go?” he asked, eyes flicking up again. He almost seemed exasperated. “Goodness, what are they teaching you around here? You poor thing, I can’t imagine how confusing this must all be.” He sighed, and leaned forward. His face shifted, into something like sympathy. If it was an act, he’d perfected it. “If it’s any consolation, know that all starseeds return to the Cauldron eventually. You can’t think that life simply begins and ends with death. The starseed will heal, and a new life will be born. Different, but connected to the last. You have to think of it like beads on a string, all connected. But I’ll always encourage mending worlds. Perhaps I can visit sometime. I’d love to see what you do with the place.”
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 5:56 pm
"Sometin in me knew tey go... Somewhere." Dubhe paused, taking a deep breath. "I felt it when... A youma murdered my father and took his starseed as means of killing him. I saved that -- and let it go. I'm... A healer, but even I can't raise the dead." Not to mention she ad her own starseed removed -- but she recalled win up confused. Thankful for the topic change, Dubhe beamed, lighting up at interest in her home. I'd honestly love to take you. Its... Grim, but seems less grim when I visit, so the less pleasant parts seem to be going, and I can show you the royal library. There's a lot of books and documents there I... Honestly can't translate. But you might enjoy them, and that's worth a trip there!" And she didn't mind him stocking up on ghoods, either. If the ruins could benefit someone? Dubhe was there for it.
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