Welcome to Gaia! ::

“Well! Aren’t you a pretty little thing,” the Merchant greeted. If anyone had asked him–and it was probably a good thing that they hadn’t–he might have thought she looked a little lost. Not that he was picky about his customers, it was just easier when they arrived and had an idea of what they wanted.

It wasn’t always easy when they arrived so mysteriously.

“That’s an interesting basket of crystals you’ve got there. I don’t suppose you just found them lying around?” She didn’t seem like she was wearing them decoratively, but if she hadn’t brought them to trade, he didn’t know what to expect from her.

“Are you looking to make a trade or just out for a midnight stroll?”

“Oh, I’ve noticed there’s a little bit off about Destiny City. But if we’re being completely honest, I rather like it. It is a delight to meet you, Lacaille. You have a lovely smile. I can’t believe they’d just be handing out a basket full of crystals. Someone could probably make something beautiful out of those. Earth has quite a few shiny things I don’t get to see anywhere else.”

He hummed thoughtfully as he looked her over. “I get the impression that you’re a smart girl. That you can appreciate fine things. Tell me–how do you feel about books? You strike me as an intellectual. And a creative spirit, too. Here,” he reached under the table and drew out a beautiful book; it was hardcover, and though the pages seemed to be made of a silky paper with an iridescent sheen on the edge, the cover itself appeared as though it had been made out of a shiny, opalescent shell. He opened it to reveal smooth, blank pages, and he brushed his fingers across it.

“I don’t remember where I got this. It’s a bit heavy, would you like to hold it? Now, I’m no expert,” he said, expertly, “But I’ve seen books like these before. They’re said to enhance creativity and drive. I’ve never met a writer who got writer’s block when they were using one of these. What do you think?”

The Merchant wore a perfectly pressed smile, and lowered the book with slow precision.

“...Yes,” he answered, but it didn’t seem like he was particularly enthusiastic about expanding beyond that. He laid his fingers atop of the table and sat up a little straighter.

“Why, is that the sort of thing you’d rather trade for?”

“Well, I have plenty else to offer,” he admitted, looking across his table full of options. “Although, it is not easy to select something perfect for such a mysterious guest! The book would make an excellent gift if you think there’s someone that could benefit from it. But if you want something for yourself, perhaps I could pick something out if you tell me more about what you like. I don’t want anyone to leave my table disappointed.”

“Do you just want an old book…? I’ve got some from Earth. First editions. This one’s over a hundred years old,” he said, passing over a first edition book of fairy tales; it was in fantastic condition given it was published in the early 1900s. “A medical book from the seventeen hundreds, very educational. I’ve got a set of books from the sixteen hundreds, there’s all four. An almanac. Oh, or are you more interested in personal books? I’ve got a one of a kind, handwritten book from the eighteen hundreds. Just a journal, but there are some drawings in there, too. Very ‘slice of life’.”

He moved the stack in front of her. “I’m sure any one of these is worth quite a bit. Perhaps you’d rather have one of them? In preparation for your book shop?”

While the merchant briefly gave her a look, he finally just shrugged and gave her an overly sweet smile. “Well, all right then. Here you are,” he said; he pushed the other books aside and held out the first book he’d given her. “I hope your friend enjoys it. It is a marvelous book.”