|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:51 am
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.”
Generously, Tyr had provided him with the currency (which were only called bucks in slang, he learned) provided to him by the benefactors allowing Tyr to use their home.
Which was great because it meant less time playing music with the intention of getting food. And with the Star Festival (which he was still not convinced wasn’t a festival for him) wrapping up, he wanted to make sure he experienced as much of the food they offered as possible.
But possibly more important than the food he’d been able to purchase, he found a strange, magical barrier, and inside was--
“Are you a dragon?” Eld gasped in astonishment as he stared at the man behind the tables. “Surely you are descended if not. You have glorious horns, and your coloring is divine! Alas, my clan only inherited the eyes,” he grinned proudly with a gesture to his own slit pupils.
The large bag of food and treasures were momentarily forgotten, as there was no treasure Eld could imagine than finding a dragon.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 5:31 pm
The Merchant’s eyes immediately lifted to look over Eld, and he couldn’t resist the urge to smile sweetly at him. “Well, aren’t you charming? And handsome enough that all you needed to inherit was those eyes. I can only claim to be myself.” He didn’t apologize for it, though. “Come closer, let me have a good look. I appreciate your enthusiasm. You are a fine, non-Earth specimen. Who are you, where have you come from?” He nearly stood up, because it was so tempting to want to circle him and get an idea of just who he was talking to. There were more aliens on Earth than he’d realized, and the Mauvians he could tolerate, but humans didn’t have slit pupils. Or admire him with the same capacity as this clever individual. He’d dressed up for a reason, he’d take every chance to be praised and complimented. Especially by a guest with a very full bag.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:17 pm
Eld was more than happy to move closer to the tables where the Merchant sat, although he took a few moments longer to marvel over the barrier that obviously kept him safe --
And there was a brief glance at the vast riches out on display. Many useful items, some were pretty trinkets, some he had no idea what they were but he was sure they meant something.
“Eld Slayn,” he greeted, although in order to give the Merchant a full understanding of who he was, Eld fished his pen from his pocket and, after setting the bag on the ground, powered up.
He wanted to have a chance to show off his horns, although they were just part of his tiara.
“I have recently arrived on Earth. My home is Surtur, which orbits Saturn,” he explained, because surely someone like the Merchant would have heard of his world. Although he’d learned from Tyr that maybe his expectations were a little high for people a thousand years removed from knowing who he was.
“If you would be so kind as to forgive my appearance. The years… have not been kind,” he said with a weary smile.
He was not at his full potential. His magic had depleted over the years, much like his world had suffered under the weight of Chaos that inflicted it. His body felt weak and haggard in appearance. He’d lost a good bit of weight from only eating what he could find or grow for… centuries.
One day he would regain his power.
“I will admit it has been a while since I’ve seen… this number of people. Have you traveled far to reach Earth as well?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:52 pm
For a few seconds, the Merchant just stared at him. His lips were pressed tightly together and his brows raised in obvious surprise. He blinked a few times, because he’d really only just expected a simple yes or no when he’d suggested his new companion was not of Earth. He hadn’t expected him to power up in front of him. And give him an excessive amount of information, all things considered. Not that he was complaining; he filed it all away for a rainy day. “Oh, yes. But I’m always traveling. Earth is beautiful this time of year so I like to drop in. Please, there’s nothing to forgive. I’m surprised to hear that you made it from all the way out there. The last time I passed by I couldn’t even muster the strength to stop in. Have you been there all this time? It must have been, oh.” He tapped his fingers on the table as he contemplated, but he finally just shrugged. “Well, quite a while, no? I’m rather fond of Saturn, I visit the area often. I haven’t seen any movement out there in quite an age.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 10:03 pm
The surprise wasn’t surprising to Surtur. He did have very nice clothing, and it somehow managed to fit him well even with the weight he’d lost. It made him feel more at home than when he was just Eld, but on Earth he had to be careful about --
Oh… maybe he wasn’t supposed to power up. Tyr did tell him that identity was important on Earth.
But it was okay, because dragon or not, this mysterious Merchant looked like he could have dragon blood in him, which made him trustworthy to Eld.
“Quite a while, I’ve learned,” he nodded in confirmation. “There has been one other I’ve met up with that I knew before… well, before Chaos seeped into my World. He’d been put into stasis and woke up only recently and came to Earth as well. Ah, I suppose that was a less stressful way to pass the time. Have you met others like us? I’ve learned that our arrival has been unexpected -- unprecedented. But that more have been pulled to Earth from their Worlds. Very odd circumstances. Have you met many others in your travels? I used to travel a lot before Surtur lost contact with everyone.”
Perhaps he was talking too much…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:29 pm
“Hard to say if I’ve met many like you. Some of you blend in. Not all of them are as charming as you. Or as handsome.” He smiled, as charming and captivating as he could manage. He didn’t seem to mind Surtur talking as much as he was, and he listened intently. “I’d like to meet more. It’s such a curious mystery, I think. I’m glad you’ve found a friend, though. I love Earth, really, but there’s so much going on. It can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re getting into. Perhaps you will travel again, though? Maybe you’ll find nice places and you can take me with you. I bet you’re a lot of fun.” His eyes drifted to the bag and then back to the Senshi. “Have you come here to trade? I’d love to see what you’ve brought.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:19 am
“It would be my pleasure to take you with me to travel, I would show you my hoard I’ve collected over the years. Surely some of the items would pique your interest,” he grinned, and then laughed as he looked down at the bag he had.
“I have food and some of the festival prizes I’ve acquired. I was not prepared to trade for anything, but I would offer my food as a gesture of good will. Perhaps to gain favor for the next time we cross paths and I have something more substantial to offer? If I were honest, knowing that a handsome man like yourself exists is trade enough!”
Still, Surtur held open the bag of food. There was a container of macaroni and cheese, and deep fried bread that were apparently called hush puppies. A couple wrapped cheeseburgers were pulled from the bag first, and offered. “Help yourself! Or if you have any requests or suggestions, I can obtain additional food items for you!”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:56 pm
The only thing better than a good deal was free food, especially in good company. “Oh, well I can’t turn down a gesture of good will. That would be quite rude of me. It smells delicious.” He was not shy about accepting the gifts, even with the promise of gained favor for next time. He’d already been offered a travel partner and a visitation to his hoard. His interest was significantly piqued already. Almadel was reasonably delighted with the compliments, and if Surtur was offering all of the food, he’d accept it all. He stacked them nicely next to him on the corner of his desk. “I can’t say I’m too picky. All of this smells divine. And all this business does work up such an appetite. I’ll tell you what, the next time you come visit me, why don’t you bring your favorites? We’ll have a nice dinner together and you can tell me all about your hoard. Maybe you can bring a few things, I do love a good show and tell.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 8:01 am
“I would be honored to share my treasures,” Surtur grinned with a small, dramatic bow. He would have liked to stay longer, but he knew that Almadel likely had business to attend to. He didn’t want to be thought of as a pest for driving away customers.
He didn’t have many worldly possessions as it was. At least not on Earth, so parting with some food was nothing to him. He would simply obtain some more with the knowledge that maybe Almadel would think fondly of him.
“Until next time,” he nodded, already thinking about what he could bring to show Almadel. Maybe his musical instruments he made. Or maybe some of the treasures from his World. Maybe Almadel would be able to help him figure out a way to clear his world of the Chaos so he could visit safely, himself.
But for now, he flashed him a smile and a wink and let him enjoy the food he was given.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
