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.”
"You're back," Faustite replied, and he smiled until he remembered himself. He never liked the way he looked when he smiled — not as a human, not half-youma.
Today, he wore the cincher that Almadel gave him previously. The reason for it was quite obvious against his stark black and rich reds — a white feline accompanied him this time, instead of the usual Albite. Perhaps that Mauvian was none too pleased by this arrangement, for Faustite had narrow shoulders compared to many of the boys on his team, and one shoulder was occasionally off-limits due to the unfriendly pauldron sitting on it. This time, however, both shoulders were free, as the burning boy was in his General's guise.
Better that he didn't draw more attention than necessary to Almadel's setup. He was so protective of his space, and Faustite was certain he'd rather stay longer and with fewer unprovoked fights.
"Saw your sign." Faustite summoned one of the strange fruits from subspace — the same one that Tama helped him steal off the tree in the middle of town. "Haven't eaten mine yet. Thought I'd see what you have first, if it's worth giving up the chance to eat this."
meighei
the space cauldron
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 12:21 pm
So this is who Faustite wanted it for.
Tama mused as he perched as a cat on the general’s shoulder. He had been waiting with bated breath to find out just what was so special about the strange fruit from that once dormant tree that he had invented all sorts of reasons in his head. Was it magical? Did it hold some power? Could it have to do with the war somehow? Did Metallia want it? Could it be Chaos-infused? Or maybe Order-ridden? Was it from the Rift? Or from Mirrorspace? Or regular space? Was it the god-damned apple of Eden?
No. It was for a boy.
Tama’s eyes would have rolled so far back in his head that he would have fallen right off Faustite’s shoulder if he hadn’t been stopped by the sight of said boy. Whoever it was, was not human or youma or anything the Mauvian could wrap his head around. The man had graceful features and a refined demeanor that could have sent even the coldest heart curious. But it hadn’t just been that. The man had pointed ears that framed a face all too hungry. Slitted eyes that gave him an almost feline look and teeth that could cut his smiling lips. He had hair that was all so very well kept with horns that seemed to flow right with the vibrant color. And the man dressed himself so well that Tama’s eyes were practically gemstones, too, while thinking of the possibilities for his next outfit to try with his glamour!
Tama was just about as smitten as he imagined Faustite to be with the strange man.
“Faustite,” Almadel all but cooed. “You’re so thoughtful. This is wonderful, it looks like such a fine specimen. Do you really want to eat that?” he asked, and batted his eyelashes at him.
“I could give you such an array of nice treats in exchange for it. I know you’re too sweet to deprive me of mine. And your little friend, who is this? Really, I should come around more often if you’re going to bring so many people for me to meet.”
He seemed to be waiting for an introduction, but as he did so he reached for a box beneath his table. “Let me dig around for a moment, I’ll find something good for you. I’ve found quite a few things while traveling that makes me think of you, Faustite. And maybe I can find something for your friend, too.”
Strickenized
Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2023 2:07 pm
Faustite must have met Almadel before. Why else would be have said, ‘you’re back’? But Tama had not heard of this merchant before.
He must not come around often. If he was one of Faustite’s boys, Tama would have at least seen him before. So, he must not be like Albite or Alkmene or Heliodor or whoever else the fire half-youma had managed to woo. But if not one of the general-king’s boys, then who?
The Mauvian went back to studying Almadel’s features. He wasn’t human, but, then again, nether was Tama or Faustite. The horns and the scales made him think ‘youma’. That combined with a humanoid body made him think ‘half-youma’. Even the slitted eyes and pointed teeth could have indicated some Mauvian in him. But his aura clearly indicated he was none of these things. And all combined, nothing stuck anyway.
It seemed Tama would be kept wondering.
The cat tilted a head when Almadel addressed Faustite. Thoughtful? When had Faustite ever been that? Maybe to his boys. And Almadel’s voice when he said it. Were these two in some kind of game? They were bartering.
He glared at Faustite. The b*****d hadn’t told him to bring anything! Now he looked like he was empty-handed.
“I didn’t bring anything.”
Tama shuffled uncomfortably on Faustite’s shoulder. He was still a bit fluttered at how attractive he found the mysterious merchant.
For all that Tama was in a huff about it, Faustite didn't pay the emphasis much heed. Of course Tama was his cat, Tama was on his team. Laurelite basically gave him to Faustite.
"Tama," he introduced tersely as he waved a clawed hand up at the cat on his shoulder. He saw no reason to give any further details; that cat was a terribly sassy one, and he was certain Almadel would pick up on that fact without being warned in advance. Rather, Tama may gave already given himself away.
So Faustite strolled up with interest when Almadel greeted him, fully intending to disallow Tama to spoil his good time.
The boy could talk, Faustite knew. He could talk terribly sweetly, sweet enough that it toyed with Faustite's heartstrings as if they were fit to play a ballad. He had to swallow the flutter in his stomach if he wanted to be anything more than an infatuated fool in this conversation. He so hated how easy it was to lose face in front of a boy he liked, and that was only made worse by this one being a visitor from beyond the stars.
Not that he ever cared to admit that senshi were similar in that they were also from the stars, or the pastel aliens that Laurelite begrudgingly housed, or the fish person that he had the misfortune of meeting by chance one day.
"I like food," he responded eloquently as he leaned his hip against the edge of the table. He watched the boy's horns fondly while Almadel sifted around his hoard of trinkets and strange acquisitions of questionable origins. "What else you got? Anything you can trade for this?" Faustite motioned, using the strange fruit, up at the cat on his shoulder.
meighei
the space cauldron
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2023 1:30 pm
“Ah, what I wouldn’t trade.” He sighed, almost wistfully, at Tama. “Mauvians are to be treasured, though. Their technology and expertise? You must be teasing me. As it stands, however, I always keep my eyes out for anything special for you. You burn hot in my mind. Actually–I want you to try something on, hold on.”
He must have been expecting Faustite–or, at least, hoping for him, because he had a box just out of reach that he reached for. He withdrew what was obviously intended to be a bracelet and feigned brushing dust off of its already well-cleaned surface. “Try this on. See if you can do any fancy tricks with your fire, I insist. Although, I don’t want you to accidentally roast your little friend. You should come over and sit with me for a moment, Tama. You didn’t bring me anything? That’s a shame, I’ve got plenty of things that a Mauvian might be interested in. Maybe if you told me a bit about yourself, I could find something to tempt you. Maybe there’s still some trade to work out. But I suppose, if you’re content with it, we can trade company, at least.
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Meighei
The Space Cauldron
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Meighei
Bishoujo-senshi Mahou-shoujo
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Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 12:40 pm
“I’m not for trade, you little...”
Tama muttered and squirmed on Faustite’s shoulder, but not for long. Almadel was speaking.
And he was flattering the vain Mauvian to no end. A treasure? Well, of course he was! Tama was oh-so-very vain and Almadel’s words were music to his feline ears.
Tama jumped from Faustite’s shoulder to Almadel his skin blushing under his fur.
What he wouldn't trade? Great! Delightful! That meant Faustite could get everything he ever wanted —
… Or nothing at all for the little rat on his shoulders. Because they were tech experts. Faustite was starting to suspect that Mauvians were secretly useless, for Faustite had very little need for any sort of technology. And they had those ******** aliens who, thus far have done nothing, but were also supposedly tech experts. He was ******** surrounded by tech experts who were supposed to be treasured but were actually a bunch of lazy do-nothings.
Lucky for him.
Faustite huffed, and he was about to put Tama on the ground, but Almadel was already ameliorating the situation. He knew just what to say to light Faustite up like a ******** Christmas tree, and he was already back to wondering what it would take to get the boy out of his shop for a few hours. He was certain that Almadel had been to some very quiet corners of the universe where they could while away those hours undisturbed by anyone.
Alas for Faustite, the boy wasn't handing him a ring. It was a bracelet, which looked nice and suspiciously matched his ostentatious garb, so Faustite was interested to wear it, regardless. Last time he was here, he was offered a mirror that had a strange effect he hadn't been expecting; what would this little wonder do?
So he laid it on his wrist, turned the clasp, and — the glow against his black skin shifted almost instantly to molten gold from it usual orange-red. Looking down at his grate, Faustite scrunched his brows when he noticed his flames were now a bright and sunny yellow. Then he looked at Almadel while the yellow light shifted across his features. The look on Faustite's face was begging for an explanation.
Perhaps, then, it was for the best that Almadel was flattering Tama into a state of complacency. Anything less and the cat would be making fun of him immediately.
meighei
the space cauldron
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The Space Cauldron
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Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2023 4:08 pm
As soon as Tama was on his shoulders, Almadel reached up a hand to gently scratch behind the Mauvian’s ear. He cupped his face as he did so, and worked a bit under his chin, too. He laughed, not the least bit mocking, and seemed delighted with both Faustite and Tama.
“Oh, as stunning as always. What beautiful colors, so expressive. Are you in a good mood, then? That color suits you, I think. Don’t you think he looks good, Tama?”
He scratched beneath his chin again, working his nails to stroke down the Mauvian’s fur as he asked. Maybe he was trying to coax him into giving a positive answer, but poor Faustite had just been so red before, of course he’d want to reassure him that he looked very nice right now.
Strickenized
Meighei
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2023 9:02 am
Tama started purring quite loudly as Almadel scratched him behind the ear. He certainly knew how to tame a Mauvian. He even got the perfect spot right under the chin.
“That’s a lovely golden hue. He does look good.” Tama agreed. He was almost in the mood to say he always looked good. But he refrained. He didn’t need Faustite getting a big head. “But does it just change the color? Or does it turn the temperature down, too? It’d check, but fur is rather flammable, you see.”
And why would he leave the man petting him? To get burned for what, the third time now?
Taken aback, Faustite looked from the bracelet to Almadel once he heard the question. Was he in a good mood? He was, but now he was confused, and he was slowly beginning to suspect some devious, if lighthearted, foul play. Thus did the color begin to shift darker and darker, hue fading until it reached a lightless pitch. When he removed the bracelet, his flame returned to its typical boisterous color.
"What's it doing?" He asked, hoping Almadel would confirm his suspicions. He donned the jewelry once more and his fires began to turn again.
He was certain he understood the function, though he wasn't certain how he should feel about it. Or if he should take something like that home with him, knowing that the others would be able to read him like a damn book. Was that helpful, or was it asking for trouble?
With a glance at Tama, he assumed it meant asking for trouble. Might be easier for Albite, though. If nothing else, it was kind of neat — brought back that childish glee he used to feel for such mysteries, back when he had the luxury of mysteries for their wonderment rather than their danger. Thus did it return to a warm, golden hue.
Curling his fist against his hip, Faustite responded to the woefully not-for-sale Mauvian. "Don't feel any different. Doubt it altered the temperature." If it had, Tama would be like to notice it in a few minutes regardless.
"Suppose I'll take it. Might be a good party trick." Not that Faustite ever had parties.
the space cauldron
meighei
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:18 pm
“You have parties? You should invite me sometime. I’ll give you another card,” Almadel hummed, and he flicked his wrist to produce a card–identical to the last one he’d given Faustite. He remained still so as not to dislodge Tama, and placed the card across the table for Faustite.
“Or you can save it for an emergency.”
Faustite certainly had a way to keep things interesting.
“Unfortunately, there are some objects that I can’t quite do enough testing on to give you a full rundown of all of their properties. You might be able to do research better than I can with that one.”
Though the trade seemed near to completion, Almadel was already disappointed at the idea of letting these two go. Tama was so soft and such a good sport about all of this, and Faustite was Faustite and that was enough for him.
“And you’ve got such a lovely Mauvian here, I’m sure he can look into it, too. He seems clever. Maybe you two will find out something I missed.”
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Meighei
The Space Cauldron
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Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:06 pm
“Still feels hot as hell? Well, I guess one can’t have everything. I won’t complain about pretty things.”
Tama wondered what the card was for.
“I’ll look into it.” Tama perked up. He liked being called clever. “Hopefully, it doesn’t require too much close contact. But I’m sure I can help him figure it out.”
Faustite now wished desperately that he had parties — especially the kinds of parties that Almadel would attend. Albite must know something about parties, and of course Taenite too, and he was already making a mental note to ask them about how to throw a good one. Specifically, how to throw one that an extraterrestrial mercantile dragon man would enjoy well enough to keep coming back. It was a delightful little goal, one that didn't involve breaking his knuckles on someone's face. That seemed worth pursuing.
Faustite accepted the card straight away and sent it to subspace where it would be safe from his heat and temper. He'd find a far happier occasion to use it than what happened last time.
Feigning disappointment, Faustite huffed when Almadel confessed that he didn't know every scrap of detail worth knowing about the bracelet. He was still plenty interested in finding out what else the bracelet could do, aside from turning his fires yellow. He considered asking Tama if it changed the color of his eyes, too, then decided he would get less sass out of looking in a mirror while he was wearing the thing.
"Mauvian'll find a way to turn it against me," he muttered, mostly to himself. No, that wasn't quite right — Tama would find a way to use the damned thing to his own advantage, however he might manage that, and as a way to put Faustite in his place. As if he needed more reminders that he was painfully inferior to even a Mauvian.
From yellow, the flame descended into a red violet, and while Faustite watched the color reflect in Almadel's face and Tama's fur, he elected not to mention it. Sounded like it was the cat's job to figure it out for him.
"Think I'll take it then," he decided as he looked over the bracelet, turning his wrist this way and that. "Albite'll enjoy it." Perhaps the others would, too. Maybe they could make a game of who could figure out what it was doing first — what the colors meant, who could instigate what color and who was getting murdered first. Maybe that could be their party.
"Got another question for you. Know anyone who can tell me how to use this?" He asked, his hand outstretched. A second later, latency stretched out for the strangeness of materializing something that wasn't simply sitting in his subspace, the austere curved sword appeared in his grasp.
the space cauldron
meighei
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The Space Cauldron
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2023 11:19 am
Almadel seemed endeared by the Mauvian, and once more scratched at all the good places he could think of. Mauvians had nothing but his absolute respect, but just as he’d have enjoyed someone scratching behind his ear, he thought it delightful that he could do the same.
And Tama wasn’t complaining! He seemed enthusiastic about the project, and Almadel was eager to see what he could come up with.
“Oh, Faustite. Give him some credit! He’s too cute to be up to no good. Much like yourself.” He seemed pleased with himself, and admired the flames as they illuminated Faustite in an array of different colors.
“Thank you, Tama. I’m so glad Faustite brought you by so I could meet you. Faustite, tell Albite I say hello, don’t forget that. Do you mind if I hold this?” he asked; he hadn’t taken his eyes off of the sword since Faustite had produced it. “I’d like to give it a look over. What can you tell me about it already?”
