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 Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 12:43 am
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."
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 1:01 am
The soft sounds of a small creature moving with caution would have been the only indication that the merchant was no longer alone. Having travelled through the barrier the small feline felt a sense of relaxation overtaking her and she simply went with the feeling. She wasn't here to cause any trouble. She simply yearned for some answers.
Illyria had never come here on her own but considering everything that had happened recently there really wasn't any reason to stay away this year. There wasn't anything that the merchant was seeking to barter for and so while Illyria had some items tucked away in her subspace pocket it was mostly what she would leave behind in her geocache finds. The Mauvian's fur was sleek, well groomed and shone in the moonlight that shone down on the clearing. Her violet orbs began to take in the sight of the tables before she debated simply jumping up onto one. Taking a moment Illyria gently rose onto her back legs to gently allow her claws to shift the purple table cloth by the smallest amount before she gave a soft trill in order to snag Almadel's attention.
Hoping that the sound was loud enough Illyria stepped back from the main table before pitching her voice, "Almadel, I've a desire to bargain. Do I have permission to hop onto a table? If so, which one would you prefer I jump onto?"
Illyria wasn't keen on shedding her feline state this evening but she wanted to be in a position where she didn't have to constantly crane her neck up to keep eye contact with the merchant.
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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2025 9:55 am
“Oh, so very polite. Who am I to deny such a request? Please, by all means. I’m rather fond of Mauvians, come up here so I might see you better. Make yourself comfortable.” He leaned forward so he could clear out a space for her on the table, not because he was particularly concerned with her jumping up and landing on anything, but because he wanted to make sure she had a space to be comfortable. “You have the advantage of knowing my name. You’ll introduce yourself, yes? Tell me how I should refer to you. And what you’re in the market for. I’ve got a great deal to trade, I hope you’ve brought something fun? Mauvians always have such interesting tastes.”
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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2025 12:52 pm
Upon hearing the response from the alien merchant Illyria's hindquarters bunched together in preparation for an impressive leap onto the table she had been in front of before she paused. Additional sounds of objects being displaced above had the Mauvian waiting a minute or two before she actually made the jump needed to land safely amongst the space that had been cleared for this particular use of the table. The feline's gaze caught on various artifacts and it was with a rueful gaze that her paw moved to push one more object out of her way before her attention shifted to the alien being that was standing just beyond the edge of the table. Her whiskers twitched in unison as she studied the other before her expression flowed into a state of relaxation. At once she shook off the affable silence between them as realization sank in that she had not introduced herself as of yet. It was time to remedy that. Pausing for effect the Mauvian simply let a small chuckle escape before she posed dramatically for effect: lifting her right paw off the table in a gesture that could have been indicative of a courtly manner, "If it pleases you, I wish to be addressed as Illyria. As you have already deduced, I am indeed a Mauvian."
Her countenance changed as she dropped her raised paw from where it hung in the air before her violet orbs shone with mischief, "I believe I know of your name through reputation alone. There have been whispers that I've picked up on, that you avail yourself every year, around this time, to barter with anyone who wishes to do so."
Illyria's gaze scanned the table for a short period of time before she summoned the leystone that had been amongst the items in the bag she had received during the battle to save Earth from the Calamitous Hallow. The stone had lost its lustre but it was still a sight to behold and Illyria gently placed her paw over top of it before she locked her gaze with Almadel's. Her voice was strong as she continued, "I also have to admit that I've seen you from afar before, in another place, but never had the chance to introduce myself there. Your name, even though we have never met, has been revealed to me through the bags that were distributed to those that chose to defend Earth a few months back. If it suits you, I would simply like to ask a few questions of you, if you are amenable to sharing information," her paw pushed forward the leystone, "I would offer this in trade for the information unless you have a desire to see what else I may have up my figurative sleeves. I think it's only fair I return the stone back to you in this trade of information."
Illyria's gaze softened for a moment as she thought quickly, "unless the value of the trade is insufficient. If that were the case I'd offer more ... or choose a small trinket to take away with me afterwards. I am unsure on what value you place on information that you deign to share."
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2025 8:10 pm
“What an interesting proposition, Illyria.” Almadel regarded her with a coy, amused smile. He extended a hand to grasp the leystone, turning it over as he examined it thoughtfully. “I do barter in information. However, I cannot assign value to my answers until I know your questions. Typically, we would discuss questions before payment, but I find myself soft to Mauvians. As a gesture of goodwill, I invite you to ask.” It was unclear if he was actually accepting the leystone as payment, or if he was simply examining it in its current state. His eyes remained locked on it when he spoke again. “If I have an answer to share, I will. Are you certain you wish to part with this? They’re rather rare. Although, this poor thing is rather damaged. I doubt it will ever work again. It took a great deal of energy to manufacture safe passage home. I think it was a worthy price to pay, though. I’m glad to see that you returned. Perhaps you can trade some of your information for some of mine, that might balance the scales. Won’t you tell me about that night, too? I’d like to hear all that you care to share. Did all of you make it back safely?”
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2025 3:49 pm
Illyria's whiskers twitched. Almadel was fond of Mauvians? And for that reason alone she could ask a question without worrying about what the cost of the information was, at least before a proper offer of barter was announced?
The feline arched her back in a large stretch before her gaze fell onto the various items on the table she occupied before she returned to watching the merchant. Her mind was working quickly as she spoke clearly, "I was under the impression that you sent us all care bags for the battle we endured against the recent threat to Earth. What I would like to know about that care bag was did you work alone to produce them for everyone that went to fight or was there assistance from an outside source that has been present on Earth?"
As Almadel's gaze refocused on the leystone Illyria sighed. In all honesty she wasn't sure if she wanted to part with the stone but if it would ease the subject of price of the information that she wished to gather from the exchange then she would. She kept her gaze on the Almadel's hands as he turned the red stone over and over, listening to him describe that while rare, it would probably never work again.
All the reason to return it, she thought to herself. But yet I find I don't want to part with it.
"You wanted to know about the night in question as a possible tit for tat information exchange. I find I'm amenable to that idea. Although I think once we all returned it was too quick to determine if everyone made it back before a grand dispersal happened, but from what I ascertain there's been no mention of anyone seeking answers to missing individuals," here the Mauvian frowned before she continued in a softer voice, "but I don't make a habit of tracking what happens to those touched by chaos ... not if I don't know them."
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