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."
Eles hadn't known precisely where they were going, but he wasn't paying much attention. either. Often he was lost in his thoughts or bestowing all of his attention on the boy whose hand he held, listening to his gossip or metered malevolence. Sometimes they shared small truths, but mostly they chatted at someone else's expense.
Eles was smiling, attention on his feet, as he passed beyond the threshold. Immediately he felt a marked difference upon his skin, as if July's heat all but evaporated. He looked up to see if perhaps they passed a fountain and he simply hadn't heard it, but he'd forgotten what he was looking for when his bright orange eyes found the curious stand and its curiouser occupant. Someone who hadn't worn all the hallmarks of being human, but could have been mistaken for a cosplayer.
And, to Eles's dismay, this dangerous-looking boy was gorgeous. A very different gorgeous from Hybris's gorgeous. but worth appreciating as judiciously as social mores permitted.
Eles, feeling suddenly self-conscious, signed to his midnight boy. Do you know him?
By the way he said welcome, Eles assumed that Hybris had … Shopped? Here before. And while it looked like this violet beauty sat at the head of a table full of random nonsense, notably lacking any price decals, Eles just assumed there was some magical nonsense afoot and the true story was likely beyond his imagination or understanding.
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2025 1:10 pm
Hybris had a wistful, almost coy look as he saw Almadel for the first time in quite awhile. The merchant was, after all, rather unforgettable. Last time he'd enjoyed the fellow's teasing and mystery, all playfulness except in those sharp eyes that saw to clearly and gave a much needed hint of warning.
Leading Eles over, he signed back, A little. He's helpful, and knows things. Also collects items, mostly from other worlds. Not dangerous. Maybe not all safe, either.
Turning back to Almadel, he greeted the merchant with a syrupy, "Hello ~ !" After batting his eyes enough times to surely cause a storm in Russia later that week, Hybris went on, "I was hoping to get a chance to thank you for your help with that very rude snake this spring."
Swaying a little and just enough to remind that extraneous movement meant extra stabbing pains in his sides, Hybris's hip gently bumped against the clasped hands between him and his boy. "And this is Eles, my companion found through extremely interesting circumstances who maaaaay," he turned back to look closely at the other boy's face and determined that it was fine to finish the thought, "...have a few interesting questions?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2025 8:29 pm
Almadel’s eyes lingered on the ever-moving hands of the two in front of him. He wore an amused, almost knowing smile as his gaze drifted back up to their faces.
“Well, if he maaaaay have a few interesting questions, I maaaaay have a few interesting answers. I can’t imagine you would bring me someone boring. If you promise a good time, I will promise the same.”
The young man with Hybris looked markedly less sure of himself, so Almadel took great effort to smile sweetly at him.
“I’ve got quite a bit of time this evening, you’ve had the fortune of catching me on a slow night. I’ve been rather lonely. Never mind that you’ve no need to thank me,” he waved his hand dismissively, but he was obviously playing coy. “Where would I be now if you hadn’t succeeded with your snake wrangling? Sitting alone in my museum, pining for all the good company I lost? No, thank you. How could I live with myself if you failed while there was still more I might have done? Things worked out very well for me, thanks to your efforts.”
He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and smiled, leaning forward just a bit. “But if you don’t stop me, I might just talk forever. Go on, let me hear your questions.”
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 2:23 pm
To find someone — something — someone so good-natured, mood as bright as a citrus, gave Eles pause in the kindest way. Like he had time enough to stop and appreciate that effervescence, he and his midnight boy, for it was perfect in its transience. This delightful boy, wreathed in his own words and his own preening, reminded Eles of someone. Or maybe it was the situation that felt familiar. Regardless, he'd seen a pattern like this before, though he'd never seen a pattern like this before.
To be completely safe was to do a disservice to everyone, Eles thought. What use was there in being too comfortable?
He watched the exchange between them curiously, gleaned the simple and lilting way they skirted around the potential destruction of their planet. Like they had to resize and recategorize until it was just another troublesome Tuesday, time to laugh cleanly, time to talk about the weather. Like there was no trust between the two of them, but no resentment either.
Once their talk had stopped and the floor seemed to be his, Eles looked between the two of them a last time, then reached into the pack hanging at his side. From it, he pulled a sketchbook that he laid atop the table. He opened it and brushed past a series of gesture drawings, some sketches of a fineboned boy with so much poise, with hooded eyes so scarcely amused. Past value studies of still-lifes. Then he turned to the gaping hole in a broken world, wreathed in crystal, consuming and consumed, the one star indelibly tired to that very rude snake.
What can you tell me about that? He signed with the hand that wasn't clutched in Hybris's.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 3:42 pm
Hybris's smile dimpled up further for every teasing maaaay returned to him. But it was promising that there was no waiting line or anyone lingering on the periphery in a state of maybe, maybe not. He supposed it had to do with whatever magic enclosed this area. Almadel seemed to have a sort of magic that hinged upon what was needed and wanted. Extraneous people and efforts gently, invisibly filtered away.
Idly, he wondered how many of the snake-that-was-not-a-snake's scales were now pooling inside the merchant's treasury. There had to be a lot, a nice bonus on top of still having a world full of people and stories to visit. Not for the first time, he felt a certain kinship for Almadel, something that deepened the more Hybris learned about him.
He watched Eles take out the sketchbook with hooded, thoughtful eyes until he turned the page to reveal the Dark Star and once again, caught a glimpse of its glory. Its all-consuming, crushing magnificence. Hybris couldn't help but sigh at the sight and the memory it summoned, a bit of wistful longing.
"The Dark Star..."
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 1:49 pm
Though he maintained an expression of amusement, something in Almadel’s gaze settled heavily on the artwork in front of him. “Is that so,” he said, in a thoughtful, faraway voice.
He’d taken the sketchbook with something like reverence and leaned back in his chair, holding the sketchbook with both hands. He pressed his lips together. Squinted. Tilted his head left and right.
It took him half a moment to speak again, but in that time it was as if he had traced every line on the page and seared it into his brain.
“Are you a good artist?” he asked finally, eyes finally lifting just slightly to look over the top of the pages. His attention settled on Eles’ face with the same scrutiny he had applied to the sketch. His tone was strange, not unfriendly but certainly inquisitive. “It’s an interesting picture, but in all my years, I’ve heard no stories of those who faced the Dark Star and walked away from it. How did you come to see this?”
The question was not exclusive to Eles, though Almadel's eyes lingered on him for a second longer before seeking Hybris' gaze as well.
"And what do you want to know?"
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 2:37 pm
At the question from the boy whose name he didn't know, Eles only shrugged. A discreet elbow to Hybris's side and he started signing again, hoping his boy would translate so he wouldn't have to write. I think the subjects outstrip my skill. It had been enough to get the point across, however.
And, he found, he was quite delighted to let this serpentine boy hold onto his sketchbook for a while longer. Particularly if the amount of time it spent in his possession meant more answers for them.
A quick look at Hybris, who seemed as enamored with that strange astronomical body as ever, and then he looked back at the stranger. I want to know what it is, what it does, and why it's the only thing I can remember. He said everyone who saw it had died. That he died when he saw it, that I must have died if I saw it. And you recognized it, clearly.
So did you die, too?
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 3:48 pm
The ask was fair and Hybris was interested enough that he decided not to tease Eles with a refusal or by twisting his translation in fun new directions. "He would like to know what it is, what it does, and why it's the only thing he can remember. He's lost all of his recently, you see. But that's remained clear"
Eyes turning to meet Almadel's, he went on, vague ditziness and flirtation set aside, "I saw it as well, after I had died on the battlefield. The situation was so unique, the location, the enemy and its tearing effect upon the environment. So I've felt very certain he must have died there as well, to have seen the Dark Star."
With a low hum, Hybris went on, "Since you also recognize it, he's asking if you died too." He doubted it, in fact, of anyone who might have seen that vast piece of hunger and lived, Hybris could easily believe it of the merchant.
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 4:20 pm
Almadel’s eyes remained fixed on Eles’ hands, on his face, and when Malory spoke he still managed to smile sweetly.
“Oh, I’m sorry, boys. I don’t want there to be a misunderstanding. I’m not saying I recognize anything. The Dark Star–when he handed me the picture, that’s what you called it, right?”
He stretched his arms out, putting a bit of distance between the picture and his face, and then bringing it back close as he returned to scrutiny.
“I’m just stitching things together. You’re the ones giving me the pieces. Every rendition of the Dark Star is different. And because no one is stepping up as a verifiable source, it’s very hard to deduce what’s real and what’s fiction,” he explained. “Most people might argue that the Dark Star is conceptual. But,” he nodded to the sketchbook.
“Clearly you’ve seen something. And if the shoe fits,” he shrugged. “So let’s make sure I understand everything you’re telling me. You’ve seen this,” he nodded to the sketch, “And we’re calling it The Dark Star. You’ve both laid eyes on it, but only one of you remembers the circumstances. You died–I’m guessing you mean to say that this was while you were in combat with the Calamitous Hollow? I think it’s safe to say that if ever you were to encounter anything ‘Dark Star’ related, it would be because of a Herald.”
Almadel pressed his back against the chair and slouched a bit, sinking into the seat. His lips pressed together in analysis as his gaze traced each line on the page.
“I hope you don’t be disappointed when I report we do not share that death in common. Naturally, I’m a bit limited in what information I might regale you with. Although, I have seen a picture like this before, I think. Like this, because it’s really not like it at all. But the way you’ve drawn it evokes something in me. A very distant memory. What I wouldn’t give to find that book again. Ah,” he sighed, tilting his head to the side a bit. “But that was very long ago, and back then I didn’t know what I was looking for. I wasn’t always a merchant, you know. But I’ve always appreciated fine things.”
He didn’t want to hand the sketchbook back. He didn’t try to.
“May I take a picture of this?” he asked, and as he waited for permission he continued, “Much of what is known of the Heralds, and the Dark Star, is assigned through legend. There are no envoys to speak for it, only those left behind in the wake. If you have lost all of your memories but this one, I as well would speculate that you had a bad encounter with the Calamitous Hollow. I could not tell you why it’s all you can remember, only that I have heard it said that those who have seen the Dark Star are branded by it. But,” he shrugged, “Poets, of course. Embellishing everything. Especially trauma.”
Finally, Almadel was looking at them again, still waiting for permission to preserve Eles’ rendition of ‘The Dark Star’ for his own collection.
“You say you died on the battlefield? Tell me more about that. Tell me what you remember, before you saw this,” he nodded to the sketch, “And how you escaped it.”
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 12:24 pm
Eles watched Hybris in solemn quietude while the boy both translated for him and explained his own story. It truly was a dreadful thing, that shattered star; the more he considered it, the more he wondered if the Dark Star they saw was only a gesture that the human mind could comprehend. Like peering through a keyhole, knowing that to view the entire room in its impossible vastness would break them. Wouldn't it be a kindness, then, if they were only permitted to witness the black stars over Carcosa and not Carcosa itself? Or was it a cruelty?
But Almadel was so quick to dismiss having seen the thing. Eles's attention dropped to the table full of knickknacks in his quiet dismay, though he yet hoped this one had more to tell them.
And he did, so Eles's attention perked right back up again and settled on the merchant's face. Though, he didn't know anyone who would argue anything about the Dark Star — Malory had been the only one with whom he shared that vision. and he doubted he would find any others who could do the same. The mention of the Calamitous Hollow from Hybris's story took him by surprise, and Eles looked at his boy for confirmation. Hearing it from someone else — hadn't it all but confirmed that Eles was once something magical? But what if that magic was sacrificed to make him who he was now?
Eles found he would rather have liked to find 'that book', too, particularly if it shed any light on that broken world or how it remained indelible in his memories. If it wasn't on Earth, though, Eles didn't have a chance without some kind of space-faring powers himself.
But he nodded, easily, at the request to take a photo. Eles doubted that the memory of the thing would ever leave him, and if the merchant wanted the original, he could always draw more.
Will you share those legends? I don't care about their veracity. It was all he would add before Hybris was entreated to tell his own story.
