White Tiger
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Post by White Tiger on Aug 19, 2005 4:58:51 GMT -5
Whats this? That has seemingly sprung up over night? No... no... It must have always been here. No store could just appear in a night, could it? Of course this one was somewhat pecuiliar...
Infact, It was a small shop; The type you half expected to vanish in the wind once you left it. The type of place that seemed to exist only in old horror films, or novels of terror and mystery. It was the Green Dragon. A little shop, that seemed to defy all logic by merely existing where it did. Perhaps if it were over in the old part of town, it would seem at home... but here? On one of the side streets of the financial district? It was a like a lost lamb surrouned by the wolves of sky scrapers.
The outside of the building was old in appearance, maybe by design, or maybe by time itself. It did seem like something from decades earlier. The only window was a large plate, glass thing serving as a display for some of the more... interesting of items that could be purchased within. Bottles of coloured glass full of unknow liquids, jewellery and cut gems. Even some sort of animal skin or something. Ah! There was a sign, carved out of wood, and cocked at an angle for the world to see. "This or That. We have what you seek."
There was no sign on the door. Were they open or closed? That hardly seemed any way to do proper business. But then, one could always just give the bronze handle a pull, and see wether the wooden door budged. Typically it would. Infact, adding to its weird nature, the shop was hardly ever closed. Upon entering, there would be a strange scent. Some mixture of herbs, spices, and flowers. So far no two people had claimed it to be quite the same. But at the same time, no one had ever complained that it was unpleasant.
The lighting was dim, yet still enough to clearly see by. It came from some old cast iron chandelears hanging from the beams in the ceiling, arching high over head. Were those...? They were! Real candles a dozen or so in each fixture at least. But where did the dripping wax go? It must have been part of the shop's quaint, magic feel. Maybe they weren't even real candles... just convincing electric lights. Who used actual candles anymore now adays?
Now... just what did the store shelves hold? What did the tables display? Oh, to list the things... it would take forever. It seemed quite possible that what the wooden sign read was true... maybe they did have what was sought by everyone. Things seemed to range in age and style. Things dating back two centuries or more to stuff made just yesterday. Items from the east, mingling with items of the west.
Candles, unlabled bottles of liquid, strange, mystery powders, and even rare herbs and plants. Were these what caused the enticing scent? It seemed likely. What a peculiar thing to have in this store... but then this was a strange store all together. A simple counter marked the checkout area just beside the door, and quite close to the afore-specified items and ingredients. The wooden surface of the counter was strangely bare. There was a simple bronze scale, with various forms of counterweights near by, and some other measuring devices as well. But no sign of a cash register. Was that an abicus?
And how weird... the only other door appears to be locked. I should suppose it would be a store room.
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Clockworkchicken
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Post by Clockworkchicken on Aug 27, 2005 8:51:59 GMT -5
Our small group strolls trough the streets of the Milliwar. The sun has long gone down, and only the full moon lights the streets. Up front, walks Brian, with a sigarette stuck between his boney fingers, drawing a smokey line trough the milky light. Directly next to him, is May, hopping happely up and down next to her brother. And in the back, Jazz slowly follows them, a large frown on his forehead, and his hands thug deep in his pocket.
"Let's do something Brian, I'm bored! Let's wreck something!"
Brian laughs loudly and ratteling at her sister. He brings his sigarette to his mouth and inhales deeply, before breathing out in a series of coughs. He clops his chest slightly to free the smoke, and then turns to his sister.
"That might even be a good Idea, sis!" He suddenly stands still, and his eyes scout over the line of large skyscrapers around. He plucks his chin thinking, but then his eyes fall on an abnormally small house for this region. He stretches his boney finger, and points at the small shed.
" How about there?"
Immidiately, the shouts of May overvolume him. She apearantly agrees. But, from the back, the soft moan of Jazz reminds them of the reality. "Come on guys, do you always want to get into trouble?"
The gazes of Brian and May go to Jazz for a moment, as they took him up with an alienated gaze. Then, the gaze turns to face each other. A small smirk apears on there faces.
"Yes!" They shout, and immidiately run to the opposite of the street, Jazz stroling behind them, still muttering objections. As May pushes her ugly nose against the window, and stares inside with a curious look, Brian budges the tiles of the sidewalk with his feet, as they start breaking under the force of his powers. He pulls a piece of stone out of the ground, and offers it to his sister. "You first, Sis!"
May gracefully takes the piece of concrete, and bows for brian. " But, you must see this! It's awsome!" She quickly pushes his brother to the shop window, and he immidiately pushes his face against the window " What? I don't see anything!" As Brian keeps staring trough the window, May aims for his big, bald head, and with one powerfull trow, trows the rock with Brain dragged along, trough the window, breaking several of the strange potions. May can't do anything then just watch and laugh.
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White Tiger
New Minion
One Hell of a Morbid Author
Posts: 46
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Post by White Tiger on Aug 29, 2005 22:01:50 GMT -5
Tilted his head up, even before the sound of breaking glass. He smiled. He turned his attention back to the task at hand though. "I'm sorry, my dear... but it seems I have some people interested in buying something today... or at least making a deal." He turned and droped the bloody scalpal down onto a metal tray, and started for the door. He flipped the lights off as he exited, hiding what, or who, he was working on in darkness. The sound of keys jingling and then a lock latching. He was already up the stairs when the window broke.
He would emerge a moment later through the door beside the counter, and take another to study the situation. Broken front window. Broken bottles. He seemed oddly undisturbed by it. He removed his latex gloves, and tossed them into the trash can inside the small room at the top of the stairs, then pulled the door closed and locked it. He was oddly calm, further as he pushed open the door. "Come in... come in... My shop isnt just for humans... We cater to your kind as well. And as the sign says... We have what it is you seek... and I dont mean mischief... but I must warn you... if you break it from this point on... you buy it." He took a moment to lock eyes with each, studying them. His gaze would seem to burrow into their souls... making it near impossible to look away, untill he broke eye contact first. "Now... do you wish to enter? I'm sure we could make a deal." He smiled. It was pleasant. It was charming. It was evil.
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Clockworkchicken
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Post by Clockworkchicken on Sept 2, 2005 6:01:59 GMT -5
Brian slowly pushed up from the display case, his hands and face cut by the broken glass, but seemingly no blood flowing out. "Little bitch!" he brought out, as he lifted the rock that was used to push him trough the window. But, before he could turn around to trow the rock, the strange man entered. Somehow, he couldn't keep his eyes from him. But, somehow, he didn't care. He'd just stare back, with a mischievious grin on his face.
In the mean time, Jazz reached the other side of the street. Green sweat dripped off his face, as he moved inside to the man. He fell on his knees in an almost begging way, while he looked up to the man. "I'm sorry, dude, my brother and sister don't mean any harm, it's just..."
at that point, he was roughly interrupted by his sister, who rudely walked over him as if he was some kind of shark skin rug. "Be quiet, numbpuss!" Her view moved up to the man, as she aswell dug her view back into his eyes, in an almost, seducing way. "So, you're open! Great!" as soon as the contact was broken, she skipped quickly to one of the display cases, pressing her head against the glass with interrest. "Ooh, what is this? and this?" she brought out happely as he pointed all kind of things stalled in the case.
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White Tiger
New Minion
One Hell of a Morbid Author
Posts: 46
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Post by White Tiger on Sept 2, 2005 7:41:16 GMT -5
He smiled pleasantly again, watching the girl run in, and then glancing at the other two."Do feel free to enter as well. But please... be patient... and wait near the front. I can only help you one at a time." He moves away from the door, letting it close behind him. He followed the sister of the trio somewhat closely. "My, you are an inquisitive one..." The strange man looked into the case, at the few odd trinkets that were in the shelf. Even some jewelry. That might have been a splinter of petrified wood too. "But those? Those are some rare and wonderful items, aquired through my travels. Each one has a story... a history. Some pleasant... some most fowl... And just as true is it, that each one as a future."
He calmly tried to place his hand upon her shoulder, to guide her deeper into the store. "I'm just their stopping place for now. But sadly, they arent meant for you." He continued to smile pleasantly. "But perhapse... perhapse we have something over this way that may interest you... tell me... what is it you seek?" Indeed, as they walked, should she follow of course, the items on the shelves were progressively becomeing more geared toward her and her tastes, as if some dark magic had had a hand in stocking the isle just for her. "What is it you want more then anything, May?" Had she said introduced herself? Hard for her to recall it would be... it was fastly becoming apparent this was no ordinary shop, and he was no oridnary shopkeeper.
Oddly... The window, had somehow fixed itself, in those few moments, where he had held their attention. The broken potion bottles were still but glass shards mixed with liquid... but the window was completely whole again.
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Clockworkchicken
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Post by Clockworkchicken on Sept 18, 2005 16:02:49 GMT -5
Brian would have his hand slide over the renewed glass, almost amazed at this miracle. He turned to the glass looking inside the store, and pushed his hands and face against the window, muttering a muffled voice.
"May.. gut 'way fum dere!"
May had a happy sparkle in his eye, and grabbed the man at his clothes, pulling him towards herself, staring deeply into his eyes.
"Can you, would you... Will you give me a way home!"
She was totally captivated by the man, totally charmed by his offer. Jazz, on the other hand, stood behind him with one piece of rock in one hand, hanging to the ground, and another piece of rock in the other hand, hold high above his head. He had a mischievious smile on his face.
"Say night night!"
He brought out while hurling the boulder into the direction of May, who agily ducked, making the rock smash into yet another display case. None of them cared for property. Hench, nobody cared for Humans, even!
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White Tiger
New Minion
One Hell of a Morbid Author
Posts: 46
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Post by White Tiger on Sept 18, 2005 22:42:25 GMT -5
He stared down at the girl. His eyes seemingly sympathetic to her request. Then he blinked, and what emotion had been there was gone. He looked up to the creature who had just thrown another rock. His eyes were a cold neutral, which was perhapse more chilling then if he had been angry. He quietly noted to deal with him later. But for now, he turned his attention back to the girl. "Provided your brother doesnt break everything I own... yes. I can." He smiled slowly as he looked down at her, stareing deep into her eyes as well, seeming to search out her soul. "But... Just how badly do you wish to leave this plain? How much is it worth to you?"
He broke the shared gaze first, his smile fading, and he turned, walking deeper into the store, pausing near the end of the isle. "The price of your ticket home is not cheap. But then... Nothing worth purchasing is, now is it, May?" His grin came back to him as he turned to stare back at her. "Are you willing to pay?" His smile was pleasant, almost drawing attention away from the fact he was stareing at her... waiting for her anwser.
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Clockworkchicken
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Post by Clockworkchicken on Oct 6, 2005 14:59:18 GMT -5
May just kept nodding at all he said, tears almost streamed over her face. He looked up at the man with love in her eyes.
"Everything! I just want to get home!"
At that, the display window started to crack, as Brian started to put all his pressure on it. One second later, the window lies on the ground, completely shattered. He stares at May in disbeleave.
"You are kidding me, may! After all I've been trough for you, you still want to leave?"
May frowned, and turned madly to her brother. With loud passes, making the glass crack beneath her feet, she walked towards him, untill their bodies made contact, and she could look fiercely into his eyes.
"What have you actually been trough for me, huh?"
She spit the words in his face, in a way, that even Brian scurried back in terror.
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White Tiger
New Minion
One Hell of a Morbid Author
Posts: 46
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Post by White Tiger on Oct 6, 2005 16:55:10 GMT -5
The strange shopkeeper watched for a second, as they siblings had their little spat. He then turned and stepped back to the previously shattered display case. He unlocked it, as it seemed to have done just as the window had, repaired itself when no one was watching.
He sighed, and picked up on of the broken trinkets, and held it in his hand. He looked back at the lesser ones, and then quickly clapped his other hand over the object. He rubbed, as if trying to warm his hands, then pulled them appart again. He set the now fixed item back onto the shelf. He repeated it again, untill they were fixed, and then closed the little door, locking it once more.
He turned. "May... leave them. He's just afraid of going home. Come. We have important buisness to discuss; a deal to make." He started toward the back room, withdrawing from his sleave, a ring of ancient keys. He sliped one into the lock, and turned it, opening the door.
Oddly, instead of store room, there was a small office. Strangely neat, and very organizied. To those with good eyes, there was already a contract on the desk, May's name already filled in. He held the door open, and guestured for her to enter.
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Clockworkchicken
Full-fledged Minion
President Impatient
a highstand of modern tecnology: it even lays mechanical eggs
Posts: 191
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Post by Clockworkchicken on Oct 15, 2005 15:08:57 GMT -5
This was easy. Jason had may eating from the palm of his hand. She looked at the shopkeeper, almost in love, and then turned to his brother once more. With a voice of miss piggy being mad, she yelled happely in his face.
'You heared what the man said! Now step aside, for I am going home..."
She pushed brian aside and smiled shyly at the shopkeeper, before walking into the office with him. Jazz was following the scene in complete silence, untill this moment. He ran behind May, in an attempt to stop her.
"May, don't! Come back..."
His words where stopped by a door being pressed in his face, and a Brian gloating over him from the other side of the room. Jazz got up, and rubbed his nose, while looking angry at Brian.
"There is something off the hook here, Bri."
Brian just walked passed him, smiling broadly, and pushing Jazz down by his face. He then jumped on the counter, landing with one feet on the customers bell, and then taking a place with his back against the wall.
"That is exactly what I mean, my brother. This is going to be fun..."
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White Tiger
New Minion
One Hell of a Morbid Author
Posts: 46
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Post by White Tiger on Oct 16, 2005 1:02:10 GMT -5
The shopkeeper closed the door, and locked both he and may were in the office. This meant not only the door would not give from that side, but if either of the brothers tried to follow, they would instead find not the office, not the store room, but rather the alleyway behind the store. He continued to smile, as he slipped the keys up his sleave.
"Now May... your request... to go home. I can do it... but... as I said it will not be cheep." He turned to look at her. "You will be purchasing a few things from me... two to be exact, not just one. To send something... or someone from this realm to another is no easy task. Here in lies the terms of our contract. As there are seven seals to hell, there are seven for every realm. Think of it... as tumblers in a lock. You need a certain, to open a certain door."
He moved around the office slowly, pausing to stand behind the desk. His gaze never left the girl; his customer. "I can perform the ritual. Thats a seperate thing though. That is the turning of the key in the lock. That is the first thing you will be purchasing from me. You still need the key, you understand. That is the second thing. Knowledge. Knowledge of the seven things that you must... aquire to create the metaphorical key in the lock, that I may turn.
The terms of the contract are simple. You, agree to serve me untill you leave. No trickery, just unquestioning servitude. I give you a task, you do it, I give you a peice of the puzzle, so you can go and find it. Serve me well... and you can go home after just seven tasks... fail me... and well... You wont fail me, will you May? That contract on the table... it says the same thing, just not in so few words."
He reached below his desk and pulled one of the drawers out. He removed a razor blade, and set it on the contract, which was indeed already written up in the binding ways of any written contract, and turned towards May. The only blank spot was the line for May's signiture. The shopkeeps was already filled in.
"If you agree to the terms. If you really wish to go home... slice your flesh... and let your blood sign for you. But remember... you will be bound to honor it. After this, there is no escape clause."
Fortunately, if either of the brothers were trying to over hear, perhaps through evedroping, the same magic that kept the room off limits, prevented words from escaping the walls.
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Clockworkchicken
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Post by Clockworkchicken on Oct 16, 2005 6:02:50 GMT -5
May looked up at the Shopkeeper, and then down to the razor blade on the contract. Her face was silent, but helt a strange discomfort. It was a hard tast, not by the fact that it would hurt her, but, well...
Scientificly speaking, her lineage of Demons possesed no blood. Their limbs, organs, everything essential, was controlled via electric pulses that where send from their heart trough veins of a solid, flexible metal. They did, on the other hand, have a fluid in their body, that kept it moisture, so it wouldn't be so dry that it cracked. Hopefully that was enough.
Trembeling, she picked up the razor blade, and cut a deep cut in her index finger. She then put down the blade, a purple, sticky liquid glinstering in the light of the office. With her free hand, she grabbed her finger. When she closed her eyes, she squeesed her finger, as two thick, gluish drops of deep purple liquid fell down on the signature line of the contract.
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White Tiger
New Minion
One Hell of a Morbid Author
Posts: 46
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Post by White Tiger on Oct 16, 2005 23:22:53 GMT -5
The shopkeep held his smile, stareing at the sister. He didnt need to watch as the liquid hit. Nor did he care as the the body fluid seemed to be absorbed into the paper, disappearing at first, only to slowly reappear once more on the line. There was substantially less then what had been given, and oddly, it had spelled out Mays entire name, forming her perfect signature. He had done this hundreds of times before. Thousands maybe. Buisness was his game afterall. He just continued to smile. As he reached forward, and took the contract.
He turned, and placed the contract into a small filing cabinet behind him. "Thank you May... it was a pleasure doing buisness with you. I have to make a deal with your brothers now though... Always deals to make. Buisness to handle..." He walked back around the desk, and pulled the keys from his sleave, placing them into the lock, and turning it again. He shoved open the door, and stepped forward, holding it for May. "Feel free to look around the shop again, May... but please... no breaking anything. And remember... we can always make another contract... if you see something else you need..."
His gaze turned to the two brothers. "Now... whose next?" He smiled... evily.
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Clockworkchicken
Full-fledged Minion
President Impatient
a highstand of modern tecnology: it even lays mechanical eggs
Posts: 191
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Post by Clockworkchicken on Oct 17, 2005 15:49:06 GMT -5
May's lower lip shivered. The magic was lost, it was just 'buisness' to him. She should be bound to him, but she didn't feel different. Sad, and with a feel as if she had been ripped off, she walked outside the office. When the man talked to the two brothers, all the three looked at each other. They chuckled mischievious, and then Brian turned to the man.
"You are!"
May and Brian grabbed the shopkeeper by his arm, and pushed him roughly into the office, closing the door behind him. While this was happening, Jazz already stood behind a display case next to the door, and tipped it over, blocking the door.
"Allez hop!"
They chuckled again, and smacked their hands together. The Eclipse brothers, didn't loose their touch. Together, they walked outside again, Jazz behind, as always. It was Brian who started talking
"What a moron, no?"
May didn't react over enthousiastic. She had her hands tuck deeply in her pockets, and stared into nothingness. Only a soft nodd revealed that she had been listening. Brian frowned, and wrapped an arm around her sister.
"Everything ok? What happened in there"
May was just about to open her mouth, as Jazz roughly budged Brian out of the way, a broad smile on his face, and a golden necklass, set with a swirling black diamond dangling from his fingertops.
"May, look what I got you! I nicked it away from that shop..."
May Quickly grapped the medallion from his claws, and held it close to her body. She looked at Jazz, as if he just killed her puppy.
"You can't just take things from there, you should bring it back!"
Jazz frowned at her fierce, but then shrugged. He held his hand up, as if it came naturally that May would return the necklass. May hesitated a second, but then removed her hands from her breast, and put the trinket back in Jazz hand, who slipped it in his pocket. Brain, by then, caught in with them, and they walked along, 3 next to each other.
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White Tiger
New Minion
One Hell of a Morbid Author
Posts: 46
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Post by White Tiger on Oct 17, 2005 22:44:50 GMT -5
His eyes narrowed. Oh he was angry. Very much so. He knew the case was across the door. He reached his hand up, and rested his palm flat against it. His eyes closed. The candles lighting the store died, casting the place into the darkness of night. Then suddenly they ignighted again. And everything was fixed, and back in its place, with the exception of the medalion.
The door to the office opened slowly, and the shopkeeper steped out. The door closed behind him. He sighed. He had liked May... and had hoped... she wouldnt do something foolish. But now... he shook his head, and turned. He opened the door once more revealing the storeroom again, planning to deal with the trio later. For now... he had buisness below.
Only, he stood there, instead of entering. He had almost missed it. He turned around slowly, and focused on the medalions former resting place. His hand tightened into a fist, and he slamed the door closed. He turned, and walked closer to examine the empty spot. He reached forward, and touched his hand to the vacant area. His eyes closed.
His breathing paused, as he held his breath. His eyes snapped open, as he exhaled, speaking only one word. "Jazz..."
He slammed his hand down, and growled. He looked out the plate window stareing through the night. He was looking in the exact direction of the stolen necklace. Of the Trio. Of Jazz. And May.
He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, calming himself. May was bound to him now. She would be back. She'd know to bring the medalion with. As for the brothers, they could still wait. He opened his eyes, and smiled. He calmly spoke a few select words, with the same sense of knowing, of warmth, of the energy that had been there, for it was not lost. Merely hidden from the brothers. "You want to go home, dont you?" There was a magic in those words, ensuring they would fall upon the ears of the one they were meant for.
He turned, and opened the storeroom door again. He begun to whistle, a strange mealody that carried with it a terrible darkness. He steped through the threshold and the door closed after him. From beyond it, ancient hinges creaked, and the whistle quieted as he desended to the basement.
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