Hard Sell

(1:59:12 PM) Mishie|Johnny: Okay
(1:59:14 PM) Mishie|Johnny: So
(1:59:29 PM) Mishie|Johnny: Good news is I have a spiffy new watch AND new cufflinks
(1:59:43 PM) Mishie|Johnny: Bad news is that they're full of mojo that wants to mindfuck whoever wears it
(2:01:10 PM) Mishie|Johnny: Speaking of which, I have an address of where these are being sold, and I did some follow up to make sure that it's legit, and from what I can see it pans out
(2:01:48 PM) Mishie|Johnny: So I'm thinking we go have a nice friendly chat with the guy to sort things out, you good?
(2:02:20 PM) gib_Fredrick: That sounds like a solid plan.
(2:02:56 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny nods
(2:04:38 PM) Mishie|Johnny: Well then, I'm good to go and uhhh, reasonably so might as well leave now then
(2:04:53 PM) gib_Fredrick: I have no need of anything else.
(2:04:53 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny finishes off his glass and heads for the door
(2:05:14 PM) ***gib_Fredrick stands up, stretches his back, and ambles after Johnny
(2:10:42 PM) gib_Fredrick: "Somebody up ahead got a little ahead of themselves.  They might need some perspective."
(2:10:54 PM) Mishie|Johnny: hmm
(2:11:28 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny looks over at Fredrick, so we'll play this the normal way then?  You make em scared, I make em want to talk to me?
(2:11:49 PM) gib_Fredrick: Sounds about right.  Go in soft or hard?
(2:12:19 PM) Mishie|Johnny: Lets start shit off nice and easy, no need to make a fuss until we have to
(2:12:33 PM) gib_Fredrick: Alright, sounds fair.
(2:13:53 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny looks ahead "Well if this address is right then we're at the right place'
(2:14:25 PM) Lian [~Lian@c-73-128-50-201.hsd1.md.comcast.net] entered the room.
(2:14:57 PM) DarkenedHG: So, following the trail of the objects leads you deeper into the city proper. The walls sprout grafitti and the streets trash. Well groomed shops are traded for seedy face staring out of locked or chained doors, men in black coats hawking strange goods and the occassional store-front advertising 'needful things' 'bargain bin curses' or any other number of dangerous looking things.
(2:15:22 PM) DarkenedHG: And yet, you realize, as you pass the same store for the third time with no end to your trail in sight, that things do not seem to be going quite as planned.
(2:19:01 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny sighs and looks at the same piece of shitty graffiti again "Yeah, this was fun the first few times, now it's just annoying"
(2:22:21 PM) DarkenedHG: Fredrick can see it, jostled between two other shops in a space where there is no room for it to be. And yet it is nonetheless, waiting and lurking, to devour. Your eyes slide away from it, but the presence of it, the consumption the raw desire exudes the sense of a predator, and how could cowardice fail to recognize a predator?
(2:23:26 PM) DarkenedHG: There is no door, just a hole between the stacks of things piled high. Lost toys and broken dreams, nostalgia and memories. An old camera, books of solid gold and human leather, swords and knives and wrist-watches, the profane, the mundane and the amazing blended together in a mishmash of bargains.
(2:24:57 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Well that's interesting"
(2:26:48 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "I'm pretty sure that this isn't the only mystery shop in the area, but it may be the only one we can see right now"
(2:27:03 PM) gib_Fredrick: "Yes.  You still want me to take the lead?"
(2:27:11 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Go for it"
(2:28:29 PM) ***gib_Fredrick looks across the gap at the hidden shop, the toys and mementoes and artifacts. I walk over to where the door would be and knock on something sturdy. I'm looking for Megaman 2.  You have that?
(2:30:55 PM) TWM|Offline is now known as theweepingman
(2:32:07 PM) theweepingman is now known as TWM|Aim
(2:32:10 PM) TWM|Aim is now known as TWM|Ai
(2:32:25 PM) Lian is now known as Lian|Fox
(2:33:03 PM) DarkenedHG: A man looks up at you from behind the counter. Two eyes of pitch black stare out from tanned leathered skin. The store itself is mazelike, with the counter near the front.
(2:33:28 PM) DarkenedHG: For long moments he holds your gaze, a twinkle of light falls through his black eyes as he reveals a smile missing several teeth, "I'm sure I have what you want."
(2:34:33 PM) DarkenedHG: "But, is the thing you're looking for truly Megaman 2?"
(2:35:18 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny follows into the shop behind Frederick "Yeaaaaaah, lets just be real here, not really a priority for us today"
(2:39:31 PM) DarkenedHG: He glances at the two of you, his eyes staring through you, "Again, what is it you really want. I'm sure we have it in stock."
(2:40:31 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "See, that's the problem with this place, it's boring like that"
(2:40:51 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "It's not just about the destination, the journey is what makes it all worth it"
(2:41:20 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "And something something replace whatever destination with whatever goodies you're selling and journey with actually doing shit to earn it"
(2:41:45 PM) DarkenedHG: "Oh, is that really something you can say?"
(2:41:59 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "I'm fairly sure that it's a thing that I just said"
(2:42:29 PM) DarkenedHG: "You don't really know what I sell, do you brat? You haven't looked inside have you, you haven't seen for yourself, haven't learned anything about what I'm doing?" Another light twinkles and vanishes in the old man's eyes.
(2:42:31 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Since here's the thing right, those magical trades?  There's always a cost and it's always a hilariously ironic one"
(2:42:37 PM) DarkenedHG: "Shouldn't you know before you talk?"
(2:42:42 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny shrugs
(2:43:35 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "See, it would be a lot easier to take you seriously if it weren't for the fact that y'know, the shit you sell has some pretty hilarious side effects"
(2:43:39 PM) DarkenedHG: "I assure you there are many good deals here. Someone who just comes to talk trash about my store without even looking around, without even taking a chance on learning something new isn't someone I need to acknwoledge."
(2:43:55 PM) DarkenedHG: "What are those side effects? Why?"
(2:45:33 PM) ***gib_Fredrick pats Johnny on the arm.
(2:45:58 PM) DarkenedHG: "Someone running from their own desires, who won't even step forward to claim what they seek isn't even worth that trash that gets controlled by their wants."
(2:46:02 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny looks over at Fredrick "Hmm?  I was about to get to the good part where I watched a crazy guy get hit by a car"
(2:47:01 PM) gib_Fredrick: "Easy."  Then he turns to the shopkeeper.  "Maybe I should have introduced myself first.  I'm Fredrick.  Johnny, can you show the man the items you found?"
(2:47:48 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny pulls out the watch and cufflinks "Oh these lil things?  Yeah, gotta say they've got some nasty magic on them, good thing I got them away from that poor guy before anything bad could happen"
(2:48:14 PM) gib_Fredrick: "Yes, those.  Do you remember selling these?"
(2:49:04 PM) DarkenedHG: He looks at you straight in the eyes. "No, never seen 'em before in my life."
(2:49:20 PM) DarkenedHG: Rather than making an excuse, he chooses to lie straightforwardly and boldly, without a hint of shame!
(2:50:10 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Really?"
(2:50:16 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "You're going to be that guy"
(2:50:42 PM) DarkenedHG: "Now, are you customers or not?"
(2:50:54 PM) ***TWM|Ai stares at the store thoughtfully, noting all the...distasteful merchandise, and she wonders what kind of reason that'll drive man - or being - selling all of those. "Is this the place, Lindley?"
(2:51:03 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Why of course we are!  Isn't it obvious what we're after?"
(2:51:18 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "The only question is if you're willing to sell it"
(2:51:49 PM) ***gib_Fredrick doesn't speak, sigh, or seem to move at all, but his Estate gathers into him slowly, subtly.
(2:51:50 PM) DarkenedHG: She nods, nervously as the shopkeeper smiles at her.
(2:52:12 PM) DarkenedHG: The shopkeeper shoots her a toothy grin, then frowns at Ai.
(2:52:18 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, it's an Ai"
(2:52:22 PM) DarkenedHG: "Information, of course."
(2:52:22 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Hola"
(2:52:38 PM) DarkenedHG: "If you're looking for secrets, we have those too if you're lucky enough to find them."
(2:52:44 PM) ***TWM|Ai is surprised. "Oh, hello Johnny. Are you following the stars, too?" she asks.
(2:53:02 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Sure, lets go with that"
(2:53:11 PM) Lian|Fox: a Fox hops up on the counter.
(2:54:01 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny stares at the Fox
(2:54:13 PM) DarkenedHG: "Then go look."
(2:54:22 PM) ***TWM|Ai scratches her head. "Well, sir, your merchandise helped my friend here," Ai gestured to Lindley. "So, I'd like to thank you for that."
(2:54:27 PM) ***Lian|Fox stares at Johnny
(2:55:46 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Right, so anyway, you were about to tell us about how you sold these items to some schmuck who after having a lovely lil chat with me ran into a bit of an accident"
(2:56:09 PM) ***TWM|Ai raise her eyebrow. "Accident? What kind of accident, Johnny?"
(2:56:48 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Oh man, you weren't here for that, guy got hit by a car right out of nowhere, good times..."
(2:57:01 PM) DarkenedHG: The storekeeper shrugs, "He made a deal, he signed it. You made him tell and then you didn't even try to stop the car, did you?"
(2:57:22 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "He seemed like he had it under control"
(2:57:26 PM) gib_Fredrick: "He made a deal and signed?  It was all aboveboard."
(2:57:33 PM) DarkenedHG: "It was."
(2:57:44 PM) ***gib_Fredrick takes a step forward, ahead of Johnny.
(2:57:59 PM) DarkenedHG: "Everything that happened to him was perfectly in tune with the terms of use"
(2:58:02 PM) ***TWM|Ai hmms. "Is the side-effect of my friend's charm here result in her almost-fallen from the stair?" Ai asks the storekeeper.
(2:58:47 PM) gib_Fredrick: "Would you mind if I see what he signed?  I hope this was just a case of foolishness, but . . . responsibility.  I have to make sure."
(2:59:04 PM) DarkenedHG: "If that's what you want, then I'm sure we have a copy for sale inside."
(2:59:16 PM) ***TWM|Ai turns to Fredrick. "That's a good idea. Mind lending me your charm, Lindley?"
(2:59:57 PM) gib_Fredrick: "What price would you ask for?"
(2:59:59 PM) DarkenedHG: He turns to Lindley, "You want something else don't you? To help keep him to yourself, to have him all you want. There has to be something you can use, doesn't there, something that'll help you keep him all yours forever dear girl."
(3:00:13 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Really?"
(3:00:17 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Right in front of us?"
(3:00:19 PM) DarkenedHG: He shrugs, "Not much for a first time buyer, it all depends on what you want."
(3:00:21 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Reaaaaaally?"
(3:01:43 PM) DarkenedHG: Lindley looks at Ai, then tries to break free and rush the store.
(3:01:50 PM) DarkenedHG: "You're welcome to go look."
(3:02:03 PM) ***TWM|Ai frowns. "Lindley. If he is correct... your friend may be in danger," Ai hesitates, then continue. "Look, I'll help you with your romance. It is free. Gratis. I don't expect anything as payment. Just... don't sign more contract to him."
(3:02:33 PM) DarkenedHG: Ai finds that kind words alone don't seem to suffice.
(3:03:48 PM) DarkenedHG: The old man reaches to pet the fox, "and did you find what you were looking for?"
(3:07:05 PM) ***Lian|Fox draws a tick tac toe board on the counter top
(3:07:24 PM) DarkenedHG: He marks an X in the center
(3:07:44 PM) ***Lian|Fox smiles and walks away
(3:07:58 PM) DarkenedHG: "Still looking then?"
(3:08:33 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Pretty much"
(3:10:37 PM) DarkenedHG: "You haven't even started yet, I was talking to the actual customer" he points at the fox.
(3:16:04 PM) TWM|Ai is now known as TWM|Offline
(3:16:15 PM) TWM|Offline is now known as theweepingman
(3:16:27 PM) DarkenedHG: her face whitens, then she screams and runs madly into the maze of streets
(3:16:51 PM) DarkenedHG: The old man sighs and rubs his eyes, "Now why'd you go and do that? Look, if you're not going to shop and you're just going to scare away paying customers, then get."
(3:17:07 PM) ***theweepingman sighs. "I'll catch her, try to absolve her contract, okay?" Ai runs to the street.
(3:17:11 PM) theweepingman is now known as TWM|Ai
(3:18:44 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Riiiiight"
(3:18:46 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "So"
(3:18:59 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "We just going to keep on dancing around the issue then?"
(3:19:13 PM) ***TWM|Ai shouts. "Oh! And her friend, too!"
(3:19:30 PM) gib_Fredrick left the room (quit: Quit: KVIrc 4.2.0 Equilibrium http://www.kvirc.net/).
(3:19:58 PM) DarkenedHG: "Look, I've told you you can help them if you just go in and look."
(3:20:08 PM) DarkenedHG: "Now, you can leave or you can look."
(3:20:21 PM) DarkenedHG: "YOu're the ones standing outside like idiots scaring off all my customers."
(3:21:55 PM) DarkenedHG: Ai can catch the hysterial screaming Lindley whose trying to run away into a really supicious darker alley.
(3:22:07 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny sighs
(3:22:19 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Ai, get back here I'll keep her safe'
(3:24:15 PM) ***TWM|Ai skids. "Well.. alright." she grudgingly returns to the store. "So. What I want. I want you to stop selling those charms. Their price is too high, and your customer doesn't understand the price. How much you'll charge for that?"
(3:24:35 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny stares at Ai
(3:25:34 PM) Mishie|Johnny: "Yeah okay, just going to end this farce before it gets too stupid, Ai, try to avoid making any deals with the nice Excrucian that's been causing chaos in the Chancel mkay?"
(3:25:58 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny glares at the shopkeeper "Now look at what you made me do, now the fun is over"
(3:26:34 PM) ***TWM|Ai shrug. "We'll need to start somewhere. And I'd vastly prefer we start by dealing, instead of burning the store."
(3:27:28 PM) DarkenedHG: "You're welcome to burn it if that's what you really desire."
(3:27:33 PM) DarkenedHG: He shrugs as if to say go ahead.
(3:27:56 PM) ***Mishie|Johnny casually uses a minor miracle to keep Ai's friend safe before he forgets
(3:30:49 PM) ***TWM|Ai sighs. "State your term, Excrucian. We don't have all day."
(3:32:06 PM) DarkenedHG: "Go look."
(3:32:11 PM) DarkenedHG: "I've said it and said it again."
(3:32:24 PM) DarkenedHG: "I have what you want, if you can find it, if you can pay the price. Please, please go look."
(3:32:47 PM) DarkenedHG: "Step inside and master your desire, show me that you can take what you want without being controlled by it, without running from it."
(3:34:05 PM) ***TWM|Ai shakes her head. "And if we did, what'd you offer, Shopkeeper?"
(3:34:36 PM) DarkenedHG: "Show me what you want to buy, whatever desire you hold."
(3:34:53 PM) DarkenedHG: "All that's here is for offer if you can pay the price."