#sparrowchild

[The fox huffs softly at you, nosing at your foot almost as a reproach, before it circles back to Ray and Dragonfly. Them, it noses more gently, the Collection creaking almost reassuringly. From the front, it’s still going strong, the chimes of the charms drowning out any static that might even think of trying to leak to the back of the shop.]

[Before long, the chimes silence. The door opens, and the Keeper steps through, as calm and unruffled as ever. The fox chirps lightly at them, and the Keeper hums, eyes glittering as they settle back on you.]

[The Keeper watches you for a moment. There is no sympathy for the puppetkeeper in their expression; they are rarely one to stir up such waves, but if the puppetkeeper will come and make such a mess and bring it to their Collection... well, it is only fair that they do so in return. Something softer falls over their expression, as they look over at the sparrowchild.]

It will not hurt. 

I did not indicate that the other ideas would- they would simply be far less efficient, and come with a greater risk of injury to you- but this is painless.

[Chimes swell and tinkle from the front. The fox’s ears prick, and it insistently nudges the Keeper before curling up at your feet. The Keeper tilts their heads; there is a visitor. A rather unhappy one.] 

Excuse me for a moment. The Collection will look after you three. 

This is, for the lack of better description, the influence that the puppetkeeper holds over you, whether through his subtler methods of coercion, or... otherwise. Collect these...

[Suddenly, they’re weaving no longer; a quick, sharp tug, and a few filaments rest in their hands. You don’t feel it; but call the puppetmaster in mind... to mind, and there will be a growing numbness in some spots, in reference to him. Something sharp lies within their eyes; the Keeper, above all things, is still the Keeper of a Collection always looking to grow.] 

The Keeper will suffice for a name, dear emberchild.

[Unruffled as always, their voices overlap, rather soothingly. Not quite waves against a rock, but not the offsetting chittering, clicking tone it usually is. The twine fox hesitantly steps to near you, sitting down and watching you cautiously. The Keeper shifts to look at the other two, and something just a little bit beyond of you.]

Payment. Well, not quite. Let’s rewind a moment. 

[Their fingers dance through the air, spinning, spinning, weaving the threads of reality; as they do so, fine, luminescent filaments begin to blossom in the space around you. It is clear that they are not creating these filaments; rather, they are revealing them.]

[They tilt their head, looking down at you. They, and the Collection, are staring far, far deeper past your defiant stare. Moments later, something... akin to amusement seems to pass through their expressions. You think something has briefly unfolded around the edges of your peripheral vision, flickering- perhaps the Keeper, stretching? Then it’s gone as quickly as you think you’ve seen it.]

He will be held to the same rules, then. No harm within these walls, nor interfering with a customer’s business, for he is sorely mistaken if he thinks that he’s the worst that we have dealt with. 

[They drag over multiple chairs for the entire party.] 

[The Keeper does not agree, nor do they disagree, with Ray’s statement. Once all of them are inside the back room, the twine fox included, the door swings shut gently; the Keeper trusts the Collection to warn them of a new visitor. Neither of them seem particularly perturbed by the growl; nor her warning. The Collection merely falls silent, while every eye of the Keeper falls upon her, a few mouths winking open along their limbs.]

There will be no harm done to either you, or others, as long as you are within these walls. What are you most afraid of happening here, emberchild?

[They make a face. You’re not sure what it is, but it’s certainly not a pleased one. They skirt around the counter, the twine fox at their side, to examine her more closely.]

I am familiar with such demons. There are an unfortunate amount of his ilk that span these realities. Always causing trouble, always spinning their webs... I like to keep my shop free of their strings, but sometimes it cannot be helped, can it? 

[They beckon all three of you to the back rooms, after a moment. The door has swung open, and behind them, the room is rapidly clearing itself out and rearranging itself for the newcomers, the Collection well aware of the Keeper’s intentions.]

[Thoughtfully, the Keeper leans forward, every eye now resting squarely on Sam. Neither the glare, nor the strings that they see entangling her, seem to phase them. While they have seen such puppets many times before, this was the first time they’ve been brought a puppet in such a state, for deconditioning, or... something similar. Not an unwelcome challenge, but... not the typical service that they offered.] 

Tell me more. Who did she serve, how long this has lasted for? 

[Around you, the Collection shudders with a long, plaintive groan, as a small twine fox peeks around the desk, and the Keeper sighs.]