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@thecharmvendor
a worn shield. when you tilt it, images, memories of wars and bloodshed spill across the metal. the keepsake of a man long passed during a campaign for honor.
if traded for, it must be handled with respect. the dead are not necessarily gone.
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Sam's ears prick slightly as the door closes behind you, and she settles back down in the chair, a smug air overtaking her. Dragonfly takes a small step back, their hands hovering in front of them as both a defense and a restraint. Ray speaks quietly, "We should.. do it, right? They said that way was the most efficient, and i dont really wanna listen to the other options, if im honest." DF shrugs, glancing around briefly. "Well what abt payment? You think we have something they would accept?"
[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.]
I heard, little one. Payment... the connection itself would serve as payment enough. A puppetmaster’s strings are rare enough commodity as it is.
Sam's face hardens as she examined the strings in your hands. A cold sort of anger underlies her words, "And if I refuse? Im quite happy keeping them, as it turns out." She goes to stand, but Dragonfly is over her in a second, their hands shoving Sam back down. They simply look over their shoulder at you as they speak, their voice still somehow light, "We dont wanna hurt her. That wouldnt.. hurt, right? Like, the other ideas might, but neat means painless?"
[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.
[As they skitter to the door separating the backrooms from the shop, they pull themselves up to a far more formidable height. The door creaks shut behind them, and you are left with the company of the Collection all around you, and your two companions.]
Shes eyes the fox briefly, something deep in her tugging at her heart, but she pays it no mind as you mention payment. She stays quiet though, watching the threads appear with a false disinterest in her eyes. Dragonfly, however, is staring at them transfixed, wonder in their eyes. And Ray glances between you, the threads, and Sam, hoping for some change to happen. Its Sam that talks, "I do. What of them?"
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.]
...And some of the issues you’ve been experiencing are handled quite neatly. This is the first solution I have to offer to you three, and the neatest.
She scoffs, shaking her head dismissively. Theres a moment where she looks like she'll refuse the seat, defiance and anger sparking in her eyes, and Dragonfly watches her closely. Ray falls into his tiredly, running his hands down his face with a sigh. Finally tho, Sam huffs and sits slowly, resting delicately on the edge of her chair. "About what, *friend*?" The nickname is mocking, and Dragonfly sits anxiously, their legs bouncing. An apology dances on their lips, but remains unspoken for now.
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.]
Do you see these, little ones?
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She crosses her arms tightly, pointedly meeting one of your gazes. Her left arm is intentionally cradled tighter to her. "Im not *afraid* of anything happening to me here. Its what you should be afraid of, dear Keeper. What happens when the Master comes looking for His pup? Its not *me* He'll be mad at." A short smirk crosses her lips, cockiness coupled with a challenge sparking in her eyes.
[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.]
Take a seat. Let us chat for a little.
"Too damn many of 'em.." Ray mutters quietly, holding Sam tighter as you approach. They follow quietly, Sam almost going willingly, save for her trying to shrug his grip off. "Probably sloppy, haha-" Sam growls lowly, Dragonfly's laugh falling short. "You have mine, and Ray's.. Im assuming her asking for you is her.. giving it in her right mind..?" They sound hesitant, and Sam finally speaks up for herself, her voice deadly low. "Dont touch me unless you want to see what that training did."
[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?
[Their voices are stern, but not unkind. Their ire is reserved... more for the puppetmaster whose strings clutter up their shop at the moment. How careless.]
Dragonfly shudders along with the Collection, nodding shakily. "Right, uh, thats-" Ray cuts them off, already sounding impatient, "His name's Axel, hes a demon, fucks with.. static and mind control and electronics." Dragonfly nods, cutting back in, keeping their voice even. "He messed with her a few months ago, i dont really know when this stuff set in, but shes been home for a couple weeks, and. I dunno what she expected, but shes been having *some* clarity, so that means something, right?"
[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.]
It could mean his handiwork was sloppy, or is failing, yes. With your permissions, I’ll take a closer look.
Their eyes widen just before you say the nickname for Sam, a loud exhale passing their lips as you dont say her name. They relax the smallest bit, realizing you really were friendly. "Right, you know her, thank the gods. Um, right, we're her friends. Uh, careful, with her name, she uh. Shes attacked us every time we say it. She said you might be able to help in a uh. Moment of clarity? And then she sunk back into.. *this*." They gesture to the now-glaring Sam, and Ray's grip tightens slightly.
[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.]
And, the disclaimer. We may not be able to help you. We typically do not deal with detangling puppet strings, after all.
The door opens for a trio, a small, energetic teen with a domino mask covering their eyes leading the way for a man and familiar woman. The woman looks different this time, the bright sparkle in her eyes is replaced by an angry but absent glaze. The pair stay closer to the door, the man holding Sam back with a tight hug around her shoulders. The hero bounces up to the counter, their voice light despite the desperation in their eyes. "Hi! Youre the Keeper, right?"
[The Collection alerts the Keeper before you have even crossed the threshold, and almost absentmindedly the Keeper’s form shifts to something... smaller, persay. Fewer mouths, though no fewer eyes, and their form seems more insectoid than unfathomable.
The Keeper faces you, although some of their eyes settle on the pair in the back.]
I am indeed the Keeper. I recognize... hm. Not quite the emberchild that I’ve met before, but you two are new faces. What brings you about?
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$ with another nod and a grateful smile, she stands and waves. "I will. Til next time, yeah?" And with that, she vacates the shop, clutching the crystal delicately.
[Behind you, the door sways gently, alluringly in the nonexistent breeze. Until next time, it almost seems to echo back. Until next time, they will wait.]
$ she hesitates before nodding, holding the daylily a little more firmly and closer to her chest. "You're far too kind, seriously. I didnt- I just love them and talking about them, haha. My favorite life is the one I've spent with them-" she cuts herself off before she goes off again, letting out another little laugh. She thinks hard for a second, before saying softly, "Thank you, Keeper," pouring as much gratitude into the words as she could.
[Their eyes twinkle, but something heavier settles about the shop in response to your words. The Keeper will remember that thanks. The fox curls up, once more resuming the appearance of an immobile twine charm.]
Tread safely, emberchild. Treasure your days with them.
$ "you're sure? You mean it? What could i.." she pauses, the warmth flooding her hands making her shoulders relax, and a soft laugh pass her still trembling lips. "How could I repay you?"
No payment is needed. It is given freely.
[The fox leaps to the counter-top, chirping lightly. After a moment, the Keeper shakes their head, amused.]
The story that you have shared with us is more than enough payment.
$ she tears up a little, huffing an embarrassed but truly happy laugh. She cant wipe the teary grin off of her face when the fox returns, gently taking the lily and letting out a happy sob. "Its beautiful, but i couldnt, its--precious and yours, and i couldnt-" she cradles the crystal softly though, hesitant but adoring of the would-be gift. It was perfect, and the symbolism wasnt lost on her, she just couldnt bring herself to make you part with something so meaningful.
[The Keeper pats you lightly on the head. Around you, the Collection shifts, floorboards creaking insistently.]
It is not ours. We only hold such objects until they find their rightful home; and it clearly settles well with you.
“-theyre.. astonishing, and i would love to live every life with them if i could. i.. consider myself so incredibly lucky that they would share any of their life with me.” she falls quiet with a small, loving smile, finding that she had looked down at some point, and was now staring blankly at the fox while she rambled about her love. she blushed brightly as she realized, her head slowly lifting back up to look at you through her bangs. (5/5)
[As you come to an end, the Keeper stirs once more. A smile has crossed most of their mouths, and the Collection shifts quietly with the weight of such a retelling. At last, they speak, gentle hissing weaving into their words.]
Beautiful. Very, very few speak with such fondness as you do; such happiness as rare, and we are overjoyed that you are able to carry such love with you through your life.
[The fox chirps at you, and nuzzles you before it hops off of your hand, to the floor, darting off in search of something. Moments later, it returns with a blossom, impossibly alive despite the fact that it is carved from crystal that shines a deep amber in the afternoon light. Veins of scarlet light shoot through the crystalline lily; it seems that this charm has finally found its proper home with you. Holding it imparts a wonderful sense of warmth, bringing about sweet memories of fragrant summer evenings laden with birdsong and fireflies, and young, sweet love.]
It’s been looking for a home, and I do think that you’d match it quite wonderfully.
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“-but during sunshine, theyre.. peaceful. calm. kind and caring, they nourish so many universes that most people could never even dream of. but.. but *they* could. they have an imagination that.. thats bigger than the known universe. they could populate a trillion planets and every world would be unique. would be *them*. they put their heart into everything they do, and.. admirable doesn't even come close to describing it.” (4/)
[The Collection shifts around you; such heartfelt stories are well received, especially with the weight of the love behind this particular story.]
“theyre.. deep and unending, theyll support you if you treat them right and respect them. theyre uncontainable. limitless. theyre.. so full of life, but you wouldnt be able to see very much of it if you didnt go looking. theyre beautiful and powerful, and no artist rendition ever does them justice, no matter how hard they try. they have such a.. duality. angry during storms, destructive, they could kill me and i would thank them, haha. (3/)
[They remain silent, allowing you to continue.]