Log:Curious Goods

2015/01/16 Chen Paragon Porter The Gentleman 1 Early evening is a nice time for a family outing. Third, Porter, and the Pink Princess, Kysmette, are out on a stroll in the neighborhood. It's an excuse to get out, get some coffee from the Neko Cafe to-go, and allow Kyssie to enjoy all of the kitten watching she desires. Third is carrying the coffees as a safety precaution against spillage, while Porter carries Kysmette with the assistance of a pink baby carrier strapped to his chest. The Pink Princess herself is bundled up nice and warm in a pink blanket, and a knitted pink cap with little cat ears.

There is a new addition on the walk this evening. A shop in the neighborhood went out of business a few weeks and a new shop called 'Curious Goods' has opened in its place. It looks like a bric-a-brac shop from the window display of various intriguing odds and ends including a flute made of ivory, a violin with gold fittings, a beautiful old quilt, a pair of long opera gloves with pearl buttons, and an old fashioned typewriter. A sign in the window advertises '60% Off All Children's Toys and Apparel'

Porter couldn't be more delighted. Kyssie, Third, and coffee. And with the coffee safely out of Kyssie's reach and/or her out of the spill radius. He also has hands free to give Kyssie a finger to Death Grip (tm) on. They're almost past the new sign in the window before he realizes that there's something new. And blinks. "Hey, Sweetie... look at that..." And he points at the sale sign. Lucky? Of course.

Goldie is trotting along the sidewalk with tail wagging and head held high, greeting the occasional passerby with a quiet woof. Those who chose to walk outside with snacks find Goldie moving to sit in front of them and looking up with pleading eyes.

Third glances up as she sips her coffee and checks the sign. "Ohh! Hmm. Well, Kyssie's been a really good girl. Maybe she deserves a new toy?" she suggests as she grins at Porter.

Catching sight of Third, Porter and Kysmette after Third speaks, yeh for wolfguard hearing, Goldie bounds across the road and along the sidewalk to join the trio, woofing happily and rubbing herself up against Third's legs if Third doesn't avoid Goldie.

Third would never avoid Goldie! Also she's biased and always things Kysmette is a good girl. She leans down to scritch Goldie behind the ears. "Hey! Get any sausages today?" she grins.

"Sure. She deserves it. Maybe they'll have something different or interest-Oh!" Porter's peeking at the sign and in the window is interrupted by Goldie showing up. His finger gets squeezed a little more, but he grins down at the dog. "Hey..."

Goldie gives Porter a cheerful woof and lifts a paw to Porter for a handshake.

A woman in an ermine coat exits the shop clutching a small paper bag in one hand. She calls back over her shoulder, "Until next time, Mr D'Arcangelo." She strides confidently down the street after nodding pleasantly to you all.

Third nods politely to the woman, then holds the door open for Porter, Kysmette, and Goldie to step into the store.

The interior of the shop is filled to the rafters with all manner of bric-a-brac and gewgaw. You name it, it can probably be found in somewhere in here you imagine. There is no clear view of the back of the store, but the electronically activated chimes over the door announce your arrival. A cultured baritone voice calls out from the back of the store, "Hello and welcome to Curious Goods. How can I help you today?"

"Sorry I don't have any sausages to offer..." Porter apologizes as he shakes the paw. Kyssie stares a bit awestruck. Different from close range with Porter crouching down some. Then he nods to the woman exiting and waves Goldie to the door while Third holds it. Ladies first, of course.

Goldie bounds into the shop and sniffs, /tasting/ the air and aromas inside.

Third smiles at Porter. "Always such a gentleman," she says sweetly as he motions the ladies in first. She steps in, but still holds the door open for him.

For a moment, Goldie thinks she smells a dead rat but she quickly realizes what she smells is cooking sausages from somewhere in the back of the shop.

Goldie sniffs again and then woofs happily. . o O(Sausages!)

The pleasant sounding man calls out, "Do I hear a dog with you? If so, bring them back. I have some food I can give them." The voice falls silent for a moment then says, "Well, if you don;t mind that is. MY Lily always did say, well, never mind. Come on back!"

"Um, hi!" Porter now turns his attention to the Voice From the Back of the Store (VFBotS). "And thanks... We were looking for the kids toys and stuff?" Now he finally has a ready excuse for checking out toys.

As if anyone needs an excuse to check out toys. "Hello, yes, we did bring a dog. I'm sure she'll find her way to you if food's afoot," Third chuckles, gazing around and staying at Porter and Kyssie's side.

The voice calls out, "I have them all back here. Well, probably missed a few but most of the children's items are back here."

Goldie follows her nose and works her way further into the shop, waiting for Third and Porter to catch up every time she is about to lose sight of them. Eager as she is she's not going to desert her /family/ even for sausages.

ONce you all get in sight of it, you see: There is a wide variety of children's' toys and apparel on a set of shelves in the back near the back counter which itself seems to be dedicated to jewelry. and coins. The toys range from simple rag dolls to porcelain ladies dolls to old GI Joes to electronic games. THere are puzzles and board games and every manner of children's toy. Scattered among the toys are pieces of children's apparel stretching back to the late 20th.

Behind the counter, next to a brass turn of the 20th century cash register sits a handsome white haired older gentleman. He is dressed in a nicely tailored but conservatively cut three piece suit all in black with a white shirt and pocket square to match. A gold chain crosses the vest to what looks like a pocket watch tucked into his vest pocket. The only other hint of color in his ensemble is a pair of large ruby cufflinks in the cuffs of his sleeves. He smiles genially at the sight of you all.

Third looks over all the old toys, looking a bit uncertain of the selection. She grins down at Goldie. "Go ahead and check out the food. It's fine, we'll be right here."

The gentleman seems to have been eating a dinner of sausages and fired potatoes. It is sitting on a cracked chine plate on the top of the counter near him.

Goldie woofs and heads to the counter beside the cracked plate. Sitting beside the counter she looks up at the plate with those big pleading eyes, totally stolen after Chen watched the Puss in Boots 2057 movie remake.

The gentleman rises from his seat and peers down at Goldie with a gentle smile on his face. "Whose a good girl? Are you a good girl?" he says in that tone of voice reserved for children and animals.

Goldie says, "woof.. woof..""

The toys are all in slightly worn but good condition. Either the owner bought them this way or he's good with restoration. A pink velveteen bunny sits on the shelf right beside an apparently one eyed black teddy bear given the eyepatch it sports. Nearby is a pink haired My Little Pony figure that rests atop a Goth Hello Kitty.

The gentleman beams down at Goldie then picks up one of the sausages and flips it to her. "Good girl!" he praises.

Goldie catches the sausage in mid-air and "woofs" around it. Settling down on the floor she chews decorously.

It is a very good sausage, meaty, appley, full of beefy goodness. And nice ans warm to boot.

"Oh look, a pirate bear!" Third chuckles. The pink haired My Little Pony seems more Kysmette's speed. She looks to Porter. "What toys do you think Kysmette would like?" Toys? Is Third planning on spoiling Kysmette? Of course she is!

The gentleman spears the last sausage and says, "But this one is for me, little lady. My Lily would not be happy if I starved myself." He carefully cuts it up as he says to the young couple with the child. "If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know." He carefully chews a bite of sausage once he is done speaking.

Pink. In defiance of all entropy laws, it seeks to increase its concentration in any situation. Thus, Porter's attention is immediately drawn to the pink bunny. "Aww... look at that..." Or, he could just like pink. Or he thinks Kysmette does.

Third is momentarily lost debating what toy to get when Porter notices the pink bunny, which of course draws Para's attention. She smiles and looks to Kysmette. "Maybe we should let her choose. But I think you're right, sweetie. She'd probably love that."

The old gentleman behind the counter continues to slowly eat his dinner as the young couple discuss. He dabs at his mouth with a napkin between bites as he looks over at you from time to time.

Goldie eventually finishes her sausage and heads out towards the front door which prompts the old gentleman to rise from his seat to let her out. He meanders back saying, "She seems like a good girl. Hope she'll be OK out there."

Third smiles at the kindly shop keeper. "Oh, she'll be fine. No worries. How much is that bunny?" she points to the pink one.

The old gentleman makes his way over to the two of you then kindly asks, "Is it for the baby?" He lanes down slightly and waves at Kysmette. "Hello, little one, are your mommy and daddy spoiling you today?"

Porter nods to Third, then chuckles at the skopkeep when he comes over. "Us? No. Never. We spoil her every day, I'm pretty sure. And we think she'd love the bunny." A pause and slight frown. "Er... is it safe for chewing?"

Kysmette, for her part, neither confirms nor denies any spoiling. Her true plans remain a mystery,hidden behind fingers. And drool.

"Mm, yes, she's still at that phase where everything goes in her mouth." Third has no idea it's going to be a very long lasting phase.

The old shopkeep in his conservative suit laughs. "I'm certain that particular toy has been chewed on by the best of them." He taps his chin as his eye grow distant with memory. "Yes, I think I remember mending tears in it. Teeth marks."

"Don't have to worry about teeth yet. More about her choking or somethnig like that," Porter points out. Then he adds to Third, "Sweetie, I think she's going to be like that until she's ... four or five, I think."

Third blinks a few times and glances at Porter, appearing shocked at the sudden news. Nobody informed her of this! She'll have to read ahead on those child raising books. "Oh? Oh." She studies the pink rabbit for a moment. "I don't think she'll be able to swallow that. So it hsould be safe?"

The old gentleman looks down at Kysmette for a long moment then back up to the two young adults. "Oh my, no, I think your little girl will not choke on the bunny." He looks sad then haeds back over and behind the counter. "The bunny is real velveteen but its been here for quite some time. Hmm, call it, oh, five dollars? Well, plus the city and state taxes."

Porter nods. "Ok. We'll take it." He's a great haggler. "Anything else you'd suggest?" A glance to Third. "Or see anything else you like? For her? Or you?"

Third rubs her chin thoughtfully as she looks for something else to spoil Kysmette with. She doesn't really think about getting anything for herself. "Hmm...perhaps the pink pony? Or is it too small and a choking hazard?" she asks as she points to the pink haired My Little Pony.

"I have many interesting baubles in the show case. Gems from far off lands, coins from civilizations long lost, good luck charms and those to ward off bad luck, heh, my Lily even said there were new lives to be had in that show case" the older gentleman says as he takes his plate and utensils into the back room through a curtain. "Have a look."

"Pony is probably Ok..." Porter shrugs. Then he's caught by the talk of baubles. Warding off bad luck? If only... He steps over to look in the case.

Third studies the pony, then looks to Kysmette to try and judge the tendency of her putting things in her mouth. "Probably...when she is a little older," she suggests.

As you look down into the display case, you can see a fascinating array of items: jewelry spanning Egyptian style snake bracelets to Renaissance cloisonne and gold necklaces to French cameos of high haired noblewoman to gaudy paste jewelry to the 1020's to exquisitely delicate earrings that must be from Undermoon. There are also a jeweled egg, a golden dagger in a bejeweled sheath, a ornate styled Communion cup, scriwshaw pieces, coins from a dozen or more lands, a rabbit's foot tied to a four leaf clover, and over in one corner what looks like a mummified monkey's paw with three of its four finger unclenched. It's hard to take it all in.

The old man comes back in through the curtain to back wiping his hands on a towel. He drapes it over the back of the chair he was sitting in then comes over to the three of you. "See anything of interest," he genially inquires.

"Wow... All kinds of stuff..." Then Porter blinks out of his musings and looks sheepishly at Third and Kyssie. "Sorry. Yeah, guess that should wait." He then looks back to the old man and smiles. "Um. A lot of it looks interesting... but I'm not sure what a lot of it is, either.":

Third walks back over to Porter to look in the case with him. "Those are a lot of odd items." She chuckles and points to the rabbit's foot with the four-leaf clover. "Maybe that's something you could use," she jokes.

Porter looks back to the items and smirks at the one Third mentions. "I don't think it would help. Dunno why a rabbit's foot is supposed to be lucky... didn't help the rabbit, right? But why not?" He shrugs. "If anything could help, I won't knock it."

The gentlemanly shopkeeper points to each item in turn as he murmurs, "The egg is the same in which the Undying One of Russia kept his soul. The earrings are the ones worn by the last Queen of the Fae Homelands before she had to flee the Dragon War. Rabbit's foot and clover are from a Druid sacrifice to try to stop Patrick's mission. Two of the coins were the last bets of men who lost their lives on the gamble. The others have similar pedigrees. All have a symbolic power which can translate to real power. With the proper payment." He looks up at the two of you when he is done.

He then smiles, "So, the velveteen rabbit and the pony then?"

Third's lips purse at that thought. "I suppose it wasn't a very lucky rabbit." She sounds like she pities the rabbit. Plus all the things in the case sound well out of their price range. "I think...just the rabbit?" she looks to Porter questioningly.

Porter blinks. "Ok. Yeah, those sound a little ... -too- important..." He didn't realize they were historical items like that. Assuming they really are. So he nods with Third. "Just the rabbit sounds fine."

The old gentleman goes over to the antique register to ring up your sale. As he presses the buttons and the dings and clacks sound, he says, "Yes, but they are lost items and only for sale to certain people. Such as yourselves who have need for luck or life or healing." With a loud ding, the Sale price comes up. "So, for the rabbit as I said, its $5.45 with tax and you may have the pony gratis."

Third smiles cheerfully. "Oh, that's very nice of you. Perhaps we can keep it until she's old enough to safely play with it."

"Thanks," Porter pulls out his wallet to pay for the rabbit. "But you know what?... I don't think I really need anything for luck." He grins at the old man before turning a smile to Third and Kyssie. "I'd say I'm already pretty danged lucky."

The elderly gentleman takes the payment and then hand writes you out a receipt. "Well, if ever need anything, feel free to come back. My shop will be here even if I am away on buying trip. Someone will be here." He smiles warmly. "Do come back."

Third smiles shyly at Porter and chuckles softly. It's a surprise the young woman doesn't blush from the compliment. But that would require a beating heart. "Aww, that's so sweet, Sweetie." She picks up the pony from the shelf and at least lets Kysmette have a look at it. She should be find playing with it with supervision at least.

Third's brow furrows slightly. "Wait...why do you think we have a need for luck, life, or healing?" she finally pieces something together as Kysmette's eyes go wide at the pink pony prancing before her.

"You're welcome, Sweetie," Porter smiles at his two favorite ladies. Third's question doesn't spark a frown, but rather a chuckle. "Probably because I'm here." He does look to the shopkeep with a brow lifting, though. Just to confirm.

The elderly gentleman looks at Third then Porter then his gaze falls on Kysmette before returning to the young couple. "It is what I do, my dear young lady, I provide people with their heart's desires." He sits back down in his seat behind he counter. "Your young man fears his bad luck is harmful to his friends and loved ones, especially his daughter. You wish you were truly alive rather than in the between state you exist in. And both of you worry that Kysmette will not be truly cured of the damage her birth mother caused the child." He smiles gently. "And yes, your presence, young man, made it possible for me to be here."

Porter opens his mouth to say something. But whatever it was, he forgot it. So his mouth just hangs open. Him guessing the luck was because of him was easy. Would be for anybody. But all that?

Third blinks a few times, then steps over to be by Porter's side. It's a protective habit of hers when confronted with unknown situations are possible danger. "That seems very altruistic of you, sir," she replies politely. She casts a glance towards Porter to try and see what he's thinking. Of course, she doesn't really need to guess.

Telepathic message to Porter: << How...did he know all that...? >>

The elderly gentleman shakes his head as me murmurs, "No, not altruistic at all. I grant one's heart desires for a price. Not out of the goodness of my heart." He looks at the two of you, his gaze avoiding Kysmette. "But, I adhere to the agreements I make. Unlike some others, I do not lie about the price I charge for one's heart's desire. And sometimes, there is even a way out of paying, but not often."

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << "I have no idea..." Yeah, he's confused, too. >>

Third chews a little on her lower lip. "What sort of price...?" she asks hesitantly.

Porter finally closes his mouth. Then opens it again. "The price... why does it sond like there's a catch? I mean, isn't there always a catch? Fine print and all that?" Suspicious? Paranoid? Why wouldn't Porter be...

"The price depends on what one wants," the gentlemanly shopkeep murmurs in his smooth baritone. "For something small, say, a cream that keeps one youthful looking and attractive, but which does not truly stop one's aging? The price is money, jewels, secrets are good. As well, perhaps, a nagging worry about one's loved ones faithfulness, a hint of jealousy." He looks at the two adults present. "For what the two of wish? Well, your souls would become my property. You would be damned when you die and marked as such in life to those who can see such things. But, while that seems harsh, your Fates /would/ be altered: you, young sir,(he points at Porter), the bad luck that dogs your heels would be gone forever. You would have your normal ration as all men do, but not the burden that you bear now. You my dear (he points at Third), I could restore you to full life. You could feel, touch, experience existence again as a living woman. Bear your loved ones children even for you would be alive. As for the child, she would be cured of the ravages that await her. She would grow up a healthy child although, I fear, shadowed by the addictive nature deep in her blood, but raised right, she can overcome that." He then smiles gently. "Alas, I can only grant two of these three heart's desires as only the two of you can make the agreements. Kysmette's soul is beyond my touch as she is an innocent."

Porter's brows lift further the more the man talks. When he's done, they drop. Hard. Hard enough to furrow his brow. "Ok. Thanks... but no thanks. She's more alive than most people I know, and more than enough for me. And if she wants more than that... I don't charge her anything so she can breath and stuff again." He steps closer to Third and Kyssie before noting, "I think it's time to go, Sweetie.."

The elderly gentleman gently murmurs, "But you cannot return Third to true life, Porter, and that is what she desires in her heart of hearts."

And there's the steep price, all laid out before them. Third frowns very slightly and glances at Kysmette. "Any price would be worth Kysmette growing up healthy. But...we may have another option at a price less steep," she murmurs. Then her eyes drift up to Porter for a moment as she thinks about the offer made to her. But Porter's words uplift her, and she smiles softly. She slides an arm around Porter after he steps closer and nods. To the old man, she says, "I agree with my Sweetie. I believe it's time that we depart. I'm afraid we have to decline your offer." Even when facing a devil, Third is impeccably polite sounding. But she looks guilty at the man's last words. "I...don't need to bear Porter's children. Kysmette is -our- daughter. And since Porter loves me as I am, that is good enough for me," she starts off weak, but ends strong. "Come on, Sweetie. Let's go."

Porter wasn't exactly rude. Just a little nervous. Maybe a lot nervous. Would he love to not have the weird luck thing? Of course. Protect Third and Kyssie from the bad part of it? Definitely. But it's not worth their souls. Not even close. He just nods, which is easier to stay polite doing, and starts escorting the ladies for the door.

As the two of you head towards the door, the elderly gentleman murmurs, "And Porter? Her blood is not yours. So if the Baron need a gene sample for his cure it cannot come from you."

Third blinks and looks over her shoulder to the elderly gentleman, her brow furrowed. "What...does that mean? Where would he get the sample from?"

Porter glances back at the man. Not so politely now. "We'll figure it out. Like we always do. You don't need to worry about it." He then tugs Third a little as he keeps walking for the door. "It's Ok, Sweetie. Let's go."

"Have a good day," the shopkeep calls out just as the door shuts behind the two of you. "Be careful out there!"

Even though she has super strength, Third lets herself get tugged along, stepping quickly to catch up with Porter and walk by his side. She looks deeply disturbed by the meeting with the shopkeeper.