The Collector leaned over to Bebby, briefly and politely glancing over her. "A pleasure," he murmured, tone empty. "Thankfully, if you are interested in tea, you will find what's on offer here to be far superior." It was said terribly sweetly, even as he pushed a cup toward Bebby in kind and generous offering.

"Now--do feel free to browse, and take your time..." Crimson pinprick eyes briefly flicked over the cat.

Well-... why the hell not. It'd be funny, at the very least.

"The mace-" A blink. He paused, glancing back. "Do you have... a larger friend to make use of it? Someone, perhaps, with hands? Not that I am opposed to selling, of course, but you may find it..." Impossible. "Unwieldy. I do not know precisely what it does. I can tell you that the enchantment on it is not immensely powerful, and it does not appear to be aged into a twisted magic or a curse. It is something straightforward, but I have not yet uncovered it."

@Bebby

The Collector leaned out--and then craned his neck back, peering past the overhanging tent to look up at Galleon's massive sail. "Impressive," he murmured. "The Collector, yes. Ahhh--I believe I remember you. The--'Warship of the Underworld,' was it-?" He tsk'd softly, shaking his head, even as he slid out from behind the counter and stepped neatly over to inspect Galleon's bone-sheet teeth. "I was so looking forward to your battles; a shame you were matched up against the Sleepless Chaos. I truly believe that anyone else in that ring, you would have decimated."

He lifted the teacup held in one hand, blowing gently on the tea. "Let me cool it, a moment. I'd hate to burn you. As for your question--I have just the thing. -Sandworms, yes? Armor, spines--none of that seems to deter them, if I recall correctly. But toxins--that would do it. Foul-tasting venom, exuding from your scales. It leaves a streak of the stuff behind, naturally--but it would quite repel anything that bites you. Of course, the Sandworms can be rather... stubborn. But I think it would be just the thing. As for cost," he went on, glancing back to Last Legs--and then forward, stepping to Galleon's massive maw to gently trickle the tea into her mouth, "The cost for each would be similar. I would ask you to grant me a piece of your stone, for one--and to grant life to another stone for the other. If that is acceptable, I'd be happy to make the deal right now."

He paused, cup held midair, peering at Galleon. "-How do you find the tea?" he asked, head tilting to one side.

@Galleon

Bebby almost immediately dumps the whole cup into her mouth, makes a bit of a face as she swallows it, and give the best approximation of a thumbs up she can.

she hummed. mystery magic??? that could be cool, but it was kinda. massive? she didn't have hands, as much as her big paws did add a bit of grip, but as for hands??? forgraves had hands, but he was barely bigger than the mace, banshy had them but he didn't fight, and tori was BIG but she didnt have hands and that looked like it hurt to bite on.

"hmm. true true. and that other spiky looking thing doesn't look much easier to use either." she says, thinking. that ring seemed cool, but like?? it'd probably be uncomfortable.

"you got anything that can go around my neck?? like, for magic stuff?? maybe something to make my light magic more, like, harmful, because its just pretty right now, or something for the big lazer i can shoot out of my mouth AND OR anything you personally think is cool." she asked, a bit rambly. she was here for magic, dammit, she was gonna GET her magic.

Aethereal sniffed. Nestled in the warm, thick fur between her wings, Scars too pushed himself up on his hind legs and sniffed.

So it wasn't just her imagination, she thought with wonder. That thing the Collector was currently pouring into a giant (compared to him, anyway) sand-shark's mouth? It really did smell delicious.

That provided the final push for the Valkhound to approach his stand from where she'd been lounging around and watching others come up, chat, and take their own items. She considered the teapot, the teacups, and her own huge, thickly-furred paws. "Could you help me with some tea, too?" she asked meekly, sprawling onto her belly and lowering her neck to present the Oil-slicked opening for tea-pouring. "It smells good. And-- oh, that looks fun!" A tone of manic excitement entered her voice upon glimpsing the vicious, spike-studded Fangstone Mace. It looked perfect for destruction.

Aethereal took several deep breaths. I will not wreck this perfectly good market. I will not wreck this perfectly good market. I will not wreck this perfectly good market. And so on. "Could I try it out?" she asked, wings twitching ever so slightly. Claws curling and uncurling with anticipation. To sate her desire to do something, she pushed her magic toward it to see what mysterious magic it might hold.

"That's me." Galleon said, what might've been an attempt at a grin instead being a slight pull of her exposed teeth. "Ah, not too worried about that. I got to reminisce about it. It was fun. Save the ah, mutual disemboweling." Galleon chuckled awkwardly.

She was respectably quiet as the Collector explained the poison. Them not respecting her armor, yes, she had become used to. Though she was preoccupied with the Collector, Galleon took the time then to eye up the furred giant that'd approached, though the only thought that came to mind was that Galleon couldn't remember seeing them before.

When the cost came up, Galleon's eyes shifted back to the Collector. Galleon resisted the urge to flinch as the trickle of tea hit her tongue. It wasn't bad, no. Just... very different. "Sorry I ah, I wasn't expecting that taste. Don't think I've had something that tasted like that before. Not salty at all. Mmm, not sure how I feel about it. But....it's not bad." Had she arms, she would've shrugged.

"But uh, you just want a bit of my stone and life, huh? I think I'm sold. Id give anything to not have to haul myself around out the ground like this. Here--I can give you a bit of my stone easily enough." Galleon said. Galleon shook herself like a dog, willing her stone to slice, a chip shedding off and tinkling as it fell to the ground. Her energy drained from her with the dent in her magicka. Then, delayed until after she has already complied, a thread of curiosity wormed it's way in. "Hmm, I gotta ask though: what d'ya want 'em for?"

He peered at Bebby, staring for a long moment. She had the ability to fire Kihan's breath from her jaws, and that wasn't enough? Well-... He cleared his throat.

"The... laser of which you speak would be difficult to improve upon. I do have something of a 'joke' item from many years ago--it simply makes the bearer look larger and more intimidating while using the spell. But that is all it does. As for other light-... Do you mean for combat? There are always ways to intensify it, but light is hardly a weapon." He considered, drumming claws atop his table. "I do have something that would enhance the effects of a beam of blinding light--if you know that spell." (She did not, but he had no way of knowing this). "To make it uncomfortably hot, but it is still not a true weapon. The element of Light is uniquely suited to being a tool, not a weapon. It is difficult to make it otherwise. There is a spell I believe your generation has lost, one that I could teach you--it allows Light to burn, though it is not particularly useful in combat. But..."

He paused, scrutinizing Bebby. "There is one thing. Powerful enough that I would ask for two payments, and not one. It holds great potential for misuse, and harm. But it would grant you the ability to give temporary form to any illusory object made of light."

Ahh, how he missed seeing blades and ledges and water pipes formed of light, shimmering into temporary reality... and the resulting devastation that inevitably followed...

@Bebby

The Collector slid forward, lifting a tea cup and peering closely at Aethereal. He had no idea how she was seeing anything--he noted no eyes on her. A fascinating creature. He set the cup before her. "Here you are," he crooned.

Her magic would note it as natural: the same sort of magic your average Gembound held, likely some form of elemental. It certainly was not Corrupted, as she was, nor did it bear the cold taint of Order.

"By all means. But please, do not swing it at anybody here. And do not fly away with it," he added, softly, before setting the mace too before her. "It is called the Fangstone Mace, though its properties are not fully known to me. I do not believe its enchantment to be particularly powerful, nor twisted by age or curse, but it is witholding something."

@Aethereal

The Collector snapped his fingers, turning, and Last Legs shuffled over. He reached for the shard of stone--assuming Galleon would allow it--and spoke. "Your new master, Last Legs. Treat her well, hmm..?"

The many-legged wagon scuttled (cursedly) over, skittering to Galleon's side; the warm wood nudged her like a dog might, almost affectionate or questioning. Then it settled down, legs splooting out to all sides as it awaited her command.

"As for the stones... I do have reasons. It is not to mistreat children, or harm them in any way, I assure you. Nor will the stones be killed. They will be raised well but past that it is my own business--I mean you no offense, dear Warship. Now-... as for the venom... were you interested?"

@Galleon

Bebby listened, humming. the joke item sounded fun, but if thats all it does??? lame.

She nods as he speaks, she knows this. sure it can get pretty bright, but that hardly does much.

her ears perk up at the mention of a cool LOST spell, though!! magic that nobody else has??? SIGN HER THE FUCK UP.

but before she can loudly exclaim thats what she wants, he's talking again.

something powerful enough to warrant 2 payments eh??? sure is a good thing she came prepared to make atleast 3!

"i want the cool lost spell AAAND the fun 'give light form thing' if thats okie dokie with you! that'd be a cool combination, dontcha think? imagine like, making a cool sword and before it disappears you stab somebody and it like, hurts EXTRA. i think youre underselling the possibilities." she went on, smilling, something almost sadistic in the back of her tone but she seems more amused than anything.

"what do you need me to do?"

The Collector flipped a little piece of Aragonite to Bebby. He then reached into his robes, drawing out a small silver chain upon which hung two rings, one of which was dotted with gleaming diamonds. This he offered over, and then, a small yellow-white crystal that glowed with magicka.

"That item will allow your illusions to become solid--for a brief time. But be warned; just because it's magic does not mean it can break the laws of physics. And this," he went on, sliding over the crystal: "eat it. It will grant you knowledge of the magic I spoke of."

He nodded to the gemstone shard, then. "In return: grant life to that stone. And grant two pieces of your stone, in turn. And then the contract will be sealed. ...All items sold in their current condition, no liability assumed, user assumes all responsibility, and no refunds."

The Collector grinned.

---

Bebby has discovered the following spell:

Magnify.
Medium Intensity Manipulation. Focus ambient light into a concentrated beam which sharpens vision of tiny objects, or heats and eventually ignites a flammable source. Experienced users can focus the light fast enough to cause small, localized burns on a target.

Unidentified Item!

Bebby has received an unidentified item from The Collector!

3★ Rings of Dust Two silver rings on a silver chain, clinking softly when the chain dangles. One is studded with tiny diamonds.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Rings of Dust Two silver rings on a silver chain, clinking softly when the chain dangles. One is studded with tiny diamonds. The rings and their stones seem to reflect ambient light in an unnaturally bright fashion. "Just because it's magic doesn't mean it can break the laws of physics..." ELEMENT: MAGIC LEVEL: 100 DURABILITY: 45 SPECIAL: Focusing successful Aether Dance casts through the Rings will cause the illusion to become physically present--hard, like stone--for one round. The hard objects can be picked up, moved, or otherwise manipulated. MATERIAL: Raw Topaz ATTACK: N/A ADDED: Cursed. This curse is not yet revealed. GM tag for every use of the item to reveal this curse. DEFENSE: N/A WEIGHT: 1 EQUIP: Rings/Pendant Currently owned by: Bebby

@Bebby

Bebby let out an impressed 'ooooh...." as he pulled out the pendant, and she seemed utterly entranced by the little ball of magicka, grinning widely.

"nice, cool, awesome. sounds great. she nodded, excited.

before she'd take anything, she would do as she was asked, pressed her paws to the gemstone shard, her magic willing forward.

when she was sure it took, she grinned, and help up a paw. "one moment." she said, and then touched a paw to her chest, lifting it for a moment before touching it to her chest again.

for a moment, nothing happened, before she made a sickly noise, and then proceeded to cough 2 beautiful aura quartz shards directly into the dirt.

she wiped them off of their bile and handed them to the collector, before lunging to grab her new magic. the shards were still kinda wet...

she shoved the magic ball in her mouth and crunched, making a delighted sound as new yet still familiar magic flooded into her veins. she put the pendant around her neck aswell noting its beauty with another sound of awe.

"thank you mr collector!! enjoy the rocks!!" she said, before bounding off happily.

*exit

Algol passed his hands over the new gemstones, smiling beneath his hood. A spark of magic infused the now-growing one, and he passed it into his robe--into whichever pocket dimension it would begin to grow.

"Ta ta," he murmured after Bebby, crimson pinprick eyes gleaming.

Doctor flapped in clumsily, his massive wingspan nearly crashing into the stall as he pulled up just short. It was clear from his flight that he was virtually blind--The Collector's heat signature was there, but he couldn't see objects at all.

He landed heavily, skidding in the dust, before picking himself up and ruffling his feathers into place. A curious gaze, button-eyed, tilted up to regard the shimmering warm figure towering above him. He'd heard... sinister things about this creature--he was... ominous, but seemingly useful.

"Collector, I hope?" he greeted, with a click of his beak. "My name is Doctor. I am--as my name says!--a Doctor. Or... I was hoping to be. I was hoping to... advance science, tend the wounded, heal the weak, but... an incident has left me without my sight. I was wondering if you might have a way to... restore it, that I might continue my work," he added, softly.