Elegant Blades Weapons Shop - Page 23

Faust D'Rinishad · December 12, 2003, 03:49 PM

Ducking in from the archway of the facility, Faust drew back the cowl of his ebony cloak, drawing the hood back in one swift motion as he maintained a calm and confident gait throughout the store. His crimson gaze darted curiously about the compound, searching inquisitively for that little hobbit that had helped him so long ago. To his astonishment (and dismay) the Vysstichi noted in his stead a half-elf figure working behind the counters. Faust wrinkled his nose somewhat at the sight of the lightborn being, wondering the cause of replacement to the hobbit that had gradually become somewhat of a friend. With the shrug of his slender shoulders, the elfboy simply shook his head and dismissed the thought, stepping over towards the one named Ashe.

"Greetings, ma'am." the elfboy brought up an index finger paired with his middle and saluted mildly, "Not exactly here to purchase anything...but rather to see about the possibilities of selling some items." with that said, Faust tossed back the folds of his cloak and withdrew a pair of elven longswords. The first of which lay encrusted in various gold and silver bits around the hilt and handle, and coolly accommodated by a sharp blade of elven steel. The second of the weapons was made of elven steel as well, though there was a tint of brown to the weapon, "How much would you suppose I could get for these two?" the elfboy smirked, thinking of stressing the point that the weapons he held in his hands were made of fine elven steel.

Kalinda · December 22, 2003, 04:23 AM

OOC: Since Ashe has not been on in some time I’ll step in for a while. Ashe, as long as you are gone, I’ll pretend that you are occupied with other things. If you return, you can take over again right away.

Eshaliza

Most people believed that Vortex’ population only consisted of vysstichi and humans, but a noteable amount of hobbits lived within her walls too. Thus it should not come at a surprise that the short creature that looked at Eshaliza as she entered, was a hobbit, a male hobbit with big hairy feet displayed openly, dressed in a light brown leather vest and matching pants to be exact. The tiny man had a certain adventurous look about him, his arms were muscular for somebody of his race. He had all the appearance of somebody that enjoyed leaving Vortex every once in a while.

With a light frown the hobbit watched as Eshaliza looked at the weapons that were on sale, on and on. For nearly half an hour the vysstichi woman stood there. He let out an indignant snort. Vysstichi were a strange race, he deciced. He didn’t hate them, didn’t discriminate against them after all the backstabbing dark elves were his best customers, they constantly needed things they could kill their enemies with, but couldn’t they act at least a bit like normal people? Why did they always have to smile so strangely when they were confronted with weapons?

As she finally turned away from the blades, the hobbit decided that it was time to raise his voice. His clerk, Ashe, was nowhere to be seen, she was likely doing work in another part of the store, that meant he had to deal with the vysstichi woman who would very likely snap at him if he only looked at her the wrong way himself. “Have you finally found something?” he asked in a somewhat rude voice and arched an eyebrow.

Faust

And there was another one in the endless stream of dark elves that entered the weapons shop. The hobbit sighed as his gaze fell on the boy, but as he realized just which boy it was his eyes instantly lit up again. The young man had already been here before! It was Faust. It only took the hobbit a few seconds to come to a decision. He stepped next to Ashe who was standing behind the counter and said, “I will deal with the young man himself. Ashe, you can go and serve somebody else in the meantime.”

He proceeded to inspect the weapons that Faust had brought with him, stroking his chin lightly. “Hmmm ...” he made as he let his chubby fingers run across the brown blade and frowned lightly. “The sword is brown, but it isn’t rust ... I would have said it’s dwarven steel, but it’s too light for that. I have seen dwarven blades with a brown tint from time to time. Hmmm ...” He brought the blade a bit closer to his face and looked at it again. “I will give you 600 crowns for it”, he decided. “It looks too strange to be worth more than that. I doubt few people will want to buy a brown sword from me ...”

As he inspected the second blade, his eyes instantly lit up. “Gold! Silver!” he exclaimed and looked at the hilt greedily. “You’ve got yourself a small beauty here!” he told Faust. “If I were you, I would keep the sword! But in case you really want to sell it, I would give you a full 1700 crowns for the blade. The smith has done exceptional work on the hilt. Do you see how fine the work on the hilt is?” He gestured for Faust to take a closer look, then waited for him to make his decision.

Eshaliza Xythan'tor · December 22, 2003, 06:32 AM

Eshaliza turned at the sound of a voice. It took a moment for her to realize it came from the short creature she'd overlooked upon entering the store some time ago. The crimson eyes took on a curious look as she stared down at the hobbit. What was the creature? Some sort of defective human? The Vyssi had little knowledge of the surface races and in her curiousity forgot to become angry at the rudeness of the male.

"You may. There are two blades that interest me, I want to know how much they are." Her common was thick with the accent of her native language, and the words were slow to spill from her mouth. Rarely did she speak anything but the harsh and fluid syllables of the Vysstichi language, but she doubted this little creature spoke it. In the hopes of making her purchase quick and painless, she sullied her tongue with the clumsy words of Common.

Her ebon hand pushed with irritation at the heavy fabric of her cloak, tucking it aside and over her shoulders. She would be glad to retreat to the familiarity of the underground city once again, and rid herself of its necessary encumberance.

Kalinda · December 22, 2003, 12:54 PM

The „defective human“ furrowed his brow slightly as the vysstichi finally decided to speak. Strangely enough she seemed to be curious about him. It was almost as if she wasn’t quite sure what he was which caught him as slightly odd. As if on cue he stared down at his hairy feet.

For him there was no doubt about his race, humans didn’t have such beautiful feet and dwarves were fat and had beards that got in their way whenever they were eating. He had always thought that her kind dealt with hobbits, even kept a few unfortunate members of his race as slaves, but as it seemed there were none of his kind in the caverns she had come from, not if the look on her face was anything to go by.

Shrugging his shoulders lightly the “human who had had the bad luck to stay small and suffered from a disease that gave him hairy feet” glanced at the blades that she desired before he walked over to the shelves where the weapons lay, picked them up and dumped them on the counter, directly in front of Eshaliza.

“The dagger with the silver handle is 175 crowns”, he stated. “Silver is rather expensive, thus it should not come as a surprise that weapons where that material is being used cost a little more.” He flashed her a smile, then turned to the next weapon. “The knife comes to a mere 80 crowns as it is made of simple steel and nothing as fancy as silver and that extra fine steel being used for the dagger.”

He looked up at her, obviously waiting for her to either pay or state that the weapons were too expensive, before another sentence, spoken in a calm, neutral tone escaped his lips, “I’m a hobbit.” Nothing more was said, as if the short creature thought that this explanation was sufficient for the underground dweller who was not familiar with the races that lived under the suns of Telath.

Eshaliza Xythan'tor · December 23, 2003, 01:59 AM

As the hobbit looked to his feet, she glanced down too. She hadn't missed the large and furry things, but she did wonder now why he was so interested in them. A thought struck her, and she smiled, pleased. He should be so respectful to her.

She listened to the prices of the knives, and considered the amount of crowns she possessed. At this point, she had the full allotment she'd left the Matron's house in possession, but she still needed to procure a place to sleep that was safe. The less she spent on a knife that might have to be left in its fleshy sheath, the better. A quick nod of her head said she was decided.

The white eyebrows went up slightly, at the random comment from 'I'm a hobbit.' That was unexpected. The name didn't sound familiar to her, as she'd never cared much at all about the surface races, but she supposed the creature wasn't all that deformed if it wasn't a human at all.

"A hobbit. Well, hobbit, I would take the steel knife then." Her fingers slipped into the pouch at her waist for the eighty crowns he expected for it, and held the paper notes out towards him.

Kalinda · December 23, 2003, 11:47 AM

The hobbit rolled his eyes slightly as Eshaliza repeated what he had just told her as if she didn’t care about his race at all, as if the surface races didn’t interest her a bit. If he had been human or an orc she would probably have reacted the same way. But what else should he have expected? She was a vysstichi after all, and vysstichi generally acted that way, as if they were superior, as if the other races were of no concern to them.

He had never met a single vysstichi who had wanted to know more about his race, asked why he had hairy feet and asked to smoke a bit of pipeweed with him. They never wanted to socialize with his kind. He dropped his shoulders.

As she removed a couple of bank notes from the pouch at her waist, the small creature looked up again abruptly. His brown eyes seemed to be much brighter than before. “Ah yes ... the steel knife ...” he murmurred, took the notes and inspected them rather closely. Deciding that they were not fake, but the real thing he let them disappear in a small box that stood on top of the counter.

Chubby, lightly tanned fingers moved for the steel knife that was lying in front of him invitingly and ran across the blade lovingly, before the hobbit extended his hand and offered the weapon to Eshaliza. “It’s yours I suppose ...” he stated and grinned slightly. His momentary melancholy had disappeared rather quickly. “Anything else, Miss? You may want to get a sheath for the thing ...”

Faust D'Rinishad · December 23, 2003, 09:06 PM

The elfboy's expression immediately lightened upon sight of the hobbit, brightening greatly as he jabbed a small hand into the air and casted a genuine wave. Trotting further into the facility, the Vysstichi allowed the kind proprietor to gander at his wears, patiently watching as the hobbit inspected the sharpness, metals, and materials by which the two weapons had been created. Faust had pilfered both of the delicate blades from a mercenary captain somewhere within the confines of Vortex, but he didn't figure that such information would necessarily need to be presented in order for their transaction to commence.

"1,700 crowns for the decorated longsword?" the elfboy's eyes widened greatly at this prospect, trying hard to register the great amount of money that was being offered to him. Though, one thing that caught the elfboy offguard was the hobbit's recommendation to keep the sword. The blacksmith had become somewhat of a friend in the past and the Vysstichi understood that it might prove well to heed his advice. Thus, the dark elf didn't make any final word on the sellings of the sword. Instead, he turned his attention back towards the brown blade.

"So you're saying that one isn't dwarven or elven?" Faust quirked a brow, studying the hobbit's words for several moments, somewhat interested in the origination of the sword's make. He found it unusual for the hobbit to be unsure, as the man had been fairly helpful in the past and knew his weapons very, very well, Faus thad come to trust his judgement. And the Vysstichi would hate to have to sell something that might end up being very valuable or useful in the future, "Would you know of anyone who might be able to tell me what exactly this weapon is made of, Master Hobbit?"

Eshaliza Xythan'tor · December 24, 2003, 12:07 AM

Watching the hobbit handle the knife she had just purchased, she was intrigued with the way he stroked the blade lovingly, before offering it towards her. Her ebon hand closed about the hilt, and actually paused the moment before drawing the weapon back to allow the small hand to release it. Ordinarily she'd have just jerked back.

"A sheath. Yes." She'd need that, to carry the thing. Her hands too, let her fingers run over the steel blade, admiring the craftsmanship of the piece. Seeing that, it reminded her of the way the hobbit had treated the knife, and her intrigue with that.

"You love the knives? Did you craft this one, Hobbit?" The crimson eyes gazed at him beneath canted eyebrows, as she asked the question.

Kalinda · December 25, 2003, 07:20 AM

Faust

„Yes, yes, 1,700 crowns for the sword with the pretty gold and silver things“, the hobbit confirmed with a slight smile and watched the elfboy’s face closely. As it seemed the young dark elf had taken his advice and was considering not to sell the longsword after all. Deciding that it was best not to further comment on the issue and let Faust ponder the precious weapon that had fallen into his hands, the hobbit turned to his next set of questions.

“Hmmm ... Somebody who can tell you what the sword is made of ... I don’t think you need to go elsewhere yet ... ” The hobbit stroke his chin thoughtfully as he regarded the brown sword again. “May I?” He waited just a moment for the elfboy’s approval before he took the sword from his hands and brought it close to his face. “Hmmm ...” He weighed it, turned it left and right.

“I think it could be made of normal steel with a coating of dwarven steel. Low grade dwarven steel can have a brown color. It’s not as good as high grade dwarven steel, but still twice or three times as good as normal steel. A coating of dwarven steel instead of full dwarven steel would explain the lighter weight. Still, that doesn’t change too much about the price I have offered due to the low quality of the dwarven steel being used. Frankly, it looks like it’s slowly rusting away. 650 crowns and a chance to smoke some pipeweed with me. What do you think?” The hobbit grinned and put the sword down, then looked at Faust expectantly.

Eshaliza

The hobbit only hesitated for the fraction of a second before he released the knife again, allowing Eshaliza to take it. He quickly turned to a shelf behind the counter that contained sheathes in all colours and materials, ranging from sheathes made of simple wood over leather to metal. Some sheathes bore intricate pictures, were decorated with small gems and bits of gold and silver, others were utterly plain.

The hobbit only paused a moment, then he took three sheathes and placed them in front of Eshaliza. The first one was made of wood, the second one of dark brown leather and the third one of blackened leather that was embroidered with the picture of a white and silver dragon. Two small red stones had been used for the eyes. “The wooden sheath is for free, the brown leather one costs 30 crowns and the one with the dragon on it 50 crowns”, he stated and pushed the sheathes a bit closer to her.

“Yes, I crafted the knife myself”, he answered her last question with noticeable pride in his voice. “I’m a smith which should be obvious. Why did you ask?” He regarded her curiously, then made another statement that seemed to be somewhat out of place, “My name is not “hobbit”, but Dubbie. You would not like to be called “Vysstichi” instead of whatever is your name either, would you?” He quirked an eyebrow.

Faust D'Rinishad · December 25, 2003, 04:49 PM

"Hmm...I'll have to think about that one, Master Hobbit." the elfboy smiled appreciatively in regards to the jeweled longsword as he slid it back into the girdle at his waist. 1,700 crowns was a handsome sum of money for one of his stature, but the fact that it was worth so much made it very difficult for the Vysstichi to consider parting with it. Not yet, the dark elf mused silently to himself, perhaps it'd come in handy in the future.

"Low grade dwarven steel then..." Faust pointed towards the brown blade. With the confirmation of the hobbit, the elfboy realized that the weapon would be of little use to him monetary wise, but it wouldn't hurt to accummulate the extra crowns while he still could. After all, carrying around two long swords was no easy task, and frankly it was one in which the Vysstichi wouldn't mind dropping.

"650 crowns then, for the long sword of dwarven steel." Faust nodded his head slightly in agreement to the deal. The extra pocket change would indeed be useful as the Vysstichi had been making plans to head out of the city for some time. He still boasted a small array of dagger weaponry which would provide enough defense. Yes, he did not need the dwarven blade, "Sounds good to me." Faust smiled slightly.

Kalinda · December 26, 2003, 11:32 PM

„Then we have come to an agreement ...“ the little hobbit murmurred and glanced at the brown sword again before he mumbled another sentence, “Wait a moment. I just have to get the money ...” With that he took a small chest that was standing on the counter, opened it and rummaged through it until he had found seven banknotes. Obviously Dubbie kept more than just his money in the chest.

As he placed the banknotes on the counter for Faust to take them, the elfboy could see that there were six notes for hundred crowns and one note for fifty crowns. Together they came to the sum that they had just decided on. The hobbit grinned slightly, then extended his hands as a sign that he wanted the sword now. “Could you please give me the blade now?” he inquired and then mumbled, “I just hope I’ll find somebody who is willing to buy the thing ...”

Eshaliza Xythan'tor · December 27, 2003, 03:26 AM

The display of the three sheathes drew Eshaliza's eyes from the shine of her new knife to the counter once again. Immediately she discarded the thought of the one that came free. It wasn't worthy enough if it was free. Her dark finger stroked lightly over the plain leather one, and then over the detailed and expensive one.

Fifty crowns was a good bit of coin to sink into a holder for a knife. It was more than half the cost of what she'd paid for the blade to begin with. As she turned this over in her mind, she used the hobbit as an excuse to tarry, so that it didn't look like she was trying to conserve her cash.

"Dubbie." An inelegant name, but the hobbit was rather inelegant in her eyes anyway. Still, if he'd truly crafted the knife she held in her hands, she found some small measure of respect for his craftwork. The Hobbit made beautiful blades for killing things. "I am Vysstichi. I am proud to be Vysstichi." She almost felt sorry for the little thing that was not a Vysstichi, but not quite. He was still a useful servant.

"I asked, because those who sell blades are not always those who make them. Your hands petted the blade as if it were a lover, and not a tool. That makes me think you crafted it." Her nail tapped the red gemmed eyes of the dragon on the last sheathe. "I will take this one. It alone is worthy to hold my knife." She drew out fifty more crowns to give to Dubbie, without flinching- though she knew she would be missing those crowns very quickly.

Kalinda · December 28, 2003, 10:26 AM

„Of course“, the little hobbit stated dryly as Eshaliza told him that she was proud to be Vysstichi. “I am proud to be a hobbit too. But that was not what I meant ...” He shrugged his shoulders slightly, deciding that it didn’t really matter anyway as long as she bought his things.

At her next comment the small, rather inelegant creature actually smiled. Something about her remark that he had patted the blade as if it were a lover caught him as friendly. “Thank you ...” he murmurred and took the money she handed to him, put it into his box.

“Here’s your sheath ...” he stated and gave the black leather sheath to her. “If you ever need a knife again, Dubbie will help you!” he told her and puffed his chest to make himself look a bit more impressive. “I’m the best smith in all of Vortex!”

Eshaliza Xythan'tor · December 28, 2003, 03:06 PM

The smile was returned. Not necessarily because she felt friendly towards the hobbit, but he had managed to amuse her. Her lithe, ebon fingers reached for the black leather sheathe, and admired the silver and white dragon up close. The red gem eyes sparkled in the lighting of the shop.

Her right hand brought the cold metal of the steel blade upwards, and slipped it inside the stiff leather of its new home. Eshaliza then began to fasten the sheathe against her belt; better to wear it now than be caught out in the end. Once the blade was attached, she let the annoying fabric of the cloak slip over it.

"I will remember that. Should I have need of another blade, this place is where I shall come. .. Namaarie." The vysstichi woman turned and exited the shop without further ado.

Alysha Xythan'tor · December 28, 2003, 06:16 PM

It was a sad day, a horrible day indeed, when Alysha Xythan'tor was forced by circumstance to patronize a shop run by a Hobbit. A Hobbit of all things! As if a more wasteful creature could be imagined. The very race had little purpose, sitting somewhere between a human and a light born elf, but without the stature of either and an ungodly amount of hair - - hair on their feet, of all places! But Alysha had been through Vortex, top and bottom, in search of a more accommodating shop. Perhaps one owned by a Vysstichi, or at least staffed by one.. even a dracon would've done better then this. But there were none and so she stood outside the door and grit her teeth, then entered purposefully, like a spear through armor.

What seemed to be a thousand tiny white braids, each bound by a small silent bead, hung from the crown of the woman's head and swung with her movements, like a cloak around a queen, as she entered the shop. Even now, trailed by a hesitant half-Vysstichi and entering the foul shop, Alysha couldn't be mistaken for other then what she was. Vysstichi, first and foremost, and noble (or perhaps unduly arrogant) undoubtedly. She strode forward to the counter's edge, then sat the palms of both hands down on the scarred wood as her voice rang out without greeting or apology.

'I need knives.' she said, the foul taste of the common language acidic on her tongue. There was no further specification and Alysha didn't feel the need to make any. The world, along with this Hobbit, should know (and cater to) exactly what she wanted.