Need a new ability? Been dreaming about an enchanted item or weapon? Looking for some way to get character development? Trying to freshen up your character with some changes? This is the place for you!
Gloom's wish-granting shop is a magical creation made entirely by Gloom herself. The shop, which is also Miko's home, is, in appearance, a regular wooden house with two stories and numerous windows. In actuality, however, the shop is a magical construct situated in between dimensions. Due to its unusual location, the shop can appear anywhere, should someone require its services. Fueled chiefly by fate, the shop will appear to people who have strong wishes and disappear as suddenly as it appeared. Although it can appear in our world, the shop isn't really there and, once one has crossed the archway that leads to the building's front yard, they have changed planes without even realizing it. A stone path leads from the archway to the front door, with grass and an ancient well around it. Once inside, a small lantern-lit hallway leads to a vast waiting room with two wooden chairs and a table, large windows and decorated with a butterfly motif (the butterflies symbolize change). One of the waiting room's walls is actually a sliding panel, which opens to double the size of the room once Miko is ready to meet her client. When she is, she will sit at the table with them and discuss their desires (and their associated costs) until a compromise is reached. The price that comes with a wish being granted is of the utmost importance, since compensation is what allows for the cosmic balance not to be disturbed. The shop is filled with burning incense and candles, their constantly fluctuating smoke allowing Gloom to perform her traditional smoke readings whenever she desires. The waiting room is the only room that clients ever see, the rest of the house being Miko's private quarters. Once a wish-contract is done and the client leaves, the shop usually vanishes until it is needed again.
Other services
ArcanaGloom recently associated herself with her two fellow Ravens (see her page for more info on the Ravens) and welcomed the two sorceresses as providers of new services to her shop. The two associates, heroic and noble Arcana and cynical and ruthless Hecate, indeed joined forces with Gloom and each offer a new service of their own.
As the owner of an enchanted deck of Tarot cards, Arcana offers divinatory readings of a great precision. Although free, the readings take place inside Gloom's shop, meaning that one has to be fated to have a reading to even perceive and enter the shop. Arcana's predictions are extremely accurate, even though one must take into account that the future might change as a result of her disclosing information or warnings.
HecateAfter making a sinister deal with an evil goddess and gaining great power, Hecate found she took great pleasure in corrupting mortals and taking advantage of their emotional weaknesses. For this reason, she decided to join her friend Gloom in her shop to sell various mystical paraphernalia of a dark nature. Hecate sells a great variety of shadowy items, such as voodoo dolls, enchanted athames, twisted love potions, etc. The magical objects Hecate sells are, in addition to being dark, quite potent, although they come at a price.
Rules
- Gloom will only meet one client at a time. If someone is currently in the shop, please wait until their wish is granted and they have left to enter. - If a client in the process of getting their wish granted stops posting for a while and interrupts the flow of the shop/RPG, they will see their "storyline" postponed to allow others to use the shop. - Wishes and their associated costs must be agreed upon before posting in here. To do so, either PM me or post in the OCC. - Please remain in character while in this thread. For out of character comments or questions, use the OCC thread. - If your wish concerns or involves another viner, be sure to let them know beforehand and see if they agree. - Light god-modding is allowed in here, for the sake of simplicity. Clients can make Gloom talk in their dialogues or vice-versa, but nothing more.
The forgone Hero stands in front of his temple his heart heavy. He heard stories, fables of a place which existed in between dimensions. A place of great power, power enough to grant the wish of any willing to pay the price. He stood ready to relinquish what he once held dear to him for the sake of what he felt would make him whole once more.
It filled the air as Miko Tsukinami lit some incense in the Victorian house that doubled as her wish-fulfillment shop. The Moon Sorceress was dressed in a stylish kimono of purple and black hues, its satin fabric covering her slender figure. The smoke from the incense and the numerous candles inside the witch's bedroom rose and moved slowly, forming patterns and shapes, whispering secrets. Gloom was an expert at smoke readings, and what message she currently saw in its evanescent figures was crystal clear to her. She passed a hand through her long, straight black hair and adjusted her kimono before grabbing a purple fan and slowly walking down the stairs. Once she reached the lower floor, Miko made her way into the guest room, where she conducted her business of wishes. Lighting the room's candles even though the large windows let the sunshine in, she sat down at one of the wooden table's two chairs and patiently waited. After all, the smoke had been clear...
The building looked for all intents and purposes, average. Two stories with moon crescents at specific points as marks of decoration. Light made his way to the door, his blue cape enveloped his entire body, draping from his broad shoulders. He twisted the golden nob and was greeted to the smell of incense and candles. The aroma quickly filled his nostril and a hypnotic daze quickly grasped his thoughts. He walked down the minuet Lantern lit hallway straight into an empty room. The room was surprisingly large and from the outside looking in one would never expect to see a room with this much space. As Light stepped into the center of the room a wall panel slid to the side revealing a hidden room. A woman sat behind a table with straight black hair and an ominous glow to her. An army of smoke clouds dissipated and Light quickly stepped into the room and took his seat on the opposite side of the table. He stared hard at the woman for a second before letting words escape his lips. "I wish my psionic abilities restored."
Gloom waited patiently for her client to arrive, fanning herself slowly as she sat, silent and immobile. Soon enough, a creaking sound indicated that someone had just opened the front door, and the witch heard footsteps coming her way. The smoke told her secrets about Light as he hesitantly made his way to her table and sat down in front of her. Miko's face was serious and emotionless; her chestnut eyes sparkled with red as she studied the hero who had just come in, gazing at him quietly until her broke the silence, verbalizing his wish. Gloom took out her long and thin, silver pipe and magically lit the herbal fruits that were already placed in it. She took a long puff and exhaled it slowly before speaking with a mysterious tone.
"Telepathy, telekinesis... I can give you all that and more, in the field of psionics. I will, however, require compensation. Do you have anything to offer me as a cost for your wish?"
The kryptonian pondered the question. He indeed had something of great value to offer but the was, is he willing to offer it? Was the power worth it? His next phrase answered this and his answer would have reprecussions that would be felt for years on end. "The home of my heritage. The Kryptonian base, the fortress of solitude I offer in hopes that my wishes shall be granted. Surely this is enough?" His magenta eyes held a ravenous look in them. He craved the power more than one could even know.
"The fortress of solitude, you say? Yours is a great wish, but I find your payment to be of equal value. Very well, then."
The sorceress took another puff of her pipe and turned her head to breathe the smoke out. When she turned back to face Light, her eyes had turned entirely red and seemed to glow with power. The verbal contract had been made and both parties had reached agreement: it was time to make things happen. Gloom closed her fist, which immediately began to emit a bright, white light. At that moment, the sorceress was tapping into her immense magical abilities to displace the Kryptonian's fortress from its current location to her basement, a storage room mystically enchanted to be nearly infinite in size and fit pretty much anything in it. Yes, a very satisfactory payment, Miko thought to herself as she evaluated the fortress' rarity. Once that was done, she leaned forward and stretched out her hand towards Light. With her index, she touched the hero's forehead for no more than a second, and he was immediately engulfed in a magical aura that subsided shortly afterwards. Sitting back into her chair and crossing her legs, the witch smiled at Light, her face serene and confident.
"You know possess once more the abilities you wished for, young kryptonian. Their potential is there, just waiting to be activated. Use them well, Lor-El, and may your future be bright."
As the woman breathed out smoke Light awaited some sensation signifying the return of his abilities. But instead was greeted with glowing red eyes. The womans power emanated throughout the room and made the hairs on Light's body stand on end. Suddenly her fist glowed an almost blinding white. After a second she reached out towards him and grazed his forehead with her index finger. A magical aura encompassed him and as soon as it appeared it was gone. Once the light show ended the woman gave the kryptonian a smile and assured him his abilities had been returned to him. Closing his eyes Light imagined himself levitating in the chair he sat in. He opened his eyes to find his imagination had become a reality and his powers truly were restored. A sadistic smile fought its onto his features as he levitated back down and made his way to the exit only after muttering, "You've done more than you can imagine this day, for mankind."
The Czar traveled along the streets of his city as he had always done. When haunted by memories of past lovers whose nonexistent names matched faceless bodies, he relied on the snow drifting through the Russian sky for clues. Like always, he was deaf to their obvious answers. Their silence mocked him as invisible eyes shuddered to gather his attention with Morse code. Pulling his coat closer, he returned their silence.
He looked ahead and, where the barren district has culminated into an old and broken fountain, there was a quaint building. It seemed beyond the houses around it and below the standards for a business, meeting them with obvious care and trimmings. It was cared-for and beautiful, whiter than the snow around it and almost gleaming. However, it possessed a form of obscure solidity, like it wasn't there in its entirety. Songbirds ignored it and perched elsewhere. He was the only one who saw it as a physical place. In place of the many windows, it watched him with panes of eyes as he took his body underneath the jaded arch and into the garden.
Gloom was once more smoking the herbal fruits contained in her silver pipe when she felt her next client approaching. This one was different, she could already tell. Still, fate had decided that he was to come to her shop, so the sorceress knew better than to question it. Miko walked down to the room where she met her guests, and sat down in one of the only two chairs contained in the room. With a snap of her fingers, Eclipse, her enchanted pet fox, came and sat by her side, a fierce expression in its black eyes. Gloom crossed her legs and waited patiently as she felt the presence grow nearer. The only thing moving in the room was the smoke from the witch's pipe and the incense that was burning, surrounding Miko in a hazy aura as it rose slowly to the ceiling.
"State your wish," she said calmly, once the man had entered the shop.
It was the only voice he realized to have existed among the trinkets of lands even the world-traveling Czar had not known or heard of. He turned and locked eyes with a woman whose eyes were simmering coals through the thick smoke. He watched her for a moment, but then spoke.
"Wish? I---"
He trailed off once he saw a strange animal sitting near her. The eyes were piercing and less welcoming than the apparent owner and told him to change his tone. For once in his life of domination and lordship, he obeyed.
"I have no wish." He lied.
And with the woman's calm, almost disturbingly calm, glare, he knew she suspected otherwise.
A small smirk slipped upon Gloom's lips as she heard her client's words. Petting Eclipse with her free hand, she felt vibrations in the fox's rib cage, indicating that he was growling with suspicion. The growls were nearly silent, however, and they blended in with the quietness that Miko let hang in the air for several seconds. Her chestnut eyes locked with the Czar's, and her smile disappeared. In her business mode, the woman's face was now cold and serious.
"This shop has the sole purpose of granting wishes. Located between dimensions, it can only be found by people with strong desires."
The Moon Sorceress interrupted her speech to take a puff of her pipe, which she blew out ever so slowly. The smoke that came out of her mouth had a shape strangely reminiscent of a butterfly's, but it dissipated as soon as Gloom spoke out again.
"Fate has brought you here, Czar, so pretend not and speak the wish you want to see granted."
She reminded him of so many people in the way she spoke. Perhaps it was intentional? This woman had the power to know all what was happening in this place, or in this in-between zone. It was her realm. Warsman was just a visitor. In his confusion, he let out a phrase.
"I want to be rid of this damn shell. I want flesh and bone instead."
He looked up, like a student unaware if his answer was correct or not while speaking in front of the class.
Gloom nodded slowly, her long and straight black hair moving in a slow wave as she did so. She was wearing silver, moon-crescent earrings and they sparkled when the candlelight hit them, as did her silver necklace. She was wearing a long, elegant dress made out of black silk, and she uncrossed her legs to lean forward before speaking up once more. When she whispered, her eyes' light red hue suddenly became much more apparent. The seller of wishes was in the middle of a transaction, and this would be a most unusual one, too.
"Then, there is the matter of payment. Yours is a unique mind, and rarity is synonymous with value. As compensation for granting your wish, I ask for one third of the insanity that is so prominent in your soul. If you accept, then the deal is done."
The Czar became more bold. His hand removed the hood that hid most of his face beyond the blazing-red orb infused within his head. His face was three-fourths machine, the remaining portion a Caucasian color with curly black hair. His natural eye, the right one, was a dark brown --- almost black.
"If I provide you with some of my remaining DNA, then I hope you do have a more successful result than my own attempts."
"Yes, a piece of your lost body should simplify this greatly. Let me proceed, then."
The sorceress' eyes were now completely red, and seemed to glow in the dim room. Gloom summoned a moonsphere, a pocket of raw lunar magic, and used its mystical energy to make a small glass bottle appear on the table before her. She snapped her fingers once, and the Czar's eyes turned a bright red, too. Crimson light poured from the villain's eyes and floated right into the bottle, which Miko closed with a ruby stopper. Inside the glass container, sheer insanity whirled around, constantly moving and swirling. Her payment taken, the Moon Sorceress moved on to the actual wish. Getting up, she walked up to the Czar, her heels clicking against the floor the only sound that could be heard. Gloom placed both of her hands on her client's shoulders, and, tapping into her arcane power, granted his wish. For a moment, the Czar became nothing more than a silhouette of white light, and the sheer amount of energy transferred to his body threw him back several feet. When the light died down, however, flesh had replaced the armored shell. Living up to her reputation, Miko had reconstructed the Czar's body from the part of his face that he had shown her. The magical energy concentrated in the room at that very moment caused sparks to appear in the air, and the wishmaster sat back into her seat, a satisfied smile upon her lips. Her inquisitive mind was already racing, thinking about the endless possibilities she could use her bottled insanity for. Still, it would have to wait. She took a puff of her pipe and blew it in a circular shape before whispering one last time.
It felt...exhilarating. The transaction from metal to flesh was more than what Warsman could have imagined. He contemplated his choice even as the transformation ended and he placed his hands on his face...it was his! Skin and hair, everything! His face contorted into a smile and he laughed, feeling the heat from the smoke. It enveloped him like a blanket, but instead of embracing such an odd form of heat and comfort, he combed through his hair and felt each strand grace his fingers. His smiled again, unable to control such glee. He staggered out of the building as the woman faded out of thought and he felt the bitter cold against his skin, still prespiring from the otherworldly heat his transformation had radiated with.
"I...I can't...thank---"
He turned around to show his gratitude, but the building was gone. He was left alone in the cold. However, a group of soldiers emerged from the shadows and there was a suitcase produced from one of them, containing a large syringe with a clear liquid inside of it. Reaching for it, Warsman exposed the needle to his forehead and punctured the skin, injecting the liquid directly into his brain. Chuckling, his eyes flared red.
Nightwolf walked up to the shop, he had wanted to add something to his arsenal, something that people would know when they saw it, something that was Nightwolf's and Nightwolf's alone. He walked up to the wish shop confidently, why shouldn't he. He was now one of the most powerful men in the world.
Opening the door, Nightwolf found himself in a mystical, smokey room, he was impressed with the decor. "I should have you style my office, Gloom" joked the Quantum Syndicate leader.
"But seriously," said Nightwolf, "I'm here for something, and I'm sure you can help me"
Inside the shop, in the middle of the night, Gloom was sitting at a wooden table in her shop's business room, where she met all of her clients. With a candle lit in front of her and moonlight entering by the room's many windows, the sorceress was carefully working on a piece of parchment. Using a raven feather and black ink, she was patiently and skillfully copying arcane symbols on four pieces of parchment, creating defensive, enchanted wards. The entire house was silent, except for the ticking of a clock and the scratching of Miko's feather against the paper. Suddenly, the delicate sound of a bell was heard as the front door was swung open. Raising her head, the witch placed a strand of her long and straight raven hair behind her ear and sat back into her chair, crossing her legs as she awaited her client. Nightwolf came in, confident and determinate. He made a joke about the decoration, to which the Moon Sorceress replied by staring at him coldly, her face emotionless. When at work, Gloom was not known for her humor.
"Very well," she said in a sultry voice, "you may tell me what it is that you desire. This, is, after all, a shop of wishes, and fate had you come in here for a reason. I'm sure we can strike a very satisfactory deal."
Miko smiled and, in the candlelight, her eyes sparkled with a reddish tint.
"Very well," said Gloom in a sultry voice, "You may tell me what it is that you desire. This, is, after all, a shop of wishes, and fate had you come in here for a reason. I'm sure we can strike a very satisfactory deal."
Nightwolf looked at Gloom and smiled "I do not wish for super-powers, or riches, or anything related to greed, I have no need for these things." Nightwolf looked her directly in the eye now as he spoke. "Gloom, I wish for a sword, no powers on it, just a sword. Here's what I do want for it however. I want this to be the greatest sword ever crafted, greater than Excaliber, greater then any other sword ever crafted. You can even decide the make of it, as that does not really concern me." Nightwolf smiled at her now, that smile that he used when he was feeling especially confidant "Can you craft me this sword Gloom?"
Miko stayed immobile as her client explained his wish to her. Her left eyebrow rose slowly as he spoke, but she herself did not reply for several seconds after he had fallen silent. With the side of her hand she pushed the parchments she was working on aside and leaned forward, placing both of her elbows on the table and resting her chin on her hands. Her chestnut eyes locked with Nightwolf's, and she chose her words carefully vefore speaking up. The witch was not, after all, known to be one to waste words, especially considering the power they held... but that was a story for another time.
"I can give you the sword you dream of, Connor, but such a creation comes with a price. For compensation, I will take--" She interrupted herself, eyeing her client up and down before making her choice and resuming her speech. "... your power-dampening gloves. Do you accept this payment? If so, you may consider this contract settled and your wish granted. What do you say?"
Nightwolf listened as the mystical woman spoke to him. She revealed a price, it was now up to him.
"Your price is fair, As I have many of these gauntlets."
Nightwolf took the pair of gauntlets that he had had on him, and placed them on the table, "You have what you want, if you would create what I want, our business will be done"
Gloom's inquisitive and curious nature took over as Nightwolf placed his unusual gauntlets on the table. Although she had become nothing short of a mistress in the field of magic, Miko's knowledge of technology was rather limited, so her most recent payment intrigued her vividly. Nevertheless, she managed to keep her composure and remain focused on the task at hand: providing her client with the greatest mundane sword the world had ever seen. Still sitting, the witch raised her right hand, which began to glow a bright blue. Right in front of Connor, an orb of the same color appeared, radiating light and magical power. The orb's light began to move until it had taken the form of a blade, and, slowly, it dimmed down to reveal a beautiful sword. The weapon was a work of art in itself, yet it held the power to take many lives and shed blood in quantity. Its razor-thin blade was delicate yet nearly unbreakable, and near the hilt were several symbols engraved in it. The hilt itself was very well done, with an easy grip and stylish design. The sword levitated before Nightwolf for a few seconds before dropping into his hands, ready to obey its master.
"The sword is called the Nightfang, and I trust it shall exceed your expectations. This new weapon will be an instrument of great power in your hands, and few will be the defeats if you have it with you. You have the blessing of the moon, Connor, so go and use the Nightfang to its fullest."
Nightwolf looked upon the sword in amazement, never had he seen something so beautiful, It was a large broadsword, yet when he picked it up, it was feather light, lighter then his katana's.
"The sword is called the Nightfang, and I trust it shall exceed your expectations. This new weapon will be an instrument of great power in your hands, and few will be the defeats if you have it with you. You have the blessing of the moon, Connor, so go and use the Nightfang to its fullest."
I shall carry into every battle mistress, thank you. Nightwolf bowed his head in thanks, and left the shop Nightfang strapped to his back.
He walked into the shop knowing what he wanted. He knew that this mysterious witch named Gloom could give him what he needed. He stood in the waiting room, and watched for he was always cautious, he watched and he waited.
Gloom had known the front door had been opened by a client the moment she heard the bell chime. Still, the Moon Sorceress was in the middle of a meditation during which she hoped to find answers about the War that was coming. Distracted, the witch nevertheless took a moment to finish her meditation peacefully before getting up and making her way to the clients' waiting room. She slid open a section of the wall, revealing the room where Day Hunter was waiting for her. Miko walked slowly towards her client, her shoes making the only noise that could be heard as she stopped a few feet from him. Gloom smiled at the man with a hint of mischief, and her chestnut eyes flashed red for an instant before she spoke up.
"Welcome to the shop where your wishes can become reality, Samuel. The fact that you could even see this shop is a sign that yours is a burning desire, so what is it that you wish for?"
Samuel slowly moved his right hand to one of the hoslters as he heard a noise behind him. When he turned he moved his hand away realizing it was the woman he had come seeking. As she grinned he glanced around for some reason he felt an unease. Then she spoke to him......
"Welcome to the shop where your wishes can become reality, Samuel. The fact that you could even see this shop is a sign that yours is a burning desire, so what is it that you wish for?"
A few things flashed to his mind when he heard his real name, but he quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind....."Yes what I have come desiring is a new power. Unlike most others though I do not seek this power for a greedy reason I seek the power in order to help mankind, in order to help protect it from the coming war. The very war on which you have been mediating on. I come seeking the ability to manipulate energy."
Miko's eyes remained locked onto her client's as he spoke his wish. His desire was an ambitious one, but also a righteous one. Even if it hadn't been so, Gloom's role wasn't to judge but merely to act as a catalyst of fate. As such, she remained silent as Day Hunter explained his wish and his reasons for wanting it. The witch took a moment to think, and for a moment all that could be heard in the shop was the ticking of an ancient clock. Her thoughts clear, Miko broke the silence.
"Very well. I can grant you this energy manipulation you desire. However, such an... ambitious wish comes with an equal compensation in payment. For your new gift, I ask for your exceptional strength and your healing abilities. Do you accept?"
His eyes and the witches eyes remained locked for a few moments. The sound of the old clock ticking away was the only thing that kept the room from falling completly silent. Finally the witch spoke.... "Very well. I can grant you this energy manipulation you desire. However, such an... ambitious wish comes with an equal compensation in payment. For your new gift, I ask for your exceptional strength and your healing abilities. Do you accept?"
He sighed alittle on the inside as he heard what she wanted as compensation. He knew the price would be high and he knew that deep down inside he had to have known it would be his strength and his healing abilities. He nodded before saying...."As you desire witch. I will trade my healing and strength for the ability to manipulate energy."
A mysterious smirk found its way upon Gloom's lips as she heard her client's answer. His wish had been great, but so was her payment and he had accepted. Miko outstretched a hand towards Day Hunter and, suddenly, pure power, shining bright, came flying out of him and into her palm. The powers formed a sphere in the witch's right hand, her thin fingers wrapped around it. With a snap of her fingers, a spark appeared in the palm of Gloom's other hand. The spark grew to become an orb the size of a baseball and remained in the Moon Sorceress' hand until, all of a sudden, it flew out to Day Hunter and swirled around it at a dizzying speed. The energy twirled closer and closed to Samuel until it merged with him, making his entire body shine for several seconds until the light died down. The orb of Day Hunter's former powers still in her right hand, Gloom bowed her head towards her client and smiled. The transaction was done.
"There you have it. May your new gifts of energy manipulation help you in the troublesome events to come, Samuel. The Moon's blessing is upon you, so go and make it proud."
He watched as a strange and mysterious smirk formed on Glooms lips before she outstretched a hand towards him. At first there was nothing Samuel wondered if this witch was a mere sham but then something amazing happened. Pure power was suddenly ripped from his body. He felt it go, it felt like a hole had just been ripped through his body, but as quickly as she had takken his abilities she raised her left hand and a small orb formed. The orb grew to the size of a baseball and remained in the witches hand for a few minutes until suddenly it shot at Day Hunter and swirled around him. The orb grew closer and closer to him until it merged with him. He fell to one knee grasping his chest, the hole that had been there before was suddenly filled. He stood up, amazed that the witch had actually been able to take his powers and replace them.
"There you have it. May your new gifts of energy manipulation help you in the troublesome events to come, Samuel. The Moon's blessing is upon you, so go and make it proud."
"Thank you miss, now before I go I'd like to ask you a question if you don't mind......what do you do with all of the powers you take from us?"
Chaos Agent walked through the streets of New York on his way to his home when suddenly he noticed a building that had never been there before, he then started to walk towards the place with curiosity taking over him, he desistated for a moment before opening the door but in the end desisted to his impulses. "Hello" yelled Chaos Agent waiting for a response that didn't come, he then noticed a woman with black hair at the end of the room.
He walked quickly towards her and as he did such thing he noticed the various magic artifacts that were stored in there, when he reached the table he noticed destiny cards next to the woman's hand and then he took a sit.
Adélaïde Chandresh smiled as she looked around her new room inside Gloom's magical residence. The walls were painted a bright blue, to symbolize joy and hope, and although her suitcases were still packed and had barely been dropped on her bed, she felt at home. It felt so right for her to join her sorcerous friend in her shop, and something told her it was fate who had joined them as associates. Arcana was snapped out of her daydreaming by the sound of the front door's bell, indicating that a client had come in. Taking out her deck of enchanted cards, the sorceress immediately knew the customer was for her.
Nervously, she made her way downstairs into what she had come to call the "business room", where Gloom, Hecate and herself met all clients. Two of the room's walls were covered in shelves filled with mystical artifacts, dark items of power that the demonic Hecate sold. One of the two other walls was made out entirely of a large window, while the last wall was actually a sliding panel through which the witches came to greet their clients. As she slid the door shut behind herself, however, Arcana realized that her client hadn't quite made it in the room yet, and so she sat down at the only table in the room, laying her cards on the table. Her left hand brushing against the deck of enchanted Tarot cards, she felt the mystical warmth and power that they radiated, and that feeling made her feel more confident as her first client, a middle-aged man with emerald eyes and brown hair, came in. The man didn't hesitate and boldly asked her about his future, and, smiling at him, Arcana wasted no time in starting to shuffle her cards. For a few seconds, the room was silent as she shuffled the Tarot cards that she had inherited from her ancestors. She kindly asked him to cut the cards with his left hand before taking them back and placing the top five cards face-down in a rectangular form, with one of them lying in the middle of the shape.
"This card," she explained, pointing to the lefthand one, "represents your past." She flipped the card, revealing Death. "You were born in blood and death, and a shadow lingered over you from the very moment you were born... No, from even before that, it had been searching for you, it... Your birth was shrouded in darkness, and it surrounded you constantly as you grew up." Arcana felt slightly uncomfortable with the events that surrounded the man's youth, and she gazed at him silently for a moment, her eyes expressing her concern. "This card represents the present you, the person that you are right now," she went on, flipping the center card to reveal the Strength card. "Strength stands for much more than physical strength. It represents the strength contained within your soul, your willpower. It's doubtless that you are a leader in some way, and someone with such force of will is sure to be a catalyst in great events. You were involved in rough things before, and you've always come out stronger. The phrase 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger' comes to mind." She smiled at her client as she unconsciously tried to size him up. He was obviously above the norm, and she wondered just what the cards were referring to. Forgetting her train of thought, she flipped the righthand card, which turned out to be the Hermit. "This card stands for the future you, what lies ahead for you. In this case, I don't think the Hermit means that you'll end up all alone, although it may happen. In a way, you've always been alone, different... better? Well, 'dust to dust', the future that awaits you is also a lonesome one. You will have to carry heavy burdens on your own, take decisions and keep secrets without the help of anyone... but the Hermit does not regret his loneliness. He appreciates its worth, and you just may find yourself in a position where you have to impart some of your wisdom and knowledge to others. Some time alone should also allow you the introspection and understanding of yourself that you haven't found yet."
Arcana let out a discrete sigh, happy that her reading was not going too bad. The cards seemed to have a pretty accurate idea of what was in store for her client, and she was pretty sure she interpreted it right. Flipping the penultimate card, the top one, revealed the Emperor. "This card stands for a positive influence on your life and your future. In this case, the Emperor represents a father figure, but, in your case, it is a man other than your birth father. You are already very close to the man I speak of, and you share a bond of trust that is all too rare in your life. That man means well for you, and following his advice and counsels is a good idea, for he is a benevolent factor in your future, perhaps even more so than in your past. Your bond with him is one you should value and nurture. And finally, the last card: the obstacles that lay in your path." Arcana let her hand hover over the last card before finally flipping it over to reveal the Hanged Man. She took a moment to analyze the card's dark meaning, and resigned herself to let her customer hear of the hardships awaiting him. "The main obstacle in your future, symbolized here by the Hanged Man, is treason. I'm sorry to say, you have already had at least one bad experience with someone betraying you, but the harshest is yet to come. The betrayal will hurt, so it will most likely be someone close to you, and it will come from someone, not that you hadn't expected, but, on the opposite, that you had decided to trust in spite of some suspicions. Beware, for great woe will come of this treason."
Her last word echoed in the silent room, giving it a dramatic effect that she hadn't expected. The reading over, Arcana picked up her cards and placed them back into a small, leather pouch that she had sewn to one of her belts. She bowed her head slightly to indicate respectfully to her client that the session was over, and sat back in her chair, crossing her leg as she did so. The mystical energies still swirling around her, Adélaïde tried to relax, her readings having the possibility to be quite demanding. She smiled at her customer as he was getting ready to leave, praying silently that her last prediction had been wrong...
Sauntering up pass the stone path and through the Archway Honor Guard, in an Italian Tux entered the mystical building that lay off road. Navigating the lantern lit hallway he entered a large room, with wooden chairs and a small table inside. A beautiful motif of a butterfly lay on the wall with two large windows on either side. A most peculiar sight was the sliding wall that he discovered only due to his great attention to detail. As a detective it was his job to notice things like that. Turning his back to the wall James began staring out the window his Hazel colored eyes seemed to glow and as he heard the sound of footsteps Honor Guard slowly turned to meet whoever was coming.
Tatu floated past the spot four to six times, painfully aware that this rumored "Wish Shop" would not appear for him. He knew three men who'd gone into the shop, and all three came out excitingly rich, powerful, and brilliant. Tatu's wishes were far simpler, and even more philanthropic than he was used to. As it came, Tatu thought back over the months at his selfish behavior, and while he did not feel shame, he felt the urge to do something else. It was not morals, it wasn't anything besides the basic need to change. He floated past it one more time, and miraculously, the ornate Roman Arch doorway bloomed in front of him. Tatu shook his head and floated to the door, taking the brushed nickel into his teenage hand and turning. What lied beyond that doorway was the most spectacular sight he'd ever witness: Redemption.
Tatu floated to the woman and the only words he spoke were: "I wish to rid myself of these voices." The woman nodded and waved her hand. Tatu dropped to the ground as the voices, and all of the powers attached to them, were wiped away like so much dust. Now, no longer Tatu, Denny exited the "Wonder Shop", fully human and oddly estranged. He had unwittingly chosen to give the ability of sight in his left eye, and as he stumbled on the sidewalk, he became painfully aware of his lack of vision on that side. He deemed the "Wonder Woman" a demon, and continued on his way, calculating to the best of his newly devolved abilities.
Arcana had just finished unpacking and considered herself officially moved in inside Gloom's magical home when she heard the front door's bell ring once. The beautiful cartomancer spun around to take a look at a small crystal pendant she had hung by her door and saw that the crystal had lit up, indicating that the client was hers. Her cards already secured in a leather pouch she wore as a belt, the sorceress made her way downstairs slowly, already trying to focus and access her magical powers. By the time she slid open the door that led into the business room, her client had already entered and he turned to face her, revealing his glowing eyes. She gestured for him to sit down with her at the small, wooden table and broke the silence by speaking up, her voice sultry and soft.
"I welcome you here, honorable guest. Let us immediately see what's in the cards for you, shall we?"
Adélaïde immediately took out her enchanted Tarot cards, and she began to shuffle them while whispering a mantra to help with her focus. She let the man cut the cards once, with his left hand, and then placed five cards in her usual spread shape: a square with one card in the center. Losing no time, she flipped the lefthand card. "Hmmm, interesting. The Death card represents your past... Death obviously stands for more than actual death, it symbolizes changes. At some time in your past, everything changed, you changed entirely. And since that change, you have had several encounters with Death. Let us see if your present looks any brighter..." Arcana flipped the central card, revealing the Justice card. "Justice dominates your current situation. You fight hard for it, and it is an ideal you find yourself unable to forget, even in dark times. It will soon dawn upon you, and perhaps it already has, however, that Justice is cold and insensitive. You will soon have to choose between your emotions and pure, cold justice, leading straight into your future." The cartomancer did not even pause before flipping the righthand card of the spread, which turned out to be the Judgement card. "Justice can become blurry, at times, and it will not be long before you are faced with Judgement. Even a man with your ideal has commited sins, and I'm afraid you are involved with people who are burdened with the destruction of several lives. It will be your choice whether to pass judgement upon those close to you who have done wrong or to stick by them. Either choice will have great repercussions for your future, and for yourself as a person. In the end, Judgement leads to new beginnings, and redemption remains your best option."
Arcana took a moment to observe her client's reaction to her predictions before going on. She had sometimes been faced with people who thought of her as a crook or a fake, but she found herself unable to analyze the man's emotions. Giving up on her little psychanalysis, she went on and flipped the upper card. "This card here represents a benevolent influence in your future. In this case, the Magician represents a wise person whom you trust. The Magician has great leadership skills and unwaivering willpower, so the person I am referring too doubtlessly does, too. This man can be the way out of the group of people you are involved with now, he can make you rise above their level... but only if you let yourself trust him. Finally," she flipped the last, bottom card, "the reversed High Priestess is the negative influence on your future. Since she is upside down, the card represents people who are trying to manipulate you, to control you, and already have done so in the past. The people I am referencing are the ones that the Magician could help you leave behind, for their venom is silent but deadly. They have already changed you so drastically, you cannot allow them to do it any further. You must be careful, for involving yourself more with these people could lead to your doom. Hopefully you shall know what to do when Judgement comes."
With those last words of warning, Adélaïde smiled to indicate to Honor Guard that the reading was over. Picking up her cards, she hoped to herself that he would be able to free himself for the dark chains that held him, unaware of the secret organization that these chains stood for. She couldn't help the man any further, he would have to help himself. She got up and waved quietly at the man as he made his way out, leaving her alone in the room to ponder her revelations for a moment. It was only after five silent minutes had gone by that Arcana went back to her room, shutting the sliding door behind her and hoping her predictions would have helped yet one another customer.
Nighthunter had just escaped the prison that had him in custody due to his crimes in the clone wars, not only that but he had also gained the power of a green lantern power ring that had made him gain more power than the one he ever expected, he was flying all across the globe in search for Paragon the leader of the green lantern corps when suddenly his ring registered a new structure suddenly emerging a few meters away from him. Nighthunter decided to investigate and noticed an old store that had a mysterious aura on it.
With a little bit of desistation he decided to open the door and slowly started to enter the store with his ring ready to attack anyone that decided to strike against him, he then noticed 3 different ladies around the shop but he only recognized one of them, Gloom and even though the logical next move would have been to walk towards her he felt his gut begging him to go to where another woman who had in front of her a deck of cards was sitting. Nighthunter slowly started to walk towards her and then took a sit.
"You are supposed to be able to tell me my future?"
Five months....Five long months since his beloved was taken from him. The days have gone by slowly, after she was taken back into the eternal darkness. The Ether swallowed her whole an left nothing for him to mourn with. All that was left was the soul he was forced to hold in his body, his own tortured soul. To win her an to have her he was to be re-ensouled by the foul beast Final Arrow. And the soul has even with her torn him into thousands of pieces, not from remorse but from not being able to be the man he was when he did not have a soul.
The man who cut a swathe of blood an gore through Scotland an London in a matter of two weeks, turning those who were willing and taking those who weren't. Before he met her and took the sacrifice for her to have his soul back he was something else something....pure. A true blood in the world of Vampires, even the undead no longer come to him when he calls for them. His powers waning as the soul takes full control of his body, making him...impure,
His hands in his jacket pockets he looks up to the sign that reads "Glooms Wish Granting Shop. Pulling his hands out from his pockets he palms the door expecting to being shot backwards or burned. His history with witches an the occult beyond his own kind hasnt been so pleasant. And with Gloom he never knows where her mind stands with him, pressing against the door it slowly opens. And he steps in, looking the shop up an down giving it a once over he watches as a customer walks out. With a smile on his face he finds Arcana an asks " I know our past hasnt been...fun. But I must speak with Mistress Gloom....Sorry just Gloom is it now? Alright please bring me to her."
Arcana was with her on-again-off-again ally, the demonic sorceress Hecate, and her friend Gloom, discussing their recent alliance based inside the latter's shop when the three witches heard a bell chime, indicating that a customer had just entered. The three women, who, collectively, were known as the Ravens in the mystical community, turned and eyed the green-eyed, brown-haired man as he entered the shop. He exchanged a glance with Gloom, but the Moon Sorceress merely bowed her head before making her way out of the room, gesturing for Hecate to follow her. Now alone with the man, Arcana took a moment to examine the man, whose appearance was extremely reminiscent of one of her first clients. The power that emanated from the man was incredible, especially near one of his hands, and he wasted no time in asking her to read his future, sitting down in front of her as he did so.
Adélaïde nodded to answer the man's question and began her usual ritual for readings: shuffling the cards while repeating a mantra, having the client cut the deck with his left hand and picking five cards to place them in a rectangular form, with one of them in the center of the quadrilateral. She immediately started the reading by flipping the lefthand card, which represented a customer's past. "Your past is here symbolized by the Faith card. You've always been a believer, and your willpower is great. Faith also stands for discipline, power and wisdom, all of which you possess and make good use of. You must be a faithful defender of liberty and justice, for Faith to rule your past..." She smiled at the man, glad that, for once, her client didn't seem to have had too dark a past. She had high hopes for a lighter reading this time, without warnings of treachery or anything of the sort. Ready to go on, she flipped the central card to reveal the Tower. "This card represents your present. I... I'm afraid the Tower can be a dangerous card. It usually stands for chaos, disruption and extreme transformation... radical, even. You are currently going through dark times, I'm sorry to say, and it seems like current events will build up into quite the explosion. The Tower, on the card, is struck by lightning, and it could very well represent an imminent downfall... Let's take a look at your future to get a better idea." Arcana was now frowning, knowing painfully well that the next card was of the utmost importance, giving a direction and meaning to the explosive nature of the Tower. Flipping the righthand card, Adélaïde gasped silently. "I- I, uh... This can have several meanings. Death, much like the Tower, is a symbol of changes. In this case, it, uh... it probably indicates that the changes brought about by the Tower will be permanent. It seems that you are about to experience a life-changing experience, and the last two cards can tell us whether it's for the best or not."
By then, the witch's discomfort was obvious. She had tried to downplay her interpretation of the cards, but she was starting to get very worried for her customer, who seemed like a noble man. Taking a deep breath, she flipped the top card, which stood for positive influences on the client's future. "Let's see... The Hanged Man is a symbol of sacrifice, of surrender and of renunciation. Coupled with Faith, it tells me you've been fighting the good fight for a long time, and... perhaps it's time to take a step back. Who knows, maybe it's better to stop while you're still in a condition that lets you choose to do so, rather than be forced to by fate." Arcana purposely failed to mention that this renunciation would probably not be volountary, and instead relucantly flipped the bottom card, knowing full well that it stood for a negative influence on the future. "A symbol of fear and anxiety, the Moon card seems to indicate that you will or maybe already have experienced self-doubt. It is a sign of tension in your future, and, coupled with Death, could mean that your worries might be justified, and even come true." Adélaïde's mind was racing, trying to find the right words to tell her customer. He was obviously in danger, the magnitude of which she could only imagine. He did, however, possess great power and strength of character- she felt it inside of him-, so perhaps he still had a chance to overcome the imminent obstacles if she found the right words.
"I must advise you to be as wary as possible, because I'm afraid you are standing on the edge of a huge change, which is yours to make sure it is for the best and not the worst. May the stars be with you, Jason Hamilton, for great things await you - be they good or bad." The cartomancer smiled sheepishly at her customer as she watched him leave, and she shivered at the thought of what might happen to him sooner than later. The man had not even left the shop for one whole minute that the bell rang once more, as another man made his way in. Jake Malcom was so very different from her last client; he was much darker and he seemed... lost. He asked for Gloom, and Arcana immediately bowed her head quickly before making her way out of the room to go and get her fellow witch.
Stillness. Nothing moved as Miko Tsukinami sat outside, peacefully watching the moon. Legs crossed, she was focused so entirely upon the lunar sphere that the whole thing had taken a meditational aspect. It was completely silent except for a soft breeze that caressed her pale skin and blew in her long, black hair. Suddenly, the pensive sorceress opened her reddish-chestnut eyes and immediately got up. She couldn't tell what, but something told her she was needed inside and she knew better than to question her magical intuition. She entered her house, which doubled as a mystical shop, by the back door and hadn't even made a step inside when her friend Arcana came to let her know that a man had requested her in the business room.
Gloom slowly made her way towards the door that led to said room and slid it open, her bare feet making no noise as she came inside the room. The few candles that were lit projected their light upon Miko's elegant, black and white kimono, and strands of her long, raven hair fell forward as she bowed to greet her guest. From what appeared to be her sleeve, Gloom took out of smoking pipe and lit it with a snap of her fingers, taking in a puff of the herbal fruits before exhaling the smoke slowly from her lips. The smoke billowed around her, giving the witch a mysterious aura as she spoke up:
"You are welcome here, Jacob. State your wish and you shall see it come true... for the right price, that is."
The air it was thick with the magic around him, even the subtle magic keeping the few things lite in the room was getting to him. Making the hair on his neck stand straight up, none of the magic would truly kill him unless she was the one which he doubted, yet also somewhat prayed for. The room the small woman Arcana smelled of lilac and brought him to the tiny room she called the business room, any other time the words business an room would have brought a bright smile to his face. But now...he hasnt shown that emotion in quite sometime.
AS he stood waiting he started to play with a few trinkets picking some up an marveling at them with some interest, finding a few books MR had mentioned before. Some of these books were tucked in the back meaning books the witch used rarely an were very powerful. Snapping his fingers wanting to bring for his undead or some form of necro to amuse himself while he waited nothing happened. And soon he was again depressed for even though his powers made him strong they delighted him when he had grown bored an now hes got nothing but immortality and even that grows boring.
Soon he heard her walking in silently, deep down she wanted to know if she could sneak up on him he smiled a lil bit at this an then she spoke. "You are welcome here, Jacob. State your wish and you shall see it come true... for the right price, that is." He stood silent placing the trinket he was flipping through his fingers down he turned around an for a moment marveled at her beauty. Then with a deep sigh he began to speak
"Please dont call me by my real name, only people I trust get to call me that. No offence my lady, just....nevermind." Sighing again he continues "Have you ever found yourself completely powerless an alone? Nah I bet you havnt, Well i was before her. Before she came into my life thats what I FELT like, but I never was. I had the power inside me from that old dirty skank of a witch and then I met her. She changed everything, turned me into something....better. Those years were very good to us, yeah we had our ups an downs an then he came along. Damn Arrow ill kill him one day, gave me a choice...To take my soul from the bowels of hell and put it back in me and keep her....or No soul No Her. After that things got....bad. Soon she was gone and now." Snapping his fingers an nothing happening "I cant even reanimate a dead flea, the soul isnt whats doing this to me its....her." Sitting down he looks to Gloom "I want her erased....from everything I know. Take it, all of whats in here" tapping his head "I want it gone, then maybe....It will go back to being normal. And in return you can have one more item on your shelves. And it will also act as a little nightlite for the wee witch out in the other room, I will give you...my soul."
Taking a puff from her pipe every once in a while, Gloom listened intently as her newest customer spoke. She shook her head softly to indicate that she didn't take offense to his first remark, and found herself truly interested by the man's story. The Moon Sorceress couldn't even remember how many depressed lovers had come in here, asking for their other half to love them again, wishing for them to come back... yet this one was different. He didn't ask for her to return to him- even if he had, such a wish would have had too high a price- instead, he asked for her to be gone from his mind. Such a request was actually rather simple, and so Miko waited for him to be done explaining his story and wish before making her decision known.
"Very well, your offer of payment is... very satisfactory, and I judge that it covers your wish. The pain you feel at her memory will soon be history, banished forever from you mind. I simply hope that you understand the... permanence of such a wish."
Stepping forward, Gloom extended both of her hands on either side of her client's head. In a matter of seconds, a bright, white light with red tints began to glow all around it, and streams of light flew from his head to the witch's hands. The magical procedure took around thirty seconds to complete, after which all of the light was now surrounding Miko's hands in two bright orbs. She snapped her fingers and the light died down immediately, the memories contained within the magical energy gone forever. Now ready to accept her payment, the sorceress passed a hand in front of Jake's face. The man's eyes and mouth immediately lit up, and the light billowed out of them until all of it had made its way safely into Gloom's palm, where it formed a perfect sphere. Her customer's soul now contained in her hand, Miko summoned a glass cube around it to contain her new possession safely, and she bowed respectfully at the now soulless vampire to indicate that the transaction was complete. Placing the cube on a shelf behind her, the sorceress watched him quietly, unsure if he would even remember his reason for entering her shop.
Nighthunter stood silent as he listened to the witch as she reminded him of the past that he had, his current dylemas and most importantly warned him about his incredibly dangerous future, the cards had spoken and it may seem that the future of Nighthunter was going to be darker than ever before. Jake Hamilton closed his eyes for the next couple of minutes, making peace with himself and then looked at the green lantern ring on his hand and then to the prophet that had given him news that he had neither expected nor wanted. "I've learnt that eventually darkness will come for every single one of us, even the best of us. It is just because of that, that we need to find our way to find the light in these situations and become one with it in order to lead others on the same way. The night is darkest just before the dawn and if I don't see that light again, I'll make sure that others will." said Nighthunter to the witch, then grabbed all the money he had with him and gave it to her, thanked her for the lecture and then got up from his seat.
As he started to go towards the door he noticed that Gloom was now being visited by an enigmatic being named Jake Hamilton. Nighthunter simply ignored their conversation and stared at the old artifacts that were on the store, then he left it. He walked a few meters away and then closed his eyes to put everything he had heard together, then he turned back to the store just to see that it was now gone, Nighthunter simpy smiled and took flight once again on his direction towards the North Pole where Paragon and the rest of the Earth Green Lanterns awaited his arrival.
The moment he had been waiting for since he stepped into the shop was upon him. Now souless he smiled a wicked grin an swiftly his arm around her waist he smiled saying "You have no idea how" Cracking his neck "Cramped it was with that thing inside, Thank you my lady. Twas very good seeing you again." Letting his arm fall down from her waist he smiled again thinking their was something else he should thank her for. She simply stood staring at him he tried to glamor her into telling why he was their, but it didnt work. She was a witch for a reason and without gaining an answer he stepped back into the room an turned around.
"Thank you, I am sure what I intitially came here for has been taking care of. And I do not remember it at all, which coming her to a witches den is best not to remember. I personally do not like your kind as you are not fond of mine yes? One of your kind cursed me into this life, now I revel in it." Her pale face and body urged him to drink from her just by her beauty, but the fair maiden and the one in the room with him would never allow that to happen. "Again I thank you." Snapping his fingers his undead mate Stich came bursting from the ground "Long time no see mate huh?" the undead skeletal man simply nodded his head with a toothy grin then disappeard into the hole he created.
Jake turning back to Gloom with a smile "Dont worry the whole will fix itself." And he leaped down into the hole and it closed behind him.
He walked down the street, muttering to himself. Other people avoided him, thinking him crazy. They would've been right.
I just think it was a bad decision, thats-
"Shut up" Akwa muttered.
Don't tell me to shut up boy!
"Shut up."
You cannot dictate the terms of our relationship so easily. In a way, I am you!
"Go away"
You're stuck with me. With me, and the others. One day, your guard will slip. And then you're body will be ours.
"Over my dead body!" Akwa yelled, startling passerbys. They were looking at him funny. His fists clenched. That should not be allowed.
But before he had picked which person he should maim first, an odd sound caught his attention. It reminded him of the noise made when you rip a tablecloth in half. He turned around to find that a building had appeared where before, there had only been a brick wall.
Another one of his personalities surged to the forefront.
Interesting. It appears that the building is exploiting some sort of space-time anomaly that could allow dimensional travel. Perhaps it is some varient of the Portal Drive that we encounted with Di-
"SHUT UP!!!!!"
It quitened down. He looked at the building appraisingly. Everyone on the street was still staring at him. But what was more important was what they were not staring at. Not a single one had shown surprise at what appeared to be some sort of Travelling Shop. Heh, that kind of reminded him of the Discworld norvels he sometimes read. Those books had mysterious travelling shops too.
It did not appear that anyone besides him could even see the shop. But he could. Why could he see this shop but no-one else could.
Because it is your Destiny
"I thought I told you to shut up"
Oh well, it couldn't hurt. Could it? Edging his way to the shop, he approached the archway slowly, looking at it suspiciously. He poked it with one finger, and when he was sure that it wasn't some sort of dimension-trvelling demon in a nefarious disguise, he passed through it and walked up the path leading to front door.
He considered knocking but decided against it. Knocking was for chumps. He touched the door and jumped back a little as it creaked open. With caution, he crossed the threshold and stepped inside.
"Breathe in... breathe out... Feel the magical energies fluctuating..."
Miko Tsukinami was repeating these three sentences to herself as she meditated in her room. The smoke coming from two candles and an incense stick burning was the only thing moving in the room, and it was all silent until a single bell chime was heard. Opening up one eye, Gloom saw the crystal above her doorway lit up, indicating that the client that had just come in was hers. She opened her second eye and stretched slowly before getting up and making her way downstairs, a part of her long, silky black-and-white dress dragging on the floor behind her as she did so. She entered the client's waiting room before her customer, and so she sat at the wooden table, crossing her legs and lighting her pipe as she waited. She vaguely heard a few words before a man walked in, looking confused. Miko wasn't a telepath per se, but she could tell that the man had a troubled soul, to say the very least.
"Welcome to my shop, young water charmer. Here, I grant wishes and, for the right price, your dream could become a reality. Do go ahead and tell me what it is that you desire...?"
Gloom smiled mischievously as she took a puff from her pipe, her chestnut eyes sparkling with a red tint all of a sudden.
"Welcome to my shop, young water charmer. Here, I grant wishes and, for the right price, your dream could become a reality. Do go ahead and tell me what it is that you desire...?"
Akwa looked at the woman who had spoken. She sat at a wooden table in the middle of the room. She was kind of attractive if you were into that sort of thing. She seemed to radiate a sense of ownership and belonging. Akwa somehow knew that she was the owner of this shop. He didn't know how. It was all mystic stuff which he couldn't understand. Her eyes seemed to flash red for a moment as she took a puff from her pipe.
Ah,not good that. She'll probably end up with lung cancer
'Shut up.'
He then turned to face the woman who might have misunderstood.
"I didn't mean you, sorry. What did you say again?"
He snapped his fingers as he remembered. It had been something about wishes and dreams. He hadn't been paying much attention. However, there was one part of her words that his paranoia had picked up automatically and stored it in his memory.
He narrowed his eyes.
"You called me a water charmer. How do you know who and what I am?"
Well, you are constantly dripping water all over this nice carpet.
'Shut up! That could mean anything! Oh,..uh...I wasn't talking to you, lady. Again. Continue with whatever you were going to say."
Gloom mused at Akwa with a comprehensive smile upon her face. He seemed... truly conflicted, and his awkward conversations with himself did not escape her attention. One glance at the smoke rising from the candles in the room informed Miko of her customer's delicate situation, sanity-wise. Uncrossing her legs, she leaned forward in her chair before staring straight into her client's eyes. The Moon Sorceress let a few seconds go by, during which nothing was heard but the ticking of an ancient clock, before opening her lips and speaking with her sultry voice.
"I know those things, just like I know you used to go by the name of Jack Taylor." She paused to take a puff from her silver pipe, and as she resumed talking, smoke was escaping her lips. "I practice a divinatory art called fumomancy - the smoke, it tells me things... secrets, if you will." She winked mysteriously at her client, who was quite unaware of the extent of what she learned through smoke readings. Nevertheless, they were not there to talk about her, but rather about Akwa's wish.
"As I was saying, I have the power to grant a wish of yours, for the proper payment. If you want, I can help you with your inner conflict."
"I know those things, just like I know you used to go by the name of Jack Taylor."
Akwa jumped back, startled. He managed to catch himself before he fell over completely. How had she known? How could she know? Nobody knew! Nobody! Akwa's true name was like his face, a relic of an older time better forgotten, before he had completey rewritten his name, his persona, his life. He couldn't get rid of his face but he made up for that by always wearing his mask. His cold, confining mask. Name or face, he didn't like either. They brought back...memories.
"I practice a divinatory art called fumomancy - the smoke, it tells me things... secrets, if you will."
Damn prophetic witches.
His eyes glowing, he moved closer to the woman. He had killed people before simply because they knew his name. And this wouldn't be the first witch he killed. Although, she might be the most powerful. He backed down, his eyes fading. He would not challenge her, not here. Akwa normally never backed down, but merely saying the name brought some of Jack's old personality back.
"As I was saying, I have the power to grant a wish of yours, for the proper payment. If you want, I can help you with your inner conflict."
Inner conflict? What inner conflict?
No! Don't listen to her! She's a pipe smoking hack!
Oh. That inner conflict. He looked at her again, not sure if he wanted to believe.
Leaning back into her chair, Miko contained a smile as she saw Akwa's reaction to the mention of his name. She was very much aware that information was power and, secretly, she sort of enjoyed that power. She also knew for a fact that well-aimed words could have more power than any spell, but that was not the time for verbal assault. On the contrary, her client seemed to require comfort more than anything else, as she clearly sensed his anxiety. He even moved closer to her in what she felt was a prelude to an attack. When he backed down, however, a growling sound could be heard as Eclipse, Gloom's pet kistune, a magical fox creature, made its way into the room and by his mistress' side. The dog-sized animal sat by the sorceress' feet, his eyes fixed on Akwa as a warning sign. Miko knew better than to let the situation escalate, and so she petted the mythical creature's head softly before speaking up to break both the silence and the tension.
"Yes, I certainly can. I can free you of those... burdens inside your mind, although a certain price is expected in return, as a balance of sorts. In your case, I think... accepting your past will be the price. You shall know exactly what that entails if you accept this deal. So... do you?"
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