10/19/12

[pen_vs_laptop]

WHO: Lynne and Heather
WHERE: Ghosty's Antique Shop
WHEN: After classes
WHY: Someone needs to check it out and meet its creepy shop-keep

Comments

[andsheletsgo]

Heather didn't feel good at all in the store. Of course, she had really wanted to be of use to the ground and go there, and it wasn't too bad if she would go along with Lynne, who was her roommate after all, but the shop itself just gave off a bad vibe to her for some reason. It was absolutely stacked with old things and junk all over the place, and for a moment she couldn't help but wonder if they couldn't just turn around and go home and tell everyone it was nothing after all.

But then she heard Lynne's gasp and followed the other girl's gaze before letting out a similar gasp. Anyone would have done the same at the sight of that many weapons.

"W-.. what.." She couldn't even bring out a reasonable word at the sight.

Gah, sorry for edits

[pen_vs_laptop]

"Yeah..." Lynne said, still a bit taken aback. These certainly didn't look like the ornamental weapons Lynne had sometimes seen onsale; these looked real and well taken care of on top of that. It wasn't just swords either, there was mallets, knives, guns, staves, and she even saw a whip somewhere.

"Do you suppose this is what Mr. Ivors meant when he said, 'please make use of this address'?"

it's fine! <3

[andsheletsgo]

It took another few moments for Heather to get over her initial surprise and unfreeze a little, but then she slowly nodded. She couldn't help but gulp again as she took a look at the huge display of weapons.

"H-he knows about.. everything.." She figured even in a setting like this talking out loud about their Persona might not be the smartest idea. "So.. It wouldn't be really strange if he thought it might help out if we bought stuff from here.."

The idea of fighting with an actual real weapon didn't sit too well with Heather just yet, though.

[pen_vs_laptop]

"It makes sense, I guess," Lynne said. Artemis chimed in that it did at least: 'One does not leave for a hunt without the proper tools.' Lynne fiddled with a hairstrand absently. "I mean...without our Personas, we really don't have anything we can use to fight back. If worse comes to worse that is."

Lynne'd had a nightmare about that once: being chased by demons and being unable to summon Artemis. It was just a dream but what if, right?

[andsheletsgo]

"That's true, but.." She hesitated slightly. Even if they had been into the whole Persona and demons business for a few good months now, she still didn't like to think of the fighting or anything related to it at all. Doing research on this stuff was okay with her, but actually bringing it into practice..

She glanced at Lynne before quickly looking away again, almost nervously. "For all of us to use real weapons.. W-would something like that really be okay?"

[pen_vs_laptop]

"I'm not sure," Lynne answered. "Practically speaking, any extra protection we can get helps. I just wonder about the actual carrying and using part. I mean, it's not exactly easy to carry around something like a sword to school, let alone being decent enough to use it in a fight."

Somehow, Lynne didn`t think most of the group, if any, would have any experience in weapon using.

[andsheletsgo]

"That's right, at that rate the weapons might actually be more of a liability than extra help.. ... Although he did point us in this direction, so he probably meant for us to use those, r-right?"

Still, the thought of using them made her a bit scared. Using Persona was already bad enough.

"I don't think he sent us here for the antique.."

[notvelour]

The clerk was counting the seconds on a clock shoved into one of the other very narrow and cluttered isles. He wasn't used to anyone staying too long in his store. If anyone did, they were either too stunned to move, terrified, or were actually serious customers. There was the occasional upset where someone was nearly eaten by a stray demon, plant, or enchanted box, but that was much more rare. He was certain there was nothing like that currently in his wares. Regardless of who they were, he was eager to sell as always, and he would do just that. He quietly stepped up behind them, giving a gentlemanly bow.

"Welcome! Can I help you ladies find anything?"

[pen_vs_laptop]

Lynne agreed with Heather. A bunch of knick-knacks couldn't be what Mr. Ivors had thought they-

She started at the voice. She turned to face the clerk, blinking as she took in his appearance (which, like the rest of the shop, had this odd quality she couldn't put her finger on). After a beat to catch herself, she said, "Oh, um, we're just browsing mostly, thanks." She almost didn't ask about the weapons (after all, two teenagers asking about it sounded suspicious even in her head) but since Artemis gave her a sharp prod, she added almost lamely, "Um, you have a lot of weapons for an antique shop..."

[notvelour]

"We're not any regular shop with antiques. We deal in many items! People just don't seem to buy weapons as often as they do other things, so we're left with many to choose from," he gave a quick shrug as if having no idea why someone wouldn't want his weapons. They were, after all, quite nice and useful looking to him. Who knew what could happen. One could get attacked by muggers or have difficult hailing a cab! Looking at Lynne and then Heather directly, he smiled almost slyly.

"If you happen to be interested in them, I could offer you a discount. Today only!"

[andsheletsgo]

The appearance of the store clerk startled Heather greatly - even though it was only to be expected for a store clerk to show up in a store. So much that she was left speechless for a few moments as Lynne exchanged a few words with the clerk instead while Heather tried to regain her composture. When she did, however, she still couldn't glance directly at the clerk while she tried to talk. Perhaps because of his.. somewhat eccentric appearance.

"W-would you really sell weapons to us..? Isn't that.. u-um, illegal or something..?" Her voice shook a little out of nervosity.

[notvelour]

"Illegal?" He looked a bit stunned at the thought. "Why would it be? I've been in business here for many years and I haven't heard any complaints. Plus, when you think about it, anything can be made into a weapon."

Another passive shrug. Those with complaints were generally tossed out and never heard from again, so he didn't bother mentioning them. And it was rarely because of a weapon issue. "You shouldn't let that stop you from buying something you want. So how about that discount..."

[pen_vs_laptop]

"Thanks, but I'm not sure we'll be buying any today," Lynne said, shooting Heather a questioning look. Lynne hadn't brought much money and while she had debit, she wouldn't even be sure what to buy even if she did have enough. Guns? Knives? She just wasn't that comfortable with the thought, practicalities aside. Just something else to bring up at the meeting she guessed.

[notvelour]

He didn't like that hesitation one bit. He was always eager to sell, and the thought that they would back out was not pleasant. Rent to pay and whatnot. He wasn't desperate, but he wasn't going to let them get away with nothing. He casually slipped a bit closer, his sly look not fading.

"This discount can apply to many things, not just the weapons. We also have special healing supplies and interesting odd morsels from the bakery down the street. You need only ask." They had to be interested in something.

[pen_vs_laptop]

Lynne tilted her head curiously. "Really? What sort of healing items-oh-"

She'd unconsciously shifted backwards a bit as he came a bit closer and hadn't noticed until her leg bumped against that creepy long nosed puppet she'd seen earlier, whose nose stuck out of one of the piles.

[notvelour]

The clerk looked annoyed, but decided to maintain his composure in front of the valued costumers. It wasn't anything they had done, after all. Just a puppet poking its nose in while he was trying to make a sale. Rather than brush it off though, he reached down and somehow effortless pulled the wooden puppet from the pile. It hung lifeless by the collar in the clerk's hand. "Pardon him, he's always annoying. And he's a bit creepy looking, don't you think?" No mind was given to his own appearance on the creepy scale, of course.

"Such a waste of good wood. He would've been better as a coffee table," he trailed off, raising the item up and giving it a glance over. "I took him in and gave him some clothes awhile ago. He's such a nuisance, but some people like this sort of thing for Halloween, don't they?"