We Are Our Avatars IX: Act V: The Sabotage of the Scandolous Saurian Scoundrels (Open)
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Joanna considered this for a moment.
"Perhaps." She replied, scrutinising the pen closely, wondering how or why the strange artifact was clear and apparently hollow, while the tip appeared to be made of gold. She didn't like to think what value the clerk would place on the artifact, especially if it had magical properties.
"What is the nature of it's magic? I have no aptitude for sorcery, unfortunately. Is the enchantment simple enough to sustain itself, or will I be unable to use it for long?"
"Perhaps." She replied, scrutinising the pen closely, wondering how or why the strange artifact was clear and apparently hollow, while the tip appeared to be made of gold. She didn't like to think what value the clerk would place on the artifact, especially if it had magical properties.
"What is the nature of it's magic? I have no aptitude for sorcery, unfortunately. Is the enchantment simple enough to sustain itself, or will I be unable to use it for long?"
[color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"No no, it's very user friendly, just click this button at the top here. And then write with it."[/color] She said as she demonstrated the pen on a piece of paper. [color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"And then when you are done, just click it back again and you're fine."[/color] The woman explained, offering over the pen. [color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"Would you like to have a go traveler?"[/color]
"Alright, thank you." Joanna replied. Taking the pen, she tested it on the piece of paper, first with a few random lines, and then with a few figures in a written dialect that the clerk would not recognise, marvelling at the ease of writing with the pen without the need to wet the tip. Then something else struck her.
"Oh. I... I can write?" She said to herself, and smiled as though this had some significance to her. She looked back up at the store clerk, still smiling.
"This certaintly is a wonderful tool."
"Oh. I... I can write?" She said to herself, and smiled as though this had some significance to her. She looked back up at the store clerk, still smiling.
"This certaintly is a wonderful tool."
[color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"Oh yes of course, only the very best here, so then, if you acquire the book you are after we can make the purchase, and you can be on your way. How does that sound?"[/color] The clerk asked Joanna, playing along with the wonder that is the ALL MIGHTY PEN!
"Yes, that sounds satisfactory. Let me just see what I have to offer in exchange..." Joanna smiled as she began to root in her travelling bag. She knew that many of the items she carried would only have value to a lost soul such as herself. However, some of the items she carried had their own intrinsic value, and would be a barter worthy of both the special pen and a manuscript of any quality. She withdrew from the bag with a selection of the items she found, including an ornate silver ring inlaid with a deep blue gemstone, a heavy bronze stamp with an ancient sigil, and a small jar containing a live butterfly that appeared to be entirely composed of fire.
"Do any of these interest you as a fair barter? The ring and the stamp both have enchantments to protect the body and the soul, in addition to their mundane value."
"Do any of these interest you as a fair barter? The ring and the stamp both have enchantments to protect the body and the soul, in addition to their mundane value."
[color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"Well let me see..?"[/color] The woman said as she looked at the ring, a bit curious of it, wanting to see what it was and how valuable it was. The flaming butterfly was also rather strange but she decided to leave it alone rather than accidentally let it loose and have it burn all the books. [color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"I like this ring, I guess I could trade that for the book and a couple of pens if that's what you're after. Although please keep that butterfly safe, there's a no smoking policy in the store please."[/color] She asked Joanna as she continued to look at the ring.
"Do not worry, the jar is thick. It will not get out." Joanna replied, though she returned the jar to her bag as she handed the ring over. "The magic of the ring protects the life of its wearer when they are in great danger. If you are wounded, or sick, or poisoned, this ring will gird your body against any further physical harm. It is not a powerful effect, but it means that if your life is ever in severe danger, this ring will give you a small chance to survive where you might have none otherwise. I do not know how much you would need it in a city this... astounding, but if anything were to happen at some time, then this ring may be worth having."
[color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"I actually just considered it because it looked nice, but if it does all that too I think we have a deal. Just bring back the blank book when you are done looking and I'll cash it out for you, alright?"[/color] The woman asked Joanna before reaching under her desk and taking a piece of quality chocolate.
Joanna thanked the woman and went to look around the shop. Though she stumbled across some blank, hardback journals relatively quickly, she couldn't help but explore the bookshop a little. Though she found that most of the books were in a language that she could not understand, the sheer spectacle of so many books in a single place fascinated her, and she ended up taking a long time to return to the counter.
"This collection must be ancient to have grown so large. And yet all of these books look to be in pristine quality. Identical in craftsmanship and preservation to an eerie extent in fact." She observed upon finally returning to the clerk. "How many scribes did it take to make them all, do you know?"
"This collection must be ancient to have grown so large. And yet all of these books look to be in pristine quality. Identical in craftsmanship and preservation to an eerie extent in fact." She observed upon finally returning to the clerk. "How many scribes did it take to make them all, do you know?"
The clerk seemed quite amused by Joanna's wondering, feeling like she could definitely continue to play along. [color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"Oh no, part of what made these was a magical device called a printing press and computers and such. Although you might think these books were made by hand it was actually a fast process that made the final results you see before you oh adventurer."[/color] The woman explained to Joanna. [color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"The books were still originally crafted by man but to better get it to the people such things became necessary."[/color]
Joanna's eyes widened.
"You mean... these devices can replicate any text as many times as one wishes once the first copy has been written?" She gazed out at the street. "And I thought that this world did not have magic... that must be the most incredible sorcery that I have ever heard of. No wonder your city is so fantastically wealthy! Even the peasantry must be as well versed as the wisest king."
"You mean... these devices can replicate any text as many times as one wishes once the first copy has been written?" She gazed out at the street. "And I thought that this world did not have magic... that must be the most incredible sorcery that I have ever heard of. No wonder your city is so fantastically wealthy! Even the peasantry must be as well versed as the wisest king."
[color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"Well as long as they are willing to learn that is. Since with it being over abundant people don't often cherish what they have right if front of them."[/color] The woman mused, starting to check out the pens and book Joanna had gotten. [color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"Terrible thing that is, but most people aren't ignorant enough to not have at least some thirst for knowledge. But yeah."[/color] She said with a shrug. [color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"What can you do? Thank you for stopping by traveler, it was very nice talking with you."[/color]
Seras was still working through her emotions, but decided to do her thinking outside the ship. She walked outside and ended up standing next to Samus. "Why are you in your armor? Is something wrong?" she asked.
"No. I am just more comfortable like this, and I figured I should change out of the wet clothes." Samus told Seras.
"Strange, to waste such an opportunity. Perhaps they simply do not have the time amongst their other day to day labours." Joanna accepted the books and put them in her bag. "And thank you, good merchant." She sighed, and a smile crept across her face. "My thoughts have been consumed with the burdens I have had to bear of late, and there have been few people around with whom I could speak of more simple things. I think I feel just a little bit more human for it. Thank you for that."
"She left to find her own way home. She said her time with us had been a waste." Seras said, sounding a little angry about the way Vicky had put her goodbye.
[color=Bookish Blonde boasting Big Bifocals]"You are most welcome, and thank you for your ring, I'll definitely enjoy it."[/color]