Merchant of the Black Market ~ FIN

The dragon was pulled out of Valentine's reach. This split personality of hers doesn't seem very much like a joke, at all... a brother and sister stuck inside on body, eh? That's quite different. The possibilities of such a happening was never out of West's mind due to the existence of dragons, unicorn pegasi, and the like... but to see a psychological phenomenon play about before him is much more fascinating.

"... Hmhmhm," a deep chuckle reverberated from West's throat, "My apologies, Valentine and her brother. I was testing the waters a little too much." He placed the dragon back on the shelf and folded his arms, "You're an interesting case, I must say. How long have you been stuck in there with her?"

"Aww, don't leave just yet, Valentine !" West pouted, "I just was having a kick, was all. I'm perfectly fine with you two wandering the shop for a bit longer." He clasped his hands together and rested them against the side of his face, "After all! I'm not sure if you're so well-accepted anywhere else!" His eyes shifted to Northella, "... right, my dear North?"

The woman shuddered and nodded her head, "Right."

"Right!" the elf cheered he stood back on his feet, "This is probably the safest place you can be in the underground world of Windmire! Think about that for a second! You both simply wandered down here without thinking of the dangers that hide in the shadows!" He twisted his head to the side, "Which... also brings me to ask... how did you manage to get down here?"

"Well, well! Sounds like you've had an adventure getting here," the elf chuckled, he stood up and folded his arms, "I'll at least make it worth your while." He reached down and picked up the doll of the knight, "Listen, I don't do this very often, and for heaven's sake, don't tell anyone I did!" He came down an aisle and took a leather bag from a stack, then returned to the girl. He knelt down and picked up the knight doll, put it inside, and then slung it over Valentine's shoulder, "There you go. I'd like you to keep the two dolls and this satchel."

West stood back up and put his hands behind his back, a self-satisfied smile rested upon his face, "Fuhoho, and if it's not too much trouble, I would probably prefer bringing you back to the surface with us instead of having you venture off on your own. Wouldn't that be much better, Valentine?" He directly addressed the sister this time.

"Goodies!" West cheered, he suddenly started rapidly spinning down the aisle until he was at the very end, "Well, the night is far spent. Perhaps I shall make some accommodations for sleep?"

Suddenly, there was a heavy rap at the door. Northella turned toward the door, her face held a grimace, "... Ah... someone's outside, boss..."

The elf's face shifted to dismay, "Whaaat? Alright." He turned to Valentine and beckoned her with his hand, "Quickly now! Come in here before she answers the door!" The door he pointed to would lead to a small hallway with two other doors.

Once Valentine was within the hall, Northella approached the door and opened the peeping hole.

"What do you put in a really big jar?" she mumbled.

"A dragon's heart! Let me in there, quick!" replied a raspy voice.

Northella's eyebrows furrowed and looked to West. The elf had made his way behind the counter, and simply nodded in her direction. The door was opened, and a disgruntled mage entered. His fists were tightly clenched.

"West, you rat of a merchant...!" he growled, "I'll wring your skinny little neck and paint the walls with your blood!"

"Whoa, whoa, Dunghill!" West waved his hands in the air, "I simply won't be able to rest my ghost if I don't know what it is you're going to kill me for!"

"You lied! You lied through your teeth about the Dragonstone!!"

West cocked his head to the side and smiled, "Haaaaaa? I don't remember having sold you a Dragonstone... and even if I had one, I wouldn't actually sell it to you. Last I heard..."

"Manakete are the only ones capable of turning into dragons?!" the fellow interrupted, "I seek to prove that as a false thing, and selling me a fake Dragonstone...!!!"

"I don't SELL Dragonstones!" West repeated with a shake of his head, "As intelligent as you are, you aren't understanding what I'm saying to you! NOR that humans don't just turn into dragons! That's impossible, you know!"

The mage grit his teeth as he pulled his tome aside, "Get me a real Dragonstone, or I'll burn down this whole establishment!"

"Uuughh..." West groaned, "Well, come over here... let me see what I can do." The mage came up to the counter and pressed his arms against it, trying hard to see over the counter.

Suddenly, a spray of dust came from below, and the mage suddenly passed out.

"Ornery!" West exclaimed as he came back up with a handkerchief over his mouth, "Northella, do take care to toss him where no one would find him. I won't have anyone threatening MY establishment!" With a curt nod, the woman dragged the mage by the foot outside of the door.
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West suddenly opened the door to the hallway at the end of Valentine's conversation.

"Hmhmhm, I couldn't help but overhear, Brother!" said the elf with a grin. He leaned against the doorpost with his arms crossed, "Did you know that it's mean to hold a record of wrongs? Oh, yes, I may be just as shady as the next person who comes through that door, but oh, have I not tried to be a saint?" As he spoke, he briefly clasped his hands together and rested them against his cheek.

"I myself was once a child who wandered the streets in search of a place of help and safety..." he continued with a hand on his chest, "But would anyone open the door to greet a poor young elfing?" A sad sigh escaped him, "No one would! My kind are not fully accepted here for reasons I cannot understand. When I grew up, I wanted to be different! I wanted to prove everyone else wrong!" With that he rested his hands on his waist, "I hope this gets to you, oh, doubtful Brother of Valentine, that my intentions are all of good-will to children who wander in the darkness, just as I have!"

West placed his fingertips on the sides of his face at their words, "Ohhhh, how happy it makes me to hear you say that! You're welcome, so very welcome! I must restrain myself from hugging you since you might not like it..." The elf raised his shoulders, "Anyway! Allow me to tuck you in, as my old butler instinct speaks." He moved past Valentine and opened the left door, which led to a second hallway with a long row of doors, "Now, let's see... I know I have a fresh candle in one of these storerooms, if you could wait here for a second..."

The elf proceeded to quickly search each room until he finally came to the very end, where he emerged with a fat candle in his hand. "Here we are! If you would follow me to the bedroom, I will set it up on a candle holder." He moved through the door on the right, which led to another long hallway with another set of doors, "These rooms are for hirelings who come here after a long journey. I keep them nice and clean after they vacate!" He pointed to a door on the right in the center of the row, "While most of the rooms are vacant right now, I warn you not to disturb this one. She works very hard and is very tired when she comes in, so I would like her to rest as much as she possibly wants!" That said, he kicked one of the other doors open and put the candle onto a holder mounted on the wall. With a gentle match strike, the room was then illuminated. "This will be your room until tomorrow. What do you think?"

It was a small room with yellow walls and a red carpet. There were a few boxes that served as countertops, as well as an ornate desk with another used candle on top. The bed was placed against the wall with a red blanket and a plump white pillow.