A Merchants Gift

[Joker]

Joker opened the door to Demens Inn and was instantly assaulted by noise as customers talked and filled the air with chatter and joviality. Some people silently sat in the shadowy edges but the general mood was a good one.

"Cha~ra~ra~! Joker is here!" he announced, the door slamming shut behind him. A brief moment of silence filled the establishment as people turned to stare at this newcomer. A few smiles broke out as he was recognized by those who had seen the opening of his new stall and this in turn led to nudges and whispering as information was passed through the crowd.

He was quickly invited to a table where a pair of minotaurs sat over their beers and salads while a winged male demon stood beside them. An odd group to be sure, but Joker was one to never be put off my first impressions. He'd met a banshee once who was quite sweet if a bit loud in speaking.

The male demon stepped forward, obviously being the spokesman of the two bull demons who were quite the imposing pair, "Greetings, Merchant. We were curious as to what wares you had at present..."

Joker smiled cheerfully, spreading his hands, "Joker has anything and nothing that could be useful or not. Joker is a Merchant of Dreams - whatever it is the client wants Joker shall provide, regardless of whether its existence is real or myth, tangible or intangible."

As Joker spoke, a few others drifted closer to listen to this new resident of the Dream World.

[Annette Baruma]

Annette Baruma

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Anne stood behind the bar, serving drinks to her fellow dreamers and waking world citizens. She leaned against the bar, chatting to someone who took the form of a... well she couldn't tell it was. It was a sort of griffon thing, yet it had the body of a human, the head and wings of an eagle and the mane of a lion. She laughed at his jokes and looked round in astonishment, as the doors swung open, and there stood the new merchant. Her friend, yet he didn't know her secret. She watched him as he joined the minotaurs, who had been noisely agruing over something for some time. She watched as the noise slowly returned and she stepped round to the bulls, the demon and odd merchant to serve them. She already knew the special trio's order, but she turned to the merchant and smiled. What can I serve thee, sir? Perhaps some wine to calm thee whilst you serve my fellow gentle bulls. Or perhaps you have something else in mind? Anne smiled as she took her hand and brushed the top of one the minotaurs heads. She laughed as he growled in approvement. The demon bowed slightly to her and he turned away to grab a stool.

[Joker]

Joker smiled at the pretty barmaid, "Joker is quite fine, Milady, though perhaps a glass of water would be appreciated. Joker was just telling these folk of the wares he be selling - perhaps you have seen the stall Joker has opened earlier today?"

Grinning as the demon returned with a stool, Joker ushered Anne into it as he preferred being able to move when he spoke, "Joker doesn't think he saw you in the crowd today, perhaps you were busy with work? A sad day when a lady cannot find time to visit a new shop - it be a well known fact women do enjoy shopping. Does you enjoy shopping? As Joker was saying, he sells anything one could dream of."

Here he paused, tapping a finger against his chin, "Ara, Joker just realized.. by what name shall Joker know you? With Joker's stall so close by, Joker thinks we shalls be seeing each other quite often."

[Annette Baruma]

Annette Baruma

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Annette smiled with delight as she was forced to sit. Not her favorite idea. She watched him with sparkling eyes and she took her hands and placed them neatly on her lap. "I'm afraid I no not the culture of shopping. I have been stuck working in here for so long that my mind cannot grasp the simple fact that I am a women, and shopping is a necessaty for all women, yet perhaps I shall have a day off in the near future and I shall venture to your stall." she said, in cool tones. When the Joker asked her name, she took a deep intake of breath and held it a moment. "I be Annette, my good sir. And you be Joker. I have heard many rumblings of you from the locals." More complaints than rumbles. Annette smiled. Her felt a jangle on her wrist and when she looked down she felt her bracelet, the cold metal soothing her hot wrist. She tried to cover it with her apron.

[Joker]

A woman who did not shop and one who had not had a day off? The very idea of working with no relief gave Joker a visible shudder. At least she had said she would try to visit his stall - perhaps Joker would give her a trinket or two from distant lands.

"I be Annette, my good sir. And you be Joker. I have heard many rumblings of you form the locals." Her voice was cool but Joker quirked a brow. Annette? Interesting that he was surrounded by such a name after only just arriving in town, not to mention her surreptitious movement to hiding her wrist - Joker had caught a glint that meant she was hiding a piece of jewelry.

Had she a partner then, and talking to him was making her uncomfortable? Ah well, Joker made many uncomfortable and her statement had been stated in a way that Joker knew the inhabitants of this town were like those of many others; seeing him as both a nuisance and help at times.

"Joker can just imagine what the locals be saying about himself! Alas, they judge too soon for Joker has many uses - though his only one to date has been dancing with a kitty before the locals. Really, the children enjoyed the show!" He gave her a gamine grin, his eyes only flicking down to her wrist once before sliding back to the waiting Minotaurs and demon.

"Joker has indeed an item to solve this dilemma before you!" Flicking his wrist he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a clear glass globe that fit snugly in his hand.

"If you hold this ball and speak a lie it will burn the hand that holds it but if you speak truth it shall shine with pure light," he explained as he set it on the table before them with a solid thunk. "Once held, you must make a statement or it will never leave your grasp, and Joker has made it so this ball can only be used 5 times. That should be enough to settle disputes and then turn it harmless lest an innocent soul hold it."

He turned back to Anne and smiled as the minotaurs and demon looked at the innocent looking ball before them, "Be there anything Joker can do for you, whilst he is here?"

[Annette Baruma]

Annette Baruma

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Annette smiled and watched the Joker, with content eyes as he babbled on about the ball which seemed so innocent. She turned slightly and watched the demon eye the ball also and as the two minotaurs whined, the demon turned and hissed an arguement about them not believeing such a ball doesn't exist. Annette hushed them and smiled politely."I assure you, humble beasts; If Joker says it shames liars than I bid you try the ball yourselves and test it. If it does not work, you may ask for something else, and if it does you shall be merry and go on as before." Annette said cooly, her voice soothing. She turned and watched Joker a moment and then turned and smiled at the demon who spoke in a language which would have confused the most intelligent dream being, yet Annette was not phased by his intrusiveness spoke with a flirtacious manner towards the beast. "Good demon, you may ask for whatever you desire, yet what you imply would shock many a man in this here world, and would give me a bad name for being with a demon in the way you suggest." she said, moving to stand behind the Joker and letting her hand fall to rest upon his shoulder.

[Joker]

Joker patted Annette's hand, raising a brow towards the demon and his crew, "Ah? Dare say these good demon's were being less than polite to dear Annette? Joker can't have that happening, 'twould be horrendous were someone aside from himself to cause any sort of sullying of her name!"

His tone was light, but only the three demons in question could see how Joker eyes glinted almost maliciously before he smiled and turned to Annette, "Come along Annette, whilst Joker's new patrons fiddle with their new toy." Tugging her hand he led her to the end of the bar where no one stood near.

"Tell Joker, Annette, does you have a habit of robbing innocent hard working cat's? Joker is sure this bracelet was gifted to one not long ago." So saying he lifted her hand, letting the sleeve fall to reveal the bracelet shimmering in the soft light.

[Annette Baruma]

Annette Baruma

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Anne allowed herself to be led to the end of the bar, and she turned her head to see the demon sit back down and stare at the odd addition to their group. As she stopped herself from walking into the bar, she walked round and watched Joker, as he pulled up her wrist and exposed the bracelet he had gifted her earlier. She bite on her lip and pulled her wrist away. "I don't know what your talking about. If I may say so, I know not of any cats that dare venture close to this inn." She said, lieing. She looked away for a moment, then dared a glance at Joker, before venturing away slightly to grab a rather odd bottle of beer, and two glasses, and placed the trio in front of the marketeer.