Theme Prompt - Wall

Well, hey! Good to see you again, kid! That shaking back? I can see it is. Oh no, don’t feel like you have to hide your hands behind your back. It’s no problem here. And I know I got what you need. After all, you know what they say. Third time pays for all. Oh, you brought a friend along with you, huh kid? Well, step right in, step right in, a friend of yours kid is a friend of mine. I’m sure we can find something for you too, my friend. Shivers too? Not to worry, not to worry, we’ll get those taken care of.

Have some tea, I got a new batch from Ondoladeshiron. My contact there, Jermayan, assured me this is one of the best blends they’ve made this year. And here, some of my mother’s cookies. Fresh-baked this morning. That should tide you both over until we find what you need. Let me go grab my ever-so-useful guide and we’ll be off. Did Ford stop by again? Oh, I’m afraid not, kid. And my guide’s still not for sale, I’ve come to rely on it way too much. Unfortunately, Ford has the whole of the universe to wander and doesn’t tend to revisit places all that much. But he needs things too and I may be seeing him again eventually. No, sit, sit. Don’t get up, I’ll be back in a jiffy. Enjoy your tea.

Here we are, here we are. Let’s just get started, shall we? Don’t want that shaking to go on any longer than it has to. What’s that friend? Oh, price? Well, let’s see what you want and then we can talk price. It could be anything, really, just depends on each item. Some examples? Well, like I told your friend before, it could be the color of your hair, maybe your memories before you were three. I’ve even taken an eye for one bargain. Expelled breath is an option too. There’s a race of sentient trees that just loves that. Carbon dioxide, you know? It’s like an adrenaline rush for them. I’ve even taken bottled lightning, though it’s hard to find the right buyer for that. A lot of people don’t really know how to use lightning and tend to hurt themselves trying.

Anyway, let’s start in this world. It’s a new one I found not too long ago. Great little place called Sleepy Hollow. Seems they have a bit of a problem with a Headless Horseman and a cop that just won’t stay dead. I met a really polite man there who seemed out of place working with a police officer. She was looking a bit overwhelmed but determined. I bargained for a book they carried around, a Bible that was once owned by a founding father. I even got this jar, filled with the head from the Headless Horseman. Creepy, isn’t it kid? Certainly won’t need too many more Halloween decorations with this around your house. And I even got this sign, the top sliced off by the Headless Horseman himself. Seems like he wanted to let people know as he cut the head off the silhouette of the horseback rider. And this, this is the best thing I got from that world. Bit meta-y but fun either way. One of the characters is played by an actor who loves participating and engaging with his fans. I have the Twitter username and Tumblr username he goes by. Those make no sense to me but maybe they do to you. I have to admit, though, it was fun being in that world. Running around and solving clues from the Bible and trying to figure out the mystery of the man from the past? It was amazing.

What do you think, friends? Any of these tickling your fancy? Here, why don’t we top up those tea cups while you’re thinking. I see a thoughtful look in your eyes, kid. You like something in this, doncha? Aw, a headshake. That’s all right, kid, we’ll find something. I know you’re discerning and your friend here is probably no different. All it takes is a little time and a little perseverance and you’ll go home happy and shake-free. Besides, I got all the time in the world and perseverance in spades. How about we flip to the next section, let me wet my throat a little bit. Have I mentioned that this tea is one of the best blends from Ondoladeshiron? It’s brand new too, something Jermayan’s friends have been tinkering with for, oh, the last century or so. Elves, my friend. They never do anything the quick way if they can do it the slow way. And it has to be perfect or it never sees the light of day.

And here we go, here we go. Something to tempt you and tickle your fancy for the morbid and paranormal. Ooh, I see the excitement in your face, friend. This tarot deck interest you? I have to admit, it gives me the creeps but it is very bold. Simple, clean lines, stark colors, and symbolism to satisfy anybody. Though the Lovers card is probably the strangest of them all, in my humble opinion. Who ever thought of depicting it as a scorpion crawling on a woman’s lips? Things are a little creepy all over in that world. Magic and vampires and psychics, all mingling together in a time period around the 1800s. Plus, there’s something that is murdering people, Jack the Ripper style. I have my suspicions of who it is but I’m just thankful I escaped with my skin. This deck is really one of the only material things I bargained for there. The rest was information. If you like, I can tell you exactly who is after the psychic and what they want her for. Who they believe she is and give you pictures of the hieroglyphs that  prove it.

I see your faces turning pale, friends. Never fear, never fear, we shall just turn the page of this wondrous guide and move on to the next world. I will readily admit, trading there wasn’t all that pleasant. Every moment feeling like something’s watching me and seeing a hulking man with yellow eyes out of the corner of my eye. I don’t think I’ll be going back there. But oh, you’ve both finished off your tea. Nerves from that last world, I expect. Here, some fresh tea and just a touch of sugar. I don’t know about you but I just can’t drink my tea without sugar. Unless it’s extremely sweet. This sugar comes from my own humble world and is the best available in my opinion.

But moving on, moving on my friends because we need to soothe that shaking in your hands. Sugar helps, doesn’t it? But it’s just not quite the right thing, huh? Oh, I see you eyeing the images here, friend. I don’t know if you were told but the first time your friend here bought something from me, I threw in an Ice Planet as a special gift. I get them from a ship captain friend of mine. You remember that Ice Planet, right kid? Delicious little invention, wasn’t it? This section of the guide is from that same world. I got space ships and star maps here. My favorite ship is, hands-down, the Firefly. She’s got a great engine and a unique personality. If you take care of her, she’ll always get you home. She’s also got some handy nooks and crannies to hide those... hmmm... less than legally obtained goods, you understand. Oh no, friend, it’s all right, don’t get up. These goods are legal here, just not in their origin. I’ve also got this list of the best Companions in that world, people who, shall we say, offer their company for a price. Not quite to your liking? I understand, I understand. Companions aren’t quite on everyone’s palate. I’ve also got some top-secret experimental projects here. One was to create an army of mind-readers. They nearly succeeded, too. But the subject escaped and the project was scrapped. Or here, the origin of the Reavers, something the government has been trying to keep under wraps for years.

No? I see you both shaking your heads though with some regret. Perhaps we’ll come back to this place, yeah? Moving along, moving along my friends. Oh, I hear the bell in the front of the shop. Please, enjoy your tea and I’ll be right back in just a few moments. Ah here we go. Just a regular customer who needed her usual fix, my friends. Didn’t take that long, not long at all. Oh dear, those shakes have gotten worse, friend, haven’t they? Why did you wait so long this time, kid? You know my shop is always open, especially to a connoisseur such as yourself. I’ve got pretty much everything and what I don’t, I can find. And with this guide, it doesn’t take nearly as long to look through it all.

Oh, but here I am babbling on while you’re both waiting patiently. Let’s move on, shall we? Here, this is a favorite section of mine. History, it’s called. It covers a variety of things from different time periods. Look, look here. This piece of graffitied rubble is actually part of the Berlin Wall. It got torn down and lots of people took bits as mementoes. But most of those are gone by now. This is one of the few remaining pieces. It’s a beauty, isn’t it kid? Think this piece of history will slake that hunger you’re feeling? No, well let’s move on. This is the Gutenberg Bible, the real one. Yes, that one, the very first one ever printed on a printing press. I had to pay a pretty price for this baby, I can tell you that. Of course, I didn’t really have any use for Odin’s eye and the tall man in green and gold armor was almost panting to have it. I never did catch his name but I know I’ll remember him. What’s that you say? How? Well, he’s the first man I’ve ever known to turn blue and freeze things with a touch. It was a week before the section of my counter he was touching thawed. But you’re shaking your head, friend. Let’s look at the next page. The resting place of Atlantis and the way through all the traps and locks set around the city. Bought this off a man in a fedora and leather jacket who told me it wasn’t worth his life to try and get to it. Traded him a beautiful piece, the Cross of Coronado, for it. Maybe wanderlust is what’s making your hands shake? Oh wait, please, it’s nothing personal. I’m not trying to pry, it just slips out. I try to get my customers exactly what they need. It is so difficult, not knowing what hunger gnaws at you.

But we’ll move on. We’re coming to the end of my new acquisitions. I’ve still got all the old things, too. Nothing gets thrown away around here, kid! Never know what some poor person might need to settle the ache in the gut and the pain in the head. Oh, look at this. This is something new I got from the world with the T-Virus. Oh, I see you heard of it, friend. Perhaps this might interest you especially. This monster is called a Tyrant. And it’s truly terrifying. When it’s abilities were being tested for me, it killed so many clones in the space of just a few minutes. It was impressive. Imagine having one of these at your side. Nothing would be beyond you and your wildest dreams would be within reach of your fingertips. Control? How do you control it? Well, as for that, I’m not entirely certain. I’ve got the thing locked up in an indestructible box myself and the people who sold it to me were not completely... forthcoming. Not quite your thing? No, I understand, never fear my friends. I know we’ll find something for you.

Ah, yes, this is quite a special world. Brand new, as far as I understand. Huddle in closer, my friends, don’t want just anyone overhearing this. Yes, kid, it’s that important. What was that? No, it’s not quite the smut or fanfiction I showed you before. Just as controversial, yes, but different. Now, tell me, do either of you believe in angels? Yes, I’m talking about the feathered guys who live up in Heaven. Honestly, when have you known me to joke about my wares, kid? Oh, oh I’m hurt. I would never lie about anything I have in this shop. Not even to sell it for a profit. That would get me kicked out of this business faster than anything. No one would buy anything from someone who lied about their wares. But where were we? Oh, yes, thank you friend. Angels. The archangel Michael is the one I dealt with in this world, though at a distance. He was... imposing. Though his wings were magnificent. Glossy black feathers with patterning through them. I had hoped there was a way to take even just one feather but alas. What would I do with it, friend? Well, I don’t really have a use for angel feathers but I know a couple of hunters who could use some. There’s a few spells that require them, you know. And it’s never a bad thing to have a few extra ingredients on hand. You never know what might help you against demons, you know. But yes, I was able to bargain information from Michael. Names, mostly, and locations of other angels. Did you know that if you perform the right spell and you have an angel’s true name, you can summon them? It’s absolutely fascinating but you’d better have a way to control the angel or some great protection. And this is something you can never repeat, friends, for it might get all of us killed. I’m willing to sell this piece of information but it will cost dearly. I know who the chosen child is. I even know how he’s marked and what those marks do for him. What do you think? Want to know an archangel’s secrets?

Let me top up that tea again for you and wet my throat a little more. It takes a lot out of you, explaining the wares and their provenance. But it’s something that’s a pure joy to me. There’s nothing like bargaining hard for a specific item or piece of information and coming away with it. Especially if you paid less than you expected to for it. I’m afraid we’ve gone through everything new in my stall, kid, so was there anything here that tempted and teased you? How about you, friend? I’ve got plenty and I know we can help with that shaking. Besides, there’s the added bonus of a delicious Ice Planet. Oh, you both will buy something! How marvelous, simply marvelous! Point it out, dear friends, and we’ll get to bargaining over price. That’s the best part you know.