Chapter 637: Auction/Negotiations (1/2)
Pastia's Theater, a star-stuttered theater where many renowned figures have performed over many years. The immediate entrance drew attention, and not in a good way. The car, a very dignified and stunning lady, the lavishly dressed children. Remove the rumbunctious attitude and none be the wiser to their identity. When push comes to shove; the energetic Draconis acted humbly and kept a low profile. The listless Vanesa's face glowed, there was energy in her step. Lastly, the very egotistic Saniata, her revenge lost meaning somewhere along the way as shown by the subtle changes.
Pillars of marble passed them; hurdled guests pressed judgment.
”Good evening,” said an attendant with combed hair and an earring.
”Good evening,” replied Igna, ”-I've come here to offer an ancient artifact from my house.”
”Do pardon my intrusion,” he gave a once over, ”-about the relic, we have made a point to only accept items from nobles.”
”Yes, yes, I know,” he firmed the doubt, ”-to stop counterfeits, the history of scams is known to me.” The noble crest tied to a golden chain gently laid on the table, ”-Viscount of Glenda, and son to the Duchess of Rotherham, Igna Haggard.”
”My,” he gasped, ”-your reputation precedes you, my lord. The moniker of the devil is one hefty to bear, is it not?”
”Perhaps yes, and perhaps no, who can really tell,” without a wasted motion, the ring materialized into the open palm, ”-this object has been in my family for decades. A special order I made; I can assure its quality.”
The attendant gestured an appraiser over. The latter arrived with a monocle and rustic cologne. ”-Is this the piece?” he inquired with most of the pronunciation at the tip of his mouth. ”By the grace of Luna,” he coughed, ”-tis the biggest stone of Ardanite ever to be seen. The ring's imbued with fortification magic, the metal is a compound of Ikahmite and a few others.”
”-H-how much are you willing to accept for the ring?” gulped the attendant. The commotion garnered attention from the supervisor. A lady of slightly old age, she approached glaringly. Light reflected against her frameless glasses, ”-what's the commotion about?”
Igna gasped, the fist clenched, ”-S-Sophie Mirabelle…”
”Excuse me?” she glanced over her lowered glasses; ”-do I perhaps know you?”
”No, no,” he smiled, ”-I know you from the tales my uncle shared before his death. The SSS-ranked mage, and first ally he made, Sophie Mirabelle.”
”Uncle,” she took a closer look, ”-are you perhaps related to the late Staxius Haggard?”
”Yes. Please, take a better look at what I've brought today. I'd estimate the price in the tens of millions, and tis a conservative number.” A badge told of her title, '-organizer.'
Meanwhile, they debated on the ring, an inconspicuous hooded figure handed a lute at the next table. The appraiser glanced and said no, '-this feeling,' he gulped. The figure silently retracted her hand then spun. The crimson pupils shut firmly, '-that mana,' the heart raced, he reopened to the memory of another, the outside world faded, '-I can't…'
The tales of the lute spoke of a wandering bard. A boy who suffered great ordeal for the sake of sufferance. The malignant regret in the instrument sufficed to have Origin react, the cursed Lute of Goddess Luna's bard.
”Excuse me,” called the attendant, ”-we've concluded on 20 million as the bidding price, is that acceptable?”
”Sure,” he nodded briefly, ”-the history and heritage must add to the value.” Quick on the step, the watchers wavered at the sudden impertinences. The hooded figure swam through the hurdled entourages,
”Night, the harbinger of desolation, ire, and cold,” the passage caught her ear to a curious stop,” -a cold of which men fears to the heart for he has scoured the Earth for food and provisions. He asks for naught but a warm bed, one shared with his loved ones. Sadly, tis not as is meant for he's cursed. One to be abandoned as the night scare all. Fortune shines for he longs to see the night, to see the moonshine amidst the starry-filled sky. Day hides her true splendor. Dusk settles, her hue humbly pierces the darkened land, Goddess Luna arrived after the vibrant colored sunset rests. Our only source of light, the one who loves all – Luna. Oh – I wish I had seen thine majestic self before the many who are to sleep under thy watchful gaze. The one who acts as our bastion, we thank thee for being gracious. At night, where cold and hunger run rampant, we find salvation in thine shadow. She who helps the poor and rich alike, we thank thee for thine light. Under the cold sky, we wish we could see, whatever more thou have to offer,” the figure spun and stormed to Igna, ”-Alas, us humans are but feeble creatures. Goddess Luna, the ever gracious, how I wish I could reach out and touch thee, for thou art mine own salvation, In a moment of peril,” the cloak unraveled to a boy bearing the features of a lady, or rather, the appearance eased to fit the genders.
”Color me surprised,” said she, ”-I never expected someone to know the wandering bard's tales,” she tiptoed to match his stern expression, ”-the story is only known to the resident of a higher plane.”
”And I'd like to know why Goddess Luna has decided to walk the mortal realm,” returned a cautious whisper.
”I wanted to enjoy the casinos,” her posture slouched, ”-us divine are bored, I need money to gamble…”
”You remind me of a certain someone,” he cringed, ”-sell me the lute.”
”How much?” her eyes glimmered.
”Five thousand, not an exa more.”
”Fine,” she reached for her pocket, ”-transfer the funds and have the instrument.” An uncertain turn of events briefly held his attention.
”I apologize for the delay.”
Concurrently at the restaurant, the discussion went back and forth. Éclair provided crucial information on the drug trade, Esvalo returned the kindness in full. Desserts arrived, the table emptied, the escorts were slumped and heavily drunk. 'He used a drug earlier,' thought Éclair, '-the same one used for Alicia's murder.'
”Here are the papers,” smoke puffed onto the table, ”-the price is 10 million.”
”Let me take a look,” said Éclair. Kul and Asmo held their breaths, the legitimacy would make or break the advancement in the underworld.
”Looks to be in order,” said he, ”-nothing's amiss, and the current papers are original. Transferring ownership should be a matter of signing the papers and notifying the bank.”
”I told you,” smoke puffed with arms around the escorts' shoulders, ”-the Vermillion family loves to do deal legally. Our properties are clear of suspicion, none can harm us,” he winked, ”-Odgawoan officials are in the great families' pockets.”