"Precisely," said the merchant. He turned and looked Natalia up and down. "You are not what I expected a fortune teller to be, however it must be the case -"
"How do you know that?" Natalia snapped. "Who told you I was a fortune teller?"
"Erm, Natalia? He may want payment for that as well," Toris whispered.
"Indeed," said the merchant. He looked pleased that Toris caught on so quickly.
Natalia snorted at this. "What sort of information do you want as payment?"
"Oh! Forgive me for not being clear." The merchant gave a low bow, somehow managing not to lose his balance from the giant hat. "I wish for this young lady to read my fortune, and advise me on a matter that has been troubling me."
"Absolutely not," said Natalia, turning to leave.
Toris caught her by the arm. "Why will you not do it?" he whispered.
Natalia begrudgingly admired his courage, or at least that he was not afraid of dying. Greater men than he did not dare to touch her. "I do not frivolously tell fortunes for anyone who asks," she said, snatching her arm away.
"But he has the information you need!"
"He says he does. For all we know, it's useless."
"But suppose it isn't? Aren't you looking for something very important to you? How is it worse to tell a fortune than to miss a valuable clue?"
He had a point, though she hated to admit it. Scowling, she turned back to the merchant.
"Very well," said Natalia. "If that is what it will take for you to speak, so be it." She took his hand in hers, with more gentleness than she'd shown at any point prior. Her eyes turned slightly glassy as she gazed upon him. "What is it you wish to know?" she whispered.
Oh my who is this hat man? Also I enjoy Toris being there and acting as a conversation partner and a voice a reason. It's a very interesting dynamic. I shall patiently wait to find out the merchant's story ^^
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Immortalia: Story The Second - Lovers Once Upon A Dream (D)
(Anonymous) 2013-01-20 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)"How do you know that?" Natalia snapped. "Who told you I was a fortune teller?"
"Erm, Natalia? He may want payment for that as well," Toris whispered.
"Indeed," said the merchant. He looked pleased that Toris caught on so quickly.
Natalia snorted at this. "What sort of information do you want as payment?"
"Oh! Forgive me for not being clear." The merchant gave a low bow, somehow managing not to lose his balance from the giant hat. "I wish for this young lady to read my fortune, and advise me on a matter that has been troubling me."
"Absolutely not," said Natalia, turning to leave.
Toris caught her by the arm. "Why will you not do it?" he whispered.
Natalia begrudgingly admired his courage, or at least that he was not afraid of dying. Greater men than he did not dare to touch her. "I do not frivolously tell fortunes for anyone who asks," she said, snatching her arm away.
"But he has the information you need!"
"He says he does. For all we know, it's useless."
"But suppose it isn't? Aren't you looking for something very important to you? How is it worse to tell a fortune than to miss a valuable clue?"
He had a point, though she hated to admit it. Scowling, she turned back to the merchant.
"Very well," said Natalia. "If that is what it will take for you to speak, so be it." She took his hand in hers, with more gentleness than she'd shown at any point prior. Her eyes turned slightly glassy as she gazed upon him. "What is it you wish to know?" she whispered.
The merchant began to speak...
OP
(Anonymous) 2013-01-23 01:11 am (UTC)(link)