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[emet_sulk]

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At the Shop (backdated to earlier in June!)

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata has once again found himself faced with a challenge during one of his current quests, namely a massive kraken stuck in an unfortunate family's house, and the search for help led him straight to Polydegmon's Lapidary and Brew. Maybe a chime alerts Emet-Selch to his arrival, or maybe he just sees him enter - in any case the samurai looks to be in a bit of a rush. He already called ahead to explain the situation, so it's likely no surprise.]

Okay, here I am! Thanks for taking my call--

[He breaks off as he realises that they aren't the only ones around. There's... a ghost hovering by the counter. By now Hijikata has himself under control to the point that even when he gets spooked (and that definitely still happens) he doesn't immediately run screaming, but it's not often that he sees ghosts around during the daytime. Well, outside of Loch Manor, that is, and probably other local haunted places he doesn't know about.]

Sorry to barge in like this! Am I interrupting?

[emet_sulk]

[ The ghost glances the samurai's way but returns to listening attentively as Emet-Selch rounds off his request to it. It nods and glides away through the wall. It isn't the only ghost hanging around - there are two others marvelling over something at his workbench. ]

No, the dead run to no-one's schedule but their own.

[ He reaches over and spends a moment unlocking a drawer behind the counter. From it he takes out the potion and antidote for his shrinking potion and holds them out to Hijikata. ]

Here. For your kraken.

[mayoninofukucho]

Thanks. How much will that be?

[It feels quite surreal to see ghosts visiting the shop just like the living do, despite all the oddities Hijikata already experienced on this island, so he immediately inquires about that too.]

What do you sell that ghosts can use? They can neither ingest potions nor wear jewelry, can they?

[emet_sulk]

[ He names a price that is high but not exorbitant - it IS made from pixie dust after all and pixies aren't exactly known for their generosity. For it, Hijikata gets both the shrinking potion and an 'antidote' that will reverse the effects early. ]

They cannot. I have them search for items that would be too perilous for a living man to obtain. In return, I help them with their final requests.

[ A thin smile. ] Revenge, recompense - things like that.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Luckily Hijikata is quite affluent, thanks to his workaholic lifestyle that doesn't leave him much time to indulge in any luxuries while simultaneously earning him a constant stream of income. He doesn't expect to use the antidote, so he intends to keep it, in case anyone ever thinks it'd be a funny prank to shrink him down (Okita is here, after all).]

That's one hell of a business model. If you ever need a swordsman don't hesitate to call on me... as long as it's decently lawful.

[He's not going to snoop, purely because he respects Emet-Selch - otherwise he sure as hell would be a pest of a cop wanting all final requests accounted for -, but he definitely hopes that the man will decline calls for murder and the like (although the waters can quickly get muddy in such cases, especially when revenge is concerned).]

Oh, while I'm here...

[He rummages around in his uniform jacket, eventually taking out a small raw black tourmaline.]

Could you maybe make a ring or something out of this for me? They say it gives elemental magic users an edge against "opposing" elements.

[emet_sulk]

I am in the business of making potions and jewellery, [ he says loftily. ] Not death. No, I shall not be ushering anyone to their untimely demise. Most in fact ask me to pass on final messages to their loved ones...and their enemies.

[ He takes the raw stone and inspects it thoroughly. It should be easy enough to refine. ]

Would you like me to make this with Alchemy or the traditional way?

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata nods at that confirmation; that's reassuring. Much as Emet-Selch may come across as a dour person, his decision to help the ghosts shows how observant and compassionate he is, in Hijikata's opinion, even if he gets something in return. He's a bit stumped at the question, though.]

What's the difference? I'd say you can just use whatever is easier for you.

[emet_sulk]

[ A faint, wry smile. ]

With alchemy I can have something ready within an hour or so - I do still need to refine this stone before I can use it, you see, but the setting and other parts are drawn from a template I have already made and is therefore cheaper. If instead I were to create the piece by hand, then I could customise it to a far greater degree. This would, however, take me the span of a few days and be more costly.

[mayoninofukucho]

Alchemy should be fine, then. I'm not in a rush with this, but I also don't have any special design requirements. Do you need to take my size?

[He holds out a hand in case it's needed, letting Emet-Selch decide which finger the stone has a good size for.]

Ah, right, one more thing before I head back to the kraken situation... will it need to ingest the potion, or can we just pour it over it?

[emet_sulk]

[ An eyebrow lifts in amusement but he reaches for a ring sizer. ]

I didn't think you the type to wear one.

[ He takes Hijikata's hand and quickly makes a note of the size on a small notepad, commenting as he writes: ]

You can simply pour the potion over the beast. 'Twould be quite inconvenient if it had to be ingested. [ And here his smirk broadens. ] So do be careful not to get it on yourself. I wouldn't want a customer of mine to become a kraken's meal.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata offers a small wry grin in return.]

Noted. Yeah, that'd be an inglorious way to go out. As for the stone, I just thought a ring would be more secure than a strap necklace or whatnot, and it's such a small rock... but if you can make it into something else that's just as well. Hell, I guess I could probably simply keep it in my pocket as long as it can't fall out.

[Emet-Selch was spot-on about Hijikata not really liking jewelry. The only decorative attire he enjoys wearing are cloths around his neck - his usual cravat, but also neckerchiefs or scarves, depending on the season.]

[emet_sulk]

[ He taps his pen against the notepad, brow furrowed in thought. His eyes roam the other man from head to toe. If not a ring, then...what? Hmm... ]

I will think about it as I cut your stone. In the meantime, you have a kraken to take care of, do you not? By the time you finish dealing with it and return I'm sure I will have thought of something suitable for you.

[mayoninofukucho]

Right, I shouldn't leave my quest partner waiting! There really is no rush with the stone, but I'll pop in again later, just in case.

[Unless he somehow screws up and does end up shrunk and eaten... but he'll do his damndest to avoid that! He pockets his potion and antidote.]

Until then!

[He gives the ghosts a polite nod as he passes them on the way out, but they seem engrossed in their conversation. He feels pretty accomplished right now, even if the actual quest isn't completed yet. It seriously is so cool to have the right connections for messy situations like this!]