Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
OPEN TO ALL It was a fairly quiet morning, giving Amon the perfect chance to continue tweaking his machines. The new business model for his clockwork toy shop was met with some interesting criticism, but at the same time, helped to smooth out a fair number of past issues. And for the first time in a while, business was booming, and people kept flocking to him with guild applications.
Needless to say, it was a welcome break, allowing him to absorb himself in his current project, enjoying the silence as he tinkered around with a clockwork bird.
"I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible! And when I leave, you will finally understand why storms are named after people!" - Taryn, Nerf This
Post by Elijah Godwin on Apr 13, 2017 15:50:22 GMT
Elijah stood in front of the toy shop, perfectly pressed clothes falling neatly around him, and his hair perfectly styled. Never let it be said that the Godwin heir was looking less than perfect. With a fortifying breath --good god why was he feeling nervous?-- he shifted his bag full of small green boxes on his shoulder and pushed the door to the shop open. The inside was, quite honnestly, fascinating. Clockwork toys lines the shelves, and each was more detailed than the other. Elijah barely restrained himself to pick up every toy he moved by to examine it's inner working. With another deep breath, and a mental shake of himself, Elijah approached the counter and the man who was tinkering with... was that a clockwork bird? He wondered it it could fly, or, well, more realistically, if it could glide at all?
Elijah cleared his throat and tried to smile winningly. "Hello sir. Are you Amon? I was told guild applications should be... submited here." And he really hoped that man was Amon, because he'd quite happily defer to a man of such talent for clockwork machines. Well, defer. Work with and respect the authority of. Defer was such a strong word, and one not befitting a man of his status. Still, Elijah waited with carefully measured breath for the man's answer.
"Yes and yes..." Amon replied as he made a few more adjustments before finding a good stopping point, a look between boredom and amusement partially hidden thanks to his bangs.
"...Can I help you with something?"
"I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible! And when I leave, you will finally understand why storms are named after people!" - Taryn, Nerf This
Post by Elijah Godwin on Apr 14, 2017 13:12:14 GMT
Elijah relaxed. He really believed in the quality of his wares, so he had no reason to be nervous about them. He simply did not like not to know how things would go. Now assured of the man's identity, he had a clear plan of attack and no reason to stress. He nodded, rummaging into his bag to get out three green cardboard boxes that he set down on an empty part of the counter.
"Well, I am submitting my application to Mingo's Merchanics. I brought some examples of my creations, if you would give me a second..."
And even as he talked, Elijah opened the boxes. The first one, about the size of his hand and half an inch thick, was open to reveal a delicate butterfly brooch laid on cream tissue paper. The second, a smaller, square box, revealed an inch long shiny blue beetle brooch, and the last box, a large square half an inch thick, was open to display a beautiful blue-green flower hair pin.
"I have more variety at home, of course. And the insects can move a bit." In demonstration, Elijah picked up the butterlfy and pressed a buttion cleverly hidden at the bottom of its body. A second later, the wings started to flutter slightly at irregular intervals. After a few second, Elijah pressed the button again and the butterfly fell back into immobility as it was set down in its box again.
"...Interesting..." Amon said, picking up one of the brooches with his mechanical hand, carefully observing the item. "I've seen applicants make their clockwork insects look more...appealing...not often do I see something that merely looks appealing actually use clockwork tech to enhance their quality..."
"Though...is that all you plan on doing...?" he asked, carefully setting the brooch down. "Granted, clockwork jewelry is equal parts tricky, simple, and, above all else, unique...but it can be quite expensive, and thus limiting..."
Not often someone brings in something unique...especially not someone from a (clearly) noble background...
"I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible! And when I leave, you will finally understand why storms are named after people!" - Taryn, Nerf This
Elijah smiled, half cocky half proud, as Amon examined his wares. Well, that was going even better than he'd expected. He'd have to lord it over Jess at some point. His darling sister who had been so sure he'd fail miserably at doing something mundane.
With a wave of his hand, Elijah dismissed the concerns brought up by Amon. "Well, I was thinking more of doing commissions, to be honest. It's not like I need the money." He did not gesture to his clothes, but the 'just look at me' was implied in his voice. Still, he shrugged lightly. "I do have a collection of perfectly normal--if quite detailed--jewellery too, but I mosly aim to find a financial purpose to my hobby. Selling those would allow me to tweak designs, receive suggestions and comments, and make some bonus money out of it."
And really, he would not even have to charge much more than the price of the materials used. The thought of seeing people wearing his creations filled him with an unexpected excitement, and a slight smile broke through before he schooled his expression to patient attentiveness again.
Last Edit: Apr 19, 2017 0:08:50 GMT by Elijah Godwin
Aaaand there it was: the arrogance of the nobility.
"...Right..." Amon said, narrowing his eyes. "...I do hope you're not taking this lightly..." he warned. He couldn't deny the kid's passion, but queens did the that arrogance annoy him; it was also, more often than not, a sign of failure or that they'd give up later down the road.
Eh, might as well; sink or swim was his modus operandi anyways...
"In any event," he sighed, pulling out a clockwork mouse, giving it a few taps with a mechanical finger before letting it go, the metal creature scampering away to a hidden passageway behind the counter. "What else could you do with your clockwork creations?"
A moment later, a short clockwork doll emerged from the back room, carrying a binder and a small box.
"As requested," she said, placing the stack on the counter next to Amon. "Good day and welcome to Mingo's," she said to Elijah with a curtsy before returning to the back room, closing the door behind her.
"I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible! And when I leave, you will finally understand why storms are named after people!" - Taryn, Nerf This
The narrowing eyes and sudden... almost suspiscion, really, threw Elijah for a second, but he quickly shook his head. "Oh no, I don't, I assure you! If I did, I would not be applying for guild membership."
As the clockword doll walked in, and very politely gave him a curtsy before leaving again, all of Elijah's years of tutoring barely kept him from gaping in awe. My, what an adorable work of art! So small, yet quite delicately made, and perfectly functioning, as proved by her short stay in the room. Elijah kept his eyes on the door for a few, long seconds, eyes wide, before coughing and schooling his expression.
"That clockwork doll is... quite impressive. Your work, I assume?"
Oh, and she'd brought a binder and box, too. He'd been focusing too much on her to really notice it at the time...
"Yeah," Amon replied, going over the binder. "Back to my original question: what else can your clockwork creations do? Just to get a better baseline of your abilities..."
"Also, did you have a place in mind as to where you wanted to set up your shop?"
"I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible! And when I leave, you will finally understand why storms are named after people!" - Taryn, Nerf This
Oh, right, his questions. "Oh, well. I hadn't really planned on using that for jewelery, but I can make them emit some noise. I haven't yet managed to keep them from breaking after that, however. Otherwhise, well. I could make the legged insects actually move around, and not just... wiggle." He then shrugged lightly, hint of a self-deprecating smile on his face. "I have only started playing with clockwork robotic recently, but I hope to be able to make musical lockets and brooches eventually."
He absentmindedly ran his finger over the flower hair onament still set on the table.
"There is a small shop for sale, a few streets up, near the Central Square. I was thinking of buying it and maybe renting half of it to another craftsman."
"...I see..." Amon replied a little absently. A budding engineer, huh...
As for renting out the place though...
"I...wouldn't recommend that," he sighed. "I mean, we do have a number of empty shops around that area that are owned by the guild," he explained, showing off a ring of keys. "You'd effectively be renting it in a sense, but the reasonably small fees are effectively used to help you out, should you choose to use that service. You could choose to own a place not previously under Mingo's wing, but I would not recommend 'renting' it out to anyone; though if you choose to have a partnership with someone, let me know."
"Regardless, I'm going to need you to fill out these forms and turn them back to me as soon as possible," he continued, pushing forward the paperwork.
"Effectively, welcome to Mingo's."
"I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible! And when I leave, you will finally understand why storms are named after people!" - Taryn, Nerf This
Post by Elijah Godwin on May 31, 2017 15:10:24 GMT
Oh. Alright. He was not quite a merchant, so he'd defer to the guild leader. But as for renting a place owned by Mingo's...
"Would you happen to have such a shop close to the Central Square?" It would make everything so much easier if he didn't have to cross half the district to get from his house to the shop. And the renting fees would not be a problem, anyway.
Wordlessly, Elijah reached over the counter to gather the papers. There was a very reasonable amount of paperwork to fill, really, that shouldn't take too long.
"I have things to take care of today, but I'll stop by tomorrow to drop the filled forms."
He inclined his head in a respectful nod, ever the composed noble, but the childish smile that broke out on his face at the welcome betrayed his excitement.
"Thank you."
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