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 Wern The Festival of Hearts had just finished and all the excitement (and clean-up) was just winding down. Plus, there was a bit of a dry spot for customers, so Amon took the opportunity to close up the shop and begin some reorganizing...especially with the most recent upgrades.
Currently the shop was in a bit of a mess, many of the toys in boxes with just a few were on the shelves. Amon was currently reorganizing one shelf, putting the toys into one box and replacing them with a few from a different box. Hopefully this could help with inventory and streamline things.
Plus it was oddly relaxing.
Hopefully it could stay this way...just for a bit...
"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
T-today was the day. Surely. Fumbling with his hands, Wern tried to stand tall, but his back naturally went toward that slump he normally took when he was nervous. Oh dear. H-he really needed to be a little bit more forward, but well, he wasn’t quite sure of Amon still. Edelweiss tried to reassure him, but well, it was hard. Yes, Amon was a skilled inventor but well, Wern’s gut was telling him to be careful. Though, when was it not? Oh Cogs. Swallowing, he wiped the sweat off his brow as he hovered in front of Amon’s shop. But, it was closed. O-oh dear. Frowning, Wern glanced around, unsure of what to do. Should he ring a bell? Was there even a bell to ring? He heard shuffling from the other side, but well, he could always come back another day— like he had been saying to himself for the past few weeks. Actually, this was not the first time he had been stopped outside of Amon’s door. Just, today was the day he actually made it to the door. “Come on, Wern. You need to ask him.” And talk to him in general, but asking, asking was always a good start. Taking a deep breath, Wern knocked sheepishly on the door, wondering if he had knocked loud enough— he had been careful, with his knock. He didn’t want to disturb Amon too much.
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
Amon sighed as he stopped what he was doing and made his way to the door. Well...the silence lasted a little longer than usual...
Might as well see who it is...
"Hm? Oh...Wern!" he responded, at little surprised at the identity of the visitor. The poor guy rarely if ever came to Amon these days.
"What can I help you with?"
"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
Well, Amon answered. Rather happily, actually. That surprised Wern, and stutteringly, Wern tried to wave. “H-Hello Amon. I-I was wondering if we could t-talk briefly. Since, well, w-we haven’t had much time to since your reemergence. A-and well, you asked me to be your second in command, but um…. I don’t know what that entails,” Wern answered, rubbing his palm for some extra support as the words staggered off his tongue. “A-and I t-think we s-should spend more time together. M-maybe. T-this way I can be a-an effective second and l-learn what I c-can do to help.” Alright, his stuttering was on the border of being ridiculous now. Wern realized that, and it made him tilt his head down. He didn’t mean to be nervous. He didn’t mean to stutter, but cogs, he was so nervous. Edelweiss told him not to be scared, but he couldn’t help it. Especially since there were dolls on the other side of the door— dolls that could come to life and a-attack him if Amon saw him as a threat. Though, he was more of an annoyance then a threat.
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
"...Well..." Amon sighed as he went back to arranging the toys on the shelf. "You can start by stop being so darned terrified of me..."
"Still trying to figure out why you act as if I'm going to end your existence with a snap of a finger..."
"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
Wern wasn’t sure whether to answer or be quiet. He chose the later. After all, he was pretty sure that Amon could end his existence with a snap of a finger. Or at least, unleash the dolls or anything else he had hiding on him, if he wanted. Wern just hope that Amon would never express that want. “I’ll try,” Wern gulped. “N-no guarantees.”
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
"So..." he said as he placed the last display on the shelf and moved back to the counter top. "Where did you want to start?"
"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
Cogs, Wern didn’t know how to respond to that. Merely, he blinked— and without thinking, immediately sighed, “Somewhere?” Though realizing that probably wasn’t an appropriate start, he continued. “I-I mean, I don’t really know where to start. How to be a good leader? How to manage the guild? What do you even need me to do? Do I even have to manage anything? I don’t know what you want me to do, so my want is kind of at the risk of your want.” Wern confessed, continuing to fumble with his hands.
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
"Well..." Amon started with a shrug. "...I guess to be a 'good' leader, you need to make good decisions. To make good decisions, you need experience. And you gain experience from bad decisions. Point is, it's a learning process, and although you quickly learn you can't make everyone happy, so long as you put what you've learned to heart and apply that knowledge to the best of your ability for the betterment of those around you, you'll be fine."
"In terms of responsibilities, I can get you to start helping me with the process of recruiting people into the guild; I saw that you already have some experience with that. I personally open almost anyone with open arms (keyword being 'almost'), depending on their skills and what they can bring. You could say I follow a 'sink or swim' philosophy: they either have a use and succeed, or they fail to meet all expectations and are swept away."
"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
What Wern had learned was probably better kept to himself. After being guild leader for how many months (Three? Four? He couldn’t remember as it felt like a year) he had learned that Lodan was strange. Everywhere was strange, but Lodan was stranger than most. How could so much corruption and violence be in such a smaller guild? Not that Mingo’s was small, but compared to CAEsAL… it made Wern’s head hurt. Part of that hurt was become of Amon, but well…. Remember what Edelweiss had said… “I- I don’t mind recruiting,” Wern spoke, not sure what else he could say. Judging people, however, was a whole other story.
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
"Alright then," Amon replied with a nod. "We'll start there and see how we can expand your responsibilities from there..."
---
A few days after the Inventor's Fair
Amon let out a sigh. The Inventor's Fair was a...well...fair success. It didn't attract as many people, nor gather as much excitement and attention as he had hoped, but it did the core job: promote innovation and progress. New ideas blossomed, old ideas were shared, and partnerships were made. Plus, Wern and Sienna did great! Everything went off without a hitch and now even the clean up was complete. Amon should be relaxing for a bit.
Should, being the key word here.
"For the last time, no," he replied, doing his best to keep a level voice, a challenge due to giving the same answer at least ten different ways to the stubborn guild member before him for the past thirty minutes.
"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
Furrowing her brow, Cadence shifted her stance. Pushing the box closer to Amon, Cadence used the room to lean over the counter, blocking the said box from being moved back. “Come on, Laddie. You would get a lot of coin. Lotta nobles want clockwork dolls with my accessories installed. If you figure out how to do it, you could even get some extra money on the ones you already made. Lotta people want the bells and whistles these days. And a lot of people,” Cadence emphasized, spreading her hands apart as if to measure the size. “Means a lot of cash! More for you to spend on fairs and festivals and ponies. Whatever suits your fancy, laddie.” Sighing, Cadence straightened. “At least think over it some more instead of giving me a flat no. And, for an extra added measure—“ Smirking, Cadence reached inside of her large box and grabbed a medium size box. On it was written “To Amoners, From A Great Business Opportunity.” Pushing the box forward, Cadence continued. “Here, a business gift from me. It’s for you and the missus. Or just for you. Don’t know what you fancy, so I Threw some things together. Got more where that came from so if you ever need something, you know who to call—“ “Cadence!” Wern squeaked from the door, holding Polinya in his arms. “What are you doing? You were supposed to pick up Polinya ten minutes ago!” Wern angrily stated— or as angrily as he could state. He was still afraid of entering the shop with anything but a calm demeanor, the little beady eyes of the toys haunting him still. But, he had to express some annoyance. Especially since Polinya was involved. “You promised you’d watch over her today.’ “Ah, that I did, Laddie, that I did. I just caught up in business, is all.” She motioned with her head toward Amon. Though, as she looked back toward Wern she covered her mouth from Amon’s view as she whispered, “He’s being a bit shy about it.”
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
"I'm not being shy," Amon retorted. "I'm exercising my right to refuse a particular service."
"Cadence, for the last time, I am not going to install your products on any clockwork doll I sell. I do agree that there is a business opportunity, as I have gotten a number of requests for dolls with such features when I first started selling them, but I will continue to give you the same answer I gave them: I am making you a robot, not a pleasure doll."
"Besides," Amon continued, rubbing his temples. "Contrary to what some may like to believe, I do have a reputation to uphold. With that being said, it's not exactly the wisest thing to sell adult toys in a store tailored to kids and adults who think they're still kids," he said dryly, gesturing at the toys around the store.
"As for your 'gift'...I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to respectfully decline," he said as he pushed the box back. "Edel has stated before that she isn't interested in, nor has any desire to try out, these sorts of things."
"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
“A particularly great very lucrative service, I might add,” Cadence reiterated, but she wore her business smile regardless as she continued. “Well, you could go under a different name. But, I understand. You make a good point, I agree. Man selling things for kids shouldn’t be dawdling into a naughty business, so let’s approach this another way. What if I do all the naughty things. Every little bit. Ya don’t dawdle in pleasure, just me. But, if I have trouble with something, you leave your door open for a little … um…” For some reasons she stared at Wern, as if the larger man would give her a suitable metaphor for her tale. Wern merely rolled her eyes, keeping his hands over the squirming Polinya’s ears. Cogs, the child didn’t need to hear more of Cadence business proposals, but knowing Cadence, she wouldn’t stop until there was nothing left to be said. “How about you leave a little door open for a bird to waddle in and ask for advice. You toss some ideas around with the bird, and you give the bird permission to meddle with certain aspects of your wares to make things compatible and if I- um if the bird messes up on the doll, perhaps you’d be willing to fix said mess ups to their original state before said bird did a blunder. You get 30 percent of the cut for every modification and upkeep, your name out of it, leaving you and your toy’s reputation alone. How’s that sound?” Cadence offered, leaning once more against the top of the counter.
Easily she accepted the denied gift, nodding. “Aye, I understand. Not everyone is too keen. But, if the misses changes her mind, you know who to call.” Cadence winked, putting the medium box back into the larger box. “I’d even give you a friendly discount.” “Oh for cogs sake,” Wern mumbled, pinching his temples. “Cadence. Please— I need you to watch Polinya.” “Hold your Geese and feathers, Wern. Aunt Candles is doing some business,” the older women quipped, holding up a finger to let her have one more minute.
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
"...I'll think about it..." Amon replied dryly. "But for now, it sounds like you have more pressing matters to attend to..."
"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
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