The Shattered Veil [1x1]

[yamikuronue]

[Imported from NodeBB]

[accalia]

The world slept, people went about their business not knowing the greater world outside. The world where Magic was real, where belief shaped reality, where monsters roamed. And since time immemorial when these outbeings realized that they needed the mundane world to remain mundane lest their powers be lessened the veil has existed, subtly changing the perceptions of the mundane world, shaping its belief that magic is not real, that these monsters cannot exist, a belief that fed back on itself, self reinforcing until the veil was no longer needed to shape matters, the momentum of it continued the force of the spell unaided.

This worked so well that no one noticed when the veil broke, the imperfection of its casting shattering it. But it had worked so well that it was no longer needed. Of course without the veil shaping the perceptions of all humanity there were those that broke through the perceptions and saw the world as it really was. Most ignored the reality, fleeing back into the mundane way of thinking, others tried to capitalize on it, they invariably caught the attention of a monstrous outbeing and were consumed, others were smart, they kept quiet and learned much, turning their new found strength inward to grow strong, strong enough to stand toe to to with even the most ancient and powerful outbeing.

This third kind of awoken human was rare, but all the more precious because of their power, and because they so easily felt the pull of destiny, falling into roles where they fought off ancient evils that would have consumed the world, or stabilized a natural process that had become unstable and threatened existence, or sought those that would destroy causality throughout all of time itself.

And all of these heroes and heroines needed supplies, some found their own mystical swords or amulets, but most bought them. The accounts varied but they almost all involved a shop, a dusty, cluttered affair, much like an antique shop that was well on its way to turning into a "old junk" shop. This shop would be found somewhere where it would make sense for it to appear but where it had never before been observed to be, the purchaser would enter, find an item that was theirs beyond question, purchase it, and then upon leaving find that not only does the shop no longer appear where they remember it to be, but that their life had been changed forever.

That is until that fateful time when someone found the shop for a second time... But of course, that's not where our story begins...

[yamikuronue]

Miles Denton had been nothing to take note of the last time she saw him: a strung-out junkie, hard used by both his gambling addiction and the drugs he'd turned to in order to repay his debts but couldn't help sampling. But she could remember how he'd been when they first met: ruggedly handsome, with a twinkle in his eye and a dream in his heart. It was Reno that chewed him up and spit him back out, destroying the man she'd loved. It was for the best she'd left him when she did, and never looked back. It wasn't like he had any money to spare even if she did want for things for the baby.

The man who walked into her shop could have been the older brother of the man she'd known. His firm chin and shocking blue eyes were set into a face like aged leather; his firm, muscular arms bore scars peeking out from the cuffs of his leather jacket. It was a good look on him, leather and denim; it didn't try to pretend he was any younger than he was, but it warned that he was no less dangerous for his age. And if the leather didn't scare you off, the concealed handgun under the coat just might.

For his part, Miles had driven past the shop four times before he'd dared to go in. Three of them had even been today. Last night... well, last night didn't bear much thinking about.  No man of almost fifty would admit to sitting parked down the street for an hour trying to get up the courage to come in. It had driven him to drink. But that was last night. Today was a new day. He was sober, he had a new hat, and he was determined to buy an antique.

Maybe then he'd be able to admit what had been happening to him over the last few months.

[accalia]

"Welcome, honored client." The voice comes from a small child, clearly standing on a stool behind the counter so that they can see over it. The child can't be more than nine years, but already it has a sharpness of gaze in his pale, almost milky, blue eyes.

Through the shelves cluttered with various items on display can just be made out the ambiguous figure of an adult, presumably the shopkeeper and guardian of the child, moving several boxes out of a store room with the intent, presumably, to adding their contents to a display.

"We are the best, and indeed only, source of guaranteed genuine artifacts and talismans on the planet. Welcome to The Shop.  How may we help you today?" the child continues

[yamikuronue]

She's hiring kids now? Miles' cynical mind asks, before he chides himself. Didn't you see The Matrix? Kid's probably some kind of prophet or something.

It's as good a theory as any. Better than most -- it'd be nice, thinking there's a secret society of good guys out there to keep the monsters at bay. Fits, even. Nobody like that'd waste their time on him. He's expected to take care of himself.

Chin high, posture easy, he tips his hat to the little girl(?). "Howdy. I'm lookin' for a weapon." Best to be polite, but vague. Let the kid make their own assumptions.

[accalia]

"A weapon, yes." The child looks at Miles for a moment "May I assume that since you already carry a pistol you are looking for a projectile weapon of similar use? Or would you prefer a different style of weapon?"

[yamikuronue]

"Now, that depends what'cha got for me, darlin'," he drawls, with a pleased smile.

[accalia]

The child nods and hops down off the stool. He looks carefully at Miles before nodding. "Mother has three weapons and one amulet that would be compatible with your aura. There are several other weapons that may be worth looking at, but i cannot guarantee compatibility as they have their own minds about who they will allow to wield them. One moment please."

And with that he dashes off into the back room, leaving Miles alone in the shop with the still indistinct shape of the shopkeeper standing several aisles over. She hasn't moved since he spoke, in fact she seems to have frozen at his voice.

[yamikuronue]

Mother...? he asks, his mind doing the math and sizing up the retreating child again.

Time stops. The world, metaphorically, cracks open; facts assign themselves and re-assign themselves in his mind, neurons firing as he tries to conceive of an image that he does not want to see.

A smile plasters itself across his face; the world shudders to a start again around him, limping along as though it had not hiccupped. To any outside observers, his smile just faded for a moment before renewing itself; no sign of his internal struggle shows. She moved on awful fast. What, maybe a year after I left her, she's already married with kids?

The force of Miles' stubbornness always was one of his best assets.

[accalia]

The child returns a moment later holding two swords. he places them on the counter top a respectful distance from each other and climbs back on his stool "We'll start with the long blades that might be suitable. Please, approach them carefully, they can be dangerous if they disapprove of you."

[yamikuronue]

Miles chuckles, sauntering toward the counter with his thumbs in his pockets. "Well, aren't you a sight," he says, leaning to observe the closer one. A little flattery never hurt nobody.

[accalia]

The blade shudders violently, the tip actually lifting off the counter top as it sought Miles' throat. However as it lacked an arm to propel it forward nothing further happens. The shopkeep boy quickly grabs the blade and places it below the counter.

"That's a solid 'No' from Lifereaper then. Try the next one please, honored customer."

[yamikuronue]

"Lifereaper?" he asks, with a benevolent chuckle. "Isn't that one of those newfangled pokey-mans?"

He bends to inspect the other blade, though a very observant person might note he moves a little slower.

[accalia]

This second blade doesn't move as lifereaper did, but it also does not seem to be happy with Miles's presence.

"Honorable customer is pleased to jest, if he had touched Lifereaper against the blade's will it would have controlled your arm and plunged itself straight into your heart. It seems Silkwater is also an incorrect choice for you. I see. Please wait, I will fetch weapons which will fit you better."

And again the child disappears into the back room, taking the rejected weapons with him. Other than the child there is no movement in the shop, no sound either, except Miles own breath and the telltale sound of the shop owners breath, that one's pretty ragged, as if she is nervous or scared of something.

[yamikuronue]

"Kids these days. Always exaggerating. Ain't that right, Elaine?"

He says it in the same casual, genial tone he said everything else in, without even turning his head. Just watching where the kid left, waiting for him to come back.