Post by Satra on Dec 21, 2007 1:16:23 GMT -5
This is just a silly sketch I had to do. It's Miss Amethyst, the froofy lady who runs the tea accessory shop in the better part of town in the Capital and her newest business partner, Heilyn. I purposely made them near exact opposites for no other reason than the lol factor.
This will be colored soon, as well as a short 1-2 page fanfic of the moment. It was originally going to be just a pic, but when I saw the end result, I couldn't resist. x3
Enjoy.
(ya, I know the counter's really crappy and OMG I am so lazy, I didn't even colr any background or objects like the hand mirror. xD and don't ask me why an Avian would be donning lipstick. She just is.)
~Fanfic~ (wip, title pending)
Heilyn wandered the streets of the Capital city. Getting her own store was a bust as she'd bitten the lease owner. Granted, even someone sane would've admitted he'd deserved it, but even so, it wasn't very good business.
Frustrated, she thought that perhaps she could rent a small space in a pre-existing shop. She had a small wood box with a few example of the wares she had (a box reinforced with steel and padded on the inside to protect the pretties). It couldn't be just any store. It had to be a store in the better part of town. These wares were only worth what people in that area could pay. On top of that, the point of trying to sell the glassware instead of going straight to the courts and appealing to royalty was that, in Heilyn's mind, anyway, if the various courts rejected recognition of the Raemblen' Bog, but the people wanted to continue trade, the courts would be more likely to accept them.
What stores were appropriate for the glassware, really only seemed to accept Heilyn's presence because she was a Heart. This entire place was pretentious. Sighing, she tried one more store...
Miss Amethyst's Tea Treasures? Oh, puke.
Well, it was good for a laugh, anyway.
Heilyn stepped in, immediately regretting it... then taking it back. She slipped behind a display table and listened into the conversation being held with what looked to be a very high-ranking person and someone who obviously worked in the shop.
"--a highly reputable shop such as this. Miss Amethyst" --ahhh, so this was the owner. My Gods, she looks like an idiot-- "We of the Dormouse Tea Connoisseur Guild--" My Gods, Heilyn thought, there's a Guild for tea drinking?! "--would like to make your shop the official provider of items for our hosting parties. As you can see this contract is an official document signed by all leading members of the Guild. Here is the merchandise agreement. All it waits is your signature."
The bipedal parakeet pulled out a lacy fan and fanned herself vigorously in a rather over dramatic manner.
"I... I don't know what to say!" she squealed, seemingly overwhelmed, "This is such an honor!" [/color]the fan ceased in its fluttering as she slid the contract across the counter and buzzed through it.
"I don't like clause #3," she said quite shrewdly, but still under the cover of her girlish facade. Wait a minute, Heilyn thought, She read through it that quickly and actually knows what it says? This was becoming a little more interesting. "As well as the profit from your guild purchasing my merchandise, I want a 7% percentage of the money made from your hosting parties, and free access to them for myself, of course," the man made to interrupt her, but she continued, "On top of that, there will be an advertisement for my store in your party programs with a full color logo. Your Guild, when shopping for items Guild usage, not personal, of course, will buy exclusively from my store. No exceptions. Any and all items bought previously from other stores that are still in use will retire from 'public' use unless it is an antique or the store it came from is out of business." She finished by giving a girly giggle from behind her fan. Heilyn was impressed. This girl was not a push over, but... "Now, now, don't look so insulted, Sir Fratley. I will give any member of the Guild who shows proof of membership a 15% discount on all merchandise in my store for purchases of the personal persuasion. The Guild itself receives a 20% discount for buying with Guild funds for Guild purchases. I would say that's a pretty good deal considering the top quality of the merchandise sold here. You will never be sold a faulty product, and if on the off chance that you should, I will offer a full exchange or refund on that item and 50% off on the next item purchased." ...but she wasn't a total shrew. She understood business was give and take. She threw the Guild Master a bone when she saw he was becoming disheartened by her demands. However, judging by her mannerisms and very thin, delicate build, she was not a fighter and would crumble under real pressure.
"What do you say, sir?" The man was obviously taken off guard by this. Heilyn didn't expect it either. This Miss Amethyst character had Heilyn's respect, despite her idiotic appearance.
"I shall come in contact with my associates to have the contract revised immediately. You are an excellent business woman, Miss Amethyst. I shall keep in contact." He gave a deep bow, to which she hopped off her stool to give a curtsy.
"I look forward to it, Sir Fratley." Heilyn shifted her position to remain hidden from the man heading for the door. He went to open the door, but a scent in the air caught his attention.
"My dear, I do not mean to alarm you, but something smells rather dreadful in this part of the store..." The woman looked up. Heilyn flattened her ears on top of her head.
"Oh, really? It was just fine not too long ago. Well, I'm closed in five minutes anyway. Thank you again, Sir. Have a lovely evening."
The man gave another nod of the head. "I bid you good day, m'lady," and he left. Immediately, Miss Amethyst got up and locked the door and turned the sign around. Apparently, she was so wrapped up in her business that she'd forgotten that a 'customer' had come in, but never went out. She wrinkled her nose at the faint smell that wasn't there before in her shop, but decided she would look into it in just a bit. She went back to her counter, humming a tune. She was quite pleased with the day's events and began celebrating by prettying herself up in her hand mirror. It was time for Heilyn to make her move. She slunk out from behind her hiding place and walked right up to the counter. The bird saw a the coyote in her hand mirror as she was applying some color to her beak. She screamed at the creature in her mirror that looked like it had just waltzed out of a horror movie. She turned around to see the creature rather than it's reflection. But she was a froofy girl with poor instincts and had forgotten herself completely. Evidence for this was given by the beakstick smear across her cheek from turning around. Seeing the... creature face to face! It was at her counter, and had a paw perched on it! She screamed louder, dropping her mirror... then herself off her stool. Heilyn watched in half annoyance, half amusement as Miss Antrax or whatever her name was disappear behind the counter. She gracefully jumped on top of the counter and looked down at the woman. Even without getting close, Heilyn assumed the lady was out cold. Heilyn jumped down from the counter and checked her.
Yep. This girl was pretty thoroughly fainted.
Heilyn's gave a chuckle and a wag of her tail in her amusement of accomplishing her first K.O. outside the walls of the Bog. She then pulled the pillow off the stool the woman fell off of to elevate her head and waited.
About a minute later the parakeet came through. She moaned as blurred eyes searched the room for the... creature andHOGODTHEREITIS!! She tried to get up and run, but only succeeded it realizing just how hard she'd hit her head on the way down.
"Please," she begged, "Take anything you want, just don't hurt me..." [/b]tears began to gather in terror-stricken eyes as she looked over the coyote's form. The smell -- like a stagnant pool of water and rotting organic material-- coupled with a darkly tainted aura overwhelmed the pampered, prim-and-proper girl. The light from the lamps reflected at just the right angle off the glass on her mask to cause a glare off them, obscuring her eyes. The animal's lithe form sat tall and erect, as gracefully as a person could possibly sit, but her ears were back. Unbeknownst to Miss Amethyst, this was the normal position of the coyote, but the ear back came off as aggressive and somewhat threatening.
"Welcome back to the world," answered a mildly husky, haunting female voice from behind the mask. The form of the coyote remained perfectly still, "I regret to inform you that I have absolutely no interest in causing you or your wallet any harm, as it has no benefit to me. I do, however, have a business proposition for you," her ears came up a little as she gently nodded her head at the biped, "if, of course you are up for hearing me out now. I fully understand if you need some time to recover. You may look at what I've brought, if you're curious," she nodded a head at the small box of glassware. "Take as long as you like, we have all evening."
"HA!"[/b] cried the parakeet triumphantly, "What you don't realize is that my store is very popular! Any minute now--"[/b] the parakeet continued saying things that Heilyn simply ignored. Threats that would never come to be, and were therefore a waste of attention. She gave her armpit a scratch with her hind leg and said: "You do remember that you locked your doors early, right? No one's coming in here. That shut her up real quick. "Just look in the damned box, it'll make you feel better." Being in no position to argue, Miss Amethyst pulled the small reinforced box toward herself and opened it. She gave a small gasp as she picked up a small, spindly silver bodied dragonfly with glass wings. She held the piece up to the light where the uniqueness of the glasswork was accentuated to its full beauty. She examined the object before looking at the coyote who had not even moved from her spot. She was very patiently waiting. The bird put the dragonfly down and went to look at what else the box contained. There were some glass beads on a string, a double walled drinking glass with no handle, and a small frame from a stained glass window. She held the cup.
"That one's the most delicate, so be careful," Heilyn spoke up, startling the bird and making her nearly drop it, "There is air between the outer wall of that glass, the part you are currently touching, and the inner wall, the part that touches the liquid. You could put boiling water in that and not burn your hand, but that also makes the walls very thin." The bird remained silent for a long time, looking over the pieces, and every once in a while, Heilyn, who sat patiently and silently until she was spoken to.
"So, this business proposition you have for me,"[/b] she spoke up, clearing her throat and now having the strength to sit up all the way, "You want to sell these through my store, correct?[/b] The coyote smiled.
"You know, you really aren't as dumb as you look--" the parakeet's feather's ruffled at this "--Yes, I would. I would a small section of your store, and living space, if you have any."
"I have extra storage space in the basement... and it should be relatively easy to clear some space in a corner of the store... All of that together would be roughly 60 silver a m--"[/b] she was cut off by Heilyn's laughter.
"Who ever said anything about renting?" chuckled the coyote, amused and stood up, Miss Amethyst backing down. This is where her definition of fun began, "You will give me the space." The game was to get as much out of this without the parakeet going to report Heilyn. She very much enjoyed torturing others, but that was not terribly appropriate at the moment.
"Are you threatening me? Obviously, since there's no other way I would possibly take in such a one-sided deal. What kind of business do you think I run here?"[/b] snipped the avian, only to recoil in terror that she'd just given her captive attitude.
"A very good business," Heilyn replied, "And there is more to a business than money, my dear. You will have the prestige of being the first in this known world to be a merchant of the Raemblen Bog's finest exports. Continue to do good trade with us and help us be successful, and we will favor you above all other merchants. By the time popularity of the objects is achieved, you will get a more favorable financial token of appreciation. Until then, think of this as something of an investment." she walked toward the bird until their faces nearly touched. "Does that sound reasonable?" she placed a paw on the parakeet's diaphragm and pushed gently "Or shall I share with you more reasons why this transaction is beneficial to you?" the pressure slowly increased, the bird was beginning to panic. "I find that those who make the best allies tend to make the worst enemies, don't you agree, Miss Amethyst?" Her breath becoming quick and erratic, the parakeet gave a frightened nod. "Of course you do, you're quite intelligent, as you've made painfully obvious. Show me where this space is and I shall return tomorrow morning with everything I have."
~~~~~~
At first, it was very difficult. Miss Amethyst got very little sleep for the next few days. The presence of the Raembler, especially after their encounter, terrified her. She'd tried to get help a few times only to be caught every time. Heilyn was kind enough to let her off with warnings, knowing it would take her some time to adjust. However, as the week went on Heilyn had proved to go beyond what Miss Amethyst took to be her part of the bargain. She'd caught and punished two shoplifters; "informed" a rather cheap customer that the bazaar was the place for bargaining, not here; had managed to get a customer to catch up on some late payments; and chased out some slimeballs trying to make some moves on her. Very pleased with life once again, the dainty woman sang pleasantly as she dusted shelves.
This will be colored soon, as well as a short 1-2 page fanfic of the moment. It was originally going to be just a pic, but when I saw the end result, I couldn't resist. x3
Enjoy.
(ya, I know the counter's really crappy and OMG I am so lazy, I didn't even colr any background or objects like the hand mirror. xD and don't ask me why an Avian would be donning lipstick. She just is.)
~Fanfic~ (wip, title pending)
Heilyn wandered the streets of the Capital city. Getting her own store was a bust as she'd bitten the lease owner. Granted, even someone sane would've admitted he'd deserved it, but even so, it wasn't very good business.
Frustrated, she thought that perhaps she could rent a small space in a pre-existing shop. She had a small wood box with a few example of the wares she had (a box reinforced with steel and padded on the inside to protect the pretties). It couldn't be just any store. It had to be a store in the better part of town. These wares were only worth what people in that area could pay. On top of that, the point of trying to sell the glassware instead of going straight to the courts and appealing to royalty was that, in Heilyn's mind, anyway, if the various courts rejected recognition of the Raemblen' Bog, but the people wanted to continue trade, the courts would be more likely to accept them.
What stores were appropriate for the glassware, really only seemed to accept Heilyn's presence because she was a Heart. This entire place was pretentious. Sighing, she tried one more store...
Miss Amethyst's Tea Treasures? Oh, puke.
Well, it was good for a laugh, anyway.
Heilyn stepped in, immediately regretting it... then taking it back. She slipped behind a display table and listened into the conversation being held with what looked to be a very high-ranking person and someone who obviously worked in the shop.
"--a highly reputable shop such as this. Miss Amethyst" --ahhh, so this was the owner. My Gods, she looks like an idiot-- "We of the Dormouse Tea Connoisseur Guild--" My Gods, Heilyn thought, there's a Guild for tea drinking?! "--would like to make your shop the official provider of items for our hosting parties. As you can see this contract is an official document signed by all leading members of the Guild. Here is the merchandise agreement. All it waits is your signature."
The bipedal parakeet pulled out a lacy fan and fanned herself vigorously in a rather over dramatic manner.
"I... I don't know what to say!" she squealed, seemingly overwhelmed, "This is such an honor!" [/color]the fan ceased in its fluttering as she slid the contract across the counter and buzzed through it.
"I don't like clause #3," she said quite shrewdly, but still under the cover of her girlish facade. Wait a minute, Heilyn thought, She read through it that quickly and actually knows what it says? This was becoming a little more interesting. "As well as the profit from your guild purchasing my merchandise, I want a 7% percentage of the money made from your hosting parties, and free access to them for myself, of course," the man made to interrupt her, but she continued, "On top of that, there will be an advertisement for my store in your party programs with a full color logo. Your Guild, when shopping for items Guild usage, not personal, of course, will buy exclusively from my store. No exceptions. Any and all items bought previously from other stores that are still in use will retire from 'public' use unless it is an antique or the store it came from is out of business." She finished by giving a girly giggle from behind her fan. Heilyn was impressed. This girl was not a push over, but... "Now, now, don't look so insulted, Sir Fratley. I will give any member of the Guild who shows proof of membership a 15% discount on all merchandise in my store for purchases of the personal persuasion. The Guild itself receives a 20% discount for buying with Guild funds for Guild purchases. I would say that's a pretty good deal considering the top quality of the merchandise sold here. You will never be sold a faulty product, and if on the off chance that you should, I will offer a full exchange or refund on that item and 50% off on the next item purchased." ...but she wasn't a total shrew. She understood business was give and take. She threw the Guild Master a bone when she saw he was becoming disheartened by her demands. However, judging by her mannerisms and very thin, delicate build, she was not a fighter and would crumble under real pressure.
"What do you say, sir?" The man was obviously taken off guard by this. Heilyn didn't expect it either. This Miss Amethyst character had Heilyn's respect, despite her idiotic appearance.
"I shall come in contact with my associates to have the contract revised immediately. You are an excellent business woman, Miss Amethyst. I shall keep in contact." He gave a deep bow, to which she hopped off her stool to give a curtsy.
"I look forward to it, Sir Fratley." Heilyn shifted her position to remain hidden from the man heading for the door. He went to open the door, but a scent in the air caught his attention.
"My dear, I do not mean to alarm you, but something smells rather dreadful in this part of the store..." The woman looked up. Heilyn flattened her ears on top of her head.
"Oh, really? It was just fine not too long ago. Well, I'm closed in five minutes anyway. Thank you again, Sir. Have a lovely evening."
The man gave another nod of the head. "I bid you good day, m'lady," and he left. Immediately, Miss Amethyst got up and locked the door and turned the sign around. Apparently, she was so wrapped up in her business that she'd forgotten that a 'customer' had come in, but never went out. She wrinkled her nose at the faint smell that wasn't there before in her shop, but decided she would look into it in just a bit. She went back to her counter, humming a tune. She was quite pleased with the day's events and began celebrating by prettying herself up in her hand mirror. It was time for Heilyn to make her move. She slunk out from behind her hiding place and walked right up to the counter. The bird saw a the coyote in her hand mirror as she was applying some color to her beak. She screamed at the creature in her mirror that looked like it had just waltzed out of a horror movie. She turned around to see the creature rather than it's reflection. But she was a froofy girl with poor instincts and had forgotten herself completely. Evidence for this was given by the beakstick smear across her cheek from turning around. Seeing the... creature face to face! It was at her counter, and had a paw perched on it! She screamed louder, dropping her mirror... then herself off her stool. Heilyn watched in half annoyance, half amusement as Miss Antrax or whatever her name was disappear behind the counter. She gracefully jumped on top of the counter and looked down at the woman. Even without getting close, Heilyn assumed the lady was out cold. Heilyn jumped down from the counter and checked her.
Yep. This girl was pretty thoroughly fainted.
Heilyn's gave a chuckle and a wag of her tail in her amusement of accomplishing her first K.O. outside the walls of the Bog. She then pulled the pillow off the stool the woman fell off of to elevate her head and waited.
About a minute later the parakeet came through. She moaned as blurred eyes searched the room for the... creature andHOGODTHEREITIS!! She tried to get up and run, but only succeeded it realizing just how hard she'd hit her head on the way down.
"Please," she begged, "Take anything you want, just don't hurt me..." [/b]tears began to gather in terror-stricken eyes as she looked over the coyote's form. The smell -- like a stagnant pool of water and rotting organic material-- coupled with a darkly tainted aura overwhelmed the pampered, prim-and-proper girl. The light from the lamps reflected at just the right angle off the glass on her mask to cause a glare off them, obscuring her eyes. The animal's lithe form sat tall and erect, as gracefully as a person could possibly sit, but her ears were back. Unbeknownst to Miss Amethyst, this was the normal position of the coyote, but the ear back came off as aggressive and somewhat threatening.
"Welcome back to the world," answered a mildly husky, haunting female voice from behind the mask. The form of the coyote remained perfectly still, "I regret to inform you that I have absolutely no interest in causing you or your wallet any harm, as it has no benefit to me. I do, however, have a business proposition for you," her ears came up a little as she gently nodded her head at the biped, "if, of course you are up for hearing me out now. I fully understand if you need some time to recover. You may look at what I've brought, if you're curious," she nodded a head at the small box of glassware. "Take as long as you like, we have all evening."
"HA!"[/b] cried the parakeet triumphantly, "What you don't realize is that my store is very popular! Any minute now--"[/b] the parakeet continued saying things that Heilyn simply ignored. Threats that would never come to be, and were therefore a waste of attention. She gave her armpit a scratch with her hind leg and said: "You do remember that you locked your doors early, right? No one's coming in here. That shut her up real quick. "Just look in the damned box, it'll make you feel better." Being in no position to argue, Miss Amethyst pulled the small reinforced box toward herself and opened it. She gave a small gasp as she picked up a small, spindly silver bodied dragonfly with glass wings. She held the piece up to the light where the uniqueness of the glasswork was accentuated to its full beauty. She examined the object before looking at the coyote who had not even moved from her spot. She was very patiently waiting. The bird put the dragonfly down and went to look at what else the box contained. There were some glass beads on a string, a double walled drinking glass with no handle, and a small frame from a stained glass window. She held the cup.
"That one's the most delicate, so be careful," Heilyn spoke up, startling the bird and making her nearly drop it, "There is air between the outer wall of that glass, the part you are currently touching, and the inner wall, the part that touches the liquid. You could put boiling water in that and not burn your hand, but that also makes the walls very thin." The bird remained silent for a long time, looking over the pieces, and every once in a while, Heilyn, who sat patiently and silently until she was spoken to.
"So, this business proposition you have for me,"[/b] she spoke up, clearing her throat and now having the strength to sit up all the way, "You want to sell these through my store, correct?[/b] The coyote smiled.
"You know, you really aren't as dumb as you look--" the parakeet's feather's ruffled at this "--Yes, I would. I would a small section of your store, and living space, if you have any."
"I have extra storage space in the basement... and it should be relatively easy to clear some space in a corner of the store... All of that together would be roughly 60 silver a m--"[/b] she was cut off by Heilyn's laughter.
"Who ever said anything about renting?" chuckled the coyote, amused and stood up, Miss Amethyst backing down. This is where her definition of fun began, "You will give me the space." The game was to get as much out of this without the parakeet going to report Heilyn. She very much enjoyed torturing others, but that was not terribly appropriate at the moment.
"Are you threatening me? Obviously, since there's no other way I would possibly take in such a one-sided deal. What kind of business do you think I run here?"[/b] snipped the avian, only to recoil in terror that she'd just given her captive attitude.
"A very good business," Heilyn replied, "And there is more to a business than money, my dear. You will have the prestige of being the first in this known world to be a merchant of the Raemblen Bog's finest exports. Continue to do good trade with us and help us be successful, and we will favor you above all other merchants. By the time popularity of the objects is achieved, you will get a more favorable financial token of appreciation. Until then, think of this as something of an investment." she walked toward the bird until their faces nearly touched. "Does that sound reasonable?" she placed a paw on the parakeet's diaphragm and pushed gently "Or shall I share with you more reasons why this transaction is beneficial to you?" the pressure slowly increased, the bird was beginning to panic. "I find that those who make the best allies tend to make the worst enemies, don't you agree, Miss Amethyst?" Her breath becoming quick and erratic, the parakeet gave a frightened nod. "Of course you do, you're quite intelligent, as you've made painfully obvious. Show me where this space is and I shall return tomorrow morning with everything I have."
~~~~~~
At first, it was very difficult. Miss Amethyst got very little sleep for the next few days. The presence of the Raembler, especially after their encounter, terrified her. She'd tried to get help a few times only to be caught every time. Heilyn was kind enough to let her off with warnings, knowing it would take her some time to adjust. However, as the week went on Heilyn had proved to go beyond what Miss Amethyst took to be her part of the bargain. She'd caught and punished two shoplifters; "informed" a rather cheap customer that the bazaar was the place for bargaining, not here; had managed to get a customer to catch up on some late payments; and chased out some slimeballs trying to make some moves on her. Very pleased with life once again, the dainty woman sang pleasantly as she dusted shelves.
*eyetwitch* awww my lipstick..." thing to be utterly hilarious and would love to see it translate into color.
