Deal 001 ❖ [Video]

[intogold]

[Well well, this little communicator was invaluable. Oh yes, people shared and shared and shared. And Rumpelstiltskin listened. He's only just arrived, but he that hasn't stopped him from paying attention, from learning how this little thing worked. Now though, he flips his own on to share a bit himself. The video shows his strange smiling face, but before he manages to speak, he laughs, all at once, a sudden explosion of a trilling little sound.] This is terribly interesting, isn't it?

Tell me, has anyone else noticed... [A little pause here and he wiggles his fingers.] familiar faces that aren't actually familiar here? I just don't know what to make of it. [This was a lie. He'd already decided to use it to his advantage. Oh there were ways to do this; he was sure of it. He was still working it through though.]

But since we're speaking of familiarity, let me introduce myself. [A toothy grin that was largely not as reassuring as he might have hoped.] My name is Rumpelstiltskin and I am... a purveyor of necessities and fondest desires and useful magics. If you find yourself in need of the unfindable, well, I humbly... [He ducks his head in a bit of a mock bow, undermined a bit by another laugh.] offer my services. Of course, bear in mind, all things, especially magical, have their price. One can't do business for nothing!

Comments

[Video]

[intogold]

I was. But I paid my price for it. All magic has its price. [A shrug of his shoulders and a hollow little laugh.]

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

Where I'm from, it's energy. If you use too much magic you get tired.

[Video]

[intogold]

[A bit of a nod, remarkably thoughtful.] That makes sense in a way.

That isn't a concern for me. Not in any of my everyday practices, at least.

It's remarkable how much can be done even without magic, after all.

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

I've never really thought of it that much, but some things can only be done with magic.

[Video]

[intogold]

True, true. Magic has its uses. And as I said before, its costs! All a matter of what is truly important.

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

Like protecting people. That's important.

[Video]

[intogold]

Protecting, hmm? [He peers at the funny little screen.] So you're one of those sorts.

It's a noble goal, of course!

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

I don't know if I am. I'm sure many people have someone they want to protect.

[Video]

[intogold]

[Rumpelstiltskin laughs at that.] Many people? Perhaps! Many people are only concerned with themselves, however.

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

[He nods thoughtfully, glancing down.] I think there less people like that than there appear to be.

[Video]

[intogold]

Do you? Hmm. I think they're much more selfish than they let on. People like to pretend.

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

You can be selfish and still care about other people. I mean, isn't that kind of selfish anyway?

[Video]

[intogold]

Oh yes, caring can be quite selfish. And the things you think you love get hurt and destroyed.

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

That's why we should keep protecting them. So that they don't get hurt too much and are never destroyed.

[Video]

[intogold]

An admirable goal. [He shrugs a bit, head canting back and forth.] But then some things happen, despite...

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

You can't let that stop you, can you? [He smiles confidently.] If you think of all the what-if's, you're more likely to fail. Sometimes things happen, but they don't have to happen.

Re: [Video]

[intogold]

Sometimes things happen. And that is the end. There are no other chances. Things end. Break.

[The seriousness has lowered his voice just a bit, but he shakes his head and summons up a grin.] But life always does go on, doesn't it?

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

[Going quiet, he lowers his head. When he speaks, his voice is flat, concealing all emotion.] Sometimes.

It does. That's why we should keep trying.

[Video]

[intogold]

[Rumpelstiltskin is quiet a moment. He doesn't like this, this subject that has come up. He doesn't like the faltering in his usual facade of sinister mirth.]

We should keep something, yes.

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

[He glances up, having to wonder just what happened to Rumpelstiltskin to make him act in such a way. He nods in agreement.]

It beats giving up anyway.

[Video]

[intogold]

[A slowly spreading grin.] No, one must never give up. There's always another road to walk.

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

Right, there's always another way! [he nods, smiling brightly.]

Re: [Video]

[intogold]

[Rumpelstiltskin gets the feeling they're both talking about complete opposite ends of the spectrum on this.] How nice to find someone who sees so clearly.

[Video]

[blitz_acing]

It's cool that someone agrees. There's always more than one solution, it's just we have to find it.

Re: [Video]

[intogold]

Yes, just a matter of finding the... [Little bit of a smirk.] ...right solution!