star_kingdom | Deal 001 ❖ [Video]

[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!

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Kidnapping? [A shake of his head and he lifts a finger to wag it.] No no, I am a man of deals and agreements. And a man of my word.

In that particular case, the family was in danger of losing their farm and starving to death -- and suddenly twin boys gave them two extra mouths to feed. So we made an agreement. I helped them keep their farm, and oen of their sons became a prince. Everyone walked away happily.

[Well, that's a relief. You'll have to excuse his skepticism. He's even a little impressed at that revelation.]

I see. That puts my mind at ease, somewhat. But why do you bother? [He says it that way, but he's just trying to discern the other man's intentions.]

[He's grinning now, manic and a bit off kilter.] It's good business.

Being owed a favor by a king comes in quite handy, oh yes! For future deals or creature comforts.

[You remind him a lot of a used speeder salesman, Rumpelstiltskin.]

Somehow, I guessed that would come into play. No personal satisfaction out of helping another at all?

[That sounds about right, actually.]

Helping? Oh yes, I've done many a noble thing I'm sure. Always nice to help. [A shrug.] But business is business. And deals must be kept.

[He tries not to look too disappointed.]

And here I had hope after that touching story with the two families. It's more business than it is charity.

[A pause at that.] I fear I don't have time for charity. There are things that I must do. [A slow smile, much more a mask than anything else.] For my own reasons.

Don't you have any loved ones? People you care for? [They're always worth doing those things for, to him.]

[He tilts his head to the side just slightly.] None! Not anymore.

[How can he sound so... spirited about such a thing? It such a sad thing, not having anyone.] And I suppose it would be far too nosy of me to ask what happened to them, wouldn't it?

Quite nosy, deary. Very poor manners indeed.

But they've been lost to me. Through my own action and inaction. [Serious words. Spoken off handedly, as though they don't matter. They do. And the words that follow are quieter, even the tone of his voice pitching a bit lower than usual.] Things that I mean to remedy.

Deal 001 ❖ [Video]

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