Re: Wizards are Easy (xivvix)
"
Oh, sure! I know a few other places too if you can't find what you need there," Danikles replied before hastily downing the drink he'd ordered. "
Nice seeiin' yah again Al! Hope everything keeps going well for yah!" he continued as he set the mug down and wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief, to which Al finally relinquished his scowl for a neutral expression and nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow Celeste, good work on your first day," the bartender replied.
Danikles hopped to his feet and offered Celeste an arm, and should she take it the demon commander would lead her out of the Wet Witch and onto the slightly busier streets of Acheron. "
Soo.... Dani eh? I haven't been called that for... Actually, I don't think anyone's ever shortened my name to anything but Dan. I like it! It sounds cute, keep using it!" he said playfully as he oriented himself towards Acheron's main streets.
They started moving, passing many of Acheron's ever colorful inhabitants along the way. A pack of goblin women in shredded rags for clothes that barely covered the necessary bits, all packing clubs and hauling a trio of dazed looking goblin men between them trooped across their path at one point, prompting Danikles to roll his eyes knowingly and say; "
Even here, they keep up their antics! I guess some people never change!" Demons and other magical folk of all shapes, colors, and sizes passed them, men, women, and those of indeterminate gender. Some looked entirely human or elven save a few features like horns, tails, wings, or sections of fur or scales where it shouldn't be. Others were more dramatically different, sporting claws, arrays of tentacles, butterfly or dragonfly wings, heads more like those of an animal than a man, or sporting bodies covered in fur or scales. Others were even more strange, sporting legs like those of animals, immense reptilian tails that looked like they could crush stone often ending in spikes or blades, or heads unlike any creature that Celeste had ever seen before.
Lesser demons, the gray skinned stalkers who wore little in order to avoid inhibiting their natural camouflage, the stubby goblins who so often grinned at Celeste in approval, and even a massive ogre that Danikles gave a wide berth even as the great beastlike humanoid lumbered past them hauling a pile of wood. Creatures of faerie were seen from time to time as well, gruffs, kobolds, satyrs, and even a pair of trolls squabbling over a closed wooden chest they passed. Humans were nearly as common as the demons, most looking Badarian judging by their complexion and hair color but the browns of Anudor, fairer skins of other Crolians, and the more unusual features of folk from the Amazon visible from time to time as well.
Even more notable were a few of the strangest individuals they passed. At one point, as they neared Acheron's main causeway, Celeste and Danikles had to make way for a large procession headed by a dark angel of such beauty that Celeste couldn't tear her eyes away, but the more she looked the more sad the woman seemed as a small army of servants trailed after her seemingly enraptured. Her hair and wings were raven black, while her skin was like pure ivory and unblemished, and her eyes were a deep, dark blue. Her body was perfect, like the statues of gods and goddesses she'd seen in the art halls back in Crolia given life, and even her method of walking was almost hypnotic. Among her servants was one of her unspoiled kin, blond and white winged, but with her brighter blue eyes empty, and a collar around her throat with a chain leading up to the mistress of the procession attached to it. Danikles frowned softly for as long as she and her procession walked past, and when she had passed he shook his head and tugged Celeste along while muttering; "
Angels..."
After the procession went by, they passed a woman whose lower half was the body of a snake, and her humanoid half sported a pair of breasts that were individually larger than Celeste's head. Shortly after they passed her, they had to make way again as a literal dragon strolled down the street past them, followed by a long line people scowling at it as the great beast strutted along uncaring at how much space it took up, dark red scales gleaming along its lithe, serpentine form.
Along the way, Danikles kept up a constant stream of casual conversation, often explaining the origins of the places they passed. Asp's Den, a shop where all manner of rare and valuable artifacts were sold or traded. His favorite bakery that sold frosted treats in every shape and size, Beton's Bakery. His favorite bar, The Boiler Room, which he liked for its wide selection of drinks and for its warmth while still allegedly being quite spacious. Eventually, they turned down a side street containing a number of clothing shops, and Thymer's was the fifth shop on the left among the various places. "
Here we are! Lets get you something to wear!" he said as he ushered inside, holding the door open while gently urging her forward with an arm on her lower back.
Inside, Celeste found a lavish clothing shop with all manner of pretty dresses, many of them very revealing or very tight, as well as all sorts of lingerie. There was a woman in a frilly red dress standing behind the counter, a reptilian tail raised high with a little bell jingling on the tip. She leaned over to reveal some impressive cleavage, and she smiled as Celeste and Danikles strode in, three other women perusing the shop glancing at them briefly before going back to examining the shop's wares. "
Hello! Looking for anything in particular?"
