Magic For Sale

[Ananfal]

Magical beings have always been sought. For the uses they had and the power they contained.


Someone had a great idea: why not make a business out of it? And thus the Hunter's Den and Auction House was born.


Any magical being capable of being captured was sold underneath it's roof, and all manners of beings bought them. As slaves, sacrifices, and everything in between. Fresh captures came in all the time but sales were held every Friday.


Today is Friday.


--------------------------


I'm looking for a buyer for my half-Dragon shifter. PM me if interested. 
Polished wood gleaned under the soft interior lighting of the Hunters Den and Auction House. The entrance doors took you into a large greeting room, where customers drifted out, chatting in polite tones. A bar stood in one corner, a door to the lounge area in another. And yet the main doors to the auction house remained closed.


That is, until a few minutes after your arrival when they slowly drift open, allowing the buyers to gracefully flow inside, arranging themselves on the long wooden benches that faced the stage. A man stood behind the podium, a charming smile on his face. As everyone seated themselves, he raised a microphone and cleared his throat.


"Welcome to the Hunters Den and Auction House." He spoke in a melodious voice that flowed like honey. The Friday night sales had begun.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

A young man with cold blue eyes slipped into the room, hooded cape up, hiding the flaming red hair from view. A simple cloth mask covered his lower face, not enough to mask his words, or the strength of his jaw, but plenty to discourage asking for his identity. A staff lay in his hand, gold and scale-like, but it was dormant, folded in upon itself, and really he needed none of it's power for his spells. Their family was like that, having made a pact with dragons long ago that granted them magic without rituals... he just used the staff as an amplifier, or as a way of obscuring his real plans. After all... fire was so hard to create on your own these days. He eyed the magical creatures for sale, picking out his choice when he saw a woman who looked human enough. It was a longshot, but he'd been denied an egg as a young child, them claiming that his partner was 'out there', and if he had to make due with a slave half-draco, then he would. At least it would be a better fate than some other mage.

 

[Ananfal]

A few fairies sold, a shifter and a vampire taking a few more minutes but eventually being sold as well. Now the auctioneer turned to the audience. "We have ourselves little treat for you folks tonight. We've all heard tales of the magnificent dragons... Well we have here for sale a half Dragon shifter!"


She was pushed into center stage with a none too gentle hand. She bowed her head, allowing her hair to fall forward and obscure her face. Nearly feral eyes glittered out from the curtain of hair, moving out over the audience as she bared her slightly sharpened fangs. The barest hints of a dragon tattoo peeked out from the rags she was given to wear.


"A fine specimen she is as well." The auctioneer said, drawing all attention back onto him. "We'll start the bidding relatively low, 1,000. Any takers?"

 

[SaphireTsuki]

Adel's hand shot into the air. The broker could raise the price to a million and he would still have shot up. Mage he was, but monster he was not. And he'd seen how some of the others had sat straighter up in their seats in a desire to have the dragon girl. A tiny growl, so quiet it was buried in his mask, and he raised the price double of what those men all suggested. Over and over he would do it, as many times as necessary. He'd held a blank check for this just in case.


The bidding went on for a while, some saying three times what he suggested last time, others only raising it one hundred or so, but never did he let up. Anyone could tell he was determined to get this one magical creature, though none could fathom why. One hand curled around the blank check... Tsukino would understand, he was sure. Even the appearance of a partner was important for him to further himself. Even his younger twin, Ymir, had his dragon-partner.

 

[Ananfal]

A growl built in her throat as the bidding went on. It started as a low rumble, slowly steadily growing louder and louder until it erupted from her in a roar. A splurt of flame jetted from her mouth, until the magic suppressant in the chains kicked in and extinguished it with ease. She panted, glaring at the audience with undisguised hatred in her eyes.


"As you can see, she's still got some fire left in her. Any other takers?" Not a hands rose up, in deference to the masked stranger who outbid everyone in his attempt to capture the half-Dragon. The auctioneer once more gave them all a charming smile as he pounded the gavel into the wood. "Sold to the masked man in the back. Please secure your payment and proceed to the front to collect your purchase."


Those words were enough to gain the half-dragon's attention as her burning gaze landed upon her buyer. She inhaled deeply, catching the scent of Dragon that lingered upon him. Who was this man?

 

[SaphireTsuki]

He wrote down the amount, as he'd expected it was a billion, and walked forward with practiced ease. Still, there was a hint of weariness, even respect, as he came closer to the half-dragon. Would this be his partner? Or would she be another failed attempt... and would she even be able to speak to him? Handing the letter to the man a brief glare was seen, he may have bought her... but he wasn't happy about it. In his eye slavery was a necessary evil, though Ymir thought it should be abolished completely, even in the black-market. How could he keep the draconic with him? Would she follow? Now wasn't the time to introduce himself, but... Blocking the mic with one hand he asked, almost calmly, "May I leave? You've nothing else of interest." IT was pure luck that the auction house had had what he wanted the first time he himself left.... Tsukino had said they rarely got anything related to dragons.

 

[Ananfal]

It was unheard of for the customer to be wrong, so the answer was of course, yes. The key to the chains was handed over immediately after payment was given, and ownership was officially transferred. "You may leave now if you wish, or stay a bit longer." The auctioneer told the man, the half-Dragon remaining silent and still by her new owner's side.


How did this man come to have the scent of dragons mingled with his own? Perhaps a ritual made long ago... Or perhaps it was the scent of blood from countless slaughtered dragons. She wouldn't know until her new owner made his intentions clear to her. But patience was never her strong suit, and that hadn't changed since her capture and subsequent sale.


Fixing her eyes upon her new owner, she waited for the perfect opportunity to answer some of her questions.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

He quickly led her out, not liking the way some of his opponents heads followed him. Red hair dropped down, just a hint, between his two eyes, with one hand he pushed it back upwards out of sight. The car was waiting, the auction house was unlocked for him, palm on the door and it opened, closing quickly behind the draconic. He paused, looking about in case anyone would be waiting for him. No one, so he was safe for now.


He tried to walk only as fast as the draconic, leaving a bit of slack in the chain. It was as much consideration as he could give her for the moment, where eyes would view his purchase and possible ambushes might be found. He didn't want her to end up dead, so he activated the staff just in case. There was an air of oppression, but he managed to clear the path to the parking lot ok. His ride waited for him only a few feet away, as he'd arrived early, an unassuming black car. Would his brother scream? Probably. No, now wasn't the time to worry about her reception.

 

[Ananfal]

Her head was swirling constantly on the way out of the auction house. She could sense the auras of jealously and envy, just a hint of malice. Would they be followed? It seemed not.


Then her new master activated his staff. Power rose around her, suffusing the very air she breathed. It swirled down her throat, causing the wings held tightly inside of her to stretch in painful anticipation. This was definitely Dragon magic. Then it was true, this man or his family had completed a ritual with a Dragon.


Looking at the car in front of them, she assumed that would be her master's ride. She glanced at him for instruction, unsure of what she should do.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

There, one. Just one? Who would it be? One unhappy servant, sent to capture the draconic... and his staff was pointed to the man. "Get inside." His tone was calm, almost professional, as he prepared to summon a ball of flame. There was only a few seconds, he'd looked at her with his blue eyes, head still facing the roof. It was only a short glance, but he'd showed that he meant her, and then the tip of the staff was swirling with explosive energy, ready to shoot towards the foe if they tried anything. The presence stopped moving, seeming to second-guess it's job, before fading quickly... his spell was canceled, the staff deactivated and returning to it's smaller, portable size.


An audible sigh, visible relief... it was hard to control his magic at times, and so he walked to the other side of the car, trusting the Draconic to get in the car. His door opened, and he kept a careful eye on the girl, ready to react if she bolted. Adel knew well that whomever had attempted to steal her, or planned to anyway, would attempt to capture her if she bolted. Would she be smart, and at least wait until they were somewhere else before attempting to run?

 

[Ananfal]

She met his eyes for a moment, before he looked away towards the unhappy presence she sensed at the same time as he. His order was clearly for her as the door to the car opened. She hesitated for a moment, debating her options.


This man has Dragon magic. He might be the key to her own magic, to finally controlling and mastering it. However, he might also make her life a living hell. It was a hard gamble to take but another blast of her master's power convinced her.


Sliding into the car, she once more turned her gaze upon her master. She said nothing but simply stared at him as though she could decipher his secrets through her eyes.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

He felt her eyes on him... and nearly shuddered. As all dragons she held a powerful gaze... but no, he would not give the satisfaction of an unhappy reaction. He turned on the car, driving out of the area, one eye, metaphorically, out for trouble. He was silent the ride home, their mansion large and warded, but also out of the city. It would be an hour's drive out there, and a good many chances existed for them to be attacked, so Adel didn't dare lessen his concentration, though soon the large, western-styled mansion came to view.

 

[Ananfal]

Adenydd slowly turned her gaze from her new master to the house that appeared on the horizon. It was a large mansion, with acres of free land. The Dragon inside of her growled in approval. Finally she had found a place where she could fly...


Switching her gaze once more to her new master, she cleared her throat and for the first time spoke. "Master." She said, her voice raspy. "What is my purpose?"

 

[SaphireTsuki]

"You're purpose?" Ah yes, that was the kind of voice he'd have expected from someone who hadn't spoken in weeks. He thought for a bit, slowly bringing them to a stop. "Simple. We're going to test you to see if you're my... dragon partner. If not, we'll figure out what to do." SHe would be welcome at his home until whatever they could do was finished.

 

[Ananfal]

"Dragon partner..." She repeated after him, the words unfamiliar in her mouth. "Then you did have a ritual with a Dragon in your past... You wield Dragon magic." She said, her voice slowly losing its raspy edge the longer she spoke.


She pressed a hand to the window, gazing over the blue sky and rolling meadows. "Will you help me fly?" She asked quietly, a plea hidden in her request.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

"My family did, in a way." He looked down, not wanting to answer the questions at the moment. They were parked, he was free to move, And so, one hand removed the hood and looked at her, his hair falling down in it's natural shape. A sigh, and then... "If you've wings, then I'm sure we'll be able to teach you to fly. If not... Well, We'll figure something out." Science and magic could mix together well, he supposed, if you could merge the two.

 

[Ananfal]

She shook her head silently. Her new master did not understand her meaning. She had the wings and knowledge to fly. What she needed to know was would he let her? After all, if she was his Dragon partner and he was the key to mastering her power, then she would only ever fly with him. Never without.


Letting out a small sigh, she once more glanced up at him. "I am Adenyyd. Adenyyd Desgleirio. Also known as Shining Wings." She tilted her head to the side slightly. "And your name?"

 

[SaphireTsuki]

"Adel Night." Was the answer, him leaving the car slowly. "I'm your new owner, but not necessarily your partner." His staff was in his hand again, him walking over to the entrance, "Follow me... I'll find you a room." There was one, but it wasn't very feminine. No, not very much so at all. And he knew Ymir would yell as soon as he realized that the girl, Adenyyd, was a slave, and not some kind of ward. How that was different was beyond the younger twin, and not really all that important to him.

 

[Ananfal]

The chains made it difficult but Adenyyd managed to slip out of the car gracefully enough, closing the door behind her and hurrying to catch up to her master. "If you are my master and not my partner, then shall I refer to you as sir?" She asked, slipping into more formal speech patterns.


It was all she had time to say before another man threw open the door to the mansion and strode outside, freezing as he saw her and her chains. "Adel!" He shouted furiously.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

( xD I'll take it from here for the fight. Ymir's personality is... usually mellow. But Slavery's really not his thing.)


"I was going to remove them, Ymir." Hands shot up, eyebrows rose, and the staff was only held to keep it from falling to the ground. His brother, looking identical save for the darker eyes and duller hair, stalked forward, hands in fists and eyes flashing in his anger. "W-wow, wait now, Ymir. It's not like that. She's half dragon! A-and you know I wouldn't do it without Big Brother's permission..."


"I don't care about Tsukino's permission." THe steps were calm, methodical, but clearly angry as he got closer to his brother. "You bought her. A slave. And you BROUGHT HER HERE?!" One hand shot up, ready to punch his brother, but it paused before gripping the cape of his brother. "You know full well that I hate slavery. That buying a slave only encourages the trade. THAT IT'S ILLEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY!" Adel tried to look away from his brother, muttering darkly about how he didn't understand, that not having his partner was both embarrassing and frightening for Adel, "So you buy a half-blood in the hopes that it's your partner? Is that any excuse?! I've half a mind to let Daichi play with you!"


"N-n-no! Please, Ymir, please no!" His face was completely filled with terror now, expression pleading with someone, anyone to stop this.

 

[Ananfal]

A body barreled into Ymir, sending him back several feet. At first frozen in shock, Adenyyd had finally taken action. Now she stood protectively in front of Adel, eyes sparking with magic and fangs bared.


"I would ask you to kindly step away from my master until you have achieved a calm state of mind." She spoke in a steady voice, despite her actions a moment ago. She kept a wary eye on Ymir, however.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

Adel nearly snorted. Except no, that would have Daichi sent after him. So instead he coughed, and by way of introduction, before Ymir stood up again, he said "Adenyyd, this is my brother Ymir. Ymir, this is Adenyyd." And no, he was not cowering behind the dragon-girl. Nope, him curving his back slightly so he wasn't taller than her was not a sign of cowardice. "Ymir is my older twin."


"Pleasure to meet you, Adenyyd." Ingrained manners were hard to ignore, even for him, so Ymir nodded a greeting to the slave before standing up and dusting off his black shirt and jeans. It was casual clothing, so Ymir hadn't planned to go to work. Or he was researching something again. "Adel. I thought we had agreed not to buy slaves. Even if you are only half-strength at best."


"You know we need me at full strength. Big Brother wouldn't have told me to hurry otherwise! And we didn't agree on anything, you just told me!" He crossed his arms, refusing to meet the older twin's eyes, looking to the entrance.

 

[Ananfal]

Adenydd was hesitant to get into the verbal arguement brewing between the two brothers, but she had something to say. "If it makes you feel better, Ymir," she spoke, choosing her words with delicate care, "Adel saved me."


Before either brother could interrupt her, she hurried on. "Many of the other buyers would not have such reasons for wanting a half-Dragon like me. They sought power, and could care less how they got it. I could practically see the sacrificial circles being drawn in some of their minds." She glanced down then. "But with Adel, a wielder of Dragon magic... I might be able to fly." She whispered the last words to herself, not intending either brother to hear her musings.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

Ymir blinked, looking at the dragon girl. Adenydd, her name was. This new bit of information was buzzing around in his upset head, trying to find a connection. And then, finally, it did... "Oh, you mean draining your magic? They still do that to nonhumans?" It wasn't something he'd thought still happened.


"They still do it to humans, if they can get away with it." There was a nasty shape to Adel's mouth, the very idea being disgusting to him. Really? "And we almost had a fight getting her out of there. I left early to try and prevent it, but someone must have been prepared for themselves to be outbid." That had not been a happy discovery, not at all.

 

[Ananfal]

Adenydd had to give Ymir a confused look. For all he was against slavery, he didn't know what others used slaves for? She nodded along with her master's words, adding her own thoughts in as well. "Although the person who sent their servant after me, mostly likely wanted me alive. There are many uses for even a half-breed like me. Dragon fire is said to be able to burn anything and Dragon scales are also very valuable."


The talk of dragons made her own wings itch to be free, and she glanced over to Adel. "But before we talk further, might you please remove these chains, master?" She bowed her head. "I promise not to run, if it eases your mind."