"Let's get down to business."
I stuck a piece of metal into my mouth and sat down in my chair, while my client stood before me. The visit was so last minute, I couldn't get a chance to clean up the leftover mess in my office - nothing out of the ordinary, just had a few new trinkets to shelf and otherwise find a location for.
Their timing was atrocious, and I was getting rather sick of it. But they had a huge offer, or so they said, and I wanted to find out more.
Though why did I always listen to this big oaf?
They held up something, and I noticed it appeared to be a giant red gem of sorts, glistening in the dim light. A huge grin formed on their face and they allowed me to examine it before sticking it back in their bag and speaking.
"I knew how much you enjoyed precious items such as this," they were rather confident in my supposed interest and it showed from the tone of their voice - another thing I wanted to be stopped, "so I'll make you a deal: I'll give you this fresh Pyren Jewel if you can find me something worthwhile."
I snorted, laying my head toward one arm and allowing it to rest on my claws, then puffed out some shadows from the piece of metal.
Might as well play along...See where this goes.
"Fine." I replied, raising my other arm and flicking my claws, "What would this 'something worthwhile' be? How should I find it? Even more importantly...Where would I find you? After all...I can tell it took
so much work to just...Arrive uninvited...On
such short notice..."
They noticed my change of tone and huffed - something I knew they'd do, but wish they hadn't as I wasn't in any better mood than they were - before hoisting the bag over their shoulder and turning away. I knew what would happen next, but was also going to finally put an end to this "business partner" as they'd call it.
"I can tell you're not interested. I'll take this for myself, then. Perhaps this will be our final meeting."
"Oh good."
They turned and glared at me at my response, noticing my sarcasm right away, before turning to leave again -- but I grabbed the bag with a claw and dragged them back toward me.
"What's the meaning of this?!" they demanded, but I didn't reply and ripped the bag open, causing many other artifacts to spill out and onto the floor.
I didn't listen and scanned the various items, before noticing one that stood out above all the others. It was a simple doll, covered in stitches and with a rough exterior, but otherwise something I could use...
"This..." I muttered, bending over and picking up the doll, "...I could use this."
A snort sounded from my client, before they asked jokingly, "For what? Bed time? Decorating your office?"
I looked up at them, a smirk forming on my face, and stood up, the doll still held carefully in my claws.
"Not quite." I answered, raising my loose claws and aiming one toward them, "You see...I have a collection of precious items, that's true. But things such as that silly jewel aren't worth anything to me. I like to have a more...
Personal collection."
My claw gripped their suit as they tried to run away and I brought them close before getting my face into theirs.
"Now...You shall join it. I think you'll find it...
Quite fascinating."
My other claws grabbed their collar and held on as I touched one to their neck, taking the soul from their body, before releasing their grip and I allowed the soul to be absorbed by the doll.
"Perfect."
The doll's eyes glinted in response, before it spoke, repeating what I just said.
"Perfect..."