Needful Things, Sunday

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

Another day on Fandom Island. Another hopefully fruitful day at the Needful Things. Leland had kept the shop open late last night, but he didn't look the least bit tired as he unlocked the door and flipped the sign to Open.

NEEDFUL THINGS
A DIFFERENT KIND OF STORE

You Won't Believe Your Eyes

And the population of the island was in luck! Leland was having a sale on your heart's dearest desire, today. The price wasn't all that high to pay at all.

[Open!]

Comments

Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

He'll be all too happy to assist you.

Re: Shop with Leland

[locointhecoco]

Pinkie had been having so much fun with her leg lamp, she just had to swing by Leland's shop again and see what other fun stuff he had to offer. Plus, according to the radio, his business had been booming! That deserved a nice congratulations visit, if nothing else!

He was such a nice man. It made her heart warm to know he was doing well here.

Re: Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

"Ah," Leland said, smiling warmly as Pinke entered the shop. "If it isn't my favorite pony!"

In fairness, he didn't know any other ponies.

"Welcome back, do come in!"

Re: Shop with Leland

[locointhecoco]

Even if he did, there was nopony quite like Pinkie Pie.

"Thanks! How's it going? I hear you've been doing superduper well!"

Re: Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

"Oh, business has been positively booming," Leland agreed, brightening up considerably more. "Why, I've taken to putting in extra hours just to keep up with demand. It's quite remarkable. I seem to have a little something for almost everybody."

It was so much fun!

Re: Shop with Leland

[locointhecoco]

"That's 'cause you've got sooooo much neat stuff! I barely even looked around last time I was here!"

Re: Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

"It's true! Why, you practically made a beeline directly for that lamp. It was an inspired purchase, I suppose. Meant to be."

Seriously, Leland still had no idea why he had that thing in his stock.

Re: Shop with Leland

[locointhecoco]

Because Pinkie wanted it and it was funny.

"It was so beautiful," Pinkie said, actual rainbows appearing in her wide eyes. "I can't wait to see what else you've got in here!"

Re: Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

"Hopefully something that will make you even happier than that last item did," Leland replied. The rainbows in her eyes were an interesting trick. He briefly wondered if it was something anybody would ever want to be able to do themselves.

No. No, even Leland could allow that the world could probably only really handle one Pinkie.

"Are you in the mood for anything in particular, today?"

Re: Shop with Leland

[iceolatedqueen.livejournal.com]

Elsa had been hearing so much about this shop on the radio, about how busy it was and how pleasant the shopkeeper seemed to be, and, above all, the nature of some of the items that this place tended to stock. She was curious. She was very curious. And while she wasn't the sort to wander into a busy shop, she couldn't help but notice that it seemed to be quiet inside when she walked by during Canute's morning walk.

After a moment of hesitation, she tied his leash up outside and ventured in.

Canute's ears pinned back and he gave a soft whine as the door closed behind her.

Re: Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

Shocking nobody, Leland was going to be cheerful at Elsa when she stepped into his shop, as well.

"Why, hello! Welcome! I'm Leland Gaunt, the owner of this fine store, and I'll be happy to assist you with anything that you might need today! Are you looking for anything in particular, or are you simply browsing?"

Re: Shop with Leland

[iceolatedqueen.livejournal.com]

So help her, Elsa jumped a little, startled by the exuberant greeting.

"Oh! Oh, sorry, I... I really don't have anything in particular in mind. Is that alright? I'm not necessarily planning on leaving empty-handed, but I've heard so much about your shop, and I was really just curious about what sort of merchandise you carry."

This was mostly true!

Re: Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

Leland chuckled to himself at that. Ah, the antsy types were so amusing.

"Well, I don't mean to brag, but I do my best to carry a wide assortment of everything and anything the heart might desire. I have books, music, clothing, jewelry, art... I've even been known to dabble in the mythical and mystical. Why, I've got an entire selection of amulets with any number of spells ascribed to them. If you're one to believe in such things, of course."

So many weren't. It was really quite sad.

Re: Shop with Leland

[iceolatedqueen.livejournal.com]

"I have a passing familiarity with the mystical," Elsa replied, giving the shopkeep a little smile. "I work at the Magic Box, actually. It's the magic store in town. And I've got plenty of reason to believe in magic."

No, really. Try her.

Re: Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

Oh, Elsa. Leland didn't have to.

"Ah, the one owned by the delightful Ms. Heartilly? She and I have already met, as a matter of fact. She did me a favor just the other day, and I'm ever so grateful to her for it. Any of her employees are welcome in my shop any time."

Any time, Elsa. Don't be a stranger.

Re: Shop with Leland

[iceolatedqueen.livejournal.com]

"Why, thank you, Mr. Gaunt." Elsa gave the amulets that Leland had mentioned a brief glance, and then shook her head, smiled, and walked over to peruse the jewelry, instead. There were some lovely bracelets that had caught her eye. "If you don't mind my asking... are the amulets the only items you sell that have some sort of enchantment on them...?"

Re: Shop with Leland

[fly-so-serious.livejournal.com]

Joker was standing a little straighter and sauntering a little more (at least, as much as it was possible, on crutches) when he came into the store. He felt great, and was reluctant to give the charm back. He'd milked the time he had with it as long as was reasonably possible, and wished that maybe he could keep it a little longer.

Some part of him was glad to be rid of it, and angry at himself for even having agreed to try it out -- but that part was drowned out by the excitement of it all.

Re: Shop with Leland

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

"Ah, Mr. Moreau," Leland said, clapping his hands together excitedly. "Just the young man I was hoping to see. No rashes or unsightly growths, I hope?"

If it looked like Leland was trying to, casually, see if Joker was walking taller? Well, he was. (Well, he was trying to give that impression, anyway. He knew the results. But Joker didn't know that.)

Re: Shop with Leland - NFB from here!

[fly-so-serious.livejournal.com]

"No rashes, no growths -- I don't know what I was worried about," Joker replied. He reached into his shirt and pulled the necklace out, but couldn't quite bring himself to take it off just yet. He stood like that for a moment, with only three limbs easily bearing his weight, and the other crutch resting loosely against his side.

"So..."

He should give it back. He'd promised to give it back. Something about it scared him. He couldn't afford it. He just didn't expect to already feel like he needed it, after such a short period of time. It could change his life...

"Just out of idle curiosity, how much were you going to get for it?" If it were under seven figures, maybe -- just maybe -- he could take out a loan? Or maybe borrow something from Barry or Elsa or... something?

Except he wouldn't. He'd just give it back and be done with it, and get his money, and that would be that.

Re: Shop with Leland - NFB from here!

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

"It works," Leland breathed, an excited smile lighting up his face. "It works. I'll pay the full fifty thousand. No, we said one hundred, didn't we? I realize that was only in case of injury, and you're perfectly well. Consider it a gift."

Re: Shop with Leland - NFB from here!

[fly-so-serious.livejournal.com]

Without meaning to, Joker clutched the necklace tighter and took a step back. His crutch clattered to the floor, and the sound startled him.

He took a deep breath, and in those few seconds he told himself at least a hundred times that he was just going to hand it back.

"So... let's just say I wanted to keep it," he instead said, trying to sound casual. "Obviously, I can't afford to pay as much as you were expecting for it... but maybe we can come to some sort of arrangement? A lease? A timeshare?"

Re: Shop with Leland - NFB from here!

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

Leland stopped, realizing that Joker was serious. He sighed.

"It's for a Shah," he said. "One who might build me a castle. Or gift me with a couple of harem wives. Or allow me to select some goose-egg-sized sapphires from his vault."

He waved a hand. "Impress me. What can you offer that could even come close?"

Re: Shop with Leland - NFB from here!

[fly-so-serious.livejournal.com]

Nothing, that was what. What could he offer that would be worth a fortune to a man like Mr. Gaunt? There wasn't anything that he had, or could get, that was at all out of the ordinary...

He looked down at his brand-new, expensive omnitool. Well, it wasn't worth anything near a king's ransom, but maybe Mr. Gaunt didn't know that. Besides, supply and demand, right? It would be priceless to someone who couldn't time-travel. ...Or didn't know how to use Portalocity.

He tapped a few buttons on the control pad that appeared under his fingers, and the room filled with holographic stars. Behind him spun the glowing purple haze of the Serpent Nebula. The view swooped inward, zooming in on the gleaming metal of the Citadel at the heart of the nebula. "I offer you all of the knowledge and wisdom of hundreds of generations from hundreds of worlds. This device gives you access to miracles beyond your wildest imagination, and the collected secrets of the entire galaxy." In other words, an extranet connection.

Mod Your Shopping

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

If you would like to just browse without the shop owner hovering, here's where you tag in.

Buyers getting cursed items must tag to Leland, of course.

OOC

[needfully-yours.livejournal.com]

Now taking volunteers to give me headrubbies and painkillers!