h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*The Stallholder laughs*

[Stallholder] Do you know nothing? Wood elves have pure pale skin and a variety of natural colourations in their hair, usually dark. Dark elves.... *he turns and clicks his fingers. Ezekiel's illusion falls easily as if he hasnt even bothered to stop it* Have Black skin and white hair.... like that. Do you see why he chose to become an illusionist?

[Ecg]:
*Suddenly cools down, as though he were not angry*
"You mean to say,- that the effect of trying to merge the two minds, so to speak, may drive him even more mad? But,- what's to prevent the one from incorporating the other,- whichever one it is?"

*Yeah, he does not get it*

: Bluffing/blustering, mostly

[Ecg]: "As a part demon... if I can smell your soul, the way the myths and stories might suggest... I think it could, almost say use somewhat of a bath. It just smells wrong. Maybe you smell."

*Is aware that it sounds rude... & knowingly waits to see just how enraged the stallholder will get/become*

: Tick, tick, tick...

*while all this has been going on Calel's mind has been racing, he had heard that a soul transfer could be performed in such circumstances as this, where by another soul could be put into anothers body to help that persons own soul fight their dark side, it is apparently a highly dangerous procedure as the two souls can become merged*

*he looks up at the stallholder and asks quietly*


Would you be able to perform a soul transfer?

*The stallholder snarls at Ecg and begins to say something then stops and turns to Calel. He starts to laugh*

[Stallholder]: Oh how precious, you would risk yourself to save your friend?
*he laughs again almost hysterical*
Well you could ofcourse try if you want
*he grins his eyes glittering wickedly*
Although I've no idea if it'll be too late what with the way this demon wouldnt shut up
*he snaps and snarls again at Ecg grinding his teeth, then moves across to Ezekiel and crouchs on the floor infront of the slumped figure. He brushes back the white hair and tips up his face looking into his eyes and frowns thoughtfully, then smiles as they gaze blankly back*
You do realise both minds would fight for survival? You would have to discern by yourself which was the original. The new mind is evil after all, it will try to trick you.
*he raises an eyebrow thoughtfully and stands up carelessly letting Ezekiel slump again*
And even if you destroy the new mind you cannot change his appearance, it wont all fall back into place like..... magic *the stallholder smiles* and it wont remove the curse, that would have to be done seperately. Still, why would I help you?

*barely above a whisper* because it's the decent thing to do


*looks the stallholder in the eye with steely determination*

Now are you going to help or not?

*the stall holder mouths silently in shocking before falling into fits of laughter again*

[Stallholder: B-be-because its the right thing to do? *shrieks with laughter before controlling himself* You know what, I might just help you for my own amusement. I'd like to see if you manage this *he grins*

[Ecg Unagi]: (in a neutral manner) : "You do not frighten me."

*Ecg gives the Stallholder with a steady and disapproving gaze*

"I'm warning you... if you're up to something, they might hold back (because they are in a situation of needing your help),"

*Indicates Ezekiel and Calel*

"but I won't. I've been around things and know a thing or two more about the nature of good and evil than others may be willing to give credit."

: Sorry about the typo/grammatical error bit up there.

[Ecg Unagi]: (To the stallholder) : "Have you a sense of personal honor and justice? Well,- do you? That is why I talk. Wouldn't want to see a friend in dire straits, getting tricked by someone slick and persuasive."

*Grins a bit out the corner of his mouth*

"I know that much."

: "I'm wise to you..." /

*to the stall holder*

If you're going to help then help, if you stand about for much longer making fun of us, there will be no time to help him!

[Ecg]: (To Cal) : ~ If he harms Ezek instead, can I slit his...?~
*Shrugs, a toothy expression on his face*

[Stallholder] *the stallholder smiles thinly ignoring Ecg. He dissapears behind the sack curtain then comes back with a bottle containing a strange coloured liquid*
Well then, drink it if you trust me to help you.... and we can go ahead and try this
*he holds out the bottle to Calel*
There would be no gain in my poisoning you now

[Ecg Unagi]: (To no one in particular) :
~What has he to gain? What's his possible advantage?~

*The gears are turning in his mind, of if it is a trick Vs. if it isn't*

[Ecg]: *A series of "alarm-bell" signals go off inside his head*

"What the?! But,- if the soul of the one is transferred into the other... all that will do is at best perhaps buy us a bit more time. I can't just sit here and do nothing while a friend rithes in internal agony. We all experience things like that,- just, the magnitude must be greater."

*Looks to the stallholder quizzically, putting the axe away (but with his eyes still somewhat glowing)*

"If they're both out of it, then who's there to see they're okay? I can't just sit back and watch the two of them fade into mental spheres of anguish."

*Forces himself to calm though still grumbling*

"... Well, there has to be something that I can do to help."

<>


*takes the bottle eyeing the contents with tepidation*


Am I to drink all of it?

I know that. @ least I'm at where I can "say" it/do it in "under three"... or so. *Shrug* Working on it, y'know?

<< he speaks the truth, he has got better>

*The stall hold smirks in amusement*

[Stallholder]: I can never make them pay me back for this if I let them die, demon

*he turns to Calel*

No, I should think you only need about half off it. It will put you into a trance, so you may want to sit down so you dont fall down

*he gestures to a small sack wrapped bale*

When I connect you to your friend you will feel like you are walking through his mind. The environment will be produced by him and the new mind fighting, it could be anything his mind is thinking about or if they are aware of your presence anything one of them chooses to show you. It could be chaos or a memory simply repeating. Try not to get lost looking for him in all that.

*sits down and takes a deep breath*


*holds up the bottle* cheers *drinks down half the liquid*

: Thanks BC. Cal, no worries please... I do appreciate the suggestion, and as it is a fairly accurate observation... , yeah, I'm working on it.

[Ecg]: (to the Stallholder) : "Be that as it may,- I still can't just make myself content with standing around doing nothing. Surely you could benefit from a temporary assistant. Look, personal feelings aside..."

*Sets his weapons (all of them) down in a corner*

"... I'm willing to set off my own mistrust of you, for the time being."

*For a moment Ecg turns his head to one side while scowling, then he looks back*

"We're no better than our own fore-bearers, if we fall into the old habits, yes? There is something I wish to show you, and also Ezekiel, afterwards, if what you are entailing works out alright. I believe it would be of benefit."

~On some ways of controlling the beast... within.~

"I'll admit, there are times when elves are better at it. An elf taught it to my grandfather, and he passed it down to father. Then I had to learn it."

*Ecg sits down where he's been standing and it is as though he is about to meditate, but he sits there looking up thoughtfully _instead.*