Around the Merchant's Hall
Hey there everyone. It’s time for another Inessa Burnell #IBASwordtember challenge on Minds. This time the challenge proved to be rather vexing. This was because of the work involved in the correction process.
For day 5 the word/subject: Unique.
For this challenge I thought I would veer from the usual fantasy. I’m dipping my writing skills into the ‘Slice of Life' genre.
This vignette goes out to TheDetriotOtaku and to Yayo fellow viewers on minds. This is also a love letter to Anime Conventions. Enjoy the vignette.
The young man checked his watch. “3:30, still got time before the Airbending/Dodgeball competition." He muttered out loud.
Randall Grant looked up from his watch. Before him was the Merchant's Hall. All around him the place bustled with con goers looking at the various booths.
"Glad I got time off from work for Star-Con and glad I went V.I.P. But geez, this con sure has grown. At least I got the autographs I wanted and some good swag." He muttered.
He strolled down a path in the hall.
That cosplay contest was something else. And the fellow who dressed as Blade Liger from Zoids: Chaotic Century. Whoever was beneath that cosplay did a great job. No wonder they got first place.
Randall looked at his costume. "At least in my Ichigo Kurosaki costume I blend in."
The 28-year-old looked around. "Plenty of stuff around, but nothing unique that catches my eye."
He found himself heading over to the row of the hall set aside for swords and other medieval weaponry.
Not counting my chickens before they’re hatched. But I could score something here.
Randall began his search, and found himself disappointed by the selection. That is until a voice from behind called out, “Hey, Ichigo Kurosaki, over here.”
The young man turned around. He laid his eyes on a burly looking man who looked to be an old European style blacksmith. Randall walked over to the man. “You’re one who sticks out from the weebs at this convention.” He quipped.
“A guy has to stand out somehow.” He responded his voice thick with a Brooklyn accent. “By the way the name’s Burke, Norman Burke.”
The cosplayer nodded. “Randall Grant, so what’s with the eagerness to have me over here.”
The man smirked. “I noticed you looking at the booths of these guys. I saw the disappointment in your eyes. Safe to say not much has garnered your interest huh?”
“You got that right, I'm quite shocked by this fact.”
Norman Burke flashed a toothy grin. He waved a hand at what he had on display. “You could go for the usual stuff from me.”
And then he leaned in closer. “Or you might have an interest in something special.”
Randall's eyes narrowed. “Something special, what exactly do you mean?’
“Well, I happen to be a huge Forgotten Realms fan. And this costume isn’t only for show, I do my own crafting. One weapon I made looks like a Flame Tongue sword from that world.”
That caught Randall’s attention. “A sword inspired by the Flame Tongue blades? Okay, let’s have a look.”
“One moment,” The craftsman told Randall.
It won’t be anything special I'll wager. But I’ll amuse this guy for now, Randall thought.
What he brought up instead looked like a Flame Tongue sword indeed. It had a C-shaped carving on the blade and the hand guard underneath. Randall whistled. “Very good detail, I’m impressed.”
“So, who says I’m done?” The man offered up.
Without another word, the man brought out a short sword version of it. The weapon had a claw shaped carving near the guard.
Not a very practical looking sword in real life. But it looks very nice. Randall observed.
“So how much is this going to cost?” he asked. “Swords as nice looking as these usually cost an arm and a leg.”
“You see I only started my business. So, my prices are pretty low as I want to attract some customers. I’d be willing to sell this to you for say… Five-Hundred dollars.”
Randall raised an eyebrow. “That’s on the expensive side.” He said before he tried to walk away.
“Hold on, I’d be willing to lower the price for you.” Burke called.
Oh, so this is the game we’re playing huh? Randall noted. Considering I’m good with numbers let’s see if I can’t lower that price a bit.
Randall smirked and chimed in. “In that case, let’s see about that.”
So, for the next five minutes the two went back and forth negotiating a price. Randall found that it took all his negotiating skill to get the price down. Finally, they settled on $350.00 for both swords.
At which point, Randall got a surprise when the man brought up a card machine. Norman shrugged. “I have to embrace some aspects of the 21st century.”
Randall nodded. “Yup, that’s how it is.’
Randall swiped his card, and smiled. He’d scored a major addition to his sword collection. And he hadn’t needed to use any spending cash on him to do so. “By the way, you’re a shrewd negotiator, what kind of work you in?”
Randall smirked and explained, “Oh, I’m a broker. I work with people’s money all the time. So, I have to know how to negotiate the best deals.”
Norman Burke raised an eyebrow. “Damn, that would explain why you’re so good. Well, I hope you’ll enjoy these swords.”
With the blades wrapped up he handed them to Randall. “I’ll take these back to my room. I’ll fit them in my car when I leave. Thank you, Mr. Burke, for making my day.”
The Ichigo Kurosaki cosplayer turned and headed for the Merchant’s Hall exit. He was eager to drop his new purchases back at his room. Looks like things are looking up for me after all, he thought.