Day 1 Prompt: An impulse buy leads to galactic war…
“I never treat myself to anything lavish,” lamented Grixer.
“Oh, you should. It’s nice to spoil ourselves from time to time,” replied the merchant with an eager gleam in his eye.
“I don’t know. I like it, but I don’t really need it,” Grixer stated.
“Well, you won’t find a better plank-tor anywhere. This one is in mint condition. And only 12 karkoons, an excellent bargain,” countered the antiquities dealer.
Grixer was about to turn away and move on when something caught his eye. “What is that?!” exclaimed the Pylorian, pointing to a small, ornate box.
“That? You have a good eye. That is pricticarian box, very rare,” lied the merchant. That box had been laying on that dusty shelf for many years, it was there when he purchased the shop from the previous owner. No one had ever shown any interest in that before. He reached up gingerly and removed the old box, slowly, carefully handing it to Grixer.
“I’ve never seen anything like this, ” stated Grixer, unable to contain himself. He usually was a good bargainer, but for some reason he lost his tact over this.
“Most people wouldn’t know a pricticarian box from truber bucket, but you, I can tell, have a judicious eye,” the merchant said cooingly.
“Well, I have traveled and studied abroad,” boasted the Pylorian. “I almost afraid to ask how much you are asking for it? It’ll be out of my price range, I’m sure.”
“I’ll be honest,” the merchant lied, “it has just been cluttering up that shelf for a while now and no one around these parts could really appreciate it, but you, sir, are different. I know it’ll go to a good home with you, so I’m willing to let it go for 29 karkoons.”
Grixer’s eyes revealed his desire; he thought to himself that this merchant was a fool and would let him have it for a quarter of its true value. But he told himself to play it cool.
“That seems a bit pricey…I don’t know,” the Pylorian bluffed.
“Sir, I have dealt with you honestly,” the merchant feigned indignantly, “If you are as learned and worldly as you say, you know that that price is an incredible deal. Perhaps, you wouldn’t appreciate it as much as I first thought.”
“I’m sorry,” stammered Grixer, “I meant no offense. You are right. 29 karkoons, it is…please?”
“Well…I do want you to have it,” consented the merchant, “29 it is. Let me wrap it for you.” Grixer handed over the money and watched the merchant like a hawk while he was wrapping it. He was fearful that the merchant might try and switch it out for something less valuable.
The merchant waved good -bye to the rich Pylorian, but muttered under his breath, “Fool, that box is worthless.”
But Grixer got his prize home and carefully unwrapped. He stared at it for a long while, admiring the craftsmanship, the detail, the small gems placed so aesthetically in the wooden lid. He forced himself to wait before opening the box. He savored this experience. A real pricticarian box! How fortunate I am!
Finally, when he could control himself any longer, he lifted the lid. He noticed first a smell…of antiquity, of lightly scented wood, some flower he guessed, not knowing which. He saw the engraving on the underside of the lid and wowed in admiration. But then he noticed that the box was empty. He felt a drop of disappointment, he knew the real prize was the box itself , but being some one who loved a bargain, he wanted the box to contain an extra treasure.
Upon closer examination, he noticed that the bottom of the box didn’t lay flat. Being oh so careful, he used a sharp tool to pry up the bottom. Underneath, he found a folded piece of paper.
Excitedly, he unfolded and read it.
His smile slid off his face and his hands shook.
“The emperor is a fraud.”
Captain Faren Reon 