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Eclair could not believe his eyes. In his hands beheld one of the only remnants left of the royal Bleu Cheese family... a pocket watch heirloom. From all that he knew from this family, he never would have thought that such a well-preserved artifact would have been found! All the others had been torn apart or shattered into pieces, unable to be placed back together... and sure, this may be somewhat weathered, but it was so much better than anything else recovered! Excitement glistened in the curator's eyes, and many thanks had been given to the donated he ensured would remain anonymous by request.
Even just holding this object in his hands made him feel like he was at the manor himself. Before the entire place crumbled by a force no one had been able to figure out in all the years of research. No traces were left except rubble and crumbs of cookies that no one was able to recognize. Indeed, the tragedy that was the Bleu Cheese family was fresh in his mind, even if it was years and years ago. Ah, Eclair's heart raced as he saw the donator exit.
With a spring in his step, the museum's owner would quickly open up the hatch behind his desk and make his way down. It was a hidden compartment, something for only him and him alone to know about. No one was to know what sorts of magic he knew of. After all, knowing a spell would cause some other magic-user to easily break his anti-theft spells he places on each and every one of these precious historical pieces.
Many books of magic and history lined the walls, surrounding a pedestal, a luxurious bed, and a cabinet full of items of Eclair's personal collection. It was with a smile in the naturally darkened room that the curator would set the weathered pocket watch on the cocobolo wood pedestal. Picking up his wand held at the bottom lip of the stand, Eclair would try and calm his breaths in order to perform a better spell. After all, he'd need proper focus, otherwise, the spellcasting won't be nearly as strong. One more moment, a deep breath in and out, raise the wand, and-
"Would you mind telling me where in the world you found my household's timepiece?"
A curious, almost irritated voice came from the shadows, startling Eclair. He speedily grabbed the heirloom and backed towards the entrance. Unfortunately, he'd bump right into the stranger in the shadows, who would wrap their arms around his shoulders. He flailed, expecting to be choked or knocked out or somehow injured, but... the mysterious figure simply held him firm. "L-let me go, please! I cannot say who gave this to me, but it- it is now property of the museum! I plead to you, let me go!"
"Will you give me the timepiece in exchange for me letting you go free?"
"Mm... N-... no..."
"I see." To the historian's surprise, he was simply let go and given a nudge to go further into the room. He'd look around and spot... no one. Whoever was here seemed swift enough to escape without a sound- and in mere seconds, too! As much of a surprise as it was, at least he could still feel the pocket watch in his hand. Right... time to put a spell on this precious item and set it up for tomorrow's showcase.
As much as anxiety was plaguing Eclair from the encounter with whoever that other happened to be, the spellcasting went smoothly. A faint white glow surrounded the object, only visible when detecting the intent of theft like all of the other artifacts in the museum. With a gentle smile, Eclair would begin to make his way out of his shaded room, only when he reached for the handle... it would not turn. He jiggled it, tugged it, turned it left and right- yet nothing would allow it to open.
"So," returned the shadow's voice, muffled by the door that they had been behind likely since the first encounter, "care to negotiate, Professor Eclair?"