Chapter Text
The field of hyrule hadn't felt safe for a while now, maybe it was the stalfos, the poes, or the eerie atmosphere of the now depressing place... It could tear into anyone's skin, really. It didn't matter what time of day it was, ever since Ganon's realm took place, it hasn't been the same. Despite that, it's practically impossible to ignore such a vast landscape, especially if you're a travelling merchant, looking for and selling masks. Sure, many people didn't take much interest in them anymore, but there's not much ways to make money nowadays. At least not when your bag is filled to the brim of only those silly one-piece costumes, and nothing more...really should've gotten some sort of plan B, huh?
After successfully catching a roaming spirit, it makes you wonder, what can you do with it?... A pale skinned salesman held a bottled Poe in his hand, watching as it stared right at him. That thing seemed as alive as he was, and their energy really reflected the poignant atmosphere hyrule field had taken. It's hard to tell if that makes it feel more or less alive, but it didn't take away the fact that it felt uncomfortable to hold. He quietly hummed, looking up from his hand to the empty fields that surrounded him. It felt uncanny to have a staring competition with that ghost...And the fields didn't make it any better. If anything, it felt the exact same, except you didn't know who you were having a staring competition with, you just felt watched. Weirdly enough, that feeling had gotten stronger just now.. Has it always been that way?
He looked around, the hand that previously held the bottle close to him lowering. He really should get out of here, his gut tells him something bad will happen.. Even if that gut was the same one that told him he should let a little blonde kid sell masks for him, and end up loosing a few rupees due to that same boy selling them for too short a price, it still felt like he should listen. His occupied hand trailed over to his bag, tucking in the cold bottle into one of the bags, and patting it a few times to make sure it was snug. With a wary gaze, he began walking once more, the giant bag he carried around on his back slowing him a bit, but he's used to it at this point. After all, he's still fast enough to run if anything chases after him.. And, hey, it could even be used to push anything away with a good twirl.
His pointed ears never ceased to be alert.. They twitched at the slightest sound, in case something/someone would try to sneak up on him. Maybe he should've quit the business for now.. But then again, he needed to put something on his plate, and grass wasn't gonna do the trick. The same grass he stepped on, it seemed louder than usual. That, or everything else was quieter, it's hard to tell. That's why it was surprising to hear the tap of a stick against the ground he had just passed. He whipped around, only to be greeted by a cloaked figure, holding a giant stick, who's only red glowing eye stared at the salesman, sitting on a big rock. He would've started running if his own gasp wasn't cut off by a raspy, dry voice.
"...heh he he... I see you carry a poe with you.."
The figure said, gesturing torwards the poe that the salesman carried on his bag. The other gulped in response, his smile becoming more frail as he looked at the ominous one. Since when had he been there? He could've sworn nothing was atop that rock when he passed it just a second ago. He was about to open his mouth to draw out his words, until he was once again cut short.
"Fifty rupees."
The voice said, making the salesman's ear twitch. fifty rupees, for just a poe? Why, that's something he can get behind of.. His smile regained strength.
"...fifty?"
he asked, making sure his ears didn't fail him.. That, or he just wanted to hear the sweet sound of a deal once more.
"You heard me, didn't you?...hehe.."
The salesman hummed in response, his hand reaching for the bottle. It felt like it had gotten colder since the last time he felt it... He then reached it torwards the other's grasp, the spirit inside turning it's gaze to the one sitting. A bony hand that previously rested against the rock had snatched the bottle, tucking it into his cloak. His feet begun to happily kick, handing the salesman a purple rupee. The glimmer of it had made the salesman smile, grabbing it without hesitation, looking at it rest on his hand. Maybe he should start selling poes..
"..tell me, salesman.."*
The other began, making him snap out of his thoughts. He looked back up, putting the rupee away. the money didn't make it any easier to look at the garo-like client, but money is money, so he's up for listening if he gains another few.
" What are you doing here..along the fields of hyrule..?"
He asked, his nails tapping against the thick wooden pole he held.
"...Not much...Hunting for customers, I suppose.."
He chuckled lowly, his hands clasping together. The presence of the mysterious, bony man didn't make him feel much at ease.. But, knowing he likely just wanted a deal sort of helped. Plus, the leg swinging was a little funny, and it aided to make his suspicion die down.. Just a bit, tho, no one in their right minds would trust someone so eerie that fast.. But then again, his mind wasn't right, it hadn't ever been.
"..Well, you've preyed me, heh he.."
The collector giggled quietly, his stick tapping against the ground a few times.. The salesman hummed in interest, his mind inmideatly going to his masks.
"ah? Well, I have many of masks to-"
he had begun to take off his bag, before being abruptly cut off. It seemed the collector in front of him had a bad habit of cutting people off... Or he did it on purpose. Either way, he furrowed his eyebrows, his hands wringing.
"No.. I'm not interested in masks..."
The salesman's bothered expression turned into a quizzled one. If not masks, what could he want? He didn't have any more poes.
"...I think you're interesting.. Heheh.. Tell me.. What's your mind think of poes..?"*
The salesman hummed, adjusting his backpack. Hopefully this wouldn't take long..
"...I think they're fine."
his tone softened. He didn't really have much of an opinion on them.. This was his first time encountering them, and.. He didn't really have a huge opinion formed.
"Hm.. You should come by my little shop then.. I have tons of poes.. I don't sell them, but you can admire.."
His crooked legs had begun to kick more sluggishly.
"..well, I appreciate the offer, but I don't really have the time. I need to gain rupees, and to-"
"Why not catch some poes for me, then..?"
The collector tilted his head.
"I'll get you some rupees, no matter the size... Tho, it may decrease if the poe is smaller.."
the salesman hummed. Well, it was certainly easier than having to beg someone to buy a mask, only to sell two, if he's lucky.
"...that depends.. What's the pay?"
"Ten upees for each small one.. Fifty for each big one.. Hehe.."
"...only Ten for a small one?.. I'd find that to be minimum wage, don't you think?"
"That's why the big poes are fifty... But.. If you'd like, I can pay you twenty... Only since your handsome.. Heheh.."
"...hm...deal.. Where should I hand you these poes..?"
"Guard house.. Just in hyrule town.."*
The salesman nodded, humming as he did.
"I will see you there, then."
The collector wiggled his fingers at him as a form of a wave, leaning into the stick he carried.
Weird.