Hours into the auction, and I have just one word to say about it... Unimpressive.
Most of the items up for bid are relics and rare objects. Of course the crowd ate it up, but as for me, they were not in the least attractive. Unfortunately, my grand prize will be thest item for auction since its the main object for today''s events. This means I''ll have to wait through this entire boring session.
"I have to say though, it''s a bit awkward not buying anything" I thought aloud.
I looked toward Talia, who was watching the auction in earnest. I suppose the anticipation for obtaining her wings is her motivation. Unlike her, I don''t really have a personal interest in this auction. But, who knows... Something interesting could happen. The night is still young.
"And now, we move on to the next bidding session" The auctioneer announced.
Suddenly and slowly, one after the other, I saw people proceeding from the backstage. They were in chains, and from their appearances I could tell.
"ves" I said.
Talia looked ufortable at the sight. Who can me her? Had it not been for my intervention she would have been one of them.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the ves and a major attraction for today''s auction." The man announced.
In total there were 7 ves. Five male and two female. However, as I would expect from Imperius, they chose quality over quantity. Of the seven, four are beastfolk, two are Elves and finally thest person... Is that...?
"We have seven of the best and highest quality ves for bid here. We''ll start with ve A" The auctioneer announced, beginning the bid.
Of course the bidderspeted amongst themselves for the vemodities and bid as much as they could.
"Do I hear 50 million?" The auctioneer asked, on the matter of the Elf girl who is next.
Everyone would love to have an Elf as a ve, and so they all jumped into the bid. Both of the Elves are female, so the appeal is through the roof. Elves are natural beauties and are usually considered pure. The perfect prey for rich men with sadistic tendencies or very strong libido.
"Buzzzzz" A sound echoed through the room.
"100 million coins" Someone dered.
100 million? Who would spend so much on a single Elf girl?
I looked at the origin of the sound, it was someone in his own exclusive bidding room, just like man. He must also be a Royal Member at Imperius.
"100 million, any one bidding higher?" The auctioneer said.
"Going once, twice..."
"Sold!" The auctioneer said, confirming the sale of the first Elf ve to the Royal Member.
Well, that''s no surprise. I doubt anyone in their right mind would waste that much money on a single ve... Well, unless he is a Royal, like that guy.
"Now, for the other Elven beauty" The auctioneer said with a smile.
"100 million" The same bidder said.
There were grumblings and murmurings made by the other bidders, but there was nothing anyone could do about it. In the end, money and power are the things that matter in this world, the auction house is no exception.
"Going once... Twice... Sold!" The auctioneer dered.
After that, it was clear that the audience was displeased.
"Now, now... There''s still one more ve to be sold" The auctioneer said, reasoning with the audience.
Of course this didn''t make the crowd any happier. Thest ve isn''t a female, and isn''t an Elf. Just some random dude... Or so they think.
"Please everyone calm down" The auctioneer said.
Suddenly, the crowd stopped their murmurings and anger and started to let out chuckles and some even bursted outughing.
The auctioneer was initially happy about this and took credit for the sudden change of heart among the audience. But for those of us who are watching the auctioneer and the auction, we know what''s really happening.
"Look behind you" One of the bidders said,ughing even more.
The auctioneer turned back only to find thest ve, which was supposed to resemble a teenage boy with tattered clothing and unkept hair, but what he saw was something else entirely. He was looking at... Himself.
Not only was the ve now identical to the auctioneer, but he was making weird poses and dancing in a funny manner. It was funny to everyone because it seemed like it was the auctioneer who was doing it. His fat and short figure dancing all around cracked everyone up.
It turns out the final ve is a shapeshifter, a breed capable of changing their appearances to whatever suits them. One of the most notorious and haughtiest races in this world.
The auctioneer gushed with so much embarrassment. He was now mad.
"Y-You! How dare you? Who ordered you to turn? Change back! Change back now!!!" The auctioneer shouted at the ve.
The ve, still with the appearance of the auctioneer finally stopped his silly tricks. He then cracked a mischievous smile and then changed his head back to his original form, but left the physique of the auctioneer andughed, continuing his silly antics.
The audienceughed even more at the silly sight. The auctioneer was red with anger and reached within his pocket to bring out some sort of scroll. The scroll glowed and suddenly the ve started screaming, kneeling down and holding his head.
"I said... Change back!" Hemanded.
The ve immediatelyplied, still screaming and groaning. I looked closely and saw the reason why.
"ve Crest" I said.
It is only natural that ves have one. It prevents a ve from going against their master and also allows the master tomand the ve to do anything or simply punish them. Normally, as the original owner of a ve, no scroll is needed to enforce the ve crest. However, since the auctioneer is not the original owner, he needs a scroll to act as a medium for enforcement.
Needless to say, the ve won''t be disobeying the auctioneer or pulling any other funny tricks anytime soon.
The audience booed the judgement of the auctioneer and some still let out some chuckles.
"Now then..." The auctioneer cleared his throat to regain hisposure andmand decorum.
"Let us proceed." He smiled.
"We''ll begin the price from 500,000 coins. Any takers?" The auctioneer asked.
No one responded.
"Any takers?" He repeated.
No one wanted the ve.
The auctioneer had a conflicted look. The ve he was supposed to sell... No one was interested in buying him. At least, that''s what everyone thinks.
A buzz was sounded, and a voice came forth.
"I''ll take him"
Everyone turned toward the direction of who said that... It was none other than me.
I have to say, I am interested in this shapeshifter. Not just because of his little stunt earlier, though that relieved my boredom for a bit, but there''s something else. Besides, he seems like an interesting character.
"Any higher bid?" The auctioneer asked.
No one responded. Of course, who would be interested in a troublesome sneaky little shapeshifter. It will most likely cost them more to maintain such a ve than to actually use him. Besides, it is a general rule that shapeshifters can not be trusted. They''re one of the most scorned races. And, after the stunt the ve just pulled, no one would like to have it as their ve.
"Going once... Twice.... Gone! Thest ve has been sold." The auctioneer announced, a sense of relief was in his voice.
I can''t say I me him. That particr ve must''ve been a handful.
"Now then,dies and gentlemen. The moment you''ve all been waiting for." The auctioneer dered.
Everyone''s voices could be heard at this point. It is finally time to bring out the main sensation of today''s auction...
"I hereby present to you... The Fairy Wings" The auctioneer dered.
Everyone cheered and marveled at the wings which were brought to the stage. Even I have to admit, they are indeed beautiful, a perfect fit for Talia. The wings are abination of many colors, brimming with purple and red hue, with blue glows around the edges and it emanated a bright low glow.
I looked beside me to see Talia''s reaction to this sight. She was crying. I saw the longing in her eyes, the craving she has for what was once hers. I smiled. Within a matter of time, those wings will be mine. I guess its time for me to now actively participate in the auctions, because from now on... Things will start to get very engaging.
"This should be fun" I said with a smile.