----- S I M O N -----

Simon had taken up his usual position in the shop, feet up on the countertop, book covering his view. Doing everything he could to purvey an air of a sleeping store detective. In an attempt to get people to lay down their guard and let out a fish juicy secrets in their conversations. Or minds.

He scanned the minds of everyone in the shop who let there guard down for more than an instant. This only allowed him to get surface thoughts generally as anything further was to invasive and had a liability to get him caught. He wouldn’t be in major trouble or anything, receive a demerit in the Book or anything rash like that. But it would sully his reputation and that of the shop, or potentially drop his fame stat.

Simon was Paper his flavour was Salt & Vinegar or as was more commonly known in the trade Chips. And he had it at a very high rarity. It was at Craftsman level now. Though he dearly wanted it higher, as was the way of all performers.

You started out on the ladder at Apprentice then there was Initiate, Journeyman, Craftsman, Master, Grandmaster and some talked of other higher tiers. And Simon often mused if they even existed: Ringmaster, Maestro, Grand Maestro, Champion of the Circus, Supreme Circus Master.

At Craftsman level he could now far more greatly influence the Paper with which his chips were wrapped. Simon laughed when he heard people talking about Paper styles. Most people considered Vanilla the illusionists dream. The general publics lack of knowledge was laughable. But then it just reflected the sorry state of the Circus community as a whole.

It was not just performers that were disappearing and not intentionally. Disappearing as they dropped dead. But also Knowledge was being lost left right and center. All the time travelling was clearly messing with their world-line in a way that depreciated their understanding. Knowledge was power after all. And theirs was waning day by day, hour by hour.

Having Chips at Craftsman level now meant he could use crisp plain paper ideal for illusions as it was pristine and took ink well. As opposed to the shiny cheap paper of Journeyman level or heaven forbid the soggy chip wrappers of Initiate level.

This was often why people didn’t try and level up a Chips as they thought it complete garbage.

But he could go one better than that once he got to Master level. He was tantalisingly close to getting newspaper. Which would allow him to implant stories into people’s minds. Essentially rewrite their memories.

At his stage he had glimpses of this illusive attainment. Which was why he could enter people’s minds and have a shoofty at their thoughts. But he revelled in the idea of the power Master level would give him.

Of course he would be no where without the shop. And had to admit that others were not stupid but just had not had the advantages that he had had.

Working in the shop or rather being manager of the shop had allowed him not access to more artefacts than most would see in many lives over. And with an owner who was never around. He could pretty much do what he wanted and he did. Taking the artefacts as his own personal property. And pilfering day and night to try and find just the right artefacts to level up his style.

In order to obtain master level with his style he needed to upgrade all his equipment to master level first. Which was where the shop’s endless supply of free loot, artefacts was essential.

The artefacts that he was looking for equipment upgrades were: Hat of the illusionist, Gloves of the Protector, Cloak of the trickster, Wand of the Enchanter and lastly Watch of the Contortionist. These were the basic sets for a Magician. And were all highly upgradable, all giving good set bonuses.

Glove and Wand sets were fairly easy to come across. Cloak sets were harder to find. And Hat and Watch sets were the rarest sets of all.

Once at Simon practically drooled at the thought of getting any of these to Master level. He already had great bonuses but with Mastery:

Hat of the Illusionist (Master Level) - Increases Elemental Mastery by 30%. When using an Elemental Burst, gain a 15% chance to create a clone of the character that deals Elemental damage to enemies.

Gloves of the Protector (Master Level) - Boosts Energy Recharge by 20%. When using an Elemental Skill, there is a 10% chance to cast a random Elemental effect on enemies.

Cloak of the Trickster (Master Level) - Increases Elemental Resistance by 15%. After defeating an enemy, gain a temporary shield that absorbs damage equal to 20% of the character's maximum HP.

Wand of the Enchanter (Master Level) - Increases Elemental Damage by 25%. When using an Elemental Burst, gain a 20% bonus to Critical Hit Rate for 10 seconds.

Watch of the Contortionist - Reduces Elemental Skill cooldowns by 15%. When using an Elemental Burst, extend the duration of all Elemental effects on enemies by 2 seconds.

He had got this information from a broker and knew he would be an absolute power house, just with these set bonuses alone.

But he had worked hard to get this far. Well hard at cheating you might say but it was all graft in Simon’s mind. Yes he knew he was essentially a Whale. But he was having a whale of a time so didn’t care what others thought. Not even of his naff jokes.

But if he was a cheat and a whale what did that make Jack?

Jack was well Jack. And that was exactly the mystery. He knew how Kingsley had got to be a King, and King of Hearts at that. It made him shudder. But how the hell did Jack get to be a Jack. Jack of all trades, a ringmaster to boot. This meant he was already at ringmaster level with all his styles and equipment.

The guy was what seventeen! It was no wonder that Kingsley had kept him as the great Purlbright family secret all this time.

What had he done to get so far? Or more to the matter what had Kingsley done? Ugh what a thought.

When he had screened the kids mind he had come up with nothing. In fact he had tried so hard to find anything that Simon had given himself an awful bonce ache. And had come to looking down at the prone figure of Jack in his dressing gown laying on the floor of his apartment. He had wondered for a moment if he had hurt the guy. But unfortunately he seemed right as rain.

Now that very enigma Jack, stood in front of him at the counter, Simon merely thought now how could he fully utilise this unfathomable resource before him.

“I’ve got this lot. How many imperial coins or whatever can you give me for them? And do you do any discount scheme or card? You know for friends and family and that kind of thing.” Said Jack emptying a mountain of artefacts straight from his Hat onto the shop floor. Were they clanged and thumped loudly to the floor causing the hairs on the back of Simon’s neck to bristle.

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“What are you doing! Have you no decorum whatsoever.”

“Bring them round the back” said Simon in a stage whisper, frantically gesturing towards the back room.

“Oh, whoops” said Jack syphoning them back up into his Hat, like an anaconda sipping soup.

In the backroom, Jack tried various means of haggling with Simon. But of course Simon was having none of it. He noted that he had brought that woman Misha with him which was a bit troubling. But Simon soon forgot all about that as the haggling reached fever pitch.

“For the umpteenth time, I don’t know where you got all these artefacts from but one they are the lowest of the low trash, two the whole lot of them combined will not put the slightest dent into what you already owe me.” Simon retorted emphatically.

“Oh” said Jack simply, rather crest fallen to say the least.

Misha smacked her head realising if she had come alone she could have got some doe and not with this Joe.

“Ok, Jack it can’t be helped let’s just leave these here and go get some more. Higher ones this time.” Said Misha then having a thought.

“Although didn’t you want some gloves” said Misha inspirationally.

“Well I suppose I could find something for you, as they will make you a less pitiful act” said Simon grudgingly thinking it might help Jack at least get some decent artefacts for him if he didn’t get burnt in the process.

[Kids Gloves – the most basic of gloves, I wouldn’t touch anything with these if I were you]

“So, the system has a sense of irony. Great.” Thought Jack, taking the proffered gloves and slipping them on. They were far too small and looked like they would tear at any moment. But as Jack struggled to put them on with Simon smirking and Misha trying her best not to laugh at the poor chap. Something unexpected happened.

[Due to Ringmaster status, Kids Gloves have been upgraded to Flameguard Gauntlets]

“What!!” they exclaimed in unison as the gloves transformed before their very eyes, at the speed of a drunk politician’s range rover.

Jack just smirked, eyeing his shiny crimson gauntlets, that now fit as snuggly as toast.

“Got it, Ringmaster” said Simon chastising himself inwardly for not seeing this coming.

Misha looked at them both surprised that something was happening that actually made perfect sense for once. Then said “Let’s be off then. And Bye Simon, be seeing you soon”

“Not if I see you first” thought Simon. Although trade was trade.

Jack thought to ask how much he owed exactly but decided that would completely spoil his mood. So instead tapped his hat as he had seen others do and was gone.

Jack could feel the chill of the stormy weather seeping into his bones as he trudged nice new gloves in his pockets, wandering through this dark and gloomy place. Where did hat say they were? The mines of Cleathorpes or something. More like mines of Moria thought Jack grumpily. The thick clouds overhead blocked out the moon and stars, casting an eerie shadow over the looming castle that stood in the distance. Ok, that’s new or rather very old but still a castle! Thought Jack his mood improving dramatically.

Misha just walked beside him fiddling with something imperceptible. Apparently it was some kind of magic phone, maybe she had candy crush on it or something. Bubblegum Blast: Pop and Match Game more likely.

The wind howled through the barren trees, causing the branches to creak and sway menacingly. Jack’s heart raced as he approached the castle, A castle! A castle!

The heavy wooden doors looming ominously in front of him. As he entered, the musty scent of decay and neglect filled the air, sending shivers of excitement down his spine. Jack knew he would surely find something more than grapes in this foreboding place. And he was right!

“Oh goggles!” thought Jack

As soon as they reached the outer courtyard of the castle they were assailed, from all directions, by the howls of dozens of dog like creatures. Again Jack had no clue what they were and didn’t have time to find out. Woofs is what he would call them they were like mangey misshapen dogs but much larger.

The first floor of the Castle, was packed with woofs appearing from all corners and racing down the central stairs like a plague of the grey death. With the fast velocity of the ever so damaging fireballs, they were mowed down quickly. As was the staircase. How were they to get past the billowing inferno that was the once proud stairwell to the next floor?

But Jack found he could feel no heat upon his face as he ventured nearer. In fact the flames seemed pushed away as he drew nearer to the foot of the stairs. And just like that each step he took, took out more flames. They were extinguished as he moved past, leaving just acrid smoke with their passing. Goggles!

Aside from casting the skill towards the enemies that appeared, He had a few of them floating around him. Just incase he was attacked from behind. Jack quickly dispelled from his mind what these beasts felt, as their pained howls filled his ears. As Jack had no doubt it was kill or be killed. Or should he say dog eat dog.

The sounds of his explosion seem to draw them quite literally like a moth to a flame only for them to meet their grisly fate. Anyway he was doing these beasts a favour wasn’t he? Look at the runts. Jack shook himself internally, that was going a bit far. He didn’t want to become some mindless killing machine. He had noticed this before when he got into the zone as it were. He had felt a kind of malevolent blood lust even when toasting grass at the park. Weird. He mustn’t let things get to him. Just stay focused Jack.

You’re a performer now be professional.

The first three floors were quickly in a jiffy, and the 4th floor, had strange walking knights that took a lot of heat before they just became molten puddles of gooey metal. Again Jack got a little carried away. Misha had to stay on the lower floors until things cooled down a bit before she could come and grab any loot that remained. Was there any? Jack though as he looked at his wobbly reflection in a pool of silvery metal, that now dripped down through the carpet to the floor below. Though as he stood there it magically, quite literally cooled, a perculiar smoke rising off it. Silver oxide?

Next ghosts appeared but they he did not seem to able to effect them at all so he just moved on to the top most floors of the castle. Taking the spiral stairs at the end of each corridor. Beasts with a similar shape to foxes began appearing. He decided to call these woofles as they were quite a bit smaller. Their size made them slightly harder to hit. Well maybe if he didn’t just bathe the hole corridor in flame making the tall windows explode as he did so. He was essentially just using a flame thrower now. It was sad to see the paintings and other fixtures that had looked quite nice be turned to ash. But there it was. He only had one trick. He was a one trick pony but not a phony he hoped.

They seemed very dumb or very angry as they were rushing towards him regardless of their certain doom with ferocious howls. Barbequed Basil Brush he thought abstractedly as he mowed down the woofles mercilessly

At last he reached one of the towers at the top of the castle. There was something in there, probably large and scary. But Jack just opened the large oak door an inch or two and let loose a torrent of flames that engulfed the space within. He kept at this until eventually he heard a large thunk as the room shook from whatever had fallen to the ground. Dead he presumed though for good measure he did it bit more toasting. Repeating this for the other 3 towers he found he had pretty much run out of beasts to kill.

Was there not a royal chambers somewhere? Thankfully it was blowing up quite a gale outside and the storm sent drenching sheets of rain through the broken windows removing much of the smoke there.

At last he found what must be the royal apartments or throne room. The room was grand and opulent. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of battles and conquests. The floor was made of polished marble, reflecting the flickering flames floating around Jack.

Jack had a thought. He had as yet no idea what the exchange rate was between imperial coin and pound sterling. So what if? He nicked some of this stuff and sold it. But not to Simon. Just to some normal earthlings. He could then at least have a stash of cash to himself with Simon none the wiser.

And so Jack proceeded to see what he could squash into his hat. For this he would need a tool. Finding a nice set of swords on the wall, he managed to get one down then set about removing first the jewels adorning the majestic throne. And then the luxurious fabrics draped around the room.

And then perhaps the large chandeliers and tapestries and banners hung from the ceiling. And then…Oh drat! Thought Jack. He had of course overlooked one thing. There was of course a snag. In his over enthusiasm he had neglected to remember to deal with whatever boss dwelt here.

*sigh* Jack thought of all the money he could of made from those tapestries. He would have been minted.

But now the lot was toast.

---- S I M O N ---

Simon eyed the new Jack suspiciously. He was decked out from head to toe in the height of fashion for a gentleman about town, except for the large goggles he sported rather spoiling the whole effect. He noted Misha was dressed likewise less the goggles.

“You do realise that you owe me…a lot” said Simon almost growling.

“Oh, this stuff found out on a planet, Alpha Centuri or somesuch” said Jack playing it off as nothing.

“Ok then what have you got this time?” said Simon grumbling.

A pile of pristine artefacts of a tier one above the last lot hit the deck.

“What will it be Cash or swaps?” said Simon knowing the answer already.

“Swaps” said Jack grinning.