Oddly Targeted Container

[eternally_aggrieved]

The island is deserted, save for the statues.

And now, a rectangular brown paper package. It rustles and rocks, then tips over onto one side and stops moving.

Comments

[endragoned]

"No. But I do not think I would like a library of other people's experiences."

[all_the_worlds_have]

"You would prefer to experience those things yourself?"

[endragoned]

"Or if I share, to share with someone I know well, not with strangers I have never met."

[all_the_worlds_have]

"Frankly, I agree. Mostly I share experiences with myself. However, the Society also offers help with having interesting experiences, if that would be more useful to you."

[endragoned]

"Perhaps. I am sure there are many things I cannot do while alone on my island."

[pythbox]

"Excuse me," says a low, rumbling, amused voice from just outside the office door.

[all_the_worlds_have]

Eva gets up from her desk and walks over to the door. "Yes, hello?"

She stops in the doorway, and looks up. And up. And up.

"... One moment, let me just resize my office..."

[pythbox]

"Hello," says the dragon. "I have a message for another dragon's Bonded, if there is such a person nearby. I was told to inquire at the mysterious door."

[endragoned]

...From inside the office, the Endarkened gives the door a deeply suspicious but also somewhat curious look.

[all_the_worlds_have]

"There is exactly one person here who might fit that description. Give me one moment and I'll let you address them more directly."

Ducking back into the room, Eva reaches under her desk and fiddles something. The walls slide away and lengthen, the tapestries attenuating into stretched messes as the room expands. After a few moments, the door outside has resized properly to fit a dragon.

"Please, come in. Mind the chandelier. Sorry about the decor, I don't have one of the offices with a nice scaling function."

[pythbox]

The dragon steps into the office.

She looks at the Endarkened.

"Are you by any chance a dragon's Bonded?" she asks dryly.

[endragoned]

"It may be so. Why do you ask?"

[pythbox]

"If you are, a unicorn sent me to ask you to please not leave the world because the Wild Magic may need your help with something," she says. "I was also supposed to tell you that all the Endarkened have been dead for two thousand years, but I'm starting to think something got a bit mixed up with that part."

[eternally_aggrieved]

"...Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that dragons were fictional."

[all_the_worlds_have]

"Maybe in your universe."

She looks up at the dragon.

"Might I convince you to purchase some magical goods from another world while you're here? I could use some help with my sales figures this quarter, to be honest."

[pythbox]

"That rather depends on what sort of magical goods are available, doesn't it?"

[all_the_worlds_have]

"Ask and I will provide: our catalog is quite extensive, though some things might be out of your price range. Or, I could offer you some things at random and see if you would be interested in any of them."

[pythbox]

"I couldn't begin to imagine what my price range might be," says the dragon. "What are some things that you have?"

[all_the_worlds_have]

"Let me see, what might a dragon want... Universal translator? Perfect episodic memory? Carry as much as you want anywhere? Incense that helps you concentrate? A small indestructible box only you can open? I do have an example catalog somewhere around here..." She shuffles the stacks of papers on her desk.

[endragoned]

"Tell her about Ka," the Endarkened suggests.

[all_the_worlds_have]

"Ka is one of our currencies: it is essentially magically transferable lifespan. One Ka can been redeemed for five years of life - or, if you have extra lifespan you're not using, you can mint five years of extra lifespan for one Ka."

[pythbox]

The dragon utters a surprised hiss.

[endragoned]

"Yes," says the Endarkened, "I thought that might interest you."

[all_the_worlds_have]

"This is one of those worlds with both mortals and immortals, isn't it?"

[pythbox]

"In a way, yes," says the dragon. "Dragons are immortal unless we Bond and lose our Bonded. What happens if someone whose lifespan is potentially infinite tries to mint Ka?"