Kosal followed Bosie along silently as they approached her townhouse, quietly ‘appraising’ his surroundings. For one who was technically homeless, his judgment was not curved out of superciliousness, but purely to appease an evaluator’s curiosity.
As Bosie replied to his pillaging remark with a grin and an aimed finger, he actually stopped suddenly as if he were placed under gun-point, but relaxed and laughed it off as she grinned.
Kosal entered her home as she signaled him in with a “Thank you”, continuing to allow his eyes to wonder over the setting, from the electric light fittings to the condition of the floor. Kosal entered the room to the right of the kitchen as instructed, taking a moment to allow his eyes to adjust to the darker tone of the parlour.
Kosal began studying the human-sized furniture, not taking a seat himself but continuing to gaze around the room from his standing position, admiring the matching cabinets and the peculiar array of clocks which would betray the home’s occupants as gnome-lineage to any outsider.
Kosal thought to himself how he would never understand the deep-seated fascination gnomes had for such mechanisms, but he was more than happy to sell them on to the little folk if he ever found himself in possession of such stolen artefacts.
As he heard the voice from the middle of the room, Kosal turned suddenly to the origin of the sound. For someone who usually had a well placed eye for things, this particular curiosity had escaped his observation. Kosal’s attention was drawn to the woman curled up on the couch, her dark, petite figure reminded Kosal of a cat curled up at its resting place.
“Hello…” There was a gradual octave climb as Kosal spoke the word, placing significant emphasis on the final letter ‘o’. He took a moment to study her, examining her physique, admiring her petite form as she evidently tugged down the collar of her blouse, which was betrayed by the rising of his eyebrows and locked-on eyes. His interest for the objects of the room had been replaced.
“I’m Kosal, Kosal Vithu, very nice to meet you.” He stepped towards her reflexively, presenting his hand as an offering in the form of a polite shake if it was taken.
“And who might you be? I hope I haven’t intruded, Buoyansie was kind enough to offer her hospitality.”
The Arrangement
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Bosie Vaporgate
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:03 am
- Name: Buoyansie Vaporgate
- Race: gnome
Re: The Arrangement
The half-gnome girl completed the image of cattishness as she stretched out along the length of the couch: first, an uncurling of her legs beneath her skirt, then an arch of her back and a reach of her balled hands, finally to extend her fingers, unfurling one knuckle at a time.
Her full length appeared to be on the rather low end of what was normal for human women. Her skirt rode up on her legs, and even in the poor lighting the pale, ashy tinge to her brown skin was visible. Sitting in a well-appointed living room, clothed in a respectable--if a bit loose--blouse and finely woven skirt, the woman still managed to give off an air of ill repute.
"Gosh, you're polite, huh?" she said with an unsavory grin and a yawn. Her elocution bore Bosie's clear influence, but was somehow grittier.
"I'm Myrna." She spoke the name like a chore. "So what'd Moms bring you over here for?"
A clattering could be heard from the kitchen, as Bosie was evidently working with some pots and pans. She chirped something not entirely audible to Rigley, and was evidently trying to cheer him up.
"You another doc? For my brother? Gol, he is such a weevil." Myrna talked rather like a teenager, had the looks of a woman not much older than Kosal, and was in fact well over twice his age.
She folded her arms over her chest, apparently trying to cantilever what little she was blessed with in that area. "Wanna see my tattoo?"
Her full length appeared to be on the rather low end of what was normal for human women. Her skirt rode up on her legs, and even in the poor lighting the pale, ashy tinge to her brown skin was visible. Sitting in a well-appointed living room, clothed in a respectable--if a bit loose--blouse and finely woven skirt, the woman still managed to give off an air of ill repute.
"Gosh, you're polite, huh?" she said with an unsavory grin and a yawn. Her elocution bore Bosie's clear influence, but was somehow grittier.
"I'm Myrna." She spoke the name like a chore. "So what'd Moms bring you over here for?"
A clattering could be heard from the kitchen, as Bosie was evidently working with some pots and pans. She chirped something not entirely audible to Rigley, and was evidently trying to cheer him up.
"You another doc? For my brother? Gol, he is such a weevil." Myrna talked rather like a teenager, had the looks of a woman not much older than Kosal, and was in fact well over twice his age.
She folded her arms over her chest, apparently trying to cantilever what little she was blessed with in that area. "Wanna see my tattoo?"
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal’s face contorted vaguely at the word “Moms”, although the woman was – Kosal could now see – noticeably shorter than the average human, she was still taller than Bosie. Her features did not appear altogether wholly gnomish. Kosal realised the implication here was that this was another half-gnome child of Bosie’s, although this female’s complexion was darker than Rigley’s.
As humans went, Kosal was far less xenophobic than average. He had a greater tolerance for other races, especially those more humanoid in appearance such as elves and gnomes. He generally considered all beings as utensils to be used, one way or another, and any slight reserve he may have had was greatly offset by his primal male impulses.
“You don’t like your name? - ‘Myrna’...” Kosal reiterated, judging by the tone of her voice, listening to the way the word sounded before he went on to answer her. “A Doctor? Ha!” Kosal let out a shrewd chuckle at his inside-joke. “Yes I’ve been called that before… and I have been known to prescribe drugs.” Kosal grinned waywardly.
“I did have something for your brother but there was a bit of a change of plan, hopefully I’ll be able to get my hands on some more soon. In the meantime your mother’s offered to help me with a bit of work. She’s quite charitable isn’t she? - Doesn’t ask much.” Kosal was evidently fishing for information.
Myrna’s youthful verbal-mannerism, served to further Kosal’s interest. He smiled as she talked nonchalantly about her brother, in the way of a man who was addressing a teenage woman. Kosal of course was completely oblivious to her actual age.
At the mention of her tattoo Kosal arched a single eyebrow and continued to grin, wondering for a moment if he was entering dangerous territory. “Where is it?” He asked with an air of caution before changing his mind. “…Yeah let’s have a look then.”
As humans went, Kosal was far less xenophobic than average. He had a greater tolerance for other races, especially those more humanoid in appearance such as elves and gnomes. He generally considered all beings as utensils to be used, one way or another, and any slight reserve he may have had was greatly offset by his primal male impulses.
“You don’t like your name? - ‘Myrna’...” Kosal reiterated, judging by the tone of her voice, listening to the way the word sounded before he went on to answer her. “A Doctor? Ha!” Kosal let out a shrewd chuckle at his inside-joke. “Yes I’ve been called that before… and I have been known to prescribe drugs.” Kosal grinned waywardly.
“I did have something for your brother but there was a bit of a change of plan, hopefully I’ll be able to get my hands on some more soon. In the meantime your mother’s offered to help me with a bit of work. She’s quite charitable isn’t she? - Doesn’t ask much.” Kosal was evidently fishing for information.
Myrna’s youthful verbal-mannerism, served to further Kosal’s interest. He smiled as she talked nonchalantly about her brother, in the way of a man who was addressing a teenage woman. Kosal of course was completely oblivious to her actual age.
At the mention of her tattoo Kosal arched a single eyebrow and continued to grin, wondering for a moment if he was entering dangerous territory. “Where is it?” He asked with an air of caution before changing his mind. “…Yeah let’s have a look then.”
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Bosie Vaporgate
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:03 am
- Name: Buoyansie Vaporgate
- Race: gnome
Re: The Arrangement
Myrna perked up in her seat and fluffed her hair with both hands. "Yeah, she's like that," she said in confirmation of Kosal's comments on her mom. He may have been searching for some sort of explanation of Bosie's ways, or else a comment on the terms and limitations of her charity, but none was forthcoming. Myrna seemed more interested in displaying her own particularly charitable spirit.
The woman rose up onto her knees, on the couch, and shifted around so that her back was to Kosal. She clicked her tongue to herself as she tugged on the drawstring at her skirt's waist. With the string loosened, she shimmied her hips and looked back over her shoulder at him expectantly. He was still smiling.
"Look here," said Myrna as she hooked her thumbs into the waist of her skirt and pulled it down a few inches. She managed to reveal a bit of her backside, which was a bit paler than her face, and also the faintest upper edge of what might be a tattoo.
Suddenly, Bosie was behind Kosal--she apparently did have it in her to be quiet some of the time. "Hey!" She rapped him on the back of his knees with a wooden spoon as long as her arm. "What're you looking at, she can't be pawned!" She marched around to the couch, to stand between the two of them, and it was apparent by her grin that she was absorbing the situation in good humor.
Myrna sighed dramatically and made a halfhearted effort to readjust her skirt, with her back still to Kosal and Bosie. Naturally, mother took over, and helped her to fix her skirt up a bit higher than before, but not before peeking down at the mystery tattoo buried under there.
"It is really cute," Bosie conceded to Kosal with a nod. She proved herself once more to be an extremely indulgent mother. She swatted Myrna lightly on the backside, right in the spot where the tattoo should be, and the girl turned back around and sat down with some semblance of obedience.
Bosie sat down on the couch, too. Her legs poked out just beyond the edge of the seat. "Welp," she said with a wave of her hand to indicate the contents of the room. "I can loan you out a bunch of the stuff from this room, 'course. Doo-dads. . . knicketty-knacks. . . I mean, you're the one who knows good stuff when you see it, right?"
Myrna, for her part, stared out at Kosal, and the room in general, with an exaggerated pout on her dark lips.
The woman rose up onto her knees, on the couch, and shifted around so that her back was to Kosal. She clicked her tongue to herself as she tugged on the drawstring at her skirt's waist. With the string loosened, she shimmied her hips and looked back over her shoulder at him expectantly. He was still smiling.
"Look here," said Myrna as she hooked her thumbs into the waist of her skirt and pulled it down a few inches. She managed to reveal a bit of her backside, which was a bit paler than her face, and also the faintest upper edge of what might be a tattoo.
Suddenly, Bosie was behind Kosal--she apparently did have it in her to be quiet some of the time. "Hey!" She rapped him on the back of his knees with a wooden spoon as long as her arm. "What're you looking at, she can't be pawned!" She marched around to the couch, to stand between the two of them, and it was apparent by her grin that she was absorbing the situation in good humor.
Myrna sighed dramatically and made a halfhearted effort to readjust her skirt, with her back still to Kosal and Bosie. Naturally, mother took over, and helped her to fix her skirt up a bit higher than before, but not before peeking down at the mystery tattoo buried under there.
"It is really cute," Bosie conceded to Kosal with a nod. She proved herself once more to be an extremely indulgent mother. She swatted Myrna lightly on the backside, right in the spot where the tattoo should be, and the girl turned back around and sat down with some semblance of obedience.
Bosie sat down on the couch, too. Her legs poked out just beyond the edge of the seat. "Welp," she said with a wave of her hand to indicate the contents of the room. "I can loan you out a bunch of the stuff from this room, 'course. Doo-dads. . . knicketty-knacks. . . I mean, you're the one who knows good stuff when you see it, right?"
Myrna, for her part, stared out at Kosal, and the room in general, with an exaggerated pout on her dark lips.
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal watched in delight as Myrna began to pull her skirt down just enough to provide a teasing taste of what may very well have been a tattoo as well as a slight peek at the beginnings of her backside. Kosal remembered how long it had been since his last visit to the brothel – it had been far longer than was usual for him – long enough that his libido (which was rarely sated to begin with) was thriving. Kosal showed no inclination to conceal this fact either in his facial expressions.
“Very nice!”
Kosal started at the unexpected rap on the back of his knees, the look on his startled face resembled that of a child caught with his hand in a cookie-jar. He began laughing it off as he saw Bosie smiling at the situation also; clearly she was no stranger to her daughter’s nature.
Kosal wondered for a moment on the prospect of pawning Bosie’s daughter as she had stated in jest- speculating on the potential. However Kosal was not in the line of pimping, and reflected on the fact that taking it up as a career choice would likely not be a positive assistance in perusing a legitimate reputation. Despite it’s legality in Marn – pimping always had underlying connotations.
It had only been a fleeting thought of amusement for Kosal in any case.
Once Bosie had finished talking, Kosal began pacing the length of the room again, his eyes darting from the variously arrayed ‘doo-dads’ and ‘knicketty-knacks’. His earlier question about raiding Bosie’s home had apparently been answered. He picked up a candle holder on the fire-place mantle and eyed it curiously before speaking.
“So with this loan, what kind of interest are you looking at?” Kosal picked up a matching holder and began weighing the both of them in his hands like a pair of scales before placing them both on the seat closest to him.
“I mean – naturally, with any turn-over I make on these borrowed possessions, you will want a return, am I right?” Kosal did not look at Bosie as he spoke but continued to sift through various objects in the room. His attention was focused at that point on a glass goblet, which he fiddled with carefully in his fingers, bringing a scrutinizing eye closer to the glass, supposedly scanning it for any defect. He let out a short confirming “Hm” sound before placing it next to the candle-holders on the chair.
Kosal next began scanning the shelf of a book-case, extracting a book and flicking through the pages quickly. He opened the book at the end and ran an appraising finger along the inside of the back-cover before sighing disappointedly and placing it back in the empty alcove on the book-shelf.
“… Some sort of compensation for lending me your belongings?” Kosal was continuing on from his previous line of questioning whilst he carried out his discerning evaluation of the objects in the room. He went on in this way, slowly amassing himself a pile of stock until he had accumulated a variety of plant vases, decorative crockery, picture frames, ornaments, candle stick holders, clocks, a couple of wall paintings, and a silver tinderbox.
“It’s a modest collection. I don’t think I’ll be rolling in wealth from the profit I get out of this lot to start off with, but like you said before- it only needs to appear as if the business is doing well. I think I can make –”
Kosal’s focus was suddenly drawn to a mechanical-looking device in the corner of the room and his eyes broadened with excitement. Kosal did not know exactly what the musical device was, however he could see that the gadget ebbed with financial value. He raised his hand and pointed.
“Now that… that I could get a hansom return from.”
“Very nice!”
Kosal started at the unexpected rap on the back of his knees, the look on his startled face resembled that of a child caught with his hand in a cookie-jar. He began laughing it off as he saw Bosie smiling at the situation also; clearly she was no stranger to her daughter’s nature.
Kosal wondered for a moment on the prospect of pawning Bosie’s daughter as she had stated in jest- speculating on the potential. However Kosal was not in the line of pimping, and reflected on the fact that taking it up as a career choice would likely not be a positive assistance in perusing a legitimate reputation. Despite it’s legality in Marn – pimping always had underlying connotations.
It had only been a fleeting thought of amusement for Kosal in any case.
Once Bosie had finished talking, Kosal began pacing the length of the room again, his eyes darting from the variously arrayed ‘doo-dads’ and ‘knicketty-knacks’. His earlier question about raiding Bosie’s home had apparently been answered. He picked up a candle holder on the fire-place mantle and eyed it curiously before speaking.
“So with this loan, what kind of interest are you looking at?” Kosal picked up a matching holder and began weighing the both of them in his hands like a pair of scales before placing them both on the seat closest to him.
“I mean – naturally, with any turn-over I make on these borrowed possessions, you will want a return, am I right?” Kosal did not look at Bosie as he spoke but continued to sift through various objects in the room. His attention was focused at that point on a glass goblet, which he fiddled with carefully in his fingers, bringing a scrutinizing eye closer to the glass, supposedly scanning it for any defect. He let out a short confirming “Hm” sound before placing it next to the candle-holders on the chair.
Kosal next began scanning the shelf of a book-case, extracting a book and flicking through the pages quickly. He opened the book at the end and ran an appraising finger along the inside of the back-cover before sighing disappointedly and placing it back in the empty alcove on the book-shelf.
“… Some sort of compensation for lending me your belongings?” Kosal was continuing on from his previous line of questioning whilst he carried out his discerning evaluation of the objects in the room. He went on in this way, slowly amassing himself a pile of stock until he had accumulated a variety of plant vases, decorative crockery, picture frames, ornaments, candle stick holders, clocks, a couple of wall paintings, and a silver tinderbox.
“It’s a modest collection. I don’t think I’ll be rolling in wealth from the profit I get out of this lot to start off with, but like you said before- it only needs to appear as if the business is doing well. I think I can make –”
Kosal’s focus was suddenly drawn to a mechanical-looking device in the corner of the room and his eyes broadened with excitement. Kosal did not know exactly what the musical device was, however he could see that the gadget ebbed with financial value. He raised his hand and pointed.
“Now that… that I could get a hansom return from.”
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Bosie Vaporgate
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:03 am
- Name: Buoyansie Vaporgate
- Race: gnome
Re: The Arrangement
Bosie drummed her fingers on her knees and bore an expression that looked as if she was sucking on a lozenge as she watched Kosal's pile of trinkets grow. Myrna stared at her fingernails, her jaw slack, her tongue poking at a canine tooth that had grown in crooked.
Bosie was about to open her mouth to say something about the mass of domestic treasures, when he turned his attention on her family drumbox. "Oh," she said with a dramatically falling tone, a sigh that hardly masked the pride she had in this particular possession. "Well, if you actually knew what that was, you'd have to wait in line to make a bid--and be rejected--for it. If you put that on display in your store, the first person to see it would surely recognize it. It's one-of-a-kind."
With this, she hopped off her seat and made her way to where he had set down his selected items. "Mm-hmm, see, also this painting of the Eastern villa won't do, because people will recognize it." She rubbed her chin with the end of her fist and prodded the items with the other hand.
"You understand, of course, these are mostly to be merely for ambiance! Like you have said, you are borrowing these. For appearances. Anybody asks about buying, you say, 'oh, the loan isn't defaulted yet.' Or whatever." Bosie picked up the tinderbox and turned it over in her hands. "Okay, I guess you can sell this." She picked out a set of candlestick holders as well--"And these. And I want one hundred percent of the profit on anything of mine that you do sell."
She stood back from the items and folded her arms over her chest. "No interest. Just if you sell my stuff--" she pointed to the separated items--"you give me the money. Simple. Everything else is on loan, so that it looks like you've got your pawn operation all set up."
Myrna had gotten up from her seat and meandered over to the drumbox, the crank of which she flicked at with her toe. It produced a tired click-click-click in response.
Bosie was about to open her mouth to say something about the mass of domestic treasures, when he turned his attention on her family drumbox. "Oh," she said with a dramatically falling tone, a sigh that hardly masked the pride she had in this particular possession. "Well, if you actually knew what that was, you'd have to wait in line to make a bid--and be rejected--for it. If you put that on display in your store, the first person to see it would surely recognize it. It's one-of-a-kind."
With this, she hopped off her seat and made her way to where he had set down his selected items. "Mm-hmm, see, also this painting of the Eastern villa won't do, because people will recognize it." She rubbed her chin with the end of her fist and prodded the items with the other hand.
"You understand, of course, these are mostly to be merely for ambiance! Like you have said, you are borrowing these. For appearances. Anybody asks about buying, you say, 'oh, the loan isn't defaulted yet.' Or whatever." Bosie picked up the tinderbox and turned it over in her hands. "Okay, I guess you can sell this." She picked out a set of candlestick holders as well--"And these. And I want one hundred percent of the profit on anything of mine that you do sell."
She stood back from the items and folded her arms over her chest. "No interest. Just if you sell my stuff--" she pointed to the separated items--"you give me the money. Simple. Everything else is on loan, so that it looks like you've got your pawn operation all set up."
Myrna had gotten up from her seat and meandered over to the drumbox, the crank of which she flicked at with her toe. It produced a tired click-click-click in response.
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal showed no sign of disappointment as Bosie rejected the notion of him taking the drumbox and the painting; however his curiosity had not quite been satisfied.
“One hundred percent?” The question was posed in a light manner. “Well there’s a share percentage I never thought I’d agree to. I was thinking more along the lines of sixty / forty… in your favour of course. After all I would be providing the service of the sale. One hundred percent.” Kosal reiterated lightheartedly.
“Well I guess they are only on loan. I could make a profit for you – you know… if you wanted.” Kosal continued on in assumption. “Ok then, we’ll leave it at that for now. These are just for show. ‘Not. For. Sale.’” Kosal made an imaginary sign out using his hands while he emphasised the final three words as he spoke.
“We’re going to have to find a convenient method of transport for the goods and I suppose the next step would be to address the problem of location.” Kosal appeared more at ease than he had done for a little while. He watched Myrna flick at the drumbox before it struggled to produce a ‘clicking’ sound.
“Does it work, or is it just an antique now? Doesn’t sound like it’s in the best condition.”
“One hundred percent?” The question was posed in a light manner. “Well there’s a share percentage I never thought I’d agree to. I was thinking more along the lines of sixty / forty… in your favour of course. After all I would be providing the service of the sale. One hundred percent.” Kosal reiterated lightheartedly.
“Well I guess they are only on loan. I could make a profit for you – you know… if you wanted.” Kosal continued on in assumption. “Ok then, we’ll leave it at that for now. These are just for show. ‘Not. For. Sale.’” Kosal made an imaginary sign out using his hands while he emphasised the final three words as he spoke.
“We’re going to have to find a convenient method of transport for the goods and I suppose the next step would be to address the problem of location.” Kosal appeared more at ease than he had done for a little while. He watched Myrna flick at the drumbox before it struggled to produce a ‘clicking’ sound.
“Does it work, or is it just an antique now? Doesn’t sound like it’s in the best condition.”
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Bosie Vaporgate
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:03 am
- Name: Buoyansie Vaporgate
- Race: gnome
Re: The Arrangement
Bosie nodded in an exaggerated manner as Kosal pointed out the one-sidedness of the one-hundred percent figure she'd proposed. She looked as if she was agreeing with him, as if she were an outsider, removed from the situation at hand. Perhaps that was the point she was making: she was unaffected, whatever the outcome. That, after all, was one of Bosie's wilier traits.
She was not, however, entirely imperturbable. Fully one-half of her greatest weakness was in that very room, and Bosie kept one eye on the doorway to the foyer, to watch for the other half.
Myrna kicked the crank to the drumbox again, this time a little more carefully. This time, the series of clicks it produced were a bit bolder, but still uninspired. The trained eye would note that the dials and switches were at their neutral settings, which would be the reason for the plainness of the output.
Bosie pulled herself out of her distraction with the doorway just long enough to look over at the drumbox. "It's gnomish," she said in response to Kosal's critical inquiry, her tone about as airy as her shrill voice could manage. To her, that was adequate defense as to the enduring sturdiness of the instrument.
Then, she hopped off the couch and walked with purpose out into the foyer, to catch up to Rigley who was skulking out of the kitchen with a small glass bottle. "'Scuse me again!" she called back to Kosal as she went off after her son. These children of hers seemed as determined as young children to steal attention by any means necessary. The boy was probably trying to get caught.
Myrna turned around and sat down on the trunk-sized box. She sat with her knees apart in an unladylike fashion, her long skirt hanging between them. With her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands, she pouted up at Kosal. She had pushed her hair back behind her ears and looked even younger than usual. "Say, you got any Night-Cap?"
She was not, however, entirely imperturbable. Fully one-half of her greatest weakness was in that very room, and Bosie kept one eye on the doorway to the foyer, to watch for the other half.
Myrna kicked the crank to the drumbox again, this time a little more carefully. This time, the series of clicks it produced were a bit bolder, but still uninspired. The trained eye would note that the dials and switches were at their neutral settings, which would be the reason for the plainness of the output.
Bosie pulled herself out of her distraction with the doorway just long enough to look over at the drumbox. "It's gnomish," she said in response to Kosal's critical inquiry, her tone about as airy as her shrill voice could manage. To her, that was adequate defense as to the enduring sturdiness of the instrument.
Then, she hopped off the couch and walked with purpose out into the foyer, to catch up to Rigley who was skulking out of the kitchen with a small glass bottle. "'Scuse me again!" she called back to Kosal as she went off after her son. These children of hers seemed as determined as young children to steal attention by any means necessary. The boy was probably trying to get caught.
Myrna turned around and sat down on the trunk-sized box. She sat with her knees apart in an unladylike fashion, her long skirt hanging between them. With her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands, she pouted up at Kosal. She had pushed her hair back behind her ears and looked even younger than usual. "Say, you got any Night-Cap?"
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal watched Myrna adjust the crank of the drumbox, enabling it to produce a bolder sound. He continued to study the object silently as Bosie gave her reply. The device being gnomish meant little to Kosal’s view towards its durability. He did however appreciate the fact that gnome-hands implemented the mechanics during the device’s craft and that added towards its value. Humans did not tend to possess the same proficiency as gnomes for such intricate design.
Kosal did not notice Rigley slip past; he gave a murmured acknowledgment to Bosie as she excused herself, his attention still focused on the drumbox contraption. His concentration was then unavoidably drawn back to Myrna as she sat down, pushing her hair back. Kosal gave a side-long glance into her youthful face as she pouted up at him.
“Would you like some Night-Cap?… I don’t have any on me right now but I could definitely get some for you. It’s not cheap though…” Kosal’s eyes darted up and down Myrna.
“… But it is worth it.” He winked. Kosal gave a quick look back over his shoulder as if he was expecting to see Bosie re-emerge already, he had obviously learned from her previous stealthy materialization behind him.
Confident she was out of ear-shot, Kosal grinned back at Myrna, trying to use his own youthful features to his full advantage. His olive complexion, dark toned eyes and hair had helped provide an exotic charm to his demeanor in the past. He lowered the tone of his voice to a husky whisper.
“But maybe you shouldn’t let your mother know just yet. It can be our little secret.”
Kosal did not notice Rigley slip past; he gave a murmured acknowledgment to Bosie as she excused herself, his attention still focused on the drumbox contraption. His concentration was then unavoidably drawn back to Myrna as she sat down, pushing her hair back. Kosal gave a side-long glance into her youthful face as she pouted up at him.
“Would you like some Night-Cap?… I don’t have any on me right now but I could definitely get some for you. It’s not cheap though…” Kosal’s eyes darted up and down Myrna.
“… But it is worth it.” He winked. Kosal gave a quick look back over his shoulder as if he was expecting to see Bosie re-emerge already, he had obviously learned from her previous stealthy materialization behind him.
Confident she was out of ear-shot, Kosal grinned back at Myrna, trying to use his own youthful features to his full advantage. His olive complexion, dark toned eyes and hair had helped provide an exotic charm to his demeanor in the past. He lowered the tone of his voice to a husky whisper.
“But maybe you shouldn’t let your mother know just yet. It can be our little secret.”
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Bosie Vaporgate
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:03 am
- Name: Buoyansie Vaporgate
- Race: gnome
Re: The Arrangement
Between her mixed geographical ethnicities and her muddled species identity, Myrna was more than a bit of an exotic herself. Her own father was out of her life before she was born. Wherever he had gone, she had probably outlived him by a few decades already. The term "daddy issues" wouldn't be misplaced on the half-gnome. Any charms Kosal hoped to exercise over her would be interpreted in the same context she placed just about every male in her life--someone she was compelled to take advantage of.
She stared up at him with hollow eyes. Considering the economic position their family enjoyed, the children really managed to maintain a malnourished sort of urchin-like appearance. Myrna dragged her index finger through the hair at her crown and continued to stare for several moments, as if she didn't fully understand what he was saying. She was the image of a bohemian: dark, mooning, flighty, strung-out; the only aspect she was really lacking was the intellect. If any wheels appeared to be turning behind those eyes, it was only in wondering what method would be most effective in manipulating this man.
"C'meer," she whined, waving her hand urgently for him to draw closer. "Look, Moms always knows like everything." She rolled her eyes as she lamented her situation. "Especially what I spend money on."
Upstairs, Bosie's strident voice could be heard crowing over something as Rigley's footsteps dragged around. She sounded happy. These adult children were probably reminded on a daily basis what special and unique snowflakes they were. For as sharp as the gnome was, she really seemed to have a screw loose when it came to Rigley and Myrna.
After a pause in which Bosie's voice echoed through the house, Myrna spoke again. "Maybe, like, you can borrow this--" she rapped on the drumbox with her knuckles-- "because it's super expensive. And I come check up on it, and then we do some Night-Cap, right?"
She glanced around the room, tapping her fingers on the side of the box. "I'm, like, really good at dancing," she added. Maybe that would sway him.
She stared up at him with hollow eyes. Considering the economic position their family enjoyed, the children really managed to maintain a malnourished sort of urchin-like appearance. Myrna dragged her index finger through the hair at her crown and continued to stare for several moments, as if she didn't fully understand what he was saying. She was the image of a bohemian: dark, mooning, flighty, strung-out; the only aspect she was really lacking was the intellect. If any wheels appeared to be turning behind those eyes, it was only in wondering what method would be most effective in manipulating this man.
"C'meer," she whined, waving her hand urgently for him to draw closer. "Look, Moms always knows like everything." She rolled her eyes as she lamented her situation. "Especially what I spend money on."
Upstairs, Bosie's strident voice could be heard crowing over something as Rigley's footsteps dragged around. She sounded happy. These adult children were probably reminded on a daily basis what special and unique snowflakes they were. For as sharp as the gnome was, she really seemed to have a screw loose when it came to Rigley and Myrna.
After a pause in which Bosie's voice echoed through the house, Myrna spoke again. "Maybe, like, you can borrow this--" she rapped on the drumbox with her knuckles-- "because it's super expensive. And I come check up on it, and then we do some Night-Cap, right?"
She glanced around the room, tapping her fingers on the side of the box. "I'm, like, really good at dancing," she added. Maybe that would sway him.
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal could feel the blood rushing to his head again; he was a fairly typical male where his impulses were concerned and concepts such as gallantry and honour did not register on his dubious moral-compass. He too was a man who considered people as utensils, and his own cogs were turning – despite his urges – to consider how he could use this deal to his advantage.
“Well now, it sounds like we can come to a mutual agreement here. Do you think you can convince your mother to let me borrow that music box?” He pointed at the drumbox, aiming – quite coincidently – at a spot which just so happened to be between Myrna’s legs.
“If you drop by in a couple of days, I’ll have some Night-Cap ready and we’ll have a little party- music… dancing… you got it!” Kosal grinned impishly.
“But you gotta give me a couple of days, okay?” It pained him to wait, but it was purely for logistical reasons. Kosal needed a new supply and there was this pawn-broking business to attend to- that would inevitably take some time. But he hoped to at least have a venue sorted by then.
Kosal was becoming enthused. This girl could be dangerous. Not the sort of professional hired killer dangerous nor the violent vengeful crime boss dangerous- both of which Kosal had had quite enough of. Myrna could be the exciting kind of dangerous. Kosal did have to remind himself however, that the girl's mother was a government employee, and however relaxed she had been towards the general situation up till now, Kosal could not help but reflect upon the ephemeral line he could inadvertantly cross should any danger befall the little princess.
“Well now, it sounds like we can come to a mutual agreement here. Do you think you can convince your mother to let me borrow that music box?” He pointed at the drumbox, aiming – quite coincidently – at a spot which just so happened to be between Myrna’s legs.
“If you drop by in a couple of days, I’ll have some Night-Cap ready and we’ll have a little party- music… dancing… you got it!” Kosal grinned impishly.
“But you gotta give me a couple of days, okay?” It pained him to wait, but it was purely for logistical reasons. Kosal needed a new supply and there was this pawn-broking business to attend to- that would inevitably take some time. But he hoped to at least have a venue sorted by then.
Kosal was becoming enthused. This girl could be dangerous. Not the sort of professional hired killer dangerous nor the violent vengeful crime boss dangerous- both of which Kosal had had quite enough of. Myrna could be the exciting kind of dangerous. Kosal did have to remind himself however, that the girl's mother was a government employee, and however relaxed she had been towards the general situation up till now, Kosal could not help but reflect upon the ephemeral line he could inadvertantly cross should any danger befall the little princess.
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Bosie Vaporgate
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:03 am
- Name: Buoyansie Vaporgate
- Race: gnome
Re: The Arrangement
Myrna's already dusky expression darkened when he suggested a few days' wait. She hunched her shoulders and hunkered down a bit over the box. "Tomorrow," she insisted, almost reluctantly. The curtains were drawn, but the late hour was still obvious by the blackness that crept through the gaps, and any doubt would be cleared up by the clocks all around--one could hardly spit without hitting a clock. If it weren't so late already, she'd probably have tried to argue for an even quicker arrangement.
When she heard steps starting down the stairs, she leaned over and scratched a scab on her ankle. The collar of her loose blouse fell forward to give a view of the flat gully that was her breastbone. "Invite some friends!" she added in a near whisper.
Presently, Buoyansie lit on the landing at the bottom of the stairs and trotted back into the parlor. She clapped her hands once and grinned at Kosal. "Alright kids, we all set then? Go ahead and leave the address where you'll be taking my things, will you?" She gestured to a roll-top desk near the doorway that was set up with a single inkwell and pen, and a stack of paper scraps.
Bosie put her hands on her hips and looked at her daughter across the room. Myrna rolled her eyes and poked the inside of her cheek with her tongue. "Oh, and I just thought of something!" Bosie added, though she sounded as if this idea was more than a little rehearsed. "No drug sales to gnomes! Mkay!"
Myrna sighed and toyed with the box beneath her, turning the crank the wrong way for a few revolutions.
When she heard steps starting down the stairs, she leaned over and scratched a scab on her ankle. The collar of her loose blouse fell forward to give a view of the flat gully that was her breastbone. "Invite some friends!" she added in a near whisper.
Presently, Buoyansie lit on the landing at the bottom of the stairs and trotted back into the parlor. She clapped her hands once and grinned at Kosal. "Alright kids, we all set then? Go ahead and leave the address where you'll be taking my things, will you?" She gestured to a roll-top desk near the doorway that was set up with a single inkwell and pen, and a stack of paper scraps.
Bosie put her hands on her hips and looked at her daughter across the room. Myrna rolled her eyes and poked the inside of her cheek with her tongue. "Oh, and I just thought of something!" Bosie added, though she sounded as if this idea was more than a little rehearsed. "No drug sales to gnomes! Mkay!"
Myrna sighed and toyed with the box beneath her, turning the crank the wrong way for a few revolutions.
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal could feel a mild twinge of irritation. ‘Tomorrow’; that meant he had a long night ahead of him, and he did not like it when deadlines were thrust upon him. He could hear the underlying stubbornness to Myrna’s tone and was about to protest when he heard the patter of gnome footsteps making their way towards the room. Kosal bit his tongue and sucked it up.
As she whispered her final suggestion, the corners of Kosal’s lips twitched ever-so-slightly skyward. He was well ahead of her in that line of thought. Still, it would at least make things easier to know that she was happy to have an audience.
Kosal knew there was little more he could do as Bosie approached; he was left with the deal currently on his plate. He smiled back at Bosie as she trotted in.
“I think everything’s set yes.” Kosal shot a quick glance at Myrna, hoping to catch her eye, and then he diverted his gaze towards the drumbox quickly. Kosal moved over to the desk with the pen and parchment and began scribbling down the address he had in mind. He made no comment towards Bosie’s little afterthought but spoke as he continued to write down the address.
“That instrument really is something special- you were right before. If I set it up in the window of my business, it would add a great deal of credibility to the whole set-up, even if it was only for a few days.” Kosal finished his scribbling and turned back around to look at Bosie.
“I would take a great deal of care with it. If anyone can appreciate how valuable it is, it would be me.”
As she whispered her final suggestion, the corners of Kosal’s lips twitched ever-so-slightly skyward. He was well ahead of her in that line of thought. Still, it would at least make things easier to know that she was happy to have an audience.
Kosal knew there was little more he could do as Bosie approached; he was left with the deal currently on his plate. He smiled back at Bosie as she trotted in.
“I think everything’s set yes.” Kosal shot a quick glance at Myrna, hoping to catch her eye, and then he diverted his gaze towards the drumbox quickly. Kosal moved over to the desk with the pen and parchment and began scribbling down the address he had in mind. He made no comment towards Bosie’s little afterthought but spoke as he continued to write down the address.
“That instrument really is something special- you were right before. If I set it up in the window of my business, it would add a great deal of credibility to the whole set-up, even if it was only for a few days.” Kosal finished his scribbling and turned back around to look at Bosie.
“I would take a great deal of care with it. If anyone can appreciate how valuable it is, it would be me.”
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Bosie Vaporgate
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:03 am
- Name: Buoyansie Vaporgate
- Race: gnome
Re: The Arrangement
Bosie's beady eyes widened when he brought up the drumbox again. She adjusted her bodice, wrinkled her nose. They had just earlier escaped a direct assassination attempt on him, and he wanted her priceless artifact of gnomish innovation to display in his window. Perhaps to draw the attention of more unsavories before Kosal drummed up a sufficiently ominous reputation, perhaps to sheath a poorly-aimed arrow. That wasn't what the drumbox was for. Bosie scowled, but it looked rather like a grin.
Her eyes shifted over to see that he had written down his address, as asked. As if in compensation for her height, she always seemed to keep her gaze hovering just a few inches above what she was really looking at.
"I can't let you have that. It's a rental piece, see. I'm not making income off those things." She gestured towards the motley pile of "knicketty-knacks" he'd scraped together. "And furthermore, everyone knows it's a rental piece, so if it showed up in the window of your store, then there goes your claim to legitimacy!"
Myrna scratched her bitten nails along the wood of the box. Bosie glanced over and gave the girl a sympathetic pout. "What's up, claret cup?
"Well why can't he rent it then, Moms?" she sulked.
Bosie trotted over to her daughter and patted her shoulder. "Well because he doesn't have that kind of money, honeydew! Not yet!"
Myrna gave Kosal a hard, dark-eyed look over her mother's shoulder. If you want a party, you do, the look seemed to say.
Her eyes shifted over to see that he had written down his address, as asked. As if in compensation for her height, she always seemed to keep her gaze hovering just a few inches above what she was really looking at.
"I can't let you have that. It's a rental piece, see. I'm not making income off those things." She gestured towards the motley pile of "knicketty-knacks" he'd scraped together. "And furthermore, everyone knows it's a rental piece, so if it showed up in the window of your store, then there goes your claim to legitimacy!"
Myrna scratched her bitten nails along the wood of the box. Bosie glanced over and gave the girl a sympathetic pout. "What's up, claret cup?
"Well why can't he rent it then, Moms?" she sulked.
Bosie trotted over to her daughter and patted her shoulder. "Well because he doesn't have that kind of money, honeydew! Not yet!"
Myrna gave Kosal a hard, dark-eyed look over her mother's shoulder. If you want a party, you do, the look seemed to say.
Re: The Arrangement
Catching the hard-eyed expression on Myrna’s face, Kosal quickly diverted his attention back to Bosie, he did not want to reveal any indication that the two had already conspired somewhat over his potential borrowing of the drumbox. Bosie had already indicated that she was familiar with her daughter’s habits and so any subtlety on his own part, (Kosal reasoned) could not hurt.
“Well now let’s not jump to any conclusions just yet. I mean I have other interests here and there. I may not own any realty so-to-speak, but I wouldn’t say I was completely destitute.” Kosal’s face was expressionless. He was a seasoned gambler and despite an unfortunate habit of not knowing when to quit, he had still managed to develop this useful trait.
“I don’t have the Bishani on me right now – at least not for this particular transaction – but if we can arrange some kind of delivery for the creative instrument – say… tomorrow? I’ll have the payment ready.” Kosal’s expression relaxed somewhat and his tone became a little more casual as he continued.
“How much are we talking here exactly for a rental?”
“Well now let’s not jump to any conclusions just yet. I mean I have other interests here and there. I may not own any realty so-to-speak, but I wouldn’t say I was completely destitute.” Kosal’s face was expressionless. He was a seasoned gambler and despite an unfortunate habit of not knowing when to quit, he had still managed to develop this useful trait.
“I don’t have the Bishani on me right now – at least not for this particular transaction – but if we can arrange some kind of delivery for the creative instrument – say… tomorrow? I’ll have the payment ready.” Kosal’s expression relaxed somewhat and his tone became a little more casual as he continued.
“How much are we talking here exactly for a rental?”