Bosie listened to Kosal with her chin propped up in both hands, eyebrows raising a little with each subsequent revelation. Rigley fussed with the damp spot on his trousers and threw sulky glances across the table.
Despite her raging ego, Bosie was not one to interrupt, and she let Kosal finish his explanation without jumping in with any editorial remarks. As he finished on a complimentary note, her smile widened with genuine appreciation.
"Reputation," she started, with an emphatic shake of her finger, loosed from its ballasting fist, "is not to be underestimated. Its importance, that is." She reared up on her knees again and took a few moments savoring a long sighing breath as she considered her position.
"Truth be told, I myself am not titillated by how hard you had to work to get this stuff. I just want a little pick-me-up present for my youngest." She had lowered her voice at least to a reasonable conversation level, well below her usual strident tones, for the sake of confidentiality. "But, you know, different folks have got their different priorities . . . supply and demand, all that . . . I think where we can reach a mutual understanding here is on the topic of reputation."
She sat back on her knees, eyes slowly traveling in a counterclockwise circle, as if mirroring the spinning wheels inside her head. "See what I'm saying?" she asked, after completing a little thought rotation. "What I'm thinking is, I am not interested in getting my finger in this supply-and-demand pie you all are embroiled in. That's not my line of business. I don't wanna touch your business, understand?"
She glanced over at her son and plucked at the fabric of his trousers to pull the clamminess away from his skin for a moment. He had moved his attention to drawing drippy swirls on the table with the spilled ale. "Quit it, Moms," he muttered. She didn't quit.
"Might be able to help your reputation a bit though. That I might." She finally loosed her son's trousers and began to drum her fingertips on the table. "Reputation can be a game-changer."
She tipped her head inquisitively and her eyes crinkled with the efforts of her smile. "Any questions?" she asked. She had deliberately left plenty of loose ends, most specifically what she wanted in return for her supposed assistance.
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
Kosal sat back pondering what Bosie had just proposed, wondering for a moment if she had actually openly proposed anything at all, however he believed he was beginning to glisten a little of what she was about. Reputation, he had apparently struck the right cord there.
“Of course, I understand you don’t want to touch the product, so that’s my business… I handle import, supply and demand, that’s my area of expertise, and what you can bring to this enterprise, given your reputation…” Kosal hoped he was not pushing his luck by reiterating this obsequious term.
“…Is protection within the law, and that protection could extend to help eliminate our competition.”
Kosal had deliberately included the suggestion that Bosie was already involved now.
“So here’s what I propose- a partnership; I have a business and in order for it to progress, it needs your expertise- your specialisation, and it’s only fair that you get a stake in the turn-over, am I right?”
It was reasonable for Kosal to assume that what Bosie wanted was a financial interest in the business, after all that was all he knew anyone to ever want. Money was always what motivated the people Kosal cut deals with; still, there was a little uncertainty about this one.
Bosie had apparently not been enticed by the financial possibilities involved in being the sole distributor of this lucrative drug, she did not appear impressed by the “hard work” Kosal had put in. Either Bosie did not realise this potential (Kosal doubted this), she could be playing him in an effort to undermine his position, in order to gain leverage (possible), or she was motivated by something else.
Reputation, Bosie had said it herself; Kosal saw the opportunity and jumped on it.
“And so… if we were to enter this arrangement, your standing among the community would certainly climb, as would mine. If it was seen that we were responsible for bringing down a powerful racket… well. I would control the inflow of a single substance into Marn, under the protection of the government, instigated by none other than the infamous Buoyansie Vaporgate. What a reputation that would be.”
So this was where a mutual understanding could be met.
“Of course, I understand you don’t want to touch the product, so that’s my business… I handle import, supply and demand, that’s my area of expertise, and what you can bring to this enterprise, given your reputation…” Kosal hoped he was not pushing his luck by reiterating this obsequious term.
“…Is protection within the law, and that protection could extend to help eliminate our competition.”
Kosal had deliberately included the suggestion that Bosie was already involved now.
“So here’s what I propose- a partnership; I have a business and in order for it to progress, it needs your expertise- your specialisation, and it’s only fair that you get a stake in the turn-over, am I right?”
It was reasonable for Kosal to assume that what Bosie wanted was a financial interest in the business, after all that was all he knew anyone to ever want. Money was always what motivated the people Kosal cut deals with; still, there was a little uncertainty about this one.
Bosie had apparently not been enticed by the financial possibilities involved in being the sole distributor of this lucrative drug, she did not appear impressed by the “hard work” Kosal had put in. Either Bosie did not realise this potential (Kosal doubted this), she could be playing him in an effort to undermine his position, in order to gain leverage (possible), or she was motivated by something else.
Reputation, Bosie had said it herself; Kosal saw the opportunity and jumped on it.
“And so… if we were to enter this arrangement, your standing among the community would certainly climb, as would mine. If it was seen that we were responsible for bringing down a powerful racket… well. I would control the inflow of a single substance into Marn, under the protection of the government, instigated by none other than the infamous Buoyansie Vaporgate. What a reputation that would be.”
So this was where a mutual understanding could be met.
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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 along happily to the sound of her name. She didn't, however, nod along to much else Kosal was saying.
"Look," she said, patting the table with her fingertips in time to her own speech. "I've got bigger fish to fry, as they say. Bigger . . ." She waved a hand through the air as she tried to invent another metaphor. "Bigger grapes to stomp--" She smiled at that one, apparently pleased with herself-- "Bigger beans to boil." With the last one, she glanced up at her hairline and bobbed her head along with the alliteration.
"I'm not putting you down here, Vithu, but don't you put me down either. I should make myself clearer that I'm not going into the drug business. At all."
Rigley had pulled his foot up onto the bench where they sat and was picking at the toe of his shoe when she said this. He half-raised his hand, as if to volunteer his own willingness to go into the drug business. Bosie pressed his hand down gently.
"Here's how it goes: if I draw the law's attention to your rival's racket, you're going to get caught up in it. And what am I supposed to do to protect you then, huh? Feel free not to answer that, 't's a rhetorical question.
"I will help you with your reputation. There's one thing the really successful you-know-whats--drug dealers--" She added the second part after realizing she was being unnecessarily obtuse-- "know about reputation. What's that? You gotta be so much more than a dealer. That has to be like, the least important thing about you."
She formed her hands into a a frame in the air. "'Vithu'--what was your first name again? anyway--'Vithu: That Guy You Heard So Much About!' You know? Pfft, I've forgotten you're a dealer already!"
She clasped her hands together, looking very pleased indeed with herself, though not too much more than she always did. Thus far, she hadn't mentioned what kind of compensation she was looking for.
"Look," she said, patting the table with her fingertips in time to her own speech. "I've got bigger fish to fry, as they say. Bigger . . ." She waved a hand through the air as she tried to invent another metaphor. "Bigger grapes to stomp--" She smiled at that one, apparently pleased with herself-- "Bigger beans to boil." With the last one, she glanced up at her hairline and bobbed her head along with the alliteration.
"I'm not putting you down here, Vithu, but don't you put me down either. I should make myself clearer that I'm not going into the drug business. At all."
Rigley had pulled his foot up onto the bench where they sat and was picking at the toe of his shoe when she said this. He half-raised his hand, as if to volunteer his own willingness to go into the drug business. Bosie pressed his hand down gently.
"Here's how it goes: if I draw the law's attention to your rival's racket, you're going to get caught up in it. And what am I supposed to do to protect you then, huh? Feel free not to answer that, 't's a rhetorical question.
"I will help you with your reputation. There's one thing the really successful you-know-whats--drug dealers--" She added the second part after realizing she was being unnecessarily obtuse-- "know about reputation. What's that? You gotta be so much more than a dealer. That has to be like, the least important thing about you."
She formed her hands into a a frame in the air. "'Vithu'--what was your first name again? anyway--'Vithu: That Guy You Heard So Much About!' You know? Pfft, I've forgotten you're a dealer already!"
She clasped her hands together, looking very pleased indeed with herself, though not too much more than she always did. Thus far, she hadn't mentioned what kind of compensation she was looking for.
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal sat back against his chair, folding his arms together. He relented, conceding his effort in this matter, it was clear Bosie was not going to budge.
Kosal’s gaze drifted lazily to Rigley as his arm began its ascent… Kosal highly doubted he would have proved to be as valuable an asset as Bosie could have been in any case.
“Very well Ms Vaporgate… and it’s Kosal…” He added. “I want to know how you intend to go about shaping this reputation for me. I understand the upshot, but I do want to know some details about the execution of the plan.”
Fueller made his way over to the booth, bar towel in hand; he began mopping at the table, grumbling to himself. Kosal, more out of lack-of-empathy than in arrogance, did not acknowledge the bar-tender as he approached. The man had every right to be annoyed at the drug dealer, and all Kosal could feel was sympathy for himself that his latest string of business transactions had not run as smoothly as he had liked.
Kosal waited for the bar-tender to leave before he continued.
“And what would you like in return for this service?”
Kosal’s gaze drifted lazily to Rigley as his arm began its ascent… Kosal highly doubted he would have proved to be as valuable an asset as Bosie could have been in any case.
“Very well Ms Vaporgate… and it’s Kosal…” He added. “I want to know how you intend to go about shaping this reputation for me. I understand the upshot, but I do want to know some details about the execution of the plan.”
Fueller made his way over to the booth, bar towel in hand; he began mopping at the table, grumbling to himself. Kosal, more out of lack-of-empathy than in arrogance, did not acknowledge the bar-tender as he approached. The man had every right to be annoyed at the drug dealer, and all Kosal could feel was sympathy for himself that his latest string of business transactions had not run as smoothly as he had liked.
Kosal waited for the bar-tender to leave before he continued.
“And what would you like in return for this service?”
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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 bit her lower lip and grinned at the bartender as he came by to clean up. Her lip and the skin below it appeared dry and chapped, probably as a result of this habit of expression. She too waited until the bartender left, for it seemed Kosal was on the edge of saying something else.
When he brought up payment again, she made a thoughtful face that looked rather as if she had just bitten into a philosophical lemon. Rigley beside her made a similar sort of sour face, perhaps because he knew what was coming next.
"Right now, just worry about cooperating with me," she said with a softening of her face and a reassuring wave of her hand.
"Now, the details, as you said--that's what I'm concerned with too. If you're going to have a reputation, it helps to have something to build on. Not completely necessary, but it does worlds of help. So, um, first off. . . other than this line of work, what are you good at?"
She pressed her lips into a duckish sort of pout and furrowed her brow. Combined with her small stature, the expression gave her the look of a grumpy child. "Okay, so we know you're good at hiding under tables, but that's not much of something to get people talking. Posing for mugshots. . . nah, that's more of a personal hobby sort of skill. . ."
Bosie tapped her chin with her fingers and raised her eyebrows at Kosal, prompting him to contribute something before she went on making jokes.
When he brought up payment again, she made a thoughtful face that looked rather as if she had just bitten into a philosophical lemon. Rigley beside her made a similar sort of sour face, perhaps because he knew what was coming next.
"Right now, just worry about cooperating with me," she said with a softening of her face and a reassuring wave of her hand.
"Now, the details, as you said--that's what I'm concerned with too. If you're going to have a reputation, it helps to have something to build on. Not completely necessary, but it does worlds of help. So, um, first off. . . other than this line of work, what are you good at?"
She pressed her lips into a duckish sort of pout and furrowed her brow. Combined with her small stature, the expression gave her the look of a grumpy child. "Okay, so we know you're good at hiding under tables, but that's not much of something to get people talking. Posing for mugshots. . . nah, that's more of a personal hobby sort of skill. . ."
Bosie tapped her chin with her fingers and raised her eyebrows at Kosal, prompting him to contribute something before she went on making jokes.
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal’s expression mirrored the slightly bitter appearance on Bosie’s face as she stated the current terms of this arrangement. Kosal hated these ‘one day I’ll call upon you for a favour-bollocks’ deals… he did not want to be beholden to anyone.
“Look Buoyansie… if there’s some fee or favour you want in exchange for this, I wanna’ know so I can decide if I want in or not.”
Kosal was not as comforted by her soften face or reassuring wave as perhaps it had been intended, a fleeting look at her son’s expression seemed to confirm his caution. Nevertheless he did realise the situation he was in.
As Bosie began to recount his brave heroics during their tussle with the assailant, Kosal grinned for the first time since before the fight. He was not ashamed of his behaviour and to confirm this he let out a slight chuckle.
“I can roll my tongue and cross my eyes too, will that help?” He quipped, indulging in the humour.
“It’s true… I don’t like getting my hands dirty; I’m quite comfortable allowing other people to do the dirty work for me.” He said this in a way to suggest that this was one of his strengths, not a flaw.
“Fighting, maiming… killing… it’s a messy business, it can create lots of unnecessary trouble for oneself, and I’ve almost always found I can talk myself out of those sorts of untidy situations before they arise.”
Kosal edged forward a little again, cupping his hands together whilst simultaneously laying his arms against the now dry, yet sticky table surface.
“Having said that, I have nothing against it, I know it’s sometimes necessary. As a fact I’m rather glad someone was killed here this evening, otherwise it could have been me…” Kosal put one hand to his heart. “And that’s something I’m very morally opposed to.”
“I don’t see the need to trouble my clean hands, when other people are happy to do it for me… that’s something I’ve never really had a problem with either. Of course, that isn’t to say I’m completely useless in a fight, if the need really, really calls for it then I am rather skilled with a blade…” Kosal flicked back his coat a little, bringing his hand down to lift the hilt of a fencing rapier just high enough above the table to be seen, before retracting it back quickly.
“And if the choice is my life or someone else’s… well it’s not really a choice is it? But enough on this business, my skills have always primarily been trade in illegitimate goods and knowing how to acquire them. This is where my reputation currently stands; I fence goods from criminals and have moved on within the past few years to dealing in drugs- I am very good at valuing the worth of products. I have also dabbled in the less tangible, but highly valuable trade of information. As a result of my dealings in this matter, one or two citizens in positions of influence have fallen victim to blackmail by some nasty individuals.”
Kosal let out another short laugh, this one a little more callous then the last. His tone turned a little more serious then.
“At this stage Buoyansie, this is all the information I’m willing to divulge about my business.” Kosal had weighed-up what he believed Bosie would have been able to discover on her own if she so desired.
“This is what I’m skilled at and this is what I’m capable of doing. I have always gone about my work with a level of discretion. I realise reputations require a degree of leniency towards discretion, and so you should know that the only reason I agreed to deal with you this evening is because you came with a certain level of assurance, a vouch if you will.”
Kosal inclined his head ever so slightly towards the bar-tender before returning his attention back to her.
“Look Buoyansie… if there’s some fee or favour you want in exchange for this, I wanna’ know so I can decide if I want in or not.”
Kosal was not as comforted by her soften face or reassuring wave as perhaps it had been intended, a fleeting look at her son’s expression seemed to confirm his caution. Nevertheless he did realise the situation he was in.
As Bosie began to recount his brave heroics during their tussle with the assailant, Kosal grinned for the first time since before the fight. He was not ashamed of his behaviour and to confirm this he let out a slight chuckle.
“I can roll my tongue and cross my eyes too, will that help?” He quipped, indulging in the humour.
“It’s true… I don’t like getting my hands dirty; I’m quite comfortable allowing other people to do the dirty work for me.” He said this in a way to suggest that this was one of his strengths, not a flaw.
“Fighting, maiming… killing… it’s a messy business, it can create lots of unnecessary trouble for oneself, and I’ve almost always found I can talk myself out of those sorts of untidy situations before they arise.”
Kosal edged forward a little again, cupping his hands together whilst simultaneously laying his arms against the now dry, yet sticky table surface.
“Having said that, I have nothing against it, I know it’s sometimes necessary. As a fact I’m rather glad someone was killed here this evening, otherwise it could have been me…” Kosal put one hand to his heart. “And that’s something I’m very morally opposed to.”
“I don’t see the need to trouble my clean hands, when other people are happy to do it for me… that’s something I’ve never really had a problem with either. Of course, that isn’t to say I’m completely useless in a fight, if the need really, really calls for it then I am rather skilled with a blade…” Kosal flicked back his coat a little, bringing his hand down to lift the hilt of a fencing rapier just high enough above the table to be seen, before retracting it back quickly.
“And if the choice is my life or someone else’s… well it’s not really a choice is it? But enough on this business, my skills have always primarily been trade in illegitimate goods and knowing how to acquire them. This is where my reputation currently stands; I fence goods from criminals and have moved on within the past few years to dealing in drugs- I am very good at valuing the worth of products. I have also dabbled in the less tangible, but highly valuable trade of information. As a result of my dealings in this matter, one or two citizens in positions of influence have fallen victim to blackmail by some nasty individuals.”
Kosal let out another short laugh, this one a little more callous then the last. His tone turned a little more serious then.
“At this stage Buoyansie, this is all the information I’m willing to divulge about my business.” Kosal had weighed-up what he believed Bosie would have been able to discover on her own if she so desired.
“This is what I’m skilled at and this is what I’m capable of doing. I have always gone about my work with a level of discretion. I realise reputations require a degree of leniency towards discretion, and so you should know that the only reason I agreed to deal with you this evening is because you came with a certain level of assurance, a vouch if you will.”
Kosal inclined his head ever so slightly towards the bar-tender before returning his attention back to her.
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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
As Kosal spoke, Bosie scratched at her left palm with her right index finger. The motion was somehow more extended and deliberate than a mere scratch: she was pretending to take notes. Looking past her tendency to take everything around her as a bit of a joke, though, she actually didn't seem to be mocking him. In fact, she seemed somewhat earnest about her finger-scratching. Perhaps it was useful to her.
When he came across the part about crossing his eyes, she frowned at her hand and rubbed out the imaginary letters on her palm with the pad of her thumb. She then looked up at him and remembered what he had said just before that.
"Pro bono," she said crisply behind her hand, and she continued taking "notes."
As he finished, she took a few more moments to scribble at her hand with her fingertip, grinning as she did. She leaned to the side to show her palm to her son, who perked up for a moment before he realized he was looking at nothing, then slumped back into his seat with his arms folded.
"Sooo," she began as she squinted at her palm, where there was clearly nothing to decipher but creases and wrinkles, "I'm getting. . . antiques? I mean, you're a kind of appraiser, right?" She held up her hands as scales and bobbled them back and forth to illustrate the relationship between the two.
"You interested in being Vithu the Antiques Mogul? I mean, you understand what I want to do here, don't you? We want to remove you from being closely associated with this world--" She indicated the remnant of spilled ale and the scene of where the hit man had collapsed with a single sweep of her hand-- "And make a little bit of a name for yourself in another. And before you get your britches in a twist, let me reassure you, there's not that much you have to do to make a name. Just a little . . . rearranging."
She seemed to be willfully ignoring the implication of his doubts in her. She also seemed to gloss over the elements of his personality that linked him in any way to his preferred trade--even the rapier was left alone, but for a succinct final comment.
Bosie pointed her hand at the spot where he had his weapon hidden again. "That stuff," she said, "not yet."
When he came across the part about crossing his eyes, she frowned at her hand and rubbed out the imaginary letters on her palm with the pad of her thumb. She then looked up at him and remembered what he had said just before that.
"Pro bono," she said crisply behind her hand, and she continued taking "notes."
As he finished, she took a few more moments to scribble at her hand with her fingertip, grinning as she did. She leaned to the side to show her palm to her son, who perked up for a moment before he realized he was looking at nothing, then slumped back into his seat with his arms folded.
"Sooo," she began as she squinted at her palm, where there was clearly nothing to decipher but creases and wrinkles, "I'm getting. . . antiques? I mean, you're a kind of appraiser, right?" She held up her hands as scales and bobbled them back and forth to illustrate the relationship between the two.
"You interested in being Vithu the Antiques Mogul? I mean, you understand what I want to do here, don't you? We want to remove you from being closely associated with this world--" She indicated the remnant of spilled ale and the scene of where the hit man had collapsed with a single sweep of her hand-- "And make a little bit of a name for yourself in another. And before you get your britches in a twist, let me reassure you, there's not that much you have to do to make a name. Just a little . . . rearranging."
She seemed to be willfully ignoring the implication of his doubts in her. She also seemed to gloss over the elements of his personality that linked him in any way to his preferred trade--even the rapier was left alone, but for a succinct final comment.
Bosie pointed her hand at the spot where he had his weapon hidden again. "That stuff," she said, "not yet."
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal watched Bosie’s note taking on the palm of her hand with widened-eyes, he was not sure how seriously he could take her. He began to realise the sincerity of this action as she persevered through his talking, which only served to worry him further. Was she insane perhaps? Nevertheless Kosal could not help but smile as she continued on in this way, almost allowing another laugh to escape his lips as she made to erase one fictional note. If the point was to put him at ease, Kosal realised it could be working.
Kosal decided to let her terms for the agreement go for now, she was clearly being stubborn, and he highly doubted she was doing this “pro bono” as she said. He would hound her again about it later; he at least wanted to see where this could lead.
Kosal listened to what she had to propose. He was not partial to hard-work, Bosie had assured that it would not involve much so that certainly perked his interest more and he did appreciate the need for a legitimate front if he was going to progress.
“I’ve never liked the idea of honest-work; call me lazy but it’s a lot of hassle for little reward, however if this is more of an investment-type deal, something I only need to dip my hand in and out of every now and again for the sake of an honest reputation, something to give me a lawful cover then I understand the necessity.”
Kosal considered for a moment before continuing.
“An appraiser? Hmm, yeah sure… that could work. I prefer dealing with jewellery and stones rather than antique furniture or books… usually because they’re easier to move. I find pretty things are generally in higher demand and I can shift them at a fast pace, but I can evaluate the worth of just about anything. Something more in the line of pawn-broking perhaps?”
Kosal decided to let her terms for the agreement go for now, she was clearly being stubborn, and he highly doubted she was doing this “pro bono” as she said. He would hound her again about it later; he at least wanted to see where this could lead.
Kosal listened to what she had to propose. He was not partial to hard-work, Bosie had assured that it would not involve much so that certainly perked his interest more and he did appreciate the need for a legitimate front if he was going to progress.
“I’ve never liked the idea of honest-work; call me lazy but it’s a lot of hassle for little reward, however if this is more of an investment-type deal, something I only need to dip my hand in and out of every now and again for the sake of an honest reputation, something to give me a lawful cover then I understand the necessity.”
Kosal considered for a moment before continuing.
“An appraiser? Hmm, yeah sure… that could work. I prefer dealing with jewellery and stones rather than antique furniture or books… usually because they’re easier to move. I find pretty things are generally in higher demand and I can shift them at a fast pace, but I can evaluate the worth of just about anything. Something more in the line of pawn-broking perhaps?”
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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 began to fidget eagerly as Kosal took to her idea. She kicked her feet against the bench seat and worried the edges of her pig snout pendant with her fingers.
"Glad you're on board," she practically shouted. "Pawn broking, good stuff. . . knew you'd think of something. . ." She glanced towards the door; it seemed she was starting to get restless. But for the moment, she stay put, with a hand firmly on top of her son's hand.
"Pawn brokers, see, though, little bit of a smudgy reputation, you know? But that's good! Because that's a spring board." The gears in her mind were working quickly, and she was putting words to them as fast as she could keep up. Her speech thus became even more informal, but her thought process came through in the end.
"You've got to be the nice pawn broker. Not--not sweet-nice, but just like a cut above. Little more professional, little less shady than the other guys. I know a few of those." Bosie glanced meaningfully at Kosal and nodded to reinforce her point. "Better believe I know a few in this town!"
She finally did what she looked as if she had been aching to do for several minutes, and stood up. Standing actually decreased her altitude, so she rather got down from her seat. "Before we can make you a good guy, I guess you've got to have somewhere to be made." Bosie started walking towards the door, and her son reluctantly tagged along behind.
"Got anywhere in mind? You have a place of business, or just a homestead?" She was already nearly at the door, and the bartender looked in her direction, and then back at the table, remembering she had ordered nothing after all.
"Glad you're on board," she practically shouted. "Pawn broking, good stuff. . . knew you'd think of something. . ." She glanced towards the door; it seemed she was starting to get restless. But for the moment, she stay put, with a hand firmly on top of her son's hand.
"Pawn brokers, see, though, little bit of a smudgy reputation, you know? But that's good! Because that's a spring board." The gears in her mind were working quickly, and she was putting words to them as fast as she could keep up. Her speech thus became even more informal, but her thought process came through in the end.
"You've got to be the nice pawn broker. Not--not sweet-nice, but just like a cut above. Little more professional, little less shady than the other guys. I know a few of those." Bosie glanced meaningfully at Kosal and nodded to reinforce her point. "Better believe I know a few in this town!"
She finally did what she looked as if she had been aching to do for several minutes, and stood up. Standing actually decreased her altitude, so she rather got down from her seat. "Before we can make you a good guy, I guess you've got to have somewhere to be made." Bosie started walking towards the door, and her son reluctantly tagged along behind.
"Got anywhere in mind? You have a place of business, or just a homestead?" She was already nearly at the door, and the bartender looked in her direction, and then back at the table, remembering she had ordered nothing after all.
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal watched Bosie’s fidgeting as she spoke with curiosity; it appeared she was anxious to get going. He wondered to himself, how his drug deal had gone down like this… here he was trying to flog his product and now he was negotiating how to get into pawn-broking… when he awoke that very morning, he was fairly sure the idea of a career move was not his first priority. Not one to be thrown by opportunity however, even if he was a little skeptical, he decided to pursue this.
“A little more professional, that’s me, you don’t have to worry there.”
As Bosie stood up and began making her way towards the entrance Kosal’s jaw dropped a little, his mouth was hanging open; he quickly remedied this by gathering his things. Kosal replaced his large brimmed hat upon his scalp and began re-wrapping the sample of Night-Cap which had remained on the table; he pocketed it again and standing, exiting the booth, made to follow Bosie.
“Uh… um no, no I don’t have a place of business as such… or a homestead to speak of at the moment, my business has called for the need of a more nomadic lifestyle more recently, heh.”
The truth was Kosal had lost the ownership of his previous place of business through gambling, but he did not feel the need to divulge this revelation, it did not shine a particularly dependable light on his current situation.
“I have some legitimate trader contacts here in the Business District who would probably be willing to give me a decent enough price to rent or even buy a property… but I don’t think any of them are up for sale at the moment. One or two might be interested in branching out their business but they would expect a bit of an investment, a bit of capital for the trouble.”
When Bosie reached the entrance to the tavern, Kosal in hot pursuit, he turned before leaving to give the bar-tender a quizzical look, raising a single eyebrow. Fueller merely shrugged and resumed his cleaning.
“A little more professional, that’s me, you don’t have to worry there.”
As Bosie stood up and began making her way towards the entrance Kosal’s jaw dropped a little, his mouth was hanging open; he quickly remedied this by gathering his things. Kosal replaced his large brimmed hat upon his scalp and began re-wrapping the sample of Night-Cap which had remained on the table; he pocketed it again and standing, exiting the booth, made to follow Bosie.
“Uh… um no, no I don’t have a place of business as such… or a homestead to speak of at the moment, my business has called for the need of a more nomadic lifestyle more recently, heh.”
The truth was Kosal had lost the ownership of his previous place of business through gambling, but he did not feel the need to divulge this revelation, it did not shine a particularly dependable light on his current situation.
“I have some legitimate trader contacts here in the Business District who would probably be willing to give me a decent enough price to rent or even buy a property… but I don’t think any of them are up for sale at the moment. One or two might be interested in branching out their business but they would expect a bit of an investment, a bit of capital for the trouble.”
When Bosie reached the entrance to the tavern, Kosal in hot pursuit, he turned before leaving to give the bar-tender a quizzical look, raising a single eyebrow. Fueller merely shrugged and resumed his cleaning.
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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 son was reaching to open the door for her, when Bosie preempted him by standing on tiptoe and grasping the handle herself. She seemed to enjoy that this task was a little bit difficult, for she gave a satisfied grunt of exertion before she marched out of the tavern.
"Get on home now, son-bun," she instructed. She grabbed Rigley's index finger in her fist and gave it a shake, then patted him on the flank. "Straight home!" He moseyed off reluctantly.
Bosie balled her hands into fists and propped them on her hips, tilting her head up and to the side to regard Kosal. He had made that comment about capital. Unfortunately for him, not only was Bosie largely uninterested in the subtler aspects of making money beyond making a sustainable living, but she was also disinclined to include philanthropic donations among her good deeds.
"It's a big world, Vithu. Capital isn't all that important." Whatever chain of logic linked those two ideas in Bosie's mind was apparently obvious enough that she didn't feel the need to elaborate.
She took a few steps forward into the "big world" and surveyed her surroundings with an air of confidence. A few of the brighter stars of the night sky were visible by this time. A loiterer near the entrance of another tavern--a scruffy sort of gnome--caught sight of Bosie across the street and nodded in recognition before turning his attention back to his game of spring-loaded dice. "This'll be fun, I think," she said. Perhaps that was supposed to inspire confidence in Kosal.
She traipsed over to the gnome who had recognized her, and his small posse of human companions. He glanced up to her, and his expression was ever so slightly guarded.
"Buoyansie," he greeted her with another nod.
"Pontoon!" she crowed. Her greeting was almost overly effusive, not entirely pleasant. "The dice falling in your direction tonight?"
His response was a sigh of irritation and a stubby finger pointed at one of the humans in his group.
"Fantastic!" Bosie walked back to Kosal. "Sell whatever you have on you to that human who's won those guys' money tonight. Gambler's high, you know. I think he'll pony up." She folded her arms over her narrow chest and nodded.
"See, all's you need is a little capital. Tiny bit. It's all about appearances, see. Sometimes a little bit of money looks like a lot. . . and sometimes a pawnbroking setup looks more established than it actually is. I'm not a woman of shortcuts myself, but I know how they work!"
"Get on home now, son-bun," she instructed. She grabbed Rigley's index finger in her fist and gave it a shake, then patted him on the flank. "Straight home!" He moseyed off reluctantly.
Bosie balled her hands into fists and propped them on her hips, tilting her head up and to the side to regard Kosal. He had made that comment about capital. Unfortunately for him, not only was Bosie largely uninterested in the subtler aspects of making money beyond making a sustainable living, but she was also disinclined to include philanthropic donations among her good deeds.
"It's a big world, Vithu. Capital isn't all that important." Whatever chain of logic linked those two ideas in Bosie's mind was apparently obvious enough that she didn't feel the need to elaborate.
She took a few steps forward into the "big world" and surveyed her surroundings with an air of confidence. A few of the brighter stars of the night sky were visible by this time. A loiterer near the entrance of another tavern--a scruffy sort of gnome--caught sight of Bosie across the street and nodded in recognition before turning his attention back to his game of spring-loaded dice. "This'll be fun, I think," she said. Perhaps that was supposed to inspire confidence in Kosal.
She traipsed over to the gnome who had recognized her, and his small posse of human companions. He glanced up to her, and his expression was ever so slightly guarded.
"Buoyansie," he greeted her with another nod.
"Pontoon!" she crowed. Her greeting was almost overly effusive, not entirely pleasant. "The dice falling in your direction tonight?"
His response was a sigh of irritation and a stubby finger pointed at one of the humans in his group.
"Fantastic!" Bosie walked back to Kosal. "Sell whatever you have on you to that human who's won those guys' money tonight. Gambler's high, you know. I think he'll pony up." She folded her arms over her narrow chest and nodded.
"See, all's you need is a little capital. Tiny bit. It's all about appearances, see. Sometimes a little bit of money looks like a lot. . . and sometimes a pawnbroking setup looks more established than it actually is. I'm not a woman of shortcuts myself, but I know how they work!"
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal watched the little family scene silently, it seemed that a disappointed Rigely was apparently running off home empty handed this time and Kosal was beginning to feel the same frustration as he watched his sale disappear off into the night.
As the two stepped out into the rolling hours of darkness, Bosie had apparently spotted an acquaintance of some sort; Kosal took note of the way he regarded her. He again watched in silence as Bosie made her way over to where the gnome was playing dice with a group of humans before returning to bring him the idea, he listened to what she had to say. Not all hope was lost it would appear.
Kosal looked the man over, he was already high on the success of his game, the kind of desperate overjoyed high that said this was the greatest thing to happen to him in years, yes he looked like the perfect makings of an archetypical junkie. Kosal wagered he would not need much persuading, but then he was not the sort of client Kosal had hoped to sell this drug onto in the first place.
Kosal had hoped to break into another societal ground with the Night-Cap drug; he believed there was an incredibly lucrative market for this magical fungus for those who could afford it; however he reminded himself that he was not in a position to be fastidious just yet. Once the competition has been eliminated. The resounding reminder in his head.
Kosal grinned at Bosie before walking over to the rabble occupied by their game. This was where Kosal came into his element.
“How goes the game gentlemen?” He was rewarded by a coup of bitter faces and one smug grin from the clear victor.
Kosal looked down at the collection of Bishani being gambled away, judging the winner’s pile. There could not have been more than a few hundred on-the-table so to speak, the equivalent of a month’s wages for some, and this group of sad degenerates were here gambling their hard-earned or ill-gotten gains away in the hopes of adding to their meager fortunes. Of course Kosal knew he would have been right there with them if it was any other time, or if he had something to gamble away.
“My friend it looks like luck favours you this night! May I be so bold as to recommend a treat to reward yourself for such a night of good fortune?” Kosal dipped his hand into his dubious coat to remove the Night-Cap sample, unraveling it and holding it aloft in front of the gathered circle.
To Kosal’s delight, the huddled group began edging closer, clearly enthralled by the sweet magical aroma radiating from the drug. Kosal presented it to the victor as his longing weak-willed stare lusted after the prize like a well-earned trophy.
“Night-Cap! Only the best, why don’t you try this little sample and see if you fancy a bit more.”
The man took the drug and devoured it with little more encouraging from the smooth-talking drug dealer. The man began grinning oafishly like a child, after a moment, he began laughing gratuitously.
“That’s good shit!” Came his inexpert approval.
“I’m glad you like it! If you want the full experience, a more substantial dosage, then I will have to charge unfortunately… I wish I could be more charitable, but a man’s got to make a living I’m afraid.” Kosal joked.
“How much you want for it?”
“Well…” Kosal looked down at the man’s winnings “as I’m sure you can tell, this is some pretty potent stuff, it’s not cheap and I’m not sure you can afford it, looking at what’s laid out here.” Kosal pointed at the Bishani. “So maybe I shouldn’t trouble you gentlemen any further.” Kosal made to leave at the indignant look on the man’s face.
“Wait!” Came a new voice. “I mean… how much of that stuff have you got? Maybe we could pitch in a little, you know?” The new speaker addressed his fellow peers. Kosal brought out a leather sack which had been tied to his belt; this suddenly grabbed the gamblers’ attention, already enticed by the scent of the sample.
“Very well, let’s say 300 Bishani.” The proposal did not seem attracting to them given the grimaced expressions on their faces, however the group reluctantly began pooling together their wealth. Kosal tossed the sack to the new speaker after they presented him with the money.
“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you gentlemen, don’t forget to share!”
Kosal considered for a moment presenting his name in the hopes of a return custom but he judged the group of degenerates again and decided against it… these men seemed to Kosal, like the sort of sell-outs to squeal if they were caught using an illegal magic drug. He wanted a return investment in clients but did not like dealing with anyone without a seal of approval, still- desperate times.
Kosal began walking back to Bosie, happier now that he was no longer in ownership of the drug, he hated holding goods, especially magic ones for longer than he needed, he much preferred to be carrying the readies.
“It really is good stuff, I wasn’t lying.” He grinned at Bosie. “Still, onto a bit of honest work then?”
As the two stepped out into the rolling hours of darkness, Bosie had apparently spotted an acquaintance of some sort; Kosal took note of the way he regarded her. He again watched in silence as Bosie made her way over to where the gnome was playing dice with a group of humans before returning to bring him the idea, he listened to what she had to say. Not all hope was lost it would appear.
Kosal looked the man over, he was already high on the success of his game, the kind of desperate overjoyed high that said this was the greatest thing to happen to him in years, yes he looked like the perfect makings of an archetypical junkie. Kosal wagered he would not need much persuading, but then he was not the sort of client Kosal had hoped to sell this drug onto in the first place.
Kosal had hoped to break into another societal ground with the Night-Cap drug; he believed there was an incredibly lucrative market for this magical fungus for those who could afford it; however he reminded himself that he was not in a position to be fastidious just yet. Once the competition has been eliminated. The resounding reminder in his head.
Kosal grinned at Bosie before walking over to the rabble occupied by their game. This was where Kosal came into his element.
“How goes the game gentlemen?” He was rewarded by a coup of bitter faces and one smug grin from the clear victor.
Kosal looked down at the collection of Bishani being gambled away, judging the winner’s pile. There could not have been more than a few hundred on-the-table so to speak, the equivalent of a month’s wages for some, and this group of sad degenerates were here gambling their hard-earned or ill-gotten gains away in the hopes of adding to their meager fortunes. Of course Kosal knew he would have been right there with them if it was any other time, or if he had something to gamble away.
“My friend it looks like luck favours you this night! May I be so bold as to recommend a treat to reward yourself for such a night of good fortune?” Kosal dipped his hand into his dubious coat to remove the Night-Cap sample, unraveling it and holding it aloft in front of the gathered circle.
To Kosal’s delight, the huddled group began edging closer, clearly enthralled by the sweet magical aroma radiating from the drug. Kosal presented it to the victor as his longing weak-willed stare lusted after the prize like a well-earned trophy.
“Night-Cap! Only the best, why don’t you try this little sample and see if you fancy a bit more.”
The man took the drug and devoured it with little more encouraging from the smooth-talking drug dealer. The man began grinning oafishly like a child, after a moment, he began laughing gratuitously.
“That’s good shit!” Came his inexpert approval.
“I’m glad you like it! If you want the full experience, a more substantial dosage, then I will have to charge unfortunately… I wish I could be more charitable, but a man’s got to make a living I’m afraid.” Kosal joked.
“How much you want for it?”
“Well…” Kosal looked down at the man’s winnings “as I’m sure you can tell, this is some pretty potent stuff, it’s not cheap and I’m not sure you can afford it, looking at what’s laid out here.” Kosal pointed at the Bishani. “So maybe I shouldn’t trouble you gentlemen any further.” Kosal made to leave at the indignant look on the man’s face.
“Wait!” Came a new voice. “I mean… how much of that stuff have you got? Maybe we could pitch in a little, you know?” The new speaker addressed his fellow peers. Kosal brought out a leather sack which had been tied to his belt; this suddenly grabbed the gamblers’ attention, already enticed by the scent of the sample.
“Very well, let’s say 300 Bishani.” The proposal did not seem attracting to them given the grimaced expressions on their faces, however the group reluctantly began pooling together their wealth. Kosal tossed the sack to the new speaker after they presented him with the money.
“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you gentlemen, don’t forget to share!”
Kosal considered for a moment presenting his name in the hopes of a return custom but he judged the group of degenerates again and decided against it… these men seemed to Kosal, like the sort of sell-outs to squeal if they were caught using an illegal magic drug. He wanted a return investment in clients but did not like dealing with anyone without a seal of approval, still- desperate times.
Kosal began walking back to Bosie, happier now that he was no longer in ownership of the drug, he hated holding goods, especially magic ones for longer than he needed, he much preferred to be carrying the readies.
“It really is good stuff, I wasn’t lying.” He grinned at Bosie. “Still, onto a bit of honest work 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
Bosie, from her vantage point, nodded along with the progress of the sale. The gnome called Pontoon avoided her gaze by focusing intently on the pattern of spots on the dice in his hand.
When Kosal returned to her, looking pleased with himself, Bosie raised one eyebrow--her forehead crinkled red, almost shiny--and put her hands on her hips. "Good stuff, good stuff. . ." It was unclear whether she was repeating after him in his assessment of his product, or just inserting a thoughtless space filler.
He said something about honest work, and Bosie's response was a brief cackle. She ruffled her own hair and cracked her neck and gazed up at some space beyond Kosal's face. "Honest work, huh? Well, honesty is open to interpretation, I guess!"
She glanced around her so-called Big World and seemed to be trying to assess the buildings around them. She seemed momentarily at a loss for what the next step was. His suggestion that some friends might have business space to lease had been perhaps half-hearted, but Bosie was, if anything, a half-full kind of personality.
"Oh!" Bosie slapped her thigh theatrically as inspiration struck. "You're going to need some pawned items first off, too! Pawn capital!" She turned heel and set off at a quick clip in the same direction her son had taken.
She ticked items off on her fingers and noted them aloud as she walked. "Monetary capital, inventory, location. . . " She spoke almost as if these items had already been taken care of, when in fact the best they could speak to so far was a fairly modest bit of capital. "How we coming on that location, Vithu?" Bosie prompted. It was a strange question--clearly he hadn't had a chance to speak with anyone yet about any of these possible locations to set up shop--and telling of a certain salient aspect of the gnome's personality: her mind worked in ways not entirely flush with reality. But perhaps she just expected him to be thinking bigger thoughts, like herself. Perhaps she just wanted an updated thought process on what he wanted to do.
"We're almost at my house now!" she announced, as they started to catch up to the meandering Rigley. It seemed she actually intended to raid her own house for bits of "pawn capital," and if this was in fact her intent, she seemed all too willing to do so.
When Kosal returned to her, looking pleased with himself, Bosie raised one eyebrow--her forehead crinkled red, almost shiny--and put her hands on her hips. "Good stuff, good stuff. . ." It was unclear whether she was repeating after him in his assessment of his product, or just inserting a thoughtless space filler.
He said something about honest work, and Bosie's response was a brief cackle. She ruffled her own hair and cracked her neck and gazed up at some space beyond Kosal's face. "Honest work, huh? Well, honesty is open to interpretation, I guess!"
She glanced around her so-called Big World and seemed to be trying to assess the buildings around them. She seemed momentarily at a loss for what the next step was. His suggestion that some friends might have business space to lease had been perhaps half-hearted, but Bosie was, if anything, a half-full kind of personality.
"Oh!" Bosie slapped her thigh theatrically as inspiration struck. "You're going to need some pawned items first off, too! Pawn capital!" She turned heel and set off at a quick clip in the same direction her son had taken.
She ticked items off on her fingers and noted them aloud as she walked. "Monetary capital, inventory, location. . . " She spoke almost as if these items had already been taken care of, when in fact the best they could speak to so far was a fairly modest bit of capital. "How we coming on that location, Vithu?" Bosie prompted. It was a strange question--clearly he hadn't had a chance to speak with anyone yet about any of these possible locations to set up shop--and telling of a certain salient aspect of the gnome's personality: her mind worked in ways not entirely flush with reality. But perhaps she just expected him to be thinking bigger thoughts, like herself. Perhaps she just wanted an updated thought process on what he wanted to do.
"We're almost at my house now!" she announced, as they started to catch up to the meandering Rigley. It seemed she actually intended to raid her own house for bits of "pawn capital," and if this was in fact her intent, she seemed all too willing to do so.
Re: The Arrangement
Kosal followed Bosie along with little fuss, she certainly seemed confident in her actions, although Kosal’s initial apprehension had not completely wavered based on the way she was talking in an emphatically optimistic manner about their limited progress thus far, but perhaps that was due to Kosal’s cynical outlook in general.
As Bosie asked again about the possibilities of location, Kosal did begin to contemplate, wondering if it was conceivable for one of his trader contacts to accommodate a newly established pawn-broking set-up. One merchant in particular came to mind.
“I’ve got an idea for location, I’ll have to run it by the current proprietor first but he will be far more sympathetic to the cause with the prospects of capital and already established inventory. His current business is failing and he often relies on my fencing in order to keep his shop open, the development of a new business may well appeal to him.”
Kosal had subconsciously taken note they that had been following the path that Bosie’s son, Rigley had taken and then only with Bosie’s exclamation that they were arriving at her home did he realise that this was where she intended to obtain the inventory.
“So do you have something in mind that I can use?... I mean it occurs to me that I might need a moderate amount of stock to start off a new business venture like this. I mean… we’re not going to be pillaging your house, heh.” Kosal let out a – for all intents and purposes – innocent laugh before he allowed a perplexing thought to enter his mind.
“…Are we?”
As they approached ever closer to Bosie’s home, an itching of anticipation struck Kosal as he began one of his favourite pastimes of sizing-up the worth of the property which belonged to one in Buoyansie’s position; trying to assess based on a superficial value whether her reputation really did precede her.
As Bosie asked again about the possibilities of location, Kosal did begin to contemplate, wondering if it was conceivable for one of his trader contacts to accommodate a newly established pawn-broking set-up. One merchant in particular came to mind.
“I’ve got an idea for location, I’ll have to run it by the current proprietor first but he will be far more sympathetic to the cause with the prospects of capital and already established inventory. His current business is failing and he often relies on my fencing in order to keep his shop open, the development of a new business may well appeal to him.”
Kosal had subconsciously taken note they that had been following the path that Bosie’s son, Rigley had taken and then only with Bosie’s exclamation that they were arriving at her home did he realise that this was where she intended to obtain the inventory.
“So do you have something in mind that I can use?... I mean it occurs to me that I might need a moderate amount of stock to start off a new business venture like this. I mean… we’re not going to be pillaging your house, heh.” Kosal let out a – for all intents and purposes – innocent laugh before he allowed a perplexing thought to enter his mind.
“…Are we?”
As they approached ever closer to Bosie’s home, an itching of anticipation struck Kosal as he began one of his favourite pastimes of sizing-up the worth of the property which belonged to one in Buoyansie’s position; trying to assess based on a superficial value whether her reputation really did precede her.
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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
Rigley paused at the doorway to a townhouse that was not in any obvious way unlike those surrounding it. He caressed the door frame with a morose expression, like a dog locked out.
Bosie stopped when Kosal asked about pillaging her house. She turned around to look up at him. With one eye squinted shut, she grinned and pointed her index finger sharply at him, as if aiming her revolver. "Give me a second to think of exactly how to answer that," she said. It didn't seem she was actually thinking of a follow-up response.
She rambled over to the door and laid several loud kisses on her son's hand as she simultaneously turned her key in the lock. Her kind were known for their ability to perform mundane small motor skills without even the slightest bit of the concentration humans usually required. While the penchant for engineering had skipped over Bosie, and certainly her offspring, she could at least be sure to never fumble or mis-aim her keys in the dark.
From the threshold, she waved Kosal to follow her in. Her boy disappeared in an instant.
The narrow foyer of the townhouse held the buzz of the inelegant electric light fixtures dangling from the ceiling. There was hardly a government employee in the city living in a home without at least partial electric lighting, and levels of rank could generally be determined by the quality of the lights. Bosie's were mediocre. She tweaked the knob next to the doorjamb a few times and the flickering gave way to a steadier glow.
"Go on in there," she directed him, pointing to an open doorway on the right. "I'll be right back." Bosie slipped into the kitchen, on the left, and began to coo tediously over Rigley, who was already gnawing his way through a stack of chicken bones.
The room on the right was the parlor. The curtains were drawn, keeping out the oil lights from the street. This room was not furnished with electric lighting, and a few sconces on the wall were already lit. Almost all of the furniture looked to be sized for humans. There were a few carved armchairs, cabinets that matched to a respectable degree, and a long fainting couch.
The room also held a variety of knickknacks, including more than a few clocks mounted on the walls and sitting on the mantle of the disused fireplace--such works were, after all, said to be as simple a craft to gnomes as children's crayon sketches, and most gnomish families found themselves with more clocks than they knew what to do with.
"Helloooo," came a voice from the middle of the room. The fainting couch was in fact occupied. The petite woman was easy to overlook, curled there like a throw rug in the curve at the head of the couch. She was dark enough, too, to be lost somewhat in the dim of the room: brown skin, black hair, and dark sloe eyes that were fixed on Kosal. The female conspicuously tugged down at the collar of her deep red blouse but managed to broadcast nothing more exciting than a few inches of flat plains beneath her collarbone.
Bosie stopped when Kosal asked about pillaging her house. She turned around to look up at him. With one eye squinted shut, she grinned and pointed her index finger sharply at him, as if aiming her revolver. "Give me a second to think of exactly how to answer that," she said. It didn't seem she was actually thinking of a follow-up response.
She rambled over to the door and laid several loud kisses on her son's hand as she simultaneously turned her key in the lock. Her kind were known for their ability to perform mundane small motor skills without even the slightest bit of the concentration humans usually required. While the penchant for engineering had skipped over Bosie, and certainly her offspring, she could at least be sure to never fumble or mis-aim her keys in the dark.
From the threshold, she waved Kosal to follow her in. Her boy disappeared in an instant.
The narrow foyer of the townhouse held the buzz of the inelegant electric light fixtures dangling from the ceiling. There was hardly a government employee in the city living in a home without at least partial electric lighting, and levels of rank could generally be determined by the quality of the lights. Bosie's were mediocre. She tweaked the knob next to the doorjamb a few times and the flickering gave way to a steadier glow.
"Go on in there," she directed him, pointing to an open doorway on the right. "I'll be right back." Bosie slipped into the kitchen, on the left, and began to coo tediously over Rigley, who was already gnawing his way through a stack of chicken bones.
The room on the right was the parlor. The curtains were drawn, keeping out the oil lights from the street. This room was not furnished with electric lighting, and a few sconces on the wall were already lit. Almost all of the furniture looked to be sized for humans. There were a few carved armchairs, cabinets that matched to a respectable degree, and a long fainting couch.
The room also held a variety of knickknacks, including more than a few clocks mounted on the walls and sitting on the mantle of the disused fireplace--such works were, after all, said to be as simple a craft to gnomes as children's crayon sketches, and most gnomish families found themselves with more clocks than they knew what to do with.
"Helloooo," came a voice from the middle of the room. The fainting couch was in fact occupied. The petite woman was easy to overlook, curled there like a throw rug in the curve at the head of the couch. She was dark enough, too, to be lost somewhat in the dim of the room: brown skin, black hair, and dark sloe eyes that were fixed on Kosal. The female conspicuously tugged down at the collar of her deep red blouse but managed to broadcast nothing more exciting than a few inches of flat plains beneath her collarbone.