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Post by Rudolph Chugunkin on Jun 21, 2021 12:18:12 GMT -8
As much as Riley and Archie wanted to think they were successful socialites (and they were), they had to admit that they had absolutely no clue where they were, and asking was off the table.
Their motley had received an invite with a special pass for Linden inside a basic summons by the Knight of Coin. Whether Chugunkin owned the Hollow, or they had been extended some sort of exclusive membership to a Spring speakeasy for the evening was up in the air. The concentration of Mantle was dizzying, with other wards and spells in place where it felt like they were moving in a James Coleman painting, or the collective zeitgeist of the Romantic Era. Conversations outside their immediate area were muffled with glamours of pleasant smells and music, sea breeze and liquid light making movements airy and spacious. A clash of space and time where they were both in a Moroccan night club, and one of Marie Antoinette's bustling garden salons.
The motley was heralded by spotlight punctuating the shimmer of pearlescent dust motes that smelled of smoke and ash, clashing and swirling as the air thundered with unheard percussion of hunt and revelry. The Wizened was dressed in a cut navy suit, but nothing loud or demanding attention as he signaled for the others to have a seat.
"Best place to negotiate change is in the open where no one is bothering to pay attention," he laughed.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2021 12:35:31 GMT -8
Not rushed, but not slow. Archie was quick to make sure that both Linden and Riley were made ready. Nothing over the top, but made so that they looked decent enough to fit somewhere nicer than a sports bar. Simple black, slacks and a blazer for him. A baby blue herringbone shirt to accent. Nothing fancy.
Entering, even the Chatelaine reeled from the desire coursing. It made many thoughts run through his mind at once. Once composure was found, the trio found the Patron of two of their number. Archie offered a respectful bow of his head.
Once greeted he found his seat. He had a solid idea what this was about, there was no need to beat around that fact.
“Noted. I assume we are here to discuss the lashon hara from my previous event.”
He had done nothing outright. Yet.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Jun 21, 2021 14:32:27 GMT -8
The invitation made Linden uneasy, for several reasons, but refusal wasn't an option so they let Archie fuss a little. It took a moment to find a top that satisfied him, but in the end the Ogre was crisp as anyone in black slacks and sharp-toed dress shoes. The dove-grey shirt Archie had found rumpled in the back of their closet had been cleaned and pressed, the collar cutting a tidy line.
They took a series of deep breaths as the motley navigated their way through the room and the intensity that came with it. So many scents, colors- it felt a little like they were high, a nebulous but acute sense of desire wrapping around them. Thankfully they could just follow Archie.
As the Chatelaine took a seat, Linden inclined their head to the Knight of Coin. "Linden," they said, by way of introduction and followed it with, "Thank you for having me." They settled into a seat quietly, considering the man in front of them and why it seemed he had gone out of his way to allow them to be present for whatever this was.
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Jun 22, 2021 10:16:57 GMT -8
There was no question of the Moths attendance to the summons, Nor was it surprise that Archie had been invited, Linden, however. That suggested to the Darkling that Chuggungkin wanted to speak to them about recent events, or he had plans for them. Whatever the knight wanted, it was necessary. Riley attended, wearing a fitted black suit, their hair slicked back, stylish but profesional. The moth took a seat, noting Chugunkins observation of hiding in plain sight. It brought a small smirk to their lips. "Thank you for havin' us Sir" Riley said taking a seat, glancing to the others for a moment with a soft smile before turning their attention back to the crime lord. |
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Post by Rudolph Chugunkin on Jun 22, 2021 11:50:23 GMT -8
The Knight offered a nod to acknowledge the echoed 'thanks' from the motley and Archie cutting to the point.
"I like you, Hartman," he sighed, teeth still visible and pointed from the relentless Mantle. Cigars were cut at some point in time, though it was more the novelty of the surreal than actively messing with anyone's heads to track conversation. Attention snapped back with a basic amount of focus, giving the motley the impression it was a glamour designed as an opted distraction and experience over anything sinister.
It did wonders making Chugunkin's statement ring true as they were rapidly lost as part of the scenery. Why needed sound proof booths in seedy bars or park benches at midnight?
"All of you have a nice record of putting yourselves out there for the Freehold's interests. So, the question we find ourselves asking is...why are you trying to be Agrippa's pimp, Archie?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2021 12:09:40 GMT -8
“How does money make money if you don’t invest it? The opt in work I received was good, the contracted product was bupkis. Hefty investments were the only way to salvage this, and business is about making money not feelings. Then I keep hearing let me do it on my own. It begins to sound like I have a thief. So either the work gets better or I need some insurance so I can grow my investment. I never hid my intentions, but no one decided to ask. I’m not here to judge if someone wearing Green is in the right place if all they taste is ash.”
His voice was even as he discussed his investment, and plan to grow the potential following failure.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Jun 22, 2021 15:01:09 GMT -8
Linden was sick to death of money, more so than they had ever been before. But that wasn't relevant to Archie's explanation or, if the knight's title was anything to go by, helpful to what was transpiring at the table. Instead, they folded their hands and waited, interested to hear Chugunkin's take on things- beyond the one he had already clearly telegraphed.
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Jun 23, 2021 8:40:34 GMT -8
Riley's attention moved from Chuggunkin to Archie. They were observing the interaction closely. They had heard and seen the changes in Archie, but Chuggunkin was someone Riley was still trying to get the beat on.
The Darkling was silent in their observation, trying to get the sense of what was happening in the Knights's mind. But the Mobster wouldnt be where he is if he was easy to read now would he?
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Post by Rudolph Chugunkin on Jun 23, 2021 16:54:28 GMT -8
Chugunkin listened, expression stone as the other two motley mates remained silent. "You gave them a chance, get a mediocre result after a lot of investment, and then they don't want help for the next turn around."
He taps the glass, "And you did not consider, perhaps, that the Beast was spooked about pissing you off, and didn't want to piss you off anymore?" An eyebrow cocked around the cigar smoke, before he gestured for him to continue. "What were they scared enough to agree to. Loki pile-drove you with hits boots after telephone gave him a sob story. What were the terms of the new 'investment'?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2021 18:39:54 GMT -8
”A service pledge, six months. I’ve used it in the past to be able to schedule and guarantee a level of production and output. No more of a leash any mundane employer would expect but the wyrd skips the legal system when all is said and done.”
“Enforced, only on the condition that another project isn’t submitted at an acceptable level by the start of Summer. Refusing any and all help offered with no additional strings was the queue that if nothing else time was being stolen from our mundane agreement.”
“A story as old as time, a nebbish doesn’t want to pay their dues so they slander the shtetl.”
His tone clearly aggravated at the situation as he recalls it, thought his voice remained even and respectful.
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Post by Rudolph Chugunkin on Jun 23, 2021 20:47:06 GMT -8
Chugunkin snorted.
"You're new to this, Hartman. Not business, but this society," he growled. "Service pledges are given as a means of exchange, where something doesn't come from nothing." The Wizened punctuated the statement by tapping the table with his finger. "You would be providing Agrippa with rewards, but they would give you a service. It is not a punishment to tell all your other pledges not to fail your standards," he hissed.
"We do not entrap naïve, people pleasing fairies into tilted bargains that say if they don't provide something to you, they get fucked. The Wyrd isn't a vehicle for you to feel like a big, dick swinging pimp because someone let you down! If you want vengeance, you hire a Tolltaker. But to me, it sounds like this Friendicorn bungled their project, and because your name was behind it, you're using this bullshit Jewish routine to justify that you felt stupid, and wanted respect for having your time wasted." He shook his head, gesturing to Riley and the regalia he had decked them all in with Hartman's ample wealth,
"Are these successes not enough? You're rich, Hartman. You have a lot of power among the Lost. What happened that you need to punch so far down?"
He wasn't just gauging Archie's reaction.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2021 23:37:34 GMT -8
“If it was a punishment I wouldn’t be putting the effort in.”
He was admittedly sharp in his corrections.
“Service is learning, so one can better fend for themselves. I wouldn’t ask someone useless. I had a belief that there was something they could do to better themselves. You don’t punish someone with opportunity.”
Glimpse into his mind or not, the Knight spoke with the very fear, anxiety, and reality of information and how it was perceived.
Following this correction he took the rest as it came. It was what it was.
Then he was simply asked was it enough?
“If it was enough I would have sworn to the Knight of Rains, and lived out hollow days. I am not here to build toys, for cheap amusement - I am here to carve masterpieces. It is never enough. It is only punching down until greatness shines through. All marble is just a rock until its made into something immortal.”
His speech was faster than average, not frantic. And he only resumed breathing once he was finished speaking.
The Knight’s mantle bled potential. He had to understand.
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Jun 25, 2021 10:15:13 GMT -8
Riley silent observed the exchange between Archie and Chugunkin. The Knight laid out expectations of the freehold and spoke to the preceptions of Archies action. Archie, to his credit, tried to explain his stance and keep face before the Underworld Boss.
Chungunkin wouldnt have taken Archies oath of vassalage if he didnt have something planned. This could be a conversation just between the two of them, but he invited Riley and Linden. What was it the Knight wanted to ask of them?
The Moth respectfully waits.
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Post by Rudolph Chugunkin on Jun 25, 2021 11:12:40 GMT -8
"Really, Sorsa? Nothing?" The Knight rolled his eyes. If the Moth wanted to be treated like Archie's trophy and just along for the ride, so be it.
The death coins behind the Wizened's gaze flickered as his attention slid back to the Fairest. "And in your heart of hearts, you think that offer was made out of caring and gratitude, and not out of subjugating a Freeholder that bucked your trust so you could rub their nose in shit?"
He waited again, cherry of the cigar crackling as he continued to measure the motley's ability to manage themselves. This time he watched Linden.
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Linden
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Post by Linden on Jun 25, 2021 11:31:16 GMT -8
Linden returned Chugunkin's gaze as evenly as they could without verging on threatening; that was the last thing this conversation needed. They still had plenty of mixed feelings about what had gone down, but they tried to keep a neutral face. Besides, there were plenty of reasons to be glowering a bit.
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