When Alec spoke of taking the book for free, Marlena left her seat and wandered over to occupy the space between the men. Arms folded over her chest, she gave a look to Cesar who was fixing to say something stupid. Her eyes quickly go to Alec though. Something had changed, snapped even when he discovered what the book was. Unfortunately, she knew these mages would easily kill all the people here, herself included, she would have to go about this carefully.
I'm sure Cesar will happily give you directions on where he found the book. Won't you, Cesar?
Cesar's mouth opened and he stuttered a few syllables before Marlena cut him off, she knew anything that came from his mouth would just upset Alec further. Moving closer to Alec, she stops just in front of him, looking up at him, the look is apologetic and pleading, all rolled into one, her voice soft
Alec, you can't have it for free, Cesar has business to run, and I have a deal to make good on. The book will be yours, I'm sure he will give you a good price seeing as he's eager to be rid of it. Please, be reasonable.
Umm... Hello, yes, up here thank you.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"Reasonable?" Alec says, not looking down at her, and one hand raises to point at Cesar. "He has the Seventh Tome of the Outer Walks, a book that, by all rights, should not exist on this plane, and furthermore!" he roars before looking down at her and faltering. The mounting, shimmering fire in his eyes drops, first, then dies entirely as his shoulders slump. The pointing hand falls to his side and he sighs heavily. Reaching up, he wipes both hands down his face, slowly, then pivots at the waist to look at the four books he'd previously examined. "I'll buy that book," he says, turning back to look at Cesar, "and you throw in those four, and the map for free. The 'thank you for not tearing my arms off and beating me to death with them' bonus, right?"
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
A hand went to Alec's upper arm as he calmed, a smile coming to Marlena's face as she diffused a potentially disastrous situation. The other mage was powerful and Alec could control and manipulate metal. Neither her or the men would have stood a chance if it came down to a conflict. The smile turns into a smirk as she realizes how much influence she had on Alec at this point and she leans up on her toes, the barest touch of soft lips on his cheek before she turns and walks to Cesar.
Cesar, less than pleased at the proposition, spends the next few moments glaring what can only be described as daggers at Marlena. Money would be lost, he knew that. And he had half a mind to send this Alec to the wrong place entirely. He watch Marlena move closer, the girl was smarter than he would admit, and she seemed to get what she wanted in the end. Maybe she would be able to keep the Tryst under control. He laughed inwardly. She'd give it a good go, he knew that much.
"Fine, the books, all five. Yours. For 110 gold. You don't need a map. We took the book from some mages in a village barely south of Williamsburg."
Marlena winced slightly at the price Cesar stated, but finally spoke as she made a seat for herself on the crate Cesar had been working from. She didn't look at either men as she played with the whistle at her neck.
Of course, 20 of that gold is for me. Finder's fee... Medical bills for my man you paralyzed... And the knocker you broke on my front door...
Cesar huffed and puffed out his chest, as if to argue, but he didn't get a chance as Marlena looked up. Green eyes fixed on Alec's as she spoke.
I hope that sounds fair, Alec... If we can agree on this, we could work together again. And I'm sure it would be far more pleasant than this exchange.
Last Edit: Jun 20, 2012 17:58:48 GMT -5 by Marlena
He watched the both of them, eyes flicking back and forth, the book pressed to his chest protectively. He had no idea what was going on, and had half a mind to torch the place. He still trusted Alec enough to see that there was a definite problem here. The Seventh Tome was merely theoretical, legendary. Alec was right to be upset, but there was something...wrong.
He decided to wait, but if the thugs did anything weird, he had a twitchy shadowbolt finger.
Degree in Post-Mortem Communication, an Offical Hemomancy Conditional Practice Certificate, License to Employ Pyrokenetics, Advanced Necromantic Exception Certification, Doctorate in Soul Magics and Related Sciences, Approved Demonic Event Technician from the Board of Infernal Affairs, Practicing Curse Removal Specialist.
And your qualifications?
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Eyebrow raising as Marlena goes to kiss him, he accepts with dignity, eyes a deep cobalt. "Coulda been I was bluffing about paralyzing the poor sod," Alec admits, counting Marlena's gold out to her, then turning and flinging Cesar's at him, maybe a bit harder than necessary, several gold pieces left quivering in the wall.
Cinching his purse tight, he slips it into an inside pocket and turns back to Marlena. "I'm not sure if I owe you for getting me the book, or if you owe me for not ramming that pissant's head up his own arse." Taking the Seventh Tome from Loreburn and one from the crate, he tucks them both under his arm and asks Manrick to get the other three. Walking towards the door with Marlena, he extends a hand to with an amiable smile. "So how about we call it even, this time? And I certainly hope our later dealings are more pleasant than that idiot."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Cesar sneers as Alec throws the coins to him, giving a brief wave to the men that stepped forward at the act. The gesture sending them back to their places, each one of them watching Alec and Loreburn closely whilst they turned to leave.
Marlena followed, looking back over her shoulder once to see Cesar have one of his men pick up the scattered coins, his pride obviously wounded and his harsh commands showing it. Alec's voice brought her attention back to him and she returned his smile with one of her own as they stepped through the door and out into the back alley. Taking his hand with a gentle grip, she nods and gives a soft and melodic laugh at his suggestion.
Even, it is then... And I do hope so, Alec. In fact, I'm sure they will be.
And of course, you know where to find me if you have trouble with anyone.
Umm... Hello, yes, up here thank you.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Shaking firmly, but not harshly, he gently pumps her hand, still smiling, perhaps a bit more genuinely. "I do have high hopes for our future interactions," he confides, hand held up to shield his mouth in a stage-whisper." Straightening and giving a wink some might describe as lecherous, he clears his throat and smirks softly. "And what could you possibly mean? Me, run into trouble?" Smirk turning devilish, he sighs, "Why, me, never."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
"No, you're much more adept at losing your pants and your gold as I recall."
Kiga slipped from the roof of the house without fanfare - immediately between Alec and Marlena. He looked Alec over from toe to head and then gave a disinterested sneer, before he shrugged and turned to Marlena.
It had been those same seven years since Kiga and Alec last saw one another and well... the years couldn't be kind to both of them. It seemed rather apparent that Kiga was victorious in that particular arena but then, he hadn't grown a wastrel's hair and taken on a goat to see to his shaving needs.
He was imposing and didn't care, but instead afforded a slight smile for Marlena, quick and not enough for anyone else to notice.
"I didn't know you were seeing to charity today, milady."
Marlena wasn't surprised by Kiga's appearance, truth be told, she had been expecting it, knowing he was probably close by by out of sight. Seemed she couldn't get far without him, and she didn't mind at all. She had meant to say something to Alec about his getting into trouble, but Kiga took care of that for her, the comment causing a finely shaped eyebrow to raise and laughter to bubble up within her that she quickly managed to suppress.
Deep green eyes went from one to the other as she considered the statement before returning the smile Kiga gave her. She takes a small step closer to him as she watches Alec, the laugh that she'd been holding in finally reaching the surface with the second shot at Alec's pride.
Unusual for me, I know, Kiga. But Alec here was very much in need of my help and rather... Insistent too. Not that I minded much. I do prefer it when a man knows what he wants.
I'm thinking that today's impromptu dealing's have turned out profitable for the both of us.
Kiga turned at the hip to glance back at Alec, then the rather odd man standing with him. Scholars. Go figure. He looked back to Marlena and let out a slight sigh, rocking onto the balls of his feet and then onto his toes, slipping his hands into his pockets. He leaned over and spoke in a rather obviously and not all together hushed tone.
He still had the book pressed to his chest, taking in a deep breath and speaking slowly despite his unease.
I'm interrupting something. There's still the matter of this little book. Far be it from me to question you all about your own town, but there's a definite danger here.
Degree in Post-Mortem Communication, an Offical Hemomancy Conditional Practice Certificate, License to Employ Pyrokenetics, Advanced Necromantic Exception Certification, Doctorate in Soul Magics and Related Sciences, Approved Demonic Event Technician from the Board of Infernal Affairs, Practicing Curse Removal Specialist.
And your qualifications?
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
"Oh you're interrupting nothing other than the insecure posturing of a cocksure fool," Alec says, rather cheerily, still smiling at Kiga and Marlena. "Some men do want other men," he continues, one hand held out vaguely towards Kiga, head lazily cocked to one side, "and I seem to recall you coming rather cheap."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Kiga's eyes twinkled with those words and he smirked. He shot a wink to Marlena, then slipped his hand about hers and turned to face Alec once more, standing beside his new... employer?
"Now you see Alec, that is your issue. I'm afraid that you've spent all that time being studious, reading books and what not but it's left you with such... poor grasp on other matters.
For example, you still don't understand the difference between your comings and your goings. Why, Miss Marlena here, she can have me come with very little effort at all where as you....
... well.
You only ever compelled me to leave."
He gave Alec a disinterested look then and turned to look at Marlena, the humored smirk still in play. His eyes were locked on hers then, brilliant and playful, dancing with delight.
"Which... I do believe I will be doing so now, if she bids it. Until, of course; she requires of me to come once more."
The shadows burned with irritation, flaring up behind and around the group as tendrils whipped around Loreburn's body. He didn't move, but his eyes glared at the others as if reprimanding schoolchildren.
If. You. Please. I of all people would love to keep spouting out homosexual innuendos like freshmen, but we have larger issues at hand here. The shadows retreated, and he let out a breath.
We're all adults. And I think we should start acting like it. Now. Alecsander. Please explain why you had a minor fit when you saw the book.
Last Edit: Jun 22, 2012 16:34:52 GMT -5 by Loreburn
Degree in Post-Mortem Communication, an Offical Hemomancy Conditional Practice Certificate, License to Employ Pyrokenetics, Advanced Necromantic Exception Certification, Doctorate in Soul Magics and Related Sciences, Approved Demonic Event Technician from the Board of Infernal Affairs, Practicing Curse Removal Specialist.
The wink was all she needed to understand that she should play along, and that she did. Her fingers curling lightly around Kiga's and her expression becoming one of someone very much enamored with him. It wasn't difficult considering he surpassed Alec in looks, but what was difficult was containing her laughter. It may take some work to have Alec believe she did want him again, but this was far too much fun.
Unfortunately, Loreburn's outburst pulled her from the little game and she turned to look at both him and Alec. She couldn't deny she was curious about the book, but she also wondered if it wasn't best to leave now.
No. She'd done her job. Alec had books, no doubt he would come back to her for more on some occasion in the near future. She hoped he would. Whatever that book was or did, was of no concern to her.
She stepped back slowly, down the alley in the direction she and Alec had come from earlier. Looking up at Kiga as she tugged gently on his hand.
It is time to go, Kiga... Alec knows how to find me if he has need for anything...