In Vino Veritas

Aug 19th, 2019 09:23 AM

Well, that was graphic. By Circe's description, the Courtiers of Dawn must stretch imagination. Even if the description itself is a bit exaggerated.

"How did you end up as a gunrunner, anyway?" Asks the Flowering, curious. Lacking any real connection to the underworld, he assumed trading firearms is a segment of the 'market' specialized enough to warrant exceptional circumstances.

"And what were you planning to buy there, a missile?" He smiles. As much as he was a storyteller, Abraham was a story collector, after all "I need details" As most Springs do, Abraham sometimes confused 'want' and 'need'.

**Circe** · Aug 19th, 2019 04:56 PM

"Childhood knowledge, opportunity, and havin' a Hollow makes sneakin' shit across borders really, really, REEEEEEALLY easy," was her answer to how she became a gun runner. "Plus I like guns. Easiest way ta get the best is ta be the supplier, oh ho ho ho ho!"

A over simplification from on the former Mafia princess turned Changeling but it was accurate. Plus she'd opted out of drugs at the disgust of being labeled a mule. "And I'm good at it. Plus it is waaaay safer then crazier shit ya could smuggle. Like snuff porn, UFO parts, fake pajama jeans, or counterfeit Disney merch," she gives a conspiratorial stage whisper, "The last one has mouse helmet wearing assassins come after ya. Honest truth a made up story that, oh ho ho ho ho!"

As for the question of what she would buy, that gave her pause. She rested her chin in her free hand while the elbow was on the bar. "Imma not sure. Don't know if that Soviet thing counts as a grenade or a rocket. Or a missile. Ya probably don't, oh wait!" She perks up, "Have ya seen Rambo? It was the bazooka thing."

It was a very good thing for very many reasons that Artemis and Eris had NOT let Circe buy that.

Aug 19th, 2019 06:59 PM

"What kind of childhood does it take to learn the gun trade?" Abraham blurts out, before stopping the somewhat prying question in its tracks. But, he is still curious. Where did the Smurfette grow up, Somalia? "Sorry, that was uncalled for" Because personal boundaries are a thing, even to- especially to an Emerald. Noticing he's been negligent in this regard, soon comes a refill of the wine.

Circe makes him laugh - again. The vision of someone smuggling UFO parts and fake Disney products is just too wacky, even putting them in the same sentence sounds funny "That's fair. I guess not everyone is made for legal occupations" Or ordinary ones. The Flowering was an actor, but it'd be a miracle if he lasted a day as a postman or shopkeeper "Any retirement plans?"

Another question one shouldn't ask. Everyone familiar with the laws of storymaking knows saying "I'm done after this one" drops the character survival chance to pretty much zero. Retirony is strong like that.

**Circe** · Aug 20th, 2019 07:03 AM

"One where the nuns shoot back at the gangs of course!" Circe was lying, it was obvious. Then nods with serious tone, "Yeah it kinda was. Especially since I've been doin' lots of the exposition. Are ya the bartender listen' ta my woes about the world tonight? Unfair, ya should also share."

Retirement plants? She wasn't that old yet. "Kill a Keeper with a tank? Buy an island? Why do you have one? And wait a minute." Black and red eyes narrowed, "Do I look old enough ta ya ta be worried about retirement?" There was a hint of tone there. One of the few tones from a woman that required no manslater for a man to know it was dangerous verbal territory.

Aug 20th, 2019 09:53 AM

"Well, we knights must be good listeners to lift the spirits of others. Look it up, it's in the job description" Abraham replies jokingly "I started this meeting by complaining about my own Court members. I'd say I've done my daily dose of 'woe is me', but if you want to listen to more - I'm like an open book" Sure, he had difficult memories and traumas just like any other changeling. Only he had an easier time sharing them, in the hopes of taking away their power over him.

"You don't look old at all, Circe" He offers an apologetic smile "Barely old enough to drink, in fact. Do your parents know you're pub crawling?" Certainly, the situation can still be salvaged with some comic relief "I just meant that you must be making lots of money, but at the same time your job puts you in more danger than most others. Even if you're not old, it can get tiring I guess" Not that he had lots of comparable experiences "Take me, for instance. I fully expect to die in the Hedge one of these days, but if by some strange circumstance I live to the age when I can no longer lift a sword - I'll throw a party like no one's ever seen before. Then I will drink poisoned wine, to go out amid dancing and laughter, like the good Spring that I am" The Flowering's clearly given this some thought. But how could he not, when the luxury of ranged combat was not for him?

**Circe** · Aug 20th, 2019 03:11 PM

"That's fair. Though if I were ta start complainin' about workin' ta replace my Charger's piston cylinders or the grain requirements of a cartridge I am sure you," she points at Abraham, "Would either go cross eyed or break out the hard liquor." She shakes her head, "And we both know how bad Summer is gettin' since the Price wasn't right. Total, uh, is it a whammy? I don't think I've ever seen the price guessin' show so I don't know." The elfin Fairest shrugs.

"Oh they're perfectly fine with me doin' this instead of heroin, plastic miniatures, or peace protests." is the joking return to Abraham's jest. "Well then Abe, best ta quote Johnny Depp, a short life and a merry one, saavy?" She giggled as she gave him a salute. "Personally I'd go with the wise old master shtick instead."

She twiddles her empty wine glass, "And yes I've had shit buyers. I'm pretty good at vetting them now ta know which are good and which aren't. Reliable regulars and all that. But ya don't know two, no, three things that makes my business so much easier. The Hedge," she holds up her empty hand with the index finger up, "Is a fun way ta turn a box inta a clown car full of guns. Magic tricks," she does jazz hands. Then Circe makes a fist as she thumps her chest hard. It is a solid sound before the fist comes up with the index and middle finger up, "Kevlar. Haven't needed it ta counter a, uh, malicious attack yet but good insurance."

Finally she raises her ring finger, "Aaaand for lucrative but dangerous unvetted clients I've long ago worked out a short Pledge ta ruin their day if they double cross. Guns jam, feet trip, all the worst luck," then she puts on an angelic smile as her tone turns flirtatious, "Plus who wouldn't want ta become a repeat customer ta me? They are happy ta see me walk to or away from 'em, riiight?"

Aug 20th, 2019 04:48 PM

"That sounds mundane" He says flatly. Abraham barely even knows what piston cylinders and grain requirements are "But there's not a sound that cannot be made into a song" Beauty and poetry are everywhere, if you know where to look and read between the lines "Whammy looks like a good word" It had a nice ring to it, although, like Circe, the Flowering had little experience with shows of that kind.

"Wise old master, huh?" What's that Chinese word Sonnie called Rhodes once? Sifu? "I hope I'll get to see it. Imagine yourself, but multiplied in your students. If the Others had a weather forecast, it'd be permanent tornado season"

"Oh yeah. I'm sure the Thorns make smuggling more efficient. And I can confirm it's actually easier to traverse the trods from one city to another, than it is to get between two points in the same one. As if they wanted us scattered" Of course, the idea that a mass of vegetation is capable of wanting may seem silly to some, but the Hedge was definitely psychoactive. That implied senses and understanding at least. He listens to the hard sound with a degree of disbelief "That's what I'm talking about. If you have to wear it everywhere... you don't sleep in it, do you?" Again, silly-sounding but possible.

"Well, I don't know about your clients, but I am always happy to see you" Is his tone flirty, like the Larcenist's seems to be? Hard to tell, even for Abraham. He is certainly genuine - nothing but warm feelings for this Summer.

Does that even matter? She might be joking. It can be all that wine (of course, refills come as needed), or just a whim.

They will find out soon enough, won't they?

**Circe** · Aug 20th, 2019 09:26 PM

"But is it a song ya'd want ta hear?" Is the cheerful response. She does rub her chin at the prospect of having a horde of minions, uh, students loyal to her. "I would expect said tornado ta include air laser cannons by the time I'm an old masta. Oooh, Darth," she brackets the words with her hands, "Circe. I like it." She never even put down the wine glass.

Circe's face goes between a few expressions. Suspicion at the talk of the Hedge. She got the implication. Confusion. Troll smile. Then sigh, "Ya know Abe? I could make a joke or five about ya wantin' ta know what I wear ta bed. Or about nude sleepin'. But nah amico. But I do wear Magical silk pajamas." It was the brand name as far as Circe was concerned, "How about yerself fer night wear?"

And it was certainly not her fault if Abraham thought it meant something else. Not her fault at all.

"Aww that is so good ta hear! Nice ta know my swayin' hips don't lie, baby this is perfection that, oh ho ho ho ho!" She seemed to be remembering something and the laughter turned evil, "Sorry just remembered a really hilarious sound my swayin' hips made happen," she laughs harder, "I honestly wish I saw that guy fall over the railin' but the sounds were still fanculo hilarious, oh ho ho ho!"

Wrath was Circe's most favored vice for a number of reasons.

Aug 21st, 2019 03:30 AM

"Absolutely. Some day" He confesses "A force of nature combined with a disco ball? Sounds familiar all right!" That'd be a somewhat-accurate description of Circe's style, correct? He's seen her in action only once before, but that side of the elf - he's witnessed.

"Make them, I won't stop you" The Flowering entices his Seeming cousin with a smile "I think neither of us shies away from jokes and a good laugh. Sleeping in the Hedge, I wear normal clothes, obviously, because you never know. I noticed myself doing that more often here, too - perhaps out of habit?" He answers honestly to the question that is, most likely, a joke itself.

Then the Summer Courtier makes a Shakira impression, but Abraham's smile quickly turns to horror as she casually mentions hurting (nah, killing) people "Well, okay. I'm sure he deserved that. He did, right?" The Flowering sets his eyes on Circe's own, as if trying to read them "Anyway, message received. I don't want to be on the receiving end of that Wrath of yours"

A berserk Circe? Thanks, but no thanks.

"I think I'm going to crash here tonight" says the Emerald, rising from his seat. All the red wine consumed took its toll, but after a moment composure returns to the knight-errant "You're of course welcome to stay, too, if you don't feel like going back to the Ironside. There's plenty of space" As if to prove that, Abraham makes a wide gesture, indicating the room they're currently in and the doors, leading to smaller chambers.

**Circe** · Aug 21st, 2019 10:07 PM

Where did he get disco ball. Wait. Tornado, disco ball, and lasers. That'd be awesome. Destructive and insane but that made it more awesome. How did Abraham come up with this kind of thing?! The elfin Fairest smiles, "And people say I'm violent, but you with the disco? Wow." She gives Abraham a thumbs up, "I approve of yer dastardly dazzling disco plans!"

She nods, "Ya asked fer it. Ahem," Circe coughs as she clears her throat. "Does this good knight want ta think of me in bed with naught on ta have himself a good night? I am incredibly crude, but everybody wants to know about me nude. If ya wanna see me in my sleep ya need a Pledge or burglary. Get yer mind outta the gutter, its much more fun down here in the basin grate." And that was what she had for right now. The giggles meant she at least found them fun.

As for the guilt of the falling victim that made Circe put down the empty glass as she shrugged, "Huh, eh probably did. My clients ain't the most moral folks. It was like only a floor so he was just needed a lil' ice on it ta be fine. Helluva screech though, oh ho ho ho!" How hurt the man had gotten didn't really matter to her, only that she'd not lost the business.

Circe clasped her hands together with a massive toothy smile, "Ooooo, a slumber party? We could paint each others' nails, try on clothes, make smores, and talk about cuties," the smile and excited tone we practically oozing with sarcasm. Ironside was a fun term though, very American. "Ya do have the fixin' fer smores right?" Continued sarcasm, though her next words held a tone which hinted at a serious question, "Ya'd hafta have the security real tight ta keep the hobs from gettin' ta the marshmallows."

In Vino Veritas

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