...Between Old Friends

...Between Old Friends

Postby Glenn » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:05 pm

It was Tuesday in Myrken, not usually the most exciting of days. Perhaps a nice day for a meeting like this, though. Glenn always thought he would pinpoint a better time, make a proper anniversary about it. The day they went into Jirai's dreams, perhaps? Or the day good old Vet visited him in Underdark. Or maybe when the tailor poisoned the lake. There were just so many to choose from, but no, here it was, just some random Tuesday.

The old shop was out. Glenn may have given that to Aleksei as a test, or an initiation ritual, or just for the sheer amusing thought of Suede Roschen wandering in and surprising him when he was in the tub, but regardless, it was occupied and therefore completely useless for this little nostalgic exercise. The Dagger was out as well. Glenn's office, absolutely. If there were docks, they would serve quite well, but Myrken had no such things. One of Myrken's shadier bars it was, then, a private booth, a bottle of wine, and endless patience.

The invitation had gone through the usual channels whatever they were. Simple instructions. Come if you want. Don't bring the kid. Don't bring the insane drowess. White flags and all that. For old time's sake. The former mapmaker would wait exactly seven minutes in the booth and then be gone. There was no point waiting longer for someone who did not want to be there, after all.
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Suede » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:05 pm

Suede has certainly considered waiting until all but a few seconds of
those minutes had passed, staying back until just the moment the
governor had decided to leave. But he'd decided that such behavior
was far too blase and simply slid into the booth after Glenn had been
there half as long.

As was usual for the tailor there was no fanfare his arrival, and he'd
just been present as he'd sat at the table across from Glenn. Being
that no special occasion was between them today had been what
motivated him to come at all. If there had been a special draw, he'd
have not bothered. But now he was interested.

The tailor offered a small grin and a raised eyebrow as he reached for
the wine bottle with one hand and set a white handkerchief on the
table with the other. "Mr. Governor, I must say I am flattered at the
invitation, but you'll need to do more than buy me wine to lure me
into bed."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Glenn » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:08 pm

"I was looking away." The governor smiled, though it was perhaps a wry thing. "If I was staring at the seat, you'd never have shown up. I didn't want to strain you by forcing you to manage it between blinks." Ever kind, Glenn Burnie, especially to such an old compatriot like Suede Roschen. "And if i wanted to lure you into bed, I'd try to kill you."

That was the way of it, no? The mother of his child was the one who tortured the last vestiges of sanity out of him and even 'killed' him at one point. "You've been quiet lately. Not that I'm complaining mind you." not exactly a mutter but the smile did got a little wane. "The only person you'll get into bed through poisoning the lake is a dead fish."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Suede » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:08 pm

Suede waved a hand at the courtesy. "And how I appreciate the
consideration. People these days have no respect for a man and his
private activities. Everyone always wants to stare at you, and I'm
too old to strain, I might pull a muscle." He popped the bottle on
the wine and brought it to his nose to sniff. The face he made was
brief, but disturbed. There was a glance around the room to consider
the tavern they were in before he shrugged and began filling one of
the glasses.

"I have more important things to deal with, and you haven't sullied my
name in the last few months." As for the lake and the dead fish
comment, he offered a small shrug to the man and held the mouth of the
bottle over the second glass, waiting to see of Glenn wanted to risk
him doing the pouring. "My bed is full, but it failed to work on you,
so your assumption is a bit off."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Glenn » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:10 pm

Burnie let Suede fill the glass. Just being this close to him could mean poison but the Governor was prepared against a good many poisons. It was one of those risks he was taking just to talk to Suede, and really, this was in good faith wasn't it. It was just as likely that the Governor could have a dozen constables rush in with nets and crossbows. That didn't mean that he rushed to sip of the wine though.

"What HAVE you been up to these days? Is fatherhood that satisfying a diversion?" There was a thought Glenn hadn't though much about, not really. Here's one he had, however. "I think that if things had gone just a bit differently, you could have had my job, you know. Do you ever wonder how that would have gone?" There were rumors about just what the tailor had been up to but he wasn't about to jump right to those.
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Suede » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:10 pm

Well, if he took his time on the wine then that just meant that Suede
would be able to get more for himself. Though he couldn't blame the
man for some sense of caution thanks to all the horrible rumors about
him. The tailor was already nursing his own drink as Glenn began what
was the nicest interrogation he'd ever seen. The man smiled a bit
over the glass.

"Running my businesses, though I have to admit that you letting a
squatter into my shop here has certainly made that a bit more
difficult than I'd prefer." An admonishing frown replaced the smile.
"As for my family life, it's quite pleasant. You should try it, a
nice vulnerable little child of your own." As for the comment about
him being governor, he only snorted. "If that were true, then I'd be
dealing with far more bullshit for far less benefit."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Glenn » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:13 pm

"I thought you'd find it useful to have a customer living there, Suede." The height of innocence and genteel nature. "If you can't find the customers, why not bring them to you?" Then a little tsk and a shake of his head. "It's your own fault for dying, you know. Doubly so since it was your own paramour that did you in. Triply so since you sired a child with her. You know how property law works, after all. You were the Councilor for... well.. whatever it was. For that week and a half before you really went around the bend."

Then there was the matter of Suede's child, the child he was hearing such nice things about, that he had heard such OTHER things about before that. "Vulnerable? That spawn of yours could kill Treadwell, gut his body, pin it up, and use it as a treehouse." A benevolent wave of his hand. "And anyway, all of Myrken is my child. You know that." Doting father and guardian, Glenn Burnie. "Why did you become a Councilor in the first place? Self-interest? It hardly served you well."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Suede » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:13 pm

"He has terrible taste and not enough sense to keep any of my art from
getting ruined within a day or two." Hardly worth the effort of a
master craftsman such as himself. Suede took the time to give the
Governor a falsely offended look. at the idea. "It was longer than a
week and a half, thank you..." A pregnant pause as he rubbed a finger
over the lip of his glass. "It was 2 weeks."

There was a finger raised to intercept Glenn's point about his own
child. "Dear man, I never said my spawn was vulnerable. I said any
you had WOULD be. There's a difference. Mostly that I'm a better
father." He motioned with a hand to the bar they sat in and the
province it rested in, still ever full of pussy, poxed blights. "Who
says it didn't serve me, Glenn?"
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Glenn » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:20 pm

"I imagine you could poison him in a way that would make his nose fall off. Aleksei would probably take three or four days to find a way to fix that." A little smile, despite it all. "It must be nice to be have two talents. I have so many that there's really a great deal of dissonance, after all. It all begins to blur. Rather like your time as Councilor."

"To be fair." Another flash of a smile, and why not. They were getting along so well. "We're probably fairly similar as fathers. Both of our children quite often try to kill us but they'll turn out alright due to our efforts." Glenn gave him a slightly skeptical shrug. "I think your brevity of service and utter fall following it would put the onus of proof on you, not me."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Suede » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:22 pm

"That would be a rather sad waste of a good nose. And then he might
stop giving me cookies." Though maybe if he left a note threatening
the act, he could convince Aleksei to provide him with milk as well.
Now there was a great idea. "Mmmm, I can barely manage two, I can see
how that would be a problem for you."

At the suggestion his son has tried to kill him, the tailor had the
good grace to look appalled, placing a hand to his chest in shock.
"My child never tries to kill me..." He took a sip of his wine and
let out a breath before speaking again. "Everyone else, though? Well
boys will be boys." There's a smile, a slightly distracted look as he
considers an old memory, but then Glenn continues to speak.

"Only if I actually need to prove anything. I was in office for quite
a while, and then caused a few riots afterwards for fun. I'm sure
there might be records that haven't burned somewhere."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Glenn » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:30 pm

"He gives you cookies?" Ah look, it was the first thing Glenn really didn't know. It made him smile though. "And you complain. I could have found a occupant for you that tried to kill you, or just pissed everywhere to mark her territory. I wonder if Kacela and Kals need a house. Maybe I can convince them to switch with Aleksei." Werewolves. A riot and a half. "You do manage your two quite well, though." He had to add. Not exactly admiration but on had to given the devil his due, so long as it was mutual of course.

"Your child wouldn't try to kill you. Your child would succeed. Wait til he's properly educated." Almost idly, rather despite himself, but good grace abounded, didn't it? "So, how are things with Jirai. She seems a bit skittish. We could take another jaunt into those dreams if you want, try to convince her to wear one of those two piece chainmail numbers around the house. I would do that for you." Was that enough to cause Suede to attack? Likely not but Glenn kept giving him his best smile just in case.

Then a little shrug. "Ah if only I had the papers from back then. Regret. You could tell me a lot about that time. I would hear about Councilor Rochen, if you would tell me."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Suede » Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:17 pm

"That would have been more interesting. This is, well it's just so
sad and pathetic, so I eat the cookies and leave him alone. But
there's no fun or adventure in going into my own house these days."
Suede had even stopped sewing Aleksei's clothing into new and
interesting shapes after the cookies came. He could be quite the nice
gentleman on occasion. He nodded for the due given and nursed his
wine again, making a vaguely pleased sound as he did to. "My lack of
other skills gives me time to focus on this pair.

"He might, he's still too young, he can't keep up with me yet. I'll
give it a few more years and let him practice on you first. Payment
for Jirai's lessons to you." Just an arched eyebrow for Glenn's
comment, then after several seconds he snorted. "She looks better
with leather." And the comment suggests experience with the chainmail
by its certainty. "But it would be wise of you to stay out of other
people's private spaces. Or I might find a way to return the favor."

"Is that why you called me here, to hear about my younger days as I
romped recklessly through the law of Myrken?"
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Glenn » Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:29 am

"Too many cookies and you'll start looking like Treadwell. You best be careful." Though, it was fairly useful to be able to modify your own suits, Glenn supposed. "Otherwise the little scamp WILL be able to catch up with you." And that could well be the end of Suede. People wonder why Glenn hadn't settled down with Rhaena and had children yet. Picturing a pregnant Jirai was a thought to shudder over. "Chainmail or leather, Jirai seems more.. active lately. A little skittish though. You should offer her some chocolate instead. I think it'd do wonders for her temperament. Still, I suppose I'll let you mind your business with her, for now. Hopefully it doesn't become my business. I'm sure we'd all find that tedious. Nostalgia only goes so far."

And a friendly enough nod, an interested nod, for the talk of Suede's younger days. "I am always curious. You know that. You could have become me. I could have become you. It's an interesting thought experiment to see how things might have deviated." Burnie gave a little shrug, as they seemed to be getting down to business, as flimsy as business may be. "Mainly, you've been quiet. That worries me, so I decided to say hello. More than that, though, I'm curious. I've been a year at this, a year at governor, whether I wanted it or not. How do you think I've done?"
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Suede » Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:02 am

"Bite your tongue, Glenn. Such a curse should never be put on
anyone." Really, if they were going to dissolve into such horrible
name calling, then the tailor wasn't going to continue this
conversation. "And my kid has years before he can keep up with me.
I'm hardly your average person." In so many ways. Of course, he
could always let Tsoss practice on the locals, but that might be in
bad taste. "She's merely enjoying herself, but she's never been a fan
of chocolate. Some fresh water fish, seasoned right? She'll put up
with that when it has a nice Underdark twist. I'm sure you're
familiar with those tastes. I'd advise that you do keep your business
apart from mine... Nostalgia indeed."

"I shudder to think of myself in your position. Your filly is too
tall, your job sucks, and you generally spend too much time dealing
with all these... laws." He said the word as if it was difficult to
push it out of his mouth, but there it was. Suede wasn't a complete
anarchist, but he certainly preferred fewer words to play with. "Ah,
I have been quiet. I tend to keep my business close at hand. You
have enough on your plate to not need to know what I've been up to, I
wouldn't want to burden you."

The last question almost surprised him, and he actually raised one
eyebrow ever so slightly, just staring at Glenn. "I'm... well
flattered that you give a damn, honestly. Personally, the place
hasn't gone to complete hell, so it's a step up from the governors I
dealt with more officially. And you're pretty dirty about it. I like
that, but you're too stuck playing the good guy. You should have
killed that madman who thinks I live in his head by now. He'll
destroy the whole province before you can spit shine it."
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Re: ...Between Old Friends

Postby Glenn » Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:52 pm

"You are hardly average." Glenn looked a little bemused at that. "Though you'll tell me nothing about who trained you, about how you ended up down the path you did, about what makes you special." Burnie shrugged, shook his head. "My curiosity only takes me so far, Suede. Perhaps if things were quieter. They're not. As for Jirai, you keep her out of my way and she won't end up a teahouse girl or a dutiful farmer. We don't grow many mushrooms here. I'd hate to set her up for failure."

His filly is too tall. "She's beloved by dressmakers for that reason. they can always charge extra for the additional material. I think she alone has created three or four jobs here just from her additional height." It was an outlandish economic stimulus scheme, but Burnie would do whatever worked. "So long as what you've been up to doesn't burden me in the end, Suede. You're a friend, of course. I'd hate to have to go to war with you."

Suede raised an eyebrow. Burnie looked at him plain, steady. He meant it. It was why they were here. "The place started as complete hell." Cinnabar had done a good job but much of that had been undone through his neglect and abdication. "Catch, though," a shake of his head. "Destroying him would just cause more problems. Others have tried before. Containing him causes problems. Coddling him causes problems. Trying to get him to leave causes him problems. I haven't worked it out yet. I hate admitting it, but there it is."
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