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[Junk XIII] Arriving to Ascend (P 6-2)
Proper,
It's a warm sunny day when your crew arrives in the spacious Bay of the Ascendant. Trojan is here, he comes out to greet and hug most of your girls. A big guy named Whiskas introduces himself to you, says he runs the Bay. He tells you that Bacardi wants to help you get set up here at the Ascendant, that you should bring a couple entertainers to a part at Chef's tonight to start out, that he'll talk business with you there.
The Bay has tent housing, they will make room for you and yours for a pittance. But it is crowded with traders and new arrivals. Might be dangerous.
What do you do?
It's a warm sunny day when your crew arrives in the spacious Bay of the Ascendant. Trojan is here, he comes out to greet and hug most of your girls. A big guy named Whiskas introduces himself to you, says he runs the Bay. He tells you that Bacardi wants to help you get set up here at the Ascendant, that you should bring a couple entertainers to a part at Chef's tonight to start out, that he'll talk business with you there.
The Bay has tent housing, they will make room for you and yours for a pittance. But it is crowded with traders and new arrivals. Might be dangerous.
What do you do?
Comments
I'm more than happy to bring my crew to a party- what better way to introduce people to the show? I shake Whiskas' hand.
Tents?!? That's... not going to work for me for more than a night. Who knows what sort of people are here? Could be cult-folk who have things to say about what I and mine do... I miss my flat and my giant bed. I take a sip of whiskey from my flask. I act like tents will be fine, but will be talking to someone at Chef's tonight directly.
Let's skip to Chef's. Who did you bring along with you as arm candy? Who is entertaining and what do you have planned?
Here's Barilla's layout:
The place is full when you arrive, but a table clears up quick. Bacardi takes a seat, he's got one of his associates, a man named Braun:
What do you do?
There's someone playing the guitar, but it's kind of folky and not to my taste. I'm hoping the people here can support my establishment- if they're all prude I'm up shit creek.
I stand up and shake Bacardi's hand. "I'm Proper. Nice to meet you." I say. I'll shake Braun's hand, too, if he seems up for it. "This is Satin and Tulle."
Satin does her "special" handshake where she moves into the guy's hand so he ends up touching her a bit. Bacardi doesn't jerk away, which is a good sign, right?
Tulle just stares at Braun, those intense nostrils flaring thing she does to fix a man in his tracks. Braun doesn't seem intimidated, but he seems to like it.
Bacardi calls back to the woman in dreads by the bar, "Barilla, baby, bring a good bottle of wine and join us!" Bacardi sits beside you, leaving an empty sea
Barilla disappears to the back, then comes out with a wine and a bunch of glasses. She's a born server, giving everyone a glass before taking a seat.
Bacardi says, "Proper, I hear you want to set up shop. Tell us what you're interested in."
I'm glad I brought Tulle- she seemed like the right choice for the place.
"My crew does shows every two or three nights- bigger deals once a month or so, to help folk celebrate holidays and such. I also offer private engagements, if you take my meaning. Seems like you've got a great place here- it'd be flash if we could set up something that would benefit us both." I give him my best salesman smile, which I know he'll see right through.
I look around the place, noting the clientele and people he's got working for him.
"Here's what I propose, Proper," Bacardi begins his pitch, "And this is between you and me, so don't speak of it to others. For the first month, we feel each other out. You do shows and a once-a-month big deal. Barilla and I look at how much you increase our traffic. If we can find it to be mutually beneficial, then you work your gigs out of here with no overhead." He grins like this is a good offer.
What do you do?
The way I had been running things in Trench- we did shows in a bunch of different places- each night a new location. To get in you had to know the password, only each regular knew their own passwords, so they basically had to vouch for anyone they invited. We changed the passwords every few days. Worked pretty well. Certainly saved me on security costs. If I set up here I'm going to have to hire muscle- another expense. My pockets haven't felt so light in years.
"And," Braun adds, like he's been listening more than he let on, "If you want protection, that's extra. And it comes through me. Now, there is security here at the Ascendant, so maybe you're comfy with just that. Your call. But my boys are known for being very protective. And vigilant."
No outside security? This guy keeps a tight hold on his drek. I'm not comfortable with the security here- I don't know anyone and sometimes folks start getting attached to performers, yeah? I nod at Braun. "How much extra?" I ask him.
Braun answers about the extra with, "You want a thug or two on hand during shows, that's a jingle a month. You want more personal protection, round the clock, that's a jingle a week."
"One or two during shows will suffice, I think." I tell Braun. I don't employ shrinking violets- sure, the girls would have a hard time against a big man, but that's what hidden knives are for, yeah?
Braun asks, "I'd like to spend some time with this one here on my lap. Is that fair for the first week?"
"We got a deal." I tell Braun. He didn't specify how much time he wanted with Tulle, but he's not going to have much left in him when she's finished. I smirk at her.
Barilla rises after they're gone and says, "I'll get you some keycards for the rooms, Proper. Would anyone like some more wine?" She pours for anyone who's thirsty. Satin has been barely sipping hers.
Satin looks to you, silently asking permission to perform. She doesn't know if it's needed now, but you had her prep a number, and she does love to dance.
What do you do?
I push my glass forward towards Barilla. "Please. And thank you for the keycards." I say.
(Rolled: 2d6+1. Rolls: 1, 2. Total: 4)
Satin grins, and hops up on the table, dancing seductively to the Bhangra music playing over the speakers. To get a better view, Bacardi scoots closer to you. He ends up putting at arm around your chair and leaning to talk into your ear as Satin dances.
It seems Barilla is much more interested in her than Bacardi. Satin notices and begins to focus on her entirely, even hopping down to dance right in front of her, pulling her into a dance, showing her some moves. It's entertaining, and from the reaction of the crowd, rather odd for Barilla.
Maybe it's the alcohol, maybe the casual atmosphere, but you find yourself opening up to cunning old Bacardi.
So answer his questions for us, Proper:
• what does your character intend to do?
• what do you wish Bacaradi and Barilla would do?
• how could Bacardi get you to give Bacardi a cut into your business - not free of charge, more like what is it that you need that he can provide so this becomes a lasting partnership?
I intend to make as much jingle as possible, while maintaining my and my crew's safety. I'll take Bacardi's offer of rooms, Braun's security and this trial period gladly, though. Saves me from having to work out the big details, so I can get to the other ones like making sure the crew is happy and their egos are stroked.
I wish Bacardi and Barilla would get the word out about my new establishment here. Drum up business. There's only so much I can do being a newcomer and all.
He's already doing it- hooking me up with rooms and space- that's frakking huge. I'm not keen on cutting out side jobs and having to go through Braun for security, but if Bacardi can prove to me I can trust him, I'd be a lot happier about it.
Or did you sleep alone?
You set up shop on Bacardi and Barilla's level.
The red rooms are the two you got right off. But your crew needs more space. The Galley and Dining is the big community dining space where folks trade work for food. It isn't as tasty, but it is healthy and edible.
Pick what rooms you want for entertaining and where you're staying.
For regular sleeping including myself, I need 8 beds. Silk can share with Tooheys- hey, she wanted the girl. Satin and Velour can share a 2-bunk room, Chiffon and Velvet can share and that leaves Tulle and me sharing (for now). That's four rooms.
Maybe those two red rooms are the private rooms? And four of the junior officers quarters with double bunks? I'd love a nice big room all to myself, but I'm too practical to waste the jingle right now. Maybe in a few months. Ideally I could set up my crew in nice digs, too- my people work hard but I reward them.
Of course, with the way the Ascendant is crowding up I should take as many rooms as I can get my greedy hands on...
It's late at night, a few hours after midnight. There was a show last night, it went well. You were asleep, but now, in the dim light, Tulle is gently shaking you awake. "Proper," she whispers gently. "Proper, can I crawl in? Please?"
I imagine you don't refuse? She'll pull back your soft covers and slide in bed with you. Do you let her snuggle up against your chest? Is that a thing she does with you or is that something new?
What do you do?
She can snuggle all she likes. It happened once before- when she auditioned. We didn't talk about it- it was just a thing that happened. We've frakked since then, but she always left right after.
I wrap my arm around her- not too tight if case she doesn't want me to.
"I don't get attached to my crew. Everyone knows that..." I start, haltingly, like the words are being pulled out of me. "But you're... frak, you're different."
It's been stewing in my head ever since that night, but I'd been avoiding it. Of course I did- I don't have feelings for my crew. I don't have feelings for anyone. Sure, I'll frak almost anyone, but that's just a bit of fun, yeah? I don't care what anyone thinks of me... except her.
I press my hips to hers gently. I'm hers if she wants me.
Do you?
"What's your position?" I ask her, whispering into her ear. I know she enjoys sex- that was obvious in her audition- but I want to give her what she wants, instead of expecting her to please me.
But in the end, the competition is secondary. There's a connection between you two. Fire your special move, Proper. And you choose which one to use.
OOC: I care about Tulle, so I hold 1. If she gets into shit, either of us can spend the hold and I am there.