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Post by Young Grimwold on Sept 6, 2007 21:26:07 GMT
Trusty: 59 gold pieces.
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Post by Robin on Sept 7, 2007 19:30:28 GMT
Oh, smooth.
Do I hand it over? This is all the money I've got and 59 is a bit... well... what the hell.
I'll pay you 70 if you give me extra supply of arrows for it.
*Robin says it before he can stop himself.*
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Post by Young Grimwold on Sept 7, 2007 23:17:22 GMT
*70? You lucky devil, Trusty, he's like a moth to the slau- but wait. You gave your word that you wouldn't charge him more than Edward Deal did. If you really want to be good at this, you have to build up a reputation. As your father would say, making your name and making up your name are two different things.*
Trusty: Ah, but Sir, your request was for a crossbow and nothing else, and I am here to heed what you need, not to take your money for things you don't truly want. Did Mr. Deal include arrows in his, er, deal?
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Post by Robin on Sept 11, 2007 14:51:39 GMT
*Robin thinks quickly.*
Yes, yes he did.
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Post by Young Grimwold on Sept 11, 2007 16:52:17 GMT
*Trusty is confused as to whether that works in his favour or not. What he does know is that he doesn't know if he actually has any arrows to offer. Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned them at all.*
Trusty: But this time, unless I heard you wrongly, you aren't seeking the added expense of arrows. Not that they'd be an expense of course, not from me, but I couldn't give them away for nothing, you understand.
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Post by Robin on Sept 12, 2007 15:43:28 GMT
Do you have arrows? Or do I need to find another trader?
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Post by Young Grimwold on Sept 12, 2007 16:59:48 GMT
*Cripes. The man really wants arrows all of a sudden. He must actually intend to use the crossbow. There's a good chance you do have arrows among the stock, Trusty; but were you to go rooting around in front of him and find none, he'd be off at the speed of an arrow himself.*
Trusty: My dear Sir, you came to me seeking a crossbow, and I have one for you right here. Arrows you did not mention. You're not my prisoner, and if you want to browse the stalls and shops of my fine colleagues, then be my guest. But this hardy, sturdy, trusty weapon, and the guarantee of good value that goes with it, may have gone by the time you return.
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Post by Robin on Sept 12, 2007 18:55:23 GMT
Ouch. And suddenly he comes up with something that leaves me flummoxed.
Er...
*Robin thinks. He can see Trusty looking somewhat less agitated, but his facial expression belies the nervous movement of arms and feet. He must be persuadable.*
OK, I'll buy the crossbow. 59 gold pieces, right?
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Post by Young Grimwold on Sept 12, 2007 23:42:04 GMT
*You gave him an honest - well, largely honest - appraisal of the situation, and he rolled over? It won't always be this easy. Of course, since 60 gold pieces got him a crossbow and arrows from Deal, you're only giving him better value if a supply of arrows is worth less than 1 g.p. But then, for all you know, it might be. And since he offered you 70 just now, at least you're not taking all his money.*
Trusty: 59 indeed!
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Post by Robin on Sept 13, 2007 13:00:44 GMT
*Robin hands over the money, and prises the crossbow from a slightly shaking Trusty's hands.*
OK, Robin... now for the other thing. Get him while you can.
*Robin turns his back on Trusty, and pretends to walk away two steps, without so much as a preliminary thankyou. Pauses for two seconds, turns back.*
*He stows the crossbow in a sling over his shoulder.*
Did you say you had arrows, by the way?
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Post by Young Grimwold on Sept 13, 2007 17:12:48 GMT
*Blast. The truth, like a bow-string, will only stretch so far. But you've done well to get to this point, Trusty. Don't let him throw a spanner in the ointment.*
Trusty: Why yes, I ordered a wide selection from the fine fletcher in Greenshades just the other day. If you pay me another visit in a couple of days, I'd be happy to provide you with some at an excellent price, Sir.
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Post by Robin on Sept 13, 2007 18:18:07 GMT
In which case, I shall do just that. Well, thank you for your time, and your crossbow. *Robin turns and walks away, genuinely this time. He speaks very loudly, so that he knows the trader will hear him.* What a bargain. What a mug![[OOC: Continued in The Forest of Dunn - Straight Shooter]]
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Post by Young Grimwold on Sept 14, 2007 17:22:41 GMT
Trusty: Nice doing business with you. Don't tell me dad! *When Trusty is quite sure that the customer is out of sight, he asks a nearby trader to mind his stall for a few minutes. Then he darts across the marketplace, down a couple of streets, and into an alley. Trusty looks around, checking that there is no one in sight, and no shadowy areas in the alley where anyone could be lurking. Then Trusty leans against the wall, loosens his clothing... ...and Verity Seldam breathes a long sigh. Cross-dressing isn't easy on the chest. A shame that such lengths are necessary; but Verity fears that a young, unknown female trader wouldn't be taken seriously out in that marketplace, especially not by her father. Though in spite of nerves and blunders, she knows she's done well today, and she is learning. If she can build up a good reputation for herself - or rather, for Trusty - maybe her father will accept that she has a talent and destiny as something other than a washerwoman or a seamstress. After resting for a few minutes more, Verity rearranges her outfit, and Trusty returns to the stall.* [OOC: Trusty/Verity later appears in Important shopping.]
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