['Befriending' might yet be a strong word for it. It's professionalism and promise of decent pay that brought Hubert to this establishment.]
[And even then, part of his mind is having a difficult time wrapping around the fact that he was voluntarily setting foot in a place so utterly crass.]
[But his professionalism was iron clad, even if Hubert pauses after his first step inside, obviously steeling himself (and his Fódlan-raised sensibilities) under his stoicism.]
...I see. [A "sex shop," she'd called it. He'd long come to understand and to adjust to the fact that Aefenglom was much more free with such matters, but he hadn't had the faintest idea what Worst Dragon itself would look like. The products, between their variety and raw number, were a lot to take in at first.]
[After a quiet breath, Hubert folds his hands behind his back and starts a slow walk around.]
It... certainly is outlandish. [A slight shake of his head.] You'll have to elaborate on any designs that have come to your mind for this "Halloween" display. I'm afraid all I know if it is what we discussed in Dorchacht, and that your goal is to draw customers' attentions.
( Nico just laughs and leans back against the counter, her arms coming up to fold over her chest. )
That's one word for it, I guess!
( She watches him move around the shop, observing the fact that he doesn't seem entirely comfortable even though he's maintaining that distinctly professional air, and begins to wonder about the kind of life he might've lived before he was pulled into Aefenglom like the rest of them. )
But, if we're gettin' straight to business ...
( Nico claps her hands together. )
You're gonna have to tell me what kinda stuff you can do. That trick with the scarecrow was pretty neat, but have you got anythin' else up your sleeves? Illusion magic, that kinda thing? Otherwise I'm happy goin' for ... I dunno, spooky dancin' dildos or somethin'.
[Please, please let them get straight to business, for his sanity. Nico certainly seemed in her element here. Hubert glances back at the clap of her hand, before continuing this stroll.]
Any talent with illusion, much to my chagrin, eludes me. But, seeing as my areas of specialty are conjuration and alchemy, I should be able to recreate similar effects. They'll simply be degrees more real.
[Hubert pauses, murmuring under his breath and tracing a small sigil against an unadorned piece of wall. In a little flicker of magic, a sparrow made of shadow materializes and starts to flit about the store silently.]
For whatever reason, my magic tends towards shadows and mist unless I construct it otherwise; that seems to suit the theme of the festival you had in mind, does it not?
( Nico visibly perks when he mentions his areas of specialisation, not least because she's yet to meet anyone else who's taken to alchemy quite like she has. That's something they'll have to talk about another time, however, because the conversation is already moving and Hubert appears to be— )
Huh!
( Degrees more real is about right — the sparrow looks solid enough as it twirls around the shop. )
"For whatever reason", huh? I dunno ... I reckon that says a lot about you, Hubert.
( But there's a cheeky little grin settled on her lips that suggests she's only teasing. Even if he does tend towards more questionable magic, who is she to judge? Besides, her own magic is channelled in brightly burning destructive bursts, which she'd also argue says a great deal about her too. Rather shadows and mist than potentially exploding yet another kettle. )
Anyway, you're right, that'll work perfect for what I want. How about somethin' a bit bigger than a sparrow? I'm thinkin' ... a woman doin' a pin-up kinda stripping thing, only she unzips her skin an' goes right down to her bones? That could be fun!
( She chuckles at the idea. )
Not like — real detailed or anythin', I don't want it to be gross. A silhouette, maybe?
[He can help the way the corner of his mouth curls, chuckling lowly. "For whatever reason" was a little flippant; yes, shadows and mist did suit him quite well. Almost eerily so, like traces of his dark magic followed him here.]
Yes, I suppose it does.
[The rest... requires a little deciphering. "Pin-up kinda stripping thing" isn't exactly a phrase native to Fódlan, but between "stripping" and the rest of it, it's not difficult to wind up on the same page, at least.]
[Hubert hums a dull note at her addendum. "Not too gross" was a little subjective, but a silhouette solved a lot of that.]
A shadow-figure, then. It's certainly within the realm of possibility. [Hubert removes a small pad and pen from his coat, jotting something down.]
I've been meaning to ask how long you wanted these "displays" to last. Depending on duration, you may need to invest in magic batteries; the downside to conjuration is that is can be quite costly if you want it to endure. One certainly won't be an issue, but I don't have the magic required to fuel an entire storefront's worth for a night in one casting.
( Nico drags a hand through thick hair, her expression thoughtful. )
I don't want it to get so expensive that the shop ends up losin' money, y'know? And I don't wanna exhaust you, or — I dunno, make you run out of shadows. I'm not that kind of employer.
( She tosses him a wink. )
How about two shadow-figures, but they do a short routine maybe three times over the course of the night? I could make some flyers, pass 'em around and hang them in the streets ... It'll be like a mini show!
( Phew, the ideas are coming thick and fast! She continues on: )
Then in between that, maybe somethin' that ain't gonna be so costly. You made that scarecrow move around pretty easily, right? Think you could do that with a bunch of these?
( And yes, Nico is gesturing towards an elegant display case filled with colourful, anatomically correct monster dildos. )
[If he noticed the wink, Hubert gives no indication whatsoever.]
[But, Goddess, that case is something. Aside from the pay, the idea of the raw sacrilege this venture was brought some comfort.]
Two performing thrice over the course of a night. That is manageable. You'll be responsible for devising the routine, of course; and being conjurations rather than illusion, they will be sentient to a degree. I should be able to grant you control over them, you being a Witch yourself.
[His eyes flick over the case, then dryly back to Nico.]
As for these... yes, I can animate them, though they have a decidedly limited... range of motion compared to the scarecrow.
[His voice is just as dry. Then he sighs, clasping his hands behind his back.] I assume the shop will want aphrodisiacs, as well?
( Devise a routine, control the conjurations. It should be easy enough, right? Nico has never had to choreograph a strip-tease before, sure, but she's never one to shy away from a challenge, and she's already feeling a tickle of amusement at the idea of going through it a few times to show Hubert and his tightly-laced sensibilities what she's after. )
Yep, sounds good to me.
( She nods, then perks up a little more when he moves on to the topic of aphrodisiacs. )
Uh ... actually, yeah! We're kinda lacking in that department; I've been tryin' to get some potion research under my belt in my free time, but I don't have a whole lot of that right now.
( The tail-end of an eyebrow lifts a little way as Nico offers him a knowing smirk. )
Yeah? Guess I must've missed Lithia — sounds like a blast if you were brewin' love potions, though.
( She laughs lightly, them moves towards him to offer him her hand. )
Alright, deal. An exchange of business between professionals. Let's say ... eight potions for the night? Then if they're a hit, maybe we could work somethin' out and get the shop a regular supply.
[A permanent arrangement? Not what he was expecting, but income was income. Maintenance for the pitcher plants was becoming quite expensive.]
I imagine a store like this would far very well during Litha is what I shall say. Very well.
[Hubert extends a gloved hand to return the gesture.]
Eight. I will make an effort to have the first half ready a week prior, or sooner, as this land is prone to... unforeseen events. [Like Morgana's return, which delayed this meeting in the first place.] And the last half the day before at minimum. Is that agreeable, Nicoletta?
( Nico nods, her smile broadening as he uses her full name. He's the first person in Aefenglom she's actually given it to, and it sounds almost too good in that clipped, well-enunciated tone. )
Sounds perfect to me.
( A quick shake on it seals the deal for the time being. )
Pleasure doin' business with you, Hubert. Just let me know if you need to make any changes or anythin', here—
( She leans over the desk to rummage around for a piece of scrap paper, then produces a pen to write down her user details for their contact device. When the ink has had a moment to dry she hands the slip to Hubert with an easy smile: )
[Hubert accepts the paper, and while handling it seemingly casually, his gloved fingers hold it by the margins as if cautious of the ink anyways.]
[Stepping back, his other hand folds across his chest and he bows primly.]
Of course. I'll leave a message so that you have my contact, as well, should anything arise. I hope this venture will be mutually beneficial to us both.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[And even then, part of his mind is having a difficult time wrapping around the fact that he was voluntarily setting foot in a place so utterly crass.]
[But his professionalism was iron clad, even if Hubert pauses after his first step inside, obviously steeling himself (and his Fódlan-raised sensibilities) under his stoicism.]
...I see. [A "sex shop," she'd called it. He'd long come to understand and to adjust to the fact that Aefenglom was much more free with such matters, but he hadn't had the faintest idea what Worst Dragon itself would look like. The products, between their variety and raw number, were a lot to take in at first.]
[After a quiet breath, Hubert folds his hands behind his back and starts a slow walk around.]
It... certainly is outlandish. [A slight shake of his head.] You'll have to elaborate on any designs that have come to your mind for this "Halloween" display. I'm afraid all I know if it is what we discussed in Dorchacht, and that your goal is to draw customers' attentions.
Ten years later!
Outlandish?
( Nico just laughs and leans back against the counter, her arms coming up to fold over her chest. )
That's one word for it, I guess!
( She watches him move around the shop, observing the fact that he doesn't seem entirely comfortable even though he's maintaining that distinctly professional air, and begins to wonder about the kind of life he might've lived before he was pulled into Aefenglom like the rest of them. )
But, if we're gettin' straight to business ...
( Nico claps her hands together. )
You're gonna have to tell me what kinda stuff you can do. That trick with the scarecrow was pretty neat, but have you got anythin' else up your sleeves? Illusion magic, that kinda thing? Otherwise I'm happy goin' for ... I dunno, spooky dancin' dildos or somethin'.
no subject
Any talent with illusion, much to my chagrin, eludes me. But, seeing as my areas of specialty are conjuration and alchemy, I should be able to recreate similar effects. They'll simply be degrees more real.
[Hubert pauses, murmuring under his breath and tracing a small sigil against an unadorned piece of wall. In a little flicker of magic, a sparrow made of shadow materializes and starts to flit about the store silently.]
For whatever reason, my magic tends towards shadows and mist unless I construct it otherwise; that seems to suit the theme of the festival you had in mind, does it not?
no subject
( Nico visibly perks when he mentions his areas of specialisation, not least because she's yet to meet anyone else who's taken to alchemy quite like she has. That's something they'll have to talk about another time, however, because the conversation is already moving and Hubert appears to be— )
Huh!
( Degrees more real is about right — the sparrow looks solid enough as it twirls around the shop. )
"For whatever reason", huh? I dunno ... I reckon that says a lot about you, Hubert.
( But there's a cheeky little grin settled on her lips that suggests she's only teasing. Even if he does tend towards more questionable magic, who is she to judge? Besides, her own magic is channelled in brightly burning destructive bursts, which she'd also argue says a great deal about her too. Rather shadows and mist than potentially exploding yet another kettle. )
Anyway, you're right, that'll work perfect for what I want. How about somethin' a bit bigger than a sparrow? I'm thinkin' ... a woman doin' a pin-up kinda stripping thing, only she unzips her skin an' goes right down to her bones? That could be fun!
( She chuckles at the idea. )
Not like — real detailed or anythin', I don't want it to be gross. A silhouette, maybe?
no subject
Yes, I suppose it does.
[The rest... requires a little deciphering. "Pin-up kinda stripping thing" isn't exactly a phrase native to Fódlan, but between "stripping" and the rest of it, it's not difficult to wind up on the same page, at least.]
[Hubert hums a dull note at her addendum. "Not too gross" was a little subjective, but a silhouette solved a lot of that.]
A shadow-figure, then. It's certainly within the realm of possibility. [Hubert removes a small pad and pen from his coat, jotting something down.]
I've been meaning to ask how long you wanted these "displays" to last. Depending on duration, you may need to invest in magic batteries; the downside to conjuration is that is can be quite costly if you want it to endure. One certainly won't be an issue, but I don't have the magic required to fuel an entire storefront's worth for a night in one casting.
no subject
Good question.
( Nico drags a hand through thick hair, her expression thoughtful. )
I don't want it to get so expensive that the shop ends up losin' money, y'know? And I don't wanna exhaust you, or — I dunno, make you run out of shadows. I'm not that kind of employer.
( She tosses him a wink. )
How about two shadow-figures, but they do a short routine maybe three times over the course of the night? I could make some flyers, pass 'em around and hang them in the streets ... It'll be like a mini show!
( Phew, the ideas are coming thick and fast! She continues on: )
Then in between that, maybe somethin' that ain't gonna be so costly. You made that scarecrow move around pretty easily, right? Think you could do that with a bunch of these?
( And yes, Nico is gesturing towards an elegant display case filled with colourful, anatomically correct monster dildos. )
no subject
[But, Goddess, that case is something. Aside from the pay, the idea of the raw sacrilege this venture was brought some comfort.]
Two performing thrice over the course of a night. That is manageable. You'll be responsible for devising the routine, of course; and being conjurations rather than illusion, they will be sentient to a degree. I should be able to grant you control over them, you being a Witch yourself.
[His eyes flick over the case, then dryly back to Nico.]
As for these... yes, I can animate them, though they have a decidedly limited... range of motion compared to the scarecrow.
[His voice is just as dry. Then he sighs, clasping his hands behind his back.] I assume the shop will want aphrodisiacs, as well?
no subject
( Devise a routine, control the conjurations. It should be easy enough, right? Nico has never had to choreograph a strip-tease before, sure, but she's never one to shy away from a challenge, and she's already feeling a tickle of amusement at the idea of going through it a few times to show Hubert and his tightly-laced sensibilities what she's after. )
Yep, sounds good to me.
( She nods, then perks up a little more when he moves on to the topic of aphrodisiacs. )
Uh ... actually, yeah! We're kinda lacking in that department; I've been tryin' to get some potion research under my belt in my free time, but I don't have a whole lot of that right now.
( The tail-end of an eyebrow lifts a little way as Nico offers him a knowing smirk. )
You're gonna be chargin' me extra for them?
no subject
[The corner of his mouth tips upward.]
Naturally. This is an exchange of business between professionals; nothing more, nothing less. The costs of time is the same, plus material cost.
It should not be substantial; I have prior experience in brewing them. Alchemists were in high demand prior to Litha.
no subject
Yeah? Guess I must've missed Lithia — sounds like a blast if you were brewin' love potions, though.
( She laughs lightly, them moves towards him to offer him her hand. )
Alright, deal. An exchange of business between professionals. Let's say ... eight potions for the night? Then if they're a hit, maybe we could work somethin' out and get the shop a regular supply.
no subject
I imagine a store like this would far very well during Litha is what I shall say. Very well.
[Hubert extends a gloved hand to return the gesture.]
Eight. I will make an effort to have the first half ready a week prior, or sooner, as this land is prone to... unforeseen events. [Like Morgana's return, which delayed this meeting in the first place.] And the last half the day before at minimum. Is that agreeable, Nicoletta?
no subject
( Nico nods, her smile broadening as he uses her full name. He's the first person in Aefenglom she's actually given it to, and it sounds almost too good in that clipped, well-enunciated tone. )
Sounds perfect to me.
( A quick shake on it seals the deal for the time being. )
Pleasure doin' business with you, Hubert. Just let me know if you need to make any changes or anythin', here—
( She leans over the desk to rummage around for a piece of scrap paper, then produces a pen to write down her user details for their contact device. When the ink has had a moment to dry she hands the slip to Hubert with an easy smile: )
Fastest way to reach me.
no subject
[Stepping back, his other hand folds across his chest and he bows primly.]
Of course. I'll leave a message so that you have my contact, as well, should anything arise. I hope this venture will be mutually beneficial to us both.