[center] [i]Collab with [@Drinky] [/i] [/center] [center] [img]http://i.imgur.com/mq3ylMP.jpg[/img] [/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/rAeleWp.jpg[/img][/center] Gish felt his phone rumble from within his coat. He pulled it out and flipped the screen open. Though cracked and smudged he could make out Grezbill's text. [color=orange]'Start heading up, she'll see you now.'[/color] With that Gish began ascending the stairwell. It was dimmer than he expected for such a fancy club, probably built as an emergency exit to keep to code. [color=green]'The road less traveled'[/color] he thought. He saw Grezbill approaching quickly from above him. The goblin whizzed past him without a word as though he was being pursued. Gish simply shook his head and kept climbing. He figured Grezbill probably took a fair bit of flak arranging this for him. One didn't often get an audience with Nyxvira less she directly called on you, or he he had heard As he reached the top he was greeted by a bodyguard. As the thug raised his hand Gish had already begun reaching into his coat. From it he produced his shotgun and popped the action open, extending it towards the bodyguard. It was quickly snatched from his grasp and he was given a pat down for good measure, though the bodyguard seemed awfully gentle with him. Gish got the feeling the guy wasn't too pleased about about having to lay his hands on him, he didn't even check inside his hat. With the pat down concluded the man opened the door to Gish revealing a new world of sound and sights. This was easily the most posh place Gish had ever step foot in, though that wasn't a particularly great feat in his case. He took a quick moment to take in his surroundings. The people felt almost alien to him, dressed in what he could only assume were the latest fashions. Everything looked so clean, shiny, and expensive. He wondered how Grezbill could be such an emotional mess working in luxurious environments like this. Nyxvira must have rode him hard. He caught the eyes of a few people who began to stare and whisper. Another guard approached him and pointed up another flight of stairs. [color=green]"Cheers mate."[/color] Gish said, though he doubted the guard could hear him. He straightened his coat and began climbing the stairs. He walked with confidence and swung his arms. Might as well act posh while he was there. As he reached the upper balcony he saw Nyxvira. As fitting as it was he couldn't help but awe over how much she looked like royalty. Sat atop a proper throne, jewels and a fancy dress, he felt it looked a bit gotti but damned if he was going to say anything aloud. He saw a large ogre standing by Nyxvira, the type that looked like he'd shot put goblins over the balcony just for fun. Gish wavered for a moment just at the sight of him but continued his stride, there was no place to run now. He raised his hat to Nyxvira as he approached. [color=green]"'ello love, 'ow are we this fine evening."[/color] Nyxvira smirked as the goblin approached her, her twinkling golden eyes falling on his top hat. Whereas she'd looked upon Grezbill with disapproving disdain, Gish seemed to stir something...different within the Faerie. Respect? Interest? It was difficult to say. [color=ed1c24] [b][i]"Terrible; I don't have access to the mini-bar from up here,"[/i][/b] [/color] she shot him a quick wink [i][b][color=ed1c24]"I love the hat, by the way."[/color][/b][/i] One fat hand coiled around a glass of what looked like...milk? Nyxie took a draw-out sip, before turning her attention back to Godric. [i][b][color=ed1c24]"Now, I had planned to contact you sooner or later about a mutually beneficial munitions arrangement, but it seems that a third party most rudely intervened before anything could be decided upon." [/color][/b][/i] Nyxie let out a snorty little laugh. [i][b][color=ed1c24]"I love talking like Al Pacino. Best part of the job, hands-fucking-down." [/color][/b][/i] She leant back on her throne, slinging one enormous leg over the other, causing her pale flesh to jiggle and wobble. [i][b][color=ed1c24]"But tell me; What can Nyxie do for you this evening, my little apple kube?" [/color][/b][/i] Gish couldn't help but pop a small grin at the compliment to his hat. Shows what Grezbill knows, a lady always appreciates a gentleman in a fine dapper hat. He raised an eyebrow at Nyxie mentioning her intention to contact him regarding business though decided to get the information he came for first and foremost. Gish placed his hands at the lapels of his coat and leaned back slightly. [color=green]"Well, well, color me impressed. So you've already 'eard of my predicament then."[/color] He began to pace side to side, thought he should keep moving should anyone decide to throw something at him. Just a precaution. [color=green]"My reason for being 'ere is I came to ask if you knew anything 'bout the gits that hit my shop. Dunno what you've heard but I was 'aving a chat with a customer when it 'appened, young bloke, named Sander. Then this thin bird pops in yelling about some thugs on their way to smash the place. The three of us flash outta' there and outside, and just as we get surrounded outside some masked...thing shows up and starts cutting down the thugs. Me an' the chap split, the thin bird stayed back with the masked one, probably dead, and then I came here lookin' for info. What I wanna know is ooh's [i]really[/i] after me and are they're [i]still[/i] after me."[/color] [color=ed1c24] [i][b]“Rats, I’m fairly sure.[/b][/i]” [/color] Nyxvira gave a little smirk [color=ed1c24] [i][b]“By which I mean ‘definitely sure’.” [/b][/i][/color] She took another sip of her drink. [color=ed1c24][i][b]“Can’t say I’m familiar with this ‘Sander’, or the Skinny chick for that matter, but masked thing was one of mine.”[/b][/i] [/color] The faerie chuckled lightly, causing her gut to shake [color=ed1c24][i][b]“Don’t worry about running into her again, though. I have her on a tight leash. You managed to piss off one of the Rats, so there’s no guarantee that they won’t keep throwing sewer gunk at you until they catch you off guard.One think I can garuntee though, is that if you work under me you’ll be completely and utterly safe. No one fucks with the queen. And you’ll probably get a lamborghini.”[/b][/i] [/color] Gish halted his pacing and clenched his teeth at the mention of Rats. Of all the cliques, gangs, and organizations in the city he detested them above all simply due to the fact that any thug could claim they were a member and one could never be sure if it was a bluff. Additionally the effect could be played out in reverse, which was likely in his case, wherein one stabs a rat member in the back unknowingly only to have a platoon of their friends out for blood. Gish's eyes narrowed. He turned to the balcony, overlooking the party as he deliberated over Nyxvira's offer. Considering the relative size of 'The Rats' as a gang and their often renowned lack of organization there was enough reason to believe that this attack would blow over. Even given the deaths involved Gish thought it a strong possibility that these members that attacked him would lie forgotten by their comrades, or in the best case scenario 'The Rats' would think it wise not to challenge him again for fear that the masked assassin would reappear. However, he also had to consider how things would play out if something like this did happen again. Thinking back to the night of the attack, he recalled how helpless he felt. Most of his planning had given way to panic and he laid his trust in two complete strangers when faced with a coordinated, albeit sloppy, attack. For all he knew his two companions could have been in on the whole scheme, though he doubted it given the gruesome ending to that night. In the interest of achieving protection unobtainable by even the wealthiest tycoon, perhaps it was time he did sign on with a proper gang. Though what could be said for Nyxvira? Without question she was considered the most powerful person in the city. Gish was missing a few pages in his knowledge of Nyxvira's rise to power, though he knew that despite her distended appearance she was a woman skilled in the application of force and rightfully feared. He also questioned his predicted treatment under her employ given the inescapable racial stigma his kind carried. Nyxvira did employ goblins, the obvious case being Grezbill, which was more than could be said about most outfits in the city. However, closely examining Grezbill's case proved detrimental in some aspects, and Gish would sooner turn to window washing lest he end up in a mental state that mirrored Grezbill's. What could Nyxvira see in Gish that would prompt such as offer? Gish knew full well that his only marketable trait was his weapon [i]crafting[/i]. If Nyxvira only wanted a smith, she could hire any prissy elf for the job. Given Nyxvira's almost omnipotent knowledge of people in the city it was not a far cry to assume she knew of his finer works, despite Gish's stipulations of secrecy on the matter. If he was to be expected to [i]produce[/i] weapons for the queenpin he had to be certain. He turned his gaze from overlooking the crowds back to Nyxvira. [color=green]"Will miss, can't say I'm very fond of cars. Often 'ave trouble reaching the pedals."[/color] He took a few steps closer to Nyxvira, watching her bodyguard for any signs of agitation. [color=green]"Wot, may I ask, would be the terms of my...employment."[/color] Nyxie's face darkened slightly; a faint, almost unnoticeable transformation, but a transformation none-the-less. It seemed unlikely that she was used to being said 'no' to, or even having to consider the eventuality where someone turned her down. Her nonchalant manner was renowned, but so was her fluctuating temper. Ruzghul Elfchewer had been a brute of a kingpin, no one would dispute that, but at-least one of his heads had been a rational thinker. What went on inside Nyxvira's mind? That was difficult to say. [i][b][color=ed1c24]"To get the important shit out of the way; we'd obviously set you up with a new workshop. You'll have your own warehouse, in one of the nicer parts of town, of course. I'd ask that you help educate some of my other craftsmen, in return for which I'll only expect you to work limited hours. I can assure you that the job pays well, and the Bloodbloom name is always a good way to get into the cities more refined venues. Once you've met shipment deadlines, the rest of the weeks is yours to do with as you wish. Although, we'd have to agree that you'd be working exclusively for me. We couldn't have blood-tweakers and dustheads running around with your high quality munitions" [/color][/b][/i] Nyxie clasped her fat hands together. [i][b][color=ed1c24]"Can I get you something whilst you mull the decision over? A cigar, perhaps?" [/color][/b][/i] Gish saw what he assumed was a servant step forward as Nyxvira gave her gesture. Coming forward the man arched downwards, opening a box lined with cigars. The aroma was intoxicating, and Gish found difficulty fighting the urge to relax his posture. As he reached forward and clasped a cigar between his fingers the servant, almost through an act of reflex, held a flame near to Gish's face. The finely packed tobacco lit effortlessly, and Gish took a long savory breath once an ember had formed. Gish always inhaled his cigars. Despite the toll it took on his throat, he found he could enjoy the taste more and it forced him to take his time lest he suffer a fit a coughing. He gave special care to direct his exhales upwards into the brim of his hat rather than soak Nyxie's fine clothes with cigar smells. Pondering more on her offer, he thought of how things would be different not being his own boss for a change. Consideration had to be given to what he'd be able to achieve with Nyxie's sponsorship. With finer tools and seemingly endless finances for acquiring rare and illusive materials he'd have much more opportunity to further his designs and refine older projects he had begun but never had deep enough pockets to complete. Gone would be the need to entertain customers with time consuming and mundane repairs in order to keep a roof over his head. He gave little thought to what 'orders' he'd be required to fill as part of the agreement. Even if his service meant his work on finer weapons had to wait till he was off the clock, that would be more than enough time to dedicate towards furthering his masterwork designs. Gish took another long drag of his cigar before cracking a smile aimed at Nyxvira, brandishing his bleached white teeth. [color=green]"Throw in a box of these, and you've got a deal miss."[/color]