|
Post by Aleksandr Brovsky on Jul 14, 2006 6:53:35 GMT
"How can a man invent with all this racket in background!?" Aleksandr ejaculated, bashing his large, bony hands against the heavy oak table with a loud thump. The activity being interrupted could hardly be called invention--the wild-haired chemist was busy sorting his many chemical vials into a more confusing arrangement--but when agitated, Aleksandr Brovsky was not known for word parsing, but for sudden rages.
The interruption came in the form of a knock at his door, faintly heard at the second story where Aleksandr worked now. Perhaps had he had more customers, the knocking would not have been such a surprise. As the chemist shop's popularity dictated, however, the appearance of a customer was the last thing Aleksandr could expect.
Upon opening the shop's front door, Aleksandr's furrow-browed expression melted into one of shock. "You..." he muttered, holding the door as though unsure of whether to open it the rest of the way, or slam it and throw the bolt.
"Me," smirked Viktor, Aleksandr's younger brother.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor Brovsky on Jul 14, 2006 7:18:31 GMT
It had been quite a shock, finding Brovsky's Chemist Shop written bold above a nondescript apartment door, in the middle of an equally unimportant street in Aldorm. Aleksandr had never been much of a city man, a fact that had apparently changed.
"Are you not going to show family your famous hospitality," Viktor asked, as his older brother had not yet moved since opening the door partway.
"Are we family," Aleksandr countered, and Viktor smiled coldly. His taste in big cities may have changed, but everything else was the same, from his deep-voiced, unintelligible accent to his dark, heavy-browed countenance.
Viktor made a slight shrug, as though both acknowledging the question's validity as well as dismissing its importance. Either Aleksandr agreed, or decided not to press the issue just then, for he grudgingly opened the door and stepped aside. Viktor gave another small smile, and entered his brother's chemistry shop.
"Forgive my rudeness," Aleksandr intoned, "but why are you here? Not a word from you in seventeen years, now you appear at doorstep, dressed like nobleman duelist?"
Viktor's smile slipped momentarily into a tight grimace, but he turned to eye one of Alek's bookshelves so as not to allow his brother to see his reaction. Once again, after nearly two decades of separation, Aleksandr was able to criticize Viktor's affectations without directly doing so.
"I'm as puzzled by this intrusion as you are, I'm afraid. I came to Aldorm for reasons I shan't go into now, but I only reached my dear brother's business on accident, having taken this street in search of a... an inn."
"Sorry, if you were hoping I was here for a reunion."
|
|
Iildyn
Stranger
Or rather...
Posts: 19
|
Post by Iildyn on Jul 15, 2006 6:26:23 GMT
Iildyn knocked on the door with a little uncommon hesitation. She heard voices, but not being able to make words of them, judged off of the off-timed beat and gruff tone that there was an unfriendly conversation going on within. She hit the wood with the back of her knuckles softly three more times in rapid succession. She instinctively felt for the sole knife she had on her, doule-checking in case the encounter inside was worse than anticipated.
The city so far had been a little intimidating, but dares stood at every corner, enough to poke through, if not to stay in. the bold letters that marked the door caught her eye, as well as the name of Brovsky. She pushed the thought back at the moment: they weren't relations to an old crew member, just a coincidence, but it was enough to go looking through. She had no where in particular to go, so she felt no harm waiting on the doorstep for the speakers to answer and discover what exactly was going inside.
-Iildyn anticipated a simpleton consumer upset with prices. She was just a bit wrong...
|
|
|
Post by Aleksandr Brovsky on Jul 16, 2006 4:03:42 GMT
"I was hoping you were here for a--" Aleksandr began, before being cut off by the appearance of another customer at his doorstep.
"Where were you all before, when shop was near closing down!?" he grumbled irrately, as though viewing his long-lost brother as just another customer. He made a cutting gesture with his hand at Viktor, who shrugged and settled back against a stool behind the counter.
The elder Brovsky pounced at the door and yanked it open, revealing a curly-haired brunette with her hand in position for another knock.
"Come in, come in," he ushered in his thick yet understandable accent, before stepping outside and actually pulling the girl in along beside him. Customers were few and far between, and some seemed hesitant when confronted by Aleksandr's wild-eyed, wild-haired, hawkish appearance. Best to give them as little a chance to refuse as possible.
Viktor had seen the girl, and muttered to himself in a voice meant for all to hear, "Very pretty, on my soul! A sweet morsel for a cold bed!" Unlike his older brother's, Viktor's voice was no longer distinguished by accent; it was cold and clipped, and brought to the mind images of a serpent in the grass.
Aleksandr growled low in his throat. Whether or not Viktor was attracted to the girl did not enter into it, Aleks was sure. Viktor had made the comment to start a confrontation, not to praise the girl's assets. Best to pretend the comment had not been made, the chemist decided.
"Ah, how might I be helping you," he asked, rubbing his hands together briskly.
|
|
Iildyn
Stranger
Or rather...
Posts: 19
|
Post by Iildyn on Jul 16, 2006 8:15:35 GMT
Iildyn stepped into the small shop, shelves, counter-tops, vials, and papers having taken all the rational space left in the room.
"Very pretty, on my soul! A sweet morsel for a cold bed!" Iildyn turned to see the speaker. He wore his hair back, slicked, smooth... sharp and hard. She summed up her look at him. -Probably another arrogant street urchin with a few stolen clothes, a horrible attitude, and a mouth too large. She raised a brow in response to his remark, but didn't hold it too much. -If a real threat came, she'd deal with it then, but waltzing into a new town in a new store and offering a stranger a dagger in the throat for no more than a crude comment wasn't the way she wanted to play things.
"Ah, how might I be helping you?" The question caught her mildly off-guard, cutting suddenly through her thoughts. "Ah, yes," she grinned, stretching her fingers a little, "A chemist shop, hm? Pretty place. I'm looking for some rather random ingredients in fact." Iildyn pulled out a tightly-rolled piece of parchment, listing two herbs and a foreign gauze she'd never heard of. The items were written in well-formed words, but contained nothing else.
She looked up at the chemist for the first true evaluation of the man. Obviously, the two were related, though they must have been educated or brought up in separate places, hearing their different dialects. His vivid eyes and wild hair certainly created an eccentric feel about him, but he seemed pleasant, especially when compared with the former commenter.
"Yes, well, I'm a bit of a newcomer about these parts. Might these be... rare? -Or common? Perhaps I'm lucky enough to have found one owning the latter...?" She showed a soft smile once again.
((OOC: However this may work -and my character does know this- the ingredients make a rather nasty poison, and whether you know that or not, [or how much you know if you do] by all means, it's your choice.))
|
|
|
Post by Viktor Brovsky on Jul 16, 2006 8:47:30 GMT
Viktor smiled as his brother attempted to diffuse the situation. The man probably thought he'd succeeded, but Viktor had always been a better judge of character, and he could see the woman had neither forgiven nor forgotten his comment. Already, he could see she thought there'd be a reckoning... well, let her come, he thought to himself.
"Monkshood? Ligustrum?" Aleksandr repeated questioningly, his eyebrows first lifting in mild shock, before furrowing in scrutiny. Viktor had learned to read men's faces, and Aleksandr's was the easiest to read of them all: his eyebrows could very nearly scream whatever thoughts went through his deft mind.
Still, Viktor was no herbologist--his talents lay elsewhere--and had no idea whatsoever as to the girl's choice in plants.
"Very interesting choices, very interesting," Aleks continued, "but fairly common. I believe I have both..." he explained, though puzzlingly, he seemed upset at having admitted to such inventory. Viktor made a mental note to do a little research at the next available time. He was already in town for such reasons, another topic to study would do no harm.
"Viktor... ..." Aleksandr murmured, and Viktor looked over. Once again his brother's eyebrows gave a clear message, though this time it was because Aleks meant them to. Behave...
Aleksandr left the room, leaving Viktor alone with the girl. Viktor smiled and unslung the sheathed longsword strapped to his back. A moment later he was running a whetstone along its length, while eyeing the girl nonchalantly.
|
|
Iildyn
Stranger
Or rather...
Posts: 19
|
Post by Iildyn on Jul 16, 2006 15:40:41 GMT
Iildyn looked at the wild-eyed chemist while his eyes read through the script. It was quite obvious that the request had upset him a bit, and mild concern flashed across his face. Her lips tightened a bit.
"but fairly common. I believe I have both..." He took the parchment, stopped to look at the other man, and wandered out of the room slightly bent over the names again.
Slowly, the other man, -Viktor, she had caught that much- pulled out his blade and began to sharpen it against a whetstone he pulled out not too soon after. He threw her casual glances, but she felt a little fit of frustration rise in her throat. Why was the man threatening her? Tempting her to threaten him? She caught the smallest curve in his lips. He must enjoy playing with others.
Iildyn smiled slyly back, her eyes narrowed the smallest bit under her brows. Plenty for him to catch, she thought. Let the head-games begin.
|
|
|
Post by Aleksandr Brovsky on Jul 16, 2006 17:39:13 GMT
As Aleksandr's fingers raced along the compartments of his storage room, so did his mind race, trying to puzzle out what to do with this unexpected woman and her strange request.
She has a list, did not recite from memory... maybe means she does not know what they can do. But also maybe means she is retrieving for someone who does...
Monkshood is common anaesthetic, I cannot deny her purchase of such thing hundred housewives in Aldorm have. Ligustrum... not as common, but still nothing exceptional, it is used as unguent to relieve itching...
Wonderful universe we live in, that two beneficial herbs can be mixed to form one of more deadly poisons...
Aleksandr continued to debate the matter, but it seemed to be only a theoretical debate, because he did not stop searching for the items, and once he found them, he returned to the main room. The two were glancing at each other and exchanging small, knowing smiles. For a moment, Aleksandr was shocked. Could the girl have appreciated Viktor's rude comment?
Then he saw Viktor sharpening a sword while glancing at the girl. Aleksandr coughed to announce his presence, and placed the herbs on the counter.
"What you have requested, miss. However...."
"...I would like to meet person you shop for. I will travel with you as you deliver them."
There. Perhaps this way he could assess the situation more readily. Whoever was buying the herbs surely knew what they could do. Call it a scientist's conscience, but he could not allow himself to aid in an assassination.
|
|
Iildyn
Stranger
Or rather...
Posts: 19
|
Post by Iildyn on Jul 17, 2006 3:32:46 GMT
Iildyn watched as the chemist walked through the door, his mouth a little agape at the pass of looks between her and the other man named Viktor. She could read this easily though: it was easiest to assume that she was interested in his 'proposal', but it only disgusted her. She was simply trying to make the conversation a little more hesitant between them, and maybe give the man a bit of confused thought to roll over.
"What you have requested, miss. However, I would like to meet person you shop for. I will travel with you as you deliver them." She turned to meet the chemist again. He flashed another look of concern. "Sir, I buy these for myself. I'm no delivery girl. If you have any questions though sir, I'd be happy to answer them. How much for the purchase?" She pulled out a small bag formerly attached to her belt but hidden within a light hood-less cape she wore to keep the sun of of her skin.
|
|
|
Post by Viktor Brovsky on Jul 17, 2006 7:02:55 GMT
Viktor watched the exchange silently. His brother obviously had some reservations about giving this girl her requested herbs. Viktor's experience in nature was limited to tending a farm as a child, but he at least knew a very simple truth: herbs were either good for you, or bad for you. Unless Aleksandr had become a misanthrope, these herbs fell into the latter category. The girl was buying poison, and Aleksandr was either stalling for time, or had hoped his offer of company would scare the girl off.
"My brother mixes the potions, but I run the sales," Viktor interrupted, the lie coming easily to his lips, and unless the girl was a mind reader there'd be no way for her to know the truth. "Monkshood costs a silver mark an ounce, and... the other one costs half that. Unfortunately, you are buying them both together, in which case the cost soars to--"
"What is this?" Aleksandr interrupted, looking from Viktor to the girl as though she was in on the lie too, or at least hoping she would explain what was going on.
"I'm explaining how in order for our dear customer to leave here with her special frosting, she will need to let us know who the cake is for."
|
|
Iildyn
Stranger
Or rather...
Posts: 19
|
Post by Iildyn on Jul 17, 2006 14:49:38 GMT
"Run the sales, eh?" She let a little laugh escape. These men were too uptight for her. "How much'll that be sir?" She disregarded the remark over the icing. Obviously, it was a remark of concealment or a joke between the men. Either way, Iildyn didn't care much, she wasn't here to make long-lasting friends, just to make a purchase, and it seemed this was much more of a problem than she had first bargained for. -Although it was interesting to note the change between the men from when she waltzed it, as if they were both acting against her in order to protect the herbs.
"Sir, if these are low and you'd rather not sell them, I understand and can find another chemist shop I'm sure. This city is quite massive and-"
Her hand found a paper on the table while she leaned over it to speak to him. She looked at it and swept a bit of dust from it with her slim fingers. It was a poster asking for adventuring help. She shot a glance at the chemist, and back down at the paper. "Sir... you need... help? Collecting herbs, eh? Maybe I can fix your possibly low storage of monkshood and Ligustrum, as well as other things. How high are you hiring?" She smiled, but without thought. This could make for an easy way to travel as well as nice pay, not to mention a bit of her own free herbs...
|
|
|
Post by Aleksandr Brovsky on Jul 18, 2006 6:49:21 GMT
Aleksandr stroked his chin between two fingers and pursed his lips as he mulled the girl's suggestion over. He did need to go on that expedition, now more than ever. Before, he'd had a small nest egg stowed away, and the sulphurous ore had been needed only so he could continue to tinker with an exciting experiment. Now, the chemist shop's lagging business had caused him to eat into his savings, and he needed the ore desperately if he wanted to stay in business. If his suppositions were correct, the fun little experiment he had been fooling around with could be the greatest discovery since the steel age.
Viktor, on the other hand... Aleksandr could see he was none too pleased with the offer, for reasons obvious to him. Viktor had no interest in the chemist shop or his brother. He had wanted to know who the girl... who she... planned to kill, not because it was useful knowledge, but because he wanted to annoy her.
"I would readily accept your offer, miss, it is just...
"...well...
"...am I to be--what is word?--entrusting my well-being to young woman I know nothing of? Please do not take offense, but you understand my concern? You may not be," he paused, fumbling for the proper expression, "up to the task."
Viktor stood from the stool, and Aleksandr could easily see mischief brewing in his brother's blue eyes. "How do you plan on testing your protector," he sneered, eyeing the girl with calculating contempt. "Pit her against a greamer child?"
(A side-ish note, for all to be aware of. Viktor is quite skilled at illusory arts, especially twin and doppelganger illusions. I'm just kinda giving a disclaimer so I don't seem cheap if I... "Viktor suddenly disappeared, revealing that he was simply an illusory twin! The real Viktor leapt out of the shadows, letting loose a blood-curdling scream! As that one did so, another came crawling out of the sewer! Which is the real one, and which is the doppelganger!? Find out... next post!"
(It has happened before.... you stand warned)
)
|
|
Iildyn
Stranger
Or rather...
Posts: 19
|
Post by Iildyn on Jul 18, 2006 6:57:44 GMT
((OOC: Thanks for the warning. =) ))
Iildyn's smile sagged a little, as did her shoulders. He had a fine point made, She wouldn't trust her well-being to a stranger either, but his brother raised an even better point. How on earth was she supposed to prove her worth?
"Sir, I'm certain I can defend you in the act of gathering. I cannot say I could go up against an ambush single-handedly, but your purpose is to collect herbs, not to explore the stomping grounds of what-have-you on this land. undoubtedly, we'll run into some, but I'm sure I can handle one, or even two sir. Test me how you wish... Sir... Chemist." She emphasized the final word very forcefully. She wasn't going to take orders from the sly man in the corner.
She untied the cloak and folded it over her arm. On her back sat the two rapiers, hidden well under her cloak previously and her straight posture. "Now, this is no threat, but preparation will have it that I am prepared sir, and I have made it to this city near unscathed. So shall you, that is, if you can trust me, or find a way for me to prove my word for you."
|
|
|
Post by Viktor Brovsky on Jul 19, 2006 3:01:16 GMT
"Save your blade's edge for another foe," Viktor quipped dryly, "no need to dull it on us."
This trip had been a waste of time, Viktor decided. He didn't know what had brought him to the doorstep when he saw his brother's bold-print sign, except perhaps simple curiosity. That curiosity had been sated; his brother was the same simple fool as before, convinced there was nothing more to the world than what could be seen and analyzed and explained. Viktor came back from around the chemist shop's counter, making sure his movements were non-threatening for the girl. The last thing he needed was his stay in Aldorm tainted by this girl's death.
"Aleksandr, this has been illuminating, but I fear I can stay no more. I have business to attend to, and this reunion was nothing but a detour. Good day, farewell."
Aleksandr had not been too pleased with Viktor's appearance, so Viktor was not surprised when his brother did not attempt to stop him or draw out the good bye. The wild-haired chemist simply nodded, and became lost in his own mind once more.
(Out)
|
|
Iildyn
Stranger
Or rather...
Posts: 19
|
Post by Iildyn on Jul 19, 2006 3:11:46 GMT
Iildyn watched the exchange between the brothers, still wary of the man about to leave. His words still bothered her, and his pride even more. One day, she thought, maybe not of her doing, but someday he was going to realize he had more than a match.
"Sir....?" Her eyes still followed the other man, but she did want to hear the chemist's answer.
((OOC: Boy, I'm going to have to start a heavy thread after this. =) Heh, sorry, I couldn't find a point of extreme interest or action without coming across as unreasonable. ..oh, and sorry for the tiny post.))
|
|
|
Post by Aleksandr Brovsky on Jul 19, 2006 3:15:24 GMT
"Where were we," Aleksandr muttered, as though his long-lost brother's sudden appearance and departure were of the same importance as the milk man's delivery.
"Ah, your... proposition, yes? I am no fighter, but chemist, so there is no way I can test your... fighting prowess. I do not like leaving events to chance, especially when event is my survival. Quite a pickle, quite a pickle," he mused thoughtfully.
Suddenly, he nodded, and clasped his hands together and rubbed them briskly. "It is decided. This trip is important to me. You are young, pretty girl with what are no doubt expensive weapons. Your continued survival in a town such as Aldorm should be only...credentials?...you need. As you say, we are gathering herbs, not exploring lion's den. If you have no immediate business in Aldorm, we leave on the morrow, for Dimien Mountain Range."
(No worries, if the Dimien Mountain Range does not provide us with suitable action, nothing will.)
|
|