‡ 5th treasure‡ Video

[totallytrustworthy]

[Chloe--long time no see, network-- is settled down in a dimly lit bit of local architecture. At least it looks that way at first glance; Initiative buildings are usually a touch more pristine, and one hell of a lot more futuristic.]

Evening lads and ladies. Given the way things've been going lately between our sort and the locals, there's no doubt that finding what we need to get by isn't exactly an easy venture. Then again, when everything around here is coated in a couple hundred years of grit, it wasn't all that easy to begin with. [A small, thoughtful little beat. Drummed out on a table too low to see.] Or worth it for that matter.

Which is why after a lengthy hiatus, I'm pleased to announce that my item retrieval service is back up and running-- with a few minor adjustments.

[The camera shifts, dipping slightly as whoever’s holding the tablet shifts their hands. The cameraman in question hisses at her, clearly trying and failing to be discreet:] Oi, your retrieval service?

Well it was mine first. The next time you wind up in an alien future before the rest of us you can go start your own bloody business.

Fine, alright. Go on then. [And the camera shifts up again, less steady than before.]

--Right. So as I was saying. For those of you that need something-- anything-- found or picked up or even gently borrowed from a few bygone eras, Frazer and Cutter's Acquisitions and Fine Antiques is here to manage it for you. For a few nominal fees of course, and with much less glaring than what you’ll find around here.

Trust me, with the sort of luck the Initiative’s been having, you’ll want a pair of professionals on your side.


**Charlie Cutter is in red and the pair of them are more than happy to respond to any incoming inquiries or requests!

Comments

[indirection]

[He inclines his head to one side.]

Oh? I wouldn't know. Do you read a lot of those?

[Romance novel?? WHat??]

[totallytrustworthy]

No. [Sometimes.] Seriously though, mate, you're lucky I don't mind sharing every once in a while.

[indirection]

[Share the magic of romance novels with him, mama. He needs to learn about human courtship.]

I do feel very blessed by your generosity. To show my gratitude, perhaps I can ask you to gently borrow a few artifacts for me.

[totallytrustworthy]

[He's too young to hear about all that nonsense. Or too...not-human. Either way he's not getting the talk over the net where she can't just throw a book at him and let that suffice.]

I'm listening. What is it you're after?

[indirection]

Sacred artifacts. Vessels. They don't have to be actual jars -- icons of someone's power will do. Spiritual or martial.

CRASHES IN

[alittlesweptup]

[See, that's what he's talking about. It might pay well, but doing grocery shopping for half the island sounds boring. This? Less so.

Charlie's not on camera, but speaks loud enough to be heard over Chloe's feed:] Can we boost a bunch of canopic jars? That'd be all of the above, right?

[indirection]

[Wrathion's not familiar with this gentleman, but minions are minions. He smiles ingratiatingly.]

That sounds perfect, for a start.

[totallytrustworthy]

Fond of collecting old artifacts, are you? And here I thought you were all about women's clothing.

[indirection]

Ha, ha. I have a great appreciation for antiquity, thank you.

[totallytrustworthy]

You're welcome.

I hope you're willing to actually pay up for it, though. Because this one's not on the house.

[indirection]

In fact, I'm willing to pay up front. Come see me.

[totallytrustworthy]

At the hold? All right, I'm game. How's an hour work for you?

[indirection]

Take your time. I've got all day.

[LOUNGES SOMEWHERE. IN A PRINCELY FASHION.]

action

[totallytrustworthy]

[It's over an hour by the time she pings Wrathion back over the network from one of the plush couches of the Initiative housing's lobby. Seems like a waste of energy to go trudging upstairs when they've already trudged a few blocks.

One quick text of 'here when you're ready. dwnstrs.' gets the job done.]

Just a heads up, Charlie. He's not human.

[alittlesweptup]

[Lounging on the couch beside her, Charlie stretches his legs out in front of him. He sniffs, mouth quirking into half a grin. He's not the one fussed about that sort of thing, now is he?]

Yeah, alright. [And the kid looked fairly normal on the video feed. How many surprises could there possibly be under that hat?]

[indirection]

[SO MANY SURPRISES. Wrathion waves them over once he spots them, smiling hugely.]

Hello, friends! [Waiters.] So good to see you again, Chloe. Is this your bodyguard?

[totallytrustworthy]

[She's happy to see him, and not just because he's paying their way back to collect a heap of golden relics from the heart of Egypt, either. The walk over towards where he's standing is quick enough to drive that point home.] Got it in one.

How are you, darling?

[alittlesweptup]

[Charlie follows a half step behind. To his credit he hardly bats an eye at the bodyguard thing even when Chloe confirms it. He can save all the sidelong glances and less than gentle ribbing for when they're not literally in a business meeting.

(See, he can be professional. In person. Sort of.)]

[indirection]

Perfectly well. Got over that horrible little cold. [He makes a face, as though being sick in and of itself was a personal affront. Which it was.]

At any rate, let's make a deal. First of all ... [He pulls a small but still reasonably weighty sack of gold out of his pocket and tosses it at Chloe.]

Half upfront. To build trust.