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Post by Mirage on Apr 25, 2010 15:19:40 GMT -5
Mirage takes the belt with a nod and follows Pyrite out, not really paying much attention to the clerk.
"Certainly. Lead on."
Skip away!
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Post by SceneMod on Apr 25, 2010 19:10:03 GMT -5
This area of town is much, much nicer looking, quaint, even. It's obviously one of the oldest sections of town, settled by immigrants of some specific ethnicity or other, but it's been kept up. The original tongue, or a descendent of it, is still spoken here more often than Galstandard is, if Mirage pays attention to the conversations spoken by the folk here.
Certainly, some of buildings show their age and have started to decay. Others have been reinforced with thick plate glass and iron bars. Fences are quite common. It appears to be mostly organic dominated, with little boxes of tiny, pale flowers dotting the side walks. The shops and restaurants are all in what appear to be old homes or at least new buildings made to look like old homes.
Into one such shop, charming, really, Pyrite tries to lead Mirage. It is a jewellery store, one part consignment, and there is a thin, wiry old jewellery with four eyes set into his skull, looking down at a grinding wheel. He looks over at Pyrite and starts to say, "Oh, are you back for-" then he looks over at Mirage and concludes, perhaps a bit sadly, "I suppose not."
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Post by Mirage on Apr 25, 2010 19:56:55 GMT -5
Mirage feels much more comfortable here than in the previous area. It's still a far cry from his normal standards, but at least he feels relatively safe.
Clothing Mirage may not know, but gemstones and ornamentation he does, and it doesn't take him long to find the most quality of the displays the old jeweler has set up. Not necessarily the most expensive mind- the most quality. Of course, this display may or may not contain the cuff-links Mirage needs; he is merely attracted to beautiful things.
The jeweler's question to Pyrite does make Mirage turn toward the actor, "Oh, was there something here you wanted as well?"
And so Mirage continues to be naive.
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Post by SceneMod on Apr 25, 2010 20:11:45 GMT -5
Pyrite replies, in rather a hurry, "No, nothing I wanted."
The jeweller remains silent on that matter, instead putting his work down and and pacing out around that counter and over to where Mirage is looking at the shinies. He offers, "If there's anything you'd like to see out of the case, just let me know." Mirage looks respectable enough!
For the most part, the pieces here are fairly priced. Nothing is underpriced, mind you, and a few pieces are indeed overpriced. Aside from the consignment section, all of the pieces appear to be handmade. Most of the stones are only semi-precious, and silver is far more common than gold, and platinum and iridium and other exotics are even less common than gold. There is a bit of copper and bronze, too.
A fair number of pieces are in floral designs, like the dainty flowers outside, but there are also avians, rings within rings linked by four spokes, horned and toothed pieces, and abstract geometric designs.
Pyrite settles himself in front of one of the consignment cases, back to it, arms crossed loosely against his chest.
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Post by Mirage on Apr 25, 2010 21:29:54 GMT -5
Mirage gives the jeweler a polite smile and nod, then says, "This your work? It is quite lovely. The pride of the maker is quite evident in the work."
Mirage shifts his stance slightly, bringing his arms up, one hand fingering the cuff of the opposite sleeve. "I'm looking for...what did you call them?" Mirage looks over at Pyrite, and his optics narrow ever so slightly. Mirage isn't that oblivious. "Ah yes, cufflinks." Mirage smiles again, "I'm afraid I'm still getting used to the local fashion terminology. Please forgive me."
"Something in silver or platinum perhaps. Sapphires would be a lovely bonus."
Mirage leans in, as if peering at a piece nearer to the jeweler, and adds in a much, much lower tone, "I'm not usually taken by fool's gold, but my current circumstances are rather unique. I would be interested in learning what its value is locally." Then louder, "Or perhaps we might discuss a commission. I'm sure we can agree on an amiable rate."
Mirage may be an arrogant aft, but he can be subtle.
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Post by SceneMod on Apr 26, 2010 21:12:37 GMT -5
Interestingly, mostly the spoked rings within rings and horned pieces are overpriced. Not so much the flowers, birds, and abstract pieces.
The jeweller nods slowly and explains, "Most of it is. There are a few things I picked up at trade shows, and of course, the consignment cases." He paces over to the case of cufflinks, and he admits, a bit rueful, "I don't do much work in platinum. Lovely metal, just a bit pricey. But if you'd like to talk a commission..."
He slips a set of bifocal glasses over his lower eyes, and his voice lowers, "More fool than gold, but non-toxic to your kind. A pretty enough trinket, but worthless without the whole set. The other half really balances the setting."
Then, he puts the glasses back up on his balding forehead, and he continues more loudly, "Could set some circular cabochon star sapphires into this pair, perhaps," he suggests, pointing out a sleek abstract silver pair, currently with round, blank ends.
Pyrite frowns a bit and tilts his head to the side. What are they talking about?
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Post by Mirage on Apr 26, 2010 22:28:27 GMT -5
Mirage nods and follows the jeweler to the other case. The trend in pricing is, perhaps, a bit telling- or would be if Mirage knew more about Unicronican symbolism. As it is, he just notes the differences and files it away for later.
Hrm, wasn't there similar graffiti in that...quaint little area Pyrite first took Mirage?
"Hmm, that is a lovely pair," he says, "I think, with the addition of the gems they will be just perfect." Mirage tilts his head slightly more toward the old man, and adds, "Though I would still be interested in commissioning a work."
Mirage's voice has stayed at a soft conversational tone since his initial inquiry. He lowers it but slightly, not wanting to draw too much attention by whispering.
"It is my understanding that the match to the pair has been...misappropriated."
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Post by SceneMod on Apr 27, 2010 21:48:31 GMT -5
There was indeed similar graffiti!
From another cabinet, the jeweller points out some circular cabochon cut star sapphires that would set nicely into the cuff-links.
He inquires politely, "Oh? Do explain."
Then he continues along other lines, "So I hear, though whether it was a really a true twinned crystal to start with or just a false doublet, I can't be certain."
Pyrite just continues to wait, looking lost in thought or even a little sad.
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Post by Mirage on Apr 27, 2010 22:45:01 GMT -5
Mirage examines the star sapphires indicated and nods approval, "Perfect."
"Ah, yes, the commission. Have you something I might sketch upon?" Mirage asks. When given a sheet of paper and pencil, he thanks the man and begins to sketch quickly.
"Hmm, I have a fairly good eye for sussing out the flaws in precious stones; it's a hobby, you see, as is locating lost objects. I dislike seeing a a piece without it's match, so am hopeful of remedying that situation." Mirage looks up at the old jeweler. "Any information you might have on that lost piece would be most appreciated."
Mirage finishes his sketch, and the image has take the shape of the Autobot emblem. "Could you make a set of cuff-links based on this design? In a gold and red color scheme, either utilizing enameling or preferably rubies? They would be for a gift, and I've no problem if it takes some time."
slight posing of shopkeeper okay'd w/ scenmod
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Post by SceneMod on Apr 28, 2010 22:19:01 GMT -5
The jeweller watches intently as Mirage sketches, and he remarks, "I've never seen a design like that. Family crest?" He takes the pencil back and renders in pave rubies, and then looks up, "Will that suit?"
But he keeps drawing, even after the pave is done, in the margin, the second sketch taking the form of a slender, rather androgynous robot, who quite resembles Pyrite, though with slightly finer features and larger crystals in the bosom area. She is wearing an evening gown with a rather risque slit, up to the thigh, and a plunging neckline. A maribou scarf is draped over her shoulder and heels make up for the height that Pyrite seems to have over her. The jeweller turns the paper around, so that Mirage can see Chalco right side up.
"Pretty enough, but never a ring or pearl necklace in the set." Never any boyfriends (or girlfrinds) for Miss Chalco, despite her talent and beauty. "Though plenty tried to find a match. Nothing ever quite coordinated." But perhaps some disappointed suitors?
He pulls out a business card that has his name, number, and the address of the shop on it, and quotes a price and timeframe. He asks, "And if I could have your name, number, and half up front? The silver and sapphire, I can have done in a few minutes, if you aren't in a rush."
Half up front is better than he'll find almost anywhere.
And slight posing of Mirage okayed with Mirage!
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Post by Mirage on Apr 28, 2010 23:06:50 GMT -5
"Yes," Mirage says smoothly in response to the crest question, "And if you could inlay it on a flame-shaped base, even better."
He watches intently as the jeweler sketches, rather impressed with both the man's skill and his canniness. Mirage has gotten more information about Pyrite's supposed sister from this man in a few cryptic comments than in a few hours of talking with Pyrite.
"That will do nicely," he says once the sketch is done, "You have no idea how grateful I am for your assistance in this matter." Mirage takes the business card and drops it into subspace, then picks up the pencil and writes a radio frequency on the paper. "I'm afraid I don't yet have a local number, but I'm easily reachable, most anytime, via radio. The timeframe is perfectly reasonable, as is the deposit." He drops the pencil, at the same time dropping the appropriate credits from subspace into his hand. The amount is actually a bit higher, and includes the cost of his own purchase; he simply rounded it up to the next whole amount, rather than bother with small change.
Assuming the shopkeeper takes the funds, Mirage will straighten and stretch, "I don't mind waiting at all. It gives me more time to examine your other merchandise. I may have cause to make additional purchases at a later date."
After catching any last words from the jeweler, Mirage returns to stand in front of Pyrite.
"Everything's settled, and he should have my choices ready shortly," he says, smiling down at the actor.
"Now, how long are you going to try and hide that case from me?" Mirage asks softly.
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Post by SceneMod on Apr 29, 2010 19:39:02 GMT -5
The jeweller returns to the original sketch and lightly pencils in a few options for the flames, some more realistic, some more stylised, some more tribalised, and he taps each design in turn, looking to Mirage for an indication of which base would most suit.
The man looks a little startled, but he doesn't question the rounding up. He replies warmly, "Thank you, and have a good a day. Good luck with your other... errands." He then moves back to the workshop area with the sapphires and the silver cufflinks, to set the stones.
Pyrite says smoothly, "I'm not hiding it. I'm just leaning." He steps away.
The jewellery in the case, for it is a consignment case, is quite varied, almost every piece a wildly different style.
But someone might still pick out that there's a small ring of twisted gold and anodised titanium, set with a tiny crystal of pyrite and a tiny crystal of chalcopyrite. Its price isn't very high at all - indeed, it would likely be worth more if it was melted down for the gold.
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Post by Mirage on Apr 29, 2010 21:59:23 GMT -5
Mirage picks the flame option that looks closest to Rodimus's paint job. >_>
"Of course you are," Mirage replies lightly as Pyrite steps aside. The spy takes in the contents of the case rather quickly, optics brightening slightly when he spies that tell-tale ring. Still, Mirage continues to peruse the display at length, as if each item in it were quite fascinating.
"I must say, I always find it at once amusing and vexing how much people tend to underestimate me simply because I am an ivory tower mech, with more genteel ways than most are used to," Mirage begins, tone still light, "Even those of my own planet and current peers do this, and they should know better. Yes, I am an arrogant mech, trending toward snobbery for all that I subscribe to the idea of noblesse oblige, but I am also a warrior from a race that has been fighting a dread and bloody war for millennia. I am a hunter and tracker of some renown, with a skill in shooting that very few can equal. I have killed with them, gotten just as dirty in the trenches as they have, taken my own share of shots to my delicate plating."
"And yet, Pyrite dear, people still tend to assume that I am a useless fop simply because I know which glass works best for which drink, and what stone will best compliment a ladies or gentleman's optics." The corner of Mirage's lips turn up, "Often they even assume that I don't know when I'm being lied to, for my easy manner is sometimes confused for naivete." Now Mirage actually looks down at the actor. "And sometimes, it suits me to allow people to believe such of me."
"Now, if you truly wish my help to find you dear beloved, I suggest you stop skirting issues and hiding truths."
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Post by SceneMod on Apr 29, 2010 22:25:16 GMT -5
Don't mind the jeweller, he's just working on setting sapphires, la la la.
Pyrite quails, and his mouth forms an 'oh'. Oh. This all makes a lot more sense. Mirage is an assassin. That's why they had that thug, wossname, Grimlock! And why that doctor, Rodimus Prime, was trained in combat. And... and... Spy Shot 6's name makes a lot more sense if he's actually a spy. And Bambi... er... token female. Have to have one of those.
Oh.
So they're a mercenary company, right?
Oh dear.
He finally blurts, "Please don't kill me!" and he has the look of a man who is desperately trying to figure out if he can make it to the door on only one knee.
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Post by Mirage on Apr 29, 2010 22:44:15 GMT -5
One of Mirage's browridges shoots ridiculously high at Pyrite's entreaty, and then the spy is cradling his face in his hand.
"You are possessed of a singularly overactive imagination. So lovely to know I can add 'cold-fueled killer' to my disguise repertoire." Mirage snorts and shakes his head.
"Primus deliver me from my own good intentions it seems. I am going to continue to browse until my purchase is ready. When you are quite over yourself and have decided if you really do want my help, we can talk."
Mirage calls to the jeweler, "When you're done, there is another piece I believe I would like to examine if you don't mind." He then moves away from Pyrite to look at another display.
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