[ she can do confident! for example: she remains unaware she upset shoma. it's fine. off to a good start. and this pawnbroker's problems are not her problems, so! ]
[ mm...well. that's also a fair point. he doesn't exactly have time to be thinking about this anyway.
Do you really think anyone would undermine you? I mean... anyone here, anyway. Everyone was relying on you a lot today. They didn't even question that you'd be capable.
similar sentiments from two people he trusts, at least. it's enough to push aside the agitation that was starting to brew and he nods. ]
[ The old man... he is being abandoned. His face goes entirely pallid at this. ]
Wait! I sold you my wares, the least you could do is --
[ And in enters a man, huge, totally decked out in tattoos, and most importantly: he is in a Hawaiian shirt. ]
Thirty million Ahn, gramps! Pay up, and we mean to collect this time. You know how else you can pay if ya ain't got the cash, right?
Effie
Sorry old man, but dealing with your debt isn't a part of our contract right now.
Feel free to contact our higher-ups if you ever need our services separately.
Saude
Ah, by the way. Those tattoos and shirt style indicate he's of the Tingtang Gang.
I suppose it's convenient as a preview of sorts of what kind of folks you'll be walking up to soon.
[ And thus, if you are set on this, they can indeed leave... ]
[ lovelace's instinct is to abandon this man. they spent money here, that's practically the same as helping him with the debt. they've done their part and they have a different mission!!!
however she will linger a moment to see what the other two want to do really observe his outfit. ]
Oh my god. [ this is mumbled to himself both at the outfit and at charles just fucking off on sidequest hell. though he does kind of linger back to observe this, too, primarily studying the behavior of the tingtang member. ]
Yes. It's just an outfit.
Think of it as a costume... we will be dressed as croupiers as well, so it's not as if you'll be the only ones dressing up.
[ Please don't ruin their plan just because you don't like Hawaiian shirts, is the vibe she's putting out. Even though their croupier outfits are probably better.
The old man is cowering behind this counter, stuttering in his words. ]
Th-this fucker took all of it! I only needed a little bit to get my business started, and then the interests came... and every time I paid back, they asked for more! I can't, being a pawnbroker doesn't make that much in a place like this!
[ The alleged Tingtang member with his radical Hawaiian shirt seems unamused. ]
You knew what you were gettin' into. You can do basic math, can'tcha?! And if ya ask me, we were being real lenient, 'cause you say the same thing every single damn time! 'Oh, I'll pay you back, I swear!' Well, Boss isn't gonna like me wastin' precious time teachin' you how 1 + 1 works.
'Sides, what's with the insult, eh? Oh well, makes it even easier for me if yer mad! And ya know, your wishpower'll pay back more than all your stupid lil trinkets.
[ Saude flaps a packet of documents btw while this happening. Inside are loads of info on how they're going to go about this, as well as an intricate casino map, as if she's reminding you all what they've gotta do. Not that you have to listen to her. ]
Saude
The Backstreets have their own rules and systems.
We'd only make a bigger deal out of it by getting involved.
[make a bigger deal out of things by getting involved? sorry, saude, but guess what charles's specialty is!!
he just gives isabel a quick smile because honestly yeah? before he turns to the tingtang member.]
C'mon, my good fellow. If your demands are unreasonable, this poor man won't be a repeat customer of yours. Plus, word spreads. Who's going to want to take a risk with the Tingtang Gang if you're so quick to resort to extremes?
[
despite the seemingly pleasant demeanour the vibe is also that charles just kind of wants to beat this gang member up]
[ well. he was watching, and then he was suddenly actually listening and paying attention to the conversation and there's a very complicated sort of expression on his face as he seems to mull over a few things. there's also a semi-vacant look in his eyes as the two continue to argue.
and then there's charles and isabel both speaking and he sort of blinks slowly as he takes a step or two back. ]
This is the opposite of blending in. [ this is still mumbled mostly to the two of them to not be overheard but uh yeah he's busy thinking about something else so he guesses this is just going to happen. ]
[sorry to shoma who is thinking and feeling things while charles and isabel are like this. sorry to saude and effie who didn't deserve these people either.]
... "Dandy-boy"...?
[anyway as isabel threatens a man what if charles also just. withdraws his sword to thrust the hilt of it into this man's abdomen. LIKE HE IS NOT STABBING HIM HE IS BASICALLY JUST PUNCHING HIM WITH THE SWORD HANDLE.]
Both of you. [ like ultimately he cannot stop either of them because they both have weapons and he's not at the point he feels like bombing them but he can at least
oh never mind charles already hit the man. okay. okay! ]
[ You were doing better than the actual LCB they normally have to deal with, at least. Keyword, were. You're approaching same level rapidly.
The Tingtanger just. Immediately raises his fucking hands, in which he has a dagger, like WHOA. ]
Whoa there, wh-where'd you get a gun?! Shit, you a big shot or somethin'?!
[ For the record, guns are PROHIBITIVELY expensive in the City. Isabel currently holds like a year's worth of rent to somebody, I'm sure. The pawnbroker is also looking at this with huge eyes like holy shit!! Holy shit!! Holy shit!!. ]
--Wait, my shirt -- oof! You stupid bitch, why I oughta --
[ Apparently, his alarm about the gun goes straight out the window the moment he is punched, because the guy is definitely taking a swing at Charles with his dagger. Alright! Cool.
So you should make this faster, and quieter, and easier for all of us.
[ THAT SAID, charles seems to have a handle on this guy (haha) and that reaction tells her that he isn't about to pull a gun too... so she will try and aim her gun towards the sound. where is it. outside the window? is there a window to look out??? or just a door. she'll aim at wherever a new threat seems most likely to enter from okay. paranoia is her middle name. ]
[stepping back to avoid that dagger, before he tries to counterattack by knocking it out of the guy's hand with his sword.]
C'mon, you heard the woman. We can settle this peacefully—it's up to you. [without looking back—] Old man, you might want to get ready to run, just in case.
[ oh my god he's just ignoring both of you and getting out of the way, actually. can he take the packet of documents from saude to actually look at what the plans were. lowe i do not expect you to actually have this written but jesus. ]
You're gonna have to settle this one way or another because if you let him go there's no way he won't tell people about this. [ you FOOLS. but he's also trying to pinpoint where the rustling is coming from and determine what it is. ]
Fuck right off, you think bullets are enough to scare me in a tiny shop? I'll get you --!
[ Yeah, this is definitely escalating into a full-on fight. The Tingtanger does not hit Charles right in the neck as intended with his first swing, but he does manage to block Charles's sword. Turns out, the dude has quite a lot of muscle to back up all that talk.
Not enough muscle to be able to shove Charles off without getting a little cut on him either though, the blade giving him a gnarly slice across his face which will maybe one day evolve into a Cool ScarTM. As he does, another guy in a similar Hawaiian shirt, albeit a different colour, comes walking in. ]
Oi, the fuck's takin' you so long? -- wee slimmy!!! The everloving hell is going on here?! Ayo, troublemakers! You beans are gonna regret the day you grew stems!
[ Now you get TWO Tingtangers. His name is Jim and he's got a massive spiked bat over his shoulders which is definitely getting swung at Charles also. Rip old man and your fine chinas.
Shoma, you are Saude's only friend right now. ]
Effie
Not that I think you should get involved in this, but also, you good with this?
[ I do indeed do not have the entire thing written out because they didn't have it written out and I don't have actual floorplans from the casino or anything, but Shoma will see... that the documents really are truly so well-written out, every aspect of the plan squared down to a T. Firstly, they were to grab some gear and learn the gameplan in the pawnbroker's shop, using the company card to grab any extra goodies as necessary, as well as their uniforms. Then, they were to 'borrow' some of the Tingtang Gang's clothes and knock them out in order to take their place as one of the four Syndicates looking to gamble for the Bough. It lists some other stuff like how Floor 1 is teeming with security, and Floor 2 is generally overseen by Los Mariachis. Floor 3 is roaming with the Tieqiu Crew. No info on the Yurodiviye, funnily enough. ]
since this new guy is distracted with charles, lovelace will try to hit him with the butt of her handgun, hoping to knock him out. that's better than just shooting someone, right? she would rather avoid it if she can. ]
Hey, hey, let's not be uncivilized, hmm? Why don't we take this outside?
[he's going to try and duck that bat and also while he's down here to sweep his leg to. kick the og tingtanger in the crotch. he trusts isabel has jim handled while shoma does actual work.]
[ +1 why the fuck does this guy talk like a fucking freak.
listen he's banking on the fact that he's small to duck over toward the pawnbroker with his documents so he can absorb the information and also, like, not be here right now! however: ]
Hopefully there's at least a third. [ their clothes! they can go off-script a little and borrow these guys' outfits. but now that he's here he's also focusing on the pawnbroker. ] If we get these guys off your back, we're making a new deal for additional items. Agreed?
[ a little thank you gift, right? but he's also just keeping an eye on the door while scouring the shop for an extra exit, or even a place just to store these guys once they're subdued. ]
[ Don't judge him and his radical way of speech. Ftr this does not seem to be like, a translation quality issue because other characters talk fine so yeah they're just a freak for no real reason. ]
You're basically in our territory, you stupid bag of frijolitos! We --
[ So says Tingtanger 1, while Isabel just knocks him out because that's what you get on a 19 plus extra. She manages to hit that nerve point perfectly, and he goes down like a log. Kinda makes the entire place shake like one too. ]
Aww, no! Our li'l guy! Shit, you're gonna pay for that, you damn old codger -- !
[ So says Tingtanger 2, but you rolled a 18+3 to kick him in the nuts, so he truly Makes A Noise and deflates like a balloon, curling in on himself. You're pretty sure you can make out the faint sound of 'mommy'.
Shoma truly trying to just tune out the world and read docs while this is happening. Me too. The pawnbroker nods so fucking fast. ]
Y-yes! Hoo boy, you two knocked these boys down like they were nothin'! It's really been a problem lately, the Yurodiviye shaking us down for money even though we've barely got any for ourselves -- and then they send bottom-rung goons like them to do the dirty work. It's been a nasty time. M-make sure the Yurodiviye stays out of my hair, and I don't need all this stuff, so take 'em!
Effie
...
Saude
...If the end justifies the means.
But donning the clothes of goons won't do the trick. As the plan stated, we need you to get the boss's clothes, or else you won't be allowed in and will be instantly outed as imposters.
[ because she figured she'd be the boss and these two would be goons? (this is rude of her to assume.) also she is going to pat down the guy she knocked out. any valuables? ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Let's just go.
no subject
charles just leans down to whisper to shoma,]
Don't worry, they'll believe it once they realize you won't take any crap.
[question mark. it's fine. anyway, back to business—]
I think we can all do confident, at least. [smiles!] Yeah, let's go.
no subject
Do you really think anyone would undermine you? I mean... anyone here, anyway. Everyone was relying on you a lot today. They didn't even question that you'd be capable.
similar sentiments from two people he trusts, at least. it's enough to push aside the agitation that was starting to brew and he nods. ]
We're ready.
no subject
Wait! I sold you my wares, the least you could do is --
[ And in enters a man, huge, totally decked out in tattoos, and most importantly: he is in a Hawaiian shirt. ]
Thirty million Ahn, gramps! Pay up, and we mean to collect this time. You know how else you can pay if ya ain't got the cash, right?
Feel free to contact our higher-ups if you ever need our services separately.
I suppose it's convenient as a preview of sorts of what kind of folks you'll be walking up to soon.
[ And thus, if you are set on this, they can indeed leave... ]
no subject
however she will linger a moment to
see what the other two want to doreally observe his outfit. ]That's how we have to dress?
no subject
unfortunately charles's busybody nature is kicking in, so he's actually going to talk to the pawnbroker.]
What are you in debt for, old man?
no subject
no subject
Think of it as a costume... we will be dressed as croupiers as well, so it's not as if you'll be the only ones dressing up.
[ Please don't ruin their plan just because you don't like Hawaiian shirts, is the vibe she's putting out. Even though their croupier outfits are probably better.
The old man is cowering behind this counter, stuttering in his words. ]
Th-this fucker took all of it! I only needed a little bit to get my business started, and then the interests came... and every time I paid back, they asked for more! I can't, being a pawnbroker doesn't make that much in a place like this!
[ The alleged Tingtang member with his radical Hawaiian shirt seems unamused. ]
You knew what you were gettin' into. You can do basic math, can'tcha?! And if ya ask me, we were being real lenient, 'cause you say the same thing every single damn time! 'Oh, I'll pay you back, I swear!' Well, Boss isn't gonna like me wastin' precious time teachin' you how 1 + 1 works.
'Sides, what's with the insult, eh? Oh well, makes it even easier for me if yer mad! And ya know, your wishpower'll pay back more than all your stupid lil trinkets.
[ Saude flaps a packet of documents btw while this happening. Inside are loads of info on how they're going to go about this, as well as an intricate casino map, as if she's reminding you all what they've gotta do. Not that you have to listen to her. ]
We'd only make a bigger deal out of it by getting involved.
no subject
I mean... he's got the clothes that we need, right?
no subject
he just gives isabel a quick smile because honestly yeah? before he turns to the tingtang member.]
C'mon, my good fellow. If your demands are unreasonable, this poor man won't be a repeat customer of yours. Plus, word spreads. Who's going to want to take a risk with the Tingtang Gang if you're so quick to resort to extremes?
[
despite the seemingly pleasant demeanour the vibe is also that charles just kind of wants to beat this gang member up]
no subject
and then there's charles and isabel both speaking and he sort of blinks slowly as he takes a step or two back. ]
This is the opposite of blending in. [ this is still mumbled mostly to the two of them to not be overheard but uh yeah he's busy thinking about something else so he guesses this is just going to happen. ]
no subject
And who the hell do you think you are, dandy-boy? Keep your nose where it belongs 'fore we take care of it for ya!
[ Cool. The pawnbroker looks extremely hopeful, like Charles is a true hero.
In the background, Saude is covering her face in despair while Effie has an expression that can only be described as 'Seriously?'. ]
no subject
lovelace pulls her gun and aims it at the tingtang guy! ]
Give me your shirt and get out of here. Now.
no subject
... "Dandy-boy"...?
[anyway as isabel threatens a man what if charles also just. withdraws his sword to thrust the hilt of it into this man's abdomen. LIKE HE IS NOT STABBING HIM HE IS BASICALLY JUST PUNCHING HIM WITH THE SWORD HANDLE.]
no subject
Both of you. [ like ultimately he cannot stop either of them because they both have weapons and he's not at the point he feels like bombing them but he can at least
oh never mind charles already hit the man. okay. okay! ]
no subject
The Tingtanger just. Immediately raises his fucking hands, in which he has a dagger, like WHOA. ]
Whoa there, wh-where'd you get a gun?! Shit, you a big shot or somethin'?!
[ For the record, guns are PROHIBITIVELY expensive in the City. Isabel currently holds like a year's worth of rent to somebody, I'm sure. The pawnbroker is also looking at this with huge eyes like holy shit!! Holy shit!! Holy shit!!. ]
--Wait, my shirt -- oof! You stupid bitch, why I oughta --
[ Apparently, his alarm about the gun goes straight out the window the moment he is punched, because the guy is definitely taking a swing at Charles with his dagger. Alright! Cool.
Ftr you can hear some rustling outside too. ]
no subject
I am a big shot. And a good shot.
So you should make this faster, and quieter, and easier for all of us.
[ THAT SAID, charles seems to have a handle on this guy (haha) and that reaction tells her that he isn't about to pull a gun too... so she will try and aim her gun towards the sound. where is it. outside the window? is there a window to look out??? or just a door. she'll aim at wherever a new threat seems most likely to enter from okay. paranoia is her middle name. ]
no subject
Whoops—
[stepping back to avoid that dagger, before he tries to counterattack by knocking it out of the guy's hand with his sword.]
C'mon, you heard the woman. We can settle this peacefully—it's up to you. [without looking back—] Old man, you might want to get ready to run, just in case.
no subject
You're gonna have to settle this one way or another because if you let him go there's no way he won't tell people about this. [ you FOOLS. but he's also trying to pinpoint where the rustling is coming from and determine what it is. ]
no subject
Fuck right off, you think bullets are enough to scare me in a tiny shop? I'll get you --!
[ Yeah, this is definitely escalating into a full-on fight. The Tingtanger does not hit Charles right in the neck as intended with his first swing, but he does manage to block Charles's sword. Turns out, the dude has quite a lot of muscle to back up all that talk.
Not enough muscle to be able to shove Charles off without getting a little cut on him either though, the blade giving him a gnarly slice across his face which will maybe one day evolve into a Cool ScarTM. As he does, another guy in a similar Hawaiian shirt, albeit a different colour, comes walking in. ]
Oi, the fuck's takin' you so long? -- wee slimmy!!! The everloving hell is going on here?! Ayo, troublemakers! You beans are gonna regret the day you grew stems!
[ Now you get TWO Tingtangers. His name is Jim and he's got a massive spiked bat over his shoulders which is definitely getting swung at Charles also. Rip old man and your fine chinas.
Shoma, you are Saude's only friend right now. ]
[ I do indeed do not have the entire thing written out because they didn't have it written out and I don't have actual floorplans from the casino or anything, but Shoma will see... that the documents really are truly so well-written out, every aspect of the plan squared down to a T. Firstly, they were to grab some gear and learn the gameplan in the pawnbroker's shop, using the company card to grab any extra goodies as necessary, as well as their uniforms. Then, they were to 'borrow' some of the Tingtang Gang's clothes and knock them out in order to take their place as one of the four Syndicates looking to gamble for the Bough. It lists some other stuff like how Floor 1 is teeming with security, and Floor 2 is generally overseen by Los Mariachis. Floor 3 is roaming with the Tieqiu Crew. No info on the Yurodiviye, funnily enough. ]
no subject
ok that's fine
since this new guy is distracted with charles, lovelace will try to hit him with the butt of her handgun, hoping to knock him out. that's better than just shooting someone, right? she would rather avoid it if she can. ]
How many more of you are nearby?
no subject
Hey, hey, let's not be uncivilized, hmm? Why don't we take this outside?
[he's going to try and duck that bat and also while he's down here to sweep his leg to. kick the og tingtanger in the crotch. he trusts isabel has jim handled while shoma does actual work.]
no subject
listen he's banking on the fact that he's small to duck over toward the pawnbroker with his documents so he can absorb the information and also, like, not be here right now! however: ]
Hopefully there's at least a third. [ their clothes! they can go off-script a little and borrow these guys' outfits. but now that he's here he's also focusing on the pawnbroker. ] If we get these guys off your back, we're making a new deal for additional items. Agreed?
[ a little thank you gift, right? but he's also just keeping an eye on the door while scouring the shop for an extra exit, or even a place just to store these guys once they're subdued. ]
no subject
[ Don't judge him and his radical way of speech. Ftr this does not seem to be like, a translation quality issue because other characters talk fine so yeah they're just a freak for no real reason. ]
You're basically in our territory, you stupid bag of frijolitos! We --
[ So says Tingtanger 1, while Isabel just knocks him out because that's what you get on a 19 plus extra. She manages to hit that nerve point perfectly, and he goes down like a log. Kinda makes the entire place shake like one too. ]
Aww, no! Our li'l guy! Shit, you're gonna pay for that, you damn old codger -- !
[ So says Tingtanger 2, but you rolled a 18+3 to kick him in the nuts, so he truly Makes A Noise and deflates like a balloon, curling in on himself. You're pretty sure you can make out the faint sound of 'mommy'.
Shoma truly trying to just tune out the world and read docs while this is happening. Me too. The pawnbroker nods so fucking fast. ]
Y-yes! Hoo boy, you two knocked these boys down like they were nothin'! It's really been a problem lately, the Yurodiviye shaking us down for money even though we've barely got any for ourselves -- and then they send bottom-rung goons like them to do the dirty work. It's been a nasty time. M-make sure the Yurodiviye stays out of my hair, and I don't need all this stuff, so take 'em!
But donning the clothes of goons won't do the trick. As the plan stated, we need you to get the boss's clothes, or else you won't be allowed in and will be instantly outed as imposters.
no subject
[ because she figured she'd be the boss and these two would be goons? (this is rude of her to assume.) also she is going to pat down the guy she knocked out. any valuables? ]
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