snowblindrpg | [log] The Pit [open]

Only one toothpaste. Can't do it.

[This he says in Elvish, minus the word toothpaste. It's not smart, no matter how much he wants that book, and they need to be smart.]

[ Unfortunately, Elvish is beyond Squalo's understanding, though he might make note of some sounds ringing what he thinks is vaguely Mediterranean. It's not exactly hard to guess what they're discussing, especially considering toothpaste is mentioned, and he turns back to Royce. ]

Yeah. Or a razor, I'm not that picky.

[ He wiggles his fingers a bit in what's probably supposed to be some kind of "beard" gesture, implying they must not be using it a lot anyway. ]

[ Royce glances at Alfie, frowning. Yeah, but... he wants to give Alfie something nice. In Elvish: ]

Want that book. [ Royce glances up at Squalo. In English: ] Don't have a razor, but I've got a pair of scissors that might work for grooming.

I have a razor.

[Alfie says quietly, still in Elvish (minus the word "razor"). He's still eyeing Squalo and the book, but he continues:]

Scissors are good supplies. The book is--

[He falters. He really needs to learn how to say "luxury item" in Elvish, if Royce knows it. He's not trying to lecture Royce here, and he knows he's not telling him anything he doesn't already know himself - but he wants to know that he's sure. Trading useful things for luxuries is a pretty big thing, in his mind. He squeezes Royce's arm, though, trying to silently let him know that he does appreciate what he's doing.]

Edited 2018-02-20 22:23 (UTC)

Have more than one pair of scissors. One razor. [ And he's not giving Squalo his best pair, anyway, so it's not a huge loss. Royce doesn't take his eyes off Squalo. Don't mind them, nothing to see here. ]

[ Squalo looks between them, but if he's intrigued it's not showing on his face all that much. Mostly he's simply letting them talk it out and waiting. It's not all that different from negotiating a hit, after all. ]

Already got scissors. [ He shrugs a bit, he wouldn't have traded a pair away if he had none left. Moreover, he'd pawned off the ones he'd stabbed himself with. Hopefully these folks ain't superstitious, but he wasn't going to mention it just in case. ] Not that I wouldn't take a second hairbrush. Got anything else you're willing to trade?

Mm...

[ Royce glances at Alfie. ] Razor? [ A beat. ] Vitamins. Hand lotion.

Not the vitamins. Don't give away your vitamins.

[This he says in English, gaze still flicking back and forth between Royce and Squalo.]

[ That will get them both a slightly flat look, because even if this didn't stink of an attempt to convince him something was worth more than it actually was, Squalo's not particularly keen on getting drugs from strangers and consuming them. That's a recipe for disaster. ]

Did I hear him say "razor" just now? That was my second pick. I can do without becoming a poster boy for "Sexy Wizard" look.

[ Just because he likes his lack of pigmentation doesn't mean he's not aware how ridiculous he'd look with a beard. ]

Razor isn't mine. It belongs to Solomons. [ Deliberately using Alfie's last name feels weird, but he's going to do it. It's a bit more professional. ] Don't have much else, so it's up to him. Unless you want one of your items back in exchange for the book.

[A razor is kind of in that gray area between "luxury item" and "useful supply item" - it's not necessary (especially, as Squalo had pointed out, for someone like him), but it's more useful than a book, and it's a hot trade item. He's actually considering caving and throwing it into the pot, but he's careful to keep any trace of willingness off of his face, remaining blank and stony instead. He'll see how Squalo reacts to Royce's suggestion first.]

Edited 2018-02-23 17:35 (UTC)

[ Squalo turns back to Solomons with a raised eyebrow, though he does consider Royce's new offer. ]

[ He could use this to even out the rather unfair deal they've made five minutes earlier. But then, he hadn't really given away anything necessary - he would have, but Royce had accepted his initial suggestions so there was no need to name anything more. And the book's pretty worthless to him. It's a way to stave off some boredom, sure, but he's never been an avid reader, it's huge and heavy, and as far as he's concerned, full of hidden lecturing against his life choices. ]

Those were my only candles... but I don't expect much in the way of romantic dinner any time soon. Starting fires, more like. A lighter or a dry match box would be better for that. Well, assuming you're not hiding a flamethrower in one of those bags.

[ He says it perfectly casually, though he suspects fire-starting tools are definitely worth more than razors in this place. Maybe this will make it look easier to part with. ]

Unfortunately not. Don't have any sort of fire starting materials except for the candles you just traded to us. [ Royce says flatly. He's going to make an executive decision here, actually: ] If you want the candles back, you can have them for the book. Or, you can have the razor for the book. One or the other, not both, since I'm aware I'm making a bad deal either way.

Call it even.

The razor.

[Alfie says, with a small sigh.]

Yeah, the razor alone, or no deal.

[ Well... that's exactly what he wanted. He grins. ]

Sounds good. Razor it is. [ He sets the book down, opening the inside of back cover, but pauses with the pen still in the air. ] So, can I write the table here?

[ They hadn't offered him any other paper, but he'd rather avoid cries of outrage at him scrawling on a book without making sure they're on the same page first. ]

[ Heh, page. ]

Yeah. Go ahead.

[ Royce looks vaguely disgruntled, but he doesn't say anything else. ]

[ You win some, you lose some. Squalo thinks it's a pretty damn good deal and even with a personal touch, though. ]

[ After a few drawn loops, the pen finally works again. He writes down the alphabet in printed letters - his writing's pretty big and a bit scratchy, but not hard to read - and phonetics next to it, leaving some extra space for additions. It'll probably take up the whole blank spread, as he'd rather not risk his writing becoming illegible if he tried it at regular size. ]

Alright, we should go over this together. Just in case you wanna mark any of those differently.

[ He knows he's using the proper symbols, but he doesn't know what kind of phonetic writing Alfie is familiar with, so it's best to check that now. He'll slowly read the whole table and let the man write down his own pronunciation next to his if needed. ]

[While Squalo writes, Alfie nudges Royce in the side, signing what's wrong? in this thieves' sign language. He also gestures Royce closer when they start going over it, wanting him to be able to see, too. He'll write down a couple of notes, but mostly, he doesn't have much issue with how Squalo's done it.]

Thanks, mate.

[He closes the book, sliding it into his bag and tucking it under a mess of blankets.]

Pleasure doing business with you. Let's hope everything stays where it should, eh?

[He's a little worried that anything traded here will land back with its original owners once they're thrown back in their respective houses.]

[ Squalo offers a subdued grin and, once the book's off of him, holds a hand out for his own prize. ]

Same. Worst case scenario, at least it should be more quick next time.

[ Less re-hashing and fine-tuning and all, but he really hopes he won't have to make the trip after everything's gone so relatively smoothly. ]

[ Royce nudges Alfie to grab the razor - he's pretty sure it's in Alfie's bag, anyway. ]

Mm. Keep an eye out for other things to trade. This has been relatively painless and that's how both of us prefer deals to go. Without fuss.

[Alfie nudges Royce again, signing insistently: What's wrong?]

I'll keep that in mind.

[ It doesn't hurt to have a willing trade partner and all, right? Besides, different people wanted different things. He'd hit jackpot with Harley and marbles, for example, even though it was completely worthless to him. ]

[ ...he won't leave until he has that razor, though. ]

[Alfie's already digging through his pack, pulling out the razor and holding it up, raising his eyebrows. He'll toss it underhand to Squalo if he shows signs of being ready to catch it.]

[ He'll totally catch it, returning the expectant look though most of the tension's gone from it now. He sort of shrugs in amusement, shoves the razor in his pocket and raises a hand in a parting gesture. ]

...I'll leave you two to it, then.

[ There's more people he's gotta harass here. ]

[ Royce shakes his head just a little bit when Alfie signs at him. Later. It's not a big enough deal to fuss about. ]

Watch out for the hole. [ Royce says, a bit flippantly, settling back against the wall. ]

[log] The Pit [open]

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sneaking this in here bc I should have put it in my last tag

no worries

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