Quirm with Joshua

[morethanprops]

The door opens in the waiting room of an elegant bank with marble and that beautiful gleam that lots of money brings.

Moist adjusts his suits and spectacles before turning to find a clerk, "I have some new information to bring to the table. My accountant, Mr. Donovan has turned up to answer any questions."

Comments

[damncompass]

There is a part of Joshua that's jumping up and down, and wanting to stare around like an idiot, but he somehow keeps his cool with a slightly-bored expression.

He nods at the clerk, nodding to a slightly-lower equal. Hey, he's a high-powered accountant. He can look down at clerks, right?

[morethanprops]

The clerk squirms under their combined gazes and goes to quietly knock on the door, "Mr. Henner is back, sirs and he brought an accountant."

There's the sound of more voices before finally the door is opened to a conference table with a few white haired men sitting around it. One of them says, "You have some more numbers for us? I do hope you understand our caution but mining is a chancy business."

Moist enters with a placating smile, "I do, I do, but I also don't wish you to miss out on this opportunity and my accountant can show you some more recent information."

[damncompass]

Joshua smiles as well, a disarming smile that he has given many a time to Claudia or professors who just don't believe in teleportation. He exudes knowing what he is doing.

"Sirs, I believe that I can help ease your minds about this venture. I applaud your caution, but as Mr. Henner said, it is an opportunity that you will not want to miss."

[morethanprops]

At the combination of both their smiles, all the men in the room visibly relax and gesture to the table, "Wonderful. Please sit down and tell us about it."

"This is Mr. Donovan, my accountant, trained in Ankh-Morpork, he has a gift with numbers," Moist sits down in a commanding position and gestures for Joshua to sit as he takes out the papers. On the conference table is a version of them, not originals but notes on them as well as a simpler map.

[damncompass]

"Thank you, sirs." Joshua sits down at the table, and takes out one of the papers with notes on them, as well as a pen.

For about fifteen minutes, he goes through statistics, accounting, and just a little bit of creative explanation, 'proving' through a bit of mathematical sleight-of-hand and some ... interesting equations that the venture would be a highly profitable investment opportunity.

"Do you have any questions for me, gentlemen?" There's that smile again.

[morethanprops]

All of the men lean in to hear better and ask a few questions but they were already in the process of deciding yes.

After Joshua finishes talking, they look over to Moist and the one who's been doing most of the talking says, "We will invest in your project, Mr. Henner. Where's that contract and how soon can we start?"

Moist smiles, its a comfortable smile that says, we'll work well together as he brings out the contract and starts to discuss payments.

The next thirty minutes are taken up with bargaining before a check and a purse of coins are pressed into his hand.

Then there's champagne before Moist leads Joshua out the door as the happy sounds of the bankers are behind them. He walks through the city streets, its about 4 pm and stops at the Flower clock, "That went well."

[damncompass]

Joshua, as business is being discussed, leans back in his chair and looks disinterested. He's only here for the numbers, gentlemen.

As he leaves, he makes certain to shake hands, have some champagne, and be generally likable.

After they're out of the bank, and almost to the flower clock, a huge grin threatens and succeeds in crossing Joshua's face.

"That went really well, I think." He's barely holding in a laugh. "I... didn't realize it would be that good." He's trying to stay in character. At least somewhat.

[morethanprops]

When Joshua grins, Moist's smile gets bigger and with a slight edge to it as he pats Joshua on the arm,

"I know, when a deal works is one of my favorite feelings. Now let's go celebrate more."

[damncompass]

"I'm all for some celebration." He slips out of character for just a moment as he looks around at the city, a bit wide-eyed. Sometimes he really is just a kid from the Midwest.

[morethanprops]

Moist takes off his spectacles, loosening his tie and his character,

"I know a charming cafe with good food and wine. Its this way, a little off the beaten path but worth it."

[damncompass]

Joshua loosens his tie as well, and runs a hand through his hair, mussing it a bit more. "Sounds great to me. It is, after all, an adventure."

[morethanprops]

"This way," They go around the clock and Moist loses more of the constraints of his character until they reach a tiny cafe hidden by a wisteria tree.

Inside no one notices him too much as he finds them a table near the window but also with a curtain and the waitress comes over.

[damncompass]

By the time they're seated at the table, most of Joshua's put-upon confidence has retreated, replaced by his usual somewhat-tentative relaxation.

He nods as the waitress comes over, distracted by other people, and the cafe in general.

[morethanprops]

Its the sort of place that locals know and Moist orders the special for both of them and some wine,

"You're a good salesman."

[damncompass]

Joshua sighs. "I've had to 'sell' research to people who just don't want to believe that what I'm saying is true. I guess it's a scientist thing. If I have facts backing me up, I can tell people anything." He shrugs a bit. "Not to mention, I did so enjoy the debate team in school."

[morethanprops]

"Its always easier to sell what you believe in,"

The food starts arriving, the special is a series of little appetizer plates and a good red wine.

[damncompass]

"Exactly."

Some of the small plates are full of things that Joshua has never seen before, but he tries everything, and enjoys pretty much everything.

"Clearly I need to try more different things. These are really good." There's a pause. "Do I want to know what I just ate?"

[morethanprops]

He looks over the plate and smirks,

"You're fine, that's just a meatball."

[damncompass]

Joshua doesn't facepalm, but he does roll his eyes. "Ooops. I guess I'm looking for exotic things everywhere. Silly me, thinking a meatball is something interesting."

[morethanprops]

"The sauce is an unusual color. Another time, I'll take you to someplace with Klatchian food, its more exciting as are some dishes of Genuan cuisine,"

The appetizers aren't the most challenging part though it depends on seafood preferences.

[damncompass]

Joshua's always had a love of seafood, something he rarely got growing up, other than the occasional Red Lobster.

He grins. "Now that sounds good. Exotic food is always fun."

[morethanprops]

"This is Genuan food, I love the variety you can get. We'll get some seafood for a main course. Their jambalaya is wonderful."

[damncompass]

"Sounds good to me. Jambalaya's something I've had a few times back home." Boy hasn't been to New Orleans, so he hasn't had -real- creole food, but he's had some not too bad.

Joshua is relaxing even more the longer dinner goes on. It's an odd sight, because the more he relaxes, the more the cocky confidence comes back.

[morethanprops]

Moist is finding it an interesting process as he likes Joshua when he's confident, it seems to suit him better.

The waitress walks by and Moist orders some jambalaya and gumbo while he refills their wine glasses, "I enjoy the spiciness of it and how every bite's a little different."

Food in Uberwald is more dependable in taste and so boring.

[damncompass]

"Yeah, the couple times I've had it, it's awesome." Joshua grins, and falls silent for a bit while eating. He's just enjoying being out and doing things that aren't everyday to him.