escordvi | [Open] May intro

[ surge enters the establishment with a bang, just the way a hero should. as for her fennec fox sidekick, he enters a lot more cautiously, glancing around as he follows close behind her. this place swanky. or at least, it's better than starline's base or surge and kit's crummy apartment in the city before. ]

Yes, Ma'am. This is the place, I'm sure of it.

[ he double—no, triple checked the directions he'd managed to get.

though, personally? he doesn't know why they have to fix espio's shamisen, but surge is in her hero era, always wanting to help people, so today it's kits' job to help her help espio. ]

[The Mostro Lounge is indeed quite swanky, as it is meant to be a place for relaxation and entertainment in addition to Azul's other side business in "granting wishes", as he likes to call it. Lots of comfortable chairs and tables for people to sit at for chatting and playing at with one of the cards or board games available here. There's even a stage for anyone who wants to perform for an audience. However, the Lounge is actually unoccupied right now, as Azul is not ready to open that part of the business yet thanks to the abductions last month setting him back on finishing the last of his preparations.

As such, Azul will be found easily, as he had been taking notes while examining the area behind a nearby countertop. He looks up from his clipboard upon the two of them entering the building, customer service smile immediately gracing his lips.]

Hello, thank you for coming today! Is there something that I can help the two of you with?

Oh, there we go.

[ at the sound of that voice, surge's ears twitch when seeing who she's looking for. that's the individual from her first video. it's been awhile, but not too long for her to forget that face. she double checks, blue eyes looking him up and down then stopping at the beauty marks right on his face.

yeah, that's him. ]

I'm interested in ya services.

[ she's closing the distance to walk towards the other so that he doesn't have to leave from the countertop. if it's a little taller than them, that's okay, because surge wastes no time jumping up on the surface, then crossing her legs as she leans back slightly.

one hand pats the area by her side so kitsunami back make his way up next. ]

You ever seen somethin' like this before?

[ she's putting a shamisen on the counter closer to the man. ]

[ kit looks up at he counter, which is much higher than he is, and pauses... ]

...

[ surge is doing the talking, so he shouldn't interrupt. instead of trying to climb his way up, he's just going to use his hydropack—water flowing from the nozzles on the back and propelling him upwards until he's on the counter next to surge.

ignore the small puddles left behind. ]

[Azul raises an eyebrow at the two of them just casually climbing (or propelling themselves) up to sit on the counter before he can offer them chairs, but for now he doesn't address it. Instead he turns his attention to the instrument Surge has put down for him here...]

Yes, though admittedly this is the first time I've actually gotten the chance to examine one up close. I believe this is called a "shamisen"... ah, is this the one I saw you playing on the network recently?

[He reaches out carefully, his gloved hands examining the strings that are still intact and other material the instrument is made of, before taking note of the broken string.]

I see. This string will need to be replaced before it can be played again... this should be no trouble at all for me to fix.

[However, Azul does not make a move to do so just yet. At least, not in a manner like he's in a particular hurry, taking his time to carefully untangle any knots or the like that might have formed due the broken string first as he speaks.]

By the way, I don't think I've gotten the chance to learn both of your names properly yet, despite having spoken on the network once before?

Edited 2025-05-19 02:08 (UTC)

That was me! Hold your applause, I know I was rockin' that thing.

[ he's so familiar, must be a lurker from what she can make of it because he did see the broadcast. she watches as fingers assess the damage, her own blue eyes curiously attached to if he can do it or not. it's not a big deal to her, but it is to someone else, and if he hadn't caught her at that moment then she wouldn't be here.

it's at the "i see." that surge's a little wary, but once he confirms that it's no trouble for him that surge throws up her arms, and bend her middle and ring finger down so her index and pinky raises in a rocker pose. ]

Hell! Yeah! I told ya, Drippy!!

[ the tenrec is ecstatic, a little loud, more than she should be but luckily azul has no customers at the moment as her cheering and excitement dies down to his next question. her brow raises, for a guy who snoops on the network, he doesn't really look into the comments does he? well, who cares, he's lucky that ]

I know you, Angel Fish. [ when she points at him, it's towards that beauty mark of his. the girl doesn't go out of her way to actually poke it so it more or less looks like she's pointing at him. then her turns turns for her thumb to point in her direction. ] I'm the breaker gal, [ then to kit. ] he's the idea guy, and [ back to angel fish. ] you're the fix-it-and-everyone's-happy guy. What do ya think?

[ kit is the more level of the two of them—or, based on just how quiet he's been thus far, timid might be the word. what matters is the way he's observing azul while azul observes the shamisen. surge's already introduced them, but to prevent the same misunderstanding someone else had experienced: ]

My name is Kitsunami...

[ directed at azul NOT surge. surge can call him anything that makes her happy.

and most important of all... this time he leans a little closer to surge as he speaks, eyes flickering between her and azul. ]

It depends on what he wants.

[ nothing's free, as they've learned. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Kitsunami-san, and... Surge-san, yes?

[He asks, making sure he has gotten her name correctly, before he places a hand on his own chest and inclines his head in a bow to introduce himself.]

My name is Azul Ashengrotto. I am a mage that has made a business out of running a shop and consultation service for anyone in need of my magic or potions, as well as being in the process of putting together the Mostro Lounge here, which will soon be available as a place of relaxation and entertainment.

[As for the price for fixing a shamisen string...]

Prices for my services are not fixed, as I allow my customers to negotiate alternatives if they desire. For something like this, given that it should be a simple fix, I'm willing to charge for a small number of dubloons, unless there is something else you want to offer instead if that is not doable?

[ kit kind of eyes azul for a moment, looking to surge as if for approval before he pulls out a small pouch. it's clearly not very full, and one would almost imagine moths to fly out of it once it's opened up, but that's exactly what kit does.

dumping the contents onto the counter next him, the total comes to...

three copper dubloons.

that's all they got. then he levels his gaze on azul and just stares. ]

...

A..zul...A...grumble...

[ she is not going to remember that, luckily, the whole mage thing stands out more as she listens. a lot of people talk about magic here so he might be responsible for that, or that's what every ability is listed under. potions... lounge... a lazy place where no one can bother her... and...

as the coins clink against the counter, her attention is redirected towards that with a nod. ]

Small number: one, two and three. That'll do plenty, whaddya say, Angel Fish?

[ don't mind the glare, surge tends to look like that on a good day. also she isn't expecting him to say it's not enough because that's pretty small to her. ]

[... Oh dear. Azul's smile becomes perhaps a tad pitying as he notes the small amount of copper coins that quietly plink against the counter. It's rather sad to look at, honestly.]

Unfortunately, no. However... [Azul hums a little, tapping his fingers against the counter here as he thinks.] I would also be amendable to trading any objects that are of interest to me in exchange, or a favor you could do in exchange for doing the favor of fixing this for you, or... hmm.

[Azul glances at the coins again.]

Actually, I hope you don't mind my asking, but how have you both been getting by in this place? I assume that you have been able to find a place to stay, but what about jobs? Or at least having enough money for meals and the like?

Now what the fuck do you mean "no"!?

[ can a girl get some explanations here, she's a little offended that he kindly declined their little chump change. if it wasn't for that damn hedgehog, maybe they'd have money still, but they have to scrape and scramble for what they get to ensure kitsunami is taken care of first. ]

What do they call this.... a scam! Byway robbery!

[ is she accusing him. well, yes! if she can accuse eggman, she can accuse him of something underhanded, but not in the same way eggman goes about it. he's fooling the masses with his knock-off toys, this guy is choosing them because of their little change. ]

Somethin' fishy is goin' on and I think it's you, Angel Fish!!

[ can you tell that she doesn't like to be told "no". ]

[ surge is quick to go on the offensive, and kit is hardly one to disagree with her ever, but he seems a bit more thoughtful as she goes throwing accusations. he has to be a bit more pragmatic, not just for himself, but to make sure surge is taken care of too. he has to.

so picking up his copper dubloons and putting them back in his pouch as surge loses his temper, kit will wait a moment until she's done before asking: ]

What kind of favour?

[ if it's something benign like how they waited at the restaurant to pay back their meal, maybe. but kit's trust in others is low. ]

Surge is a hero, but... there isn't a lot for her to save people from or help them with... and the pay isn't always money. I-I've been trying to look for a job too... but...

[ he doesn't exactly have customer service skills. ]

[Thankfully, Azul is used to telling people no, but trying to sound friendly about it all the same.]

An example of a favor I'd appreciate would be keeping me updated on recent events and news, or gathering ingredients I need for my spells and potions: some are difficult for me to obtain, due to either not having the time to get them while I finish work here, or because I don't have the stamina needed in a particular environment to get them. Some past clients of mine have gone this route in lieu of money in exchange for my services, so if you want, I would be willing to consider a favor like that instead of having to pay with money.

[He tilts his head however, considering deeply for a moment as he regards the both of them.]

Actually, if you are looking for jobs, perhaps I could hire you for that rather than just doing a favor exchange. I can pay you for every time you bring back the ingredients I need, or even any deliveries of the potions I make to customers so that I have time to oversee my Lounge. As for hero work...

[He considers Surge for a moment, before his smile waned a little.]

Well, its a shame you weren't here a month or so ago. Perhaps if you had been, someone would have been able to stop the people that had kidnapped myself and several others for a rather greedy chance at wealth and power. So I must admit that since then I have been considering heavily the appeal of finding someone that can assist me in making sure something like that doesn't happen again. Whether that be by having someone around to protect the Lounge and keep unwanted guests out, or even if you were willing to help me out in cases where a particular area that has an ingredient I need is too dangerous for just myself to be working in. I would be happy to hire you for that, if you wish.

Edited 2025-05-23 16:30 (UTC)

[ the tenrec tilts her head when it comes to how to pay him back for his services, and one eye raises in suspicion. it's especially why she listens to him about the work he has in store, it's more of a bodyguard thing, and she clicks her tongue at the thought of it. ]

Uh huh... I've kinda heard this thing before.

[ she doesn't sound too thrilled, like there's an issue she takes up with being someone like that. rather than follow up on it with azul, the girl looks to kitsunami before looking off to the side. ]

If I'm workin' my butt off to keep you safe, that's 24.... seven... that's all my time, I'll need to be paid on the hour of every hour.

[ that sounds about fair to her. especially with what she can do and how this means she has to change her plans based on his whims. despite that, she still seems unsure as her eyes glance off to the side now.

there's a bit of mumbling to herself as she reflects on eggman's choice of words of what it takes to be a hero. sacrificing mind, body and their principles. ]

[ surge seems willing enough, which is saying a lot, but she still has some reservations. kit can tell. through his bangs, he watches azul to see if he has any suspicious tells, any similarities to their previous employer that could raise a red flag for kit to see, but...

well, he does have one question: ]

... What if we want to quit?

[ kit's willing to give it a chance—they really could use the money, but he wants to be sure. ]

Oh my, don't worry, I don't expect you to guard me 24/7, Surge-san! Just whenever I have reason to believe that a particular task might be too much for just myself to handle, and I can call upon your services for it. That would feel like an abuse of power if I expected you to devote all of your time to work for the Lounge and nothing else.

[At Kit's question, Azul tilts his head a little, as if finding the question strange.]

Then you quit. [A beat, before he clarifies.] Granted, I would like a two weeks notice if you do decide to quit so that I can make sure that I have backup plans to make in the event we had something planned that you are no longer able to do since quitting, but given the nature of this place, its not a hard and fast rule. Other than that, we would simply void your contract that will serve as a record of your employment here, though I ask that any private information that affects me or the business stays private. I would not appreciate competitors stealing intel on my ideas for marketing strategies and such from ex-employees, you know?

[ kit's brows furrow. from the insistence that they're only employees during designated working hours, to the reassurance that they can quit (almost) whenever they like. it all sounds like it'd be too good to be true, but when he meets azul's eyes, his gaze doesn't hold that same cockiness of someone like clutch.

he drops his gaze, then turns his attention to surge beside him, a little hesitant, but also a little hopeful. ]

W-we do need the money...

[ but it's not exactly his choice to make either, watching what surge will decide. ]

I dunno what he means by marketing strategies...

[ she mumbles to kit, but she takes this opportunity to look at his face before looking towards azul.

same song and dance, she finds. ]

Fix the thing and I'll offer my hand in agreement, a good ol' shake.

[ because they got to see if he can do it, you know! ]

Fair enough! I can agree to that.

[Azul finishes untangling the broken strings from the instrument before he crosses his arms, thinking. Normally, you would want to remove the broken strings entirely and replace them with new ones, but he doesn't exactly carry spare shamisen strings here in his shop.

So instead, he takes out what looks like a pen with a fancy stone embedded in it from within his coat here, holding it over the shamisen. He doesn't say anything, but the strings of the instrument begin to faintly glow for a moment before the broken strings lift a little, and begin to carefully reattach themselves where they were meant to be alongside the strings that are still intact. Once he's done, he stops using his magic so that he can carefully tug the repaired strings, testing it to see if it won't immediately snap upon implying the pressure before he speaks.]

... Okay. The instrument probably needs to be tuned before it will sound correct, but otherwise the strings should be good again for the time being. They won't last forever and will need to be replaced entirely with new strings eventually. But until I stock some strings specifically for items like this, this shamisen should be able to withstand any damage for at least another month or so, provided you don't apply too much force to the strings or the body of the instrument again, of course.

[Open] May intro

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