[VOICE; LOCKED to "Pendragon"]

[primogen_vampirate]

[Someone hasn't eaten in a few days and is starting to get peckish. She's hesitant to go down this road, but so far this is the only prospect aside from Carter, who she respects a bit too much.

So her lazy drawl comes on over the communications network, appropriately in ancient Norse because...why not?]

I'm starting to think that you were all talk, darling.

Comments

[primogen_vampirate]

[Mina tosses the hat over her shoulder.]

In the kitchen? A novel concept.

[hung_garian]

Not to me, but then when you're as experienced as I am, that's no surprise.

So - if not crusades, what's the occasion? Want a hand opening a jar? Or were you just bored and missing my fantastic company?

[primogen_vampirate]

I can open my own jars, I assure you.

No, I find this place dreadfully dull thus far. At least you have something of a personality.

[hung_garian]

Just as well, 'cause I probably wouldn't be much help. Y'know, except for my scintillating wit and my vague semblance of character, which by the way, thanks for noticing.

[primogen_vampirate]

[She bows her head.]

You are most welcome, my dear.

[hung_garian]

I find it's one of my main selling points.

[primogen_vampirate]

Do you always consider yourself a commodity?

[She loosens her tie a bit, revealing a flash of a silver chain around her neck.]

You might want to speak to an analyst about that.

[hung_garian]

Wynne who so may, for al is to selle. Everything's a commodity, honey, when you get down to it.

[He grins, still apparently completely casual, though the way he tracks the movement's a little less than detached, if not quite wary.]

[primogen_vampirate]

Then what's your price? I'm rather wealthy. At least, I was back home.

Suppose I wanted to buy you. How much would you cost?

[hung_garian]

You may not have guessed this of a classy guy like me, but - and try not to faint from the shock of it - I'm notoriously cheap. I think the important question here, though, is how much would you pay?

[primogen_vampirate]

Well, seeing as I have no wealth here, apart from these...

[She ripples her fingers, showing off eight bejeweled rings that only a pirate could wear.]

...I'm afraid I don't have much to offer.

[hung_garian]

Jewellery isn't really my thing. But in the case of such a charming young lady as yourself, I'm sure we could reach a mutually agreeable solution of some sort.

[primogen_vampirate]

Oh, I'm all ears.

[hung_garian]

Must be my lucky day. What I was thinking, was that back in the ol' days, before folks had money and sparkly rings, they'd use some kind of a barter system. I don't mean carrots for potatoes - personally, I'm not planning on us being here long enough for my vegetables to grow as large as empires, or even at all. Call it an exchange of favours. Nothing big, of course. Like I said, I'm cheap.

[primogen_vampirate]

And what is it that you want?

[hung_garian]

[He smirks. It's a little predatory.]

Various things.

[But in a moment it's back to his normal smug variant.]

It'd depend. Naturally the payment wouldn't outweigh the services rendered, or, ideally, vice versa. What would you be hypothetically buying me for?

[primogen_vampirate]

[Oh, she'll see your predatory smile and raise you one of her own, eyebrow quirked.]

I'm not sure what you have to offer.

[hung_garian]

Is it my imagination or do you forget that I'm a god on a pretty regular basis?

[primogen_vampirate]

Yes, well. My relationship with gods is complicated.

Generally, we agree to see other people.

[hung_garian]

But continue to acknowledge that we have powers that would, we were not actually gods, be described as godlike? I hope I'm not overestimating you when I say you should be able to see how those might come in handy.

[primogen_vampirate]

True.

[She lightly touches his collar.]

And I do have a very creative imagination.

[hung_garian]

Not to blow my own trumpet, but I'd like to think of that as a shared virtue.

[He doesn't react to the touch - at least, not visibly. He does, however, tilt his head slightly to one one and lean in a little.]

So, for the second time - what services would you be interested in? People don't usually buy other people just 'cause they like their company... not that wouldn't be understandable in my case.

[primogen_vampirate]

[Time to try her luck. She's beginning to wonder if he's a fae and she doesn't like that idea. So she looks him in the eyes, attempting her power of suggestion.]

Tell me your real name.

[hung_garian]

[He hadn't been expecting that, and it almost works. For a moment there, she might think it does.]

Rumpelstiltskin.

[You know, up until he says it, completely dead-pan, and then raises an eyebrow.]

Nice trick. But can I just say it once more, just for the record: god. Gooooooooooood. G-O-D.

[primogen_vampirate]

[Mina lets go of his collar, looking petulant for a moment or two.]

I thought you were a nutter.

I was mistaken.