Twenty-nine - Voice

[grand_lotus]

[As with the freakshow breach, Iroh's accent is a little thicker than usual but his English is still completely comprehensible.]

Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to arrive in an upstanding town such as this. I hope that my associate and I shall be welcome during the time that we are here.

For the next few days, you will find my wagon at

Comments

[takencareofyou]

Luxuries?

Like...stuff from that far east people are talking about?

[He's considering bringing something back for his sister y'see.]

[grand_lotus]

Indeed. Many of my products are produced here in this country, but by craftsmen and artisans who have brought their skills from the furthest reaches of the East.

Is there something in particular you are looking for? Perhaps you might pay a visit and see what I have stocked.

[Spam?]

[takencareofyou]

...I suppose I could play hooky a bit.

[It takes a couple of hours, but soon there's a broad man in a white shirt making his way toward the cart with wide eyes.]

[Spam!]

[grand_lotus]

[Iroh beams and waves him over, stepping out of the way so as to give an unimpeded view of the wagon's wares. Alongside his stock-in-trade there are some smaller items - among other things, some little pieces of Chinese jewellery and ornately carved snuff boxes that he's bought or traded for along the way.]

Good afternoon, sir! I hope the day finds you well?

spam, after dark

[ichoosefight]

A moment of your time, sir?

spam, after dark

[grand_lotus]

[Iroh turns from where he's locking up his wagon for the night. He and Kurtis will likely take turns watching over it - locked or not, the contents are far too valuable to be left alone, even in what seems like a pleasant enough town. It's something of a surprise to be approached by a lone young woman after dark, but he takes it in stride and smiles, bowing his head.]

Good evening, miss. Can I help you?

spam, after dark

[ichoosefight]

I guess I missed my chance to look over your wares. [ She smiles at him from the darkness, a carefree grin as un-threatening as she can manage. ]

I was just curious, since you're new in town, if you've noticed anyone particularly suspicious hanging around your wagon? I know it's not very lady-like, but I can't resist a good rumor, and... well, you know what they've been saying.

spam, after dark

[grand_lotus]

[He considers her for a moment. Either it's an innocent curiosity - not unheard of - or she's a thief herself, or a bounty hunter, or doing either one a favour. Whatever she's asking for, there's no harm in the truth in this instance.]

I do, although it seems the case to me that every town has its rumours. [He locks up the drop-down door on the side of the wagon, and pockets the key.] I've had no trouble. Everyone who's come by today has been a credit to their town. [Meaning anything ranging from genuine friendliness to a reluctance to accompany their racial epithets with violence. Iroh's learnt to take his victories where he can get them.]

Spam, late afternoon

[shortsghtedlove]

Oh! [Raymond looks thrilled.] How wonderful! I'd quite missed something like this. [The town's pleasant enough, but he does like his luxury.]

Spam, late afternoon

[grand_lotus]

[Iroh offers a broad smile and moves a little for the man's ease of browsing.]
You've come a long way to be here, then, sir?

Spam, late afternoon

[shortsghtedlove]

Huh? ...No, I live here. But I haven't always. And we do so rarely get the chance to... [There's a moment where his expression seems darker, before he's back to admiring the wares.] ...indulge ourselves here.

Re: Spam, late afternoon

[grand_lotus]

I'm sorry. You said you missed these sorts of goods - I meant to ask if you had lived somewhere grander, before moving here. [He catches the flicker in his expression, though.] Forgive me for prying. Is everything all right?

[thinkb4ublink]

Yeah. You want me to come out or can you come in? [Given he's Asian, he understands why he wouldn't want to come in.]

[grand_lotus]

I can come in, sir - I would hate to inconvenience you, and you are the manager of the general store, isn't that right? I've heard many good words about you.

[thinkb4ublink]

I am. [Pause.] Sir. [Hey, why not? Business is business, right?] Well, whenever you can, I'll be ready for ya.

Spam, late afternoon

[feels_no_love]

[Sunday dinner was a tradition for D. Every Sunday he went down to see his family after church, stayed sober most of the day--and most pertinently right now, he always brought presents. Curios, nice fabrics, this or that clever kitchen tool, tea, spices. Whatever he could find, sometimes extravagant, sometimes simple. Sometimes he spent the whole week looking for something worth bringing to them.]

[This looked like a good place to get Armand and the girls something they hadn't seen before. So, the tall man in the black duster came up quietly, gunmetal-colored eyes narrowing in the sun as he took off his hat.] Afternoon.

Spam, late afternoon

[grand_lotus]

[Iroh had developed a healthy sense of concern surrounding people who dressed with a view to looking like they shouldn't be unduly bothered, but he wasn't going to act like he was in trouble until he actually was. So he offered the man a customary smile and a half-bow.]

Good afternoon, sir. Is there something special you might be looking for?

Spam, late afternoon

[feels_no_love]

[D sniffed, nodding hello. His expression stayed cold but the corners of his eyes crinkled slightly. His voice when he spoke was a soft rasp ruined by whiskey and gunsmoke, and came out with something at odds with his appearance:]

I'm looking for some gifts for the best family a fella could ask for.

Re: Spam, late afternoon

[grand_lotus]

[Even with his voice and bearing being as they were, the man's words warmed Iroh to him immediately, and he nodded.]

Then I've much to show you. Do you have sons, daughters...? I have some of the finest silk a lady could ever want. More than enough to dress for a special occasion.