Echo Bazaar: Requesting a Favor - Asher & Narciso

[adele_1]

Asher makes his way into the Bazaar, weaving his way through the crowd of people.  It is just after lunch, and the Bazaar is busy, as usual.  Asher's eyes are constantly moving, making sure he does not become a pickpocket's mark but also watching for an easy mark of his own.  Although he is not actually in the Bazaar to steal, he is not the type to

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[classicalegoist]

"There you are!" declares Narciso, a grin on his face and the brim of his hat (crimson and extraordinary, called Ludovico) lifting in a sharp-toothed smile. One has to wonder: is Ludocivo genuinely glad? Or did Narciso somehow train it? Which is more unsettling, supposing that a hat has feelings or was taught to mimic them through hours in front of mirror?

At any rate, Narciso's sitting with an arm draped over the back of his chair -- drinking the last of his tea, ecru with cream and no doubt filled with sugar. "I've been close to heartsick waiting for you. How does your honour, Lord of the Mushrooms?"

[adele_1]

Asher eyes the hat for a moment - he cannot remember ever seeing one smile - before moving his gaze down to land on the "heartsick" man. Sometimes, it is hard to take the man seriously; but Asher has come to realize that, although Narciso may exaggerate, his affection for his friends is sincere. Asher, however, is still unsure how to respond to such exaggerated affections, so he tends to ignore them.

His lips quirk up into a small smile at the title. "Mushroom free, actually. I prefer ta rule from afar." Although Asher has nothing against mushrooms, he cannot help but remember a forced stay at Bedlam where his bath was overtaken by the fungi. Since moving into one of the nicer rooms at Bedlam, he has seen no sign of mushroom growth and hopes it will stay that way.

Asher has not sat down, assuming that they will be leaving now that Narciso has finished his tea. "So, where will ya be takin' me today?"

[classicalegoist]

Narciso doesn't look heartsick, to be sure -- he looks as light-hearted as he ever did, and rises on a walking stick that has a tassel. "The possibilities, my boy, are endless. We might linger in the Bazaar, look for the stalls selling rare garments from across the Unterzee, or we might visit the silk-weavers in Spite --"

[adele_1]

Asher hardly takes a moment to consider. "Let's go to Spite." He has no need for rare, and probably very expensive, garments. Yes, he does want to look nice, but there is a chance that he will be fighting in these clothes. There is no sense in paying more than necessary for clothes that may have tears in them soon.

[classicalegoist]

[apologies for the wait! if nothing else, you now know i mean it when i say i don't mind pauses for real-life?]

Narciso's eyes shine with delight, gliding over the walls and the silks rolled-up or hanging, plain or dyed or embroidered with bats for good luck and cave-fish to bring in wealth. "Here we are, here we are," he chimes, leading Asher by the wrist. "The oils to be applied to the appropriate canvas. What strikes you?"

[adele_1]

[No problem! I have been busy with family, myself.]

Asher looks around at all the material then turns to Narciso with a bewildered look on his face. "Uh," he pauses and steps forward to finger some dark material. "Something dark...and, uh, easy to move in."

[classicalegoist]

"Thinking like a Master Thief, I see," he laughs, unrolling the material for Asher to examine. "And it's that keen mind, as well as your martial prowess, that your mistress Scarlet hired you for, is it not? But dear, might I suggest a touch of color? You aren't one of the performers, of course, and you don't want to take the light of them, but people should see you nonetheless -- and think twice about causing any mischief."

[adele_1]

Asher considers this only for a moment before nodding. "Yes, that would be good. Um, maybe," he trails off, turning his head to search for some color he deems appropriate, "red? Uh, crimson, I guess, ta match the name?"