maskormenacelogs | Why I just grin like a clown

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Why I just grin like a clown

WHO: The god of mischief and the penguin
WHERE: The iceberg lounge
WHEN: Thrusday night before opening
WHAT: Shady fucks doing shady business
WARNINGS: TBA if needed

[ The Iceberg Lounge was, at the end of the day, a rather well oiled machine, before opening. The staff was efficient as well as attractive, and the waitresses and bouncers all worked in tandem to put together the requisite efforts to make sure that the restaurant and bar were both well-stocked, pristine, and that the entertainment would be good and ready. He was careful with his cash, to make sure not to overinvest before it was really ready. He couldn't spread it around much, it was an investment, and that meant he had to hold off.

Impressive displays were great, when they did well for his ego. When there were people to notice that were important. But the average night? He didn't bother. He wanted to make any expenditure count. Tonight the girls were putting on a show, and they were practicing on the stage, acts practicing, some sashaying with slinky dresses, other times in something a little more risqué. Nothing outlandish, but enough that the crwod would come. His regulars were getting used to the efforts he put forward, and they knew what to expect from him. He watched from along the walls, occasionally interjecting with a slgiht tap of his umbrella and a protest. He demanded perfection. This was a respectable business, after all.

That was how Loki would find him, when he entered, led throulgh with a bouncer who'd been told to carefully watch for him, and then bring him to Oswald, while he puffed away on a cigarette, happy to indulge. Heropa was better than the City, in this regard. ]

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[ ruffling someone's feathers and keeping them on unsettled wasn't something that was necessarily a bad thing in his book. after all, Ozzie still had the luxury of a god coming to him for an investment.

Loki reaches to take his hand. there are a few things that are particularly unusual about him. he grips his hand like he's trained not to take it too heavily at the shake, but is still elegant and firm. there's a presence about him that settles heavily in reality, and even his voice almost sounds like an echo (if you listen close enough). he was almost akin to a walking anomaly, a sort of deja vu that was still there when you kept your eyes forward. ]

My visits here have been nothing but nothing short of entertaining.

[ he does, however, follow his lead without question. ]

Admittedly your flair is one of the reasons why I thought to extend you the offer before bothering with the boring conversation that would undoubtedly come from chit-chatting with imPort resources. I would like to avoid a nap like that at all costs.

[ he looks ironically amused. ]

[ It's enough to soothe the ruffled feathers, to point out that his visits were pleasant, and Oswald settled in, short and squat, but offering the opposite seat to Loki. He had the presence of a god, somehow. The businessman was not often the sort to give faith toward...anything. That being said, if he was really a god, Oswald would have no trouble believing it.

Not that he was going to start offering tribute at any time. Other than, of course, offerings of a business sort. He indicated the waitress, who was sitting there waiting for an order, even while Ozzie lit a cigarette.]

Is it? I'm delighted. I think that avoiding any unpleasantness with the riffraff would make any opening go a bit smoother.

[ When the waitress had Loki's order, and left, he settled in. ]

Now, you were talking about these establishments, and of course, I'm interested. Why don't you tell me more about them? Is this something from your world?

[ Oswald, being of "old money" hadn't even heard of them before. ]

[ Loki slides across from him easily, lounging with the careless arrogance of youth.

he orders simple, a double scotch. neat. flirting a little with the waitress (enough to leave her a little giddy) before she's sent off. he waves his hand dismissively, looking pleased as he watches her leave. ]

Ah, yes. The term "pop-up club" is all the rage among the untapped resources right now. It's takes on a new persona every night, in a new place, in a new district, attracting a new crowd—well, that isn't exactly true. Its exclusivity, and you know how that's desired, comes with its underground movement. While it lacks proper real estate, it also makes itself incredibly versatile and intriguing in the process.

It'll take a bit to gain momentum, of course.

But I know you're a man of patience. A nest egg, perhaps?

Of course it will.

[ Of course it would. Oswald was used to investments, but his hand was hesitant, not just because this wasn't his endeavor. That was a part of it, of course. He wanted full and complete control of all things he invested in.

But, Ozzie could recognize a deal when he saw one. Someone willing to do the work, for the capital, and all he had to do was invest, and the cash would flow in. The problem was, this boy -- and he was still young -- had that personality, and it made Oswald nervous, on edge. He waved a hand, the one with his cigarette holder, and a cloud of smoke covered the table. ]

Versatile, exclusive, I assume it travels from word of mouth? Or very clever advertising, so as not to attract the undesirables, yes?

[ His tone of voice said it all. He was interested. ]

[ someone willing to corner a market that Ozzie wasn't familiar with, but seemed to be quite engrossed in, himself. though it would be foolish for anyone not to be uneasy of anyone who called themselves "Loki." ]

Word of mouth seems to further the mystery, doubled with the anticipation of the rumors surrounding its presence.

[ the smoke seems to waft around him, but never too far into his space. ]

A whole generation of all-night patrons ready to party.

[ Loki was doing an excellent job of convincing Ozzie, it was obvious. He leaned forward, the smoke curling more around his head than Loki's, and it lent a lot to his name, didn't it? Just another piece to the wall that was built up around the man -- boy -- whatever he was.

But what Oswald did know, was that he had no interest in interacting with the youth of this world. He had better things to do, a business to run, and patrons to please. The ones that would further him, and the young never did that.

But here was someone who would do that for him. He'd get a profit (presumably) and then someone else would do the work. It honestly was a win-win. ]

A generation that I don't have to see in my lounge, yes. I see the advantage in that. [ But despite the sarcastic words, his tone was anything but. ]

We should talk money, that's what this will come down to, isn't it?

[ Loki's drawing personality would be enough to lure people in—he had uses of his charms. it was one of the reason he wasn't constantly thrown in the gallows for his treacherous actions. (though he had given up some of the more barbing prospects of his former life. at least, he liked to tell himself that.) ]

It would keep them away from your establishment.

[ he says, as an aside. he twirls the scotch appropriately. ]

Coin is no hinderance to me.

[ as a god, of course. ]

I'll need set-up options. Whatever the club is in need of returns back to it for investment. [ that's a given. supplies, prospective employees, etc. ] I assume there will be no argument there. With the rush of imPorts, i'm sure that I can find some that will do better for the job. After all, there are those who distrust the government, unsettled youth will be suited for it. [ rebellious people in need of proper cash flow who could do the job of three normal people, of course. ] There will be risks there, but the risk is part of the draw.

As for me, I'm willing to take a cut. You'll be the one providing the investment, so you should best see the fruits of it.

[ he waves a hand. ]

I'm looking for freedom. [ that's actually quite honest. ] In both the business as well as from the questionable governing body. We all need something to fall back on. That said, I'll need enough to keep myself comfortably independent.

As we all do, yes.

[ He understood that well enough. He really did.

Oswald also preferred his independence, and it was one of the reasons why he'd moved on from consulting for birds at the zoo to actually doing what he was good at. Oh, he was fine with the birds, but he was no expert. He could only show them attention -- but this?

This he could do. He went for ostentatious, and while the lounge right now was somewhat subdued, there were signs that it was ready to expand. Very obvious signs, he was just waiting on the capital.

And while he'd tucked away quite a bit of his profits, waiting for the right moment...

Well, he could drop it, for long-lasting, continuing profits later. He was knowledgeable, and crafty. The kind of person who would look at the long game, rather than the short.

He nodded, and his hand found his own drink, before he drank it all down, and nodded. ]

I of course, reserve the right to refuse, if the requests become too...outlandish. [ He squinted, at that. ] I'm sure you can understand that.

Outlandish, you say?

[ it was said with a mild curiosity. there were many things that could qualify as "outlandish," and most of the thigns that Loki did were so. ]

As long as you give me the proper means to explain, of course.

[ because he could be quite convincing, when it came down to it. ]

Sometimes things that are so outlandish can be good for business. I'll be upfront when I call myself high-risk, but high-risk can give some very good returns.

And maybe even something else. We all are trying to establish ourselves here.

As I said, if you're in need of some subtle business transactions ... the loud music makes for a fine cover.

Oh, I'm quite certain it would do so.

[ He nodded, thinking. He stroked at his chin, and puffed at his cigarette, while he worked his way through it, weighed the advantages and disadvantages. While he considered what good this would or wouldn't do.

It was a risk, yes. A big one.

But the reward.... that was what Oswald looked at. IT was a good business decision, if it panned out. If it didn't, then it proved to him that a certain generation wasn't worth investing in. He smiled, and settled into the seat. ]

I believe that could work. I'd hardly wish to cut out any suggestion, so yes, that would work quite well.

I think, Mr... Loki... that you may have yourself a deal. What cities will you center your attentions on?

[ Loki definitely wasn't a slouch—and he wasn't lying when he called himself risky. at least he was willing to be upfront about that. there were a few good things about risky, and a few bad things about risky. his personality was one that could both bank in the cash and cut off the funds depending on what was beneficial to him. Loki, with a little bit of funding, definitely had the skills to do so.

but he was still a variable. ]

I've always sort of liked the sound of Mister Loki.

[ a little off-handedly. ]

I'm starting in Heropa, as it has the biggest imPort population. The imPorts draw a lot of attention, and I think the novelty can follow us in a more elegant way. With added dubstep and Screaming Orgasms, of course.

[ Oswald blinked, slowly. He only knew one of those terms -- and the one he knew was a good one, but he didn't want to hear it from a potential business partner -- at least not one of Loki's... current stature. If he'd seen him...well -- in certain other forms, it would be a different story.

He leaned forward. ] Indeed? I would hope you would...keep it away from my small establishment for the moment, yes? Separate ends of the city, to cast the widest net.

It needs not be said.

[ Loki look satisfied with himself and the reference. of course, Ozzie's current establishment wouldn't touch such cocktails produced by the youth culture—but he meant to. ]

Trust me, success is on the line for me, and profits for you, I'd not put both at risk for a amateurish mistake.

Indeed not.

[ He laughed, almost a bit too confidently. ]

Trust me, I'm hardly the sort of person that would take such things lightly. [ Oswald didn't do well, when it came to insults. ] But as long as we have such an understanding, then things will not go in such a direction, I'm sure.

[ the confidence just makes him look just a tad more smugly satisfied, if for one reason or another. he wasn't really interested in the cash as much as he was what came with it. he could find ways to make it himself, if push came to shove. living comfortably and independent when the time came either (a) he decided to divorce himself from Norman or (b) he got sick of the big blowing REGISTERED mark on his wrist. plan Bs and Cs were never a bad thing. ]

Then we agree. Great! You can say something like "welcome aboard," or we can shake hands all business-like. I've seen the shows!

I'm sure you have.

[ He said, a little sourly. Oswald, of course, wasn't some classic movie businessman. He wasn't the sort that was going to just obviously make known that he had a deal, and he folded his hands. ]

There's no need for such theatrics, is there? I think we're both familiar with the arrangement, without a shake of a hand, or a catchy little statement.

[ he tries very hard not to look too disappointed. ]

As you will.

[ his lower lip pokes out suspiciously and he takes the rip of his glass and swirls the rest of the scotch. ]

A toast, at least.

[ Well, Oswald can't say no to a toast.

Really, anything that involves alcohol. ]

A toast, then, to a fruitful business arrangement.

[ He raised his glass, and smiled. ]

[ Loki'd like to think it's his disappointed face that he's definitely not making. he casually lifts up his glass for a small clink. ]

May we drown in coin.

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Why I just grin like a clown

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