maskormenacelogs | person man, person man, hit on the head with a frying pan

WHO: Mark and whoever
WHERE: Everywhere!! But mostly De Chima and Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Throughout November
WHAT: Catch-all for November with stuff. Hit me up!! Please!!! Open prompts below; PM me if you want something that isn't these things.
WARNINGS: Mark's life sucks; I'll edit this header if any particular suckiness comes up.

1. dog dog dog dog dog dog dog; De Chima/Maurtia Falls
[ In De Chima or in Maurtia Falls, you might find a rather strange sight: a small stocky man walking an enormous stocky dog. This is Mark walking his dog Captain, a scarred and warlike pit bull that pulls at the leash and constantly wags his tail. Mark's expression is still a forbidding glower, but Captain's doggy face is open and bright-eyed and happy; there's no one he doesn't want to make friends with.

And Mark, unfortunately, doesn't know good leash technique, and also (in spite of his own roundness) doesn't outweigh his dog by that much. And so when Captain wants to make friends, Mark is dragged along behind him. And that is why, if you're walking around, you might be approached by a dog trailing a very sour-looking little man who's hissing - ]

No, don't - stop - heel -

2. come make $$$$; Maurtia Falls
[ PKE, LLC, up in Maurtia Falls, is beyond luxurious. The office is appointed with a sort of brushed-steel-and-pine classiness, like it's furnished from the expensive part of Ikea; the receptionist out front is attractive and aloof, and people who are waiting get offered mineral water from glass bottles.

There are any number of reasons that you might have ended up here: you might have received an advertisement in the mail, or a random notification on your phone, or you might have seen the advertising that targets imPorts. All of this advertising will have offered help in investing, getting rich, or opening a new business - generous funding to get everyone a little bit wealthier.

Mark, sitting at his desk, smiles a smile that can generously be described as oily when you're shown in. And he purrs - ]

Please, sit down. Tell me about how you'd like to make money.

3. kicking some grass; De Chima
[ Mark doesn't like to practice where he can be seen. Definitely not. So when he's worked up and anxious, he goes out far away from his family, far away from the people who know him, out into the forests of De Chima. On the unlikely off-chance that your character happens to wander by, they'll be treated to a very strange sight: a small fat man vigorously practicing a judo kata, face miserable, before punching a tree. He turns as soon as he hears them, though, eyes flashing with anger as he snarls - ]

What the hell are you doing here? Go away.

4. fuck it; anywhere
[ Mark's eating ice cream. Come have ice cream. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's pretty amazing what animals can survive and recover from. [ he reaches down to stroke fingertips down captain's back, frowning faintly as he glances to the scars. ] I've never understood how anyone can be so cruel to a creature that loves so unconditionally.

[ he makes a musing noise at the question, narrow shoulders lifting in a small shrug. ]

It's a story we tell about Fen'Harel, and about a Keeper's hound, how that dog protected his master, chasing the Dread Wolf across the Fade and eventually catching him. [ he glances toward mark, grinning briefly. ] It's said that Fen'Harel doesn't risk his tail again around clans with dogs on guard.

[ Captain, oblivious to the dark tenor of the conversation, tries to flip his head around to lick at Mahanon's fingers as they pet him. The dog has come a long way in the past few months, though he was also pretty clearly a failure as a fighting dog to begin with. (Mark always studiously avoids thinking about any parallels.)

He shoves his free hand into his pocket and says: ]

It seems like it would be easier to just say that it's useful to keep guard dogs, instead of making up stories about why guard dogs are useful.

[ mahanon laughs at the licking, scratching captain's chin, then rescuing his fingers from slobbery kisses. ]

Well, [ he drawls thoughtfully, ] they don't really guard against anything else, just Fen'Harel. Otherwise, they're just hunting companions and friends. We use magic to watch for threats to our camps.

[ it's not as secure a living as some have, certainly, but it's not a bad way of life.. so long as a clan doesn't separate itself from the rest of the world too long. that's how rumours and distrust start. (you'd think more clans would have learned the lesson of the dales.) ]

Oh. [ it occurs to him that he knows why mark is here. at least, he thinks so. ] You work here, don't you? I've been by your building. You bring Captain to work with you?

Uh.

[ He rubs at his scalp, pushing his slicked-back hair back a little further still. ]

Yeah. Sometimes. On the weekends. [ With open disapproval: ] Someone else in the building is allergic.

[ He turns a slightly speculative gaze on Mahanon. ]

Why do you know where I work? Are you interested in investing?

[ allergies to dogs, huh? people are allergic to everything in this world, seems like. ] That's a shame.

[ the questions bring his glance back up, startled for a moment before he laughs lightly. ] Oh, no, it's not-- One of my regulars is considering your company, I think? He mentioned your name, and I was curious, so I walked by to see where you work. It's a nice building.

[ as far as buildings in this world go, anyway. most of them have so much glass that mahanon's occasionally a little concerned that a stray stone could bring the whole thing down. ]

It's very expensive.

[ That's not said out of modesty, or to shut Mahanon down. Where Mark's from, that's a genuine brag. The more expensive your stuff, the more successful you are and the prouder you can be of your accomplishments. ]

Aren't you interested in making money?

--Is it? I suppose it goes to show how successful you've been here, then.

[ having wealth isn't bad, he supposes. the inquisition's doing very well for itself now, after all, and skyhold looks a sight better than it did when they moved into it. but honestly, dealing with so much money stresses mahanon out-- he doesn't even want to think of all the paperwork he no doubt has waiting for him on his desk at home. at least it isn't growing so long as he's in this world.

the question earns a curious glance, mahanon's brows lifting in surprise. ] Me? No, not especially, I suppose. I deal with it enough at home by necessity. I've learned more about Antivan trade agreements and Orlesian taxes in the last six months at home than most people probably do in their entire lifetime. [ a beat. ] I'm not even certain what I'd do if I were so inclined. Most of my skills are martial.

Oh. I meant less - do you want to work in the financial sector -

[ He gives a small wave of his hand. ]

More...don't you want to have money. Money makes life easier for everyone.

[ his lips quirk. ] I make enough to get by here. What would I do with more than that? I don't have a war to run in this world.

[ and it's not like he has much of an attachment to nice things. ]

I suppose I wouldn't mind being able to travel more. I've heard there are some very beautiful places in this world.

[ Mark lifts his chin in acknowledgment of more travel. Then he gives a small shrug, one-shouldered, no more than that, and responds bluntly: ]

More money keeps you safe. You and those around you. That's what you'd do with it. You'd ensure their safety.

[ he glances aside at mark again, curious for a moment, but not asking. eventually, he makes a musing noise, shaking his head. ]

I protect myself in other ways. And.. the people I love do the same.

[ that says something about mark's mindset, though. he still doesn't know much about him, but that's.. telling, in a way. ]

Anyway, I think the money that would require would be more than I'm capable of making. [ probably. he supposes one could market being an import, but.. no. ]

Not necessarily.

[ He looks up at Mahanon, and then away. ]

Even just a couple thousand more is enough to make it so you can flee if necessary. Or hire help if things go south. Every bit helps.

[ this world does make it difficult to go anywhere or do anything without money, that's certainly true. ]

You have a point, [ he agrees after a moment, thoughtful. ] We could easily disappear in the mountains if we needed to, but having things prepared wouldn't be a bad idea.

[ Mark nods, a little encouraged. ]

Yeah. Money means freedom. Money is power, in its way. Even if you don't need that power in your service now, you probably will later.

person man, person man, hit on the head with a frying pan

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