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* Dawn strolls into what once was the Sunrose House, and after asking a few questions of the women in charge, finds his way upstairs to knock on the door of Toffy's room. <Toffy> ::irritatedly:: I *told* you, Duck, I'll come down an' dump th' bloody buckets in a *minute*! <Dawn> ::grinning:: Glad to hear you're keeping up with your chores. <Toffy> ::bedsprings creak and bare feet thump on the floor, thudding to the door. Toffy yanks it open, pushing his hair out of his eyes:: Dawn! M'sorry, sir, I didn'... ::he flushes a little and lowers his eyes, stepping back from the door a little to let Dawn in:: Somethin' y' wanted? * Dawn nods and steps into the room, closing the door carefully behind him. "Aye, there is..." He folds his arms and leans against the door, watching Toffy thoughtfully. "How much did Breezy tell you?" <Toffy> ::retreating to his (unmade) bed and sitting, drawing a knee up and leaning his arms on it, regarding Dawn a little suspiciously:: About what? <Dawn> ::snorts:: Don't play coy with me. <Toffy> ::looking a little disgusted:: Not so much as I'd've liked 'im to. ::mutters something that sounds a little like "high-and-mighty so-and-so":: I know you an' he an' Duck an' Miss Queenie are all part o' the somethin' he won't talk about. Sounds like you're the boss-man, too. Dunno rightly what it is or how big, though. <Dawn> ::smiles:: Ah, well, he's done better than I expected, then. ::cocks his head:: I might like to bring you in. If you're willing to take a test, first. <Toffy> ::eyes Dawn narrowly:: You're rich, too, right? ::chews on his lip a moment, considering the older man:: Bring me in as what? ::flatly:: I ain't sellin' my ass no more. <Dawn> I might be offended you'd even think I'd ask that of you, except I'd say the same damn thing in your shoes. ::half-smiles:: No, not that. <Toffy> ::suspiciously:: Why not? Eight gold a lay is good money, even I know that. <Dawn> Topmost reason? Because you don't want it. Second reason: Because we're not in the business of forcing people into work they hate. <Toffy> ::resting his chin on his crossed arms:: What *are* you in the business of, then? <Dawn> ::smiles:: Quite a few things, really. ::cocks his head slightly:: I can't tell you everything until it's decided you're in, Toffy. <Toffy> ::frowning a little:: Makes it kinda hard to know if I *want* in, then, don't it? What's this test, then? <Dawn> We'll stop in on a friend of mine. Maybe a little sparring - I saw you in action before, but he's the expert. Some talk. <Toffy> ::even more suspiciously:: An' that's all? <Dawn> ::nods:: That's all. <Toffy> Mm. ::scowls at his thin blanket, picking at it with a finger:: See this friend, and spar, and talk. Okay. What I get out of it, and what d'you get out of it? <Dawn> If you're in? You get training, and a job, and I get a good man on my team, in a few years. <Toffy> A job? ::he straightens up quickly, his voice squeaking a little in surprise:: You wanna hire... me? Why? <Dawn> Because I saw you in action, and I think you'd do the job well. <Toffy> ::chews the inside of his lip, thinking:: But all you saw me do was... hm. So yer lookin' for a new blade, then. ::thinks a moment more, and nods, slipping off the bed and standing:: Okay, I can do that. Let's go see this friend of yours. <Dawn> ::laughs and opens the door:: You're quick, but you've got a lot to learn, yet. This way. ::he leads Toffy out of the building and into the streets:: * Toffy follows Dawn out, and then takes up a position at his right heel, one hand hovering near the opening of his vest. * Dawn glances at Toffy from the corner of his eye, and smirks slightly as he heads toward Angel's flat. * Angel is in his flat, working out his forms against a new spiney piece of practice wood. Snowman has taken up a stance against the wall, criticizing colorfully. * Dawn knocks, his code and "guest". * Jewel has given up pretending to read a book and has moved over to the end of the couch, leaning her chin on both hands and watching avidly. * Jewel sits up with a sigh. "I'll get it." <Snowman> Bloody fuckin' awful, that. Whole bleedin' ass-end is exposed, there. M' *grandmother* could hit better n'that. * Jewel answers the door, keeping it between herself and Dawn's unexpectedly short guest as she studies him curiously. <Angel> ::snorts:: I'd believe that. Anyone who could possibly give birth to *your* mother would probably kick both our collective asses. <Dawn> ::grins:: Afternoon, gorgeous. This is Toffy. I thought Angel should meet him. * Toffy looks back just as curiously, his eyes flicking around what he can see of the apartment as soon as Jewel opens the door. He looks Jewel up and down without comment. * Jewel raises her eyebrows and steps back, opening the door a bit wider and calling behind her. "Angel? This one's yours. Get you anything, Dawn? Either of you?" <Snowman> ::glances over:: Angel's busy. A more fuckin' sloppy, half-assed, stupid, clumsy, pathetic excuse for a fighter I ain't never seen, me. <Dawn> Beer? Fucking hot out there today. ::he ushers Toffy into the flat and nods in greeting to Angel and Snowman:: Sure you have, Snowman. I'm standing here, aren't I? * Toffy enters behind Dawn. He is a dark, thin boy on the cusp of adolescence: straight black hair half-obscuring wide, black eyes, and deep mahogany skin. His expression is both curious and suspicious as he looks around at the gathering of grownups. <Snowman> ::glowers:: Ain't a fighter, you. Don't expect shit from a fuckin' book-happy finger-twitcher. * Toffy looks from Snowman to Angel to Dawn, turning to raise an eyebrow at Dawn and undertone, "An' that's the one you want me t' talk to?" * Angel is not answering Snowman's gibes, merely continuing through his forms, lunge and hit, turn and kick, blocks and return. <Dawn> ::grins at Snowman:: But shit is what I got to give. * Jewel nods. "And... Toffy, is it?" * Dawn points at Angel. "Him." <Toffy> ::glances at Jewel and nods, his voice a little gruff:: Beer for me, too. ::glances at Dawn a little guiltily, and back at Jewel:: Please. <Dawn> ::raises his eyebrows at Toffy, then catches Jewel's eye:: {Water it.} * Toffy follows Dawn's point, eyes narrowing a little as he watches Angel at work. After a bit, his lower jaw starts to hang a little loosely. * Jewel nods and grins, disappearing into the kitchen. <Snowman> ::clapping his hands sarcastically:: Could move a bit slower, you? That damn tree might sprout an' walk off, s'long as you're takin' with it. * Angel mutters under his breath, wiping his face with one hand. "Shut up, old man. Trying not to break the damn thing." <Jewel> ::a snort comes from the kitchen:: * Toffy swallows and continues to watch, his eyes getting wider. <Dawn> ::conversationally:: Form does seem a bit off today, Angel. Take a break and meet the boy. * Angel turns, gives Dawn a narrow-eyed glare and turns, kicking out at the target one last time. One spiny arm snaps and goes spinning towards Snowman, who catches it about half an inch in front of his face. <Angel> ::snorts:: Show off. <Snowman> ::laughs:: Do it with more style, me. * Angel looks around and finds a towel, blotting off his sweat-drenched face and neck. "Who am I meeting, Dawn?" <Dawn> ::grins at Angel's glare:: This is Toffy. I told you what he did when I cleaned out the Sunrose. * Jewel returns from the kitchen carrying a tray. She hands two tankards off of it to Dawn and Toffy, gives Angel a tall glass of lemonade, and hands the last tankard to Snowman, taking the other glass for herself. "You're paying for the new target, Dawn." * Toffy swallows again and straightens up, lifting his chin a little as he faces Angel. * Snowman tosses the spine aside and takes a long swallow of beer. <Dawn> ::snorts and drinks his beer:: He was going to break it anyway, gorgeous. ::to Angel:: Now that things are quieting down, I thought I'd bring him by. I want to bring him in, but I thought you might like first crack. <Angel> ::gives Jewel a half smile:: Thank you, my lady. ::he drains the glass and sets it down before beginning his cool-down stretches:: Toffy is it? You pick that? <Jewel> ::scowls a little at Dawn and mutters:: He *was* being good.... ::toasts Angel with her glass and sips, studying the boy curiously as she takes a seat on the end of the couch again:: * Toffy shrugs a shoulder. "S'what they call me. Good as any other name, I guess." He eyes Angel. "You picked 'Angel'?" <Angel> ::drops into a split and grabs his left boot:: Actually, I did. * Jewel lifts one side of her mouth in a smile. * Dawn doesn't sit, but leans against the door as he sips his beer and watches the discussion. * Toffy narrows his eyes a little, watching Angel. "Dawn said he might have a job for me, if I passed your test." <Snowman> ::wanders over to lean against the wall near Dawn:: One of yours, him? * Jewel looks from Toffy to Angel to Dawn, and raises an eyebrow at Dawn. <Dawn> ::half-smiles at Snowman:: Sort of. He was one of the bunch from the Sunrose. ::quietly:: He knifed half a dozen keepers, cold. And took me to task for trying to give the job to someone who wasn't suited to it. I think he'll fit. <Angel> ::considers this, twisting his back, which pops several times before he reaches for the other foot:: That's probably true. Tell me a bit about yourself. What you consider to be important. * Toffy shrugs a shoulder again. "Important? Same as most people, I guess. Food to eat. Place t' stay. A little ready cash in the pocket's nice. Makin' sure no one's inclined to mess with me an' mine." <Angel> ::raises an eyebrow:: You have an 'and yours'? <Toffy> ::scowls a little, his jaw pushing out a bit:: I've got some stuff. An' I've got friends. <Angel> Always good. You trust them? <Toffy> ::shrugging again:: Some. ::meeting Angel's eyes challengingly:: I trust 'em not to try to sell my ass again. <Dawn> ::sighs huffily:: Merciless fucking gods, Toffy. No one in the room is remotely interested in your ass. * Angel leans forward and puts his chin on the floor, stretching his arms out. After a minute of holding that position, he snaps his legs together and gets to his feet. <Toffy> ::turns on Dawn, not quite putting his back to Angel:: Six a night of the sick fucks at Chins' place did a hell of a lot more to convince than talk does, Dawn. I'm just makin' it clear, is all. I *ain't* doin' that no more, an' th' next one that tries is gonna get three inches o' *mine* for whatever of his. <Angel> ::raises one eyebrow, then snaps a holdout blade into his hand:: Care to prove it? <Dawn> Clear as glass, Toffy. ::he grins at Angel:: You see? <Angel> ::snaps a glance at Dawn:: Yeah. Great. A miniature me. I'm thrilled. Really. <Dawn> ::smirks, not the least discomfited by Angel's sarcasm:: I knew you would be. ::more seriously:: I can have Bie give him a run, but I think he's going to belong with you. * Toffy looks from Dawn to Angel, his shiv falling into his hand at the sight of Angel's blade. His eyes narrow, and he lowers into a wary crouch. * Jewel presses her lips together, looking from Dawn to Toffy and back. Her teeth close with a faint click as she very carefully says nothing. * Angel turns his knife in his hand slowly, circling Toffy cautiously. "No good. Bie doesn't like violence. She wouldn't be able to handle this sort of hate. Even if he's actually got anything more in him than spit." <Dawn> Well, that's what I thought, but he's too good to throw away as dumb muscle. * Toffy steps a slow circle opposite Angel, making sure the others in the room stay within his field of vision. He acts like he didn't even hear Angel's slight, but watches him coldly, waiting for him to make a move. <Angel> ::raises his eyebrow, then closes the distance between himself and the boy by half:: * Toffy shifts his grip on his homemade shiv and feints quickly as Angel shifts position, testing Angel's defenses. * Angel blocks almost negligently. "Not bad." He grabs Toffy's shiv-wielding arm with one hand. "But I have reach on you." He releases the boy's arm and steps back. "Again. You need to get me inside your combat circle, or I will dice you." * Toffy scowls, shaking his arm as Angel releases him again. "I ain't usually stupid enough to go pickin' fair fights with someone like you." His eyes dart around the room as he searches for an edge, a distraction. <Angel> ::looks astonished:: I beg your pardon. Was this a fair fight? I'm afraid I wasn't informed of that. * Dawn smirks and glances at Snowman, watching the older man's eyes narrow as he appraises Toffy's performance. * Toffy scowls deeper. "'Course not. Me 'gainst all of you's hardly fair." He snorts. "Me 'gainst *you* ain't even fair." He darts around one of the spiny fighting targets, kicking it and sending it spinning towards Angel. <Angel> ::snorts as he dodges around the target, one arm snapping back to steady it:: You sound like my girlfriend. What is this 'fair'? I have to have missed a meeting, somewhere. * Dawn finishes his beer and sets the tankard at his feet, then leans comfortably back against the door to watch. <Toffy> ::grins savagely and circles around again as Angel steadies the target, trying to get behind him:: Fair's when I get a chance t' get the drop on you *first*. <Angel> ::tilts his head:: All right. ::deliberately, slowly, he turns his back on Toffy, the hideaway blade disappearing up his sleeve:: * Toffy looks surprised, and then suspicious. He circles sideways, inspecting Angel's offered back, and shifts his grip again. He lowers into a deeper crouch, reaching into his vest for a copper and tossing it past Angel while he races up quietly on his "good" side, knife raised to strike. * Jewel continues to watch silently, but the knuckles of the hand gripping the couch arm whiten. * Angel waits, eyes closed, his face serene. As Toffy closes, he drops into a split, allowing the blade to go over his shoulder. He grabs Toffy just over the elbow and pulls him into a throw, using the boy's momentum to bounce him off the floor (which is nicely padded for the sake of practice, anyway). * Toffy shouts in surprise as he finds himself flying over Angel's head. He twists like a rat in Angel's grip, trying to score a slice on Angel's throwing arm as he goes over. * Dawn winces as Angel drops, and again as Toffy hits the floor. He shakes his head admiringly and says to Snowman, "I'll just keep twitching my fingers, here." <Snowman> ::dryly:: Saves wear and tear on the hide, that. Usually. ::glances at Dawn's scarred hand:: <Dawn> ::nods, flexing his fingers:: Usually. <Angel> ::touches his arm, blotting away a trace amount of blood:: That's good. Watch how you fall. You'd hate to end your career by falling on your own blade, wouldn't you? <Toffy> ::mutters:: Didn't, did I? ::takes a breath and scrambles to his feet, eyes moving around the room again. He starts circling warily in the other direction, moving towards the couch where Jewel sits:: <Angel> ::grins:: Only because I let you cut me. ::his eyes narrow:: Don't. Even. Think that. * Toffy presses his lips together and rises from his wary crouch, flipping his shiv over and making it disappear with a shrug. "'M done, then. Only way I can think of to get to you. Can't beat you without an edge." <Angel> ::simply:: You don't want that edge. That makes you the same as Tower. The same as Chins. Is that what you want? <Toffy> ::looking offended:: Wasn't gonna do 'er. Just use 'er to make you drop the knife. * Dawn snorts and straightens. "Got a lot to learn, but... What do you think? Do you want him?" <Angel> ::shrugs:: There are certain... details that will need to be worked out. But he has potential. <Angel> And, of course... ::glances at Toffy:: If he wants it. <Toffy> ::frowns and crosses his arms:: Someone gonna tell me what this is all about, now? <Snowman> ::shakes his head:: Ought to make a good show, that. Interested t' see if th' boy's learned enough to teach. <Dawn> ::nods to Angel:: Glad I've not gone completely blind. You want to tell him? * Angel gives Snowman a glare. "You know, I'm getting quite close to forty. You can stop calling me 'boy' any time now." <Dawn> ::grins at Snowman:: My master used to say, some things can *only* be learned by teaching. <Snowman> ::mildly:: Fuckin' think about it, me. <Jewel> ::mutters, with a faint grin:: That'll be the day. <Angel> ::sits down:: All right. Toffy. What 'all this' did you want to know about? <Toffy> ::remaining standing:: If I'm gonna be offered a job, I got a right to know what job I'm bein' offered, right? ::looking at Dawn directly:: An' who I'm gonna be workin' for. <Angel> ::dryly:: I am, by trade, an assassin and a bodyguard. Dawn's the boss. Someone in the Guild doesn't follow orders, breaks the rules, Dawn tells me, and that person stops breathing. <Dawn> ::smiles thinly:: <Toffy> ::eyes widening, and then narrowing again:: "The Guild"? <Dawn> Doesn't have a name. "Shadowguild," we called it in Suzail. Just "Guild," here. <Angel> ::shrugs:: Guild. A network of thieves, whores, assassins, fences, spies, and other less than legals. Banded together for mutual profit and protection. <Dawn> Well, the whores would be legal, if we paid our taxes. ::he smirks briefly:: Well, most of them. <Toffy> ::nods, looking thoughtful:: An' Breezy an' Duck an' Queenie... they been Guild all along? ::he looks at Dawn again:: Why weren't they "protected" then? <Dawn> ::sighs:: Because they elected to run as loners, mostly. As soon as we knew they were in trouble, we moved to get them out. <Toffy> ::nods again:: An' if I did this... came an' worked for you, I mean... I'd be one of the ones doin' the protectin'? <Dawn> Once your training's done, yes. <Angel> If you're suited for it. Despite what Snowman says, I'm *not* getting any younger. I'll need help. Or a replacement. <Toffy> ::turns to look at Angel:: You'd be trainin' me? <Angel> Yes. Snowman might show you some tricks from time to time. About half the time, he still wins when we square off. * Toffy raises his eyebrows and looks the old geezer up and down again. "Figured there was some reason you let 'im talk shit t'you like that." <Dawn> Say, Angel would have the directing of your training. Your full training will probably involve quite a few people, including me. <Angel> ::laughs:: That is an entirely different lesson... one I'm not sure you're ready for, just yet. * Jewel puts a hand to her forehead, massaging it with two fingers. * Angel turns to Jewel. "Are you well, my lady?" <Jewel> ::faintly:: I suspect I'm about to inherit a headache. Toffy, where are you living right now? <Toffy> ::looking suspicious again:: Sunrose House, er... miss. Why? ::looking at Dawn again:: Breezy lives there. Would I have to move? * Dawn shrugs and looks at Angel. "Your student, your call." * Jewel raises an eyebrow at Angel. {I know I said I wanted children, love, but...} <Angel> ::shakes his head:: It might be better, for the time being, if you didn't move, Toffy. {No. And until we can be sure of him, there're too many secrets to guard.} * Jewel lowers her hand, looking relieved. <Toffy> ::nods:: Okay. ::looks uncertainly between Angel and Dawn, finally turning to Dawn:: I'll do it. That is, if y'still want me. Sir. <Angel> ::raises an eyebrow at Dawn:: You rate a 'sir' now? I'm impressed. <Toffy> ::looks uncertain again:: He's th' boss, ain't 'e? <Dawn> ::snorts:: Mostly, everyone just calls me Dawn unless they figure they're in trouble. <Toffy> ::grins:: Yes, Dawn. Sir. <Angel> ::glances at Dawn:: Remind me to thank you properly for this. * Jewel puts a hand over her mouth in an attempt to muffle an amused snort. <Dawn> ::laughs shortly:: Brat. You're in. ::to Angel:: Oh, no, that's quite all right. <Angel> ::looks vaguely hurt:: What? I won't let Jewel bake the cake, I promise. * Jewel sticks her tongue out at Angel. <Dawn> ::grins:: We'll talk about it later, I'm sure. I'll take him back to the Sunrose now, then. You want to explain to him tomorrow about sponsorship and buy-in and tithe? * Toffy sighs a little. "Payday's gonna be a ways off, ain't it?" <Angel> ::nods:: Aye. That'll take a while. ::to Toffy:: Get up around sunrise. We'll have a lot to do, and more to talk about. <Toffy> ::nods:: Meet you here, s-- er, Angel? <Angel> ::nods:: Aye. ::looks at Jewel, then as an aside:: And take Snowman with you. Make him go home and be nice to his wife or something. Shut the door on your way out. * Jewel stretches luxuriously and grins. "I think I'll be sleeping in, tomorrow." <Dawn> ::laughs:: Aye. Come on, Snowman... Sylvie's waiting. |
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