I've already made up my mind on what I want but I like to look around all the same. Sometimes creators and artists find inspiration in other people's works, even me. If the sun wasn't so harsh today I'd maybe remove my glasses, I usually try and do this when I converse with others but it is awfully bright today.
“Good evening Quen.†Quen is a man who is well into his 40s, easily 15 years older than me or more. He's fat and wears the same stained apron everyday, brown and black splotches all over it. Usually he is grinding a gem or polishing a piece behind his booth for the public to get attention on his booth. Today though he's just sitting in a rocking chair lazily moving back and forth until he notices me. He always lights up and stands to speak with me when I arrive though. He offers his hand for a shake and I am one to oblige him with a smile of my own. His grip is calloused and powerful as he pumps my hand a few times before letting it go.
“Ah Master Vann, a pleasant surprise. Normally you send one of your pretty ladies that work for you to visit me, now I am most sad.†He finishes that last part off with a hearty laugh. “What can I do for the great Otto though hm?â€
As I finish shaking his hand I reply “ I need a pair of ear rings as a gift, maybe something made of rubies like those you have hanging. The girl I'm with tonight, her and I's favorite color is red so I'll take those.â€
He expects me to buy something, and knows I'm not cheap or someone to haggle him. He gets right to packaging my earrings without hesitation, placing them in a textured black leather box and a very simple bow he ties across the top to hold it closed.
As he is tying it up and getting ready to take my gil he remarks “Seriously though, send some of those pretty young ladies you have working for you around more often. It would do well for my business and make me a happy old man.†He starts laughing again, low and deep as he hands over my box and I hand him over the gil.
I give him a bit of an awkward smile, wishing he was busy working on jewelry so I could just grab and go. He is obsessed with all the girls that I have working for me at times, and enough have complained about him that I try and only send Ridley to deal with him now. He's always one to drone on and on about how they're all 'practically children' to him but still comments on how he wishes he could have one. He does have a point though, most of the women that work for me aren't even 20. They're old enough, its not like I'm taking advantage of a hapless child.
We all have our vices and he can be more than a little creepy at times. It's no small wonder why he can't manage to attract personal assistants. Sure I sleep with some of the girls that work for me, but only when they ask. It's all he would care about doing most likely if he could ever manage to draw talent to him. I wish he'd just hire a courtesan and be done with it.
I take the box, not really answering his question as I simply say “Thanks Quen, your a big help on a day like this.†I don't wait for a response as I walk away from his stall, stuffing the box inside an inner coat pocket and thinking about the remaining day ahead. I should really take an airship here soon to Limsa to meet Lucy, but first I'm going to walk around the stalls and shops of the Exchange a bit more. I've got a few bells left to burn before I need to take a flight over to Limsa to make my dinner reservation.
(To be continued...)
“Good evening Quen.†Quen is a man who is well into his 40s, easily 15 years older than me or more. He's fat and wears the same stained apron everyday, brown and black splotches all over it. Usually he is grinding a gem or polishing a piece behind his booth for the public to get attention on his booth. Today though he's just sitting in a rocking chair lazily moving back and forth until he notices me. He always lights up and stands to speak with me when I arrive though. He offers his hand for a shake and I am one to oblige him with a smile of my own. His grip is calloused and powerful as he pumps my hand a few times before letting it go.
“Ah Master Vann, a pleasant surprise. Normally you send one of your pretty ladies that work for you to visit me, now I am most sad.†He finishes that last part off with a hearty laugh. “What can I do for the great Otto though hm?â€
As I finish shaking his hand I reply “ I need a pair of ear rings as a gift, maybe something made of rubies like those you have hanging. The girl I'm with tonight, her and I's favorite color is red so I'll take those.â€
He expects me to buy something, and knows I'm not cheap or someone to haggle him. He gets right to packaging my earrings without hesitation, placing them in a textured black leather box and a very simple bow he ties across the top to hold it closed.
As he is tying it up and getting ready to take my gil he remarks “Seriously though, send some of those pretty young ladies you have working for you around more often. It would do well for my business and make me a happy old man.†He starts laughing again, low and deep as he hands over my box and I hand him over the gil.
I give him a bit of an awkward smile, wishing he was busy working on jewelry so I could just grab and go. He is obsessed with all the girls that I have working for me at times, and enough have complained about him that I try and only send Ridley to deal with him now. He's always one to drone on and on about how they're all 'practically children' to him but still comments on how he wishes he could have one. He does have a point though, most of the women that work for me aren't even 20. They're old enough, its not like I'm taking advantage of a hapless child.
We all have our vices and he can be more than a little creepy at times. It's no small wonder why he can't manage to attract personal assistants. Sure I sleep with some of the girls that work for me, but only when they ask. It's all he would care about doing most likely if he could ever manage to draw talent to him. I wish he'd just hire a courtesan and be done with it.
I take the box, not really answering his question as I simply say “Thanks Quen, your a big help on a day like this.†I don't wait for a response as I walk away from his stall, stuffing the box inside an inner coat pocket and thinking about the remaining day ahead. I should really take an airship here soon to Limsa to meet Lucy, but first I'm going to walk around the stalls and shops of the Exchange a bit more. I've got a few bells left to burn before I need to take a flight over to Limsa to make my dinner reservation.
(To be continued...)
