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Post by Christelle de Dimitri (I) on Apr 7, 2007 15:50:21 GMT -5
I thought for a moment about what I hadn’t eaten in a while and said, “Well, I think maybe some fish would be nice. And if you had any sweet deserts that might go with?”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 15:56:34 GMT -5
"It is difficult to ship prepared dessert," I said, "but there is a Hellene bakery in the neighborhood that sells delicious baklava. For your dinner, I suggest grilling your fish, a good sea bass, with lemon and a little of this." I went to the ladder and climbed, pulling down bottles of paprika and nutmeg.
Climbing down, I set the bottles on the counter. "I would also suggest Serinissiman broccoli dressed in Akkadian sesame sauce, and a bottle of red wine to go with it all."
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Post by Christelle de Dimitri (I) on Apr 7, 2007 16:09:56 GMT -5
I was impressed at how much he knew about food."That sounds delicious! Thank you very much." I moved toward the counter to pay.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 16:12:45 GMT -5
Moving to another shelf, I took a bottle of the aforementioned sesame sauce. Pulling out another basket, I removed a head of broccoli.
Making calculations, I said to the lady, "That will be ten ducats, my lady."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 16:18:03 GMT -5
I had just finished seeing my first patient, and so before I forgot, I walked over to Sharizai and Sons to discuss this import I'd wanted to do. I was running low on this particular product and it would be good to get the project sailing.
I opened the door and saw Aramis cashiering the payment of an exotic looking client.
I strode quietly over to the counter and waited for the transaction to be over.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 16:30:21 GMT -5
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Siegfried waiting for Lady de Dimitri to finish. "Hello, Siegfried," I greeted him. "Slow day at the clinic?"
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 16:34:56 GMT -5
"In a fashion. I'm filling in for Deleuze, actually. But for some reason the old rascal had no appointment in the upcoming hour, so I thought we'd talk over some ideas I have."
I held out my hand to Aramis. There is nothing like a good handshake to start some negociations.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 16:40:14 GMT -5
Leaving the lady's receipt on the counter for her, I reached over to shake Siegfried's hand. "What's this about?" I asked him.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 16:43:54 GMT -5
I shook firmly Aramis' hand. I looked him in the eye and smiled. "Deleuze and I have a business need which you may be able to address. It's not food though. This Menekhetan cacti we tried out turned out to be a fantastic base for a healing ointment, and I think we would need to import more. Interested ?"
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 16:48:26 GMT -5
I thought it over a little bit. "I would not stock it here, you realize," I said. "It would be a direct transaction, which means I will need financial backing, both for the protection of my dealers in Menekhet, and myself, should the plant fail to make it back here to Terre D'Ange. How much cactus are we talking about, and how much did it cost you when you bought it there?"
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 16:56:21 GMT -5
"Of course, I understand you wouldn't want any unnecessary risks, you needn't worry about that," I smiled reassuringly.
"The plant itself is unexpensive. What is costly is the transportation, although last time it had happened on me almost by accident - it was a present from a patient." I thought for a moment. "I would reckon the fees really would be that of the picker, and it is not so expensive I expect. I would probably look at a lesser quantity for starters. Five large specimens would do the trick."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 17:02:39 GMT -5
I was already calculating figures in my head. "My contact in Menekhet has just returned and will be leaving again within the week. 150 ducats each way, plus food, plus the cost of the plant and lodging...I'd say we're looking at 600 ducats."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 17:11:48 GMT -5
I swallowed the rather hefty figure coolly. I had done business with Aramis before and knew full well he liked to start his negociations at a high ceiling, although he seemed more reasonable then usual.
I thought for a moment and calculated. Each large specimen would cost me 60 ducats. He was offering me a decent deal, but it was still more then I could afford.
Clearing my throat, I asked "What would the figures look like if we went for only two specimens for starters?" It would still be a quantity sufficient to make ointment for a while.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 17:13:42 GMT -5
"About 500," I said, "but not worth what it would cost to make another trip to get you more."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 17:19:44 GMT -5
Obviously. The more we import, the cheaper the commodity, Deleuze would tell me.
Thoughtfully, I reflected aloud "It would be to be expected. That is inconvenient. Frankly, I am not confident I can get Deleuze to dish out 600 Ducats out of the practice's coffers. The ointment will work very well, but I need the plant to prepare it."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 17:22:03 GMT -5
"Well, what's the plant for?" I asked. "What does the ointment do? Is it commonly used? Business aside, if it's really important, Deleuze would be willing to pay."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 17:27:41 GMT -5
I cleared my throat as I replied, "It is a healing ointment. Does lovely work, if you ask me. Deleuze and I have been developping it and offering it to some of our more reckless patients to soothe their wounds. It helps speed up the process of a normal healing salve and prevents infection."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 17:31:36 GMT -5
I thought a moment. "Three specimens; 550 ducats for the trip."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 17:40:56 GMT -5
I frowned, deep in thought and replied, "I might as well get five specimens at 600 ducats then, and store them in my own cellar. Maybe I should talk it over with Deleuze and see what can be done. Would you be willing in the meantime to see if there is any other means a little bit more affordable ?"
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 17:58:26 GMT -5
"Yes," I said. "You would need to wait a little longer, but I will cover half the cost of the trip, reducing your fee to 450."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 18:02:18 GMT -5
I looked at Aramis in surprise. Likely so, I had underestimated his ressourcefulness.
"That would fall within my approval level." I smiled teasingly before I asked, "What's in it for you?"
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 18:04:53 GMT -5
"Enough free ointment for three Valerian adepts," I said, grinning slyly. "Plus I am saved an extra trip to Menekhet. This trip will come later, but more will be gained from it."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 18:10:32 GMT -5
I grinned knowingly. "Three adepts? Elua's balls, you are quite a lady's man !"
I frowned thoughtfully. I did feel uneasy handing over the ointment without an initial prescription, so I made a more generous offer: "Tell you what - you can send them to the practice and I will waive honorarium for them. They will get both free counsel and ointment. Don't worry, it will all be in professionnal confidence."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 18:15:45 GMT -5
"Agreed. Do I tell them, 'Tell Doctor de Strasbourg that I sent you'?" I asked.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 18:17:39 GMT -5
"That will be fine. When would I expect the cacti to be delivered?" it sounded like a good deal, after all.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 18:21:46 GMT -5
"A month or so," I said.
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 18:27:48 GMT -5
I sighed. I would have to be sparing with the remaining reserves, but hopefully it would do. It was time to seal the deal.
I came up with what I thought would be a reasonable offer : "It could do. What about terms? I offer to send in 150 ducats now and 300 on reception. "
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 18:30:45 GMT -5
"Not on your life," I said. "Half now, and half upon reception."
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Post by Siegfried de Strasbourg(D) on Apr 7, 2007 18:37:39 GMT -5
I laughed and looked down at Aramis with increased respect and observed "You drive a hard bargain, Aramis."
The young shopkeeper had been struggling hard since he'd taken over from the executors. That was something I needed to factor in. Moreover, he was accomodating me.
"I value my life at more then 300 ducats," I chuckled. "Joelle will come by tomorrow with 225 Ducats."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 7, 2007 18:39:26 GMT -5
"Done," I said, holding out my hand. "This ointment stuff better be damn good." I added a little gruffly.
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