Seeking quiet

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

"Ah." Valentin commented. "A good seed, then, I imagine," he replied with a grin. "Do not listen to all that he tells you, it's all gibberish," he added, sending me a smirk which I ignored royally.

"Down to business, Valentin," I said matter-of-factly, "Would you show me your new rasps?"

Sobering up, the cheerful giant opened a drawer, and I examined the tools with interest.

"This, this, and that," I indicated, pointing to three knives of different sizes.

Valentin picked up the tools, nodding, and prepared the package.

[Pièter Kolcei]

When the pair got down to business I fell silent. I was no stranger to blades of course, but my point of view was largely academic. This was the first time I had been allowed to go anyplace without a contingent of guards. I did not have as many as my uncle, but in the past I had been protected none the less. Thus it was I studied the collection pondering if something more easily concealed than a cutlass was in order.

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

Valentin noticed Peiter's interest, and, always up for a good deal, asked, "Well, are you in need of a tool as well, my young friend?"

I thought interesting that Pieter was taking interest in the blades - most people did not care much for rasps and the like.

[Pièter Kolcei]

“Not sure” I replied. “Yvan has informed me going forth not armed is a bad idea, but at the same time I am thinking being obviously armed might be a mistake as well”

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

"Very wise," I replied, lifting my sleeves to reveal the vambraces and the throwing knives. There were two on each side, and two more at my ankles. I smirked a little. "Do you think you have what he needs, Valentin?"

Valentin smiled, and said, "Well, you know, I would usually keep only artists stock, but for you or your friend..." He made a beckoning motion, and I followed him behind the counter, Pieter in tow.

The back store had a subsection, and Valentin kept almost everything a top class assassin might need. I gaped, for show, knowing full well the existence of the backstore.

"Have a look around, kid," said Valentin. "See what you need."

[Pièter Kolcei]

I looked over Yvan’s blades and nodded then trailed the pair to the back room. The display was impressive, but in this at least I was not as lost as in matters of the heart. We are a sea fairing people and on ship short weapons tend to win the day. While I have not put such things to the real world test I have been well schooled.

“Thank you” I murmured as I began browsing. My attention soon starting to center on short dirks. The kind of concealable weapon preferred by men of the sea. Fingering one I tested its heft my eyes glazing as I concentrated on feel. Dirks by nature are not meant to be well balanced but rather kind of front heavy all the better to stab with.

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

I leaned against the wall by Valentin as Pieter was browsing, and while he examined the stock, another transaction, discreet as a mouse on a winter night, took place.

Valentin stepped over, looking at his choice. "Dirks?" He gave me a quizzical look, and I shrugged.

[Pièter Kolcei]

Not aware any longer of my two associates I tried another one as the first did not suit my taste. This one felt better to me and then I considered options of stashing it. The boot seemed the most obvious choice but this one was too long to make walking comfortable. So I went to blade three and at last found one with the right heft yet ease of conceal. I simply turned to Valentin “I think this one shall due.”

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

"A sound choice, kid," Valentin replied. Inwardly, I was laughing. His patronizing ways, and they were to a foreign prince.

But Valentin was a former sailor, a hoodlum of sorts, and etiquette had never been his forte. I grinned.

"That will be 80 ducats, for this one," he announced.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I was rather enjoying the rough and tumble ways as I had long grown weary of always being Prince Pièter Kolcei and just wanted to be Pièter or even kid. I smiled a bit and countered “Fair price, but how about 50?”

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

"Now, you're tearing my heart, Pete," said Valentin. "Because it's you, only you, I'll make you a deal at 75," and as he spoke, I took an air of absence, my hunch that Pieter would enjoy the bargaining exercise preventing me from interjecting.

[Pièter Kolcei]

He had budged all of 5, but budge he had. I could probably get him down to 65 which would not be all bad considering I was aiming for 60. But there is a point when it is best to offer a small concession and make a friend. These two were rough and tumble and I may very well need that one day. “Lets make it 70 and call it a deal.”

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

Valentin extended a paw in handshake, and I was grinning, very pleased with Pieter's performance.

"Well, done, kid," I congratulated him, going as far as giving him a pat on the back. He was so endearing in his innocence, it was difficult not to like him - even for one such as myself.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I shook Valentin’s hand and gave Yvan a silly grin. “Thanks, I like to think I am not totally incompetent.” I then retrieved my pouch and counted out Valentin’s money and kept the dirk. The bit of haggling having made the moment more relevant than the purchase its self that was simply part of the whole male bonding matter.

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

"Yeah, you like to think so," replied Valentin with a large laugh. He picked up something from behind the counter, and threw it in Pieter's direction.

[Pièter Kolcei]

Showing better reflexes than one might think I caught what ever it was then paused to look at it.

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

Ah, Valentin, you softy.

I peered over, merely to confirm what I expected. An aragonian leather strap and sheath, made for the forearm. I shook my head at him, but smiled. He was a good man.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I looked over the device and smiled “My thanks.” I then looked to Yvan “And you my friend are fuller of surprises than one might ever anticipate.”

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

I grinned. "More than you'll ever know, kid," and with that, I took my leave, shaking Valentin's large hand vigorously.

Valentin was smiling brightly, happy to have surprised Pete, and so he shook his hand, giving him a staggering pat on the back.

[Pièter Kolcei]

I shook Valentin's hand and even stood up under the pat on the back. I then attached the dirk to my wrist and hid it under my shirt as I followed Yvan out. "Now that was a more than a bit mysterious statement" I teased a bit.

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

"Now now, can't an old man keep his secrets, once in a while?" I replied mischievously. And indeed, I was almost old enough to be his father, I wagered. "Well, my errand is done, but as long as I am in town, I might as well grab something to eat," I said matter-of-factly. "Hungry?"

[Pièter Kolcei]

I inclined my head “Yes, as a matter of fact I am.”

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

"Perfect," I replied coolly. "Let me treat you, then. Did you have a preference at all?"

[Pièter Kolcei]

I watched him with a wee bit of trepidation then responded “No not really. I am big on sea food of course but very open to new cuisine.”

[Yvan-Etienne d'Lantier(D)]

"Well well, sea food? You'll have to learn to d'Angeline cuisine soon enough, and you might as well start now," I told him in a relaxed tone.

Not waiting, I added, "Follow me."

[Pièter Kolcei]

"Of course my fair guide.” And follow him I did.