|
Post by Linx Exotic on Mar 30, 2008 20:12:29 GMT -5
Linx seldom took time to just take a walk. At the moment, though, he needed to just think as he plotted out his future course in his business and fort careers, specifically concerning the potential installation of a water tower. His garb may have been a bit excessively frightening– all black, waterproof but unbuttoned coat which gave an effect similar to that of a cape, buckled boots, buckled pulverizer gloves, blank short-sleeved shirt underneath, symmetrically pocketed pants– but it did serve the purpose of keeping curious beasts off his back.
It was a good time to be alone. Unfortunately for him, a combination of renown and sheer unusual appearance considering his strolling along the beach made it nearly certain that his walk would be interrupted at one point or another. Then again, maybe the ebony-furnished repeater on his back would scare everyone away.
|
|
|
Post by Lore Winde on Mar 30, 2008 20:25:48 GMT -5
Unfortunately for Linx, solitude was not a commodity easy to come by, especially in these parts. Lore was still making her rounds about the Fort and surrounding area, revisiting familiar haunts and better acquainting herself with some of the less familiar areas.
As she neared the beach, she saw someone who looked familiar; it was Linx, the 'arms-master' of the Fort. Perhaps he wouldn't mind filling her in on recent events that had occurred. Lore sped up her pace, until she was within earshot, and she called out his name, unable to resist giving him a friendly smile and wave.
|
|
|
Post by Linx Exotic on Mar 30, 2008 20:39:10 GMT -5
Linx cursed under his breath, then turned to face whoever had called out to him. At this distance, Lore was clearly visible, but the familiar face was far from enough to patch the dent she'd just made in his good mood. He headed over to this beast who had smashed his reverie with the air of a mouse fated to death.
All he did was greet her, though. He didn't even bother to try using his repeater to respond or anything else that would have fitted his attire. "Haven't seen you in a while... Hello, Lore. Nice to see you again."
|
|
|
Post by Lore Winde on Mar 30, 2008 22:39:29 GMT -5
This was a familiar scene; Linx was clearly irritated at being annoyed, but Lore wasn't overly worried about that. It was just part of his nature, and she figured he wasn't completely angry at her. She hoped so, anyway.
"The same to you, Linx. How have you been, lately? It's been too long." Lore had greatly missed the Fort, and it was nice to have finally returned.
|
|
|
Post by Linx Exotic on Mar 31, 2008 10:47:54 GMT -5
"I've been successful and rich and powerful and things like that. It's been fun. How about you?" Lore's disappearance was enough to surpass Linx's exasperation to arouse his curiosity. It wasn't often that a beast simply vanished without a trace; a beast that wasn't Ellich, at any rate.
|
|
|
Post by Lore Winde on Mar 31, 2008 11:51:40 GMT -5
"It's somewhat of a long story..." Lore had been about to say something more, but her train of thought left her, and she trailed off lamely. "Ah.. Let's just say that I went in search of a 'quest'." Lore rolled her eyes inwardly; she didn't really want to go into details about where she had been, but given her current location, she figured that questions were bound to follow her wherever she went.
|
|
|
Post by Linx Exotic on Mar 31, 2008 11:58:38 GMT -5
"OK, whatever. I don't actually care that much, so long as you're not hurt or anything now." Linx responded with apathy shocking to even himself. Any other beast would be asking for every detail of Lore's departure, but this mouse just didn't care; since she wasn't the victim of any harm as far as he could tell, he had no reason to inquire as to her activities as of late. He'd rather think about the water tower. "Have you gone back to the fort yet?"
|
|
|
Post by Lore Winde on Mar 31, 2008 12:08:44 GMT -5
Lore was relatively unsurprised by Linx's short answer. More importantly, she was relieved that he didn't question her. That would most likely come later, when she entered the Fort itself - an idea that appeared to be Linx's next question. "No, I haven't yet. Has something happened there that I've missed?" That seemed innocuous enough, and it probably would prolong a conversation that Lore wasn't fully captivated on.
|
|
|
Post by Linx Exotic on Mar 31, 2008 13:13:09 GMT -5
"A few hundred things, actually," Linx muttered. "Bunch of technological advancements, as usual, and everyone's richer, and, uh... We're building a ship... Again." This one was notable due to its reliance solely on steam power as opposed to sails and its multiple-layered, steel- and copper-plated hull, not to mention its use of revolving turrets instead of small arms or even purpose-built broadside weapons. Linx didn't bother to delve into any of this, though, since it would probably bounce off Lore anyway.
|
|
|
Post by Lore Winde on Mar 31, 2008 13:53:56 GMT -5
"Everyone's richer? How did that happen?" Lore was unsurprised about the technological advancements; with Linx around, they were a given. "That reminds me. I'll be stopping by your shop to.. Ah. Purchase one of your weapons."
|
|
|
Post by Linx Exotic on Mar 31, 2008 13:57:27 GMT -5
"That's great, the shop is getting barely any traffic these days. Research on small arms has slowed to the point of everyone's bought my latest and since there's nothing later than the latest, I'm having to export older stuff to get any profit... Of course, that's a lot of profit..." Linx had become a bit of a continental magnate. He had enough money to do pretty much whatever he wanted at this point, but, again, decided against disclosing all of the information he had. There was enough to go over as it was.
|
|
|
Post by Lore Winde on Mar 31, 2008 14:07:14 GMT -5
"What is your latest, then?" Lore couldn't help but grin as she replied; if things kept going the way they were, Linx would become a superpower in terms of his wealth. He might even start dominating over the rest of them - not like he didn't do that already.. In some areas, at least.
|
|
|
Post by Linx Exotic on Mar 31, 2008 14:11:11 GMT -5
"My latest what, invention that I'm selling? Well, first of all, the old crank bolt repeater I modified to use standard cylindrical bolts and now it's selling by the hundred, and I mean hundred, on trade routes all over Mossflower and its offshore islands. And way north, and way south... Point is, that's selling big time. Also, I sold about three hundred of the newer pump-action repeaters to the fort, which is funny since, as the fort's Master of Weaponry, I actually bought them from myself!" Of course, he was government-backed as a customer and business-backed as a seller. It did mean that he could use fort funds for his own personal benefit... Indirectly, though.
|
|
|
Post by Lore Winde on Mar 31, 2008 14:19:37 GMT -5
"What's the price range for one of your newer inventions? The pump-action repeater, to be specific." Lore did have to admit that Linx was intelligent as far as business operations were concerned; from what she knew of him, the term 'shrewd businessman' (or business-mouse?) was hardly an adequate term to describe the way he managed things. It was, she thought, highly impressive.
|
|
|
Post by Linx Exotic on Mar 31, 2008 14:24:50 GMT -5
"The standard pump-action repeater costs twenty-five coins, including oil, a swab and a cleaning kit. Buying a bayonet costs three extra. Buying a folding stock costs two extra. Custom furniture varies depending on what you actually want." This referred to the wooden parts, which were present on the foregrip, pistol grip and stock. Linx assumed Lore was interested in a purchase, so he continued to inform her. "Ammunition comes in packs of forty now, and each box costs three coins. Each magazine can hold ten... Spare magazines cost two each... So that gives you four magazines of ammunition per box. Oh, and keep in mind, you don't have to get a bayonet or folding stock. I use the first one sometimes when I'm using the folding stock, but if you have the wooden one, you could break a vermin face with its toe."
|
|