Completed [Solo] The Hard Sell

[Montaine]

The next morning Montaine awoke in a good mood. He left Callay to the bed and slipped on his clothes, unlocking the door as quietly as he could manage so as not to disturb the man sleeping so peacefully. In high spirits he galloped down the stairs and out onto the street below. Old Mrs Nolty leaned out her window and yelled at him. ‘I’m sorry Missus Nolty, but I really have go to run! I promise we’ll try ‘n’ keep it down next time!’ and before the haggard old harridan could squawk a response he was off into the workshop. It was still early and the other workers had yet to arrive for the day’s work but a figure, nevertheless, was seated in front of the annealer. He had his back to Monty but by his plump mass it was undeniably Calbert. ‘Ho there, boss,’ Johann startled slightly and craned round in his chair, ‘Ah, Monty, my boy, you look more sprightly than you have in, well, seasons. I guess I was right about the tattoo thing, then,’ he raised an eyebrow and lowered his head, a satisfied smirk on his face. Monty’s heart sped up a little as he once again realised the implication that his boss, and all of his colleagues, knew of his proclivities but urged on by his positive demeanour forced it to one side, ‘Yes, you know how to pick ‘em alright, but the next time you fancy makin’ a hard sell, let’s leave my bed out of it?’ he threw his waistcoat over to the table when a few images of last night’s more exhilarating moments flashed through his mind, he bit his lip, ‘Well, unless you’ve got a few more like that,’ Calbert then did something he didn’t often do, he laughed, he laughed loudly, ‘Hah! It wasn’t just the bottle, my boy, but a contract you pounded out of that Callay, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that was my reasoning. That was just a bonus, you’ve been awful down since the storm and it doesn’t do my old heart no good to see you so miserable. Figured a good hard-’ he chuckled, ‘sell, might get you back into your normal cheery self,’ Monty narrowed his eyes at the old man, trying desperately to discern what was truth and what was simply veiled lie and yet, unable to read the man, he ultimately sighed in resignation and shook his head, ‘If’n that’s true or not, I owe you thanks, I s’ppose,’ ‘If it’s true? If it’s true? My boy, you wound me! I have nothing but your best interests at heart, it just so happens that your best interests and my best interests are so often in the same vein,’ ‘When did you tell the others? ‘Bout my-‘bout me?’ ‘A while back, figured it best, don’t worry none, but now they know and they know you know they know, you might get a little flack,’ ‘I know,’ Monty and Calbert paused, one standing, the other sat, and stared, unsure of what words were appropriate. So often they argued, and so often they joked, but rarely did they share anything personal. ‘I want my rags back,’ the glassworker said, ‘I’ll still wear these fancy ones, don’ worry, but the workshop gets petchin’ hot, ‘n’ me linens are easier to work in. After all, like you said, you only want the best for me, an’ this’s what’s best,’ Calbert growled and contemplated a retort, ‘They’re in the office, figured you’d want them back, but I wanted you looking your best for the rich boy,’ The rich boy, well, he wouldn’t do for anything long term, but there were plenty of days left in Summer, plenty more days to get sweaty. He walked over to the office door and stopped. He turned back to Calbert, still sitting on his chair and watching, and said, ‘Thanks, for the job, an’ everythin’,’ Calbert just smiled. Completed

[Cascade]

Adventurer's Loot Montaine's Loot : Montaine Skill XP Reward Seduction +1 Glassworking +3 Intimidation +1 Lore: Adjusting to New Clothes Alexander Callay A Thing For Tattoos Noisy In Bed A Wild Night Calbert's Best Interests Homoerotic Positions Oh, you dirty boy. Congratulations, you are now an expert in blowing... glass. The intimidation point was for making Callay back down due to words and a glare. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me!

Grr didnt see this was already graded. Well screw it! I did the work I'm adding the stuff I found that Sis didn't put down.

Adventurer's Loot A Gift Experience is its own reward. Monty's Loot : Montaine Redsun Skill XP Reward Observation +2XP Rhetoric +2XP Anthropology +1XP Leadership +1XP Philosophy +1XP Lore: Target of Theft Political Awareness Tedious Perfection Discomfort of Fashion Alexander Callay: Eyebrows Wanderlust Progress of a Not So Subtle Boy Outted Putting On A Show Close Quarters Being Neighborly Lung's Exception of Glass Items or Consequences: Cough for a few days... Notes: I still have no idea how you can write about Glassblowing and make it interesting. (Weird... I'm pretty sure I've been on that date, and had that conversation after sex. Weiiiiird.) - if you have ANY questions or concerns about this grading, please PM me.