Open for Business

Subject: Open for Business Sun Jul 20, 2014 11:58 am

Minali Otoyome	The streets of Fire Fountain City were quiet on that sunny morning; shop owners had just put out their "open for business" plaques, or opened their doors to let the breeze venture indoors. Even the rhythmic pounding of the blacksmith's hammer had yet to begin, as the forge was still heating up for the day. Customers were finally starting to venture out into the market square, moving at a slow, contented pace. One shop was surprisingly quiet, considering that the children had the day free from school - Toys of the West lacked its usual musical chimes and whistles, the flashing lights and whirling doodads, which was perhaps why parents pulled their hopeful little ones past without stopping. The door was open, however, to anyone who desired entry.
Mood: Cheerful Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Sun Jul 20, 2014 12:37 pm

Kei	It had been a while since Kei had last been in Fire Fountain City, yet he still remembered its cheerful atmosphere as if it had only been a day since he was last here. Even though Kei hadn’t come to the city for sightseeing, he still enjoyed his pleasant stroll past the many markets that lined the streets. Though many of them caught his eye, he kept moving forward. Kei was in search of a certain, particular store. Kei had stopped in front of the “Toys of the West”. From outer appearances, it simply seemed like a store that sold neat knick knacks (There was this strange contraption covered in lights that caught Kei’s eye and he almost bought despite being ignorant to what it was). According to a man who told him of this place however, the owner of the store was very skilled and specialized in making gadgets that greatly aid in one’s combat ability. Kei walked into the store and looked around and made sure that he was the only customer in the store. He walked up to a woman, tanned skin with brown curly hair, who he assumed was the owner of the store. “Hello,” Kei casually said, “I’d like to make a special purchase.”
Mood: Happy Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link: https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Sun Jul 20, 2014 1:41 pm

Minali Otoyome	Not unusually, Minali had been tinkering when this customer had entered her store. Unusually, she had been tinkering right at the front counter of her store. It was a delicate little bit of metalwork atop a music box, that had just started to take shape; it seemed to be a tiny dragon with interlocking, moving parts. When addressed, she did not look up right away, but instead finished gently bending a copper scale into place, biting her lip in utter concentration and silence. Only when she had finished and set her tiny pliers aside did she push her goggles up from her eyes, over her forehead and into her curly hair, to hold it up out of her face. "Mornin'," She offered a small, brief smile before turning her attention idly back to the metalwork dragon, inspecting it, "If yer wantin' a birthday gift're somethin', Ah need at least three days t'put anythin' together. Or Ah can alter somethin' in th'store?" At her offer, she raised a brow slightly and waved a hand out to indicate the carefully arranged toys perched upon shelves and displays.
Mood: Cheerful Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:06 pm

Kei	The woman had offered Kei if he wanted to buy something from around the store and he was once again really tempted to say yes. Pay attention! Kei thought to himself, You came here to get something important done. Kei then proceeded to slap both sides of cheeks a couple of times to get his mind to focus. It didn’t occur to him how strange this must have looked to the woman in front of him. “I would actually like to order something a bit more special.” Kei told the woman. From within his trench coat, Kei took out a small, metallic, cylindrical object. “It’s a flash-bang,” Kei said, “With the main ingrediate being a magnesium/ammonium nitrate mix.” Kei then smiled and asked, “I suppose you wouldn’t happen to be able to make a lot of these would you?”
Mood: Happy Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link: https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:44 pm

Minali Otoyome	Mina didn't seem to acknowledge the cheek-slapping, except perhaps to tilt her head slightly, but she watched the man before her intently all the same. When the flash-bang was revealed, she moved to take it in her gloved hand, inspecting it with the same intensity she had given Kei himself. Humming, she turned it over a few times before wrinkling her nose at it. "Ain't very sophisticated..." She muttered to herself, not even bothering to suppress the Earth Kingdom drawl in her voice. Continuing to mutter quietly under her breath, Mina rose from her seat at the counter and crossed to the front door, shutting it carefully and turning off her glowing OPEN sign. "C'mon," with a wave, she motioned for Kei to follow, already heading toward a back room and, with a quick turn, down a flight of stairs. At the bottom of the stairs was a basement, which had obviously been converted into a workroom. Benches lined the walls, scrap metal piled up all around them, and tools hung from hooks or lay scattered across various surfaces. A man sat at one of the cleanest work stations, and Mina offered him a happy little wave. "'Ey Love," she greeted with a bright smile, waiting for Akhet to look up, away from his own tinkering.
Mood: Contemplative Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:26 pm

Kei	The woman didn’t appear too impressed at the Flash-Bang which was a relief to Kei. It meant that she could probably very easily make one. “C’mon” The woman said as she waved toward Kei to come. Kei followed her down a flight of stairs that led into the basement. All over the place there were many projects that appeared to be in various stages of construction. All of it looked very complicated and Kei had no idea what any of them did. Due to habit, Kei also noted the exit of the room, what around him could be dangerous, and what around him could be used as a makeshift weapon in the rare chance that something bad happened. There was also another man down here who seemed to be working on something. The husband maybe? Kei thought to himself. He decided it was better not to ask aloud, it could make for a very awkward situation. Instead, Kei casually remarked, “Impressive collection you've got down here.”
Mood: Curious Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link: https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Sun Jul 20, 2014 10:46 pm

Akhet Sumatra Tallarico	For most of the moment, Akhet had simply been dissecting a small machine and sketching out the contraptions, and what might be changed or upgraded. He was not quite the tinkerer or inventor that his wife Minali was, but he certainly had a rapidly growing sense of know-how, and a good grip on the notion of design. Thus, he helped Minali visually envision what she had in her head, by drawing it out or something like that. It depended on the situation. Needless to say, he couldn't help but look up and smile at his sweet wife when she greeted him, and so he did just that, responding with a heartfelt "hello, lovely." he did not ask about who the stranger was, figuring that he was just another customer. now and again he had customers or clients of his own, since he was, by trade, also a healer (although any contact he came in with other people, he kept it 100% professional). instead, he quietly continued sketching, waiting to see how this unfolded.
Mood: Thoughtful Condition: Perfect	Link: Akhet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Sun Jul 20, 2014 11:11 pm

Minali Otoyome	Once she had exchanged a short, yet affectionate greeting with her husband, Mina returned her attention to Kei, the customer offering her current engineering challenge. "Thank ya," She responded to the compliment of her workroom, moving to her own preferred table to take a seat, "Ah've been workin' on most've this stuff fer quite a while now." Grabbing at a pad of paper and a piece of charcoal nearby, Mina sketched out a rough cylindrical shape, muttering a few numbers aloud and jotting several more down before she addressed Kei once again. "S'long as y'throw 'em hard enough, th'chemicals mix an' make th'noise 'n such, right?" She asked, but then continued, "But y'gotta throw 'em yerself, 'n hard enough... what if'n yer injured? Ain't that when yer gonna want 'em t'work best?" Sure, it was a worst-case-scenario assessment, but a viable one. Mina was also completely unconcerned with discussing the project in front of Akhet, which Kei should pick up on. Even as she waited for the answer, she was sketching something else onto the pad without so much as looking down at her work. "Oh - sorry - go ahead 'n take a seat, if y'like," She mentioned belatedly, nodding at a small, hardback wooden stool on the opposite side of her work table; a client seat of sorts.
Mood: Contemplative Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:21 am

Kei	Judging by the way they were acting together, the other people he was in the room were definitely married Kei decided. The woman began speaking about the Flash-Bang Kei had given her and how it could be problematic in a situation that he was injured. She then offered Kei a seat. Kei took the offered seat and thought over what woman was saying. “I agree,” He began, “It’s always been a pain to throw these things hard, I’ve always wanted to fix that about the design of the Flash-Bangs but I could never do it.” Kei thought over it momentarily and came up with a solution. “Would it be possible to attach some kind mechanism that when pulled, will set off the timer for a miniature explosive inside the flash-bang. Couldn’t the miniature detonation mix the chemicals inside causing the same reaction as simply throwing it hard?”
Mood: Curious Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link: https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Mon Jul 21, 2014 4:11 am

Akhet Sumatra Tallarico	Akhet chuckled at the man's inquiry. "if you wanna blow your hand up, sure." he quipped, "I mean, if it was a timed mechanism, someone could come up and sabotage that right nice 'n easy, and I doubt you want to so swiftly lose your investment or your arm..." He paused, sketching a bit more before looking up again."what you almost sound like you want is something that can launch these projectiles a good few feet at a right enough speed." Akhet was definitely something of a salesman. He was smart, cunning, and charismatic, and so was fairly skilled at selling things. It definitely helped the family business, anyways. "and lucky for you, I think we make something like that..." it was actually very similar to the schematics that he had been working on drawing just recently. He glanced up at Minali without saying anything as if wondering if he was making this up or if she had something like this in the works. Not to say he was not interested in the things she built, but there were many of them and it was sometimes hard for him to keep track of them all. "But I'm just more of an advice-giver on the subject. My wife here knows the best solutions in and out." That proved that these two were in fact married, although the rings on their fingers and the Water Tribe necklaces around their necks were also indicators of this.
Mood: Interested Condition: Perfect	Link: Akhet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:46 am

Minali Otoyome	Mina's gaze had been drawn to her husband as soon as he'd started speaking, and she nodded her agreement with most of his words. "Ah think," She began, tapping her fingers idly on the thick pad of paper in her hands, "That th'goal'd be t'eliminate th'chances've human error." Then, after a short pause, her eyes widened slightly and slid over to her customer, "Uh - no 'ffense." Flipping her sketchpad around, she revealed a roughly-drawn, angular piece of metal with a side slot and sliding mechanism. "This's somethin' Ah've been tryin' t'do fer a while," Mina told Kei - though of course she didn't know his name yet, "It's supposed t'take rocks an' launch 'em usin' internalized force, so th'person doesn't have'ta actually toss 'em away." Reaching up with a gloved hand - said glove actually hid her wedding band while she worked - she brushed her curls back, "T'help in construction, but Ah see no reason t'why it couldn't do somethin' like this, too." Humming, she continued to speak, but almost with an air of thinking aloud, "Ah'd make it smaller, since th'cylinders ain't too big, but it ain't gonna be able to launch fer hundreds've feet anymore..." Setting the drawing down, Mina slowly moved around the room, gathering up bits and pieces as she went, already thinking of prototypes and testing.
Mood: Contemplative Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Mon Jul 21, 2014 1:06 pm

Kei	The man had talked about how dangerous Kei’s idea was. Kei didn’t question the judgment of an expert and simply nodded along. To his surprise, the man had already began working on something that might also work on improving Kei’s Flash-Bangs. The woman had pulled a out a sketch pad and began adding on to her husbands thoughts. Kei missed her comment on human error as was momentarily entranced by a strange glass cube sitting on the desk in the back of the basement and forgot the woman was speaking. Kei caught himself daydreaming again and lightly slapped both of his cheeks again to get himself to pay attention. He didn’t think the married couple in the room noticed. The woman flipped over her sketch book to reveal a strange mechanism of some sort. She shortly described what it was supposed to and from what Kei gathered, they were trying to make some sort of Launcher for his Flash-Bangs. The woman began going over the sketching and making small changes to it. The process appeared very complicated and he had no idea what was going. As grateful for all the work these two were doing for him, Kei secretly began fearing that this may begin to get extremely price.
Mood: Intrigued but Worried Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link: https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:35 am

Akhet Sumatra Tallarico	It was true that Akhet was a salesman who had the ability to con people out of more money than they thought they'd pay for something they thought they wanted. None of the things they made were things that anyone needed (by contrast, Akhet did not charge unreasonably for his services as a healer, but that was a different issue altogether), and some were prototypes of what could become powerful machines if they were further developed. This was just one of those, which explained Akhet's subtle business plan. It was interesting as well, how none of them knew each other's names (well, Akhet and Minali knew each other's names of course. they'd be a pretty shoddy couple if they didn't) and did not bother to ask. they did seem like trivial things in the long run anyways, at least according to Akhet. "so..." he also pointed out, "how much would you be willing to part with for such a device?" Normally he'd ask this to make sure that they weren't just crafting and designing something specifically for someone who did not end up buying it at all anyways, although in this case, he could see the gears turning in Minali's head, and so regardless of if this was a sale or not, it would be something productive for sure.
Mood: Interested Condition: Perfect	Link: Akhet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:16 am

Kei	[OOC: Minali told me that I can go ahead and respond to Akhet since it was a pretty important question directed at Kei and that Minali was still doing other things in the background] As if on que to Kei’s thought about the price, the man had asked Kei, “"so… how much would you be willing to part with for such a device?" Kei pondered on this question for a moment. It was true, he didn’t like spending money as he sometimes had a hard time coming across it. When it came to buying equipment however, Kei was willing to spend a lot of cash. Unique and advanced equipment had saved his life in the past and money is a really small price to pay for his life. Kei was also very interested in what the couples were working on. The Flash-Bang launcher they were talking about seemed to have lots of potential. It may be possible to get the launcher to fire different kinds of ammo which would greatly increase his arsenal. Kei sighed and reached into his coat with one of his hands. He didn’t want to spend this so immediately because he had such a hard time getting it, but he really wanted to get the Flash-Bang Launcher. “Keep the price under this.” Kei told the man, placing a gold ingot he pulled out of his coat onto the table in front of him.
Mood: Sad but Happy Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link:https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:15 pm

Minali Otoyome	It was a good thing that Akhet was around to ask those sorts of important questions, really, because once she got that creative spark, money was the last thing on Mina's mind. Even now that her work table was piled high with all sorts of half-finished recycled mechanisms or raw materials, her thoughts were spinning around physical capabilities and practicalities, rather than how much it would cost to produce such a fantastic device. Admittedly, the appearance of the gold caught her attention for a split second, but only insofar to mentally file it under "unacceptable building material". Again, another reason why having someone with a practical business sense was good - Akhet would ensure that the deposit was kept safe, and that the appropriate amount would be charged.
Mood: Inventive Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:03 pm

Akhet Sumatra Tallarico	It was certainly not to say that Akhet was a greedy man, but he did enjoy the sight of gold and other shiny things. He turned to the gold bar's owner, and with a coy smile, he nodded. "aye... that would work just fine." He wondered where the man had gotten it, but was not inquisitive enough to ask. Similarly, he wondered what this man could possibly want this sort of thing for, but perhaps that was not his business either unless he went around terrorizing people he knew or loved with it. "So unless there was anything else...?" he asked, as if wondering if there were any specifics for this tool/weapon. He did ensure that they provided top-notch work for the money they charged, so it wasn't like they were running a sleazy business here or anything.
Mood: Interested Condition: Perfect	Link: Akhet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:19 pm

Kei	Kei was glad the man didn’t ask where he got the gold bar from; Kei would’ve had to use some half-assed lie because he was pretty sure that the way he had gotten it was illegal. Kei decided he would try his luck when the man had asked if there was anything else he had wanted. “Can you get me different ammunition types for the launcher besides just Flash-Bangs? Perhaps explosive rounds and such.”
Mood: Curious Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link: https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Tue Jul 22, 2014 8:36 pm

Minali Otoyome	"Explosive?" Mina blinked, half-pulled out of her creative reverie. Her gaze moved to the two men in the room - the customer and her husband - as she considered this new variable in the equation she'd been so carefully crafting. Rather than answering immediately, she chewed on her lower lip, almost zoning out as she thought about possible chemical mixtures and how they could be compatible with such a device. Finally, she spoke, bringing some of her ideas to light for the men. "Ah think... if Ah can find th'right mix've chemicals that'd make a suitable reaction, it could work. But Ah might have'ta find a new way t'keep 'em contained - usin' metal tubes might be too strong fer 'em t'mix fast enough, but it's gotta be somethin' strong enough t'keep 'em from mixin' when y'don't want 'em to." It was a simple enough explanation, she hoped.
Mood: Inventive Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:11 pm

Kei	The woman began telling Kei how an explosive shell would have to be made in order to to effectively work. This level of engineering however was far above Kei’s knowledge and he simply nodded along, pretending to understand what she was saying. Kei had another question, “How big is the Launcher going to be? I would prefer it if it was possible to keep it small enough to keep it holstered to my right leg.” Kei didn’t like carrying heavy things and preferred smaller weapons when traveling
Mood: Curious Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link:https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Thu Jul 24, 2014 12:38 am

Minali Otoyome	For that, Mina didn't have an answer ready. Instead, she shifted around in a random drawer for a moment or two, before removing a long measuring tape. "Lemme see..." She murmured aloud, moving around the table in Kei's direction, "Ah'll need t'measure yer hand, trigger finger, yer hip t' thigh ratio, 'n yer shoulder t' wrist, Ah think." The young inventor did stop, however, before she got too close to Kei, realizing that one needed permission before they measured other people's body parts willy-nilly. "D'ya mind?" She asked, holding up the worn measuring tape with a smile, "Ah think Ah can keep it t'th'size y'want, but Ah need t'be sure, while Ah'm buildin' it."
Mood: Inventive Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:30 am

Akhet Sumatra Tallarico	Akhet stayed quiet primarily because Minali was handling her situation, since this was her line of expertise. He was there to help her draw up concepts or whatever else, although obviously these schematics were her forte not his. However, when she jumped up to start measuring their client, he couldn't help but interject. "Love," he pointed out with a calm chuckle, "you... might want to ask first." of course, after she did just that, he went back to what he was doing, figuring that they'd speak to him if they needed anything.
Mood: Calm Condition: Perfect	Link: Akhet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:44 am

Kei	As silly as it was, Kei felt fear when the woman had suddenly pulled out her measuring tape. He didn’t know why. Thankfully the husband had intervened before anything happened and told his wife that she should get Kei’s permission first. As a result, she asked Kei if it was okay if she could get some measurements. With a obviously fake smile, Kei told her, “No worries, do what you must.” The statement was a lie and Kei was a bit worried about what was to come.
Mood: Worried Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link: https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:19 am

Minali Otoyome	Once permission had been given - however reluctantly - Mina instructed her client to strip down to his bottom-most layer of clothing. Whether he listened was another matter, but, as she explained, his jacket wouldn't let her take accurate measurements, which would throw off the design schematics. Which would mean several redesigns, which would only serve to drive up the final price. "Y'think y'could write down th'numbers fer me, Love?" She asked Akhet over her shoulder, already starting to line the measuring tape up with their customer's arm.
Mood: Inventive Condition: Good	Link: Character Sheet

Subject: Re: Open for Business Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:46 pm

Kei	Very hesitantly, Kei agreed to remove his clothes and equipment despite fearing what was going to come next. So on a nearby table, came layed his trench coat, mail plate he wears underneath, his boots, all his gadgets and weapons and items, and his clothes, leaving a massive pile of items that would surprise most at how much he was actually carrying around. Kei stood in the room with only a pair of white boxers that had blue dolphins on them. Kei appeared very shy as he easily gets embarrassed when it came to his own nakedness. He didn't make eye contact with either Akhet or Minali. "Please don't look too hard," Kei feebly said shyly looking off to the left in order to avoid eye contact, "I'm not very good with situations like these."
Mood: Worried Condition: Healthy	Character Info Link: https://lastairbender.rpg-board.net/t1576-kei-heiwajima#16933

Subject: Re: Open for Business Sun Jul 27, 2014 5:42 pm

Akhet Sumatra Tallarico	When Minali instructed Kei to strip, Akhet didn't even bat an eye. He was actually quite used to instructing people who were otherwise total strangers to strip, but that was primarily because he was a healer by trade, and thus would need access to the bare skin in order to properly heal the wound. Now, it was not to say that he had not seen an attractive lady or another visually appealing individual before while doing this, but regardless of the man's opinions, he never really voiced them. He kept it entirely professional. Minali's question served to further keep him on track. He was a very professional man when he needed to be. "course, love." he replied, and began to do just that. Clearly the man was feeling slightly awkward, although Akhet was not too fazed by that either. "I am a healer by trade, sir," he provided some form of reassurance, "so I've seen it all before. No worries." although true to his word, he didn't stare. He did watch Minali a bit and jot down numbers when he needed to, but that was about it.
Mood: Calm Condition: Perfect	Link: Akhet

» A break from the business
» Business Square
» Taking Care of Business
» A Business Proposition (Zefi)
» Now Comes The Fun (OPEN)