Player Name: Hoopy Frood
Character Name: Toff
Profession: Tea Leaf
Age: 33
Sex: Male
Body [5] (7)
Mind [4] (5)
Soul [3] (3)
Magic [0] (0)
Athlete [6] (1)
Brawling [5] (0)
Detective [5] (1)
Marksman [5] (1)
Melee Weapons [6] (1)
Psychology [5] (1)
Stealth [5] (2)
Thief [6] (3)
If anyone's interested, a page with a reference on Victorian slang can be found here: http://www.tlucretius.net/Sophie/Cas...ian_slang.html . Given my background, my character will probably throw a few of these out on occasion. However, my character history will be written straightforwardly for ease of everyone's reading, and since I'm presenting it as one side of a conversation I'm having with a prospective client who no doubt wouldn't understand a large portion of the slang anyway, my character would naturally be using more proper English anyway (though it will still be using a bit more modern terminology then would be typical for the era).
The scene: A non-descript tavern on London's East Side.
Ah, so the swell finally arrives. Didn't I tell you not to dress so conspicuously? This business arrangement isn't going to last very long if you insist on asking to get yourself killed. If you hadn't noticed, you don't really fit in around these parts. Here, change your coat for this one before you leave. And here's a bag to stash your existing coat in....Unless of course you'd rather leave your coat behind as a charitable contribution. Don't worry about the cost of the other coat, it's all covered under the standard expense fee I charge when your kind has need of my services. You might also want to mess up your perfectly coifed hair a bit. Maybe try to look a bit more disheveled.
I assume your trip was uneventful. You're welcome. Yes, it was because of me that you arrived here safely. I assume my contacts informed you that you would be given safe passage, and I have kept my word, haven't I? What do you mean you didn't see anyone? Of course you didn't! Maybe the circles in which you move are all about showing off how well guarded one is, but around here, if the enemy knows your strengths, they also know your weaknesses. The most dangerous enemy is the one that can't be seen. By not revealing the level of protection my clients and potential clients are afforded, I can control their fates a lot better. After all, you didn't see any protectors, but neither did you see any potential attackers. If clients of mine frequently came to harm, I wouldn't have much of a business now would I?
But where are my manners? Please, sit down. I've chosen a fine table in the back of this fine establishment where we can have some privacy, and also be far away from the door. No, not that seat, that one's mine. Yes, I know your back is going to be to the door, but I assure you, you are perfectly safe here, more-so than I am, actually. Hence, why this chair is mine. Relax, if anyone was going to harm you, they already would have. You have no enemies here, at least none that care who you are. People like you are pretty much viewed all the same in these parts. I on the other hand, run a fairly tight knit operation. And while I doubt any of them would ever make a move against me out of respect, at the same time, it's still survival of the fittest around here, and if someone offers them a better deal, they're unlikely to come to my rescue. So in some ways, my kind and yours aren't all that different. As you can see, I took the liberty of getting you a drink, on the house. It's probably not up to the level of spirits you typically imbibe, but unlike many places around here, The stuff here is actually palatable, won't leave you feeling like a horse kicked you, and has never been known to blind anyone, so it beats most of the other lusheries in these parts. So drink up, and let's get down to business.
Now, you tell me the specifics of what you need, and I'll determine the fee from that. What's wrong? Oh, you're the type who wants to know a bit more about someone before you do business with them. What is it with you people and needing to know everything about everyone at all times even if it doesn't amount to squat and has no bearing on the situation? It's not as if your type ever do anything to change it. But if it speeds this up, I'll humor you, though it's not as if my story is a unique one around these parts. My name as you know doubt already know is Toff. No, I don't want to know your name. First of all, I don't care, second of all, it's safer for both of us if I don't know who you are. And to answer your other question, Toff is indeed not my real name. I really don't know what my real name is, and even if I did, the reasons I wouldn't tell you my real name would be the same as the reasons I don't want to know yours. Anyway, if you stop interrupting me I'll continue. After all, you're the one that insists on these ridiculous pleasantries in the first place. Okay. I spent most of my childhood an orphan. At around 6 or so--at least I think it was 6, one never can be to sure about one's age when one has fallen through the cracks of society. But anyway, around 6 my parents disappeared. I never did find out what happened. One day we were all living in some shanty in Old Nichol Street. Oh, and might I mention, you should be glad I didn't schedule our meeting in that part of town. Even someone of my connections couldn't protect you there. So, one day I discover my parents didn't come home. It was just me there. It didn't many days of them being missing to figure out that something bad must have happened and it was unlikely that I'd see them again. So without many other options, in following a grand tradition stretching back for ages, I joined a gang consisting mostly of fellow orphans of various ages, all working together to increase our odds of actually seeing adulthood. It was either that or try my luck at an orphanage or a workhouse, but as I said, I actually wanted to see adulthood. Very few in my gang had the ambition I did, interestingly enough. While most were content to just beg and steal for food, I actually knew there was more to life. I honed my skills through the years, and began to take side jobs on an individual basis. Some in the gang knew about these jobs, but as long as I kept up with my responsibilities to the gang, they didn't really care. After all, it's not as if I was the only one exploring side opportunities. Additionally, by expanding into other areas, I increased the chances of finding out what happened to my parents. Not that I needed them at this point, but it's still important to know these types of things, don't you agree?
So I developed a network of clients, and as time went on and my reputation improved, so did the level of clientele and the variety of jobs. What started as some simple petty thefts on the side blossomed into everything from grand theft to spying to information brokering to just about any job that requires discretion and secrecy. You might be surprised who I've counted as my clients if I were to tell you, but I guess we'll never know for certain, since I don't ever reveal who's hired me. Just as no one will ever know you hired me. Other than those friends of mine assembled here, but I trust them with my life, and they don't know who you are, so you've got nothing to worry about. Now you might wonder why I'm as well spoken as I am given the standard education level in these parts. Well, let's just say I don't always charge money for my services and you can safely assume that some portion of my clientele has the means to educate me. I've even made enough that I have a modest little abode on the near West side. Nothing like you no doubt have, but a good sight better than what you'll find in this immediate area.
So that's my story. I won't ask you yours because I don't give a toss. Neither do I care why you need my services. You simply tell me what's required, and I'll name my price. Assuming you've been straight with description of the task, the price is largely non-negotiable unless you have a real good reason why I should be flexible. I do require half the cost up front, because I will need some seed money to get things rolling. Also, I need to pay off the people that ensured your trip here was uneventful. The other half of payment is due upon my turning the goods over to you. If I find out that the job was tougher than you describe, the final payment may increase before I deliver the goods. I won't screw you over; you'll have to trust me on that. But assuming you did your research, you already know this.
Now, if you decide not to conduct this business with me, I'll still need some money to pay off the protection I've provided. If not, well, I can't guarantee your safety out of this part of town. I'm a man of my word, and neither I nor any who work for me will harm you, but without payment, they have no incentive to prevent any unaffiliated parties from trying something. You know how it is. One more thing, I don't do assassinations. Death in general is bad for business. If you want someone killed, look somewhere else.
So now that that's all said, what is it you need me to do?