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Post by Hammett on Feb 21, 2021 7:42:00 GMT
[[OCC: How often is it for someone to run into one of their own shadows? I remember in the books Julian had to go hunting for his own, to kill him and fake his own death, but other then that did it ever happen or be mentioned to happen? I always figured it was like Milliway's in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy where: ...be sure of never meeting themselves, because of the embarrassment this usually causes."]]
Hammett doesn't hide his dislike of Edmund's casual description of their aunt's death, even though he had never met her, but he only lets his expression show that.
He then glances over at Deirdre and the guy she is talking to. Is it the Ape-Man or the rugged handsome guy? Or someone else?
He looks back at Edmund, "Have you ever ran into a shadow of yourself? I've heard that they are out there, but I've never come across one in all my travels. I always wondered what they would be like."
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Post by Admin on Feb 22, 2021 2:42:03 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/18nVMHw/edmund~png {OOC: Caine, it was who faked his death. Flora also assumed the amnesiac Corwin was a shadow-copy for years - or maybe centuries - before she was sure he was the real deal. She didn't find the possibility odd. But, also, the first book has things in it that were mostly ignored through the rest of the series.] Edmund seems unconcerned about Hammett's distaste as his description of Deirdre. "You'll start to infect neighbouring shadows with your duplicates if you hang around anywhere long enough. They can be a handy distraction for anyone who's hunting you down."Deirdre is talking to the rugged guy. She is explaining something to him, and he interjects with an occasional question. "So, what are you going to do if someone or something really nasty gets drawn through your door?"
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Post by Hammett on Feb 22, 2021 17:08:06 GMT
Hammett turns back to Edmund, “Well nothing should be “drawn” to stop by, there is no magical signal or anything in place to attract customers. For all intents and purposes, the doors, wherever they are in shadow, will just act like regular doors. Maybe if someone or something is sensitive enough or has trump abilities, they might know the doors are unusual, but nothing that would draw them to them, except for the opportunity for a good time.”
He finishes his drink, “As for unruly guests, well, the staff have ways of taking care of them. Just like in any nightclub. Only more so in here.”
He didn’t feel the need to give all of Wormwood’s secrets or security details Edmund at this time. He was still a family member, and you could only trust them so far. He keeps an eye on Deirdre while they talk, he doesn't want her to leave before he has had a chance to talk to her, so if she makes any move to head for the doors he'll know and have time to intercept her exit.
"So, I run a nightclub, how about you? What do you get up to?"
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Post by Admin on Feb 24, 2021 6:31:38 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/18nVMHw/edmund~png "I hunt. I kill. But unlike my father, Arden isn't big enough for me, so I tend to work further afield. Also, unlike him, I don't need birds or dogs to do my work for me - I like to get up close and look into their eyes when I end them."He seems to be pushing Hammett for a reaction to his talk of killing. Edmund also has a slight hitch in referring to Julian, never by name and the slightest of pauses as if he is biting back on other words to refer to his father.
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Post by Hammett on Feb 25, 2021 0:14:58 GMT
Hammett can’t help but feel that that sounds like a rather boring life, and more then a bit unsporting, given an Amberites superior strength, endurance and decades to develop their skills above most shadow beings and creatures. Part of him also wondered, with no little interest, what would happen if Edmund and Calvera ever met.
Still, as history has shown, sometimes you do need a hammer.
He signals for another round of drinks, “How do you feel about Nazis?”
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Post by Admin on Feb 26, 2021 4:45:40 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/18nVMHw/edmund~png "I don't have no business with 'em. Why? Do you have an infestation to deal with?"He nods in the direction of Deirdre who is getting up from the table and about to leave with the man.
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Post by Hammett on Feb 26, 2021 16:12:58 GMT
"Yes, the ones who killed our uncle Gerard, in the shadow Kasaba. They are working for a "Lady Varda", some sort of Chaos being I have been lead to believe. And they have an interest in eating Amberite flesh, as I discovered when they came for me."
Hammett sees the nod and looks to see Deirdre getting up, "Excuse me for a moment."
He gets up and approaches Deirdre and the stranger, "Hello, I'm Hammett, owner of this establishment. I just wanted to thank you for joining us this evening and I hope everything was to your satisfaction." If the stranger doesn't know who Deirdre really is, Hammett doesn't want to blow her "cover", but he does keep an eye on Deirdre's expression. Although they had never met, the real Deirdre would at least know of him.
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Post by Admin on Mar 4, 2021 5:28:24 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/0BZjR5D/femme-fatal-1~png Deirdre doesn't give any sign of recognition. "Mister Hammett, what a simply charming place you have here! she says. "Trendy location and colourful clientele - I'm sure word will get around, and business will pick up soon. Perhaps you need a bit of advertising? I know people who'd be able to get your name in print - food critics and such professionals will do your business a world of good!"The man nods along with Deirdre's words. "Agreed, though the Lady Deirdre and I disagree on the employment of a singing hostess."From behind, Hammett hears the sound of raucous laughter. Edmund has moved to the bar and is in the middle of telling the bartenders and a few guests some humorous tale. One hand's fingers tap out a polyrhythmic beat on the bar while the other gestures about punctuating his tale.
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Post by Hammett on Mar 4, 2021 14:13:12 GMT
[[OOC: By "Edgar" do you mean "Edmund"?]]
Hammett smiles at Deirdre, "Why thank you, and by all means please feel free to let any of your friends and acquaintances know. I've always felt that word of mouth is the best advertising."
He turns his attention to the gentleman, "As for the singing hostess, I encourage my staff to be creative in adding to the customers enjoyment, unfortunately sometimes it doesn't go as well as planned. We learn from these moments and move on, but it is also what helps make Wormwood's so unique." And that is probably the best way to handle any of Pinky's embarrassing actions, of which he was sure there would be more.
The breakout of laughter causes them all to turn and look towards Edgar (Edmund?) and give Hammett the perfect moment to activate his Trump Sight as well as his natural ability here in Wormwood's to source out magic and other unusual effects. Is there anything unusual about either Edgar (Edmund) or the beat he is doing on the bartop? After a moment he turns back to Deirdre and the man, his Trump Sight still up, "I am glad everyone is having such a good time on opening night. You can never tell how it will go until all the hitches are worked out."
How does Deirdre look in his Trump Sight? Magical? Patten-filled? Logrus? Or just normal shadow-folk?
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Post by Admin on Mar 4, 2021 19:27:04 GMT
[OOC: Yes it is Edmund. For some reason I always think 'Edgar' when typing out his name but usually manage to correct myself. But not this time.
Also, what is 'Trump Sight'? I don't see any mention of it in the book.]
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Post by Admin on Mar 8, 2021 4:35:57 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/0BZjR5D/femme-fatal-1~png Deirdre appears to be normal. Edmund has a faint nimbus of energy about him but from what source Hammett can not discern. "I think you have a winning idea here once the quality of your guests improves," Deirdre says looking down her nose at Edmund and his antics.
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Post by Hammett on Mar 8, 2021 15:22:13 GMT
“Thank you, and yes, once word gets around and we start getting busy most of the annoyances will disappear. I do hope both of you will come again soon. Maybe try your luck in the private casino, or make use of our vip area if you desire a bit more privacy. As a thank you for coming opening night I’d be happy to add you to the list.”
He motions Conrad over, “Conrad is my maitre d’ par excellance.”
To Conrad, “Conrad, please take the lady and gentlemen’s details and add them to our vip list, and their bill is on the house tonight.” The details are the guests name, hometown/city/shadow, favorite drink(s), and if they have a preferred casino game.
He turns back to the couple, “and thank you once again for joining us tonight. I hope the rest of your evening is well.”
And with that (unless they ask any more questions or need anything from him) he will leave them with Conrad and return to his table in the raised vip area.
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Post by Admin on Mar 9, 2021 6:13:45 GMT
Deirdre and her man leave. Edmund continues to tell his tale until the conclusion and the listeners howl with laughter. He buys them all a round then prepares to leave.
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Post by Hammett on Mar 11, 2021 2:18:45 GMT
Hammett sips his drink and ponders next steps. Hopefully within a week or two word of Wormwood's return would reach Martin's ears and he would stop in, but that was only if he kept moving and kept abreast of the news. On the other hand, if he had taken to ground and hold up somewhere he might not ever get word. But that didn't seem likely, if he was running from someone the worst thing he could do was stop anywhere for too long; anyone with Pattern or Shadow Seeking abilities would be able to catch right up to him. Maybe-- He was interrupted by Conrad coming over to show him the VIP list. Hammett didn't count on Dierdre or the man she met using their real names or shadow locations on the list, but it was worth checking out to see what alias's they might be using. After glancing over the information, he nods to Conrad, and goes back to his thoughts.
Heck, maybe Martin was tired of running, or maybe even hurt. He hadn't reached out to Hammett, but then it had been a long time since Hammett tried to reach him either. What if...
Hammett pulls out his trump deck and shuffles out Martin's card. Here in his own shadow, with his own new improvements and abilities, he might be able to gain more information, or maybe even force a connection... if it came to that.
He began to focus on the card, but not trying to make direct contact yet, but rather using his new connection to trump to try and get a sense or feeling of where Martin might be and a general sense of his wellbeing/emotional state. he had been able to do this trick once before, but that was only with that annoying Begma Ambassador, a simple minded shadow person, but with the power now available to him, Hammett hopped to be able to do the same thing with Martin.
Regardless of his success or not, he would then try and make direct trump contact with Martin, normally at first, but willing to add power to the connection later once he knew more.
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Post by Admin on Mar 11, 2021 6:54:00 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/YhnsSCV/e1870449e691d683e27655ec703fd9e2~png Deirdre signed using her name. The man was Tim McGee. No other details were given. It only takes a few minutes before Hammett contacts Martin. "By the damned Unicorn's hairy tits Hammett, are you trying to tear my head apart?" he complains.
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