A Fox, A Civet, and a Bakery

[VikNightfox]

In which Manu goes into Toby's shop and talks business....

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 <Toby> In the slums of Lower Alkesh, nestled on a corner in the Anthro Shopping District, was a rather small-looking shop with fading paint on its exterior and a rusty metal sign which read "Murphy's Law" gently swaying in a passing breeze. The door, whilst also lacking in the paint department, seemed to be made of solid oak, and the windows on either side of it were covered by iron bars. Inside,...
 <Toby> ...the store was rather empty on the floor save for a long display case which stretched the length of the three walls which the door was not a part of. Inside these cases were various trinkets and gear, and upon the wall one could see dozens of gleaming swords and their scabbards on display, with various prices for each. Behind the display case, at the far end of the store, was a young-looking red
 <Toby>  fox slowly drawing a sharpening stone over a wickedly curved blade, humming softly to himself.

 <SoulEmber> Manu is taking a stroll through Lower Alkesh. Certainly not one of the most attractive sections of the mighty town of Alkesh, but where segregation has forced those of his kind to live. Any attempts at rebellion have been quickly squelched by a human military force known as the Hellions, effectively keeping the anthro population as a whole under control. Manu has certainly contemplated rebellion
 <SoulEmber> a few times over the years, but doesn't want to go up against such a military force alone. He gazes up at the sky. <Looks like it's going to be a bit gray today> he thinks absentmindedly. At least it's a decent temperature, not too warm but not freezing. He's been thinking about trying to run his own shop utilizing what his parents have taught him, but isn't entirely sure how to go about doing
 <SoulEmber> so. As he looks up, he notices a run down looking building (aren't they all, though?) called "Murphy's Law." He's heard some impressive swords come out of here, so he decides to check it out. He knocks at the door, not wanting to be rude and just barge on in.

 * Toby quirks an eyebrow at the knock. Normally, people just tended to walk in. {Odd...} he thinks to himself. "Door's open, just come on in!" He calls out. Luckily, one of the windows was open, so the patron outside should be able to hear him quite well. He slips the sword he was working on into its unique scabbard and puts it away behind the display counter before standing up and fixing his...
 * Toby ...clothes some. Today, he was dressed in simple black jeans and a black t-shirt, as well as a pair of black combat boots (do I sense a theme?). He brushes a hand through his headfur before leaning against the counter and waiting for the person outside to enter. Who knew? Could be someone actually wanting to buy something.

 <SoulEmber> Manu gives a subconscious nod as he hears the invitation to enter through one of the open windows covered by metal bars, possibly iron. He brushes his clothes off in case the dirt of the city has somehow managed to blanket a layer upon them. Never good to make a bad first impression. His handpaw closes around the knob of the door, twisting it and pushing the door open. He carefully walks into
 <SoulEmber> the shop, making sure to close the door behind him. In walks a Malabar Large Spotted Civet, clad in a leather jacket left unzipped and a t-shirt covering what would otherwise be a bare torso. On his lower half is a blue sarong. His white fur is covered in black lines, sort of like a tiger. Yet he resembles more of a canine than a feline. However, he is also neither, but belongs to his own
 <SoulEmber> species. He has two necklaces around his neck, one an ankh with onyx in the center, the other a jade Maori symbol. He's got his customary raven's feather tucked behind his left ear. Of course, the first thing most notice is the striking color contrast between his two eyes. The left eye is a piercing sapphire, while the right is a marvelous emerald hue.

 <Toby> Quirking an eyebrow at the Civet now in his presence, the young fox blinks his ice blue hues before smiling. "Hi there, welcome to Murphy's Law. Is there anything I can help you with?" The fox has a smooth and almost silky voice, one commonly reserved for those who are able to sing. His tight clothing clings to his lithe frame, making him seem almost effeminate, yet the scabbard strapped to...
 <Toby> ...his back (which holds a straight-edge assassin blade) tended to stop such thoughts in their tracks. "I have pre-made swords, custom-ordered, and standard, and I also have many different types of scabbards, knives, and other equipment." He goes through his speech like he's been saying it for years, and he probably has been.

 <SoulEmber> Manu glances quickly around the shop, looking at the various kinds of blades up on display. His eyes settle back on the fox, noticing how thin and lithe he is. He then notices the weapon sheathed on the fox's back. <Guess you can't be too careful these days, even in your own shop. I suppose I should keep myself armed in my future shop as well> he thinks. "It sounds like you
 <SoulEmber> *you've recited that speech many times. I have a few questions about shop keeping, actually."

 <Toby> Blinking a few times, the fox seems to slip out of his routine and almost looks a tad confused. He then nods and gestures to a chair on Manu's side of the counter. "Have a seat. I'm not used to people actually coming in to chat, so forgive me." He gives a small smile before sitting down in his own seat. "My name is Tobias, but please, call me Toby. What can I help you with mister...."

 <SoulEmber> Manu can't help but give a slight grin when the fox acts like he was caught off guard. <Must not have many customers who just want to talk, rather than do business> he muses. Manu gives a slight nod as he graciously takes the seat proffered to him. "It's quite alright. Good thing I came in and broke the mold then, huh? Must get a bit tedious dealing with customers so focused on business that
 <SoulEmber> they have no time to chat," he says, laughing a little to lighten the mood. "My name is Manu. Pleased to meet you Toby. Let's see... I suppose just run through how one would go about setting up their own business. You see, I've been thinking about starting up my own business, but don't know how to start going about such a task."

 <Toby> Making a little 'ah' gesture, the fox gives a little smile before shrugging slightly. "Well, Manu....to be honest, I didn't know much about it myself. I can tell you that all you need is a place of business, a point to your business, and the materials needed to work your business." He chuckles some and runs a paw through his headfur. "And a lot of luck. You never know how many other...
 <Toby> ...businesses will try to pop up on your idea and muscle you out. You have to have something no one does, and it has to be great, or no one will even show up." He looks at Manu with those almost piercing blue eyes, his face getting serious. "And you can't back down from threats. You have to prove you're better in every way, or no one will respect you. Do you follow me so far?"

 <SoulEmber> Manu intertwines his padded fingers, holding them under his muzzle, as he leans forward, listening intently to what Toby has to say. He throws in the occasional nod to show that he's paying attention. Once confident that there's a break where he can speak, he takes the opportunity to do so. "I've got three different services I can offer, so that shouldn't be a huge problem. Threats, hm? I
 <SoulEmber> suppose I'll figure something out when the time comes. So far, I follow."

 <Toby> Nodding in approval, the fox pulls out what appears to be a cigarette that was self-rolled, lighting it up and taking a puff. A sweet scent hints in the air and it's more than obvious that he is not using tobacco. "Now...when it comes to your business, what exactly are you planning on doing? I know most of the people around here, or at least the businesses...I want to make sure what you're...
 <Toby> ...doing isn't being done." He takes another drag of his 'cigarette' and exhales the smoke away from Manu out of consideration. "And no worries about me stealing the idea. I do quite well as it is." He smiles and runs a paw through his headfur as he leans back in his chair.

 <SoulEmber> Manu raises a single eyebrow as he notices Toby pull out a cigarette, seemingly rolled with his own paws. After it's lighted, Manu can tell that it's not tobacco. <Is he involved in drugs?> he thinks, masking his concern from appearing externally. At least the fox isn't blowing the smoke towards Manu. Now that would just be inconsiderate and rude. "I can tell. What is that you're smoking,
 <SoulEmber> anyway? As for my ideas, I was thinking of actually combining three things into one business. I could do some blacksmithing on one paw, make and design my own jewelry on another paw, and have a bakery running on the side. Everything of course would be my ideas entirely, so that leaves me a chance to flex my creative muscles," he responds with a wry grin.

 <Toby> Quirking an eyebrow, the fox narrows his eyes very slightly. "Blacksmithing.....what type of blacksmithing would you be doing? Not weaponry, I hope." He takes another puff of his 'cigarette' before continuing. "As to this, it's weed. Only way I can fully deal with this place." He takes another puff before putting it out and away. "The jewelry idea is a good one, though. As for the bakery,...
 <Toby> ...you'd be hard-pressed to find someone willing to buy food made by someone who's hands are dirtied every day by his other line of work." He chuckles and pulls out two beers from a small fridge behind the display counter, placing one in front of Manu and popping the other open with a flick of his claw. "I would suggest one or the other, really. Not both. You'd make more money in jewelry anyways."

 <SoulEmber> "Honestly, blacksmithing was the one I was debating dropping. Weapons would have only been a small fraction of what would have been done," he replies, shrugging nonchalantly. "Ah, alright. I haven't been around many drugs throughout my life, and have never tried any myself," he says. As Toby suggests the ideas of his paws getting dirty, he can't help but laugh a little. "I don't think my paws
 <SoulEmber> being dirty will even be a remote problem. I take very meticulous care of myself, you see. So I think jewelry and baked goods will go along nicely together," he says with a satisfied grin. He merely glances at the beer, then focuses again on Toby. "Jewelry will be the primary business, but to keep cash flow coming in, I'll just have baked goods available on the side for whoever wants them. If
 <SoulEmber> you're really so concerned about dirty paws, then I'll just prepare the food before anything else."

 <Toby> Thinking for a moment, the fox nods and smiles before taking a swig of his beer. "You've thought this through. Good. The last thing we need here is someone who doesn't know what they're doing." He takes another swig and looks around at his shop. "All this...came from a lot of hard work. We don't get much money as anthros, so we have to work twice as hard for half the reward. As long as you...
 <Toby> ...think you can do this right, I may know a few places that you could get started in."

 <SoulEmber> Manu returns the approving smile at Toby, nodding as well. "I do what I can," he responds. His smile widens into a toothy grin at the mention of Toby knowing where he could get started. "That would be most helpful of you, if it's not going too much out of your way," he says happily, doing his best to contain his overflowing enthusiasm

 <Toby> Chuckling softly, the fox pulls out a sheet of paper and a pen, writing down a few addresses that weren't too far from his shop. "These five are the best places I can think of. Easy to reach, and free for the first two months so you can start your business right. But this one," he says as he circles one of the addresses. "This one is the best. Right down the street here in the shopping...
 <Toby> ...district, and it's a decent-sized place. Should be fine there." He smiles and hands over the paper before taking another swig of his beer. "Now, anything else you need?" He runs a paw through his headfur again and takes another swig, looking at Manu the entire time.

 <SoulEmber> Manu observes the fox carefully as he chuckles and brings out some paper and a pen. He watches as the pen gracefully dances across the paper, leaving behind its mark. "I can't thank you enough for all of your help Toby," he says warmly as he takes the paper, scanning down the list of addresses, focusing especially on the circled one. "Nothing that I can think of at the moment. This is already so
 <SoulEmber> much more than I expected to find. Hey, how about I buy you a drink down at The Tankard some time? Least I can do," he says with a friendly smile.

 * Toby laughs and nods before taking another swig. "Not a problem, Manu. If anything, we'll meet up tomorrow." He smiles and gives a two-fingered salute. "Now go ahead and get on out of here. You got a business to start up." He chuckles and takes another swig of his drink as he leans back in his chair, taking this moment to have a bit of relaxation time.