Cheeky piece

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Its a video call of one Anthony J. Crowley stepping out of a posh building eating a vanilla and chocolate swirled cone. ]

When you think about it sixty-five million isn't really so much to ask for a place like this in the middle of New York. Especially with all those terraces. Parking space for two cars. Concierge. More bedroom space than I'll ever need. And... ha! This might be the best part!

[ He laughed and attached a quick image to the post. ]

They don't want to take that painting with them so it would come with the place! You're an art restorer, what do you think of it, Mr. Fell? Cheeky piece. It's a bit like that play we saw last week, the one where you got all annoyed with me for magically upgrading our seats. I didn't hear you complaining when we ended up with that private box though did I?

[ He paused for a thoughtful lick of chocolate before it ran down the cone. ]

I never even dreamed of owning a place like this one before so of course I signed. What is the point of magic if you can't indulge?

Comments

[chenqing_player]

[And Wei Wuxian does love to be on roofs and see the skyline and the stars.]

Well that is more money then I'll ever expect to see in my two lifetimes.

Ahhh...I better be invited to every party.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony nodded. In his mind it did seem a touch Scrooge McDuck and his money bin. ]

Where are you living anyway? I'm not sure you ever mentioned.

[chenqing_player]

I have a little apartment that is walking distance from the club. It's not the most exciting of buildings but it's a roof over my head and I can afford it so I have no complaints.

[Better then an orphanage, much better then the streets. It doesn't take much to keep him satisfied.]

[serpentinthegarden]

Walking distance is nice. I could never find anything within walking distance of my job. Now I might have to get up an hour early to get there but... it'll be worth it.

[chenqing_player]

The key is not being picky, or afraid of being in the more colorful parts of town.

[As in..his view is the backside of a building and it's better to not go down any dark alleys in the area. There are reasons he often goes home with random people after the club closes. He laughs and clearly is not too sympathetic over his new predicament.]

Ahh the sacrifices that must be made for living that rich life.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Nor was he too sympathetic about Wei living in one of the more 'colorful' parts of town. That was his demonic side though that actually felt quite at home with the more seedy elements.

His human side understood that was a less than idea situation. ]

How do you feel about SoHo?

[chenqing_player]

Is that where your new nest is? Nice place to be. It's also fun to say you live in SoHo.

[serpentinthegarden]

It felt right some how. Like I've actually lived in SoHo before.

Anyway point is, I've only got the penthouse. There are other apartments. Maybe I could... bend a few ears. Get the rent lowered for you too?

We'd be neighbors.

[chenqing_player]

Get the rent lowered from..whatever crazy millions of dollars? Even if the rent on one of the other apartments is a fraction of that it would still have to be one hell of a discount.

[The thought of being neighbors though and actually close to friends certainly perks him up even more then the thought of living in some swank new place.]

But..If the price is right..I might be tempted. You do realize I'm a very pesky neighbor who likes to drop in unannounced. But usually with wine.

[serpentinthegarden]

Yeah, well.. what good is a demon friend if you can't get one Hell of a discount? Anyway it worked before I don't see why it wouldn't work again.

I like wine, you might get a shock if you drop unannounced at an odd time but the only problem I see would be... you won't be able to walk to work anymore. Guess you will have to learn to commute like the rest of New York.

[chenqing_player]

Well let me know how that works out for you because that is certainly a sacrifice I am willing to make.

I'm curious though..what kind of power is it that allows you to enjoy the rich and famous lifestyle?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Happily he bit his lip and lightly fist punched the air. He would see the realtor again and let Wei know the results. They always overcharged for these grand places anyway! ]

I'm not sure what to call it but it's like, if I want something, really want something, I can influence people into agreeing to help me get it. Doesn't work on everyone but... It seems to work best if they are already guilty of something. Maybe it's just persuasion.

[chenqing_player]

[He's excited. Guess he better look into snagging some moving boxes and figure out some form of thank you gift.]

Power of persuasion..that's pretty handy. Please do not use that on me.

[serpentinthegarden]

As if I would ever need to. You always seem to be ready to try anything.

[ A tease, but Wei always seemed the fun-loving adventitious sort. ]

[chenqing_player]

You're not wrong with that point.

[He grins, clearly excited to see his power in action at some point. But then he remembers something and his expression falters just a little.]

I think..I'm getting or got some sort of ability but it's not quite as interesting as controlling ghosts like in that memory.

[serpentinthegarden]

Are you?

[ Even if it was a boring power Anthony leaned closer to the screen like he could hear all this better if he did. ]

What happened?

[chenqing_player]

Ahh..it's..not particularly useful. It took a few days to figure it out because all it did was give me a headache. But I can hear voices..lots of them. Even when there is no one in the room.

[He reaches up and runs his hand through his hair.]

I think I hear the dead...and this city is noisy with it.

[serpentinthegarden]

You hear... voices?

[ Long pause. ]

What do the voices say?

[chenqing_player]

For awhile it was just noise. But I've started to figure it out and narrow it down. A lot are just..angry. About their deaths mostly. The angrier they are, the worse the headache I get.

Seems I drew the short straw when it came to powers.

[serpentinthegarden]

Eh... It might come in handy. You could start up a new career as a medium.

Actually maybe I had better have you look around the new place. Make sure there aren't any angry spirits hanging around the place.

[chenqing_player]

Heh..might not be a bad idea. It's not that I can do anything about it yet but at least I'll know who I would be sharing a space with.

[serpentinthegarden]

It's always a good idea to know your roommates.

[ He exhaled slowly, feeling the pang of concern despite his best efforts to be glib about all this. ]

Are you ok? Must be unnerving when you think you are all alone and the shower starts talking to you.

[chenqing_player]

I'm dealing with it. I kind of knew something was coming..I just wasn't expecting this. But it's calmer then when it first started so I must be getting better at controlling it.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ He well remembered their conversation about the evil smoke. ]

It might actually be lucky you ended up with something simple like voices. It's creepy, but easier to deal with than some of those other powers you mentioned would have been.

[chenqing_player]

It's true..I wonder how far in the future that little trick is going to come to me. Maybe I'll get lucky and avoid that one.

I'd much rather have the powers of persuasion.