Welcome to Gaia! ::

"They'll be doing their best to hit us for everything we've got," Fell hissed at Rise as the finishing touches were applied to the tasteful spread laid out for the upcoming meeting, "do not just go with whatever they say."

Watch Me tossed his head back, making sure he looked as handsome and impressive as possible. “A pleasure… Rise, Fell.” He nodded to them both in turn. “I am Watch Me, Leader of the Royal Rainbow Troupe, and this is…” He faltered slightly, looking sideways at the stern-faced Acha doe.
"… my associate.”

“Prize.” The ‘associate’ said, deliberately leaving out any sort of greeting.

“I believe there has already been some small discussion as to the possibility of our respective tribes working together and I’m sure we can find an arrangement that will benefit the both of us.” The Kiokote glanced around pointedly. “It is, I see, a most marvelous set up you have here. But one can’t help but think that perhaps customers would find it more attractive with some entertainment in the area. Hm?”

Prize still didn’t look impressed, but she had to admit, Watch Me did seem to know what he talking about. Her gaze slipped past Fell and Rise to their wares. She was keen to get a taste of all of that by the time they were done here.

As Rise piled on the pleasantries, Fell had eyes for the doe and the doe only. Wary eyes, to be precise, a little narrowed and a lot thoughtful. She was the brains behind the operation, he could bet three days' worth of pickled salamander on it - the big fellow was striking and charismatic and talked a good show, but he could sense the hardness in the set of her dainty jaw as her gaze picked over their careful offerings, and he knew she would be the one they had to fear.

In other words, it took one to know one, and he would fight to the death for their right to come out on the better side of the deal.

Ruriska

"Ah, but how would they do so without having more items to pay with?" Rise was finding this polite little dance very fun, mostly because he had every intention of hearing them out and coming to a satisfactory conclusion. This, in Rise's mind, was contrary enough to satisfy Fell. 

"Have the plums, and the salamander - salty and sweet go so well together." He was happy to distract, and grinned back at the kiokote at his pitch. "Do they love plums as well? Your entertainers sound most capable, but couldn't I poach them myself instead of going through the tribe?"

Rise patiently took it all in, and still felt that surge of pride as Watch Me clearly enjoyed the food. "Spreading the word is always good," he said amicably and neutrally. He did, however, think the second question was harder than the first, and decided to push that confidence: "Why wouldn't we? That's how we pay our staff after all - a simple fee of supplies and a whole host of other benefits besides. You're sure of all your talents' faith to the tribe?" 

"Oh and do eat, Prize," he leaned over and reminded quietly with a smile. "Don't let the food go to waste."

He liked that. With a discreet cough, Fell nudged his boss's shoulder scale and nodded, very subtly, as soon as he'd garnered his attention. He was sure the sharp-eyed doe would see.

Prize did notice and she was pleased. A direct approach was much more suitable than Watch Me’s rambling idiocy.

“Advertising and information in return, of course. You will make sure your customers know of our existence and if hear that somebody is looking to hold any sort of gathering, you will inform us of it. You will also cater for our events and meetings, which is as much to your benefit as it is to ours.”

Prize studied the food laid out if a critical eye and continued. “I would expect for the shop to be open all troupe members. We do not always travel together and I want to make sure they are well fed. A certain amount per-head. They won’t take more than necessary, but any payment will not be expected.” It was always good to push a bit; try and get as much as possible from any deal.

Watch Me remained very quiet; a big smile plastered on his face as he nodded at Prize’s every word.