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 Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:21 am
"I'm sure if you built an enclosure in the lounge area, where the guests could admire him, and if you put out some modest advertising, you could increase your establishment's profits by double, to put it conservatively. He is one of a kind, and that means people can't see him anywhere else in the world. If people want to see him they'll have no choice but to pay your lounge a visit, and of course, pay for the opportunity to see such a magnificent and rare creature." Then maxwell smiled. "Of course that is your decision, as is whether or not you decide to purchase him at all. My price is $5,000.00. Not a penny more. Believe me when I say I don't need more money. I have too much as it is.""You won't have to worry about collecting him from my own establishment. He's in the moving truck outside and not in a cage either, as the truck was barely big enough to be comfortable for him. and if you are going to buy him, I have 3 bits of advice for you. First and foremost, Treat him as an equal, he's very proud and smarter than any parrot you could find. Secondly, don't smoke around him, because he can't stand the smell of smoke. he's scared more than a few of my employees into quitting smoking. And thirdly, he likes gourmet level medium well done steak with lightly steamed brocoli as a side. He is an omnivore, but the last time I tried feeding him already rotting meat he made a horrible ruckus and refused to eat for over a week."
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Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 4:25 pm
"A rather good point..." Cobblepot mused, in regard to using such a rare creature as a means of drawing in more customers. He wouldn't quite fit the theme of the Lounge... but it would likely be a while before he could allow such a bird of prey to be displayed anyway. "It will be a while before I can allow him to be in the Lounge, though. He'll have to get settled in to his new surroundings, and evaluated to make sure he can handle a crowd. Not good for business if he attacks a customer on a whim." he said, then looked up at Maxwell. "The smoking and feeding arrangements should not be a problem. The basement is no place for smoking anyway, and any smoking I do is in my office. And the very best meals are all that are served here at the Lounge."
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Elmira of Elkwood Captain
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Elmira of Elkwood Captain
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 1:06 pm
 Meanwhile, downstairs in the Lounge, another guest was patiently awaiting his turn to see recently quite popular Cobblepot. Normally the man would have no problem with waiting to see someone. Despite the fast paced nature of his profession and the immediacy of demand that came with it, Richard Blackstone was a very patient man. Time was always something he had plenty of, and he was always more interested in attempting to enjoy his surroundings. Today, however, he was in much more of a hurry. The... "contact" he had placed over at Fisk Towers had given him some very troubling news. News that demanded his immediate attention, and answers. Answers he was told only the infamous Penguin could provide. Answers... it seemed as though he was going to have to waste precious minutes to obtain. Still, he wasn't one to be openly irritated in public. Especially in a location where he was making a first impression. So... he allowed one of the waitresses to seat him in a private booth on the balcony, overlooking the rest of the Lounge. He ordered the most expensive drink on the menu, and waited as calmly as he could in his seat. And he waited. And waited. Tapping his ringed fingers on the tip of his knee. Taking in the atmosphere, mentally evaluating each patron he could see, debating if the work attire the waitresses had to wear was clever or tacky... something to distract himself from how much time he was wasting on waiting for answers.  Then a rather unique costume came walking through the front doors of the Lounge. One that, for this day and age, stood out just about as much as any brightly colored caped crusader. It was a woman with long, curly black hair and black eyes, and a long Victorian styled dress. He recognized the woman immediately. As the woman looked up to gaze around, her eyes found his. Recognition flashed across her features, and she smile. They held eye contact for a long moment, then Blackstone broke it in favor of moving to turn around. "Not even going to offer me a drink, I see." the all-too familiar female voice tisked from the other end of the table. "I believe it's the staff's job to seat you." Blackstone replied, looking up to find the Victorian styled woman standing behind the chair in front of him. A smile on her face. "Like I need them to show me where an available seat is at." she said with a grin. "No. An I'll assume you'd like some company. Or... were you here to see me specifically?"The woman gave a mock pout and move the chair out to seat herself. "You sound as though you're not happy to see me."Blackstone made a bit of a face, then looked away. "You're here on a business call, aren't you? You seem.... impatient. And since there are no costumed heroes about... the only other reason you'd be impatient is a matter concerning you other wife..." she said, leaning her head on her delicate hands. The last few words of her remark were laced with a sharp edge. "I am." Blackstone admitted, then looked back towards her. "A matter that demands my immediate attention. But... that doesn't mean I'm not pleased to see you again, Edel.""I should hope not. Considering a sorceress would probably be able to get you the answers you need MUCH faster than sitting here for them." she said. "Of course. The real question is WOULD you help." he asked. Edel smiled. "Anything for you, husband. Anything that doesn't concern her anyway.""Careful." Blackstone warned. "One might get the impression you're still bitter over our separation."
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 4:52 pm
Loralie looked extremely out of place. Her purple hair tied up in childish pigtails and a lollipop in her mouth. She looked as if she had just left a concert; her old band shirt displaying the name "Merry Hearts" as well a pair of ripped jeans. She had an army green duffle bag under her arm and an old beat up backpack on her back. She stood looking up at the ceiling, letting out a low whistle, maybe she should have changed. But into what?
She bit down on the lollipop stick and looked around, how did one sell anything here? She was told from lowlifes in Metropolis that of you had anything good, and bird themed for some reason, this was the place to take it. The Fabergé egg sat heavily both in her mind and in the duffle bag. She had felt bad about stealing it, especially knowing it had belonged to Tsar Nicholas II, but the costly egg would keep her from stealing for a long while...or at least she hoped so.
She shifted a bit wondering what she should do, she was in deep thought and kept chewing on the stick.
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Elmira of Elkwood Captain
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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 3:09 pm
It didn't take long for an overly expensively dressed waiter to approach the girl. There was a certain type of dress code one wore when entering the Lounge. Anyone who didn't fit that dress code needed to have a reservation at the very least. If you weren't here to pay for an expensive meal, you likely didn't have the money, or were here for "other" reasons. In that case, the front door was NOT what one needed to use. "Can i help you?" the man asked as he approached the girl.
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 9:26 am
Loralie blinked and turned around for a moment before realizing the waiter was talking to her. What was that name again?
"I'm here to see..." Cobblestone? No that wasn't it..."Cobble...." she knew it was cobble something or another, "Cobblepot. My uncle Cobblepot." she tried to sound convincing but had the feeling she wasn't very.
This was the right place right? She thought over and over again. She looked at the waiter and blinked, trying to sound more confident she said, "I should be listed as a guest of his." she said rather matter of factly.
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Elmira of Elkwood Captain
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 1:23 pm
The waiter arched a brow down at the girl. That clearly wasn't a passable answer as far as he was concerned. "Hm. I wasn't aware that Mister Cobblepot had any siblings. Or living relatives for that matter..." he replied. Nevertheless, he pulled out a small notebook and began thumbing through the pages. "Still, I'll check to see if he is expecting you. Name?" he asked as he came to the list of appointments and quick call-ins for the day.
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 8:00 pm
After a long night Edmodn returned to the Lounge once again in an eye patch and under the guise of Eric Monte, criminal extraordinaire. He remembered the procedures and was unarmed this time so he had less to hide. His entirely black suit met the standards normally expected by the Lounge so he felt that he fit in. Edmond walked directly to the guards at the door and spread his arms assuming they would remember him. "Hello gentlemen, care to pat me down again? Or shall I just walk in?" He had to carry the slight intelligence and arrogance that was associated with Eric Monte but when it came to Blackstone he would act smarter than he was now.
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Elmira of Elkwood Captain
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 8:14 pm
One of the guards chuckled. "We didn't get any notice that you were here to visit the boss, so you should be good to head in." he said. "Just stay in the Lounge. You wanna go any further, you'll have to make an appointment.""I'm sure he's busy right now anyway." the other guard added. Then he moved to the side to let Edmond inside. "Pretty sure after earlier you can afford to eat here."
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 8:47 pm
Edmond smiled and nodded to them. "Will do." He said briefly before walking past them and through the door. The moment he had gone by them the smile melted off Edmond's face. It did concern his slightly that Cobblepot may be busy but he was not here for the Penguin, not this time. Edmond noticed a few things as he made his first scan around the Lounge. Almost everyone was dressed in there own overpriced clothing, except for a girl who looked as if she had just left a concert. There was some waiter attending to her and he did not see it as a problem so he let that issue go. Then he saw Blackstone. Upstairs on the balcony sitting in a booth that overlooked the entire Lounge. That made things difficult. Edmond could not go up there unnoticed and take a seat, nor could he create a massive scene to draw Blackstone's attention. At least not at Eric Monte. Then Edmond noticed someone else up on the balcony with him. A woman with black hair and a dress that was out of place. This was another small problem. He could not get to Blackstone without an invitation and so he would have to do something to get Blackstone to invite him or come to him. But first he needed to know about the girl. Edmond took out his phone and set a text to Emily.
I found our old friend but it seems he has company. A woman with black hair and a Victorian styled dress. Who is she?
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Elmira of Elkwood Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:10 am
It took Emily a few minutes to respond back to Edmond's text. When the response did come, it was in several message lengths. The only woman I know that wears Victorian clothing would be his estranged wife, Edel Condulmer. They live apart and lead their own lives, but they have a VERY long history together. Edel is a sorceress. I'm not sure if her being there will be helpful or hurtful for you. She will be able to pick upon your masquerade, but she may go along with it. It's usually unpredictable if she's in a good mood or bad mood concerning her exhusband. Then after a moment or two, a second text was sent to Edmond's phone. I know she has had her share of children with other men after their separation, but she is extremely jealous of Blackstone's last wife. My... friend that I need to look into later. She is also interested in conducting business and exchanging her magical services to those who need it. You may be able to get her to help you provided she's not in favor of the organization. Especially if there are children involved. =+=+=+=+=+=+= "Bitter?" Edel scoffed. "Over our separation? No. Bitter over your instancy to have that woman sitting by your side no matter what? Yes. Yes, I'll admit to being a bit irritated over that.""From what I've gathered, she is in a great deal of... trouble. I will not just sit by while-" Blackstone began. "While what? If I recall correctly she was an adult. And one of those "super heroes" at that. One would assume she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself." Blackstone frowned. "This is different." "How so?" Edel asked, gently leaning her elbows down on the table so she could lean in closer to Blackstone. "Because she decided to keep herself warm one night with another man, and now she has yet another violent little fan? My, if that's what it takes to earn your full attention, perhaps I should pay him a visit."
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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:32 pm
Edmond made no move to draw Blackstone's attention. This may not have been the best time. The two seemed to be involved in a rather serious conversation. The one that no one wanted interrupted by a con man looking for a job. It was then that Edmond got the reply from Emily. He looked it over and frowned slightly. This complicated things. He could not simply let them speak now. If he got to close he knew Edel would be able to tell. He had to play this carefully and he had to know what they were saying. Without giving it too much thought Edmond sent a reply to Emily. Then he moved to action.
I will have to improvise. The risk of her revealing who I am is too high. I will observe and see if a better opportunity presents itself. However I will try to get closer to them to see if I can hear anything about your friend.
The Count made it across the room easily but he did not put any effort into getting to the balcony. He simply got as close to them as possible. The words would carry unless whispered and he would be able to hear most things from directly under them. Only most things though. Some words would escape his hearing. There was not table where he stood so Edmond would have to keep moving or risk looking like he was trying to eavesdrop but for the moment nothing about him seemed odd.
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Elmira of Elkwood Captain
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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 2:04 pm
Blackstone's frown deepened. "Don't." he growled. "Oh yes, I know all about that." Edel spat back. "To be honest, I thought it was YOU when I first found out. That man she found looks so strikingly similar to you. I had to visit the hotel to see for myself. What a relief it was to see it wasn't you. Though it is curious. Didn't she say she wanted nothing more to do with you? And what did she go and do? Even after she, "flipped out', when you tried. Didn't she?""That does not matter now." Blackstone said. His tone growing irritable. "Are you sure? The fact that your little pretend wife is carrying children from a man who could be your universal double doesn't bother you at all?""Did you come here to harass me? Or did you honestly want to have a nice little reunion?" Blackstone growled. "I DID come here to enjoy a new place to dine. Seeing you was a nice little surprise. Seeing how impatient you are to obtain more information on your little wife was... less of a nice surprise." Edel replied.
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Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 3:34 pm
As he expected Edmond did not hear various words. However the words he did hear were all important. Edmond began piecing together a very clear reason that Blackstone was in the Iceberg Lounge. He wasn't looking for Emily, he was here to get information from Cobblepot. Edmond should have expected that was the reason why, but he did not. It had now reached the time that the Count needed to move but he had not picked a spot so he instead just began moving forward. He made his way around the entire lounge before finding another vantage point. Not directly bellow them but near the stairway to the balcony. This was probably the last place he would be able to find where Blackstone and Edel's voices carried far enough.
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