New Guy In Town

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

A blond man in a long yellow coat is standing outside one of the businesses in town, loudly addressing passers-by

"Greetings gentle friends. I am Geoffrey Chaucer, and this (waves arm toward the building behind him) is my newest venture. I bring my particular and varied services to you, the good people of this town. Are you in need of assistance in procuring an official document? Do you perhaps require a coat of arms to make the research into your estimable family tree complete? (in a slightly quieter aside) Have you a few coins burning a hole in your pocket? --Dice and cards in a quiet and private location through the door off the alley. (more loudly) Come, gentle ladies and noble sirs, my skills are at your disposal."

The man bows, turns, and goes into the building. On the front of the building, next to the main entrance, is visible this sign:

CHAUCER'S
Original Poetry, Legal Documents,
Coats of Arms and Heraldic Research

A sign also hangs on a door on the side of the building, off the alley. It reads:

Knock twice and enter
Always Open



[Chaucer's main business will operate as his mun is able. However, messages can be left for him in the book. On the other hand, his "side business" (the gambling den) is open 24/7 and is accessible through the alley door. Feel free to come and go and have fun with it. Geoff will drop in as he is able.]

Comments

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

Lee timidly enters the strange looking shop and looks around

Mr. Chaucer? I'd like to commission a love poem, please.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Certainly, good sir! Have you a favorite subject? Flora, fauna, the color of her eyes.... A preference as to style? A simple couplet, a romantic sonnet, a jaunty limerick?

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Oh yes -- flying and the excitement of all that...ummm... she has brown eyes and blonde hair... lurid romantic prose about how she is a far far better person than I am... and *ponders a bit more* I respect her wishes if she hates me forever and always. Hrm.

Style? However the muse descends. You're the professional. I'm just the lad with the dream and the cash.

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

Also, for some reason, she reminds me of coffee. *is not sure why*

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, flying you say? I'm afraid I don't possess the experience to be able to write about that. (in an undertone) I shall have to find a way to remedy that.

But I do understand the excitement of a good jousting match. I suppose that will have to do. Hair and eyes I can work with...although we shall have to find better terms to use than "brown" and "blonde". Respect is...okay. Although I don't think the ladies tend to swoon over "I respect you", if you catch my meaning. Never mind! I can work it. Now, what else...oh, yes, coffee. Again, something which is outside my experience. But, I believe I spied a building with the word "coffee" printed on it, and I so I believe I shall be able to remedy that situation immediately!

*pause*

Ah, you do understand that I will require half payment up front?

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

Payment! Of course! *pulls out mommy's credit cards* How much, sir?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

*Calculates on his fingers cost per line, etc., then spies the credit cards and frowns a little*

Ah...hmmm. On second thought, I just start you a line of credit, and you can bring the coin when you pick up the poem.

*brightens*

Or do you prefer to have the poem delivered in person? For a small extra fee, I can recite the poem to the young lady in person! I assure you, I have an excellent style of presentation.

[ooc: gah, sorry about the first version of this -- I really have to check who I posting as! Also, must bug out for a short bit, to get home from work, but will pick up again as soon as I am able]

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

I'd like to have a look-see over the poem before it is presented to her.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Of course, my good sir! Final approval always belongs to the customer. Come back, say, tomorrow evening?

[ooc: Do you want an, um, actual poem -- because I'm sure I can crib something from somewhere (not being any kind of poet in RL)? Or do you just want to say that you get a poem?]

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

Excellent! Such speedy service! I appreciate it.

((...YES!!! OMG! Crib together some stuff and I can help it along if need be. I must present this to pyramid_is_life and have her be all swept off her feeeeeeeeeeeeet!! *laughs))

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[You got it! If you like, I'll post to Lee's LJ when I get something together, and we can hash it out before it's presented. :D]

[leeadama.livejournal.com]

((SQUEE!!))

[pubkeeper.livejournal.com]

*eyes shop suspiciously*

Everybody thinks they're a bleedin' poet.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

But not everyone, my good sir, is a published poet! May I interest you something? Do you have a special lady -- or lad -- to whom you find it difficult to express your feelings? My rates are very reasonable.

[pubkeeper.livejournal.com]

*eyes narrow* I can write my own, thanks. I just... *grimaces* Right, just riddle me this one, then, mate. How's it that some folks do get published and some don't, eh?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

A fellow poet. *claps you on the shoulder* Geoff Chaucer, at your service. I'll let you in on a little secret about publishing. It's much easier if you know someone influencial, if you know what I mean.

*a bit deflated*

To tell the truth, "professional" writing hasn't really been working out for me lately. *brightens* But I have high hopes for my business here!

[pubkeeper.livejournal.com]

*smirks slightly*

Ah, so you're a product of your own ego-boostin', that it, mate?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

*good-naturedly offended* Not at all! Have you never heard of my work? I assure you, I am well known. No, it's simply that, the publishing business being what it is, and the competition, that it helps to have someone in a position to...grease the wheels. To get a man going.

But poetry isn't my only interest, of course. Which is what brings me to your lovely town. Have you a business here as well?

[pubkeeper.livejournal.com]

Yeah, run the pub down the street there. *gestures* Got poetry readings from time to time. Give it a look see, eh?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

*grins* Certainly, my good fellow! Poetry readings. An excellent idea! And... *leans a little closer and speaks more quietly*...you look like the type of chap who might enjoy a-- game, now and again. *gestures toward the alley* Feel free to stop by the back room and try your luck anytime.

[pubkeeper.livejournal.com]

*raises eyebrow*

Hmm, yeah, be a bit of fun, that.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

*Paige walks in, thinking "What is it with the cute blonde British guys in this place?"*

Erm I'd like to commission a coat of arms if that would be possible

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Certainly, my lady! Do you have the necessary family genealogy, or shall we need to be more...creative?

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Well it's not for me actually, I wanted it as a present for my boyfriend a friend. What information would you need? I only have a second name I'm afraid

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Well, a second name is something. Do you know anything about his family? Where they come from? Your gentleman friend's favorite color, animal, anything of that nature?

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

*Paige thinks a second* Well I think his favourite colour's black, he's from a wizard family named Malfoy so he likes magic. Oh and he's British. Is that any good?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

'Mal-foy'? Oh, yes, plenty can be done with that! Ah, can you give me anything more specific than 'British'? Scottish, Irish, Anglo-Saxon, Norman, Norse, Pict, Celt...? *pats her arm* Don't be concerned if you can't. Creativity is my forte!

When would like to pick it up? And...I will require half payment up front, of course.

[ooc: um, are you wanting an actual coat of arms created, because that could be feasible, or are you just wanting to say "Hi dear, here's your coat of arms"?]

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Well he's really blond, sort of your hair colour which I'm guessing could be Norse or maybe Celtic, does Malfoy sound like it could be either of those?

And yes I'll come by next week to pick it up if it'll be ready by then.

I probably should have asked before, how much will it be?*Paige gets out her purse looking worried she won't have enough*

(ooc if you could describe the coat of arms that'd be great, but no I don't need an actual coat unless you get really bored one day, in which case it should have snakes on it!)

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, must be a handsome chap then!

My suspicion would be that his ancestry, or at least part of it, is Norman, with the name 'Malfoy' -- it means 'bad faith', you know. Many a noble family can trace their ancestry to Norman blood. (in a slightly softer voice) Would you like to claim relation for your friend to any particular noble house, or shall I use my own judgement?

*calculates the cost of research, calligraphy, illustration, etc. and quotes you a very reasonable figure)*

[ooc: actually I have an interest in heraldry, so I can certainly come up with at something -- probably not an actual illustration, but certainly a good detailed description. with snakes, of course]

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

*Paige looks slightly worried by the "bad faith" comment*

I think you can use you're own judgement there thank you Mr Chaucer

*Paige looks in her purse and hands him half the "reasonable price"*

Thank you very much

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

*tucks the payment quickly away inside the coat and holds out his hand*

A pleasure doing business. And please, call me Geoff.

*kisses your hand and holds open the door for you as you leave*

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

*Paige gives a flirty smile while thinking damn it why did I get a boyfriend this early in the school year*

I'll looking forward to seeing you again Geoff, see you next week

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[ooc: I think I see some adventures in keeping the boyfriends straight in Paige's future :p]

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

(ooc I know I've given her a thing for cute blond Brits and like I said there are so many!)

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

[OOC: You are my hero. I love Geoff so much!]

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

[Thanks! *grin* One of my favorite movie characters ever, and one of my favorite RL people too!]

[kawalsky.livejournal.com]

[OOC: Huzzah for the movie geek/lit geek combo!]

[writer-jo.livejournal.com]

I wander in to the store cautiously. "You're a writer? You write poetry?" I ask.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Indeed, madam, I do. Geoffrey Chaucer, at your service. *offers his hand* Are you interested in purchasing a poem?

*leans in as if sharing a secret* Or perhaps, in hatching a scheme to convince one of your suitors to purchase a poem? *winks conspiratorially and grins*

[writer-jo.livejournal.com]

I laugh nervously. "Oh, no. I don't have any suitors. And I'd try to write my own first. Poem, I mean."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

No suitors! My lady, surely you just haven't been paying them attention. *smiles* Then, as you say you would try writing your own poetry if you had the need, may I assume that you are an aspiring writer?

[writer-jo.livejournal.com]

"I am indeed," I reply, grinning. "I love to write."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm always very pleased to meet a fellow writer. Won't you come inside?