Dreams and Nightmares

[ataashihunter]

A catch all post for PSLs, memes and things that are not related to TLV.

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[ataashihunter]

"It is, sir." He smiles and raises his own glass. "Finn Gilman, at your service." He turns to lean on the bar, watching Tommy and the crowd. "Good turn out tonight, sir. Your brother will be pleased I guess. This is his place, is it not?"

[bleak_midwinter]

Tommy eyes the man steadily, not looking him up and down- just looking at his face, impassively.

"It is," he confirms. "And he has the luxury of not usually having to worry about turnout."

[ataashihunter]

"Don't doubt it." Finn chuckles, meeting his eyes. He doesn't challenge him, keeps the smile on his face, but he also doesn't blink away for a good long moment. Finally he does however, looking back at this glass. "Been meaning to ask your brother if he needs another hand around here. I can't pour a drink, but I can stop pretty much any fight that might break out."

[bleak_midwinter]

That stare is- lightly unsettling, the intelligence and challenge there not something he encounters often in this bar. He may not be lord and master of the place, but people know who he is, and who they really have to defer to.

"We have plenty of strong men around," he remarks, slowly, measured. "Why should we hire you?"

[ataashihunter]

"Because I do as I am told and I don't ask questions." He smiles softly down at his drink. Asking openly like this was bolder than he's used to playing it, but nothing ventured nothing lost. "Since you know my name, you most likely know that as well."

He shifts, looking back up from his drink. "And unlike anyone related to you, I don't trace back to you should something happen, I am a fresh face, people don't know me."

[bleak_midwinter]

"That's exactly the reason why we shouldn't hire you," he remarks, still leaning back against the bar. He goes about calmly lighting a cigarette as he waits for his answer.

[ataashihunter]

"Is that so, Mr Shelby?" He raises an eyebrow. He takes out a cigarette and lights it. "Well, guess I was mistaken then. My apologies." He finishes the drink and turns to leave.

[bleak_midwinter]

He lets him, this time- he wants to see how long he'll stick around for, what kind of contacts he makes. But after a few weeks Tommy still hasn't heard a single bad thing, and he thinks to himself-- he might actually check out. He might be just fine.

And so he walks up to Finn's table one night and just jerks his chin at him, motioning for him to follow.

[ataashihunter]

Finn doesn't ask, he just finishes the rest of his drink before he gets up to follow him. He grabs his jacket in case they are going outside and smiles when he finally catches up with Tommy. "Evening Mr. Shelby."

[bleak_midwinter]

"Hmm," he hums in reply, lowering his eyes as he lights a cigarette, hand cupped around it to protect the flame from the bitter chill of the wind.

"You're still here, then."

[ataashihunter]

Finn mimics the motion, lighting his own cigarette. "You saying I shouldn't be? I plan on staying no matter if I work for you or not."

[bleak_midwinter]

"And who are you working for, if not for me? How are you paying for room and board, Finn?"

[ataashihunter]

"The BSA, just a factory floor worker. It isn't good money but it is enough." He smiles. "You worried I am taking money from elsewhere?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"Or that you have money you came by illegally. Can't be doing with that, Finn."

He is, apparently, serious about this. He is very good at keeping a straight face.

[ataashihunter]

"Is that so, Mr Shelby? I promise you I did not come by my money illegally." He chuckles.

[bleak_midwinter]

"Good man," he says, pointing at him with his cigarette. "With all the bloody crooks 'round here, it'll be good to have someone on staff who's trustworthy."

[ataashihunter]

"So you're deciding to hire me then, Mr. Shelby?" He grins at that, but does his best to hide it. Playing the long game had paid off, for now. "Any particular position?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"Protection," he replies, looking at him- as if he'd hire a man with Finn's physique for anything else. "That should work."

[ataashihunter]

There were a few others that sprun to mind, mostly intimidation, which boils down to the same. "Personal or of something?" He raises an eyebrow. "And is that subject to change often?"

[bleak_midwinter]

"The pub, mostly. We'll see if we need it for other things."

He does, but the pub is nice, neutral territory. He's not a Blinder yet, they're not taking him on missions.

[ataashihunter]

"Sounds like a good plan. You want me to start straight away? I have had a few drinks so I should probably wait until tomorrow." The smile on the other's face is wide and genuiene.

[bleak_midwinter]

"You'll be drinking on the job more than enough- but fine, I suppose it can wait 'til tomorrow."

[ataashihunter]

"Oh. If it is not important to you that I am sober then I can start now." He grins. "Anyone in there you want me to keep an extra eye on. You know who the troublemakers are better than me, for now at least, I'll learn quickly enough."

[bleak_midwinter]

"Lads at the table on the left, in the back- they're bound to be trouble tonight. Too many shots, not enough food in between."

[ataashihunter]

"Always a bad combination that. I will keep an eye on them and convince them to leave should they cause trouble."