Betty_C

I'm calling this one done. There's definately still some things to improve, but I feel like I made good progress thanks to the crits I got here. The exaggerated foreshortening grew on me so I left it that way, didn't feel like it detracted too terribly much and made the process fun.

Very nice - I was wondering what the request for Carnival map visuals were for.

4 is way to wordy - you need the important informataion to stand out - 6 works fine for that. If you want to keep everything on 4, you have to make what it is and where to find it jump out more - bold, larger font - though like DarkEther says, attention spans aren't great, probably less when you're out street sweeping or whatever.

The url idea ia fine except for that attention span thing - how many people are going to remember that url? stop to jot it down? Since you can say "the forums", which entails people coming to the main index and looing around for it, can you simply use the boards.cityofheroes.com url, or is that not allowed?

OK - you guys are great! Seems like it's been hard to get concise and quick critique other places and these responses were so fast and helpful!... and visual stuff too - thanks a bunch Alex.

Tricky thanks for reminding me about line width. I was leaving that for the ink, which I like doing with a brush - but I tend to get all involved with individual lines and forget the whole when I do that too.

That's a great piece! My favorite part is that the monster appears not to be looking at the guys in the foreground but the viewer as in "you're next on the menu!"
(wishing I still had 8+ hours a day for art making)

I hope I'm OK to post requests for artistic advice here like this - gotta say I got one of the best crits I've had in a while anywhere from these boards recently. This is my second attempt at getting something finished using my main CoX char. as subject matter.

Having fun with the foreshortening here despite frustrations. Things looked OK until I started putting in some of the armor details in on the legs which amplified my mistakes/mishandling of the hips here. My suspicion is I'll run into similar problems with the arms when I get there if I don't fix the base pose first. Brought this in to the computer (amazing how that makes things look like you're looking at it through a totally different set of eyes?) to try and tweak some things so I wouldn't tear up my paper with erasing, and I'm still spinning wheels despite checking references and anatomy books - my brain appears to be in a lock. Any suggestions? Something is telling me maybe I need to just simplify all the armor details too, especially on the top (kicks self for creating main needing steampunk armors).

Betty Clocker WIP

Just when I'm not receiving a paycheck...
Those are great, I totally dig block style.

Really nice! She looks so happy and friendly the enemy might enjoy a good icy debuffing?
I also have a habit of sketching while in game (during zoning mostly), but nothing that tight ever results.

Thank you goldbricker! This is exactly what I was looking for. You stare at something long enough and it's hard to pick just exactly what needs fixing sometimes.
I wondered if it was as obvious to anyone else that the background was done totally separate from and long before I got to the rest and that my utter laziness and just wanting to get the art to recipient trumped where I should have scrapped things and taken more time... and how silly I would leave those legs so garrish when they're actually more of that dingy brass color than gold.

Excellent.

just wanted to thank you for looking and replies. I know sometimes crit is difficult to throw out there, especially if you don't know someone from Adam. This looks to be a great art forum community just from the browsing I've been able to do thus far.

or partially - the gentleman pictured belongs to another person and is not from the game. Any constructive crit. appreciated. I'm already aware of some problems (background could use work and they look like they'll slide off the roof... that's supposed to be a broadsword, not a katana... etc.ad nauseum)

image on deviantArt

[ QUOTE ]
Armitage looked up and noticed the green man. "Oh, sorry, guess you aren't the wait staff." A part of his mind came alert as he felt the tension in the man before him. He noticed the stiffness usually associated with someone ready to fight. "Hey, you ok? Just remember to breath." Armitage opened the silver cigerette case and took one out. He offered the case to Jasper displaying five hand rolled cigarettes. "Have one if it helps. Don't worry, I get the paper and tobacco from some herblist friends so they are about as natural as you can get them." He chuckled. "Well, not that they aren't bad for your health."


[/ QUOTE ]

Jasper accepted the offered cigarette gratefully, figuring he might need it before everything was over with. He hadn't smoked in years, or more accurately, it would be a century or two befor his habit had begun, but he still could identify good tobacco by smell when he happened upon it, and the craving for an occasional smoke never really went away. He gently tucked the cigarette in his breast pocket, in case he decided to indulge later.

He also sensed something else, dark energy, and suddenly realized that he had sensed the same from the waitress. Some would have thought it strange, but proximity to such energy always buoyed his spirits. His mentor in the future had expertise in the manipulation of dark energy, so it always gave him a feeling of warm familiarity.

[ QUOTE ]
He began tapping his cigarette against the case before placing it to his lips. "Hmm, where's my lighter?" he mummbled around the cigarette. He began searching through his pockets before taking the cigarette out of his mouth. "Well, whatever you have going on, good luck."


[/ QUOTE ]

"Hey, thanks. I might need it. You know, I think I saw a designated smoking area back towards the bar earlier. Maybe somebody back there could give you a light, too." He smiled, as he was reminded of one of the first missions he had ventured out on after just meeting Crem. Some Hellions were harassing a citizen, thinking to rob them by asking for a light to get them off guard. Crem just walked up behind one of the thugs, politely declaring that she could help the poor fool with a light while bathing him in her aura. He had started running away, but she simply followed him relentlesly, bystanders staring slack jawed as the two of them zig zagged down two full city blocks before the goon finally just surrendered.

"Good luck to you too."

[ QUOTE ]

"Sir, there is a call for you, someone named Jenny Firkins." She waited for him to follow.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jasper finished the last bit of the bread he'd been noshing on and washed it down with a sip of the wine, which he could tell was very good, despite him not being a wine kind of guy.

He stood up and excused himself, wondering as he followed the young woman if this was part of the arrangements or if it was an actual call requiring his services as a hero. He hoped it wasn't and immediately scolded himself at the thought. He had taken up the mantle of hero by choice, and being called away from important personal events came with te territory. But still.

He hadn't yet had contact with Ms. Firkins, but he recognized the name from the history texts about Paragon City he'd read as a child long ago, or more accurately far ahead, or... It suddenly clicked that what he knew about Ms. Firkins was that she dealt with trouble caused by the Devouring Earth, an enemy he did not relish facing. A scenario suddenly formed in his mind where he became stunned and Crem, impulsive and headstrong in battle, would in the midst of gleefully taunting the enemy to draw them into her aura, only to find herself without the protection of his forcefields and become overrun by the heinous monsters. He guiltily hoped again that this wasn't a 'business' related call as he reached the podium.

((OOC: hey, got waylaid again but I'm still here and having fun participating.))

Crem put down her menu, shooting Jasper a pointed look accentuated by a deep frown. He felt very nervous about the whole situation again, until she spoke.

"There is no gyros on this menu." The frown turned into a childish pout for a moment. He reflexively smiled. She was so cute when she did that, and her reading was coming along enough to recognize that indeed, gyros were not on the menu.

"Crem, you don't have to get gyros every time you eat out. In this kind of place it's actually nice to order something off of the appetizer section first, which is kind of like a little snack to tide you over for the main course. Why don't you look over that first section again and see if something strikes your fancy?"

She disappeared behind the menu again for a moment, then put it down, this time her face lit up with a full grin, unabashedly showing her unusually long canines, which did make her look somewhat evil.

"Porters! They serve Sky Raider Porters here! Oh, Jasper I absolutely have to try that!" she announced, her voice giddy with excitement.

Before he could stop himself he let a chuckle slip. Her frown returned full force. "Well, you're very close," he said, trying desperately not to sound like he was actually correcting her. "It says Portobello Platter. It's fungus," he continued hopefully, reasoning that the description would interest her more than 'mushrooms.'

"I see," she said, dissapointment creeping into her voice. "Well, I guess that's as good as anything to try, but what about the main course?" Her face brightened again. "I'll just have what you're having. That should be easy... What are you having?" One painstakingly shaped eyebrow went up again at the question.

"I'm having the goulasch the waitress suggested," he replied. "I tell ya what, though. You pick something else, and we can share a little. That way you'll get to try a bunch of different stuff."

"Good idea. Then I'll have gyros."

He stopped himsef, this time successfully, from sighing in resignation. "Maybe they have something similar to gyros. We'll ask the waitress when she comes back." Crem started looking uncomfortable with deciphering the menu at that point so he opted to change the subject. "So what was it you were saying about your rehersals being delayed?"

"Oh, yes," she said, obviously happy at the change in topic. "You know Lefty, our drummer. He's gotten himself into some kind of trouble again so we're looking for someone new. You should try out."

"Oh, but I don't know how to play the drums, Crem. How come you didn't put Lefty away youself? You said you knew his day job involved something illegal..."

"None of my contacts asked me to."

The conversation turned into a lively debate over whether gangsters should be arrested just for their affiliation or if a hero should wait to witness actual illegal behavior. He noted that she had come along quite a ways in recognizing subtle shades of gray on the subject, wheras when they first met, she viewed everything in stark black or white. They became so involved that they didn't notice the waitress return.

[ QUOTE ]


"I may leave you? Or would you like to be ready?" Her English was good, but not perfect yet.


[/ QUOTE ]

"If you could give us just a few moments?" Jasper said as he met Crem's eyes, nearly impossibly blue, over the top of the menus as they both looked them over. She arrived in Paragon without knowing how to read, English at least, so he had been working on teaching her. Unfortunately, due to her impatience with the exercise, she wasn't exactly literate yet. He knew her pride didn't really allow her to ask for help, so he would usually just go about giving her hints in a round about way through conversation.

"Is good. I give few minutes," said the lady who had come to serve them. She didn't look like any waitress he had ever seen before, but it didn't bother him. He always enjoyed the unusual in life. Besides, in a way nearly everything here, or rather now, would always seem a little unusual to him compared to the somewhat distant future. Well, he was glad she didn't ask him to taste the wine like waiters sometimes did. That would be just spiffy, then he and Crem would both be sitting there trying to make it look like they knew what they were doing while having very little idea.

He wasn't worried about covertly using the device Martin had given him earlier. He counted sleight of hand as a forte of his, and he knew Crem would be relatively busy making it look like she was nonchalantly reading the menu instead of slowly trying to sound everything out in her mind. He would have plenty of time to figure out whatever it revealed. He was relatively sure he was going to order the Goulasch as it sounded like it was plenty hot. He would let her choose an appetizer and dessert.

He slid the thin device out of his sleeve and placed it on the appropriate section of the menu. Words became visible that weren't there before: "Sir, Gypsy has seen, she knows the race. I can arrange a setting she will understand. She will know you intend equal partnership, not bondage."

Now he also knew he would be ordering the special in addition to the Goulasch.

Jasper accepted the plastic swatch gratefully and tucked it away in his pocket.

"Thank you so much. I can see I made the right choice in eateries. Here's to the house special." He grinned and gave Martin a thumbs up before heading back to the table.

-

Crem waited patiently, hands folded in front of her. She wouldn't dishonor the wood by putting her elbows on it even though it was obviously not of the soft variety on this world that tended to an affinity for creatures of fire such as herself. Pines and such that were tied to flame to spread seed, making her a potential agent for birth as well as death.

At one point a young girl came by and filled two of the glasses set on the table with iced water. She flashed Crem an easy smile and welcomed her to the establishment, explaining that menus and fresh bread would be arriving shortly.
This sort of reception from a mortal was something she had worked on getting used to. She expected them all to react as her summonors had, with a healthy dose of fear; a good many of them did. However, the locality she'd wound up in appeared to have a large proportion of people that were used to dealing with the extraordinary. Just the other day a citizen had walked by her on the street and complimented her heavily on having cleared out some gangsters from the neighborhood. She was used to being complimented, but before those that did it did because they had to. Here they did it because they wanted to. Quality versus quantity. It was one of the things that took some getting used to but she was bgeginning to really notice the difference in a good way.

Jasper returned to the table, less rattled than he was before he left.

"Did they have a suitable wine?" she asked, flashing him a mischevious half smile to let him know she was well aware he was up to some kind of shenanigans.

"Well," he replied, returnng the grin, "they were out of Nighttrain so..."

Her grin fell into a questioning look.

"It's a joke Crem. I'm letting you know that my experience with wine has been of the cheap variety, the absolute opposite of what they have here." He quickly changed the subject. "So tell me how your day went. Arrest anybody with a big name?"

Jasper pulled at his collar and swallowed. "Oh, I don't want to give you the wrong idea about her not taking me seriously. You see, Crem is an entity from another realm, if you will. The closest way to explain it is that she's literally a demon. Such entities can be bound by specific spells, rituals... er ceremonies. The whole reason she's in our realm is because she has already been bound by such a spell. Thing is, it turns out the caster was just some kid who got into his uncle Joe’s Circle of Thorns stuff and I guess thought he and his buddies could do a magic version of ‘Weird Science.’” He couldn’t help but chuckle, getting a mental image of the scene as Crem once described it to him. “I guess she wasn’t exactly what they expected and they all ran off terrified before they finished, so she’s bound to the kid and can’t go ‘home’ until she can find him and get him to reverse the spell. I think she’s more upset that they messed up and she lost most of her powers, but Azuria has been helping her to regain them in trade for doing some heroing.. Anyway, she knows I know she can’t be bound to two people at the same time, and I think she might not get that this is a totally different sort of thing. She might think I’m playing a joke one her – my fault really, I kind of have a habit of making light of things, but it’s how I’ve gotten by being unable to get ‘home’ myself.”

He watched with interest as Martin turned the wine. “As for your questions, red is her favorite color, or at least she would say she makes it look good.” He grinned. One of the things he loved about her was her absolute self confidence. He’d been pulling her leg again when he suggested she try out to front Hotel Geneva’s house lounge band so she’d have something to occupy herself when her contacts ran out of missions. He was tickled to death that she’d not only immediately gone out to audition, but come home as a ‘professional singer.’

“If she declines, I’ll be terribly disappointed, but I’ll live. Just being roommates and the best of friends will have to be enough in that case. As far as her conventions go, she described herself as part of the ‘high order’ in her realm. From what I can tell that put her above middle management but not quite qualified to get the keys to the executive washroom, if you catch my drift. She likes to be treated as if she actually got the ‘keys,’ by mortals, but I’ve seen her be tolerable of disrespectful behavior to those that have something to offer that piques her interest.” He grinned again remembering a recent incident in a shoe store when she let the manager get by with all kinds of inappropriate remarks about the size of her feet because in the end he was able to find what she wanted in her size. “Basically, she prefers to be treated like a VIP whenever possible, but she doesn’t go for the sniveling imbecile routine. She says it’s contrived.”

He noticed Martin was finished with the wine. “Well, I suppose I’ve kept you long enough. Hopefully I’ve provided enough background, and honestly I think just stepping back from the situation has strengthened my resolve a tad. I thank you and the management in advance for accommodating us.”

((OOC: Sorry to detain Martin for so long, had a few things come up that prevented me from posting. Glad your trip went well, Sibling.))

eh, why not. Serge did good considering I don't have much to work with.

Betty Clocker - Triumph server

[ QUOTE ]
"You intend to propose to this woman?" Martin walked with hands behind his back, erect and still leading the man.

"To be done properly, I would advise that you be reasonably certain she will accept, first. Not being familiar with her, or your, customs, sir, all I can offer is what would be proper in my experience."

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, I'm relatively sure she'll say yes, well, as sure as a guy can be I guess, but the thing is, I want to make sure she understands that it's a big deal. I don't think they have marraige, per say, where she came from. Truth be told, from what she's told me, it's kinda like asking royalty. The woman had minions that probably got down on their knees for her all the time... I don't know if she'll even take me seriously."

[ QUOTE ]
"If you are willing, the establishment could accomodate something...memorable for you." The Englishman pushed open the non-descript door to the "wine cellar", a room specially built for housing the collection.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Willing? I'd be ever so thankful, I believe the more memorable, the better in this situation. Unfortunately, I'm not exactly rolling in dough if you know what I mean, but I'm willing to splurge as necesary for this." He looked around at the wine collection as they entered the 'cellar.' "For starters, I have no idea what kind of wine would be appropriate. Heh, being that my business with M.A,G,I, required that I not get very involved with anyone as it could upset the space-time continuium and all, I never thought I'd have the chance to meet someone, let alone propose." His face broke into a full smile, the stuff of genuine excitement and happiness. "Thank goodness for being stuck in this century. I don't think I've ever been so pleased that I was fired."

[ QUOTE ]


"Pardon me, sir, but the wine you requested seems to be out of stock at the moment," he looked very apologetic, but kept his eyes locked on the green gentleman's, "would you care to come to the cellar and select another? I would not presume to make another mistake."

Martin stood aside, gesturing towards the hall that led to the wine cellar. It was amazing what could be said with the eyes, and eyes alone. His were certainly saying *This is your opportunity, sir*.



[/ QUOTE ]

"Oh, the wine? The wine. Yes. Certainly." Jasper stumbled a moment but caught on quickly enough. He pushed his chair back and got up, thanking the powers that be that it didn't topple over behind him. He tugged his jacket down again.
"Well, Crem it looks like I'd better go see the man about the wine. In the cellar." Martin had already turned crisply on his heel. "You know, downstairs." He hastily made his way to follow the maitre'd.
-

Crem held up one hand and wiggled her fingers in a little wave as Jasper excused himself. Getting a look at the back of her hand she noticed some dried blood on her knuckles. Trolls have glass jaws, she thought. Her full lips spread into a grin. She remembered that drawing attention to spilled blood in tribute to the proprieter would probably not be considered polite behavior. Where she came from it would be considered terribly rude not to do such a thing. This realm of man had it's own nuanced social rules, not any simpler than what she was accustomed to, just different. She brought her hand to her lips as unobtrusively as possible, tasting the tang of superadine. For all the good it did them. Dumb trolls.

She looked over the table, immediately falling in love with the fine grain. The irises were a nice touch. She settled into her chair, sufficiently impresed with her surroundings. Jasper definitely had something up his sleeve, he was acting like some kind of simpering fool. And she knew full well he didn't have the slighest clue when it came to wines. She found the whole thing terribly compelling. Jasper promised adventure, and he'd never failed her on that account before. She busied her mind by going over the lyrics to a new song she had learned.

-

"You require asistance?" Martin looked very calm and collected, but Jasper figured he probably had a lot of work to do, so he got right to the point as best he could.

"I'm very sorry to bother you, but I am in a bit of a pickle." He moved his right hand in a quick gesture and a little bubble appeared. A simple platinum ring set with a solitary Alexandrite stone floated within it. The light bounced off the dark stone in little bursts of red and blue.

"I was just going to drop this into her glass and go from there, but I think it's a little hokey aside from the fact that she's unfamiliar with such customs and would very likely just swallow it. I have no problem going down on one knee and all, but I need a good opening or she might misinterpret my intentions. Any advice a man such as yourself could give would be greatly appreciated."

The restuarant being only a few blocks away from the brownstone, Jasper and Crem opted to enjoy the evening air and walk over. That didn't stop her from making a depreciating remark about his usual "laziness" in "zapping" everywhere, but he took it in stride as he knew she meant it that way. Gracious thank yous usually followed such comments as he almost always "snatched her up from thin air" by usuing his recall powers on her whenever he got to where they were going. She did comment more than once that she was more than happy with him playing taxi.

When they arrived, he held the door to let her enter. He paused in the alcove to tug at his jacket, feeling self conscious that it didn't fit right on his overly muscled frame.

Crem had gone right on through to approach the podium. Martin descretely looked her over. She stood taller than most, though not quite as tall as Gal, even with the six inch sling back red stilettos she wore to match the red silk dress that just barely passed as formal attire as it was a might bit short. However, it appeared as though she may have had discretion in mind by the addition of a devore cut velvet shawl, also red, the sheer areas arranged in a stylized flame motif. She obviously put care into her makeup, heavy black kohl and juicy red lipstick that might look garrish on someone else looked elegant and natural on her. Her short auburn hair looked to be arranged carefully as well, to overtly show off her horns which reflected the light as though buffed to a shine, the ochre colored tips blending to ebony black at the roots. He could tell immediately in the way she carried herself that she was acustomed to looking down upon others, and not just because of her height.

"Good evening, mamdamme," he greeted her. "And sir," he ammended noticing the stocky green skinned man who hurried to join her.

Jasper immediately recognized the accent from the brief telephone conversation as he sidled up next to his companion.

"Ahh... hello, yes, I called earlier to reserve a table. Something special. I know I neglected to leave my name but I hope it's not too much trouble." He looked at Martin expectantly.

"Not a problem, sir," Martin said as he gestured for them to follow.

Jasper caught the eye of the maitre d'. After making sure Crem wasn't paying attention he mouthed "help me."

--

((OOC: Jasper intends to pop the big question, but he's not quite sure how to do it, especially considering some mitigating circumstances. He's marked Martin as someone who might be able to give him some advice on how to go about things in a proper fashion. If Martin indicates he is willing to help, Jasper will excuse himself after they are seated and seek him out, otherwise I'm sure he'll figure something out.))

[ QUOTE ]


"Now, would you care for a table with visibility or privacy?" He listened and made a note. "How many in your party? And I would expect you will be dressed for dinner?"


[/ QUOTE ]

er... um just two. I think privacy would be better, but we'll take whatever is available."

He ran his hand through his thick shock of black hair as the front door opened and Crem ducked to enter. She filled the entryway with her presence, oxblood leather and weathered steel a striking contrast to her pale skin, of which she had no problem showing plenty. She gracefully cleared the archway that divided the foyer from the small living room despite her height and having to mind the twin horns that thrust forward from her temples.

He quickly turned his back to her and lowered his voice to nearly a whisper. "The more ah, romantic the better." Once everything got arranged he hastily thanked the party on the other end and hung up.

"What was all that about?" she asked as she gingerly took a place on the overstuffed sofa.

"Er.. dinner!" he replied, probably too eagerly. "Go on and change into that little red number you got to perform in, and we'll go."

"Dahling," she said in her particular sultry drawl, "why on earth would I need to wear a cocktail dress to City of Gyros?"

"Now Crem, I know how much you like gyros, but we're going somewhere different tonight."

"Oh?" she asked raising an eyebrow. He figured she probably smirked as well but he couldn't see it because she was still wearing the red cowl that concelaed the lower part of her face.

"Yeah. I promise it'll be an adventure."

As nervous as he was he was looking forward to a night out not as Commander Neutron and Crematorietta, crimefighters. Tonight they would be just Jasper Marx and Crematorietta, regular Joes, well, as regular as a displaced time traveler and demonic spirit from the netherworld could be anyway.

Jasper picked up the telephone for the third time and finally dialed the number printed on the flyer. The description of the restaurant looked as though it would be fancy enough. He hoped he would be able to make a reservation on such short notice. City of Gyros simply wouldn't do for tonight.
As the phone rang on the other end he considered hanging up and not going through with it. No. If he didn't do this now he'd chicken out for good and never do it. If he couldn't make reservations for within the next couple of hours, he would probably have to wait a long time for another chance anyway.
The times Crem had 'free time' came few and far between. When she arrived home from the mission she was on she probably would want to run right back to her contact and go on another. She insisted on soloing this evening against his better judgement and advice, but the woman couldn't stay idle for more than an hour and he needed a break - especially with what he intended to do tonight.

He noticed his reflection in the small mirror opposite the entryway of his spartan brownstone. A heavy sheen of sweat covered the ample, greenish forehead making the collared shirt and tie look more uncomfortable than it was. You'd think I was going up against a villainous monster, he teased himself as the line picked up on the other end. He reminded himself that Crem was, after all, a demonic visitor, a monster to some, as the somewhat stuffy accented voice of a man answered.
"Thank you for calling Ladies by the Lake. How may I help you?"

"Ah...ah yeah," Jasper stuttered as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "I'm sorry for the short notice, but would it be possible to reserve a table for this evening, within the hour if possible? It's a very, um, special occasion." He added under his breath "Please, please tell me you have something."

((OOC: Yay! I'm so glad to see this thread active again ))

Betty Clocker: anything in brass.

Sensory Register: I forgot. What's yours?

Prussian Blue: er.. dark blue?

[ QUOTE ]
"One of the nice things about living alone. No questions asked. You're probably right, though. It's just about time to get back out there and earn my keep."


[/ QUOTE ]

"Hehe. You don't know the half of it. My roomate's an ex cop. Part of the ahem, agreement, I have with the city is that I have a permanent address. Security chief 'highly reccomended' that I settle in with this friend of his. I guess they sort of figured in leiu of a probation officer..."

She watched with interest as he jotted down his phone number on the little pad of paper. When he handed it to her, she accepted it graciously, but shifted nervously in her seat. She had always been a loner by nature, and between all the contacts, city officials, police and other heroes she had to interract with as of late, she felt more than a little overwhelmed.

"Thank you. Truth is, I usually just go down kicking and screaming before I remember that I can call someone for help, but I guess that's one of the things Professor Ventro says I need to work on, so you may yet hear from me sometime."

She folded the little piece of paper up into a tiny little square and then opened a compartment in the side of the armor, pulling out a wad of crumpled bills and various small mechanical ephemera. She left all the money on the bar in a pile, neglecting to count it (there's enough there to pay for both meals, drinks and probably a good portion of the President's request so either Narshawn's getting a very big tip or it could be considered a donation towards fighting the good fight out by the portals). She replaced the asortment of small parts along with the paper. She got the feeling that perhaps she was forgetting soemthing and realized that perhaps she was supposed to give her own number in exchange. She fished out a stubby pencil and then fumbled with the phone again, finding it necessary to look up her own number. She scratched it down on a napkin and handed it to him.

"Don't worry," she said ofhandedly, "If you call it won't be a stand up, that's just special treatment for the Professor."

She hopped off the stool, feeling slightly more wobbly from the drinks than she expected, stuck the clockwork arm back under her own and folded the towel it had been wrapped in neatly and set it on the bar next to the money.

"Well, thanks. It's been a very long time since I've had dinner with anybody. I can say I've had lots worse experiences after picking myself up off the ground."

She left via the doors leading directly to the street from the bar, stopping to turn and give a short wave to Narshawn before disappearing through the doors.