Not For Lack of Trying ((67))

[victoriousscarf]

That evening found Mistoffelees at the Palace, going through his uncle's papers. There were plenty of things to sort out, and he was sitting different papers aside for Coricopat and Macavity to deal with. He just needed the finical information at the moment, and he needed to figure out how to start remodeling the place.

Honestly, his head was already starting to hurt.

[qualapec]

The fat sack of potatoes had dropped dead. He'd had help, and Meixiu couldn't say she blamed whoever had done it, but it complicated her life considerably. The Palace was quiet, still reverberating from the shock of losing its clogged, diseased heart.

But Jones had been paying her bills. The one thing she'd been able to rely on, at great personal cost, and now she didn't even have that. Part of her hoped that his heir was as corrupt as Jones was. She got through the door, the staff members that had come into work that day, without much trouble. Calmly, she walked through the door of Jone's office, to see a cat that was black from his ears to the tip of his tail. "Sir, are you Mistoffelees Quaxo?"

[victoriousscarf]

The shorter tom jerked up, glancing up too quickly. "A-ah, yes. I am. And you would be...?" he asked with a slight frown.

[qualapec]

Meixiu moved into the room, steady but nonthreatening. "My name is Meixiu. I was a business associate of your uncle's and came to give you my..." congratulations "...condolences."

[victoriousscarf]

He blinked at that, setting aside his papers for a moment and looking her over. "Business associate? What did you do?" he asked, not feeling like skirting around any issues.

[qualapec]

"My father was a pharmacist and a supplier of opium to your uncle," she said plainly. "He died recently and his business passed to me."

[victoriousscarf]

"That situation sounds rather like something I just experienced," Misto muttered and paused to consider. "Well, I... I'm not really sure I either need a pharmacist or opium. I mean, I am pretty firm on not needing the opium, for either myself or the Palace..."

[qualapec]

"I have other talents," she said a little too quickly. "I've been left in a financial state that makes this situation...difficult for me." She paused. "Would anycat ever deal with your uncle if they didn't absolutely need to?"

[victoriousscarf]

"Well, I," he fumbled trying to think. "Not any sane cats no. Well, I'd like to help. What other skills do you have then?"

[qualapec]

"There's not much I'm unwilling or unable to do. Prostitution is where I draw my line. I would work for room and board. It would also be beneficial for me to be allowed to run my business on the side, giving you a negotiable percentage." She winced. This cat looked...honest, in a way. "It would also make it worthwhile to protect me."

[victoriousscarf]

Misto blinked and blinked again. "You know what... at this point it might be a better idea to talk to..." He really wasn't sure how to run this. "At this point I don't have jobs or anything. I know Macavity Hollister at the Demoniaque might be. Check with him and say I sent you."

[qualapec]

She nodded, nervousness creeping up her back. She liked plans and this all...changed her plans considerably. After a long pause and trying to hide her dread, she asked, "Is he anything like Jones?"

[victoriousscarf]

For a moment Mistoffelees just looked her before shaking his head. "No. He is not. He's... different certainly and a bit brisk, but he is nothing like my uncle."

[qualapec]

Meixiu studied him before nodding. "Then I'll...look into it. Thank you." A meet with another employer didn't seem like much promise, but it was all she had right then.

[victoriousscarf]

"Alright," he said and glanced back down to the papers. "Anything else you needed?"