OOM: Small town in the Sto Plains, inn, the next morning

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart is sitting in the main room of the inn, sipping his first cup of coffee of the day. Things seem to be going well; the maids and grooms pass him and simper, or grin, and the cook has been by and asked him about breakfast.

It will be served when 'his young friend' comes down. Urquhart is ready to say something funny and outrageous when Moist appears, for the edification and amusement of all present.-

Comments

[morethanprops]

Moist steps out and laughs, "Oh, how darling."

[scots_wolf]

"And the main mill room will certainly make a nice space to exhibit your work in!" Urquhart decides, striding towards it followed by Franz.

[morethanprops]

The artists all start talking at once and pointing out where they set their easels up and good fishing spots. Moist laughs as he keeps listening to all of them.

[scots_wolf]

"The problem won't be getting people to come," Urquhart laughs. "The problem will be getting them to go again!"

[morethanprops]

"That will be easy, look at this space. the art that will be shown can constantly be changed and there will be grand parties and class above."

[scots_wolf]

"When they sell something, the there's always room for more art," Urquhart says.

There's a noise approaching.

"That must be the marquis."

[morethanprops]

The carriage that pulls up is in beautiful shape and shines slightly in the light.

Everyone turns to look at it and one of the artists, rushes to get the door as a man in an elegantly cut tweed suit steps out, "Oh thank you, Harold. I hear that we have some visitors."

[scots_wolf]

"That would be us," Urquhart says, assuming the terrible stilted manners are for others. "I'm Hamish MacNess, and this is my dear friend and constant companion, Albert Spangler. When we get a break from the boring stuff life tends to pelt you with, he paints, and I fish. Among other things."

[morethanprops]

"Yes, its a pleasure to finally meet you. We're thinking of investing in this wonderful place,"

Moist shakes the Marquis' hand as he looks on in a confused way,

"Yes, its good to know you're interested."

[scots_wolf]

"Very clever and worthwhile project," Urquhart says. "Add a little coffee shop for visitors, and the place will always be full."

[morethanprops]

"Yes, sell some of the glorious pies from the inn. It'll be wonderful and we'll add our money and work, oh what a wonderful place it will be,"

Moist is almost spinning as he talks and points, making it come alive before their eyes.

[scots_wolf]

"We should perhaps talk more over food," Urquhart says. "I've brought a little something. Is there a workable table yet?"

His food and Moist's words -- the marquis would melt!

[morethanprops]

"We have one set up by the mill run, right this way,"

An artist leads the way and the baskets are pulled out and the food shown as Moist opens a bottle of champagne, "To a glorious partnership. Your art and space, all of our money, it should be wonderful."

The Marquis has his mouth open to point out that he hasn't agreed to give any money as he's given an overflowing glass.

[scots_wolf]

And after he's put that down, Urquhart hands him a slice of white bread with salmon roe, and just a dash of horseradish.

[morethanprops]

The talk swirls around lots of topics and whenever the Marquis tries to bring it back to finding out where Mois and Urquhart are from, he's diverted.

By the end of the afternoon, the food and drink is gone and many promises have been made and Moist ends by saying he'll contact his solicitor.

[scots_wolf]

"Excellent!" Urquhart says, standing up and stretching. "I really need some exercise now, and so does Franz here. Franz, should we take a walk?"

[morethanprops]

Moist laughs and kisses him, "We'll talk about art, darling and then have a celebratory dinner. This is so exciting."

The Marquis blusters some more as he's not sure what he's gotten himself into and finds himself pulled into looking at more art.

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart whistles to Franz, and just walks off.

"I'll meet you at the inn," he says.

[morethanprops]

The next few hours pass by quickly with agreements for setting up joint bank accounts and Moist seeming to agree to everything. The Marquis feels like he's in a little more control but still not as much as he'd like and promises to come around tomorrow with some documents.

Moist laughs and agrees as more champagne is opened before finally when the sun has gone down, he's let off at the inn. He enters and is tipsy as he looks around for Urquhart with a beaming grin.

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart and Franz are by the fireplace, wearing a brightly embroidered dressing gown and a little tartan coat, respectively. The dog was asleep while Urquhart was plying some grooms and maids with wine and whiskey and telling them hilarious fishing stories in his fruity Scottish upper-class voice.

They are both very happy to see Moist. The dog jumps up to greet him, and Urquhart beams.

[morethanprops]

Moist kisses Urquhart quite passionately,

"Oh, my dear, its coming together wonderfully. Come upstairs and I'll tell you."

[scots_wolf]

"Oh yes, going upstairs sounds absolutely delightful," Urquhart says. "Anneke, Robin, would you look after Franz while we -- confer?"

The maid and stableboy he'd addressed agree with a giggle.

[morethanprops]

"Charming, we'll come down to eat soon. I think I might be a little tipsy, darling."

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart puts his arm around him. "Lean on me, my dear, I am mostly sober and quite strong, as you probably know," he says.

[morethanprops]

Moist almost drapes himself across Urquhart and smiles up at him, "Oh yes."