Quoted By:
Despite your best efforts, you fail to avoid the smug gaze of your newest ‘<span class="mu-i">friend</span>’. No doubt about it: being associated with her probably won’t endear you to many people at this shindig you aren’t invited to, but you’d be lying if you said you weren’t a little intrigued by the owners of the private island.
… or by her enthusiasm.
First thing’s first, you huff as you take a few steps out of the <span class="mu-s">COFFEE AURA,</span> if you <span class="mu-i">did</span> agree to help-
“Atta’ boy, tiger! I <span class="mu-i">knew</span> I could count o-”
<span class="mu-s">IF</span> you agreed to help, you continue, rubbing where Pepper playfully punched your shoulder, you’d be doing her a big favor… these people don’t even know you and you’re not even 100% sure you won’t just be kicked back onto the boat when you arrive…
“Of <span class="mu-i">COURSE</span> they won’t, sandcrab! You’ll woo them with your, uh…” The energy falters a bit in the girl’s voice as she stares at you for a moment. “... natural <span class="mu-s">CHARISMA!</span> Yea!”
She’s really not selling it, is she?
“Okay, <span class="mu-i">OKAY</span>, I see which way the wind is blowing here…” Pepper grumbles, “Let me guess: you want something in <span class="mu-i">return</span>, right?”
Well uh, <span class="mu-i">yea</span>.
“Done!” She chirps as she claps her hands together! “You drive a hard bargain, Diesel! I wasn’t going to at first, but you’re a negotiator-I saw that in your eyes the minute you approached me!”
Wait, she wasn’t going to <span class="mu-i">pay</span> you?
“Let’s sweeten the pot a bit, huh, ace?” Pepper suggests as she rubs her chin in contemplation, “What say I give you <span class="mu-s">CREDIT</span> when the big scoop publishes?”
Yea, <span class="mu-i">nah</span>.
“Ooh, we’ve got ourselves a shark here! Look out!” She laughs, clearly not noticing your growing impatience. “Well you’ve gotta’ meet me at the table, chief: anything in particular <span class="mu-i">YOU</span> want?
The word ‘<span class="mu-i">anything</span>’ hits you like a truck. Shit, you didn’t think you’d be negotiating tonight!
“C’mon, slick, meet me halfway here.”
Well…
>YOU WANT A TIP. A BIG TIP. IN CASH!
>HOW ABOUT AN ENDORSEMENT FOR THE PIZZA PARLOR IN THE SCHOOL PAPER?
>SHE’S BUYING YOU DINNER. SOMETHING FANCY THAT ISN’T PIZZA!
>A FAVOR! YOU’LL FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS LATER!
>A-ANYTHING, HUH?
>WRITE-IN!
