Re: [Outside Secondhand Books & Cafe: Misha & Sadie]
Misha, he wasn't machinating any. He was talking to her 'bout what he reckoned she was interested in, and 'bout what he reckoned would help her. It was her reaction to the money and her skill playing, that was what chose his subject matter, and it wasn't nothing else. And he didn't reckon it was greedy any to want to survive, and it wasn't greedy any to want perform and get reimbursed for it. He had himself a feeling that this girl would play regardless of money coming her way on account, but there wasn't a thing wrong with wanting a full belly and someplace nice to sleep on cold nights. Misha, he liked helping.
She was paying attention, which Misha appreciated, but she didn't need to, not close as she was. He wasn't going to disappear or withdraw his offer if she wasn't real attentive. It made him think some on Dietre saying he wasn't disagreeable on account of not wanting to fuss him, and he wondered if folks did this regular. He reckoned could be they did, since he knew he did it some himself with Damian, which Damian had pointed out. Thinking on that, it made him smile more warmly at the girl; he didn't want her thinking she needed to be any sort of way to get an audition at the Carnival.
"I'm real fond of it. Damian, he bought the place recent, but the man who owned it 'fore is still in town and owns the arcade. It's a real good place, but you ain't got to take my word for it. You're welcome to come see for your ownself. I can leave your name at the ticket booth. And it don't move. It stays here, which means we change up the shows real regular. Damian, he does all the business running. I just perform," he added. He wasn't real sure what anyone got paid or how all that worked, but he knew talent when he saw it.
He grinned. "You can bring your violin by whenever you're inclined, if you're keen. We got us a boy on piano that's real talented. His name's Dietre, and he plays accompaniment when called for. You talk to Damian 'bout setting up outside, but I'll let him know I recommended you come on. I reckon it would be nice to have entertainment for folks arriving." He took another long sip of his mocha. "There's all the regular midway games, well, excepting the one where you take a fish home. There ain't no animals in the Carnival, not 'less you count the fishman. His name's Abe, and he's real kind."