[Social] Ainsley's Lion Part Deux: Episode II

[Leo Eskandari]

He shook his head again.

"No. That's not it. It feels... nostalgic somehow. Almost as if..." he said, going rigid as a memory surfaced. His father was telling him a story about the drawing; about an adventurous captain facing a monster to save his crew.

"Holy shit. My dad's study. I had forgotten all about the stories he used to tell me about the weird stuff he had. I haven't thought of that room in a long time. What the hell is it doing here?"

[Ainsley Green]

"Your aunt brought it with her and pawned it maybe?"

[Leo Eskandari]

"Oh no, I know who pawned it. She just didn't stop him," he said, growling slightly, "God damn greedy asshole."

[Ainsley Green]

"Maybe we could convince the museum to sell it to us when they're done with it?"

[Leo Eskandari]

"Most galleries sell, don't they? And they have it in with this random jumble, so maybe I can actually afford it," he said almost excitedly, beast soothed for now.

[Ainsley Green]

"Exactly. This stuff looks like bric a brac. Can't imagine they would charge an arm and a leg for any of it.

And I've some money from commissions if you need." He offered.

[Leo Eskandari]

"I'm hopin' I won't, but I'll pay you back if I do. Or rather my uncle will," he said in a way that implied he wouldn't give the man a choice.

[Ainsley Green]

"C'mon then. Let's go put in the request. "

[Leo Eskandari]

The clerk directed the pair to an office to one side of the front desk. The thin, bespectacled man inside eyed the pair warily as they approached.

"May I help you, uhh, gentleman?" he asked, made nervous by the huge mutant's appearance.

Leo, doing his best to be non-threatening, said, "Yes. I'd like to buy something. The untitled sketch of the Arabian Nights lookin' guy fightin' a monster. How much is it?"

"Ah, yes, an interesting piece. Exquisite detail, if lacking in refinement," he said snobbily, "I believe that might well be in the your price range. Students, yes? How does 30 pounds strike you?"

Leo blinked. It was more than he thought, but he could just scrape by. "Yeah, I can handle that. Also... could I ask where you got it?"

"Just a moment," the man said, searching his digital records while Leo searched his wallet, "Here we are. A pawn shop in Enfield. Enfield Pawn, uncreatively enough."

He stood. "Now, if you lads we will come with me I'll get you squared away."

"Thanks," Leo said.

Soon, the pair was back outside with Leo holding a plastic bag containing a small art tube.

He groaned, "Dude, that was all the cash to my name. So much for shopping."

[Ainsley Green]

Ainsley was pretty silent the entire time, shocker.

When they were standing awkwardly outside the gallery, Ainsley 'spoke up'.

"It occurs to me that perhaps this Enfield Pawn has more of your belongings."

[Leo Eskandari]

"Pretty much why I asked. But I need to go see my uncle first. I'm angry enough to not be nervous about it going into the city."

[Ainsley Green]

"I'll go with you."

[Leo Eskandari]

"Afraid I'll do something I'll regret?"

[Ainsley Green]

"Not really. Our kind shouldn't go alone. Anywhere." He probably meant mutant.

Probably.

[Leo Eskandari]

"You've got a point. Let's go back and check out a van, squeezing all this into a taxi isn't my idea of a good time."

"You do know how to drive don't you?"

[Ainsley Green]

"Of course!"

Probably not.