milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Javert is in his normal back corner of the bar. It was pouring rain when he finished in the forge for the day, so he came here instead of going out into the woods. He is surrounded by paper, and the odd ruler, and he is drawing something with precision on one sheet - only to finish it, shake his head and toss it away, before taking a new piece and starting again.

This looks like it has been going on for some time, and may continue the rest of the day. And possibly night. A distraction before his hand falls off would perhaps be welcome.

[OOC: Open UNTIL THE END OF TIME. Or next Wednesday. Whichever comes first. <3

ETA: YOU FABULOUS PEOPLE. *flings love at* I must crash, but it's been a blast. Am around all day tomorrow to continue. <3]

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'It is only lines,' he says dismissively, and starts to push the ones he will keep into a pile.

'It depends on what you would offer.'

"Would you accept the knife I made for you?" Teja says. "I am sure it would help with sharpening pencils, marking trees and the like. If you think it's too much, then choose whatever would help you best from among all that I may give you."

He was afraid that was coming, and is shaking his head before the man is nearly finished.

'You saw me draw that in only a minute or two. It is a sketch, that you may discard as you will. It is not worth a weapon of your craftsmanship.'

No one can possibly refute this, he thinks.

"And this is a drawing of your craftsmanship," Teja says, "or of your innate skill. Which is quite good. If you think the knife is still too much for this, then I would give you some commissions in the future. I can use somebody who draws my designs properly for me to show to customers."

'If you wish a trade, by all means.'

Something for something he understands, as Teja knows.

'But I will take it only after I have produced enough work to have earned it. That is the end of it, monsieur.'

He will not be swayed in this. He will not have his will beaten down until he is just another wretch, taking all that is offered. There will be nothing left of him if he does.

"That sounds quite final, and I accept it," Teja says. "But who says what is enough?"

He ponders that. It is a fair question.

'Ten drawings, perhaps? Dependent on their level of complexity, of course. It may be more. We will see.'

"And you say when it is enough?" Teja says.

'I would hope it will be evident, monsieur.'

He will settle for mutual agreement, if he must. But yes, his word is what he is pushing for.

'Unless you doubt my judgement.'

"You sometimes err on the side of demanding too much of yourself, and undervaluing your own work," Teja says. "But ten complex, detailed drawings that pull my designs into three-dimensional perspective: - that should be a fair price."

Teja will make sure he has commissioned them all by spring, when Javert will be able to start working in earnest, and has a use for that knife.

Edited 2014-01-25 02:19 (UTC)

'No man can demand too much of himself, monsieur.'

It is a crime that more people do not realise this.

'Ten complex, detailed drawings. It hardly seems a fair price still, but if that is your demand.'

Teja starts liking this odd, negative haggling with Javert, and feels that he is getting the upper hand this time.

"You said 'ten' first," he says.

'You are quite correct.'

He is glad Teja is being reasonable.

'Shall we say twenty?'

"Twenty only if you accept the knife for your use after the first five, when fifteen are still owed," Teja says, continuing to haggle.

His eyes narrow. Why is this man always so contrary?

'The first ten.'

"Eight."

'No.'

He is not used to haggling. It seems a waste of time.

'Ten, or nothing. You seem determined for me to have this knife - I do not know why, but if I take it, it will be because I have earned it.'

"You are very stubborn," Teja says. "Ten, but this drawing of the forge counts as the first. As this discussion started with it, as it was."

His mouth thins to a line.

'Very well - if you give it back, so it becomes more than a sketch.'

He hardly considers this one counts.

Teja hesitates. "I quite like it as it is," he says.

'...oh.'

He was not expecting that. He finds it rather knocks the wind out of his sails; he has little eye for the beautiful, and even less understanding of attachment to things. It does not occur to him that perhaps a simple representation can still hold meaning.

He does not know what to say, but does look rather confused.

"As the next drawing, I would like one of Cheval in his stall," Teja says, while he has the upper hand on this stubborn man, "so I can show my people how well he is doing, without using means that did not exist in their day, like photography, or computers. Make that as detailed as you will."

He frowns, suspicious once more.

'I understood you wanted this work for purposes of your commissions. It hardly seems to count if you merely ask for pictures of what you want to see.'

Though he cannot deny that as these people own the horse, they may like to see how he is coming along, to ensure he is being treated well.

"In only thought of it now," Teja says. "You are of course entitled to refuse, if you do not feel inspired, commission or no. One may not force art."

'It is not art.'

He wants to be very clear on this.

'It is shapes on a piece of paper, and only for necessity. Inspiration does not come into it.'

He cannot imagine inspiration outside of police work.

'But of course, if you genuinely desire a picture of the horse, you may have it.'