hacked title number 4

"That's rather dangerous," Geena said gently.  "I see I'm not talking you out of this, so, very well.  I'll take the bed, but you have to have a comfy mattress on the floor, not the couch."

Tramp choked on his inhale, coughed, then started giggling.  "Are you really asking me social advice?" he asked.

Gaster nodded. "I believe I have an air mattress in storage. I'll go find it. Do make yourself at home." He said as he went to find the blasted thing.

Ashton nodded seriously. "Yeah. All my social skills are more about extorting information out of someone or threatening people, not... trying to make them like me."

Geena nodded and eased into bed.  She only meant to close her eyes, but in seconds she was out like a light, draped across the bedspread.

"And that's all I'm good at."  Tramp puffed on his joint, thinking.  "The Grey Gull.  I don't go there much, the owner don't like my type, but it's not to high end.  It's one of those half way points.  Not fancy, but no slum, either."

Gaster came back half an hour later with the air mattress, but upon seeing Geena passed out, he set the noisy contraption aside and read in a chair until she woke.

"Okay...." Ashton said. He had a place. "Now... what kind of people should I avoid, and what should I say?"

Tramp raised his eyebrows.  "You really do need me to hold your hand, don't you?  Alright!  Fine.  Pull up a crate!"

Ashton found a crate and did as he was told. "I apologize if I am putting you out..." He muttered.

Tramp shrugged.  "As long as no clients come along, it's fine.  Always swell talking to a new person.  Now then... Where to start?  Not to mention... What price to charge?"

Ashton furrowed his brow in confusion. "Price.... new person.... what?" He asked before it clicked and he sighed, taking off the hat to run his fingers though his hair. "Tramp, I want advice to talk and get to know people. I want to be in a relationship, not... that business!"

Tramp rolled his eyes in an exaggerated fashion.  "Ashy, I know you don't want to be in my line, even if you do have the bod for it.  I'm saying time is money, as is knowledge.  So...."  He arched his brows.  "What do you have to barter with for my time?"

"Please... don't call me Ashy." Ashton asked before he considered. He studied Tramp for a moment before he answered. "One of the few things I can barter.... information." he said simply. "I want information from you, and in turn, you can learn information from me, or I can find out for you. Take the legwork out. Or... I can spread information for you. You have certain products you want to sell, like in the warehouse, I can find the connections and people who want them for you. I deal in information."

Tramp giggled softly.  "That's not much, love.  I sell my junk as a side job because it's fun.  If I decided to expand, I'd be working day and night fixing stuff and making a lot less!  As for information... What can you get that pillow talk can't?"

"I can help get you connected to higher paying customers." Ashton offered. "More money in one night than you would make here possibly on the streetside easily."

Tramp smirked and shook his head.  "No you can't.  You work in my line, you know all the levels.  You on the outside, you think you can arrange meetings that are a lot more delicate than you realize.  You can't just hop into the bed of someone rich and powerful.  There's a boatload of secrets and sneaking around and secret handshakes. I have absolutely no interest in that kind of life."

Ashton frowned as he thought. He didn't have too much extra cash after buying the drum set the other day, but didn't know what else Tramp would want, and asking was always a dangerous question unless you knew who and what exactly you were dealing with. Ashton's face heated as he got an idea, and making sure the streets were clear, yanked Tramp in and quietly pressed his limps on Tramp's (very much an amateur, having had no training or experience) before he let him go, Ashton's face bright red.

Tramp leaned back slowly, running his tongue over his lips.  "That... was the worst kiss I've ever had.  No, wait, the drunk who'd just thrown up, THAT was the worst, but..."  He looked skyward, considering.  "The cost of what you did has to be weighed in, that took a lot of effort on your part.  Okay.  You bought yourself half an hour.  For the record, people pay me to kiss them, so I don't accept kisses as payment as a general principle."

Ashton frowned. "And yet you made it part of the payment for the drums." He pointed out. "And I'm sorry that I literally have kissed no one my who life up until now. You're welcome." He grumbled, not even realizing to some, a first kiss was suppose to be an important thing. To Ashton, it was a due he thought Tramp wanted, and basically said was utter garbage.

Tramp nodded slowly.  "Yeah, I made it part of the deal because of how much it made you squirm.  Wait, this is totally your first kiss?  For real?"

Ashton paused to think. "Yeah? Why?" He saw nothing special about it.

Tramp let out a groan and let his head flop onto Ashton's knees.  "Ah... Sweetheart!  Now I feel all kinds of awful!" The joint had removed all inhibitions, and now he rolled his head around to stare up at Ashton, pouting mournfully.  "Poor baby!"

"Ah...." Ashton said, still confused. "Why are you making sound bad that that was my first kiss? Was I really that awful?"

Tramp sighed as he lifted his head.  Gentle ringed fingers cradled Ashton's face.  "Ashy, dear, Your first kiss should be a special occasion.  Not a random smack on a Tramp."

"It... it should?" Ashton asked. "Uh, but why? Why is the first one special, but none of the rest matter? That makes next to no sense...."

"Because you can only ever have the first one once in your lifetime.  There is only ever one."  Tramp patted his cheek gently before releasing him and leaning back.  "Tell you what.  I know this lovely girl I'll hook you up with.  She'll go to the Grey Gull with you and teach you as you go."

Ashton considered his options before he nodded. "How much do I owe, and how will I know it's the girl you're hooking me up with?"

Tramp smiled.  "Show up in front of the Grey Gull tomorrow evening at 7.  I'll introduce you.  And..."  He looked Ashton up and down.  "Please try to look like you aren't from the streets."