Private Tales City Nights

[alphabunny]

"No one has yet been able to tie me down or split my fortune. And that's fine by me."

"Well it most definitely is not love if you are worried about a split fortune Tzuriel." Rou once again crossed her arms in a hostile manner. Money must be a big deal to him, typical. If you come from wealth of have it you have the tendency to think everyone is after it, majority of the time that is also true.

stand to gain by working for me."

Rou was certain she saw him blush, but she could not be certain, "Well aren't you the charmer Mr Alanthis?" It was more of a statement then a question. Rou smiled, the opportunity she had been waiting for, dreaming of since she was a child.
"In case you must know, I'm a pretty decent fighter Tezzy. I'm also open to using my femininity to.."
Rou pondered for a moment, licked her peach lips and continued, "distract someone we would rather have otherwise occupied."

"I'll accept your offer, but I have some requests."

Rou began to list her well mannered demands.
1. She would only wear a dress if it was necessary.
2. She would get a new bow and unlimited amount of arrows.
3. She would always have a male companion when out on an operation

and last but not least,

Tzuriel had to swear he would not fall in love with her.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"I'll accept your offer, but I have some requests."

He listened to her requests, she seemed interested now that the offer was out there, even though her final condition caught him by surprise he didn't object.
"Done. We can write up a contract in the morning and shake on it."
He reached into his coin purse and produced a platinum piece and put it in her hand.
"Use this to check in to a good inn near the market district and avail yourself of whatever you want with the leftover change. In the morning you can ask anyone for directions to my office, I'll have a contract written up and we can sign it and seal the deal."

He stood up, a little disappointed that he won't have company tonight, but satisfied that he got a skilled employee instead. He had a good feeling that this was the right choice.
He turned to her and offered his hand to shake.
"Until tomorrow, miss Stonewall. I look forward to doing business with you."

 

[alphabunny]

Rou did exactly as Tzuriel has instructed. She found herself a rather decent Inn. Rou was able to have a hot bath without the rush off catching her and expecting payment. She even got a comfortable bed and slept like a baby, something she was never able to do before.

Rou and her father had always lived in poverty and all of these small things allowed her to appreciate the life she would now be living.

The following morning she stood up early, the sun was barely awake by the time Rou left the inn.
On her way to Tzuriels office she stopped at a clothing merchant. She used her left over coin to buy herself a pair of new pants, a leather corset and a new maroon jacket. Rou found herself rather good looking in her new outfit. Her hair was loose and fell past her shoulders, she was even able to afford a decent bow and some arrows.



After getting directions she found her way to Tzuriels office, took a deep breath and opened the door.

 

[alphabunny]

Rou was nervous. Alleria wasn't some small town where you know exaclty who you were dealing with, it was a city and everyone had about five different masks they could put on
She just needed to discover if she needed a mask or two of her own.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

The building that held his office was large, not quite a mansion but similar in size. It was located somewhat near the docks at the edge of the market district with a breathtaking view of the water.
Upon entering there would be a lobby with a man dressed in leather armor and a nightstick looped on his belt.
After collecting her name he sent word up of her arrival.

Tzuriel was wondering if she would show, he couldn't think of any reason why she wouldn't but he also couldn't read elves very well.
He had a mountain of paperwork to get through especially after his absence, but any distraction would be a welcome one.
The busty blond secretary stationed at a desk outside his door gave a knock and poked her head and assets into his office, "Mister Alanthis. Your appointment with a "Miss Stonewall" is here."
He glanced up from his writing and gave a grateful sigh, "Thank you, Lizzy. Please send her in."

Permission was relayed down to the guard who then escorted Rou up to the office where the secretary ushered her in to the lavishly decorated office.
He stood up and walked around the desk, smiling and offering his hand in greeting. "Welcome, Miss Stonewall! I'm glad you could come save me from the boredom of all my work! Please take a seat. Would you like anything to drink?"

 

[alphabunny]

Safe to say Rou wasn't surprised by the type of secretary Tzuriel had, he probably needed some type of eye candy when he needed a day dream. She scoffed at the sight of the women. Typical. But then again she herself did not dare complain about the muscles on the guard either.

Rou made sure to shut the door behind her, "Miss Stonewall ey? And here I was thinking we had a bond Teddy." Rou took a seat right on Tzuriels chair and started touching all the trinkets on his desk.

"Whiskey on the rocks will do, and please dont tell me you expect me to sit in a drab little office all day with blondie out there who probably has nothing going on upstairs." Rou smirked then reclined back onto the chair.
"By the way, what do you think of my new coat darling?" Rou smiled now like a child on Christmas, she was rather chuffed with herself to say the least.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"Miss Stonewall ey? And here I was thinking we had a bond Tezzy."
"Whiskey on the rocks will do, and please don't tell me you expect me to sit in a drab little office all day with blondie out there who probably has nothing going on upstairs."

He responded as he went over to the cabinet to prepare her drink.
"For today you are here in an official capacity, so Miss Stonewall is the proper vernacular.
If you have somewhere more important to be I promise I won't take up too much of your time."
He set down a full glass in front of her and sat down in his own place. It was too early so he didn't take anything to drink.

"By the way, what do you think of my new coat darling?"

He gave her an appreciable look over, "I see you put that Platinum to good use. You seem fairly well equipped."

He moved some papers aside to give them space and pulled a contract out of his desk.
"Just give this a read over before you sign it and we'll go over the details."

This Agreement, made at Alliria City, Alliria, on this day, by and between Tzuriel D. Alanthis, a merchant trading owner/contractor, and the undersigned client shall be considered a statement of the exact terms and agreement for the purpose of proper business accounting. Furthermore, this agreement will act as a final statement of the agreements made by the contractor to the client for fulfilling their duties as stated in this agreement. Therefore, it is agreed between the parties as follows:
​

1. Contractor shall furnish all weapons, armor, rations, potions and any other necessary and customary adventuring gear, equipment and supplies for the use of the client. The contractor is responsible for all damage and maintenance to said gear, equipment and supplies.​
2. Contractor shall furnish all housing, beds, furniture, funding and any other necessary and customary daily living supplies and equipment for the use of the client. Contractor will be responsible for all damage and maintenance to said housing, supplies and equipment.​
3. Contractor shall furnish all transportation to and from any necessary location and will be responsible for all damage and maintenance to the transportation equipment.​
4. Contractor shall submit to the conditions outlined by the client in the spirit of this contract, the contractor shall not require the client to wear a dress or other formal wear unless absolutely necessary, the contractor shall partner the client with male company during the duties required, the contractor shall neither fall in love or in any way be bound or beholding to the undersigned client.​
5. The client, as an independent contractor agrees to devote reasonable efforts to the use and defense of the contractor and his assets wherever they may be located. The client will contribute any information and assets that are in concerns to the safety of contractors interests. The client may draw upon and make use of the funds and proceeds provided and yielded in the course of their duties with the permission of the contractor.​
6. Client shall furnish all needed personal clothing and bedding and will be responsible for all damage to such items.​

This agreement shall not in any way make the parties hereunder partners or make one liable in any fashion for the debts of the other.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the contractor and client have signed this agreement on the day and year below stated.​

Four blanks were positioned below for the names of both parties and the date. Tzuriel had not yet signed it.

 

[alphabunny]

I promise I won't take up too much of your time.

Rou was rather intrigued by this other side of Tzuriel. She respected his ability to sepreate buisness from social calls, it explained why he was so successful. A must have quality for an entrepreneur.

put that Platinum to good use. You seem fairly well equipped

"Why thank you darling, I appreciate the compliment."

give this a read over before you sign it and we'll go over the details

Once Tzuriel handed her the contract she did her best to decifer them without giving away that she was illiterate. A frown crossed her face and she mouthed the words to herself.
Pushing the papers aside she looked up at him,
"Very well Mr Alanthis. I agree to your terms. I must ask though, is a signiture not necessary?"

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"Very well Mr. Alanthis. I agree to your terms. I must ask though, is a signature not necessary?"

"Of course, I was merely awaiting your approval of the document before I signed it, incase some changes had to be made that I may not agree to."
He responded with a smile and a wink.
"If everything is in order I will sign it."
With a last look over the contract he signed his name and the date, and then signed the copy for his own use before sliding the pages back to her with a quill and ink for her to sign.

"This contract will serve as a receipt for your employment. Welcome to Alanthis Trade and Co."
After she signed he stood up and offered to shake to seal the deal.
"As stated in the contract, I will supply any equipment and necessities while you're working for me, plus you have access to funding for whatever else you think will benefit the interests of the company you now represent. And as promised, I can offer you a full recommendation to join the Adventurers Guild, the Monster Hunters Guild, or a mercenary band of your choice should you wish to pursue other opportunities outside of your employment."

 

[alphabunny]

Things were about to get very good.
"Thank you for your time Sir."
Rou fidgeted with a little trinket she found on Tzuriels desk.

"Well, now that all the formalities are behind us, whats the agenda for the day?" Rou hoisted herself up onto the desk and sat. She never had worked for anyone before and wasn't really aware on how to act in the buisness world. This was all unknown territory for her.
Her stomach grumbled, reminded her she hadnt eaten in 2 days. Nevertheless, she would nip an apple by an unsuspecting farmer on her way out.

 

[alphabunny]

"For now though I think I would rather stick with our crew until I have grown accustomed to my new lifestyle here"

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"Thank you for your time Sir."

"Sir". He smiled a little to himself. She was getting the hang of this.

"Well, now that all the formalities are behind us, whats the agenda for the day?"

Tzuriel began sorting through some of his other papers again. Thoughtfully considering.
"I'm currently approving a few upcoming caravans and their cargo. You should know that part of the success of my business is attributed to the contracts I have with the adventurers guild and the monster hunters guild. Alanthis Trade and Co. Is known as the most reliable supply and trade service in Arethil."
He selected a few pages and offered them to her.
"Here's a few options to help you get used to how we work. Short trips to nearby cities and towns.
I'm sending a merchant ship to Oban in the kingdom of Dalradia.
A trade caravan to Rhoad Village in the Allir Reach.
And a supply caravan to the Templar stronghold to the South West of Alliria.
All of my caravan masters and captains are experienced men and know the way to their destination well. Your job would be to protect one of these caravans."
He sorted through some other papers and began signing them.
"You won't be alone, of course. Like I said, mercenaries or a party of adventurers or a team of monster hunters will be already assigned to these. You'll have all the support you need to utilize your bow."
He looked from his writing and indicated the forms in front of her.
"Just pick one that looks the most interesting and I'll give you the details."

 

[alphabunny]

Rou took the pages from Tzuriel,

Your job would be to protect one of these caravans."

"Very well, Im assuming you will not be accompanying any of the trips."

have all the support you need to utilize your bow.

"Sounds like im going to be having quite the bit of fun," Rou smirked and winked at Tzuriel.

I'll give you the details."

Rou didnt bother trying to read the papers, not that she could anyways.

"I think I'll join the crew you have going on the ship. Like to try my hand at fighting off some pirates." Rou chuckled, pushed the papers aside and looked Tzuriel dead in the eye.
"For such an established man Teddy, I would atleast expect you offered me something to quinch my thirst."

Rou then moved to investigate the rest of his office.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"Very well, I'm assuming you will not be accompanying any of the trips."

He nodded, "That would be correct. Whenever I go with my caravans my work piles up and I'm flooded with paperwork by the time I get back. My secretary handles the most urgent forms and she's good at her job... Which is why I keep her around, by the way."
He gave her a sly smirk.

"I think I'll join the crew you have going on the ship. Like to try my hand at fighting off some pirates."

He chuckled, "Pirates are only a minor concern. They usually steer clear whenever they recognize one of my ships since they know how much I spend on security, although Kivren pirates are also fairly common with a smaller information network. The majority of the guard you'll be traveling with are monster hunters, since the Krakens and Sea Serpents have yet to learn to fear my trade fleet."

 

[alphabunny]

is why I keep her around, by the way."
He gave her a sly smirk

" Are you sure thats the only reason Tezzy?" Rou raised an eyebrow and laughed.

nd Sea Serpents have yet to learn to fear my trade fleet."

" Well that does sound like quite the misson, and whats to be expected if I travel with one of your cravans? Is there one that will be working with any nobels?"

After laying awake for length part of time last night Rou relized one of her main goals was to rise in station. She was only 18 and had the world at her feet if she played her cards right.

She was rather disappointed though that Tzuriel wouldn't be accompanying her on her journey to come. She had come to enjoy his company, even if they had only known each other a day. Never the less, she came to realize the less you cared about people, the less you got hurt.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"Are you sure that's the only reason Tezzy?"

He laughed with her, "Trust me, I've not slept with her. She comes from a noble family and would want nothing more than to tie our families together for our "Mutual" benefit. I wouldn't have hired her at all if she weren't able to do her job. The rest I put up with as a matter of course."

"Well that does sound like quite the mission, and what's to be expected if I travel with one of your caravans? Is there one that will be working with any nobles?"

He was thoughtful for a moment, "The journey to the Templar stronghold passes through some well defined towns where the nobles reside in their holdings. The possibility of you meeting others on the road is pretty high as most who meet on the road prefer to travel together for safety.
Bandits will be the biggest concern traveling by land, most dangerous animals and lesser monsters stay clear of the well traveled paths.
The journey to Rhoad Village is in the Allir Reach, many nobles have summer homes and winter cabins in the countryside there. There are very few bandits there that would be bold enough to face a guarded caravan, that land is patrolled by the Allirian Rangers"

 

[alphabunny]

Rou rolled her eyes, "glad to see you don't try jump into every womens pants. Not that I would be surprised if you made an attempt at blondie out there." She began picking the skin on her nails.

Rou pondered for a moment, "I think I would prefer join the team you have going to the Templar."

Rou crossed the room and leant against the office door, one foot up against it and her arms crossed, "when do you plan on us departing? And if thats all, I think I'm going to go for a little stroll around the town if you care to join."

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

"I think I would prefer join the team you have going to the Templar."

He nodded, "Very well. That caravan will be leaving in three days."
He pulled a small bag out of his desk and tossed her a coin purse.
"I suggest bringing your own food and supplies. There is enough food stocked for everyone in the caravans, but it's good to ration that for emergencies."

"if that's all, I think I'm going to go for a little stroll around the town if you care to join?"

"Unfortunately... As much as I would like to I have a lot of work to do here, but don't let me bring you down. Take advantage of this opportunity, you have enough gold there to entertain yourself to your hearts content if you don't blow it all in one place. Alliria has hundreds of goods and services that anyone can take advantage of if they have the coin."
He gave her an apologetic smile.

 

[alphabunny]

Rou took the coin, and dissapointed she left. First she began by buying supplies. Then she tried her hand at gambling. Eventually though she decided to stop and have something to eat. She sat by a nearby fountain and pondoured her journey to come. By that evening she decided to head back to the tavern, the same on Tzuriel met her in.