21 Frost, 121
Stefan was bustling through another day at the Windworks. As it was an inspection day he spent very little of it in his office, instead, climbing ladders, speaking to workmen, consulting with crew bosses, generally personally observing the workings of the place. He enjoyed inspection days, and ran them, unlike in most factories, as a sort of half-holiday. A day in which luncheon was provided for all the workers, hot coffee (in Frost), sandwiches and whatnot, whatever Dienerin arranged based on polls from the last inspection.
When Stefan joined the family business, the inspections had been done once a quarter, but once he had taken over he had increased them to once a month. The single day of light-duty didn't slow down production; indeed, based on all indicators, having the day seemed to increase the motivation and dedication of the workmen. He ended up, over the course of the day, saying a brief word to and shaking the hand of every man or boy who worked under his leadership. If any had a comment or needed a longer word he would listen, and if it seemed to be an issue which required more time than he had on inspection day he would have Dienerin make an appointment for them to be heard out later.
Melchior might harumph at 'coddling' the employees as Stefan did, but the quality and speed with which the factory floor produced was beyond even the senior Dornkirk's ability to thumb his nose at, so Stephan was allowed to continue as he chose.
He had stopped for his own midday meal, the workers all milled about the large table set up for it but most would leave him be while he had a plate and a cup in hand, when Dienerin approached him and gave the slight cough he used to get his master's attention, saying,
"Sir, a note has arrived for you."
If it was work-related it would have been taken to his office unless it was an emergency, so he hastily set aside his plate and coffee to take the note. The last thing he might have expected, when he opened the little white envelope was a piece of light blue paper, laced at the top and lightly perfumed. The scent was Delia's and as soon as his mind caught up to the fact a little smile caught at the edges of his mouth.
The note was simple, requesting that he stop by and speak to her before they went in to supper that evening. He was often at work so late that he dressed for dinner the moment he arrived home and met his wife, whatever guests they might have, and sometimes his brother-in-law, at the table. It was a lucky coincidence that he sent everyone home an hour early on inspection days. Staying himself to go over all the appointments Dienerin had made with the workers was something he could easily forgo until the following day. Thanking his man he slipped the note into his breast pocket, where it might now and then remind him to leave early, and got back to his day.
It was half-past five'o clock when he arrived at the manner, parking his carriage in its usual spot and explaining to Dienerin that he would be dressing for dinner in an hour's time, and that he would not be needed until then. The doors were opened as he approached them by the footman, which was new, as was the footman. The staff was beginning to fill out under Delia's attentive hand, which was in some ways quite pleasant, and in others... Well, it had been nice, in a way, when there had been hardly a soul to the place other than the married couple and Eitan. A sort of privacy that one never truly had with a full staff.
Handing his outer coat, hat, and driving goggles to the footman he stopped for a moment to straighten his windblown hair as best he could in a hall mirror before making his way to Delia's sitting room.
"Good evening, wife." He teased, moving forward to kiss her on the cheek. She looked radiant, as she always did, but something in her spark was brighter even than usual.
"You have summoned me to your side and I, your servant, attend you."
Stefan was bustling through another day at the Windworks. As it was an inspection day he spent very little of it in his office, instead, climbing ladders, speaking to workmen, consulting with crew bosses, generally personally observing the workings of the place. He enjoyed inspection days, and ran them, unlike in most factories, as a sort of half-holiday. A day in which luncheon was provided for all the workers, hot coffee (in Frost), sandwiches and whatnot, whatever Dienerin arranged based on polls from the last inspection.
When Stefan joined the family business, the inspections had been done once a quarter, but once he had taken over he had increased them to once a month. The single day of light-duty didn't slow down production; indeed, based on all indicators, having the day seemed to increase the motivation and dedication of the workmen. He ended up, over the course of the day, saying a brief word to and shaking the hand of every man or boy who worked under his leadership. If any had a comment or needed a longer word he would listen, and if it seemed to be an issue which required more time than he had on inspection day he would have Dienerin make an appointment for them to be heard out later.
Melchior might harumph at 'coddling' the employees as Stefan did, but the quality and speed with which the factory floor produced was beyond even the senior Dornkirk's ability to thumb his nose at, so Stephan was allowed to continue as he chose.
He had stopped for his own midday meal, the workers all milled about the large table set up for it but most would leave him be while he had a plate and a cup in hand, when Dienerin approached him and gave the slight cough he used to get his master's attention, saying,
"Sir, a note has arrived for you."
If it was work-related it would have been taken to his office unless it was an emergency, so he hastily set aside his plate and coffee to take the note. The last thing he might have expected, when he opened the little white envelope was a piece of light blue paper, laced at the top and lightly perfumed. The scent was Delia's and as soon as his mind caught up to the fact a little smile caught at the edges of his mouth.
The note was simple, requesting that he stop by and speak to her before they went in to supper that evening. He was often at work so late that he dressed for dinner the moment he arrived home and met his wife, whatever guests they might have, and sometimes his brother-in-law, at the table. It was a lucky coincidence that he sent everyone home an hour early on inspection days. Staying himself to go over all the appointments Dienerin had made with the workers was something he could easily forgo until the following day. Thanking his man he slipped the note into his breast pocket, where it might now and then remind him to leave early, and got back to his day.
It was half-past five'o clock when he arrived at the manner, parking his carriage in its usual spot and explaining to Dienerin that he would be dressing for dinner in an hour's time, and that he would not be needed until then. The doors were opened as he approached them by the footman, which was new, as was the footman. The staff was beginning to fill out under Delia's attentive hand, which was in some ways quite pleasant, and in others... Well, it had been nice, in a way, when there had been hardly a soul to the place other than the married couple and Eitan. A sort of privacy that one never truly had with a full staff.
Handing his outer coat, hat, and driving goggles to the footman he stopped for a moment to straighten his windblown hair as best he could in a hall mirror before making his way to Delia's sitting room.
"Good evening, wife." He teased, moving forward to kiss her on the cheek. She looked radiant, as she always did, but something in her spark was brighter even than usual.
"You have summoned me to your side and I, your servant, attend you."
