Frost 88th, 121
Franky tossed his cigarette into the slushy snow of the Willowby Street, as he looked up at the massive, ornate entrance of the Zaichaer Central Bank. It was a beautiful, impressive building, one that Franky had gone into many a time. But today was different, and he was different. Today he was heading in, no longer as the meager customer of a moderately successful tavern, but rather as true business man, branching out and partnering up. Franky walked up the marble steps, a satisfied grin upon his face. He was one step closer to achieving his goals.
As he reached the front doors, he removed his hat, holding it in his hands, allowing the guards to see his unobscured face. He nodded at them, and they nodded back. He'd been here enough that they recognized one another, and he entered the building without bother. Once inside, however, he did not make his way over to the tellers as he normally did, but rather stopped by the concierge desk. A human woman there in a frilly blouse smiled at him, already had her arm rising to direct Franky to the tellers out of politeness and helpfulness. Franky stopped her with a smile and a raised hand of his own, to spare her the potential racist embarrassment.
"My name is Franky, I have an appointment with Gorin Feldschling. I am waiting on my partner Merielle Cavendish to arrive."
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, "May I see some identification, Mr. Franky?"
Unsurprised, Franky opened his cloak, pulling his visa papers from his inner breast pocket of his suit jacket, and offering them to the woman. As she read them over, nodding, Franky took the time to glance over at her name plate. Delilah. She handed the papers back to Franky who folded them neatly and pocketed them away. She stood up now, "Thank you, Mr. Franky. May I take your cloak? I'll show you into the reception area while you await Ms. Cavendish."
Franky shrugged off his large, furred cloak, folding it neatly over his arm, offering it to her. "Thank you, Delilah."
Delilah took his offered cloak, and led Franky through the doors behind her desk, passing guards that looked even more serious than those at the bank's entrance. She led him down an ornate hallway, where every doorway had more guards. She led him into the reception room, a room with a warm, marble hearth with a large fire going within it, comfortable sofas, and a décor suited for the absolute finest of homes in Zaichaer. Delilah took care to hang Franky's cloak on a felt covered hanger, being just as careful with it as she might a newborn. "Mr. Franky, would you like a refreshment while you await Ms. Cavendish?"
Franky nodded, unbuttoning his bottom jacket button as he sat down upon the plush sofa, "Yes, please. Surprise me." Delilah smiled genuinely and moved over to the small bar there as she began to throw together a cocktail. Once she was done, she offered it to Franky, a glass with ice and amber liquid and mint leaves, with a cinnamon stick in it. "A mint julep, Mr. Franky. It would normally be in a copper cup, but this dwarven crystal has copper laced throughout it and provides the necessary flavor and chillhold. I do hope it is to your liking."
Franky took the drink and nodded gratefully, "Thank you, Delilah."
And with that, she left, returning to her post. Franky took a drink, and found himself amazed. It was perfect. Better than anything he'd made. He'd sip this one slow and savor it. And Franky just relaxed there, enjoying this level of finery that he'd never had in his life. He could understand the desire and the aspiration for it all, truly. His older body felt old aches and pains disappear into the seemingly bottomless cushions.
Franky wasn't sure how long he was lost in thought when he heard the doors open once more. He turned to look, seeing Delilah, Merielle Cavendish, and an unknown elvan woman walking in. Merielle was in her smart, fierce, business facing blouse and slacks, while the elvan woman was in a sleek dress, reminding Franky of a viper. Franky moved to stand, and Merielle intervened, "No no, don't get up, we're looking to join you."
She smiled at Franky, "Apologies on being a bit late, I was tied up with some of our work. Nothing to worry about."
Merielle sat down on the chair near to Franky as the Elvan woman sat across from them both. She smiled at Delilah, "Two of your specials, Delilah, thank you." The woman now looked at Franky, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am not Gorin Feldschling, who you thought you would be meeting today." Franky worked to keep his surprise from showing, "But not to worry. My name is Ferra, and I am an Auditor for the Guild of Coins." She smiled politely.
"It is my pleasure to meet the both of you, in person. As always, in preparation for such meetings, our bankers do research on those looking to utilize more of our services. It is quite standard. We have read through every transaction and every set of books you both have turned into the bank, for the entirety of your lives." She let that hang in the air for a moment, "Absolutely perfect. Exactly what we expect from our clients. And we greatly appreciate it."
Delilah handed over the drinks, and Ferra leaned in, "The usual deductions from my account, please."
"However, that would not typically warrant the attention of an Auditor. No. That is why you would normally be meeting Gorin. No, I am here to meet someone who beat our prediction models."
There was a look of amusement and curiosity in Ferra's eyes, "Property 829 of The Bulge, of The Knob, of Zaichaer, of Karnor. Owner, retired Major Frankorg of the Imperium. Purchased using retirement pension, paid in full. Expected annual revenue of a a nonhuman run and themed tavern in this neighborhood amounting to just shy of twenty-two thousand golds per annum."
Ferra smiled, sipping at her drink, "And yet, you've managed to earn quadruple that amount within a single season."
She raised her glass, "We'll have to update our models for you, Mr. Frankorg. You might be an outlier but we will have to update nonetheless. This is quite an accomplishment of yours."
She looked over at Merielle, "And you, who come from the wealthiest family of Zaichaer, who refuses to use any of the family's coin, have also exceeded our predictions. On average, every wealthy family with more than five offspring in a single generation will have one who forsakes the family's fortune. However, your case is not common, in that your own wealth, earned by your own merits, grows at a faster rate than the growth of your family's. Most impressive."
Franky and Merielle both kept up facades of business, but this insight was perturbing to them both. Ferra continued, "Now I do not wish to waste time, it's far too valuable. The Guild of Coins approves your joint business account for The Knob Free Press, and we are certainly excited by this merger of two outliers. I am predicting incredible financial success for you both if you can keep up your growth rates"
She took another sip of her drink, "Mmm Delilah truly makes the best Juleps." Then her eyes fell heavily, eyes venomous on Franky, "Keep your books clean and know this, The Guild of Coins always receives its due. " She glanced over at Merielle, "Of which your brother is well aware." Merielle's face paled at this. A soft smile back upon Ferra's face, "You can sign the relevant paperwork on your way out, Ms. Cavendish. I must ask you to leave, as I need to have a private meeting with Mr. Frankorg here, on a business matter of which you are not a party to."
Merielle smiled politely. She was not easily intimidated but she had no desire to remain here, she got what she came for and did so with little effort and blood spilt. "Thank you, Auditor Ferra. I appreciate your candor and concise nature. May your coin travel far."
And with that, Franky found himself alone with this viper.
Continued here
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