65th of Glade, 121 AS
It was nearing evening once more, and Lyra had grown tired of the endless tides of people coming through her shop. Though she had hired Rean, she knew that there was too much to be done for one more person to handle. Hiring the girl had been so simple too, as she had simply fit what it was Lyra required. As for the rest of those she spoke with? Most were Circle members, hoping to gain a bit more influence through a connection with her shop given her contract with the Circle of Spells and several other high profile clients. All were nearly identical in their bearing and sensibilities. Each was the most proficient in the arts of scrivening, the most ideal candidate because of their experience in the circle, and each was ambitious far beyond their ability. One man, in particular, had grated on Lyra's nerves as he attempted to show her the proper method of adjusting aetheric flows in a closed system. It had taken but a few minutes and Lyra had seen him out.
I grow tired of the pretentious and the arrogant. Lyra thought as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
What did you expect? You asked for mages, educated mages at that. All that learning comes with too much confidence and not much substance.
Throughout this process, Naila had shown time and time again her amusement over the entire affair. It was rare that she got to see Lyra truly frustrated, and the last 6 days had been like a festival of mediacracy. The thing was though, Naila suspected Lyra's standards were far too high. True most of the ones interviewed were arrogant, but they did have a real skill. That last one who Lyra kicked out on his rear had actually brought examples of his work, and to Naila they seemed expertly done. To Lyra though... Well, she was not really satisfied with anything show to her. Except for that girl of course.
The sound of the door opening and closing made Lyra look up and sigh. The last one of the day had arrived, and already she was tired. Lyra straightened with a despondent air, adjusting the papers on her desk before folding her hands as she waited for the person to approach. It was a woman who rounded the corner, taller than Lyra with darker skin. Looking her up and down Lyra at first thought, she was an older woman, yet as she lowered her hood the shopkeeper found it difficult to truly tell the woman's age. Her hair was free but tied back in a not on the back of her head, dark as ink, and framed a thin face and high cheekbones. If Rean had given off a youthful air, this woman felt matured, aged without being old.
"My name is Emma." The woman said simply, offering a polite smile as she produced a folded piece of parchment from the bag over her shoulder. When Lyra accepted the paper Emma sat, folding her legs properly and glancing around the shop with interest.
She's a confident one. Naila's voice was impressed, a fact that made Lyra glance up from the words on the paper to look at Emma once more.
What is your impression?
I don't know. She gives off a presence that tells people in my line of work not to mess with them. Look how she's sitting. Lyra did, and Naila gently guided her focus to where Emma's hands were placed. They seemed to be neatly folded her lap, but on closer inspection, she could see her thumb was hooked into a band at her waist, I'd bet you a day's wage that she's got a weapon there. Plus when she sat she scanned everything, including the stairs and the windows. Only people who've had to escape in a hurry do that sort of thing.
Curious, Lyra opened herself to the symphonies and was surprised to find that this woman gave off a steady thrum, a constant yet calm beat like a drum. Harps played in the back, light and lilting as they indicated faint thoughts passing through Emma's mind. As she dipped further Emma glanced back at Lyra, raising an eyebrow before the rhythms were cut off completely.
Lyra smiled and set the paper down, "It seems you are a cautious person Em'fera."
"Do I seem that way?" Emma smiled as well before looking off into the shop, "I don't consider myself cautious. I just pay attention to things."
The tone was conversational, but the glance Emma gave seemed to imply a simple message. She had noticed Lyra's probing, but she would not make anything of it. Then, with a bit of surprise, Lyra felt a faint whisper through her own symphony. A tugging of interest, focus being brought to the woman's waist highlighted again, but this time Emma's hand had shifted to rest on her knee instead.
"Clever." It wasn't said in a condescending tone, but respectful as Lyra waved a hand, "Tell me, why is it you wish to work here?" Just like Emma, Lyra would not comment on the little exchange.
"I've traveled most of my life, as a merchant mostly, but I've never stayed in any city longer than a season. I am originally from the Isles off the cost of Zythura where I captained a trading vessel that traveled the coast from the Free Cities all the way the Dwarven Holds. I later left the sea and became a merchant that traveled between the Free Cities, and likely would still be doing the same to this day were it not for an injury." She glanced down meaningfully, and as Lyra stood to look over her desk Emma raised the hem of her long skirts to reveal a prosthetic leg.
"I see." Lyra said as she sat back down, "That would indeed make it difficult to travel, especially during the colder seasons when the terrain is not just difficult but dangerous."
"Yes. So I reluctantly settled here in Kalzasi. I've been doing some work for the Guilds and the Bank of Kalzasi, and have considered opening a shop of my own. Perhaps one day I will, but for now, I would rather work for a smaller shop that I think has potential."
This made Lyra raise an eyebrow, "And what potential is it you see in this shop?"
At this Emma chuckled, "More than I've seen in other shops in this area. Ale'Epherium is barely 3 seasons old, and yet it has obtained contracts with 2 other well-established businesses, the Skyforge and Jacun's Alchemy Shop. It also has the direct backing of House Novalys, and receives regular requests from the Circle of Spells not just on the product, but services as well. I've checked the books and after one season your shop has turned a profit, and the name Ale'Epherium is beginning to spread throughout Kalzasi for different regions."
Lyra blinked, surprised and somewhat dumbfounded by what the woman was saying. As if picking up on her thoughts Emma leaned forward and tilted her head, "Are you telling me you didn't know?"
"Renown had never been my goal." Lyra said honestly, her brow furrowing. Still, if what Emma said was true that could explain several things, including how these 'entities' kept finding her. Hadn't Sahfri said something similar as well? Internally Naila laughed.
Looks like your plan to hide fucking backfired. The mercenary chortled, beside herself as she practically rolled on the floor of the soul space, clutching her sides at the irritation that flashed through Lyra's mind.
"Well..." Emma sat back, looking puzzled as she studied Lyra, "Even if it wasn't your intention, you've started to attract some major attention. The kind of attention that can really change things for a shop owner, good or bad depending on what you do. What's your plan?"
"My plan?" It was Lyra's turn to look puzzled, "I am hiring more hands to deal with the increased work. The requests have grown to the point that I cannot finish all of them myself in a timely manner, especially when I have personal projects with which to attend."
Emma waved a dismissive hand, "Yes, but how do you plan to focus your shop? What is your specialty here? Do you want to continue to sell goods, or do you want to focus on special requests and item commissions? You also do service jobs as well if I recall, and those types of jobs always take up more time than you think. Do you have a plan for how to structure your business when the demands increase further? Or when you expand your wares? Do you plan to open another shop?"
The series of rapid-fire questions made Lyra sit back and stare. Suddenly Lyra felt as if she were the one being interviewed, not the other way around. She had never intended to be a shop owner. In fact, the business side of things had never interested Lyra in the slightest. It had simply been a necessary pain to ensure her future success. Lyra, knowledgeable as she was in her arts, found she was unable to answer the questions Emma posed, and it gave her an odd sensation.
"Let us say, Emma, that I am uncertain about much of which you speak." Lyra said after nearly a minute passed, "Are you suggesting that you, with your experience, would be able to assist in guiding my shop down the right course from here?"
"You just come out and say it don't you." Emma laughed, but nodded, "That's why I wanted to interview with you. I think I can help take Ale'Epherium to new places and help focus your direction. At the same time, I can take some of the logistical burdens off of you."
Lyra considered the woman's words as she studied Emma's expression, "I take it your expertise would not come cheap either."
"I am willing to negotiate," Emma's smile broadened, "But that is my specialty after all."
That day Lyra hired her 2nd employee.
It was nearing evening once more, and Lyra had grown tired of the endless tides of people coming through her shop. Though she had hired Rean, she knew that there was too much to be done for one more person to handle. Hiring the girl had been so simple too, as she had simply fit what it was Lyra required. As for the rest of those she spoke with? Most were Circle members, hoping to gain a bit more influence through a connection with her shop given her contract with the Circle of Spells and several other high profile clients. All were nearly identical in their bearing and sensibilities. Each was the most proficient in the arts of scrivening, the most ideal candidate because of their experience in the circle, and each was ambitious far beyond their ability. One man, in particular, had grated on Lyra's nerves as he attempted to show her the proper method of adjusting aetheric flows in a closed system. It had taken but a few minutes and Lyra had seen him out.
I grow tired of the pretentious and the arrogant. Lyra thought as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
What did you expect? You asked for mages, educated mages at that. All that learning comes with too much confidence and not much substance.
Throughout this process, Naila had shown time and time again her amusement over the entire affair. It was rare that she got to see Lyra truly frustrated, and the last 6 days had been like a festival of mediacracy. The thing was though, Naila suspected Lyra's standards were far too high. True most of the ones interviewed were arrogant, but they did have a real skill. That last one who Lyra kicked out on his rear had actually brought examples of his work, and to Naila they seemed expertly done. To Lyra though... Well, she was not really satisfied with anything show to her. Except for that girl of course.
The sound of the door opening and closing made Lyra look up and sigh. The last one of the day had arrived, and already she was tired. Lyra straightened with a despondent air, adjusting the papers on her desk before folding her hands as she waited for the person to approach. It was a woman who rounded the corner, taller than Lyra with darker skin. Looking her up and down Lyra at first thought, she was an older woman, yet as she lowered her hood the shopkeeper found it difficult to truly tell the woman's age. Her hair was free but tied back in a not on the back of her head, dark as ink, and framed a thin face and high cheekbones. If Rean had given off a youthful air, this woman felt matured, aged without being old.
"My name is Emma." The woman said simply, offering a polite smile as she produced a folded piece of parchment from the bag over her shoulder. When Lyra accepted the paper Emma sat, folding her legs properly and glancing around the shop with interest.
She's a confident one. Naila's voice was impressed, a fact that made Lyra glance up from the words on the paper to look at Emma once more.
What is your impression?
I don't know. She gives off a presence that tells people in my line of work not to mess with them. Look how she's sitting. Lyra did, and Naila gently guided her focus to where Emma's hands were placed. They seemed to be neatly folded her lap, but on closer inspection, she could see her thumb was hooked into a band at her waist, I'd bet you a day's wage that she's got a weapon there. Plus when she sat she scanned everything, including the stairs and the windows. Only people who've had to escape in a hurry do that sort of thing.
Curious, Lyra opened herself to the symphonies and was surprised to find that this woman gave off a steady thrum, a constant yet calm beat like a drum. Harps played in the back, light and lilting as they indicated faint thoughts passing through Emma's mind. As she dipped further Emma glanced back at Lyra, raising an eyebrow before the rhythms were cut off completely.
Lyra smiled and set the paper down, "It seems you are a cautious person Em'fera."
"Do I seem that way?" Emma smiled as well before looking off into the shop, "I don't consider myself cautious. I just pay attention to things."
The tone was conversational, but the glance Emma gave seemed to imply a simple message. She had noticed Lyra's probing, but she would not make anything of it. Then, with a bit of surprise, Lyra felt a faint whisper through her own symphony. A tugging of interest, focus being brought to the woman's waist highlighted again, but this time Emma's hand had shifted to rest on her knee instead.
"Clever." It wasn't said in a condescending tone, but respectful as Lyra waved a hand, "Tell me, why is it you wish to work here?" Just like Emma, Lyra would not comment on the little exchange.
"I've traveled most of my life, as a merchant mostly, but I've never stayed in any city longer than a season. I am originally from the Isles off the cost of Zythura where I captained a trading vessel that traveled the coast from the Free Cities all the way the Dwarven Holds. I later left the sea and became a merchant that traveled between the Free Cities, and likely would still be doing the same to this day were it not for an injury." She glanced down meaningfully, and as Lyra stood to look over her desk Emma raised the hem of her long skirts to reveal a prosthetic leg.
"I see." Lyra said as she sat back down, "That would indeed make it difficult to travel, especially during the colder seasons when the terrain is not just difficult but dangerous."
"Yes. So I reluctantly settled here in Kalzasi. I've been doing some work for the Guilds and the Bank of Kalzasi, and have considered opening a shop of my own. Perhaps one day I will, but for now, I would rather work for a smaller shop that I think has potential."
This made Lyra raise an eyebrow, "And what potential is it you see in this shop?"
At this Emma chuckled, "More than I've seen in other shops in this area. Ale'Epherium is barely 3 seasons old, and yet it has obtained contracts with 2 other well-established businesses, the Skyforge and Jacun's Alchemy Shop. It also has the direct backing of House Novalys, and receives regular requests from the Circle of Spells not just on the product, but services as well. I've checked the books and after one season your shop has turned a profit, and the name Ale'Epherium is beginning to spread throughout Kalzasi for different regions."
Lyra blinked, surprised and somewhat dumbfounded by what the woman was saying. As if picking up on her thoughts Emma leaned forward and tilted her head, "Are you telling me you didn't know?"
"Renown had never been my goal." Lyra said honestly, her brow furrowing. Still, if what Emma said was true that could explain several things, including how these 'entities' kept finding her. Hadn't Sahfri said something similar as well? Internally Naila laughed.
Looks like your plan to hide fucking backfired. The mercenary chortled, beside herself as she practically rolled on the floor of the soul space, clutching her sides at the irritation that flashed through Lyra's mind.
"Well..." Emma sat back, looking puzzled as she studied Lyra, "Even if it wasn't your intention, you've started to attract some major attention. The kind of attention that can really change things for a shop owner, good or bad depending on what you do. What's your plan?"
"My plan?" It was Lyra's turn to look puzzled, "I am hiring more hands to deal with the increased work. The requests have grown to the point that I cannot finish all of them myself in a timely manner, especially when I have personal projects with which to attend."
Emma waved a dismissive hand, "Yes, but how do you plan to focus your shop? What is your specialty here? Do you want to continue to sell goods, or do you want to focus on special requests and item commissions? You also do service jobs as well if I recall, and those types of jobs always take up more time than you think. Do you have a plan for how to structure your business when the demands increase further? Or when you expand your wares? Do you plan to open another shop?"
The series of rapid-fire questions made Lyra sit back and stare. Suddenly Lyra felt as if she were the one being interviewed, not the other way around. She had never intended to be a shop owner. In fact, the business side of things had never interested Lyra in the slightest. It had simply been a necessary pain to ensure her future success. Lyra, knowledgeable as she was in her arts, found she was unable to answer the questions Emma posed, and it gave her an odd sensation.
"Let us say, Emma, that I am uncertain about much of which you speak." Lyra said after nearly a minute passed, "Are you suggesting that you, with your experience, would be able to assist in guiding my shop down the right course from here?"
"You just come out and say it don't you." Emma laughed, but nodded, "That's why I wanted to interview with you. I think I can help take Ale'Epherium to new places and help focus your direction. At the same time, I can take some of the logistical burdens off of you."
Lyra considered the woman's words as she studied Emma's expression, "I take it your expertise would not come cheap either."
"I am willing to negotiate," Emma's smile broadened, "But that is my specialty after all."
That day Lyra hired her 2nd employee.
